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墨書 Inktalez
In the southern part of Spirit Martial Town, there lies a manor. Although its area is not as large as that of the Cold Family, it is still quite significant.
Before the main gate, two majestic stone lions stand fiercely, crafted with great skill and exuding an impressive aura. On either side of the stone lions, eight strong men with fierce expressions stand in a neat row.
They wear identical clothing, each adorned with a character embroidered in golden thread on their chests, giving them a formidable presence.
Returning the gaze to the main gate, one can see that the two doors reach a height of thirty feet, made entirely of cast bronze, resembling city gates—tall and heavy. Such a style hardly fits the description of a garden.
"Is this really called a garden? It looks more like a city."
In front of the gate, a chubby boy with his face obscured by a straw hat stopped and scoffed at the Xu Family's entrance.
The boy was dragging a black cloth bag behind him, which seemed to contain something heavy, and as he got closer, a foul odor wafted from it.
"Stop!" A burly guard reached out to block the boy and shouted sternly, "Get out of here! This is no place for you!"
The chubby boy was taken aback for a moment but then quickly realized. He looked down at his filthy clothes stained with blood and smirked coldly, saying, "Dog Eyes Look Down on People. I've heard that the Xu Family values their reputation. Seeing you all dressed up like this, it seems the rumors are true."
The stench was somewhat overwhelming, and the guard waved his hand angrily, saying, "Damn brat, have you come to cause trouble at the Xu Family?"
"Oh? Is the Xu Family really that impressive?" The chubby boy sneered dismissively and said, "Call Xu Tai out; tell him his benefactor has arrived."
In the southern district of Spirit Martial Town within this Square Area, who would dare to call out Xu Tai's name directly?
"Damn it! I think you're asking for a beating!" The guard rolled up his sleeves and prepared to teach this disrespectful person a lesson.
"Brother Three, wait." Another guard stopped the former and whispered something in his ear.
After hearing this, the big man showed a look of confusion on his face. After hesitating for a moment, he glared at Chubby Boy with resentment, then pushed open the large door and walked into the Garden.
Seeing this, Chubby Boy let out a sneer, his disdain evident.
Moments later, the door opened again.
Two figures emerged from inside: one was the big man who had just gone in to deliver a message, and the other was a Seventy-Year-Old Man. Judging by his clothing, he seemed to be a Steward-level figure from the Xu Family.
"This young brother, I hear you are looking for our family head?" The old man's seemingly dull eyes flashed with a hint of sharpness, as if he were assessing Chubby Boy's background.
Chubby Boy nodded but did not respond.
"Ah, I apologize, young brother. The family head is currently occupied and may find it difficult to meet you. If there is something urgent, you can inform me first, and I will certainly pass it on," the old man said with a hoarse laugh that sent chills down one's spine.
This insincere smile did not stir any ripples in Chubby Boy; he simply shook his head and scoffed, "Oh? Something urgent? Is it about Young Master Xu Ao?"
Upon hearing this, the Xu Family Guards exchanged glances, murmuring to themselves: "Young Master Xu Ao is quite the wastrel. I wonder what trouble he has caused now. It seems like it's been a long time since anyone has seen him..."
Unlike these guards, the old man's pupils constricted sharply at these words, and his strange smile instantly froze on his face.
Xu Ao's disappearance had occurred over half a month ago. Family head Xu Tai had ordered a news blackout; thus, apart from some important figures within the Xu Family, no one else was likely aware of it.
"How did you come to know about this?" After a moment of surprise, the old man regained his composure and spoke in a grim tone.
"Ha ha, you don't need to know that. I don't have the time to chat with you. I can only speak when I see Xu Tai." The Chubby Boy remained arrogant, seemingly holding onto a bargaining chip that could save his life.
The old man's Withered arm twitched slightly, and a surge of violent energy began to rise from it.
"Heh heh... You're quite arrogant, kid! But if you can't provide an explanation today, my Withered Heart Finger won't let you off easily." The old man chuckled ominously, a chilling aura immediately radiating from him.
"Withered Heart Finger?" The Chubby Boy expressed mild surprise and said, "So you're the Withered Heart Ghost, Zhang Sen, who has been in hiding for years?"
The old man was taken aback, seemingly not expecting this young boy, who looked no more than eighteen or nineteen, to recognize his identity.
"You have quite the knowledge, but that Zhang Sen is already dead. I'm just an old Steward of the Xu Family now." The old man's gaze turned somewhat murky as he looked into the distance, seemingly reminiscing about his glorious past.
"Ha ha, Heavenly Demon Village Boss, with your Yellow Rank Nine Withered Heart Finger, you were quite sensational back in Spirit Martial Town." The Chubby Boy cupped his hands in respect momentarily but quickly shifted his tone to mockery. "Over a decade ago, you forcefully attacked the Cold Family with your numerous men. At that time, the Cold Family was probably still just a second-rate family, right?"
"What are you trying to say!" The old man's eyes flashed coldly, his tone menacing.
The figure under the straw hat trembled slightly as if silently laughing, showing no signs of fear. After a moment, he continued, "What I want to say is that in that battle, the Cold Family fought against overwhelming odds and not only destroyed your Heavenly Demon Village but you were also severely injured and lost an arm, right?"
"You are from the Cold Family?" The old man suddenly exuded a terrifying killing intent as he approached the boy.
