At the Situ family’s old residence, Situ Xian personally hosted a banquet for Xu Xinghai.
"Senior Situ, rest assured, I have already communicated with that clan uncle. When both of us make an appearance at the Dragon and Tiger Hall and that uncle stands with us, Qi Tai and Zhang Long will choose wisely if they don’t wish to die. Then it will be easy to eliminate my cousin, who will be left all alone."
At the dining table, after drinking some wine, Xu Xinghai spoke to Situ Xian.
Situ Xian laughed heartily, "With Young Master Xu’s arrangements , the matter is sure to be free of any worry. It’s just that youngster with the last name Yang could be a bit of a thorn in our side."
"Hmph, just a rootless, strayed whelp who learned some Martial Arts from who knows where, he’s not worth considering," Xu Xinghai commented dismissively.
Situ Yunxin couldn’t hold back and spoke up, "Young Master Xu mustn’t be careless, that Yang Fei is truly not simple. I was there that day; the lad’s movement technique was extremely peculiar, and the strength he displayed surpassed the Early Stage Internal Strength. I fear his cultivation may have already entered the Mid Stage Internal Strength, perhaps even the Late Stage." This content belongs to novel•fire.net
Xu Xinghai snorted with disdain and smiled, "How old did you just say he was?"
Situ Yunxin replied, "About twenty-three or twenty-four years old."
Situ Yunde added, "Exactly twenty-three years old. I’ve investigated his background thoroughly; the lad comes from an impoverished area, a wild seed without any background."
Xu Xinghai nodded, "Given he’s only twenty-three, do you really think he could have achieved Mid Stage Internal Strength? Hmph, the Xu Family has passed down Martial Arts for hundreds of years, our family’s Cultivation Techniques are profound, and with the supply of various cultivation resources, I myself have only attained the Mid Stage of cultivation. Allowing a poor kid to reach the Mid Stage Internal Strength at twenty-three? Hahaha, only you all would believe that."
Situ Yunxin’s face turned red, wanting to argue, but his father Situ Xian had already nodded, "What Young Master Xu says is correct. Since ancient times, the poor pursue letters, the rich pursue arms. Without good family conditions, there’s simply no qualification to practice Martial Arts. Before a Martial Artist transitions from external to internal, just the cost of medicinal herbs and the various food energy supplements required to fortify the muscles, bones, and skin is no small sum. Hence, despite the youngster’s strong Martial Arts skills, it’s simply impossible for him to advance to Late Stage Internal Strength at such an age."
Situ Yunde nodded and added, "Right, let’s assume his cultivation is at the Mid Stage Internal Strength. Today, with father and Young Master Xu heading to the Dragon and Tiger Hall, our Situ family has five Internal Strength experts. I also possess Mid Stage Internal Strength; it will be like taking candy from a baby to capture him."
Thinking back to the day when Yang Fei exhibited a formidable presence that left him horribly suffocated, Situ Yunxin couldn’t help but say, "Father, second brother, Young Master Xu, Yang Fei is indeed very peculiar, his strength is absolutely stronger than we imagine."
Situ Xian frowned, impatiently saying, "No matter how strong he is, can’t you five join forces to overcome him?"
Xu Xinghai laughed heartily, "Even if you can’t handle him, just keep him occupied. After Senior Situ and I handle matters at the Dragon and Tiger Hall, we can come and help you—it won’t be too late."
Situ Yunxin breathed a sigh of relief.
If that’s the case, no matter how fierce the lad might be, he won’t escape with his life.
However, Situ Yunde didn’t believe Yang Fei could be that formidable and said, "The five of us are enough. I want to flay and disembowel that lad myself, let him experience the ultimate pain before dying to avenge my son."
"Brother Situ, rest assured, tonight we will surely avenge your son," Xu Xinghai said, raising his glass to Situ Yunde.
Situ Yunde also picked up his glass and clinked it with Xu’s.
The two drained their glasses in one gulp.
Just then, a sudden scream tore into everyone’s ears.
Seated at the dining table were all practitioners of Internal Strength with keen senses. Although the scream came from a distant place outside, it did not escape their ears.
Situ Xian furrowed his brow, "Go and see what’s happened."
Just as Situ Yunxin stood up, several more screams were heard.
