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Chapter 159: Qian Zhongxuan (Part II)
Chapter 159: Qian Zhongxuan (Part II)
Qian Zhuang did not know who had drawn the array, but he knew he was doomed.
With so many casualties, wasted time, and resources spent on pills and spiritual artifacts, they had not regained even a single spirit mine.
His family would not give him another chance.
The next day, Qian Zhuang was informed that his family had stripped him of his command but allowed him to remain at the spirit mine site to make amends for his failures.
That evening, a stern-looking Qian elder with deep furrows on his face arrived at the Qian family camp and greeted Qian Zhuang with a cold hmph.
"Incompetent and bungling!"
Qian Zhuang bowed respectfully, keeping his head lowered, not daring to refute.
The visitor was Qian Zhongxuan, a Core Formation cultivator and one of the elders of the Qian family—the biggest supporter of his branch.
"I didn't want to come here, but your incompetence has left us with no results after all this time. I have no choice but to take over and clean up your mess. Otherwise, our branch will become a laughingstock, unable to hold our heads high within the clan." Qian Zhongxuan said coldly.
Qian Zhuang's face flushed with shame. "Elder, it's not that I'm incapable. It's just that those..."
"Don't make excuses!" Qian Zhongxuan cut in. "Those excuses won't work with the clan head and the other elders. They won't listen to your words; they will only judge you by your actions and the results you achieve!"
Qian Zhuang lowered his head. "Yes."
Seeing Qian Zhuang's sincere attitude and considering that there weren't many in his branch who had reached the ninth level of Qi Refining, Qian Zhongxuan's expression softened slightly as he offered guidance: "Others may call us wolves, ambitious and ruthless, but this is not an insult—it is a compliment. We of the Qian family should be like wolves, ready to fight and seize what we desire!"
"Hold on tightly to every piece of meat you get. If someone takes a bite from your share, take a bite from them in return!"
Qian Zhuang's spirit lifted, and he cupped his hands respectfully. "Disciple will keep your teachings in mind."
"Good." Qian Zhongxuan nodded. "Don't let this failure weigh you down. Victory and defeat are common occurrences. Don't let it dampen your drive to improve."
Qian Zhuang felt greatly encouraged and grateful. "I will heed your teachings, Elder."
"Take a few days to rest. Once I have organized the personnel, it will be time to attack the mountain. Show me your worth and don't let me down." Qian Zhongxuan's expression turned solemn as he gazed at Qian Zhuang, then turned to leave.
Qian Zhuang saw the elder off respectfully, feeling a sense of relief.
Upon learning of Qian Zhongxuan's arrival in the Great Black Mountain, Elder Yu hmphed coldly. "That old man, Qian Zhongxuan, is definitely up to no good. Be on your guard. We might have a tough battle on our hands in the coming days."
Yu Chengyi and the others nodded gravely.
Mo Hua also nodded in agreement.
Elder Yu glanced at him and said, "You don't need to nod along. Stay here and don't go out."
"Can I sneak a peek?" Mo Hua asked.
"At what?"
"At you guys fighting."
Elder Yu frowned. "What's so interesting about that?"
"I want to learn." Mo Hua put on an earnest expression.
With a sigh, Elder Yu said, "You can watch, but don't you dare step out. A battle between cultivators is no child's play."
"Yes, yes!" Mo Hua nodded eagerly.
He knew the importance of keeping himself safe, and he wasn't foolish.
In the following days, Mo Hua learned a new array—the First-Rank Earthfire Array.
This array was also from Mr. Zhuang's array manual, and its effects were similar to the Earthfire Array, only more powerful. It consisted of nine array marks, making it a true First-Rank array.
The previous array with seven array marks was called the Earthfire Array, but this one was simply named the First-Rank Earthfire Array, with the addition of the words "First-Rank" to the original name.
Mo Hua wondered who had come up with these arrays. They were certainly lazy, not even bothering to change the names.
After learning the First-Rank Earthfire Array, Mo Hua practiced drawing it whenever he had free time, managing about ten arrays a day.
Outside, the terrain was rugged, with rocky crags and lush foliage. The ground was pockmarked and scarred from the recent Earthfire Array explosions, giving the area a chaotic appearance.
Elder Yu let out a cold laugh and called out, "Qian Zhongxuan, you old coot, what are you up to, sneaking around like that?"
Not far away, Qian Zhongxuan appeared, his smile sinister. "Your dog-like nose is as sharp as ever, I see."
Elder Yu replied with a mocking tone, "If my nose is that of a dog, then your mother is a bitch, your father a mongrel, and you, a stray..."
The insults were crude and loud enough to be heard across the peaks, causing Qian Zhongxuan's face to flush with rage. He felt an urge to slap himself for provoking Elder Yu, knowing full well that the old man had a silver tongue for vulgarities.
It took a while for Qian Zhongxuan to calm himself. "Let's set some ground rules."
"Who do you think you are, with your high and mighty attitude? Who gave you the right to make such demands?" Elder Yu retorted.
Qian Zhongxuan gritted his teeth, his anger barely contained. "If you continue to be unreasonable, there's no point in us having this conversation."
Elder Yu chuckled. "You're not as patient as Qian Hong. Or should I say, you're more spineless than him?"
Qian Zhongxuan struggled to keep his composure.
Sensing his advantage, Elder Yu decided to relent. "Fine, what is it that you want?"
Qian Zhongxuan took a deep breath. "During this dispute over the spirit mine, I won't take action, and neither will you."
Elder Yu raised an eyebrow. "What about the other Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Qian family?"
"They won't get involved either," Qian Zhongxuan assured.
"And why should I believe you?" Elder Yu asked, skeptical.
"I've had the agreement notarized by the head of the Dao Court. You should be able to trust them," Qian Zhongxuan replied.
Elder Yu frowned, unsure of Qian Zhongxuan's true intentions, but he knew that keeping the Foundation Establishment cultivators out of the conflict would be beneficial to the beast tamers. "Fine, I agree."
Qian Zhongxuan breathed a sigh of relief. "Then we have a deal."
Suddenly, Elder Yu's expression turned cold, and he said, "Qian Zhongxuan, are you scared?"
Scared of engaging in a life-or-death struggle with this old man, and scared of the beast tamers who would readily sacrifice their lives.
Qian Zhongxuan's face twisted uncomfortably, neither confirming nor denying.
Indeed, he was afraid. Unlike wandering cultivators, who had to endure hardships, he was a Core Formation elder of the Qian family, accustomed to a life of luxury and prestige. He had no desire to risk his comfortable existence.
Seeing Qian Zhongxuan's reaction, Elder Yu knew he had hit the mark. "Then go back to your mother's womb and suckle on her milk. This place of brutal, bloody battles is not for you. Be a coward, hide in your riches, and rot away..."
Knowing he couldn't win in a war of words, Qian Zhongxuan turned and left, his sleeves billowing.
Mo Hua, who had been listening in awe, was left speechless.
If cursing were a skill, he thought, Elder Yu would be at least a half-step Immortal.
Elder Yu, still feeling the urge to vent his frustration, turned back after Qian Zhongxuan's hasty departure and saw Mo Hua staring at him with a mix of shock and admiration.
Clearing his throat, Elder Yu said, "Don't go repeating the things I just said."
Mo Hua, who had already memorized every word, replied, "Elder Yu, don't worry."
(End of Chapter)
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