Senior Sister Bai Yueguang is incredibly strong.

Chapter 24 Returning to the Mountain

"Over here!"

"Hurry up!"

Luo Zai Shui and his group used the Wind Riding Technique, with four or five wolf demons following behind them.

"Here it comes, the battle begins!"

"Awooo—"

Several mournful wolf howls were suddenly covered by a talisman.

Sun Heng threw out several demon-binding ropes and tied the wolf demons up tightly.

Chu Yeli was worried that the wolves might break free, so she thoughtfully stuck several explosive talismans on them.

"Why are you taking so long?" Chu Yeli patted imaginary dust off his hands. "If you hadn't come soon, we would have been in deep trouble."

"Don't even mention it." Jian Muyi stretched his shoulders. "Within a radius of a hundred miles, we found these wolf demons by following the tracking talisman, and we were chased for so long."

"Alright." Shi Ming was too lazy to waste any more words. He carried the string of wolf demons in one hand and said, "Let's go find Qian Kuo."

Luo Zai Shui glanced indifferently behind her: "Let's go, we should at least find out what's going on."

……

"Third Uncle, is there something important that you've come to see me about?"

Qian Kuo sat upright in the study, holding an account book in one hand and an abacus in the other. In front of the desk, an old man with gray hair looked around with his eyes darting around.

"Ahem." The old man cleared his throat. "Little Kuo, your uncle is getting old and in poor health. He doesn't have the energy to manage so many things at home anymore, but you are still young, and there are some things your uncle is still worried about."

Qian Kuo looked the elder in front of him up and down, who was not exactly familiar to him, and a cold smile appeared on his lips: "Look at what you're saying. It's none of your business to meddle in the affairs of the clan. Besides, you're not in good health, so you shouldn't be out and about. Maybe you can live a few more years."

"You... cough cough cough..."

The old man was furious, but there was nothing he could do about it.

"Third Uncle, I have many things to attend to here, so I won't entertain you any longer. Someone, see the guest out."

The servants took the old man away, and Qian Kuo finally put down the account book and rubbed his sore eyes.

Suddenly, a person appeared in front of him: "Young master."

Qian Kuo sat up straight: "Speak."

After a moment's hesitation, the man said, "There's still no news of the master and madam. The disciples of the Witch Clan must have noticed something. They've already arranged for people to protect them in secret."

"I understand." Qian Kuo leaned back in his chair, his eyes closed. "Keep searching. Also, send some people to keep an eye on Third Uncle's side. Report any unusual activity to me immediately."

"clear."

After saying that, the person disappeared without a trace.

Qian Kuo slowly opened his eyes, his eyeballs bloodshot. He blinked, wiped them with his hand, and continued to check the accounts.

With his parents' fate unknown, he had to stay home and maintain order.

……

"We've been chasing us all this way, and we've finally caught you."

Chu Yeli stomped hard on the group of men in black.

Luo Zai Shui's lips curled up slightly: "It wasn't in vain that we set up such a big scheme to lure you out."

When the group of men in black opened their eyes again, the Qian family was nowhere to be seen; this place was clearly a dilapidated temple in the wilderness.

Ji Tinghan put away his Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains Fan and stood behind Luo Zaishui.

Nie Xushuang walked lightly to the group of people and put a pill in the mouth of each of them: "You are the real gift to Qian Kuo, but to avoid you causing trouble in the middle, it would be better if you took a nap first."

Ye Xiao stood guard at the door, holding the Huaiyun Sword: "Someone else is coming."

Shi Ming glanced at the men in black in front of him: "Are they from the same batch?"

Ye Xiao shook his head and drew his Huaiyun sword: "Judging from their pace, they're not from the same group. This group is even more ruthless."

"Zheng—"

Ye Xiao blocked the incoming poisoned arrow with his sword.

"That's ruthless enough. You can tell at a glance that this arrow is coated with deadly poison!" Jian Muyi drew his Suiping sword, ready to fight.

Luo Zai Shui and Chu Ye Li immediately used talismans to form a defensive array, blocking a volley of arrows.

How many people are on the other side?

Shi Ming released his divine sense and estimated: "About ten or so, all experts at the Nascent Soul stage."

Chu Yeli gritted his teeth: "We can't hold out for long. We need to find a way to get away."

Luo Zai Shui threw out another batch of talismans to reinforce the formation: "Now draw a thousand-mile teleportation array, Ting Han, quick!"

Xue Xin transformed the jade flute hanging at his waist into a bow and arrow, and began to counterattack after estimating the man's location.

Sun Heng and Sun Yuan also took out their own magical artifacts and distributed them: "Try to stall them as much as possible."

Ji Tinghan dropped each spirit stone as quickly as possible, while the direct disciples of Linghai Sect were not idle either, and began to draw talismans on the spot to fill the gaps in the defensive array.

Shi Ming and the other sword cultivators stood at the door, gripping their swords tightly, ready to face the enemy at any moment.

For a moment, no one dared to even breathe loudly.