Facing the imposing old man, the Chubby Boy remained unafraid. He chuckled and continued, "The one who crippled you was called Cold Boyuan, right? That battle ended with your reputation in ruins but marked the beginning of the Cold Family's rise!"
"Who exactly are you!" The old man had reached the boy's front now; his Withered arm slowly moved as if ready to deliver a fatal blow.
"It doesn't matter who I am. You don't need to put on this intimidating act to scare me. Although you were once a powerful Martial Mastery expert, now you probably only have the strength of an Eighth-Dan Warrior," Short and Stout Figure said disdainfully.
"Given your understanding of this matter, you must undoubtedly be from the Cold Family. But how dare you appear before me? Are you seeking death?" The old man's voice was hoarse and deep, filled with hatred for the Cold Family that had destroyed him years ago.
"Wrong! I am from the Wu Family!" The Chubby Boy paused for a moment and added, "But you are not entirely wrong, because the Cold Family will eventually bear the surname Wu!"
The straw hat was removed, revealing the true face hidden beneath it.
With a short and stout figure and a slightly round smile, this seemingly simple-minded youth was none other than...
"Wu Xiaozhuang!"
The voice suddenly came from inside the door, followed by a middle-aged man with eagle-like eyes stepping out. He stared at the boy in surprise and said, "I see the family head!"
With Xu Tai's appearance, everyone present, including the old man, bowed in respect.
Without paying them any mind, Xu Tai quickly approached Wu Xiaozhuang, glancing at the black bag in his hand. He asked urgently, "Do you have news about Xiao Er?"
Wu Xiaozhuang did not bow but simply clasped his hands together and replied, "Of course."
After saying this, Wu Xiaozhuang scanned the surroundings. Seeing this, Xu Tai immediately understood and gestured for him to proceed. He then led Wu Xiaozhuang into the inner part of the Garden.
Moments later, including the old man, three people arrived at a secluded room.
"What happened to Xiao Er? Is something wrong?" As soon as they entered the room, Xu Tai couldn't wait to ask.
"Here!" Wu Xiaozhuang loosened his grip, and the opening of the black bag immediately slackened, releasing a foul odor that assaulted the senses and made one feel nauseous.
Xu Tai pinched his nose and looked curiously into the bag.
"Xiao Er!" With a cry of despair, Xu Tai suddenly lunged onto the bag, weeping over the corpse inside.
The old man beside him frowned deeply, standing silently with a look of shock on his face.
Looking at Xu Ao's decayed body, it was clear that he had been dead for more than half a month. His eyes had fallen out, his skin was devoid of color, and there were even maggots clinging to the rotting flesh on his face. It was not only disgusting but also a horrific sight.
For a moment, the room fell silent, with only Xu Tai's choked sobs breaking the stillness.
Wu Xiaozhuang did not rush; he simply stood quietly to the side, waiting. Although he was the one who had killed Xu Ao, there was not a trace of unusual expression on his face.
After about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, Xu Tai finally calmed down. He clenched his fists, making cracking sounds, and gritted his teeth as he said, "Was it Ye Tian who did this?"
Xu Tai had no suspicion towards Wu Xiaozhuang because he had inadvertently heard Xu Ao mention their cooperative relationship. Additionally, since Wu Xiaozhuang had retrieved Xu Ao's body, in his grief, Xu Tai did not think too much and instinctively directed his hatred towards Ye Tian.
"Hmph, saves me the trouble of explaining," Wu Xiaozhuang sneered inwardly. He had prepared a whole bunch of statements to prove his innocence but found them unnecessary.
"Who else could it be!" Wu Xiaozhuang's face also showed anger; his hatred for Ye Tian was genuine.
Bang!
The round table made of purple rosewood shattered into pieces as Xu Tai, with a murderous look on his face, gritted his teeth and said, "Ye Tian! I will tear you to pieces!"
With a roar, Xu Tai said in a deep voice, "Brother Zhang, go gather our forces. We will storm the Cold Family and take down Ye Tian!"
The old man was taken aback by these words, and soon a look of wild joy appeared in his eyes. After all these years of Xu Tai telling him to endure, the time for revenge had finally come!
Seeing the expressions of the two, Wu Xiaozhuang felt elated. Using Xu Ao to manipulate Xu Tai gave him a sense of satisfaction.
"Wait!" Wu Xiaozhuang called out to Xu Tai, who had already walked to the door. He feigned a serious expression and said, "Xu Family Master, I have to say something unpleasant. The Xu Family is not yet a match for the Cold Family. Engaging them head-on would be too risky; it would be a poor strategy."
As soon as these words were spoken, Xu Tai's footsteps slowed down, and his earlier impulsiveness dissipated significantly.
He turned to look at Wu Xiaozhuang, feeling that this person might have some scheme in mind. So he fell silent and stared at Wu Xiaozhuang, waiting for him to continue.
Seeing that the moment was right, Wu Xiaozhuang slowly began to speak, "I have a plan that might help us eliminate Ye Tian!"
"Tell me more!" Xu Tai immediately became interested. If they could kill Ye Tian without directly confronting the Cold Family, that would be perfect.
Noticing that Xu Tai had taken the bait, Wu Xiaozhuang chuckled sinisterly and then led the two to a secluded spot where he quietly shared his plan.
To the readers:
Is Wu Xiaozhuang truly despicable?
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