Liu Xun rushed to the Zhang family and meticulously examined his younger brother's body several times, finding no trace of injury. He was confident that no one could have poisoned his brother!
"Fourth Elder, what is the cause of Liu Han's death?"
"Premature ejaculation." Although he was reluctant to admit it, it was the truth. His brother had no other hobbies besides lust. He had often advised him, but his brother simply wouldn't listen. His current fate was his own doing.
"So, it was an accident then."
"An accident..." Liu Xun narrowed his eyes. Even if it were an accident, the Zhang family bore an undeniable responsibility.
"Fourth Elder, this was indeed an accident." Lü Ye patted Liu Xun's shoulder. To achieve their goal, they had to consider the bigger picture. No matter how much Liu Xun loved his brother, he had to prioritize the main objective.
Liu Xun suppressed all his emotions and ordered his men to take Liu Han's body away. He outwardly didn't pursue the matter, but he kept it in his heart. He would settle the score properly after the recruitment大会.
The Zhang family head thanked him profusely and saw him off. If Liu Xun had erupted in fury, he would have felt somewhat at ease. But Liu Xun said nothing, merely taking away Elder Liu's body, which made the Zhang family head very uneasy.
"Father, why do you still look so troubled?" Zhang Sheng asked, bewildered. The Five Poisons Sect didn't blame them; wasn't that a good thing?
The Zhang family head was filled with worry. "This Fourth Elder of the Five Poisons Sect is not easy to deal with. I was prepared to lose half my life, as long as he could vent his anger. But he actually held back."
"Father, we are allies with the Five Poisons Sect. They wouldn't possibly want our lives, would they?" Zhang Sheng asked doubtfully.
The Zhang family head regretted it. If Elder Liu hadn't died, he wouldn't have worried about the Five Poisons Sect targeting them. But now that Elder Liu had died in the Zhang family, it was fatal for them.
"Zhang Sheng, break through to Foundation Establishment as soon as possible, and then..." the Zhang family head said grimly, "find a way to enter the Hundred Herbs Hall. If there's anyone who can contend with the Five Poisons Sect, it's only the Hundred Herbs Hall."
"Father, what about my sister?"
"Your sister is only at the seventh stage of Qi Refining. The Hundred Herbs Hall has the strictest admissions. She might not get in. We'll see if she can get into the Spirit Snake Sect." The Zhang family head began to secure a future for his two children. He regretted being blinded by power and attempting to become the master of Wuji City. The position of Wuji City master was not easily held.
However, the arrow was already nocked and fired; he had no retreat. But he had to forge a path for his children. The City Lord's mansion, however, would likely have an even harder time, as the Five Poisons Sect's primary goal was to control Wuji City, and the City Lord's mansion was the first to be eliminated.
"Father, are we going to admit defeat?"
"This battle had no winner from the start, but I didn't understand it." The Zhang family head hunched over, appearing to have aged ten years in an instant. The greatest taboo for a person is greed. Once greed arises, it cannot be contained. He knew this was a scorched-earth tactic, but he couldn't resist the temptation.
"Father, does the City Lord's mansion not have a chance either?"
"If the old City Lord hadn't been injured, perhaps the City Lord's mansion would have had a thirty percent chance of winning. Unfortunately, I destroyed that thirty percent chance. Wuji City will likely become another lawless land." The Zhang family head deeply regretted it, but regret was the most useless thing. All he could do was find a way to preserve his bloodline.
News of Elder Liu's death soon spread throughout Wuji City. Everyone said he died from premature ejaculation, but Yan Yu understood that Elder Liu's death was not that simple. Connecting it with the young woman Xiao Man brought back from the Zhang family, it was likely her doing. Although he didn't know how she managed it, he couldn't help but admire Xiao Man's restraint!
Anyone else would have riddled Elder Liu with holes to vent their hatred, but she didn't. Not only that, but she killed him without leaving a trace. Her methods and cunning were indeed beyond ordinary people.
"Father, why are you always watching Xiao Qin?" Yan Yan asked, seeing Yan Yu staring at Xiao Man.
"Xiao Qin, the Five Poisons Sect..."
"What is the modus operandi of the Spirit Snake Sect?" Xiao Man interrupted Yan Yu's words.
"The Spirit Snake Sect acts very low-key, usually keeping a low profile. Although the Spirit Snake Sect has many female disciples, their conduct is considered upright." Yan Yu muttered to himself, wondering if the Spirit Snake Sect had also captured her people. Was this person going to fight all seven sects?
Yan Yu's head throbbed slightly. "The people of the Spirit Snake Sect are not to be trifled with. Whatever you plan to do, you'd best think thrice before acting."
"Please trouble the City Lord to send someone to help me look for Xi Wen and Qi Hong. There's still no trace of these two."
"Did you find Xiang Jian?" Yan Yu asked curiously, then added, "Xiang Jian is in the Spirit Snake Sect?"
Xiao Man's expression remained normal. Seeing Ze Fang pick out vegetables and only eat meat, she frowned in disapproval and put the vegetables back into his bowl. "Eat."
"It's not tasty."
"You don't eat it because it's tasty, you eat it because it's good for your health." Xiao Man said authoritatively, "Eat it all."
Ze Fan poked at the vegetables in his bowl with disgust. "Xiao Qin, these aren't as tasty as what you make. I don't like eating them."
"I'm not discussing this with you." Xiao Man scooped another spoonful of vegetables into Ze Fang's bowl. "Of course, you can choose not to eat them, and then you'll forever be this short, having to look up to me when you talk. Picky eaters don't grow tall."
Ze Fang's mouth twitched. He silently shoveled the vegetables in his bowl into his mouth, chewing and swallowing. "I'll be taller than you soon."
"Yes, yes, I'll wait and see." Xiao Man said slowly, "I need to go out after dinner. You stay in the mansion and don't run around."
"I'll go with you."
"Shan Yun, Yu Da, keep an eye on him. If he runs around, tie him up." Xiao Man instructed Shan Yun. "If he doesn't listen, use him for practice."
"Xiao Qin, you're bullying me!"
Xiao Man reached out and stroked Ze Fang's head. "You, your cultivation has been stuck at the seventh stage of Qi Refining. This won't do. You need to cultivate diligently too."
"I will become strong, very, very strong." Ze Fang emphasized. He was only weak because he had suffered a backlash. Once his cultivation recovered, he would naturally become formidable.
"Yes, yes, you will become very strong, but you can't neglect it." Xiao Man's tone was unyielding. "Even a little stronger would be good."
Xiao Man didn't know when Wuji City would fall into chaos. She hoped that the people around her would become stronger and stronger, so that when danger came and she wasn't by their side, they would have enough ability to protect themselves.