"Brother Cai, congratulations." As Li Xuan and the others departed, Zhao Gongde, with a face full of forced smiles, approached Cai Kaiji, clasping his fists and saying.
"Brother Cai, we had no choice but to make that decision just now. I hope Brother Cai can forgive us," Qi Mu said, also cupping his hands.
"Brother Cai, we were blind before. We hope Brother Cai will overlook our transgressions," Wang Shouli said bitterly.
Cai Kaiji sneered upon hearing this. "If Guan Tong of the Yihua Palace had won today, would the three of you have spared our Cai family? If I'm not mistaken, you were all thinking about how to divide our Cai family at that moment."
After speaking, Cai Kaiji let out a cold snort, then moved his figure and left.
"This Pianguan City is about to change hands," Zhao Gongde and the other two glanced at each other and then sighed in unison.
Although the combined forces of the three families were enough to crush the Cai family, with Li Xuan around, how could they dare to act against the Cai family? Let alone the Yihua Palace, the Domain Lord's Mansion of the Southern Region had been annihilated with a single sword strike. How could they dare to provoke Li Xuan?
"Let's withdraw from Pianguan City," Wang Shouli said with a complicated expression.
"This is the only way to protect our clansmen," Qi Mu replied, nodding.
"I never expected that the industry we developed over generations would be ruined like this. I, Zhao Gongde, am ashamed of my ancestors," Zhao Gongde lamented.
The Cai family would naturally not let go of such a good opportunity. Even if the Cai family made a move, how could they dare to resist? Holding a high position, they naturally understood that sometimes family development did not require new blood.
Often, a single choice or opportunity could lead to the downfall or rise of a family. This time, they had undoubtedly chosen wrong.
Star Radiance Auction House, VIP room.
After Fu Xiong poured tea for Li Xuan and Night Emperor, he walked out and stood by the door. Regardless of Li Xuan's identity or Night Emperor's power, Fu Xiong understood that he was merely a subordinate.
"Senior, you should be leaving soon too, right?" Li Xuan poured a cup of tea for Night Emperor and then spoke.
Night Emperor looked at Li Xuan, then smiled and picked up the teacup. "You little fellow, you truly surprise this Emperor. But you are right; I must leave. The reason I took so long was simply the vast distance."
"Have things been handled?" Li Xuan asked.
Night Emperor shook his head slightly. "It's a bit different from what I expected, but I sensed that you were in trouble, so I rushed back. This return is also to bid you farewell."
Li Xuan frowned slightly. Even with Night Emperor's strength, there were still things that couldn't be perfectly resolved. However, since Night Emperor didn't elaborate, Li Xuan naturally didn't pry further.
"Little fellow, many things are not as simple as we imagine. Perhaps only by reaching your master's level can one truly act with complete freedom," Night Emperor said with a slight smile, as if he had read Li Xuan's mind.
Li Xuan gave a wry smile. Mentioning his master, he hadn't even met him yet.
"Senior, why were all the people from the Domain Lord's Mansion killed?" Li Xuan asked after some thought.
Night Emperor laughed. "Little fellow, you are still too merciful. Let me put it this way: if I had only killed the head steward, do you think the Domain Lord would not have lost face? For the sake of his pride, do you think he wouldn't have acted against you?"
"Furthermore, I understood their past in an instant. It can be said that more or less innocent blood stains their hands. People like them are not worthy of living."
"Of course, I also had my own selfish reasons. Directly destroying the Domain Lord's Mansion is also paving the way for your future. At least until a new Domain Lord appears in the Southern Region, your safety should be guaranteed. This way, I can leave with peace of mind."
Li Xuan smiled wryly. He truly didn't have the standing to comprehend Night Emperor's divine abilities and methods. However, as things stood, Li Xuan saw no need to question further. A figure as powerful as Night Emperor would have no reason to deceive him.
Night Emperor looked at Li Xuan, then stood up. "Little fellow, your temperament is still a bit gentle. In dealing with people, you are indeed easy to get along with, but in certain matters, that is not the case."
"A sword cultivator should be unwavering, decisive, and even ruthless. How can a sword without killing intent slay an enemy?"
Li Xuan fell silent. Night Emperor's words had indeed made Li Xuan realize his own shortcomings. According to Li Xuan's initial intention, killing Guan Yu was enough. But the subsequent events had indeed left Li Xuan in a passive position.
Without Night Emperor, how would Li Xuan have dealt with Guan Tong? If Guan Yu's father, the head steward of the Domain Lord's Mansion, had come looking for him later, how would Li Xuan have handled it?
"Wildfires cannot burn them all, they grow again in the spring wind. You can be a gentle scholar, but when you act, you need to think further ahead. Troubles that can be resolved with the least effort should not be delayed," Night Emperor continued.
Li Xuan nodded slightly, his eyes becoming clearer. "If I don't act, it's fine. But when I do, it must be astonishing. If something can be resolved once and for all, there's no need to drag it out."
Night Emperor smiled and nodded. "Figure it out for yourself. That's all I can say. You have to walk the rest of the path yourself."
"Junior has received your teachings," Li Xuan said, standing up and bowing respectfully to Night Emperor.
Night Emperor nodded slightly, then his gaze shifted to the void. "I must go. Little fellow, I hope we can meet again in the future."
"Junior will strive to," Li Xuan replied with a smile.
Night Emperor smiled, then his figure slowly faded from view.