The Situ family wished to compromise, but the relentless pressure from the Sea Transport Elder left them with no retreat.
Now, only a battle remained!
Seeing this, the Sea Transport Elder sneered, "Old Ancestor Situ, you go first. Your clansmen will follow you soon enough."
Situ Old Ancestor was at the peak of the Grandmaster realm. If he were allowed to participate in the battle, the members of the Huangfu family would suffer heavy losses.
Therefore, the Sea Transport Elder intended to eliminate Situ Old Ancestor first!
"Come on!" Situ Old Ancestor swung his sword, instantly turning into afterimages as he charged towards the Sea Transport Elder.
"All together!" The other four Grandmasters followed closely, charging forward.
Situ Old Ancestor alone was no match for the Sea Transport Elder.
If the five of them joined forces, they might stand a sliver of a chance.
The Sea Transport Elder leaped, unleashing terrifying streams of vital energy from his palms that slammed into Situ Old Ancestor and the other four.
Boom…
Except for Situ Old Ancestor, the other four were sent flying by the vital energy.
Although Situ Old Ancestor managed to break through the energy streams, his movement was also halted.
In the blink of an eye, the Sea Transport Elder landed before Situ Old Ancestor.
The Sea Transport Elder launched a punch towards Situ Old Ancestor, who hastily dodged.
If he were hit by the Sea Transport Elder's strike, Situ Old Ancestor would be heavily injured, if not killed.
At this moment, the four Grandmasters who had been repelled earlier charged forward again.
Under the combined assault of the five Grandmasters, the Sea Transport Elder showed no signs of pressure.
His vital energy radiated outwards, forcing the Situ family's Grandmasters into a desperate state.
Bang!
One of the Grandmasters, caught off guard, was directly blasted away by the Sea Transport Elder's vital energy.
The Grandmaster landed on the ground, still spitting blood.
Immediately after, the other three Grandmasters were also sent flying one after another.
Boom!
Deprived of his companions' cover, Situ Old Ancestor was also struck by a stream of vital energy, his body recoiling.
Cough, cough…
Situ Old Ancestor clutched his chest, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.
"If you don't hand it over, then die!" The Sea Transport Elder's eyes glinted coldly as he charged forward again.
"It's over!"
"Save the Old Ancestor!"
Situ Old Ancestor was already injured, making him an even less formidable opponent for the Sea Transport Elder.
With a command from Situ Guangtao, the martial artists of the Situ family charged towards the Sea Transport Elder.
But at that very moment, the Sea Transport Elder's expression changed drastically. His forward momentum suddenly reversed.
Bang!
Just as the Sea Transport Elder retreated, a flying knife embedded itself in the path he had just been about to take.
This scene startled the Situ family members as well.
"Who dares to meddle!" the Sea Transport Elder roared.
Just then, a figure appeared on the rooftop of Situ Village.
This person was clad in a golden robe and wore a Shura mask.
"The Situ clan is under my protection. Begone!" The person beneath the mask was Qin Hanchu. He looked at the Sea Transport Elder and said coldly.
"Great Grandmaster!"
"Our Situ family is actually protected by a Great Grandmaster!"
Everyone from the Situ family watched the golden-robed figure with shock.
If this Great Grandmaster truly protected the Situ family, then the Situ family would be spared from annihilation.
The Sea Transport Elder glared at Qin Hanchu, cursing, "Who are you? Have the guts to show your true face!"
"Begone, or die!" Qin Hanchu said coldly.
"If you have the courage, come down and fight," the Sea Transport Elder retorted angrily.
"As you wish!"
With that, Qin Hanchu leaped, drifting towards the Sea Transport Elder.
The Sea Transport Elder's body was enveloped in vital energy as he ran to meet the charge.
The two clashed instantly. Qin Hanchu sent a palm strike towards the Sea Transport Elder.
The terrifying vital energy transformed into a nearly solidified palm, directly charging at the Sea Transport Elder.
