AST 707 – Hidden Weapon 'Meteor Smash', 'Decorated Carriage'
The distance between Hai Dongqing's small courtyard and the Hai Residence was actually not very far. They exited and continued on their journey towards the small courtyard on a beast carriage.
"Why are you helping me? Is it only because we are friends?" Hai Dongqing sat beside Qing Shui and slowly asked as she stared into the distance.
Fire Bird forged ahead at a uniform speed. Ever since his breakthrough, Qing Shui's mind was at peace. The feeling of being in control of everything was indeed very pleasant.
"Isn't that enough of a reason?" Qing Shui looked at Hai Dongqing who was beside him.
"Can you tell me why you want to be friends with me?" Hai Dongqing turned her head around to look at Qing Shui who was looking at her. Her gorgeously intellectual eyes stared at him unblinkingly, the graceful expression on her face was extremely fascinating.
Qing Shui was a little taken aback before he chuckled. "Dongqing, you are very beautiful and you are even one of the most beautiful women I've met. If I had met you a few years earlier, I might have some other intentions. But now you really are a friend. A true friend of mine."
Hai Dongqing chuckled too. "Thank you," she told Qing Shui softly while looking at him.
She could feel that little hope within her disappear the moment she finished thanking him. She had felt very nervous earlier and had hoped that he'd say that. So just like that, they were friends. But then again, she seemed to still have some other hope left in her.
The sky had completely turned dark since long ago by the time they returned to the small courtyard. But with Light Stones, the place was very brightly illuminated. They went in to find that everything was just like how it had always been. The mess from earlier was already cleared up.
"You must be tired. Get an early rest!" Qing Shui stopped at the courtyard and told Hai Dongqing.
"You should get an early rest too!" Hai Donqing waved at him with a smile and then walked towards the pavilion.
"Wait!"
Qing Shui suddenly called out and then slowly made his way to Hai Dongqing's side. Hai Dongqing looked perplexedly at Qing Shui who was currently behaving a little strangely.
"Come out!" Qing Shui inwardly breathed a sigh of relief when he reached to the side of her and called out towards the pavilion.
However, everything in the pavilion was completely still. Qing Shui unhurriedly retrieved his Frosted Iron Ball. He then extended his right arm in a weird manner. His arm seemed to be very long and well-shaped.
The moment his arm stretched, the Frosted Iron Ball in his hand violently launched out. Its speed was indescribably fast. It was like a flash of meteor, brilliant yet fatal.
Another killing technique of the hidden weapon – Meteor Smash!
Pu!
A few people quickly leapt out from within the pavilion very soon, breaking through the roof. The entire pavilion collapsed loudly. Four men of unknown age stood at a distance.
One dead body of a man wasn't hidden by the collapsed pavilion. There was a gaping hole about the size of a chicken egg in his head. He had died an instantaneous death, not even in time to make a single noise.
"Do you know them, Dongqing?" Qing Shui calmly stared at the people across from them. Every single one of them were cultivators of Martial Saint Grade, yet couldn't withstand a single blow from him.
To think that he had been forced to a helpless situation by the strength of Sky Tyrant Lord at one point. He had killed quite a number of Martial Saints up to now. He was very confident that he could dispatch the ones standing before him in a flash.
It wasn't like Martial Saint cultivators were no longer valuable or there were too many of them now. It was more because Qing Shui's strength and realms had reached the level where it was very easy for him to encounter them because they'd come looking for him even when he didn't look for them.
Qing Shui was able to use hidden weapons ever since his strength was greatly improved. He had a killing technique, the Meteor Smash, which was the one that he had used earlier. The target was locked with his powerful spiritual sense first before launching the hidden weapon. This prevented the target from evading and he could only either resist it with force or repel or catch the hidden weapon. It was futile to evade it.
Furthermore, Qing Shui's strength had suddenly doubled. The power, speed, oddness and aura of that hidden weapon were simply not something that these people standing before him could withstand.
"People from Luo Clan." Hai Dongqing pointed out softly. She seemed to be surprisingly calm at this moment. She could easily take care all of these people by just summoning a Silver Spirit Beast.
"That's the clan of the old fellow who wants to marry you," Qing Shui laughed awkwardly after he finished his sentence.
Hai Dongqing glared at him. Although she didn't say anything, she had pretty much tacitly agreed to that statement.
"Make all of them stay?" Qing Shui looked at Hai Dongqing.
