Chapter 40: Chapter 40 Situ Yuntian
"Let’s take a look,” Situ Yuntian said with a frown.
When he led three Elders to the entrance, they only saw several patrolling disciples lying in pools of blood, and Coach Lou’s body was also to one side.
It seemed that he had been killed with a single sword strike, the wound on his neck was very fine.
"I wonder what business brings the Talented Disciples of the Sword Sect to the Situ Family?” Situ Yuntian asked as he looked at Xu Zimei.
"And you are?” Xu Zimei asked casually.
"I am indeed the Family Head of the Situ Family, Situ Yuntian.”
...
"You’ve come just in time; I wanted to ask if we have somehow offended the Situ Family to have someone sent to kill us?” Xu Zimei asked.
"I can testify, I am with the White Crane Mercenary Group from Zhouque City, and at noon today the chief steward of your family’s inner courtyard found our leader, saying he needed our leader’s help to kill a few people,” Xiao Guizi hurriedly said.
He was sniveling and crying theatrically with exaggerated acting skills.
"And you are?” Situ Yuntian asked, looking at Xiao Guizi.
"I am a new subordinary of our leader Xiao Baihe,” Xiao Guizi replied.
"Gentlemen, don’t be hasty, there might be some misunderstanding here,” Situ Yuntian pondered for a moment and then said to a servant beside him: “Go and call Hai Dafu for me.”
The servant hurried off and before long, a corpulent fat man with a swaggering gait approached.
He was so overweight that he had to pant after walking just a few steps.
"That’s him,” Xiao Guizi, sharp-eyed, immediately pointed at the fat man and shouted.
Situ Yuntian’s frown deepened slightly.
Hai Dafu approached Situ Yuntian and, hurrying to show respect, asked, “Family Head, did you need me for something?”
"Don’t you know what you’ve done?” Situ Yuntian asked sternly.
"Family Head, I truly do not know,” Hai Dafu quickly shook his head, replying anxiously.
"I ask you, did you hire someone to assassinate some of the Talented Disciples from the Holy Sect?” Situ Yuntian asked.
"Family Head, please see clearly, even if I had a hundred guts, I wouldn’t dare,” Hai Dafu quickly knelt down, also sniveling and crying with acting skills that outdid Xiao Guizi by several streets.
"Gentlemen, could there be some kind of misunderstanding?” Situ Yuntian turned his head, looked at Xu Zimei, and said, “And could you gentlemen perhaps show me some proof that you are disciples of the Holy Sect?
It’s not that I doubt you, but just to be cautious.”
"I have an Inner Sect Disciple’s Token here,” Xiao Guizi hurried forward, placing his own token in front of Situ Yuntian, and said.
"Does it need to be this real?” Situ Yuntian felt as though he’d been dealt a bad hand, “Weren’t you just claiming to be a member of the White Crane Mercenary Group?
How come now you’ve suddenly become an Inner Sect Disciple of the Holy Sect.”
But it was this mix of truth and falsehood that made Situ Yuntian feel a bit troubled; if the other party really was an Inner Sect Disciple of the True Martial Holy Sect, with even an Inner Sect Disciple’s status being that of a messenger, then what an astonishing identity this young man might possess.
"Are you sure you don’t know anything?” Xu Zimei stepped forward and asked, “Or rather, might you not be the mastermind, maybe someone else is directing you?”
"I truly do not know,” Hai Dafu said with a frantic look, glancing aimlessly towards the three Elders and hurriedly spoke.
"You don’t need to rush to deny it,” Xu Zimei said, “In our True Martial Holy Sect, we have a method of Soul Search that can inquire about all the memories of a person from within a month.
"But the price is that the person on whom the Soul Search technique has been cast could either die or, at the very least, become mentally incapacitated.”
Hai Dafu’s complexion changed, his expression struggling.
And Situ Yuntian’s eyebrows furrowed slightly as he looked to the side and noticed that the expressions of the three Elders had changed as well.
"Hai Dafu, won’t you admit it?” Situ Yuntian bellowed, spiritual energy surging in his palm, opening three Vein Gates on his body as the peak aura of the True Vein Realm burst forth.
With a hit on Hai Dafu’s shoulder, Hai Dafu’s entire body burst with blood flowing from his seven orifices.
"Rest assured, esteemed Talented Disciples of the Holy Sect, our Situ Family will certainly not shield any suspects,” Situ Yuntian said firmly, “Regardless of whether Hai Dafu is suspect or not, we owe you all an explanation.”
"Yes, indeed,” a few of the Elders at the side also heaved sighs of relief and hurriedly responded.
"It’s a pity, perhaps some leads have now been severed,” Xu Zimei sighed as he looked up, then smiled at everyone and said, “But no matter, there’s plenty of time.”
"It’s not often we have the honor of hosting the Talented Disciples of the Holy Sect at our Situ Family. If you don’t mind, shall I have a feast prepared?” Situ Yuntian asked with a smile.
"I have no objections,” Xu Zimei smiled and followed Situ Yuntian into the main hall.
Xu Zimei realized that many people prefer to bond over a meal.
However, the Situ Family also gave Xu Zimei some ideas; perhaps he could advance his plans for establishing his power.
Subduing the Situ Family, using them as a stepping stone, proved to be a fine opportunity.
During the meal, Xu Zimei had a few drinks and tentatively asked, “Family Head Situ, the Situ Family has always lived in seclusion in Zhouque City, have you ever thought about expanding outwards?”
Situ Yuntian was taken aback for a moment; he understood what Xu Zimei meant.
With the current strength of the Situ Family, expansion was simply not feasible, but with Xu Zimei’s help, it was a different story.
But Situ Yuntian could also see what was at stake; right now, the Situ Family still bore the Situ surname. If they truly cooperated with Xu Zimei, then the Situ Family would effectively become part of Xu Zimei’s faction.
Although they would gain in strength, many things would no longer be under their control.
After all, the premise of cooperation is that both parties are not significantly mismatched in strength, and the Situ Family was certainly not on an equal footing with Xu Zimei.
"Young Master Xu jests, our Situ Family simply wishes to live in peace and stability; we have no other ambitions,” Situ Yuntian responded with a smile.
"That’s good,” Xu Zimei nodded and said with a smile, “Steady and solid development is also robust.”
After dinner, Xu Zimei declined Situ Yuntian’s offer for them to stay with the Situ Family and, along with Lin Ruhu and Xiao Guizi, took their leave.
He didn’t encounter Situ Yunqing; after all, she was an important part of his plans for establishing influence.
Back at Linjiang Restaurant, Xu Zimei stood at the window of his room, watching the sun slowly setting in the distance.
He tapped on the windowsill three times with his right hand and said with a smile, “Black Thirteen, come out!”
From behind, a shadow suddenly materialized out of nowhere.
Black Thirteen was somewhat puzzled; he was very confident in his ability to conceal himself and didn’t know what had gone wrong.
"Young Master, the Deputy Sect Master was concerned for your safety and had me follow you secretly. I would not have revealed myself had there been no threat to your life,” Black Thirteen explained his mission.
"Help me kill someone,” Xu Zimei said indifferently.