Chapter 28: Reactions from All Sides
Chapter 28: Reactions from All Sides
In less than half a day, a shocking piece of news swept through the entire Bai Shi Dao.
Chu Tianxiong, the head of the Chu Family and master of the Thunderbolt Sword, was killed with a single punch!
Lu Yu, the leader of the Iron Bone Gang and the invincible Divine Fist, was slain on the spot with two palm strikes.
The news spread like wildfire, causing a tumultuous uproar throughout Bai Shi Dao.
While Chu Tianxiong was a well-known figure, he was not considered one of the top experts in Bai Shi Dao.
However, Lu Yu was different.
He had single-handedly founded the Iron Bone Gang, which, in just a few decades, had risen to become one of the top forces in Bai Shi Dao, rivaling only a handful of elite families like the Qin Family.
In recent years, the Iron Bone Gang had grown even more powerful, to the point where even the Qin Family found it difficult to breathe under their pressure.
The death of such a formidable warrior could not help but shock the entire martial world.
At the same time, the name of Gu Qingfeng, the head of the Gu Family, echoed throughout Bai Shi Dao.
While Gu Qingfeng was already a well-known figure, his reputation had never been as intimidating as it was now.
The slaying of Lu Yu had elevated Gu Qingfeng to the status of the first true powerhouse in Bai Shi Dao.
Although the old patriarch of the Qin Family and Yun Changkong of the Tianyun Sect were both at the peak of the Blood Refinement stage, in the eyes of others, their strength was on par with Lu Yu.
In terms of power, they could not possibly match Gu Qingfeng.
---
At that moment, in the rear mountains of the Qin Family.
Qin Hongtang, the current head of the Qin Family, stood respectfully before a thatched cottage and reported, "Old Ancestor, Lu Yu is dead!"
The simple statement caused an old man to emerge from the cottage.
His hair was gray, his face lined with wrinkles, but his eyes were sharp like those of a hawk, unlike the cloudy eyes of a typical elderly person.
This man was the old patriarch of the Qin Family.
"Lu Yu is dead? Who killed him?"
The old patriarch asked in a deep voice.
He was well aware of Lu Yu's strength. In his prime, suppressing Lu Yu would have been no issue, but in his current state, with his blood and qi in decline, he might not have been a match in a life-and-death struggle.
Qin Hongtang replied, "The one who killed Lu Yu is Gu Qingfeng, the head of the Gu Family. He led his family's guards to the Chu Family and killed Chu Tianxiong with a single punch at their front gate.
Shortly after, Lu Yu arrived with his men and a conflict ensued.
According to the reports, Gu Qingfeng only used two moves to slay Lu Yu!"
As he spoke, a hint of fear flickered in Qin Hongtang's eyes.
Killing Lu Yu in just two moves was nothing short of astonishing.
Even the old patriarch's expression changed, his weathered face showing a deep sense of gravity.
"Two moves to kill Lu Yu. This person must have either broken through to the Bone Forging stage or is at the half-step Bone Forging stage!"
"I'm not sure, but I know he has cultivated a Blood Qi Wolf Smoke that stands about five or six zhang tall—"
"Five or six zhang of Blood Qi Wolf Smoke!!"
The old patriarch was once again stunned.
The Blood Qi Wolf Smoke was extremely difficult to cultivate. In his prime, he had only managed to achieve a two-zhang-tall Blood Qi Wolf Smoke, which was enough to make him nearly invincible in Bai Shi Dao.
But now, with his blood and qi in decline, the Blood Qi Wolf Smoke was a thing of the past.
Even so, the old patriarch understood the significance of a five or six zhang-tall Blood Qi Wolf Smoke.
As he was deep in thought, Qin Hongtang added, "A few years ago, outside Bai Shi City, a mysterious strongman killed several of our Blood Refinement elders. It seems likely that this mysterious strongman was Gu Qingfeng."
"Most likely—"
The old patriarch nodded in agreement.
Gu Qingfeng's strength made this task entirely manageable.
---
Afterward, the patriarch of the Qin family warned, "Keep this matter to yourself and act as if nothing happened. Our family's current strength is not enough to provoke a half-step Bone Refinement powerhouse. Additionally, prepare a gift and send it to the Gu family to show our stance!"
"Hongtang understands!"
Qin Hongtang replied respectfully.
A powerhouse, even at the weakest half-step Bone Refinement stage, was indeed not someone the Qin family could provoke, even during their peak times. Therefore, showing goodwill was inevitable. Otherwise, today's Iron Bone Gang could very well be tomorrow's Qin family.
As for the Qin family, once the dominant force in White Stone Dao, now bowing to the Gu family, a newly rising power, Qin Hongtang was entirely unconcerned about losing face. After all, in the world of martial arts, it was all about strength. The bigger the fist, the more respect you earned. If your fist wasn't big enough, you had to bow your head.
"Furthermore... Lu Yu mentioned before his death that he was a man of the Divine Martial King. What does the patriarch think of this matter?"
Qin Hongtang added at the end.
"Divine Martial King!"
The Qin family patriarch's expression changed, then became solemn.
"The Divine Martial King rose in Nanyang Prefecture and, in just a few short years, swept through Nanyang, Chijiang, and Danyang Prefectures. If the Iron Bone Gang truly has ties to him, it means the Divine Martial King has set his sights on Guangyang Prefecture, and possibly even the entire Taishan Prefecture. This matter could be either minor or major. Once the war breaks out, our noble martial artists might not be able to remain unscathed!"
The thought of the rebel forces entering Guangyang Prefecture and the war spreading throughout White Stone Dao made the Qin family patriarch uneasy. With the Qin family's current resources, if they were caught in the war, they could be wiped out in an instant. But if they left White Stone Dao, they would be abandoning their accumulated base of power.
Even if the Qin family left White Stone Dao and moved elsewhere, they might still struggle to find a safe haven. After all, the world was in turmoil, not just the Qingyun Province. The nine states and thirty-six prefectures were gradually engulfed in war.
Qin Hongtang said, "The Divine Martial King has gained such momentum in just a few years. He might have the potential to ascend to the throne one day. I believe our family should directly ally with the Divine Martial King. If he succeeds, our family will have the merit of supporting him from the beginning, and we might even rise to great heights!"
As he spoke, a hint of excitement appeared on Qin Hongtang's face.
The Qin family patriarch coldly snorted, dousing his enthusiasm. "In times of chaos, countless lives are lost. If the Qin family gets involved in such a war, we will be crushed by the turbulent tide. Do you really think that the Tai Xuan Dynasty, which has ruled for centuries, has no remaining strength? The world may seem chaotic, but the Tai Xuan Dynasty is not so simple. The Divine Martial King may seem promising, but compared to the Tai Xuan Dynasty, or even other rebel forces, his power is not necessarily advantageous. Making a hasty decision before the situation is clear is courting disaster. This concerns the future of the Qin family, so be cautious!"
These words made Qin Hongtang suddenly sober up, his back drenched in sweat.
"The patriarch's lesson is well taken!"
(End of Chapter)
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