https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-449-The-Big-Boss-and-His-Three-Iron-Subordinates/12536689/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-451-Intimidating-the-Flame-Divine-Eagle/12536691/
Chapter 450: Cowardly Xia Hou Xing
Chapter 450: Cowardly Xia Hou Xing
The four great aristocratic families of Jiangnan were renowned across the land.
First, there was the Cui Yun Peak, Green Water Lake, and the Divine Sword Xie family.
Then, the Jiu Qu Mountain, Seven Star Pond, and the illustrious Murong family.
The Zi Jin Mountain, Hu Hua Yuan, and the influential Nan Gong family were also among the elite.
And lastly, the Huo Yan Mountain, Hong Yun Valley, and the Xia Hou family, known for their fiery reputation.
Of these, the Xie family had the shortest history, yet their fame in recent years surpassed the others. This was due to the rise of the invincible Third Young Master a decade ago. Although he had disappeared three years ago, those in the know were aware that he was still alive.
Aside from the Xie family, the Nan Gong family boasted the deepest heritage. Rumored to have been established countless generations ago, their true strength was unfathomable. Despite their decline in recent years, they still commanded respect, and no one in the jianghu dared to underestimate the Nan Gong family.
In comparison, the Murong and Xia Hou families had less impressive backgrounds. While the Murong family had experienced ups and downs, they always maintained their prestige. On the other hand, the Xia Hou family had a low profile and only began to gain traction in the last century or so. Despite their recent rise, they were still considered the weakest among the four great families.
However, the fact that the Xia Hou family could be mentioned alongside the other three was a testament to their power, as the gap between them and other clans was like a sheer cliff.
The ancient Jinling Zi Yi Yuan family, the Cao family whose members trained at the Diancang Wudang, and the domineering bosses of the Dong City—these were all influential forces capable of ruling over their own domains. Yet, they were not counted among the four great aristocratic families of Jiangnan. Why was that?
...
The Huo Yan Mountain, home to the Xia Hou family, was not the legendary Flaming Mountain from the Journey to the West, but a mountain range in Jiangnan adorned with vibrant red maples.
From a distance, the mountains seemed ablaze, with crimson clouds stretching across the sky.
"This is Huo Yan Mountain and Hong Yun Valley, the entrance to the Xia Hou family's estate," Yuan Feiyun explained. "The entire mountain range belongs to the Xia Hou family."
"Impressive!" exclaimed Tie Kaicheng in admiration.
The escort agency members were also astonished. Although they had come to Jiangnan on a mission, they had never visited Huo Yan Mountain before. The northern landscapes were vastly different from the scenic views of Jiangnan.
"Wait here for a moment," Tie Kaicheng instructed the group before ordering the carriage to proceed toward the Xia Hou manor.
Cao Hanyu and the Yuan brothers exchanged a glance, their eyes gleaming with mockery and derision. Although Tie Kaicheng hadn't revealed his purpose for this trip, how could they not know what he was up to?
"That Summer Hou lady is indeed a stunning beauty. No wonder Xia Hou Xing is reluctant to let her go," one of them commented.
"He's becoming a laughingstock in the Jiangnan martial arts world," another added.
"This Mr. Tie is quite a character. Not many men could resist such a beauty," said the third brother with a chuckle.
"She's just a broken shoe. There are plenty of beautiful women in the world, and the top courtesans in brothels are no less attractive," Cao Hanyu remarked.
"They differ in status," the second brother pointed out. "Those prostitutes aren't daughters of the prestigious Su Hang Xue family, nor are they ladies of the Xia Hou family."
"Hahaha, well said, brother Yuan!"
Cao Hanyu and the Yuan brothers chose to remain behind, and as Tie Kaicheng sat in the carriage, he noticed the changing expressions on Xue Keran's face as they drew closer to Hong Yun Valley.
Her initial impatience turned to disgust, and finally, she reverted to her alluring and charming demeanor.
The next moment...
"Bitch!"
Before the carriage reached the gates of the Xia Hou family, a loud shout rang out, bringing the carriage to a sudden halt.
Tie Kaicheng lifted the curtain and saw a young man standing in the middle of the road. The youth was dressed elegantly and possessed a handsome and graceful appearance. However, his countenance was distorted with rage, ruining his otherwise dashing demeanor.
