Chapter 147 | The Path from Fisherman to Martial Deity

“Championing the righteous path!”

“Destroying these monsters!”

Xiao Wu's words rang out with powerful resonance, causing the light in Song Huatang's single eye to flare brilliantly. He stood up and said, “Well said!”

“Evil fiends who refine living people into pills deserve to die ten thousand deaths! Brother Xiao Wu, this Song will not shirk his duty in this battle!”

Seeing this, Xiao Wen stood up right after him, puffing out his chest as he said, “Big Brother, I am also willing to go!”

Beside them, Luo Tangyin paused, lifting her eyes to look at Xiao Wu. “Although my Luo family is related to the Bai family by marriage, I, Luo Tangyin, am personally willing to offer what little help I can.”

Their consecutive expressions of support greatly pleased Xiao Wu, and the atmosphere in the private room suddenly grew heated.

However, there was still someone calm in the room. Han Li sat as straight as a pine tree. Waiting until everyone's voices had quieted down a bit, he spoke slowly, like cold water poured into a boiling pot, “Brother Xiao, the Bai family is powerful. With Bai Qingcang there, we alone cannot withstand the vengeance of a Huajin Rank expert... However, since Brother Xiao has gathered us here, surely you already have a plan in mind?”

“Indeed. Brother Han's mind is meticulous and thorough.” Xiao Wu nodded with a smile, a trace of mockery flashing in his eyes. “The heart of martial arts has always demanded pressing forward with indomitable will. Yet, these great noble families have sat in high positions for too long, becoming hesitant, overly cautious, and even fearful of death. Take Bai Jixia, for instance. Once he fell into my hands, even though he knew his death was certain, he still tried to sell out his master to save his own skin, laying bare all of the Bai family's secrets.”

Xiao Wu turned around, swept his gaze over everyone, and took a deep breath. “He told me that at the beginning of the eighth month, that old ghost Bai Qingcang will personally make a trip to Guangwu Prefecture to visit friends and discuss the Dao... For five to seven days at most, the Bai mansion will be left without a leader!”

As soon as these words were spoken, a sharp light suddenly burst from the eyes of everyone present!

Especially Song Huatang, whose voice was actually trembling, “A godsent opportunity!”

“Indeed!” Xiao Wu nodded, his eyes burning brightly, his tone as resolute as iron. “While Bai Qingcang is away, we can swarm in, execute their direct descendants, and wash their clan in blood! Afterward, we will expose the evidence of the Bai family colluding with Chenjian Dock to harm the commoners and refine human pills!”

As Xiao Wu reached this point, his eyes were completely filled with killing intent. “By then, there will be no place left for the Bai family to stand in Changyun. Never mind seeking revenge on us, Bai Qingcang will first have to figure out how to keep his own head!”

“Good!” Song Huatang slammed his hand on the table, his voice hoarse yet excited. “This method is feasible. This Song is willing to be the vanguard this time.”

Ji Ning did not remain silent either, following up immediately. “Since Brother Xiao Wu has made up his mind, this Ji will naturally accompany you.”

Han Li's face remained as calm as water as he spat out two words, “Count me in.”

Meeting the gaze Xiao Wu cast over, Shen Xiuhan shook his head and smiled. “Brother Xiao may not know this, but some time ago, the Bai family's third son, Bai Fufeng, attempted to abduct my younger sister. It is about time I settled this score with him.”

“Haha, good!” Xiao Wu burst into laughter and said without hesitation, “In that case, we will leave that Bai Fufeng to be personally finished off by Brother Shen!”

Seeing that everyone had agreed, Wang Lin's face showed a hint of difficulty as he smiled bitterly, “Brother Xiao, this...”

“Brother Wang Lin, say no more.” Xiao Wu raised his hand to interrupt him, his gaze open and upright. “I know you have military duties. I did not call you here to ask you to take action, but to discuss another matter.”

Seeing that the two of them seemed to have other matters to discuss, Han Li, Ji Ning, and the others tactfully cupped their fists and took their leave.

Xiao Wen stood up and lifted the bamboo curtain, and the group filed out one after another.

After leaving the restaurant, Shen Xiuhan bid farewell to Ji Ning and Han Li at the street corner and walked back to the Mei Courtyard alone.

