Night fell.
Li Xuan and Qing Tie Jun sat facing each other, a pot of spirit wine filling the air with its aroma on the table.
"Young friend Li Xuan, you are so calm?" Qing Tie Jun asked, putting down his wine cup after finishing a drink and looking at Li Xuan.
Li Xuan smiled and said, "Patriarch Qing, aren't you also calm? Why should I, a junior, worry?"
Qing Tie Jun burst into laughter upon hearing this. The more he looked at Li Xuan, the more satisfied he became. This young man was extraordinary not only in strength and appearance, but even in his demeanor. Recalling what he had said before, Qing Tie Jun suddenly felt that Li Xuan was indeed suitable to be his son-in-law.
"Li Xuan, what do you think of Ruo Yi?" Qing Tie Jun asked after some thought.
Li Xuan was taken aback. He could hear the implication in Qing Tie Jun's words. He smiled wryly, shook his head, and said, "Patriarch Qing, Miss Ruo Yi is naturally outstanding. However, I am already married. I appreciate your kind intentions, Patriarch Qing."
Qing Tie Jun let out a wry smile. Li Xuan had clearly refused. However, Qing Tie Jun was satisfied with Li Xuan's honesty. After all, Li Xuan hadn't taken advantage of the situation, which earned him more respect.
One must know that Li Xuan was from the previous district, and Qing Tie Jun could not easily ascertain his background. If Li Xuan had concealed his marital status, it would have ruined his daughter's life.
Although it was common for men in the central district to have multiple wives and concubines, Qing Tie Jun was unwilling for his daughter to be a concubine and endure hardship.
A gentle breeze blew, and Li Xuan and Qing Tie Jun suddenly exchanged glances. The next moment, a figure quickly arrived before them.
"Patriarch, the Mu family has attacked the Duanmu family. The situation is urgent, and the Duanmu family is already at a disadvantage," the man said, bowing.
Qing Tie Jun frowned, but then turned his gaze to Li Xuan and said, "This is somewhat surprising. The Mu family has changed their target to the Duanmu family. Li Xuan, what do you think our Qing family should do?"
Li Xuan smiled and asked, "Patriarch Qing, how do you compare the Qing family to the Duanmu family?"
Qing Tie Jun's expression turned serious, and he replied, "The overall strength of the Qing family is naturally comparable to that of the Duanmu family. However, even the Mu family is only a little stronger than us. Now, the Mu family has directly attacked the Duanmu family..."
Qing Tie Jun's words trailed off as his expression tightened, and he looked directly at Li Xuan.
Li Xuan nodded slightly and said softly, "It seems the Mu family's strength is no longer what it used to be. If not, why would they attack the Duanmu family? Furthermore, the reason they chose the Duanmu family as their target was to catch them off guard. Once the Duanmu family is dealt with, the Qing family will likely face a life-or-death crisis."
Qing Tie Jun nodded slightly and said, "In that case, what do you think our Qing family should do at this time?"
Li Xuan smiled and said, "The Qing family's actions are naturally not for me to dictate. However, since the Mu family has openly attacked, they must have sufficient confidence. The Duanmu family is currently under attack. Offering help in times of need is better than our Qing family confronting the Mu family alone."
Qing Tie Jun nodded slightly, then stood up and said to the man beside him, "Pass down my order, the entire Qing family mobilizes!"
"As you command!" The man bowed and disappeared with a swift movement.
"Young friend Li Xuan, shall we go together?" As the man departed, Qing Tie Jun's gaze shifted to Li Xuan and he asked.
"I once promised Miss Ruo Yi that if I don't die, the Qing family will be safe. Now, this can be considered my repayment for the favor of Tian Chi," Li Xuan said with a slight smile, standing up.
Li Xuan naturally understood that Qing Tie Jun hoped he would take action, as Li Xuan had the strength to kill a mid-level Master. However, Li Xuan was still somewhat puzzled. Although the Mu family was stronger than the Qing and Duanmu families, why didn't the Mu family attack the Qing family first and instead chose the Duanmu family?
What kind of confidence did that require?
Soon, the experts of the Qing family gathered.
Li Xuan took a look. The number was as stated by Qing Ruo Yi: eighteen peak early-stage Masters, and five mid-stage Masters.
"Target the Duanmu family, depart!"
Qing Tie Jun waved his hand, and figures soared into the sky, heading straight for the Duanmu family.
A few minutes later, the Qing family experts and Li Xuan arrived at the Duanmu family's location. All they saw was the grand mansion turned into ruins. The battle was still ongoing, with many corpses on the ground.
Boom!
With a resounding boom, several figures stood their ground.
Li Xuan looked up. Duanmu Qi's clothes were tattered, and blood was seeping from the corner of his mouth. Both sides of the battle had noticed the arrival of the Qing family. Mu Ru Xue frowned, but seemed unsurprised.
Conversely, Duanmu Qi and the surviving experts of the Duanmu family looked at Qing Tie Jun with hopeful eyes. After all, the Duanmu family had suffered heavy losses against the Mu family, not only because of the Mu family's strength but also because they had been caught off guard.
"Patriarch Duanmu, how about we join forces?" Qing Tie Jun's eyes moved, and he slowly said.
Duanmu Qi looked relieved, and the tension in his eyes dissipated. Although the Qing family and the Mu family were at odds, if they were to intervene, the Duanmu family would truly have no reason to resist. Now, Qing Tie Jun's proactive offer undoubtedly put Duanmu Qi completely at ease.
"Good," Duanmu Qi nodded slightly. Only eight experts of the Duanmu family remained alive.
"Attack!" Qing Tie Jun nodded with a smile upon hearing this, his expression turning cold as he waved his hand.
Immediately, the Qing family experts surged forward. Coupled with the Duanmu family's experts, their numbers were not inferior to the Mu family's. Moreover, their momentum reached its peak. The Mu family's experts were forced to retreat steadily.
Even Mu Ru Xue, under the joint assault of Qing Tie Jun and Duanmu Qi, was forced back for a thousand meters.
Ching!
With a sword's cry, a figure slowly fell in front of Li Xuan. Li Xuan sheathed his sword and glanced at the battlefield, then looked at Mu Ru Xue, who was confronting Qing Tie Jun and Duanmu Qi.
"What is Mu Ru Xue's trump card?" Li Xuan frowned slightly. With Mu Ru Xue's current forces, although they could still resist for some time, they would inevitably be defeated if the battle dragged on. For the Mu family to easily win this battle, they would have to reveal their trump card.
"Mu Ru Xue, aren't you going to reveal your trump card?" Qing Tie Jun also swept his gaze around and said coldly.
Qing Tie Jun knew that although he and Duanmu Qi could defeat Mu Ru Xue, given Mu Ru Xue's personality, he wouldn't come with such limited preparation.
Mu Ru Xue no longer concealed anything. With a slight smile, he bowed to the void and said, "Welcome, Ancestor!"
As Mu Ru Xue's voice fell, both Qing Tie Jun and Duanmu Qi's expressions changed.
At this moment, a figure slowly appeared before everyone's eyes.
Li Xuan looked at the newcomer with a solemn expression. At this moment, he finally understood why Mu Ru Xue had been so decisive in attacking the Duanmu family.
"A trump card of the advanced Master realm... This Mu family is indeed deeply hidden."
...