Chapter 268: Holding a Grudge, Issuing a Bounty

"Concede what? It isn't over yet, what are you shouting nonsense for?"

Qi Fengxiao was practically driven mad with rage; even if that sword strike from just now had landed, he would have been unscathed and certainly would not have been defeated.

He was carrying five or six Amulets on his person, and he still had many secret techniques for self-protection that he hadn't used.

That was merely a warm-up; it was far from the time for it to end.

That cunning brat Zhou You had deliberately feinted with his sword, putting on an act of being open and honorable.

Qi Fengzhang also chimed in from the side, "Second Brother, the outcome is decided; we cannot be sore losers."

The aristocratic bearing Qi Fengxiao had cultivated for years was cast to the nine heavens at this moment, "Shut your mouth."

He roared at Zhou You, "Zhou You, if you don't die today, I won't leave."

However, the fight could no longer continue.

The martial artists all around, fearing that trouble would arise if the fight went on, were unwilling to stir up any more waves.

Enough had happened today: the passing of the powerful martial artist, the residents fleeing, the ruins of the plague zone...

Everyone had families to support and hoped for peace under heaven; they only wanted to downplay the incident and get through it smoothly.

If you, Second Young Master Qi, had a whim to find trouble with an ordinary martial artist, everyone could do you a favor, but since you haven't taken down Zhou You after so long and have been countered by the opponent several times, this is starting to look bad.

We advise you to stop for your own good! Unless you have absolute certainty of killing Zhou You, continuing to fight will only make things look even worse.

"Second Young Master Qi, by the rules of the martial world, the outcome is decided; there is no point in fighting further."

"That's right, let's pick another day and place to fight again!"

Qi Fengxiao felt as though he had lost all the face he would have in his entire life right here.

"Cough, cough, Second Brother, in martial duels, one must be able to win and lose; if you continue to act unreasonably, I will report this matter to the Clan Head."

"You know better than I do the penalties for family members who behave in a way that damages the family's reputation while abroad."

Qi Fengxiao didn't just know it; he had even assisted the Clan Head in punishing several clansmen who had committed errors, and the thought of it made him shudder.

He could act recklessly and fear nothing when dealing with outsiders, but it was different within the framework of the family.

Yet, making him admit that he had capsized in the small gutter of Zhou You was harder to bear than death, and he couldn't save face.

"Two young masters, the Clan Head has sent word: investigate the matter and return to the manor immediately."

Just as the situation was at a stalemate, a Qi Family blood-energy warrior suddenly arrived to deliver a message.

"Second Brother, the Clan Head has summoned us, let's go back!"

Qi Fengxiao nodded in anger and glanced at Zhou You; his murderous intent was contained in his silence.

After today, he would mobilize all resources to hunt down Zhou You; no one would be able to save his life.

He knew of his brother Qi Fengzhang's petty thoughts, but fighting for power and profit wasn't just about playing clever tricks; it was about respecting strength.

If the Second Young Master Qi wants to kill someone, no one can stop him unless the Clan Head gives the order.

The Qi Family...

The Clan Head had been waiting for a long time; seeing his two sons return, he beckoned for them to come forward and speak.

"What happened at the scene?"

Qi Fengzhang didn't have a chance to speak; in such situations, it was standard to ask the Second Brother, Qi Fengxiao.

"Clan Head, a powerful martial artist passed through, broke the plague zone's defenses, cleared the surrounding pestilence, and let most of the residents of the plague zone escape."

"The Fengma Bangzhu went to investigate and encountered the Winged Tiger Zhou You, and was killed by him."

"This son wanted to hold him accountable for his crimes, but was blocked by Fengzhang; I ask for your instructions."

Qi Fengzhang was greatly shocked; his Second Brother's retaliation came so quickly, speaking ill of him in front of the Clan Head—a villainous act! Terrible, he was at a disadvantage before the Clan Head; if the Clan Head were swayed, not only would Zhou You lose his life, but he himself would be doomed forever.

"Hmm, you mean to say that when the powerful martial artist passed through, no one else was present, and Zhou You was the first to arrive afterward."