"You actually dare to kill the people of my Luo Clan? All of you are going to die." One of them bellowed at Qing Shui with reddened eyes and then shifted his gaze to Hai Dongqing.
"What's so special about the Luo Clan?" Qing Shui asked disdainfully. These people's sense of superiority in being in the Luo Clan irked him. He looked down the most upon people who were riding on the coattails of their clan's reputation.
"Brat, we are here to send you to hell today. How dare you snatch the woman that my clan master has set his eyes on?" The man who said this was the same man, with the reddened eyes, from earlier.
Roar!
Hai Dongqing immediately used the Luan's Strength and then a trail of afterimages was formed with her body. The Luan Silver Sword in her hands turned into a deadly sharp weapon right at this moment. Under the absolute speed, eliminating these people was merely a trifling task to Hai Dongqing
Within a moment, all the four of them were eliminated!
"Seems like the Luo Clan is about to start it." Hai Dongqing sheathed her Luan Silver Sword and came over.
"No need to worry. Kill every single one that comes. If it gets too much, we'll just go to the Luo Clan directly and kill the clan master," Qing Shui said indifferently.
Hai Dongqing wasn't sure if she should place her faith in him after hearing his relaxed tone. If it had been that easy, she wouldn't be this worried.
Qing Shui extended his arms out and formed a few balls of primordial flames to burn the dead bodies.
"This place has collapsed. Come stay in the pavilion here!"
Hai Dongqing nodded helplessly. She stayed on the third floor while Qing Shui stayed on the second floor. Although they had taken care of these few people from Luo Clan, it seemed like the Luo Clan was about to take action.
Qing Shui thought that it was better to take action earlier. Otherwise they would need to personally go to the Luo Clan and he didn't want to waste too much time here.
He didn't say anything else for that night!
The next day, Qing Shui cultivated as usual and had his meal. Two people came in from outside when he had just finished eating. They were from the Hai Clan and seemed to be in a great hurry.
"Miss, Mister, the Old Ancestor of Hai Clan has requested for your return to settle some issues," the two youths informed with a bow.
"Understood. You all may return first."
It was very normal for this to happen and Qing Shui had already expected it. For the Luo Clan to come to Hai Clan today, the contradictions between them would definitely intensify. This was also what they were hoping for.
"We should return. Perhaps this issue can be completely resolved by today." Qing Shui laughed to Hai Dongqing as he stood up.
Hai Dongqing's heart was a mess though. Things had already turned out this way, she could only trust this man beside her. To be honest, she actually secretly had a lot of faith in him.
"Alright!" She smiled and walked out of this small courtyard with Qing Shui by her side.
Luo Clan!
"What did you say?! Luo tong and the other four of them still haven't return until now?" The clan's head of Luo Clan roared in rage
"Yes, Clan Head!"
"Get my second younger brother here. Hurry," Luo Clan's clan head raised his voice. He was extremely furious right now.
"R-Roger!"
The terrified voice faded away. Soon after that, an old man entered the room. This old man was the second younger brother of Luo Clan's Head. He appeared to be a very old and very easy-going person.
"Big Brother!"
The old man greeted when he saw Luo Clan's Head, who looked a lot younger than him.
"Second Younger Brother, none from Luo Tong's party came back. Our intel has found nothing other than the pavilion of that Hai Clan's woman has collapsed," the man gestured for the old man to have a seat.
"It seems like they're all dead. Big Brother, I feel a little strange about that youth. We mustn't fail in an easy task," the old man said prudently after thinking for awhile.
"This has been my concern. But I must get my hands on that woman of Hai Clan. I cannot wait any longer." The man frowned in his thoughts, both of his eyes were gleaming with determination.
The old man sighed but didn't say anything else.
"I have already sent someone to fetch that woman of Hai Clan. If they can't bring her back, then we'll take action," the man told the old man.
"Big Brother. If that woman of Hai Clan isn't brought back here today, then Big Brother may let the Tu Clan to take action first. But they mustn't hurt that woman." The old man's aged and amiable gaze instantly turned as sharp as a knife at this moment.
"Alright. If the Tu Clan isn't going to do anything, we shall force them," the man grinned at the old man. At this very moment, the pair of brother looked surprisingly similar to each other. They were both stern, vicious and ruthless.
