Faced with the immense power radiating from Xia Wuyang, Zhao Tianxiong’s face went deathly pale. He now fully understood just how strong Xia Wuyang was, and what a terrifying existence he had just provoked.
But he was a powerful figure in his own right. Seeing that even the Gang Leader dared not help him, he knew no one else would.
Suppressing his fear, he cupped his fist in salute. "Senior, I am Zhao Tianxiong, Vice Gang Leader of the Cao Bang. I don’t know how I have offended you. If you have come for the juniors Yue Yulong and Yue Yufeng, we can negotiate. Gold and silver, beautiful women, power—as long as you ask, the Cao Bang will provide. We will certainly not disappoint you."
"Heh!" Xia Wuyang sneered at Zhao Tianxiong’s offer, his gaze indifferent, as if looking at an ant. "Zhao Tianxiong, decades ago you forged secret letters and evidence to frame a loyal man and kill General Yue Zhan. Today, it is time to pay your debt."
Xia Wuyang’s voice was not loud, yet it carried clearly to everyone’s ears. "General Yue Zhan and I were like brothers. Not only did you kill him, but you also destroyed his family. For a grudge this deep, it is time for you to pay the price."
Hearing the resolve in Xia Wuyang’s voice, a chill ran through Zhao Tianxiong’s heart, but he couldn’t stop himself from trying to make an excuse. "Senior, that was all at the behest of the Third Prince! I was only following orders. You should be taking this up with the Third Prince!"
"You think I know nothing of what happened back then?" Xia Wuyang raised an eyebrow. "Delivering extravagant gifts on a moonlit night, all to become a lapdog. Xia Wuchen told me that himself. And even now, you remain unrepentant, wanting to eliminate the threat root and stem by hunting down General Yue’s orphans. Did you really think you could fool me?"
"I..." Zhao Tianxiong was at a loss for words, staring at Xia Wuyang in horror. ’The gift delivery on that moonlit night was a clandestine affair known only to a select few. Could the Third Prince, Xia Wuchen, have really told him? In that case, who in the world is this man?’
HISS...
At this thought, Zhao Tianxiong knew this could not be resolved peacefully. He abruptly activated a Spirit Talisman he had long prepared, about to smear it with his blood essence and hurl it at Xia Wuyang.
HUMMM...
But in that instant, a drone resonated in Zhao Tianxiong’s mind, and his senses swam. His entire body felt as if it were encased in thick glue, completely immobile.
An invisible force bound him, paralyzing his limbs and body. He couldn’t even circulate his Qi Blood. Like a lamb to the slaughter, he could only watch in despair.
Xia Wuyang looked on indifferently. "Yue Yulong, Yue Yufeng, he is yours to deal with. Do with him as you will."
Astonishing hatred flared in Yue Yufeng’s eyes. She raised her sword, ready to advance and kill Zhao Tianxiong, her mortal enemy.
"Wait!"
But Xia Wuyang suddenly stopped her. To the crowd’s confusion, he slowly walked up to the Gang Leader of the Cao Bang, Fan Jianglong, Hong Zhenhai.
A terrifying pressure swept forth, crashing down mostly upon Hong Zhenhai, causing even this Super Grade Late Stage Celestial Human to gasp for air.
If the Vice Gang Leader of the Cao Bang were killed right in front of him, Hong Zhenhai would be utterly humiliated, even if Zhao Tianxiong deserved to die ten times over.
But he didn’t dare make a single rash move. He could sense the chasm in power between himself and Xia Wuyang. His terror had only grown after seeing Zhao Tianxiong immobilized in an instant, unable to even use the Spirit Talisman he had drawn.
Thus, he remained silent in the main seat, his expression complex.
Xia Wuyang looked at him and asked coolly, "Gang Leader Hong, Zhao Tianxiong framed a loyal official, and the evidence is irrefutable. According to the rules of the Cao Bang, how should he be punished?"
Hong Zhenhai froze, then immediately understood Xia Wuyang’s intention. ’He wants me to be the one to legitimately eliminate Zhao Tianxiong, and in doing so, establish the authority of the Yue Family Siblings.’
He quickly weighed his options in his mind—or rather, there was nothing to weigh.
’In the face of absolute power, all resistance is merely a futile struggle.’
’Besides, Zhao Tianxiong was the Third Prince’s man. Now that the Third Prince has fallen, he was someone who needed to be purged anyway.’
’This Celestial Human before me has one foot in the Extraordinary Realm. His power is unfathomable, and who knows how many trump cards he holds. If we become his enemy, I fear the entire Cao Bang will be annihilated.’
’Since that’s the case, it’s better to just go with the flow and obey.’
So, Hong Zhenhai declared decisively, "According to Article 44 of our gang’s rules, for framing another and causing their death, the prescribed punishment is death by a thousand cuts. The evidence against Zhao Tianxiong is conclusive. He shall face the ultimate penalty."
"Hong Zhenhai, how dare you..." Zhao Tianxiong’s eyes blazed with fury as he stared venomously at Hong Zhenhai.
Hong Zhenhai roared, "Seize this criminal!"
His most trusted subordinates swarmed forward, pinning Zhao Tianxiong to the ground. The Vice Gang Leader, who had been a man of immense influence for decades, now struggled like a dying animal, completely unable to break free.
Bound by Xia Wuyang’s Qi Blood, he could hardly even twitch, let alone struggle.
Seeing Zhao Tianxiong completely powerless to resist, Xia Wuyang turned to the Yue Family Siblings. "Go. Use his blood as an offering to your father. The time for vengeance has come."
Yue Yulong took a deep breath and accepted the Ghost Head Saber someone handed him.
He walked up to Zhao Tianxiong and stared at the man who had destroyed his family. Decades of hatred erupted within him like a volcano.
"Zhao Tianxiong, this cut is for my father!"
Yue Yulong plunged the blade into his thigh. Blood gushed out, and the pain made Zhao Tianxiong scream, "Spare me! I know I was wrong! Don’t kill me!"
In the face of death, even the great Zhao Tianxiong, Vice Gang Leader of the Cao Bang, was terrified and began to beg for his life.
"This cut is for my mother!"
Yue Yulong struck again, stabbing him in the other thigh.
Zhao Tianxiong screamed again, his pleas for mercy unending.
Yue Yufeng couldn’t resist joining in. She took up her longsword and thrust it down. "And this is for my cousin!"
Cut after cut, stab after stab.
Soon, Zhao Tianxiong was in too much pain to even scream. He began to mutter curses, but his voice was too faint to be understood.
More than half an hour passed. After countless cuts and stabs, Zhao Tianxiong finally collapsed for good.
The will to survive of this First Grade Grandmaster was far stronger than anyone had anticipated.
Fresh blood pooled on the floor, staining the bluestone slabs red.
The vast Central Hall fell deathly silent, the only sound the incessant drumming of rain on the eaves.
Yue Yulong and Yue Yufeng fell to their knees. Facing north—the direction in which their father had died a martyr’s death—they kowtowed deeply. "Father! Mother! Your children have avenged you! You can finally rest in peace!"
Their mournful cries moved all who heard them, leaving the surrounding Cao Bang members speechless.
They knew that although Zhao Tianxiong had been the mastermind, he had only dared to act because he had the power and might of the Cao Bang behind him. In that, they all shared the blame.

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