Then, a loud cry of alarm followed, "Someone come quickly! Someone has broken into the Situ aristocratic family and is killing people!"
Upon hearing these words, Situ Yunde angrily rose to his feet, slamming his palm onto the table, and shouted, "Damn it, who dares to break into the Situ family and cause trouble—do they have a death wish?"
Everyone in the dining room stood up and began to walk outside.
As soon as they stepped through the front door of the living room, they saw three people approaching across the spacious lawn. Yet the disciples and followers of the Situ family were encircling these three without attacking, not one daring to charge forward.
"Xu Xingzhou!" Xu Xinghai squinted at one of the figures, his expression ferocious, grinding his teeth in anger.
The newcomers were none other than Yang Fei, Xu Xingzhou, and Xu Mao.
Xu Mao walked with a limp, his right leg still stained with blood, his face showing traces of pain.
Situ Yunde’s eyes immediately fell upon Yang Fei, filled with venemous hatred, as if he couldn’t wait to tear him into pieces on the spot.
Situ Xian laughed loudly, "Hahaha, such arrogant youngsters, daring to intrude upon the Situ family! Do you really think our hundred years of lineage are for naught?"
Situ Yunde said, "Yang Fei, you had the way to Heaven but refused to walk it, and now there’s no door to Hell but you insist on entering. I was planning to find you tonight to seek revenge for my son, but you’ve actually delivered yourself into the net. It’s perfect—I’ll take your head as an offering for my son!"
Yang Fei glanced indifferently at Situ Yunde, finally his gaze settling on Situ Xian, smiled, and said, "I once declared that if the Situ family remains dissatisfied over Situ Yong’s matter and targets me again, I would erase the Situ family’s name from Binhai."
Upon hearing this, Situ Xian burst into laughter, "Hahaha, such bold words! Kid, who is your master, to speak such crazy talk? Aren’t you afraid of biting your own tongue?"
Yang Fei shook his head, "You’re not qualified to know who my master is. What about it, weren’t you all planning to come for me tonight? Now that I’ve shown up at your door, you don’t dare to make a move?"
By Situ Xian’s side, his fourth son Situ Yunzhong shouted angrily, "Father, let me teach him a lesson and avenge Yong’er."
Upon hearing this, Situ Yunde immediately shook his head, "Fourth brother, Yong’er is my son; I have to kill this kid with my own hands."
Hearing his second brother say this, Situ Yunzhong said no more and retreated to one side.
Situ Yunde stepped forward.
At that moment, Xu Xinghai looked at Xu Xingzhou and said, "Cousin, you have really gotten more foolish with age, making an enemy of a Martial Arts Family with a hundred years of legacy in Binhai, all just to recruit a mere lad—how ridiculous!"
Upon hearing this, Xu Xingzhou broke into a cold sweat, and immediately retorted, "Xu Xinghai, don’t talk nonsense. Where do I have the ability to recruit Mr. Yang? I am nothing more than Mr. Yang’s follower."
Xu Xinghai was dumbfounded, staring at Xu Xingzhou as if he had misheard, "What did you say?"
Xu Xingzhou did not bother explaining, but with a serious face said, "Xu Xinghai, I am here in Binhai by the family’s orders to handle business, yet you stealthily conspired with the Situ family to suppress me, and colluded with Xu Mao in an attempt to kill me and take my place. Hmm, we may be competitors, but I never imagined you could be so cold-hearted and ruthless, seeking my death!"
Xu Xinghai, having already had his suspicions when Xu Mao appeared, sensed that things must have gone awry, but still, he couldn’t help casting his gaze upon Xu Mao upon hearing Xu Xingzhou’s words.
As if understanding Xu Xinghai’s thoughts, Xu Mao spoke up, "Xu Xinghai, as a member of the Law Enforcement Hall of our family, I was tasked with supervising Xu Xingzhou’s fulfillment of his duties for our family in Binhai. Yet, you plotted with me to harm Xu Xingzhou. With this, you have violated the Xu Family’s rules. Today, I must take you down!"
Listening to this, Xu Xinghai’s face twisted in fury, his eyes filled with unwillingness as he glared at Xu Mao, "You scoundrel, why have you betrayed me? What can Xu Xingzhou offer you for you to turn your back on me?"