………
When Qing Shui and Hai Dongqing reached to the entrance of the Hai Residence, they saw about ten lavish beast carriages that were decorated with flowers. The middle carriage was fully decorated with colorful fresh flowers and looked extremely gorgeous. Many people surrounded them, and they seemed to know what was going on.
A decorated carriage!
This was a decorated carriage. The very same sort that people drove during weddings in the Main Continent!
Hai Dongqing's face paled a little when she saw these decorated carriages. But still, she walked towards the Hai Residence without stopping. Qing Shui on the other hand was still staring at the decorated carriages while following her towards the Hai Residence.
The moment they entered they saw many people from the Hai Clan and Luo Clan standing in the courtyard. Both parties appeared to be engaged in some kind of discussion. Old Hai Tian was seated at one side while the people of the Luo Clan were all standing.
Qing Shui could feel that this Hai Tian old man seemed to have quite a temper. He didn't know how long the Luo Clan had been here but both parties seemed to be fighting over something right now.
"So this is how your Hai Clan treats your guests?" An old man yelled towards Hai Tian.
Qing Shui could understand his anger. After all, the people of the Luo Clan had always been treated as guests of honor everywhere they went. Besides, the Luo Clan was also the most powerful clan in the Cold Ice City while the Hai Clan had waned in power long ago and they were actually slighting them like this.
"You are not our guests. If this old man was still well, I would have driven you all out by now, you bunch of shameless fools," Hai Tian relentlessly insulted them.
"Wait till we bring that woman away, you all can go die after three days," the old man muttered under his breath to dissolve the anger in his heart.
"The young miss has returned!"
"Fourth Brother, that woman is back. Let us talk to her directly and see if she's willing? We are still going to use her family to threaten her too," a younger man suggested to an older man who appeared to be in his sixties.
Everyone's attention instantly shifted to Hai Dongqing and Qing Shui.
Hai Dongying, Hai Shiya and the rest walked towards them.
Hai Tian stood up but his body quivered after taking a few steps, as if he was enduring great pain. His aging face was also extremely pale.
"How did this old man sustain such a heavy injuryin one night?" Qing Shui was quite perplexed. He then glanced over at Hai Dongqing.
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AST 708 – The Gathering of the Three Clans, Murder
In just one night, the Old Ancestor of the Hai Clan seemed to had been severely wounded. Qing Shui didn't need to think for a second to know that this was the work of either the Luo Clan or the Tu Clan.
When Qing Shui first met him, Hai Tian said he would use his remaining time to clear Hai Dongqing of all obstacles. Could it be that he went to meet with the Luo Clan or the Tu Clan last night?
"Old Ancestor, what happened?" Hai Dongqing and Hai Dongying both asked after they had exchanged a few words.
"My girl, I'm useless. I have caused you so much trouble yet again. The members of the Tu Clan had become even stronger. I couldn't kill them, instead they have wounded me heavily." Hai Tian looked disappointed. He initially thought that he could eliminate the strong martial warriors of the Tu Clan with the remaining days of his life. The worst thing that could happen was he would perish together with his enemies. But now, everything was over – the Hai Clan was now in real danger. The young man named Qing Shui was now their only hope.
Hai Tian already lived so long and had seen everything. Compared to others, he was already aware on what the Luo Clan would do next, and how the Tu Clan would behave. He also knew that the cultivation base of the head of the Luo Clan was from unrighteous techniques. All these years, a lot of women had suffered terribly because of him.
Hai Tian didn't need to guess to know what the head of the Luo Clan needed Hai Dongqing for – he needed her special fine bones. Since there was no one who would shoulder the main responsibilities of the Hai Clan anymore, the clan was therefore deemed unworthy to be one of the three big clans in the Ice Cold City. Because of that, the Hai Clan was eventually doomed to be devoured either by the Luo Clan or the Tu Clan.
"Please don't say that. I had promised you since the beginning, and I will continue to battle to the end." There was no emotion on Hai Dongqing's face. She was unperturbed despite how things had unexpectedly become.
At that moment, Qing Shui walked to the side of Hai Tian and quickly pressed a few acupuncture points on his chest. In a spectator's point of view, Qing Shui had actually hit about eighteen acupuncture points on the chest.
"I can probably heal your wounds, but if you leave it be for a long period of time, it might be too late. Also, I have no problem in extending your life for about 30 to 50 more years. You still have unfinished responsibilities to bear, so now's not the time to curl up and die." said Qing Shui as he smiled at the Old Ancestor.
