"Ninth Mountain’s Colonel has arrived!"
A voice, trembling evidently as if emptying the lungs, boomed over the Liu Family’s residence.
Instantly, the noisy and bustling pavilions and towers fell silent.
The visiting guests within the residence were greatly shocked, unable to help but glance at each other with a look of astonishment and suspicion.
Could they have heard wrong?
That esteemed and revered personage, currently the talk of the town and known as the most influential figure in Jingguan City, has actually graced the Liu Family with his presence?
Immediately, figures hastened, vying to catch a glimpse of his true face.
This was truly a lively atmosphere.
Meanwhile, outside the Liu Family courtyard, continuously arriving Exotic Beasts carriages emitted long, low roars, restless and uneasy; some lay prostrate on the ground, while others frantically threw off their handlers and dashed away, causing a stir.
Outside, on a nearby lake, the rising mist from the water swirled, connecting the water and sky as one. Within it, it seemed as though a terrifying giant beast lay hidden, sending a heart-pounding energy spreading through the void.
The next second, the sound of a horse’s long whinny.
Amid the swirling mist, two groups of soldiers, dense like gathered clouds, charged out, resembling heavenly troops overseeing from above the Liu Family, with the mist behind them swirling around two rounds of the Great Sun, flickering with captivating golden brilliance.
"Liu Family Patriarch, Liu Tianming, along with all members of the Liu Family, extend the most respectful welcome to the esteemed presence of the senior official!"
Below, Liu Tianming had already hurried out from the council hall, a glimpse of uncontrollable excitement flashing in his eyes. Although head of the Liu Family, his steps were unusually rushed as he hastened to meet the visitor.
Immediately his body bowed at nearly ninety degrees, hands clasping in a formal bow!
He humbled himself exceedingly!
He had not expected that this distinguished figure would personally visit.
This was the senior official giving his support to him.
Suddenly his heart vibrated, his concerns about the issues arising from the Four Sects and Seven Families vanishing entirely.
The surrounding people, seeing the new Liu Family Patriarch, Liu Tianming, in such a state, either guessed correctly and their expressions changed, looking quite unsightly, or felt a great shock, as tumultuous as the overturning of seas and rivers.
At this moment, among the soldiers in the mist, a person holding the reins of a Cloud Horse stepped forward, spreading his arms and loudly declared:
"Ninth Mountain’s Colonel congratulates—"
"Liu Tianming for taking control in tumultuous times, setting things right, and becoming the head of Liu Family. Special rewards are bestowed: 500 catties of Demon Blood Flesh, five hundred gold, and the skill of Divine Skills from Heavenly Barrier Realm..."
"Appointing his son, Liu Qingshu, as the Right Route Divine Might Military Officer of Ninth Mountain."
"Receive the order!"
Hearing about the rewards, Liu Tianming’s pupils dilated with excitement, but when he heard his son being appointed as Right Route Divine Might Military Officer, his pupils tremored.
As an ambitious man, he could clearly see the implications of this honorary reward.
Qingshu was his most valued eldest son; this apparent honor was actually binding the Liu Family tightly to Ninth Mountain, or rather, using his own son as a hostage; yet, this could not be said to be incorrect. The position of Ninth Mountain Soldiers was increasingly elevated, allowing direct contact with the senior official.
This was an openly scheming stratagem!
Liu Tianming had no reason to refuse, but to be immensely grateful!
Now, with this event, the senior official already had plans laid out. Liu Tianming’s heart chilled suddenly, sensing a slight fear of the senior official’s tactics.
A streak of light flew towards him, and Liu Tianming caught it with both hands, "Thank you, Lord Xie, for the honors bestowed. The Liu Family is immensely grateful."
At this moment, from within the rolling mist, a light laughter emanated,
"Errors are punished, merits are rewarded."