As Tie Kaicheng lifted the curtain, Xue Keran naturally caught sight of Xia Hou Xing as well. A shy smile appeared on her face, and she softly greeted him, "Husband~"
"Bitch! Get out here!" Xia Hou Xing roared in a low voice.
"Yes," Xue Keran replied softly and obediently turned to walk back.
Xia Hou Xing, of course, did not follow her; instead, he turned to face Tie Kaicheng.
"Tie Kaicheng?" Xia Hou Xing inquired.
"Yes, it's me," Tie Kaicheng acknowledged.
After a moment of silence, Xia Hou Xing finally spoke, "Thank you for bringing her back."
Tie Kaicheng remained silent.
"Tie Zhongqi is dead," Xia Hou Xing continued, his fist clenching tighter as a flash of hatred crossed his eyes. He glanced at Tie Kaicheng, "Considering that you brought her back, I won't pursue the matter with the Hongqi Escort Agency any further."
Tie Kaicheng: ???
Tie Kaicheng was so exasperated that he wanted to laugh, "With the connections of the Xia Hou clan, it wouldn't be difficult to find out what happened to the Hongqi Escort Agency."
"I know," Xia Hou Xing nodded.
"Since you know, then you should understand that the only reason I didn't kill her was out of respect for the Xia Hou clan," Tie Kaicheng stated.
"Indeed." Xia Hou Xing replied with a hint of arrogance, "Everyone should give face to the Xia Hou clan."
"But your wife, together with Tianzun, killed my foster father, and secretly bribed the escorts from my Hongqi Escort Agency. Don't you think, as her husband, you should give me an explanation?" Tie Kaicheng asked, his brows furrowed.
Xia Hou Xing narrowed his eyes, "You're asking me for an explanation?"
Tie Kaicheng replied calmly, "The reason I didn't kill her was to prevent Tianzun from using her to provoke a war between the Hongqi Escort Agency and the Xia Hou clan. But it seems you're ungrateful for my consideration."
Upon hearing the name 'Tianzun', Xia Hou Xing seemed to recall a certain woman, and he couldn't help but twitch involuntarily. "To dare wage war against the Xia Hou clan, do you think your Hongqi Escort Agency is worthy?"
"I see." Tie Kaicheng's eyebrows rose, and he nodded in understanding, "So that's it. You're afraid of Tianzun."
"You..."
As a well-mannered scion of a prestigious family, Xia Hou Xing refrained from uttering the word, but he glared at Tie Kaicheng, "What gives you the right to question me and demand an explanation?"
Tie Kaicheng sighed and shook his head, "I thought you had the guts to draw your sword against Xie Xiaofeng, and I considered you a brave man. Looks like I was mistaken."
Upon hearing that Xia Hou Xing dared to draw his sword against Xie Xiaofeng, even Xue Keran, who had walked a few steps away, paused and turned back, looking at Xia Hou Xing with disbelief.
Xia Hou Xing, however, was perplexed, "When did I ever draw my sword against Xie Xiaofeng?"
Xue Keran's eyes showed a hint of disdain.
Tie Kaicheng chuckled, "That's part of the original storyline, although it happened after I forced Xie Xiaofeng to retreat with my Life-Threatening Fourteenth Sword, and Xia Hou Xing took advantage of the situation to join forces with Cao Hanyu and the others to launch a sneak attack."
Hmm, it seemed he had overestimated Xia Hou Xing. Tie Kaicheng had been looking forward to seeing the Xia Hou clan and Tianzun organization fight it out, but he hadn't expected Xia Hou Xing to be such a coward.
"My mistake," Tie Kaicheng said nonchalantly.
Xia Hou Xing asked curiously, "What mistake?"
"I never thought the eldest young master of the Xia Hou clan would be such a gutless mouse." Tie Kaicheng shook his head in disappointment, "I shouldn't have brought Xue Keran back."
"What did you say?" Xia Hou Xing exclaimed in anger.
"I'm planning to take your wife away again," Tie Kaicheng sneered, "Either you bring me news of Tianzun's destruction in exchange for your wife, or you can watch as your wife becomes a widow to my foster father."
(End of Chapter)
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