Hai Tian had lived for too long and he understood what Qing Shui meant. He could never let go of Hai Clan, because if he wanted Hai Dongqing to take over the clan, it would require her a few more years of experience before she would be ready. A clan would need a prestigious senior to support them, even if the senior did not possess an incredible strength that could conquer the world.
Moreover, he didn't have the intention to die just yet. If he were to die right now, then he would never rest in peace. When Qing Shui said he didn't need to die, he was glad and delighted. If it wasn't for Qing Shui's 18 taps on his acupuncture points, he would have never believed his words. But now, he fully trusted Qing Shui with all his heart.
"Thank you, sir!" said Hai Tian as he gave a sincere smile to Qing Shui. Age and gender didn't matter when it came to showing respect to someone who were truly capable.
Just then, the people from the Luo Clan came and approached them!
"Miss Hai, it's almost time. Our master is currently waiting for you in the residence." The elder from the Luo clan said with a serious tone.
"To where?" Hai Dongqing looked at the dozen men from the Luo Clan before she stopped her gaze at the relatively old elder in front of these men.
"Of course we are going back to the Luo Residence. You are already part of the Luo Clan. A lot of people in the Ice Cold City admires Miss Hai, you know. We have already prepared the carriage in front of the door for you." The elder of the Luo Clan smiled.
"Why are the people from the Luo Clan acts like a bunch of brainless pigs!" Qing Shui frowned and looked at the surrounding people with dubious gazes.
Qing Shui's words were basically the reflection of the inner thoughts of the members of the Hai Clan. Up until now, no one had ever dared to speak in such a blunt, impudent manner by calling the members of the Luo Clan as a bunch of pigs.
His words had also completely enraged the people from the Luo Clan in an instant. The Luo Clan had a sense of dignity that outweighed everything else in the Ice Cold City. No one dared to be plainspoken in front of them, nor want to oppose the Luo Clan's ruling. Certainly they wouldn't even dare to ridicule them like how Qing Shui just did earlier.
"You really are a fearless fellow with no sense of death. In any case, Miss Hai, we are still waiting for your decision." The elder of the Luo Clan turned to ask Hai Dongqing after he had managed to hold in his anger. His face was swollen red from anger, but he kept his frustration in checked and did not make a simple situation to explode.
"He was right about you all. You even had the guts to say such things now. You really are brainless." Hai Dongqing did not hold back her words.
"Good good, Hai Clan seems to be resolved in their decision. You've got guts." Even though the elder of the Luo Clan was at his boiling point, he began to laugh.
Then at that moment, a few dozen men came inside the Hai Residence in succession. The leader of these men was a seemingly valiant yet fierce middle-aged man. Before he could even enter, his voice already rang out first.
"Hai Tian, my old ignorant man. How did it feel to sneak up on my father last night? Today, the Tu Clan will come to pay a visit as a reciprocation for your deeds. I hope you all can endure your best this time."
The Tu Clan had initially planned to remain as a spectator in the fight between the Hai Clan and the Luo Clan then reap the benefits of the winner after that. Unfortunately, they were forced by the Luo Clan to initiate a fight with the Hai Clan if they were to be uncooperative with the Luo Clan's wishes. The Tu Clan was helpless – they had no choice but to do what the Luo Clan dictated.
Before anyone knew it, the combined force of the people from the Tu Clan and the Luo Clan had forced the members of the Hai Clan to the corner of the room. The people from the Luo Clan had a sly smile on their faces.
The expressions of the members of the Hai Clan changed when they saw the overwhelming number of people that had surrounded them. Most people would turn grim when they were about to face death, even those who had proclaimed their fearlessness towards death – their faces would turn pale at the moment that they were face-to-face with death.
"Where's that coward Tu Renxiong? Why is his bastard son here instead?" Hai Tian remained unfazed by the situation.
"Haha, one tiny Hai Clan isn't going to force my father to come. I alone will be enough to kill you, ignorant old man." The middle-aged man gave a sinister chuckle as he revealed his set of snow white teeth.
"Miss Hai, it's not too late to change your mind now. Do you really want to see your brothers and sisters getting killed by the Tu Clan? They will not harm you of course, you still need to go to the Luo Residence after all of them were killed. Since you are going to the Luo Residence sooner or later, you don't really have to sacrifice your family." The elder from the Luo Clan smiled as he said those words.