"Rejuvenation Pill, swallow it quickly!" Nie Xushuang stuffed a Rejuvenation Pill into the mouths of Luo Zaishui and Chu Yeli, and their pale faces gradually improved.

Chu Yeli gritted her teeth: "Someone actually dares to lay a hand on my own family. They must have a death wish."

Luo Zai Shui smirked, "Looks like they want to wipe us all out in one fell swoop."

Shi Ming, clutching his sword, tried to find traces of the group of people outside.

"Senior sister, the array is complete. It can only be used to send five people at a time, and their positions are random."

Ji Tinghan's tone carried a hint of anxiety.

Shi Ming looked at Luo Zai Shui: "Junior Sister, you make the arrangements."

Luo Zai Shui glanced around and quickly identified the group: "Ye Xiao, Senior Sister Nie, you take the three men in black and go find Qian Kuo first."

"Tinghan, open the Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains Fan and make this place look deserted. Senior Sister Nie, do you still have any sleeping potions?"

"Yes, this dosage is enough to knock them unconscious for at least half an hour. You mean..."

Luo Zai Shui raised an eyebrow: "Since you're all here, what kind of personal instructors are we if we don't suffer a little?"

"The rest of you, just listen to my orders. Use any skills you have on them, then run. By then, the Qian family will be assembled, and the demon problem here will be mostly dealt with. It'll be time to collect the debts."

"understand!"

The once noisy dilapidated temple suddenly fell silent; the stubborn defensive formation had been breached at some point.

The leader gestured for a pause, indicating that one of them should come forward to check.

Luo Zai Shui stood by the window, staring at the person wearing a white faceless mask across the distance. In that instant, Luo Zai Shui felt as if the person had seen her.

"Elder Lie, they escaped using the teleportation array!"

"waste!"

The guy called Old Man Lie sent the man flying with a single palm strike, his body smashing through an entire wall.

The disciples present couldn't help but gasp.

He's incredibly strong; he's the strongest opponent they've ever faced, bar none.

"What kind of work is this! The Qian couple ran away, and you let these kids who haven't even grown up yet get away too? Go after them right now!"

"Yes!"

Several more men in black entered, and they appeared to be knowledgeable in formations. They were trying to track down Ye Xiao and the others who had escaped.

Ji Tinghan's illusion wouldn't last long, but this group of people had no intention of coming in, nor did they intend to leave immediately.

Shi Ming and she exchanged a glance and immediately understood what the other was thinking.

A stack of explosive tags flew out unexpectedly. Before the explosion had even subsided, Shi Ming, wielding the Sunset Sword and accompanied by flames, thrust it straight at the man's heart.

Having barely dodged Shi Ming's attack, Luo Zai Shui suddenly appeared behind him again, the chilling aura emanating from Chang Hong nearly severing his right arm.

Old Master Lie said angrily, "A bunch of little rats dare to oppose me."

He was met with another batch of explosive tags, which, while not causing much actual damage, were still quite annoying.

The swordsmanship of Xianyun Peak emphasizes speed, focusing on quickness, accuracy, and ruthlessness. Shi Ming and Luo Zai Shui are fellow disciples who have been together for over ten years, and their teamwork is excellent. Even the sect leader might not be able to gain an advantage against them, let alone someone unfamiliar with their fighting style.

The others were also entangled with their disciples and couldn't get away. It was truly laughable that a group of Nascent Soul stage old immortals were being teased by a group of children who were only at the Golden Core stage.

Another stack of explosive tags appeared. Lie Lao scoffed inwardly: "Just some harmless little tricks." He then withdrew his defenses and drew his sword to stab Shi Ming, who was not far away.

A loud "bang" resounded.

"My eyes..."

Just as he covered his eyes, the Binding Immortal Rope wrapped around his body, and the dozens of talismans that had been pasted on the wolf demon were now pasted on Elder Lie's body.

Luo Zai Shui commented truthfully, "This talisman is good. It can be mass-produced. We'll split it 50/50."

Chu Yeli said somewhat reluctantly, "I changed the 40/60 split."

The two worked together to deal with the men in black while negotiating the price.

"I was the one who drew this talisman first."

Sun Yuan quietly interjected, "If this were added to hidden weapons, the benefit would be even greater, three or four parts."

"no!"

Luo Zai Shui and Chu Ye Li both rejected Sun Yuan's proposal.

Shi Ming suggested, "How about we split it 40/40?"

Luo Zai Shui had no objection: "Good idea."

Chu Yeli shrugged: "I have no objection."

"I have a problem with that!" Sun Yuan threw out another magical artifact. "Hidden weapons are expensive to make!"

Luo Zai Shui glanced at him: "Two to one, objection overruled."

Sun Yuan anxiously turned to his elder brother for help: "Brother..."

Sun Heng was busy fighting, and looking at his younger brother who had no idea what the future held for the family, he sighed deeply: "We haven't even reached an agreement yet, so why are you already discussing how to split the money?"

“That’s right.” Sun Yuan’s eyes lit up. “No matter what you say, it won’t work. I’m not selling you any more hidden weapons.”

Luo Zai Shui and Chu Ye Li exchanged a glance: "Fifty-fifty."

