Chapter 605: The Yan Family's Menace
Chapter 605: The Yan Family's Menace
"The Yan family, the wealthy household behind the Imperially Bestowed Iron Gate, has actually done such a thing?"
"The Toad Venom in this city was released by that evil spirit who built the Serpent Deity Temple? No wonder it could be cured..."
"Is the Yan family's Elder Patriarch still alive? Which Elder Patriarch? Is it the last official from twenty years ago? Didn't he die long ago?"
"No, that Elder Patriarch only stopped celebrating his birthday after turning eighty-two."
"Every year when he celebrated his birthday, it was always a grand and extravagant affair. Not only the Three Great Families of Gua Prefecture, but even officials from other prefectures would travel thousands of miles to offer their congratulations."
"And precisely because he didn't celebrate his birthday for over twenty years, everyone gradually forgot about him, assuming he had already passed away..."
"..."
The cries of spirits and ghosts throughout the city revealed shocking truths.
If someone were to tell these stories, perhaps no one would believe them at first, but with the entire city's spirits and ghosts crying out, it was impossible not to believe.
Moreover, in the homes of those who had suffered harm, not only did they hear the cries outside, but even their deceased ancestors, whose tablets were worshipped, appeared in their dreams one by one.
They cried to their family members, "Our child was harmed by that old demon of the Yan family. But the Yan family was so powerful back then, and no one dared to speak up for fear of inviting disaster."
"Now that we have a noble protector, it's time for you to know the truth..."
"That old demon should have died long ago, but she's dreaming of becoming an emperor. She's still alive and using our child to refine Celestial Qi, destroying our family's blessings."
"That Serpent Deity refined Celestial Qi and harmed so many children, and you're still burning incense for him..."
"..."
These families were both furious and terrified, unable to contain their emotions.
However, amidst this shock and anger, there was something peculiar—why did all the ancestors who came to deliver the news have bruised and swollen faces?
Huh? Could it be that they were beaten by the Yan family's ancestors?
Like a spark thrown into a lake of oil, the entire Guazhou City instantly filled with a surging wave of anger.
If it were just ordinary families, they would have feared the Yan family and chosen to ignore any rumors, but those whose children had suffered from Toad Disease couldn't hold back their anger.
Of course, it wasn't just about holding back. The anger of the commoners didn't arise overnight.
Even if their children had suffered from Toad Disease in the past, time had diluted their fury.
But now, with their ancestors by their side, how could they not be enraged? So, one by one, they opened their doors, lit lanterns, or held torches, disregarding the curfew in Guazhou City, and rushed out into the streets.
As their numbers grew, even the martial brothers were intimidated.
Initially, they had been drinking and were eager to help the Yan family, but now they hesitated. Although the matters of Guazhou didn't concern them, the cries of the spirits and ghosts made them uneasy. Moreover, countless commoners were pouring in from all directions, engulfing them in the crowd, which included some familiar faces shouting at them:
"Ah, that's Thunderclap Blade Zhenjiutian, a renowned hero in the martial world..."
"Oh dear, even Eight Provinces Thunder Gun Grandpa Shen is here. Please, sir, uphold justice for the people of Guazhou..."
"..."
Startled by the shouts, these martial figures themselves didn't know what was happening. They followed the crowd toward the Yan family, and as more people joined, their excitement grew, and they gradually felt as if they had always intended to kill the Yan family's old dog.
"This..."
The old fortune teller outside the Yan family's mansion felt the pressure from all directions and was on the verge of losing his wits: "How could they even persuade these reckless martial artists?"
Wu Ya, by his side, found it strange and asked, "Teacher, what use are these people?"
"They have such a renowned reputation, but I don't think their skills are better than mine."
"..."
"What do you know?"
The old fortune teller stepped forward and joined the crowd, instructing his disciple as he went: "This isn't about skill. These people will speak highly of the Yan family everywhere, making the Pacifying Evil Office seem worthless. The Yan family invited them here for this purpose, not expecting much help. But now..."
"It's the opposite!"
"They're going to turn against the Yan family. Once they leave, they'll badmouth the Yan family and praise the Hu family to the skies."
"With their big mouths, especially after a few drinks, you can imagine what stories will spread in the martial world."
"What is this?"
"This is exactly the reputation the Hu family needs right now..."
"..."
"..."
"It's all exposed, everything is exposed..."
Within the Yan Manor, Lord Yan had lost the initial air of superiority and was now as pale as mud. He racked his brains but couldn't understand:
"How could this have become public knowledge so quickly?"
"Even in this city of Guazhou, few knew about my grandfather's affairs. We've been watching over the Earthbound Snake Spirit because it was refining elixir for our ancestor, and it couldn't be known to outsiders.