His voice wasn't particularly loud, but everyone around him could hear what he had said. Most of the members of the Hai Clan stared at Hai Dongqing with eyes full of hope. Her decision could either kill them or let them live.
"Hai Dongqing, you must not drag us down with you!"
One of the members of the Hai Clan wasn't able to hold his frustrations anymore as he shrilled at Hai Dongqing.
"Hai Ping, execute him according to the clan's rules. The Hai Clan doesn't have such a treacherous weakling like that man. If he can't stay on the same boat, then finish him on the spot. He is unworthy to be a member of the Hai Clan." Hai Tian ignored the shrilling middle-aged man who was about to be executed by Hai Ping.
After a while, the middle-aged man was executed and the whole room became quiet. The people from the Luo Clan and the Tu Clan all had faint smiles on their faces, as if they were elated to have seen such a situation happened to the Hai Clan.
"Whoever wants to leave the Hai Clan now, I will give you the choice to walk out from here alive. If you decide to leave, you can still stay in the Ice Cold City. As a member of the Tu Clan, we will never go back on our word." The leader of the Tu Clan group made a proposal in a loud voice.
"Then maybe I should leave this Hai Clan. From now on, I will have nothing to do with the Hai Clan anymore." After a while, a man seemingly in his 30s stood up with a grimace.
"The blood flowing in your veins is of the Hai Clan. If you still want to go, I will not hold you back. Just leave one of your hands before you step out from here." Hai Tian sighed.
The man buried himself in a deeper frown for a moment. Losing an arm would always be better than losing his life, he thought. So he took out his sharp sword, let out a deep groan, and proceeded to chop off his left hand. He was last seen with his teeth clenched before he left through the door.
Hai Tian with his eyes full of distress, watched as the man walked away.
"Those who want to leave, just leave. You don't have to cut off your hand anymore. Once you passed this door, you are no longer a member of the Hai Clan." Hai Tian let out a long sigh before he began to talk slowly.
A breath of time had passed when he had finished speaking. A young man stood up as he trembled from fear and he slowly made his way outside with heavy steps.
Of course, 'heavy' was the right word to describe his footsteps. After all, once he left the Hai Clan, he could never come back. When the sight of his silhouette had vanished from the door, a few more people gradually began to stood up.
These few people felt that it was better to try their luck and leave the clan rather than to stay here and die. The Tu Clan was one of the big clans in the Ice Cold City, so their words could be trusted for the most part. That was just one of the reasons why they chose to leave the Hai Clan.
The people from the Tu Clan and the Luo Clan still had a smile plastered on their faces, as they watched the great performance of the former members of the Hai Clan leave. In a blink of an eye, half of the members were already gone.
"Hai Chusheng, if you leave, we will sever our ties as father and son." An old man shouted as he looked at his middle-aged son. "Father, I am still young, I don't want to die……."
The man knelt and bowed a few times at the old man before he quickly vanished from the residence!
In the end, a clan with such an enormous size had been reduced to about 40 people. The one-third of the people left in the residence were the core members of the Hai Clan. These remaining members were determined to stay despite the high possibility of losing their lives to the two big clans.
It was important for a clan to have such determined and courageous members who would fight without fear in spite of difficulties. They were the ones who should be considered as the fundamental soul of the clan.
"You all are the best sons and daughters the Hai Clan could ever have……." said Hai Tian while he held back his tears.
"We will fight them. Even if we die trying, it is enough if we managed to kill one of them. It will be a bonus if we can kill two."
"Yes, kill them!"
"This has gone too far, let's kill them!"
…………
Hai Dongqing was silent as she turned around to look at the remaining members of the Hai Clan.
"Don’t agree to their wishes. We will not fall back. We will rather die than to trade you. They will never let go of us alive anyway." One member of the Hai Clan shouted at Hai Dongqing.
"Miss Hai, let me ask you again. If you don't give me a firm reply, then today's matter will be none of our business." The elder from the Luo Clan said in a non-pleasing, calm manner.
"Are you done?" Qing Shui seemed to mind the perverse smile that was on the elder's face. "What do you mean? I've had enough of you." The elder of the Luo Clan shot a sinister murderous look at Qing Shui as he took a step forward in front of him.
"What I mean is that you should go and die if you are done talking." Qing Shui replied casually before he abruptly rushed towards the elder and used the Tiger Laceration move against him.
Roar!
Heavenly Thunder Slash!
