Lan Tianxiong was unfazed. He had long anticipated this outcome and had not held out much hope for the forces in Jiangnan City.
Master Wang, however, was so enraged his lungs felt ready to burst. He glared and puffed out his beard, unleashing a torrent of abuse upon Tan Hui, Tan Tianyang, and a large group of others.
"You call yourselves cultivators of the martial path? You've cultivated yourselves into dogs! Do you possess even a shred of the 'martial' spirit? I am truly ashamed to associate with you! If I manage to survive today, none of your families or factions will receive any assistance from our Weapon Forging Masters Association. Let your weapons rot in your hands!"
Master Wang was genuinely furious.
"Hey, you old fossil, what are you still yelling about? Don't waste our Governor's time here!" the bald man snarled, pointing at Master Wang.
"Slap!"
Liang Hutou's remaining eye darted around. "What Governor? You were supposed to call me Master Liang, did you forget again, you bastard!"
The bald man felt an urge to curse, wanting to cry but having no tears. His head, originally covered in thick hair, had been made bald by these very slaps from his boss. If you want us to call you something, couldn't you at least tell us beforehand?
"Has your Lan family made your decision yet? Will you surrender or die?" Liang Hutou asked the Lan family members, a sneer flashing across his face.
"We choose... to fight!" Lan Tianxiong roared at Liang Hutou.
"Fight!"
"Fight!"
The Lan family members behind him drew their weapons, and a sense of solemn bravery arose.
"Good! Of all Jiangnan City, only your Lan family has true grit. I deem you worthy! I shall fight alongside you." Master Wang laughed heartily.
"Truly unafraid of death. You have courage, then I shall grant you your wish." Liang Hutou sneered.
Just then, someone shouted, "Wait, wait, I surrender! I am willing to surrender! I don't want to die." A figure ran out from within the Lan family.
Everyone looked and exclaimed, "My, my, it's Lan Tiankui, the Second Elder of the Lan family!"
Led by Lan Tiankui, several other Lan family members secretly ran out and knelt at Liang Hutou's feet with a thud.
"Hahaha, I thought everyone in the Lan family was a tough bone, unafraid of death. Turns out there are also soft bones, hahahaha! Good, you know what's good for you, and I'll spare your dog lives." Liang Hutou roared with laughter.
Lan Tiankui offered an awkward smile. Even with his thick skin, he couldn't help but blush. The guests all sneered. All the Lan family members stared wide-eyed at Lan Tiankui and the others, wishing they could tear them apart with their gazes.
"It's fine! Everyone has their own aspirations. Let them go." Lan Tianxiong said.
Lan Tiankui, still kneeling, his eyes darting around, suddenly thought of something. His eyes lit up, and he said to Liang Hutou, "Governor Liang, no, no, Master Liang! I know a lot of intelligence! The Lan family's wealth and some important items are hidden there, I know it all."
"I also have a piece of important intelligence to report to you."
"Oh? Speak quickly!" Lan Tianxiong had his son and daughter, along with other young disciples of the Lan family, leave in advance. Master Liang, you must cut the weeds and remove the roots! These people may not pose a threat to you now, but give them some time, and they might threaten you."
"Lan Tianxiong has a son-in-law. This person is extraordinary, a super genius unparalleled in both martial arts and weapon forging. Not long ago, he was just a recognized good-for-nothing, but he suddenly defeated the Young City Lord of Jiangnan City in the martial arts大会. It was this person who helped the Lan family reclaim the fire crystal vein."
"This Ling Fan is only at the peak of the Meridian Opening Realm, yet he defeated the Young City Lord Li Qingxuan, who had entered the Profound Gang Realm! This person is extremely monstrous, and you must guard against him." Lan Tiankui earnestly expressed his loyalty to Liang Hutou.