"make a deal."

After the chaotic battle ended, Luo Zai Shui clapped his hands after feeding the group of men in black the sleeping potion that Nie Xu Shuang had prepared in advance.

"Let's go, let's give Young Master Qian a big gift."

……

"Why did you arrest the guards I was assigned to?"

Looking at Ye Xiao and Nie Xushuang, who both looked bewildered, Qian Kuo felt a wave of exhaustion wash over him.

Upon learning that Luo Zai Shui and the others were surrounded by a group of men in black, Qian Kuo slumped to the ground in despair. "That's it," he thought, "I guess I'll just have to pack up and get ready for the feast."

Just as Ye Xiao and Nie Xushuang rushed out of the room to contact their sect for help, Shi Ming walked in carrying a string of people, including the guards arranged by Qian Kuo.

Ye Xiao looked at the various wounds on those people with surprise: "How did you do that?"

Chu Yeli waved his hand: "It can't be explained in a sentence or two. Where is Qian Kuoren? We brought him a big gift."

Qian Kuo, who came out upon hearing the noise, breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing the scene before him. Although the disciples of the five sects were all injured to varying degrees, they had all returned alive.

Shi Ming threw Lie Lao in front of Qian Kuo: "This man should know where your parents are, but we can't get him to talk. You should have a way, right?"

Qian Kuo, his face grim, waved his hand, and several guards came out.

"Take him away and pry his mouth open."

"clear."

Qian Kuo withdrew his gloomy gaze, took a deep breath, and said, "I'll have someone take you downstairs to rest for a while. Thank you for your hard work this time."

"Alright." Luo Zai Shui gave a standard smile. "We'll settle the score later."

Not long after Luo Zai Shui and the others left, Third Uncle led some of the Qian family's collateral branches to surround them.

"Third Uncle, what are you doing?" Qian Kuo glanced at the group of menacing clansmen and sat calmly in the position of the head of the family.

The third uncle unceremoniously sat down in the seat below Qian Kuo, which originally belonged to the young master of the family.

"Xiao Kuo, I heard that something happened to your parents."

Qian Kuo interrupted him without hesitation: "Third Uncle, even I, as their son, didn't know my parents had an accident. How did you, an outsider, know?"

Third Uncle snorted coldly: "He hasn't been back for so long, what else could it be but an accident?"

An auntie, whose name I couldn't quite place, chimed in, "That's right, it's been so long since we heard anything. Xiao Kuo, the elders are worried that it'll be too much work for you, a junior, to manage the household. Why don't we elders help you out until your parents come back..."

"Oh?" Qian Kuo twirled the ring on his finger, staring intently at each person below. "So, you all have someone in mind to manage my household?"

"That should be..."

"Ahem..." Third Uncle coughed lightly, "Xiao Kuo, you're still young, and you don't think things through enough. Take this demon scourge for example. You asked the relatives of the five major sects for help. What if something happens to them..."

"What is it?" Shi Ming led a group of people in.

Luo Zai Shui smiled, but his tone was terrifyingly cold: "It seems someone thinks that the direct disciples of our five major sects must be in trouble. Does this senior have so little confidence in us? Does he think we can't even handle a demonic threat?"

One of the people in the audience seemed very displeased with Shi Ming and his group for barging in: "Who are you? How dare you come and go in the Qian family's meeting hall at will!"

Nie Xushuang wore a polite and graceful smile: "So this is the Qian family's meeting hall. I thought it was someone else's. The young master of the Qian family is here. How dare you interrupt?"

Chu Yeli fanned himself in front of his nose: "The Qian family's family traditions are indeed different."

"you……"

"Alright." Qian Kuo drew his sword and planted it on the table. "These are my guests. I hope you will be polite and bring that person up."

A bloody figure was thrown in front of Third Uncle.

"Third Uncle, does this person look familiar?"

Uncle San's palms were sweating profusely: "What are you joking about, Xiao Kuo? How would I know this person?"

“That’s true. Once you’ve been skinned alive, even your own parents might not recognize you.” Qian Kuo drew his sword and walked up to his third uncle. “However, he told me quite a few interesting things, like how he hired someone to ambush the patriarch, and how he planned to attack the direct disciples of the five major sects…”

"I……"

Qian Kuo pierced the man's heart with his sword. The man then pulled out the sword, took out a handkerchief, and carefully wiped his heart: "Since you are all here, then be witnesses. Third Uncle intended to murder the patriarch and harm his own disciples. I, the junior, have put righteousness before family. Do you all have any objections to doing this?"

Jian Muyi was stunned by his actions: "He just killed him like that?"

Chu Yeli remained calm: "None of the future heads of aristocratic families are simple."

"Reporting—Young Master, the Master and the others have returned!"

Before anyone could react, Qian Kuo, ignoring the bloodstains on his clothes, strode towards the door.

"Father! Mother!"

Madam Qian burst into tears upon seeing her much thinner child. The head of the Qian family looked at his third uncle lying in a pool of blood, understood, and patted Qian Kuo on the shoulder.

"well done."