Boom!
The elder of the Luo Clan was quite overwhelmed by Qing Shui's power. Even though he wasn't completely paralyzed by the Heavenly Thunder Slash move, his movements appeared to had stopped, as if he was suddenly interrupted by something.
Qing Shui pushed him back with his strength and proceeded to boost up his own speed!
Cloudmist Steps!
Ripping Tiger Claw!
Qing Shui didn't even give the old man a chance to strike back and quickly smashed his head into smithereens. The elder of the Luo Clan had been killed instantly, and all of that happened in less than a breath's time after Qing Shui spoke.
Everyone was shocked. Qing Shui had killed the fifth brother of the Luo Clan's head – Luo Chong. Although Luo Chong wasn't that strong, he was still a Martial Saint warrior. He was one of the important figures who was tasked to 'escort' Hai Dongqing back to her wedding at the Luo Residence.
However, he had been killed in a split-second by someone who was apparently looked down by the Luo Clan.
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AST 707 – Hidden Weapon 'Meteor Smash', 'Decorated Carriage'
The distance between Hai Dongqing's small courtyard and the Hai Residence was actually not very far. They exited and continued on their journey towards the small courtyard on a beast carriage.
"Why are you helping me? Is it only because we are friends?" Hai Dongqing sat beside Qing Shui and slowly asked as she stared into the distance.
Fire Bird forged ahead at a uniform speed. Ever since his breakthrough, Qing Shui's mind was at peace. The feeling of being in control of everything was indeed very pleasant.
"Isn't that enough of a reason?" Qing Shui looked at Hai Dongqing who was beside him.
"Can you tell me why you want to be friends with me?" Hai Dongqing turned her head around to look at Qing Shui who was looking at her. Her gorgeously intellectual eyes stared at him unblinkingly, the graceful expression on her face was extremely fascinating.
Qing Shui was a little taken aback before he chuckled. "Dongqing, you are very beautiful and you are even one of the most beautiful women I've met. If I had met you a few years earlier, I might have some other intentions. But now you really are a friend. A true friend of mine."
Hai Dongqing chuckled too. "Thank you," she told Qing Shui softly while looking at him.
She could feel that little hope within her disappear the moment she finished thanking him. She had felt very nervous earlier and had hoped that he'd say that. So just like that, they were friends. But then again, she seemed to still have some other hope left in her.
The sky had completely turned dark since long ago by the time they returned to the small courtyard. But with Light Stones, the place was very brightly illuminated. They went in to find that everything was just like how it had always been. The mess from earlier was already cleared up.
"You must be tired. Get an early rest!" Qing Shui stopped at the courtyard and told Hai Dongqing.
"You should get an early rest too!" Hai Donqing waved at him with a smile and then walked towards the pavilion.
"Wait!"
Qing Shui suddenly called out and then slowly made his way to Hai Dongqing's side. Hai Dongqing looked perplexedly at Qing Shui who was currently behaving a little strangely.
"Come out!" Qing Shui inwardly breathed a sigh of relief when he reached to the side of her and called out towards the pavilion.
However, everything in the pavilion was completely still. Qing Shui unhurriedly retrieved his Frosted Iron Ball. He then extended his right arm in a weird manner. His arm seemed to be very long and well-shaped.
The moment his arm stretched, the Frosted Iron Ball in his hand violently launched out. Its speed was indescribably fast. It was like a flash of meteor, brilliant yet fatal.
Another killing technique of the hidden weapon – Meteor Smash!
Pu!
A few people quickly leapt out from within the pavilion very soon, breaking through the roof. The entire pavilion collapsed loudly. Four men of unknown age stood at a distance.
One dead body of a man wasn't hidden by the collapsed pavilion. There was a gaping hole about the size of a chicken egg in his head. He had died an instantaneous death, not even in time to make a single noise.
"Do you know them, Dongqing?" Qing Shui calmly stared at the people across from them. Every single one of them were cultivators of Martial Saint Grade, yet couldn't withstand a single blow from him.
To think that he had been forced to a helpless situation by the strength of Sky Tyrant Lord at one point. He had killed quite a number of Martial Saints up to now. He was very confident that he could dispatch the ones standing before him in a flash.
It wasn't like Martial Saint cultivators were no longer valuable or there were too many of them now. It was more because Qing Shui's strength and realms had reached the level where it was very easy for him to encounter them because they'd come looking for him even when he didn't look for them.