His steps were steady, but his heart was surging like the tide.

The matter of the Bai family was of immense consequence, and a storm was brewing. He had to increase his strength as quickly as possible.

However, the remaining pills he had on hand were no longer as effective for him, now that he had broken through to the Anjin Rank, as they had been during the Mingjin Rank.

Fortunately... the two bottles of grand pills he had looted from Tian Ping'an might prove to be of great use.

...

The Bai mansion.

The secret chamber in the backyard.

A single flicker of candlelight swayed, casting its glow upon Bai Qingcang's sinister face.

The old ghost's expression shifted darkly. His voice, sounding like a cracked gong, slowly echoed within the secret chamber, “Jixia is dead.”

“An expert who had broken through to the Anjin Rank, along with three Mingjin Rank fighters and dozens of skilled guards, all slain on the lakeside road in broad daylight. Even the surrounding traces were completely wiped clean... Heh, quite a grand handplay. It seems someone wishes to move against my Bai family.”

He spoke hoarsely, his tone saturated with intense fury.

An invisible wave of energy rippled out from his body like a cold draft, causing the candle flame to flicker slightly.

Below him, the head of the Bai family, Bai Benji, stood with his hands hanging by his sides. His brow furrowed deeply for a moment before he said in a low voice, “Father, Jing'er, Luo Juncheng of Chenjian Dock, and I have joined forces to investigate for several days, yet we have failed to find even a single shred of a clue. In the entirety of Changyun, the only one capable of accomplishing this... I see only one family!”

Bai Qingcang's gaze focused, and he lowered his eyes to look at him. “The Wang family...”

“Indeed.” Bai Benji clenched his teeth, squeezing the words from the depths of his throat. “That Wang Zhidao has become increasingly arrogant lately. Not only is he seizing our Inner City businesses, but he isn't even sparing the Outer City. That Luanbo Gang is nine times out of ten a dog of his Wang family!”

Bai Qingcang slowly closed his eyes. He rested his withered hand on the arm of the chair, his knuckles tapping it one by one, producing dull thuds.

“Wang Zhidao... let him enjoy his triumph for a few days more.”

Suddenly, Bai Qingcang opened his eyes, a fierce look flashing through them. “Once this old man goes to Guangwu Prefecture and meets with Elder Liu of the Yinsha Sect... Humph!”

Beneath his cold snort lay an extremely powerful confidence!

Bai Benji's body shook, and a bright light instantly lit up his eyes.

The Yinsha Sect!

One of the giants of Guangwu Prefecture!

Guangwu Prefecture was adjacent to the Yue State, which was precisely the lair of the White Bone Sect, one of the three great demonic sects.

It was because of the implicit backing of the White Bone Sect that the Yinsha Sect had been able to establish a firm foothold in the territory of Qi.

In recent years, the entire Yinsha Sect had been eager to expand their branches and halls into the various prefectures and counties of Cangzhou to strengthen their power.

And Bai Qingcang had long been plotting in secret, intending to offer Changyun County as the site for a Yinsha Sect branch.

The Yinsha Sect was immensely powerful, with four great elders, eight great guardians, and sixteen branch leaders within the sect, while incense masters and hall masters were too numerous to count. It was truly a gathering of experts.

To say nothing of other things, in terms of top-tier combat power alone, they were not the slightest bit inferior to the Longxiang Army.

If they could obtain the Yinsha Sect as a backer... even if they had to face the Wang family or the Longxiang Army, what would the Bai family have to fear?

Only...

A trace of worry quietly crept onto Bai Benji's brow as he said in a low voice, “Father, if we truly submit to the Yinsha Sect, will they...”

Glancing at his hesitant expression, Bai Qingcang sneered, “Are you worried that they will usurp our position, send down their own trusted aides, and push us, father and son, out of the core?”

“Indeed...”

Bai Benji bit his lip. “Although the Yinsha Sect is powerful, rumor has it that they act with absolute dominance and govern their subordinates with extreme severity. Your child only fears that...”

“No need to worry!”

Bai Qingcang suddenly chuckled in a low, sinister tone. He spread open his right hand, and a wisp of a grayish-white pattern suddenly emerged. Bearing a dense aura of death, it hovered between his fingers and palm, radiating a heart-palpitating aura!