After the words had fallen, a cloud swiftly descended and landed in front of the Liu Family conference hall. Out of the cloud materialized Chen Yuan, his sleeves fluttering and his pupils shimmering with a golden sheen, imposing as a prison, with a golden slit between his brows seemingly ready to open at any moment, instilling a chilling sense of dread.
With the appearance of Chen Yuan,
"Salute to the Nine Colonels!"
"Salute to the Nine... "
From within and without the courtyard, voices steadily merged into one. The guests bowed in respect, while the Liu Family’s servants quickly knelt to the ground.
Those following Liu Tianming from the Four Sects and Seven Families, upon seeing the true face of Ninth Mountain’s Colonel and sensing the overwhelming, terrifying aura like a vast sea of smoke, showed varying expressions.
Some subdued their demeanor, lowered their eyes, followed with a shout, and bowed their hands; others’ eyes flickered with sharpness, their expressions darker and unsettled, ultimately lowering their heads unwillingly and bowing.
Among the crowd, a red-nosed old man, enjoying the spectacle and holding a white jade wine jug, squinted his eyes and saw that everyone around him had bent down. He playfully pretended to bow but quickly reached out and pushed down the head of a "plain-looking" young girl next to him who was gnawing on a chicken leg.
"Ouch..."
The girl’s face was smeared with the sauce from the chicken leg, her cheeks puffed out, eyes twinkling with annoyance.
The red-nosed old man put his finger to his lips making a shushing gesture, his eyes directed at Chen Yuan, his voice ringing in the girl’s mind.
"Old man here thinks this guy seems dangerous, don’t draw attention; otherwise your delicate skin might end up being made into soup, tsk tsk."
The girl paled instantly and quickly bowed her head, muttering under her breath, "This person is terrifying."
At this moment, Chen Yuan glanced at Liu Tianming and then to the Liu family members and people from the Four Sects and Seven Families lowering their heads behind them, his expression one of an amused yet nonchalant smile.
Then he turned and walked into the hall!
Liu Tianming hurriedly led people in behind him.
And behind them, the leaders of the Four Families, Seven Families, and the Eight Heavenly Passes glanced at each other, a shiver running through them as they clearly felt Ninth Mountain’s Colonel’s gaze on them.
They felt targeted!
The leaders communicated through transmitted messages.
"I sense Ninth Mountain’s Colonel has set his eyes on us; it’s wise to retreat first." Someone contemplated escaping.
"If you just leave like that, you’ll likely end up fully targeted. What exactly does this dignitary intend by staging this drama? Is he warning us to obey him, aspiring to dominate Jingguan City?" One person’s tone was dark and uneasy.
"Hmph, wishful thinking. Our families have put in years of effort to reach today. Isn’t he afraid of overreaching and causing chaos? There are demons outside the border, dare he provoke?"
Fatty Qian from the Qian family, his voice filled with anger, then directly walked toward the hall,
"It’s better to directly ask this Colonel what he wants to do. If he can do it, let him try; if not, let’s disperse. Keep in mind, those two families didn’t show up!" Saying this, he scoffed, "Besides, today’s Jingguan City isn’t controlled by just this one of the Nine Colonels."
There seemed to be more to his words.
The other leaders’ expressions slightly changed, Fatty Qian was likely referring to those increasingly emerging yet elusive strong individuals from outside Shu.
Had the Qian family made connections?
Seeing Fatty Qian enter, the other leaders from the Four Sects and Seven Families hesitated, but still followed into the conference hall.
At that moment, in the hall, the traces of the earlier skirmish remained, nearly all the chairs shattered.
As the Eight Heavenly Pass leaders entered, Chen Yuan, seated at the head, next to him stood Tiansheng in silver Feiyu Clothes and three of the Liu Family leaders.
As the eight walked in, they saw Chen Yuan’s gaze on them and he spoke somberly:
"I appointed Liu Tianming as the Family Head, it seems some of you object."
"Let me ask first."
"Who agrees, and who objects?"

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