Chapter 7405
Xiao Chen is beyond saving
However, what came through the receiver was not his father's authoritative voice, but a sinister, mocking male voice, as piercing as a viper's hiss:
“Zhou Keying, get to Qiyun Manor within an hour.”
"Otherwise, I guarantee I'll cut off your parents' heads, put them in a gift box, and send them to you and that bastard Xiao Chen for your enjoyment. Hehehe..."
"Lord Lü Wenhou! You beast, worse than a pig or a dog!!" Zhou Keying's face turned deathly pale instantly, as if all the blood in her body had frozen. Her fingers, gripping the phone, turned white from extreme anger, and her voice was a hoarse scream filled with sobs.
Lu Wenhou, however, paid no heed, and his laughter grew even more arrogant and unrestrained:
"Despicable? This is just the beginning. By the way, tell Xiao Chen... tonight is my master's welcome banquet. If he has the guts, let him come! My Lü family... will welcome him with open arms and wait to collect his corpse! Hahahaha!"
"Beep beep..."
The cold, busy tone pierced her eardrums. Zhou Keying's hand fell limply to her side, and her phone slipped to the ground. Her body trembled uncontrollably, her eyes filled with a mixture of anger, despair, and struggle.
She had no choice. Her parents' lives hung by a thread, leaving her no room to back down.
Zhou Keying took a deep breath, suddenly looked up at Xiao Chen, her eyes unusually firm, filled with a do-or-die determination:
"Xiao Chen... take me to Qiyun Manor. I can't let anything happen to my parents..."
Xiao Chen had already heard the entire conversation on the phone, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes. He hesitated for a moment, then nodded and replied, "Okay, I'll take you with me."
The War God Alliance has already deployed its forces around the perimeter, so protecting Zhou Keying shouldn't be difficult. Since she insists on going, let her go... Lu Wenhou dared to use his own family to threaten him; this debt will be settled tonight!
……
The presidential suite on the top floor of an international hotel in the western region.
Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, countless lights twinkled like stars, outlining the bustling skyline of this western provincial capital. Li Changcun stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze piercing through the glass as he surveyed the scene, his expression indifferent.
To the average person, the Northwest is a vast expanse of land. But only those who have set foot in the heart of the power vortex of Kyoto realize that this place is but a drop in the ocean... in terms of both people and events.
Behind him, a wiry man knelt on one knee, his head bowed low, and was giving a clear and detailed account of the recent changes in the western region, from Xiao Chen's rise to the return of the Lü family with the Venerable Zhongnan, without missing a single word.
After a long while, the report abruptly stopped.
Li Changcun slowly turned around, lightly tapping the table with his fingertips, his voice revealing neither joy nor anger: "You mean, that kid's chances of survival are slim?"
"Yes! Mr. Li is right!"
The man bowed his head and replied.
"The Lü family is nothing to fear, but that Venerable Zhongnan is by no means someone to be trifled with."
"I observed him from afar at the airport today. Although I did not see him make a move, the aura he exuded, though hidden, was enough to make one's soul tremble! Even with the help of the extremely Yin forces by his side, I'm afraid... his chances of survival are slim."
Li Changcun's lips curled into an enigmatic smile, a smile that seemed both mocking and playful: "A few days ago, you seemed to have said something similar. But that kid is still alive and well, and he's even causing chaos in the west."
The man's face stiffened, slightly embarrassed, but he still insisted:
“Previously, I failed to ascertain his background. But this time is different… I have just received definite information that Xiao Chen has taken Zhou Keying away from the villa and is heading straight for Qiyun Manor! They have walked right into a trap!”
Li Changcun walked back to the sofa and sat down, toying with two warm, jade-like crystals that radiated spiritual light in his palms. As the crystals slowly turned, the spiritual energy in the room quietly became richer, nourishing his meridians.
After a moment of silence, he raised his eyes, a sharp glint in them: "You shall set off immediately for Qiyun Manor."
“If that boy dies this time, it is fate. Mediocre talents are ultimately unfit for great responsibilities, and there is no need to pay attention to him anymore.” “If he… can survive this deadly situation again.” Li Changcun’s voice paused, with a hint of interest, “then you should personally bring him to me.”
"I want to see for myself how a destitute mountain boy has gotten to where he is today."
"Your subordinate obeys!" the wiry man replied respectfully, then vanished from the suite without a sound.
……
Inside Qiyun Villa, the lights were on and guests were gathered.
Those who have come to the banquet tonight are all prominent figures in the martial arts world of the Western Region.
Their purpose for this trip was clear: first, to pay homage to the Venerable Zhongnan and to attach themselves to the Lü family as a new powerful force; second, to be fully aware that Xiao Chen, the "devil" who stirred up trouble in the west, would most likely appear here tonight.
At the banquet, whispers and murmurs filled the air, creating an atmosphere that was both lively and oppressive, like the calm before a storm.
"Do you think Xiao Chen really dares to come?"
"I doubt it! The Lü family has Venerable Zhongnan in charge, which is an overwhelming difference in strength! No matter how arrogant Xiao Chen is, he should know what it means to act within his capabilities."
“Indeed! I just caught a glimpse of the Venerable One from afar, and I felt an invisible pressure rushing towards me, making my heart pound! That sense of danger was ten times stronger than when I faced Ao Tianchen, or even Xiao Chen!”
"In my opinion, if Xiao Chen were smart, he should pack his bags and run away now. With the Lu family returning with the power of Zhongnan Mountain, the landscape of the West is about to change completely!"
In an inconspicuous corner of the crowd, two figures, cleverly disguised, mingled among the guests; they were Jiang Xueren and Su Yu.
Su Yu leaned closer and asked in a low voice, "Hall Master, why are we here? We don't have any missions today."
Jiang Xueren's gaze was fixed on the main seat... There, Lü Zhuo and his son Lü Wenhou stood with imposing presence, while the old man in the linen robe closed his eyes to rest, as if an invisible barrier surrounded him, isolating him from the surrounding noise.
He said calmly, "For the Blood Demon Society, observing the outcome of the biggest variable in the West is the most important task."
"Xiao Chen rejected our offer. I'd like to see if he can leave Qiyun Manor alive tonight."
Su Yu smiled gently: "Master, you may have underestimated Xiao Chen. He is far more terrifying than we imagine... Of course, if he is truly in a deadly situation, I will lend a hand."
Jiang Xueren slowly shook his head, interrupting her, his tone grave:
“Even if you take action, it won’t change anything. Things are more complicated than you think. That old man in the long robe… I get the feeling that his true strength could probably rank among the top twenty on the Dragon Kingdom’s Celestial Ranking! The aura he exudes is ancient and powerful, something that no ordinary martial artist could possess.”
His nostrils twitched slightly, and his gaze grew increasingly serious: "Moreover, I can already smell... that faint scent of blood in the air. It won't be long before bloodshed breaks out at Qiyun Manor."
No sooner had the words been spoken than a violent commotion erupted at the entrance of the villa, a cacophony of exclamations and shouts that instantly drowned out the clamor of the banquet!
Jiang Xueren and Su Yu simultaneously became alert, their gazes flashing like lightning towards the manor gate. (End of Chapter)