Chapter 165: Qian Hong

The black-robed cultivator was so enraged he spat blood, while Mo Hua, who had used the Fireball Technique, looked calm and relaxed.

In the days that followed, the Qian family cultivators did not attack; Mo Hua spent each day painting arrays, wandering around, inspecting the spirit mine and the mountain scenery, and calculating how many more days his stored meat would last.

On this day, Mo Hua noticed Yu Changlao's solemn expression and asked curiously:

"Yu Changlao, has the Qian family taken any new action?"

"Not yet, but that old turtle Qian Hong should be arriving soon."

"Old turtle?"

"Qian Hong."

"Oh, the head of the Qian family?" Mo Hua's expression turned solemn. "Is Qian Hong very powerful?"

Yu Changlao sneered, "About the same as Qian Zhongxuan."

"Then how did he become head of the family?"

Yu Changlao chuckled coldly, "There are many ways in this world. In cultivation clans and sects, there are plenty who hold titles without doing any work. To rise in rank, it's not always about cultivation or ability. If you can boast, scheme, deceive, flatter, and suck up, those skills are far more useful than working hard and honestly."

Yu Changlao sneered again, "Those people who put on airs of nobility are probably mostly empty shells."

Mo Hua learned something new and asked, "Then is Qian Hong an empty shell?"

"Not quite."

"So he schemes?"

Yu Changlao nodded. "Indeed. Qian Hong is deeply cunning. Now that Qian Zhongxuan has suffered a major setback, he's come to pick up the spoils."

"Pick up spoils?" Mo Hua blinked. "He picks up spoils from his own family?"

Yu Changlao chuckled darkly. "The Qian family is huge, supports so many people. By bloodline, everyone is technically family. But precisely because they're all family, none of them are truly family."

Mo Hua scratched his head. "The Qian family is this ruthless in infighting?"

Yu Changlao raised an eyebrow. "I didn't call them Bai Yanlang for nothing. The Qian family treats outsiders the same as their own kin. If there's meat, they eat it—no matter whose flesh it was torn from."

Mo Hua gasped. "Then what should we do?"

Yu Changlao stroked his chin. "We should figure out how to escape."

"Escape?" Mo Hua's eyes lit up. "Has the spirit mine been exhausted?"

Yu Changlao shook his head. "It's not exhausted."

Mo Hua felt a pang of regret. "Then isn't that a bit of a waste…"

Yu Changlao laughed. "We eat the meat—we still have to leave them some broth."

Night fell, the mountain wind howled, and a group of cultivators arrived at the Qian family camp—their leader being none other than Qian Hong, head of the Qian family.

Qian Zhongxuan led the Qian family cultivators, standing outside the camp in the cold wind, respectfully greeting their family head, Qian Hong.

Qian Hong was middle-aged, with half-gray hair, a handsome face, but an air of haughtiness, sharp eyes, and a gaze that swept like an eagle's watch, a wolf's stare.

Qian Zhongxuan bowed. "Welcome, Family Head."

All the Qian family cultivators nearby bowed deeply.

Qian Hong nodded in acknowledgment and followed Qian Zhongxuan into the camp.

Once seated, with no one else around, Qian Hong asked, "How is the battle going?"

Qian Zhongxuan gave a brief account.

Qian Hong sighed. "Elder Qian, you moved too hastily. They're trapped inside and can't escape—you should have taken it slowly from the start. Otherwise, you wouldn't have suffered such heavy losses."

Qian Zhongxuan was deeply ashamed and angry, but had no reply.

Whether he attacked, defended, surrounded, or blockaded, failure always gave others an excuse to blame him.

He had indeed lost—spent a great deal of spirit stones, lost many men, and lost all face.

At this moment, Qian Zhongxuan could not refute him, and could only grit his teeth and say, "Family Head speaks truly!"

Qian Hong glanced at Qian Zhongxuan, then spoke slowly:

"Still, Elder Qian, you've worked hard. The clan remembers your toil. From now on, I'll handle the aftermath—no need for you to trouble yourself further."

Qian Zhongxuan couldn't help cursing inwardly.

What do you mean "remember my toil"? You're saying I have no merit at all?

