Inquiries About Longevity Chapter 166: Qian Hong (Fourth Watch) - Novel Cool

Chapter 166: Qian Hong (Fourth Watch)

Chapter 166: Qian Hong (Fourth Watch)

The black-robed cultivator was so angry that he spat out blood, but Mo Hua, who was drawing with fireballs, remained casual and relaxed.

In the following days, the Qian Family cultivators did not launch any attacks. Mo Hua spent his days drawing formations, wandering around, admiring the spirit mines, and enjoying the mountain scenery while calculating how many more days the meat in his storage bag would last.

On this day, Mo Hua noticed Elder Yu's solemn expression and asked curiously, "Elder Yu, has the Qian Family made a move?"

"Not yet," Elder Yu replied. "But that old turtle, Qian Hong, should be arriving soon as well."

"Old turtle?"

"Qian Hong."

"Oh, the head of the Qian Family?" Mo Hua's expression turned solemn. "Is Qian Hong very powerful?"

Elder Yu scoffed, "He's about the same as Qian Zhongxuan."

"Then how did he become the head of the family?" Mo Hua asked.

Elder Yu smiled faintly and said, "Now that's a complicated matter. There are plenty of freeloaders in cultivator families and sects. To climb to the top, it's not necessarily your cultivation or abilities that matter. Being adept at bragging, scheming, deception, and flattery will get you much further than being honest and hardworking."

Elder Yu coldly added, "Most of those so-called esteemed figures are probably good-for-nothings."

Mo Hua was amazed and curious to learn more. He asked, "Then, is Qian Hong one of them?"

"No," Elder Yu replied.

"Does he scheme, then?"

Elder Yu nodded, "Yes, Qian Hong is quite the schemer. This time, Qian Zhongxuan has suffered a big loss, and he will come to reap the benefits."

"Reap the benefits?" Mo Hua was puzzled, "Even from their own family?"

Elder Yu chuckled, "The Qian Family is huge, with so many people to feed. While they are all technically family, connected by blood and relationships, that very fact also makes them less like a family."

Mo Hua scratched his head, "So, the Qian Family is full of backstabbers?"

Elder Yu raised an eyebrow, "When I call them ungrateful wolves, I have my reasons. The Qian Family treats not just outsiders but even their own kin the same way. If there's meat to be had, they'll eat it, no matter whose flesh they have to bite into."

Mo Hua's tongue curled in disbelief, and he asked, "What should we do then?"

Elder Yu stroked his chin, "It's time to think about making a run for it."

"Run away?" Mo Hua's eyes lit up, "Have we finished mining the spirit stones?"

Elder Yu shook his head, "No, there's still plenty left."

Mo Hua looked disappointed, "Then aren't we wasting it...?"

Elder Yu smiled bitterly, "When we eat meat, we should at least leave the soup for the Qian Family, shouldn't we?"

As night fell and the mountain winds howled, a group of cultivators arrived at the Qian Family's camp, led by none other than the head of the family, Qian Hong.

Qian Zhongxuan and the other Qian Family cultivators braved the cold wind, standing outside the camp to greet their leader respectfully.

Qian Hong was middle-aged, with half-white hair and a handsome face, but his expression was somewhat arrogant, and his eyes were sharp, scanning the surroundings like a hawk.

Qian Zhongxuan cupped his fists and said, "We welcome the head of the family."

The cultivators beside him all bowed.

Qian Hong nodded slightly and followed Qian Zhongxuan into the camp.

Once they were seated and alone, Qian Hong asked, "How is the battle going?"

Qian Zhongxuan gave a simple report.

Qian Hong sighed, "Qian Zhongxuan, you were too hasty. They are trapped inside, and since they can't escape, you should have taken your time. This way, you wouldn't have suffered such heavy losses."

Qian Zhongxuan felt ashamed but had no rebuttal.

Whether he attacked, defended, surrounded, or trapped, as long as he failed, there would always be an excuse to blame him.

Indeed, he had lost. He had spent a lot of spirit stones and lost many men, and his reputation had taken a hit.

At this moment, Qian Zhongxuan was powerless to argue and could only grit his teeth and say, "You are right, Head of the Family."

Qian Hong glanced at Qian Zhongxuan and slowly said, "However, you have worked hard this time, and the family acknowledges your efforts. Leave the aftermath to me; you no longer need to worry about this matter."