"Even to guard against this Shadow Executioner, the Ancestor has not taken any elixir for half a month."
"With such caution, how did they still manage to expose us so easily?"
"These lowly martial artists, with their despicable tricks, are so hard to defend against?"
"..."
As his heart raced and he heard the commotion outside drawing closer to the Yan family, he knew it was no longer the time for complaints.
Although he wasn't a member of the sect, he possessed courage and ruthlessness, which was why the Ancestor had chosen him to be the head of the Iron Gate Yan family.
He clearly understood the consequences of the Ancestor's actions becoming known, and without further hesitation, he suddenly stood up from the ground, his face filled with terror. He shouted loudly,
"Close the gate! Close the gate..."
"Who dares to slander my Yan family? Who dares to tarnish our reputation?"
"Stay where you are! Not a single one of them can escape..."
"..."
Boom!
Many were already awaiting the orders of the Yan family's lord.
The Yan family's mansion was not only vast but also deeply secluded. All the chaos was confined to the front courtyard, while in the depths of the inner courtyard, both the thing that had been disturbed by the Ancestor's anger and the many eyes hidden in the shadows had made various preparations after the Wandering Ghost Junior Magistrate entered the mansion.
In the front courtyard, surrounded by numerous Wandering Ghost Junior Magistrates, the Yan family's lord desperately shouted these words and then closed his eyes.
He knew how ruthless this decision was, and he also knew that he might be killed by these people as an act of revenge.
But as the head of the Yan family, it was his duty to give this order and then face death calmly.
Boom!
As he shouted, the large black iron gate, which was originally opened to invite the Great Swordswoman in to discuss rules, suddenly slammed shut with a boom, startling everyone in the courtyard.
With just the closing of this iron gate, some people suddenly realized that the Yan family seemed to have instantly isolated itself from the outside world.
Not only could outsiders not enter, but even those attempting to climb over the walls seemed to be blocked, unable to get in.
The walls seemed to have become impossibly high.
At the same time, in the four corners of the Yan Manor, four pavilions were erected. At first glance, they appeared to be for appreciating flowers and scenery, but after the Yan family's lord in the front courtyard shouted to close the gates, those who were on guard in the pavilions picked up iron hammers and approached the pillars between the pavilions. With all their might, they began to smash the pillars.
Beneath the pillars, blood-red water surged upwards, and faint cries of agony could be heard.
The deep and eerie roars from within the Yan Manor grew louder, and the eerie, mysterious aura descended like a heavy fog.
Outside the mansion, in Guazhou Prefecture, a fragrant breeze suddenly blew, and countless angry people, dazed and confused, looked up as if they saw a noble marquis with a ceremonial canopy. In the streets and alleys, people holding incense and imperial decrees appeared.
They shouted loudly, "By the order of the Governor of Guazhou, spirits and ghosts, return to your places! Maintain the order of yin and yang, and do not cause chaos!"
The majesty of the marquis was overwhelming, and the wailing, aggrieved evil spirits fell silent and knelt on the ground.
Clack, clack, clack...
Meanwhile, the city gates of Guazhou Prefecture suddenly opened wide, and the armored cavalry of the Iron Threshold King's army, having received their orders, rushed into the city with their spears raised. Their iron helmets exuded a chilling aura as they charged forward.
Amidst this grand commotion, some people took advantage of the closing iron gate and fled in a panic.
Looking back at the tightly shut Yan Manor, they were still trembling with fear. "The Iron Gate Yan family... How dare they think they can be bullied so easily?"
"This time, it's going to be a bloodbath, with rivers of blood and mountains of corpses, isn't it?"
"..."
"..."
"Everyone will die... Everyone will die..."
The Yan family's lord knew what would happen with this order, even though he was aware that his own life was at stake.
But he wasn't afraid; instead, he laughed maniacally. "What good will your chaos do? The Governor of Guazhou is under our Yan family's control. The Iron Threshold King is but a servant of our family, not to mention the furious Ancestor. No matter how many tricks these martial artists have up their sleeves, once they reach Guazhou, they will find only a dead end..."
As he thought this, he opened his eyes like a demon, eager to see the expressions of these people when they witnessed the true strength of the Yan family.
Unexpectedly, after the iron gate closed, trapping these people inside the Yan family's mansion, even if they were to die in an instant, no one rushed to kill him out of revenge, and he saw no panic in the eyes behind the masks.
Instead, he vaguely sensed that many eyes had lit up, and whispers spread: "Is it time?"
"Are we finally going to take down the big boss?"
"The Yan family's foundation is quite solid..."
"What Yan family? It's ours now!"
(End of Chapter)
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