Qian Zhongxuan said, "Family Head, your duties are heavy. How could I trouble you with the spirit mine? Just give me more men, and I'll take the mine for sure!"

"Elder Qian!" Qian Hong frowned. "I trust your ability and am willing to entrust this matter to you—but then, how could I explain it to the clan?"

Qian Hong looked solemn, even pained. "The losses so far have been too severe!"

Qian Zhongxuan silently spat in his mind.

So fake. What were you doing all this time? You just waited for him and Yu Changlin to wear each other down, bleed themselves dry, then came to snatch the spoils.

Then the credit would be his, the spirit mine would be his, the prestige would be his.

What a brilliant scheme!

Qian Zhongxuan hated himself for being careless—unable to resist the lure of spirit stones, he'd accepted this task from Qian Hong.

He never expected Yu Changlin to have so many tricks, all utterly unprecedented—this loss was truly crushing!

Qian Hong lifted his teacup, sipped, and said calmly, "Elder Qian, are you dissatisfied?"

Qian Zhongxuan was full of resentment, but he knew he had no right to complain anymore. He bowed, gritting his teeth:

"I humbly obey the Family Head's orders!"

"Hmm." Qian Hong lowered his eyes slightly, a faint smile touching his lips. After a pause, his tone shifted. "Tell me, Elder Qian—why did you fail this time?"

Qian Zhongxuan hesitated, then said, "There is an array master among the hunters."

Qian Hong showed slight surprise. "Is he a first-rank array master?"

"Even if not quite first-rank, he's close…" Qian Zhongxuan said.

"Even if not quite first-rank, it's not far off..." Qian Zhongxuan said.

Qian Hong shook his head, "I asked Master Qian—the array master used a ground-fire array with only seven array lines…"

"This…"

Qian Hong looked at Qian Zhongxuan with a half-smile, "Seven array lines? That's barely crossed the threshold of an ordinary array master. In the eyes of an elder, is this really no different from a first-rank array master? Though you're not an array master yourself, you shouldn't make such a blunder!"

Two array lines are two enormous thresholds for an ordinary array master—not a small difference, but a vast one.

Qian Zhongxuan flushed with shame and anger, unable to refute him.

Qian Hong added, "Are there any other reasons?"

Qian Zhongxuan bit back his anger, "There's also a spirit cultivator skilled in spells…"

Qian Hong's eyes flickered with mockery. "One?"

Qian Zhongxuan stammered, "I don't know… there might be more than one…"

"Is their cultivation high?"

Qian Zhongxuan fell silent for a long while, then spoke slowly, "Probably not yet late Qi Refining…"

Qian Hong let out a light laugh and shook his head. "Elder Qian, Elder Qian—a mere array master who can draw only seven array lines, one—or perhaps several—spirit cultivators below late Qi Refining…"

Qian Hong sighed, his gaze teasing. "Could it really be because of these that you suffered such heavy losses? How am I supposed to speak for you in the clan? Who would believe these excuses of yours?"

Qian Zhongxuan's face turned crimson, his fingers clenched white.

Qian Hong, sensing it was enough, softened his tone:

"Enough, enough. The matter is settled; more talk won't help. I'll handle what comes next—no need for you to trouble yourself, Elder."

Qian Zhongxuan's face flushed red then pale; he bowed and asked,

"What are your plans, Clan Master?"

Qian Hong wore an air of complete control, sipped his tea, then spoke slowly: "I already said—no need to rush. I have my own method."

Qian Zhongxuan suppressed his resentment and bowed respectfully. "Then I leave it entirely in your hands, Clan Master!"

Qian Zhongxuan bowed politely, but inside he sneered.

In ability, he and Qian Hong were evenly matched—only Qian Hong was thicker-skinned and blacker-hearted.

He, Qian Zhongxuan, couldn't handle that group of beast-hunters; he didn't believe Qian Hong, a mere opportunist, had any real strategy.

That array master, and that spirit cultivator—seemed insignificant, but once encountered, you realized how troublesome they truly were.

A flicker of contempt passed through Qian Zhongxuan's eyes as he waited to see Qian Hong's downfall.