Chapter 574: Chapter Five Hundred and Seventy: Ambush

Having his intentions laid bare by a casual remark, Xiao Baihe’s face turned ashen, his gaze falling upon Xiao Qi.

In this gathering, he alone had the right to speak on behalf of the Xiao Family.

Not only Xiao Baihe, but every Martial Ancestor of the Xiao Family looked at Xiao Qi with eager anticipation in their eyes. While Xiao Qi could see their expectations, he was incapable of making the decision they desired, so he forced out three words through his clenched teeth: “Please leave.”

His meaning was clear, though he managed to contain the situation without escalating it further.

Tang Siyuan was quite satisfied with this turn of events, observing Xiao Baihe’s complexion and chuckling: “Brother Baihe, Young Patriarch Xiao, the competition is over. I will take my leave.”

No matter how triumphant they once were, all great figures would eventually fade into obscurity, as the era they belonged to had passed. The younger generation would always surpass their forefathers.

Observing how Tang Luo managed to reduce Xiao Baihe, his old rival, to a state of indecision with just a few words, Tang Siyuan was in high spirits.

It was obvious that once Xiao Baihe returned to his clan, Xiao Jinlin would discuss the matter of an alliance between the two clans with him. Although the demise of Xiao Ziyu was regrettable, the Tang Clan was prepared for compensation.

From the confidence that came with having access to the treasure trove of the Minor Spirit Realm, Tang Siyuan knew that the compensation offered by the Tang Clan would make the Xiao family forget the death of Xiao Ziyu.

With Xiao Qi’s final decision, it was now clear that the challenge would not go ahead. Xiao Baihe responded to Tang Siyuan’s departure with a cold huff, too disdainful to offer a response.

As the Tang Clan’s party left the peak of Red Cloud Mountain, Xiao Baihe’s anger and resentment finally broke loose. Turning around, he glared at Xiao Qi and angrily asked, “Why didn’t you declare war on the Tang Clan? Do you believe in your father’s nonsense? A family must advance in the martial world. If they retreat, they are doomed. He actually thinks he can remain neutral. As the young patriarch of the Xiao Clan, are you just a yes-man?”

With a bitter expression on his face, Xiao Qi tried to calm his furious master: “Please don’t get angry, master. Let’s return to the clan. There are many things I haven’t been able to explain to you since you came out of seclusion.”

As the former clan head, Xiao Baihe held great power and was Xiao Jinlin’s master and Xiao Qi’s grandmaster. To outsiders, it might seem that Xiao Qi’s position as young patriarch was more important than that of a washed-up old man, but Xiao Qi knew this was just a show of respect from his grandmaster. The disapproving looks from the clansmen showed their discontent with his decision to reject the former clan head’s proposal.

“You’d better have a reasonable explanation, otherwise I will break Xiao Jinlin’s legs for thinking he could be neutral just because he was the best in Xiling,” Xiao Baihe warned, his white brows knitted with anger.

“Yes, yes, please calm down, master,” Xiao Qi could only continue to placate his grandmaster, bearing all his resentment and anger, while quietly laughing bitterly in his heart.

In Xiling, the only person who dared to call the Xiao family’s patriarch ‘Xiao Jinlin’ was the old man standing in front of Xiao Qi with his white hair and youthful face. Xiao Qi also knew how important this former patriarch was to his father; he couldn’t show him too much respect.

…

The Tang Clan procession, led by Great Elder Tang Siyuan and Sixth Elder Tang Gaomin, had serious expressions on their faces.

The imminent conflict between the Tang and Mi Clans meant that the Xiao Family was a vital force for the Tang Clan. Without their support, it would be extremely difficult for Clan Head Tang Zhi’s plan to succeed.

However, they never expected that Tang Luo, who had made significant contributions to the clan, would make such a foolish decision.

Perhaps they were unable to comprehend the competition between prodigies and couldn’t understand why it was necessary to kill Xiao Ziyu.

But since the deed had been done, there was no point in looking for reasons. All they could do was look for a solution to fix the problem.

The Tang Clan procession flew from east to north, leaving Red Cloud Mountain behind them. Suddenly, a clear and resonant call of a luan bird sounded overhead, signaling the arrival of the Mi Clan’s royal carriage led by their demon luan birds.

The Martial Ancestors of the Tang Clan quickly assumed their positions, with fingers ready to execute their Combined Attack Technique, waiting for the right moment to strike.

Initially, they thought they had accidentally entered an ambush by the Mi Clan, but on closer observation they discovered there was no ambush, only a single war cart.

The curtain of the luan carriage was drawn aside, revealing the Sect Head Mi Hai standing on top of the carriage and laughing at the Tang Clan: “Great Elder, you seem to be in quite a hurry. Where are you headed?”

Tang Siyuan was about to respond when, without warning, Tang Luo let out a miserable scream and fell from atop the cloud-piercing beast.

The cry sent chills down the spines of all of the Tang Clan’s Martial Ancestors. They released their Combined Attack Technique, aiming it at the luan carriage. However, before the technique could fully form, the spiritual energy in the environment surged chaotically, making it impossible to synchronize their attacks, even for the Martial Ancestors.

“Extreme Mang Shoots Luan!” In this critical moment, Tang Siyuan shouted, taking the lead and pointing his Extreme Mang Finger at the leftmost luan bird’s eye.

By following the saying ‘shoot the horse before you shoot the man’, it was clear that Mi Hai appearing here was for the sole purpose of ambushing Tang Luo. His carriage was simply for a quick getaway after completing his mission. If he intended to hurt someone and then run away, that wouldn’t be so simple.

A person with Tang Siyuan’s experience was quick to conclude that there must be a skilled curse master inside the luan carriage. This kind of curse, performed without any sign of magic, most likely inflicted damage on both the victim and the curse caster.

As Tang Luo fell to the ground wailing, the caster would not be in a much better state. Otherwise, they could have used the Xuanji Jade to escape after completing the task.

Therefore, no matter what dangers Tang Luo was facing, their priority was to capture the caster. Only by capturing the curse master could they lift the curse on Tang Luo.

Alerted by Tang Siyuan, the Martial Ancestors quickly rallied and prepared to launch their attack, shifting their stance from the Sky-picking Hand to the Extreme Sharp Finger Force.

At the same time, the five luan birds controlling the imperial carriage seemed to sense the danger. They stirred the stormy winds and flapped their wings, ready to fly.

But how could Tang Siyuan let them escape so easily? His Extreme Mang Finger sliced through the air, aimed directly at Mi Hai’s foot.

The golden gleam of his attack was as fast as lightning, aimed right at the left eye of the luan bird. If he hit his target, the pain would surely make the luan bird cry out in agony. If one luan bird in their team was in chaos, the speed of the imperial carriage would be significantly reduced.

However, his attack was blocked by a green shadow; it was Mi Hai’s Qingmu Battle Body.

Mi Hai who stood at the top of the luan carriage laughed lightly, “Great Elder, what a rushed Mang attack. It lacks precision!”

“Is that so?” Tang Siyuan replied with an emotionless expression.

With a swing of his sleeve, another concentrated beam of golden light struck the pupil of the leftmost luan bird, exploding its eye and half of its head.

Realizing he had been outmaneuvered, Mi Hai’s face paled. No wonder the first finger was so weak; it was just bait to draw out his Qingmu Battle Body and make the second finger strike effective.

Seeing that the luan bird was still alive and crying in agony despite having half of its head blown off, Tang Siyuan couldn’t help being amazed by its strong vitality.

The luan bird was in such terrible pain that it was out of control. Its wings were flapping wildly, causing the carriage to sway and stagger uncontrollably.