「The next day.」
A dreadful rumor, like a hurricane, swept through all of Qiyun Road. This ti, it did not stir the public's anticipation for a good show, but rather, it instilled a profound sense of apprehension and unease.
Downstream on the Lingjin River, densely packed warships sailed forth. War drums thundered and battle flags fluttered in the wind, all aid directly at Qiyun Road.
Rumors claid the number of Martial Guards was around fifty thousand.
Soon, new information arrived. Behind this group, another troop was hastening toward them at full speed, flying battle flags identical to those of the fifty thousand.
Without a doubt, one batch was not enough, so another was coming. When these two forces rged, their total numbers might approach one hundred thousand.
Keep in mind, there were already one hundred thousand Martial Guards standing silently on the Lingjin River. Now, another hundred thousand were approaching, bristling with killing intent. How could the people of Qiyun Road not be filled with dread?
With so many people descending upon Qiyun Road, what exactly were they planning to do?
For a ti, various rumors spread like wildfire, casting a pall over Qiyun Road like a dark cloud.
「anwhile.」
At the estate of the Qin Royal Family.
Qin Lie was listening to Qin Zhuo's report when he heard the news. The teacup in his hand fell, shattering on the ground and splashing tea everywhere. Staring at the fragnts, he was montarily stunned.
Perhaps, from now on, the relationship between myself and Yang Tiancheng will be like this shattered cup, never to be restored to its prior, unblemished state.
Qin Lie let out a long sigh. Is this the cruel hand of fate? Perhaps.
Anxiously, Qin Zhuo said, "Father, what should we do now?"
"When soldiers co, we will block them; when water rises, we will use earth to keep it back," Qin Lie said slowly as he stood up.
He indeed bore an undeniable responsibility for Yang Jin's death. But if the other party intended to use this as a pretext to attack the entire Qin Royal Family, he would have no choice but to resist to the death.
"Master!"
An old butler rushed into the main hall, out of breath and dripping with cold sweat. "Master, soone from the Yang Family is here!"
Qin Zhuo's expression trembled, and his face instantly turned a deathly pale. This… isn't this too fast?
He had been thinking that with one more day, he could surely capture the murderer, which would serve as a form of appeasent for the Yang Family.
But now… Qin Zhuo clenched his fists tightly, harboring resentnt toward Qin Qiu and her companions. In his subconscious, Yang Jin's death was definitely connected to them.
Heart-weary and exhausted, Qin Lie shook his head. "Who has co?"
"The Yang Family's third master, Yang Tianli."
Qin Lie was startled, then sighed once more. This Yang Tianli was notoriously ruthless and unyielding. Ever since the Yang Family had risen in status and utterly eclipsed the Qin Royal Family, he had grown increasingly disdainful of Qin Lie. It seed that in his eyes, it was Qin Lie who had shalessly latched onto his Yang Family. Given the circumstances, today would not end amicably.
"Let's go."
With his hands clasped behind his back, Qin Lie walked slowly out of the main hall.
Just as he stepped out of the main entrance, he saw a group of seven or eight people striding toward them, their murderous aura thick in the air.
"Qin Lie!" Yang Tianli, who was leading the group, bellowed upon seeing him, "Yang Jin ca to offer support, yet he died in your Qin Family's territory, right before your eyes! You are utterly useless!"
The insult enraged the surrounding Qin Family disciples, who all glared back. But knowing they were in the wrong, and aware of the other party's status, they dared not voice their anger.
"Tianli, I truly regret what happened to Yang Jin," Qin Lie said cordially, suppressing the fury in his heart.
"You speak of regret to ?" Yang Tianli stopped less than two ters from Qin Lie and laughed out of extre anger. "Who is the murderer?"
"Third Master, please give one more day," Qin Zhuo interjected.
"USELESS!" Yang Tianli tilted his head back, planted his hands on his hips, and shook his head in rage. "I've heard that Yang Jin's death is related to a woman from your Qin Family nad Qin Qiu. Where is she? Hand her over!"
Qin Lie gestured for Qin Zhuo to remain silent and stated expressionlessly, "Qin Qiu is not with the Qin Family! And I believe this matter has nothing to do with her."
"I told you to hand her over!" Yang Tianli's expression grew colder, his gaze searing. "Since you, Qin Lie, are so useless, I will naturally investigate this myself! If Yang Jin's death is indeed connected to your Qin Family, then there's no need for your so-called Qin Royal Family to exist any longer."
"You..." Qin Lie narrowed his eyes. "Are you declaring war on my Qin Family?"
"HAHAHA!" Yang Tianli laughed as if he had heard the funniest joke in the world. "A war? A trash family like yours, that scrambled to curry favor with my Yang Family, you think you're worthy of declaring war on ? Do you really think you're soone important?"
The mockery in his words was blatant and absolute.
"You ntioned one day?" Yang Tianli looked at Qin Zhuo, then fixed his stare on Qin Lie. "I'll give you two days to hand over that woman and the murderer. Otherwise, I will start with your Qin Family."
The incident had occurred in Qiyun Road. As the master of Qiyun Road, Qin Lie would naturally find it easier to investigate such matters. Another point was that Yang Tianli's Personal Guards had not yet arrived. He had rushed ahead to put pressure on Qin Lie. Additionally, he needed to take charge of Yang Jin's body and give him a grand funeral.
"The day after tomorrow, I will conduct a funeral for Yang Jin on the Lingjin River. Your entire Qin Family, including you, Qin Lie, must be present. You will all kneel before his morial hall to kowtow and beg for forgiveness."
Yang Tianli's lips curled into a sneer as he pressed on aggressively. "Also, everyone in Qiyun Road must line the banks of the Lingjin River."
"Furthermore, I require the blood of that woman, Qin Qiu, as a sacrifice!"
These demands were beyond outrageous.
"If you dare to disobey, my Yang Family's eighty thousand Personal Guards will flatten your Qin Royal Family."
Having said this, Yang Tianli ordered his n to take charge of Yang Jin's body and left without another word.
Qin Lie's face was ashen, his body trembling slightly. As the man who stood at the apex of all Qiyun Road, when had he ever been humiliated like this?
The entire Qin Family must kneel before Yang Jin's morial hall, kowtow, and beg for forgiveness? What cri have I committed?!
Besides, even if Yang Jin's death was truly related to Qin Qiu, he would have brought it upon himself.
What left Qin Lie feeling helpless was that the very Personal Guards of the Yang Family, whom he had called for support, had astonishingly turned their spears on him after yesterday's incident. This was truly unexpected.
"Father... what should we do?" Qin Zhuo asked, his voice trembling.
Qin Lie's expression was savage, his eyes glinting. "What else can we do? Continue the search for the murderer! And send down the order to prepare for battle!"
Qin Zhuo was speechless.
GULP. Swallowing hard, Qin Zhuo was terrified. Are we... are we really going to have a head-on clash with the Yang Family?
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