Qing Shui was able to use hidden weapons ever since his strength was greatly improved. He had a killing technique, the Meteor Smash, which was the one that he had used earlier. The target was locked with his powerful spiritual sense first before launching the hidden weapon. This prevented the target from evading and he could only either resist it with force or repel or catch the hidden weapon. It was futile to evade it.
Furthermore, Qing Shui's strength had suddenly doubled. The power, speed, oddness and aura of that hidden weapon were simply not something that these people standing before him could withstand.
"People from Luo Clan." Hai Dongqing pointed out softly. She seemed to be surprisingly calm at this moment. She could easily take care all of these people by just summoning a Silver Spirit Beast.
"That's the clan of the old fellow who wants to marry you," Qing Shui laughed awkwardly after he finished his sentence.
Hai Dongqing glared at him. Although she didn't say anything, she had pretty much tacitly agreed to that statement.
"Make all of them stay?" Qing Shui looked at Hai Dongqing.
"You actually dare to kill the people of my Luo Clan? All of you are going to die." One of them bellowed at Qing Shui with reddened eyes and then shifted his gaze to Hai Dongqing.
"What's so special about the Luo Clan?" Qing Shui asked disdainfully. These people's sense of superiority in being in the Luo Clan irked him. He looked down the most upon people who were riding on the coattails of their clan's reputation.
"Brat, we are here to send you to hell today. How dare you snatch the woman that my clan master has set his eyes on?" The man who said this was the same man, with the reddened eyes, from earlier.
Roar!
Hai Dongqing immediately used the Luan's Strength and then a trail of afterimages was formed with her body. The Luan Silver Sword in her hands turned into a deadly sharp weapon right at this moment. Under the absolute speed, eliminating these people was merely a trifling task to Hai Dongqing
Within a moment, all the four of them were eliminated!
"Seems like the Luo Clan is about to start it." Hai Dongqing sheathed her Luan Silver Sword and came over.
"No need to worry. Kill every single one that comes. If it gets too much, we'll just go to the Luo Clan directly and kill the clan master," Qing Shui said indifferently.
Hai Dongqing wasn't sure if she should place her faith in him after hearing his relaxed tone. If it had been that easy, she wouldn't be this worried.
Qing Shui extended his arms out and formed a few balls of primordial flames to burn the dead bodies.
"This place has collapsed. Come stay in the pavilion here!"
Hai Dongqing nodded helplessly. She stayed on the third floor while Qing Shui stayed on the second floor. Although they had taken care of these few people from Luo Clan, it seemed like the Luo Clan was about to take action.
Qing Shui thought that it was better to take action earlier. Otherwise they would need to personally go to the Luo Clan and he didn't want to waste too much time here.
He didn't say anything else for that night!
The next day, Qing Shui cultivated as usual and had his meal. Two people came in from outside when he had just finished eating. They were from the Hai Clan and seemed to be in a great hurry.
"Miss, Mister, the Old Ancestor of Hai Clan has requested for your return to settle some issues," the two youths informed with a bow.
"Understood. You all may return first."
It was very normal for this to happen and Qing Shui had already expected it. For the Luo Clan to come to Hai Clan today, the contradictions between them would definitely intensify. This was also what they were hoping for.
"We should return. Perhaps this issue can be completely resolved by today." Qing Shui laughed to Hai Dongqing as he stood up.
Hai Dongqing's heart was a mess though. Things had already turned out this way, she could only trust this man beside her. To be honest, she actually secretly had a lot of faith in him.
"Alright!" She smiled and walked out of this small courtyard with Qing Shui by her side.
Luo Clan!
"What did you say?! Luo tong and the other four of them still haven't return until now?" The clan's head of Luo Clan roared in rage
"Yes, Clan Head!"
"Get my second younger brother here. Hurry," Luo Clan's clan head raised his voice. He was extremely furious right now.
"R-Roger!"
The terrified voice faded away. Soon after that, an old man entered the room. This old man was the second younger brother of Luo Clan's Head. He appeared to be a very old and very easy-going person.
"Big Brother!"
The old man greeted when he saw Luo Clan's Head, who looked a lot younger than him.
"Second Younger Brother, none from Luo Tong's party came back. Our intel has found nothing other than the pavilion of that Hai Clan's woman has collapsed," the man gestured for the old man to have a seat.