This sight startled the Sea Transport Elder!
Vital energy coalescing into a tangible form—this was at least mid-stage Great Grandmaster!
The Sea Transport Elder quickly mobilized all his strength and met the strike with his own palm.
Boom!
The terrifying explosion kicked up a gale.
Under the impact of the vital energy, the Sea Transport Elder was forced back repeatedly!
Everyone was stunned by this display!
The Sea Transport Elder was so powerful, yet he was repelled by this mysterious person!
This indicated that the mysterious person's strength was even greater than the Sea Transport Elder's.
Qin Hanchu landed on the ground, stating coldly, "If you wish to die, I can oblige you!"
Hearing this, the Sea Transport Elder's fury surged. He bellowed, "If you have the guts, stay here, otherwise you can't protect them."
Qin Hanchu sneered, "No problem. If the Situ family is wiped out, I will destroy your Huangfu family!"
The Sea Transport Elder was rendered speechless!
He believed Qin Hanchu possessed the capability.
"Could it be that the key is in your hands!" the Sea Transport Elder questioned Qin Hanchu, his gaze fixed on him.
Qin Hanchu chuckled lightly, "You can interpret it that way. If you want it, continue your attack."
The Sea Transport Elder stood rooted to the spot, his face grim. After a long pause, he declared angrily, "We shall meet again!"
"Scram!" Although Qin Hanchu was stronger than the Sea Transport Elder, winning would not be a simple feat.
His objective today was merely to protect the Situ family, and Qin Hanchu saw no need to fight to the death.
The Sea Transport Elder glanced at Situ Old Ancestor and the others, then turned away in unwilling resignation.
To initiate this battle, he had paid a heavy price to appease the Marquis of Divine Sword.
He had not expected a mysterious person to emerge and protect the Situ family.
He believed that the key must be with Qin Hanchu.
Otherwise, there would be no reason for him to protect the Situ family.
And the Situ family was clearly unaware of this matter.
All the members of the Huangfu family wore grim expressions.
They had arrived with great fanfare, only to depart crestfallen.
Even their own Old Ancestor, a Great Grandmaster, could not act with impunity.
"The Situ family thanks the senior for your timely intervention."
Situ Old Ancestor knelt on one knee, speaking respectfully.
As Situ Old Ancestor knelt, the other clansmen followed suit.
"This is medicine for healing. After taking it, it will mend your internal injuries." Qin Hanchu waved his hand, and a porcelain bottle flew towards Situ Old Ancestor.
Situ Old Ancestor quickly caught it and expressed his thanks again.
Qin Hanchu said no more. He turned and departed into the distance.
"Mid-stage Great Grandmaster. I never imagined our Situ family would have such a powerful protector." Situ Old Ancestor watched Qin Hanchu's rapidly disappearing back, sighing with lingering fear.
"If not for this senior, our Situ family would have faced certain doom!" Situ Guangtao remarked.
"I just wonder who this senior is?"
"Since the senior came disguised, it implies they wish to keep their identity hidden."
At this moment, a thought flashed through Situ Guangtao's mind.
Could this person be related to Qin Hanchu?
The only entity that could make the Kong family fear would be a Great Grandmaster.
It wasn't impossible for Qin Hanchu to know a Great Grandmaster.
Despite harboring this suspicion, Situ Guangtao could not voice it.
To do so might inadvertently bring trouble upon Qin Hanchu.
Now, there were only two possibilities.
Either the key was indeed in the hands of this mysterious individual.
Their ancestor had given the key to him, in exchange for protecting the Situ family.
The second possibility was that Qin Hanchu had requested the Great Grandmaster behind him to intervene.
If Qin Hanchu was indeed responsible, then the Situ family owed him an immeasurable debt of gratitude.
Meanwhile, the Sea Transport Elder was roaring in his carriage, "Investigate for me! Find out who is backing the Situ family!"