Chapter 26
C26 – A Calamity Was Approaching!
After Zhou Kaile and Zhou Youqing made their positions clear, Zhou Tong, Zhou Zheyan, and the rest followed suit, aligning with Zhou Jibo’s decision. The Third Elder, Zhou Zhenbo, and the Fourth Elder, Zhou Chaide, shared a wry smile, feeling a sense of déjà vu from when Zhou Jibo had previously won over their children. With their children taking a stand, they couldn’t just oppose them and risk severing the father-son bond.
Young Master Zhou was indeed a sly fox, holding their fates in his hands and leaving them no choice but to comply.
“We’ll follow Zhou Jibo’s lead,” declared the Third and Fourth Elders.
Zhou Chulang, seeing everyone’s acquiescence to Zhou Jibo’s decision, sighed deeply in resignation. “Well, it’s all quite risky. But you may as well give it a try.”
Zhou Shuang and Zhou Shu shared similar sentiments. Despite agreeing to Zhou Jibo’s plans, they were still filled with trepidation. The Shrine of Astral Radiance was a source of deep anxiety for them. Yet, inaction didn’t seem right either. They decided to support Zhou Jibo in taking a bold risk with the Zhou family.
Zhou Jibo gave a light clap of his hands. “With that settled, the Zhou family is united in our approach.”
“In half an hour, the Zhou family members and guards will make a beeline for the Zheng household. Once we’ve encircled them, you’ll handle the Zheng warriors below the sixth layer of the Acquired Stage. Leave those above the sixth layer to me.”
“Half an hour?” Zhou Kaile, Zhou Chulang, the Third Elder, and the others were taken aback by the urgency.
“Why the rush?” they wondered.
Zhou Jibo explained, “Remember, the Zheng family has spies among us. Can we be certain we’ve rooted them all out? And who’s to say there aren’t spies from other families as well? Speed is of the essence; they won’t have a chance to react. That’s the only way to ensure our plans don’t leak.”
“Fine, but are you sure you can take on all the Zheng warriors above the sixth layer of the Acquired Stage?” Zhou Kaile asked, concern evident in his voice.
Zhou Jibo responded with a confident smile, patting the sword sheath at his side. The sight of the Blood Stripe Sword and the memory of Zhou Jibo’s masterful swordplay reassured everyone of his capabilities.
As the group prepared to rally their forces, Zhou Youqing suddenly spoke up, “Jibo, what’s our plan for dealing with Zheng Xunqin? Are we going to kill her?”
Zhou Jibo replied, “There’s no need to spare her deliberately. If she refuses to surrender, we’ll take her life. If she does, we’ll decide her fate at the end.”
Everyone nodded in understanding. Zhou Youqing gave a resolute nod and started to follow them out, but the Third Elder stopped her.
“I’ve indulged you enough by bringing you to the ancestor temple today. Don’t get involved in this danger. Go home.”
Without hesitation, Zhou Youqing made her way back home.
Half an hour later, over three hundred Zhou family men had assembled at the ancestor temple. They were predominantly Acquired Realm warriors, mostly under the fifth layer, with only a rare few who had not trained in martial arts.
Zhou Kaile, Zhou Chulang, and others handed out swords and weapons to the group. Then, amid the stir they caused in Icefair City, they marched straight to the Zheng family’s northern estate.
By the time the Zheng family got wind of their approach, the Zhou family had already reached their doorstep and laid siege.
“The Zhou family dares to come knocking?” Zheng Huai, the Zheng family patriarch, was seething with anger. He quickly commanded his family to rally and brace for the confrontation. He also led the Zheng family elders and the Elder out to parley with the Zhou family.
The Zheng family had resolved to annihilate the Zhou family before the Holy Land’s envoy arrived and had secretly informed other powers to share in the spoils. Yet, they hadn’t anticipated a preemptive strike from the Zhou family.
“I’m eager to see what the Zhou family intends to do.”
In his rush, he summoned a close aide, instructing, “Go invite the City Lord and the Yu family forces.”
“I’m curious to see whether today will spell trouble for the Zheng family at the hands of the Zhou family, or if it will be the Zheng family who eradicates the Zhou family!”
The trusted aide dashed to the gate, but as it swung open, a flash of cold light burst forth.
A five-foot-long Blood Stripe Sword, its blade etched with crimson, impaled his chest.
Zhou Jibo, clad in his white robe, sheathed his sword and regarded Zheng Huai and his companions with a detached gaze as a subtle chill permeated the air.
“Zhou Jibo!”
Zheng Huai cried out in alarm.
“Indeed, it’s me,” Zhou Jibo confirmed.
Zheng Huai eyed the Blood Stripe Sword in Zhou Jibo’s grasp, which radiated an icy aura, and scrutinized his expression and physique. It appeared that his bone root had not been extracted.
“Xunqin was supposed to take the Holy Son and remove your bone root. How is it that you’re still able to train in martial arts, and even more, your martial prowess has significantly advanced?” Zheng Huai asked, his voice laced with suspicion.
Zhou Jibo’s expression remained impassive. “I have no intention of revealing my secrets. I’d rather let you and the entire Zheng family perish in your curiosity.”
“You’re set on annihilating the Zheng family?” At first taken aback, Zheng Huai quickly scoffed, “You clearly have no grasp of the enormity of the Shrine of Astral Radiance to all of Icefair City. The Zheng family is now a vassal to the Shrine. If you dare move against us, the Shrine will surely eradicate your lineage! And Icefair itself won’t stand for any affront to the Holy Land!”
“Remember, the majesty of the Holy Land is not to be trifled with.”
His confidence swelled as he spoke, and he pointed an accusing finger at Zhou Jibo. “Regardless of how you managed to preserve your bone root or continue your training, the one line you should never have crossed was provoking the Zheng family!”
“Really?”
Zhou Jibo let out a cold laugh, the Blood Stripe Sword in his hand resonating as he advanced.
Where the sword’s tip touched, frost crystals began to form, and a mist of cold air started to swirl upwards.
A deep chill settled in the hearts of Zheng Huai and the Zheng family elders.
Could Zhou Jibo truly be fearless of the Shrine of Astral Radiance, bold enough to persist in his assault on the Zheng family?
As the cold gleam intensified, Zhou Jibo let out a derisive snort and brandished his sword.
An Elder of the Zheng family was the first to react, desperately gathering his vitality into his fists to meet the onslaught of Zhou Jibo’s Blood Stripe Sword.
He emitted a dull thud. The icy vitality generated by Zhou Jibo’s Six Yin Heart Technique had frozen all his wounds solid.
Even now, at the brink of death, the Zheng family Elder remained incredulous. “Do you truly dare to defy the Shrine of Astral Radiance?”
“The Shrine of Astral Radiance?” Zhou Jibo withdrew his sword, watching the body collapse. He declared, “Fear is not in my nature.”
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