Those who didn't know might have thought Lan Tiankui was Liang Hutou's son. In fact, Lan Tiankui had several motives. Firstly, he wanted to curry favor with Liang Hutou. Secondly, he feared that if he surrendered to Liang Hutou, Ling Fan might seek revenge on him later! Therefore, he decided to act decisively and use Liang Hutou's hand to eliminate all future threats in advance.
Liang Hutou's expression indeed became serious!
"If what you say is true, then we absolutely cannot let these people go. Where are they now?"
"That Ling Fan is currently in seclusion cultivating within the fire crystal mine. Lan Tianxiong's son and daughter have taken those young disciples to the mine to find him."
"Good! Tian Gou, take your men to the mine and capture all of them. Kill anyone who dares to resist!" Liang Hutou commanded. The bald man beside him immediately bowed in agreement. This person was Liang Hutou's second-in-command, also a strong cultivator at the early stage of the Profound Gang Realm, close to the peak of the early stage. He was secretly delighted with this assignment. Now that he wasn't by his boss's side, he wouldn't have to worry about being reprimanded by his boss for misnaming him.
"You good-for-nothing Lan Tiankui!" Lan Tianxiong looked at Lan Tiankui in disbelief. He could never have imagined that Lan Tiankui would do such a despicable thing.
"Jun Jie and Xue Yi are your own nephew and niece, and the other Lan family disciples are also your juniors! You sold them out! You, you, you, are you even human? You beast!" The other Lan family members, especially the elders, glared at Lan Tiankui, their eyes spitting fire. This was because among the Lan family disciples who had left were their own children, grandchildren, and granddaughters... Compared to Liang Hutou, they hated Lan Tiankui even more, their gazes wishing they could gnaw him to pieces.
Boom!
Lan Tianxiong attacked. But he didn't target Liang Hutou, instead lunging at Lan Tiankui. An incredibly powerful Profound Gang Realm fluctuation spread out, and strands of gang qi, as sharp and tenacious as steel wire, intertwined and lunged towards Lan Tiankui. Lan Tiankui was instantly terrified, scrambling like a frightened dog. He was merely at the peak of the Qi Refining Realm, and a very weak peak at that, nowhere near a match for a powerhouse like Lan Tianxiong.
"Master Liang, save me!"
Liang Hutou snorted. Although he also looked down on Lan Tiankui, Lan Tiankui had just provided him with such crucial intelligence. If he watched Lan Tianxiong kill Lan Tiankui, who would remain loyal and serve him in the future? He casually grabbed, and a net of gang qi enveloped them. Lan Tianxiong's attack was easily dissolved. Then, he waved his hand again. A solidified gang qi palm print condensed and struck towards Lan Tianxiong. His casual action caused Lan Tianxiong's expression to change drastically! Not only Lan Tianxiong, but all the other strong cultivators from Jiangnan City also turned pale.
Too strong! The gang qi palm print was intricately detailed, like a real giant's palm, and it slammed heavily onto Lan Tianxiong. Lan Tianxiong's gang qi defense shattered in less than a second. A concave palm print appeared on his chest, and he vomited blood, flying backward. He smashed through countless tables and chairs along the way, finally crashing into a pillar in the main hall before stopping. At that moment, the entire hall was silent with shock. Everyone's faces were filled with terror, frightened by Liang Hutou's terrifying strength.
Too strong! Lan Tianxiong was also an established Profound Gang Realm cultivator. Although he was only at the early stage, he was still very powerful. Yet, he was so easily defeated by Liang Hutou!
"Hahaha, Master Liang is invincible, Master Liang is mighty!" Lan Tiankui, having narrowly escaped, let out a triumphant laugh with his hands on his hips, seeing Lan Tianxiong's miserable state. With Lan Tianxiong defeated so swiftly, there was no hope for anyone else. It was like trying to hit a rock with an egg. Soon, the Lan family was completely subdued.
"First, lock them all up. Once those young generation members of the Lan family are captured, we will deal with them." Liang Hutou said with a cruel smile.
"As you command!"