The Clan Head's focus was not what he had expected.

"That's correct." Qi Fengxiao had just spoken when he suddenly sensed something unusual and felt regret on the spot.

The Qi Clan Head was lost in thought, gently stroking the raised part of a white jade relief; the surroundings were silent, and no one dared to interrupt his contemplation.

"In other words, it is highly likely that Zhou You has met that powerful martial artist?"

Qi Fengxiao gave a start and bowed to request an order, "I will go and bring him back for interrogation right now."

He was eager for a chance to settle a private grudge, to lock Zhou You in the water dungeon and torture him in every way, making him lose more dignity than a dog.

"Stop, you fool!"

The Qi Clan Head felt a sense of frustration that his son could not live up to his expectations, "Using violence to dig for secrets in a person's heart is the least effective method."

"We imprisoned that family, yet we failed to find any information about the old man from the Golden Immortal Dao."

"We cannot make the same mistake this time; we must play the emotional card."

He turned to Qi Fengzhang, "Fengzhang, I heard he is your fellow sect apprentice."

"That is the case, Clan Head, but..."

Qi Fengzhang was just about to explain when he suddenly realized this was an opportunity and hurriedly changed his words, "He accepted this son's invitation and seems interested in joining our Qi Family, but he hasn't made up his mind yet."

"That's right, once he enters our gates, wouldn't all his secrets belong to us?"

The Qi Clan Head nodded with satisfaction, "Fengzhang, you did well."

"After the Fengma Bangzhu died, the territory under his control is handed over to you; do a good job, don't let me down."

Qi Fengxiao was furious, "Clan Head, Fengzhang is still young and lacks experience."

Still young? He was over thirty and already had a bunch of concubines and children.

"Fengxiao, when there is an opportunity, yield more to your younger brother; don't take everything for yourself. The root of our family's prosperity is the emergence of talent generation after generation; you must know the principle that a single flower blooming alone does not make a spring."

The Qi Clan Head waved his hand, "Go on!"

"Second Brother, I will have to trouble you to help with the handover of the accounts."

Qi Fengzhang's well-intentioned request was met with a heavy cold snort from the other party, who then flicked his sleeves and left.

He gazed at his second elder brother's retreating back, and instead of being angry, he laughed; Zhou You was truly his lucky star!

Qi Fengxiao walked away in a rage, and any servants in the manor who couldn't dodge in time were simply shoved aside by his palm.

He was in the late stage of Blood Qi, and in his fury, he didn't know his own strength; the young servants and maids could not withstand it, and were sent flying, landing against gate walls and rockeries, their bodies smashed to a pulp, their deaths a ghastly sight.

Even so, after the people died, it remained calm and tranquil; more servants came out to haul away the corpses and scrub away the blood and filth.

In the blink of an eye, it was once again a residence of beautiful scenery and magnificent architecture, clean and tidy.

"Second Young Master."

His personal Blood Qi warrior caught up; there had originally been two, but the other had died under Zhou You's Tiger Head Hammer.

Qi Fengxiao's man-eating gaze landed on the accompanying warrior, startling him so much that his heart skipped a beat and he retreated several steps.

"Your brother was killed by Zhou You; do you want revenge?"

"Ah, should I want to... or not? I ask that the Second Young Master enlighten me."

The accompanying warrior did not know what Qi Fengxiao meant.

"You are to travel through the night to Fucheng and go to the Thousand Faces Hall to post a bounty to kill Zhou You; the reward is... ten thousand taels."

The accompanying warrior's face turned pale, "Second Young Master, I do not have that much money."

"I will provide the money." Qi Fengxiao pinched out a deposit slip from the Tianxia Bank, "Post the bounty in your own name."

Although he was furious, he still retained his reason; the Clan Head was clearly very interested in Zhou You, so killing Zhou You to vent his anger could not be done openly; it had to be done in secret, leaving no traces.

He only waited for the accompanying warrior to finish this task before immediately killing him to silence him and wipe away the traces.

(End of this chapter)