Qian Zhongxuan seethed inside.

What did he mean by acknowledging my efforts? Was he saying I had no achievements at all?

Qian Zhongxuan said, "Head of the Family, you are busy with important matters. Please don't trouble yourself with the spirit mines.

Qian Hong's expression turned solemn, and he continued with a hint of sorrow, "After all, the previous losses were too severe!"

Qian Zhongxuan silently cursed to himself.

What a hypocrite! Where was he when all this was happening? Waiting for him and Yu Changlin to battle it out, deplete their resources, and then swooping in to reap the benefits.

In the end, the credit, the Spirit Mine, and the prestige would all be his.

What a cunning plan!

Qian Zhongxuan hated himself for being so careless, unable to resist the temptation of the spirit stones, and agreeing to Qian Hong's request to take on this matter.

And he never expected Yu Changlin to have so many tricks up his sleeve, techniques he had never encountered before. This loss was a hard blow!

Qian Hong picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said calmly, "Elder Qian, do you have any grievances?"

Qian Zhongxuan was filled with resentment, but he knew he was no longer in a position to complain. He could only bow and grit his teeth, "As you command, Head of the Family!"

"Mhm." Qian Hong slightly lowered his eyelids, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. After a moment, his attitude changed, and he asked, "May I ask, Elder Qian, what was the reason for your failure this time?"

Qian Zhongxuan hesitated before answering, "There's a formation master among the demon hunters."

A hint of surprise flashed across Qian Hong's face, "Is it a first-rate formation master?"

"Even if he's not quite first-rate, he's not far off..." Qian Zhongxuan replied.

Qian Hong shook his head, "I've asked Master Qian about the formation master. The Earth Fire Formation he used only contained seven formation lines..."

"This..."

Qian Hong looked at Qian Zhongxuan with a mixture of amusement and disdain, "Seven formation lines barely make one a formation master. In your eyes, is that comparable to a first-rate formation master? Even though you're not a formation master yourself, you shouldn't make such a mistake!"

For an average formation master, two formation lines were a huge hurdle to cross. It was not a small difference but a significant one.

Qian Zhongxuan's face flushed with shame and anger, leaving him speechless.

Qian Hong continued, "Are there any other reasons?"

Suppressing his anger, Qian Zhongxuan replied, "There's also a spirit cultivator skilled in spells..."

A hint of ridicule appeared in Qian Hong's eyes, "Just one?"

Qian Zhongxuan stammered, "I... I'm not sure... there might be more than one..."

"Are they very powerful?"

After a long silence, Qian Zhongxuan slowly said, "Probably not beyond the later stages of Qi Refinement..."

Qian Hong couldn't help but let out a soft laugh, shaking his head, "Elder Qian, oh Elder Qian, a formation master who can only draw seven formation lines, one or a few spirit cultivators who haven't reached the later stages of Qi Refinement..."

Qian Hong sighed, his gaze mocking, "And you suffered heavy losses because of them? How can I explain this to the clan on your behalf? Who would believe these reasons?"

Qian Zhongxuan's face turned red, his fingers clenching white.

Seeing that he had made his point, Qian Hong softened his tone, "Never mind, what's done is done. There's no use in dwelling on it. Leave the rest to me, and you can stop worrying about this matter."

Qian Zhongxuan's face alternated between red and white, and he asked with cupped hands, "What plans does the Head of the Family have?"

Qian Hong exuded an air of confidence as he sipped his tea, "As I said, there's no need to rush. I have my ways."

Suppressing his inner discontent, Qian Zhongxuan respectfully said, "Then we shall rely on you, Head of the Family!"

Though Qian Zhongxuan's words were respectful, his heart was filled with scorn.

In terms of ability, he and Qian Hong were evenly matched; it was just that the latter was more deceitful and cunning.

If he, Qian Zhongxuan, couldn't handle these demon hunters, he didn't believe that Qian Hong, who was only good at reaping the benefits, would have any better tricks up his sleeve.

That formation master and spirit cultivator might seem insignificant, but once faced with them, one would understand how troublesome they truly were.

A flash of contempt crossed Qian Zhongxuan's eyes as he waited to see how Qian Hong would handle the situation.

(End of Chapter)

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