"It seems like they're all dead. Big Brother, I feel a little strange about that youth. We mustn't fail in an easy task," the old man said prudently after thinking for awhile.
"This has been my concern. But I must get my hands on that woman of Hai Clan. I cannot wait any longer." The man frowned in his thoughts, both of his eyes were gleaming with determination.
The old man sighed but didn't say anything else.
"I have already sent someone to fetch that woman of Hai Clan. If they can't bring her back, then we'll take action," the man told the old man.
"Big Brother. If that woman of Hai Clan isn't brought back here today, then Big Brother may let the Tu Clan to take action first. But they mustn't hurt that woman." The old man's aged and amiable gaze instantly turned as sharp as a knife at this moment.
"Alright. If the Tu Clan isn't going to do anything, we shall force them," the man grinned at the old man. At this very moment, the pair of brother looked surprisingly similar to each other. They were both stern, vicious and ruthless.
………
When Qing Shui and Hai Dongqing reached to the entrance of the Hai Residence, they saw about ten lavish beast carriages that were decorated with flowers. The middle carriage was fully decorated with colorful fresh flowers and looked extremely gorgeous. Many people surrounded them, and they seemed to know what was going on.
A decorated carriage!
This was a decorated carriage. The very same sort that people drove during weddings in the Main Continent!
Hai Dongqing's face paled a little when she saw these decorated carriages. But still, she walked towards the Hai Residence without stopping. Qing Shui on the other hand was still staring at the decorated carriages while following her towards the Hai Residence.
The moment they entered they saw many people from the Hai Clan and Luo Clan standing in the courtyard. Both parties appeared to be engaged in some kind of discussion. Old Hai Tian was seated at one side while the people of the Luo Clan were all standing.
Qing Shui could feel that this Hai Tian old man seemed to have quite a temper. He didn't know how long the Luo Clan had been here but both parties seemed to be fighting over something right now.
"So this is how your Hai Clan treats your guests?" An old man yelled towards Hai Tian.
Qing Shui could understand his anger. After all, the people of the Luo Clan had always been treated as guests of honor everywhere they went. Besides, the Luo Clan was also the most powerful clan in the Cold Ice City while the Hai Clan had waned in power long ago and they were actually slighting them like this.
"You are not our guests. If this old man was still well, I would have driven you all out by now, you bunch of shameless fools," Hai Tian relentlessly insulted them.
"Wait till we bring that woman away, you all can go die after three days," the old man muttered under his breath to dissolve the anger in his heart.
"The young miss has returned!"
"Fourth Brother, that woman is back. Let us talk to her directly and see if she's willing? We are still going to use her family to threaten her too," a younger man suggested to an older man who appeared to be in his sixties.
Everyone's attention instantly shifted to Hai Dongqing and Qing Shui.
Hai Dongying, Hai Shiya and the rest walked towards them.
Hai Tian stood up but his body quivered after taking a few steps, as if he was enduring great pain. His aging face was also extremely pale.
"How did this old man sustain such a heavy injuryin one night?" Qing Shui was quite perplexed. He then glanced over at Hai Dongqing.
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AST 708 – The Gathering of the Three Clans, Murder
In just one night, the Old Ancestor of the Hai Clan seemed to had been severely wounded. Qing Shui didn't need to think for a second to know that this was the work of either the Luo Clan or the Tu Clan.
When Qing Shui first met him, Hai Tian said he would use his remaining time to clear Hai Dongqing of all obstacles. Could it be that he went to meet with the Luo Clan or the Tu Clan last night?
"Old Ancestor, what happened?" Hai Dongqing and Hai Dongying both asked after they had exchanged a few words.
"My girl, I'm useless. I have caused you so much trouble yet again. The members of the Tu Clan had become even stronger. I couldn't kill them, instead they have wounded me heavily." Hai Tian looked disappointed. He initially thought that he could eliminate the strong martial warriors of the Tu Clan with the remaining days of his life. The worst thing that could happen was he would perish together with his enemies. But now, everything was over – the Hai Clan was now in real danger. The young man named Qing Shui was now their only hope.
Hai Tian already lived so long and had seen everything. Compared to others, he was already aware on what the Luo Clan would do next, and how the Tu Clan would behave. He also knew that the cultivation base of the head of the Luo Clan was from unrighteous techniques. All these years, a lot of women had suffered terribly because of him.
Hai Tian didn't need to guess to know what the head of the Luo Clan needed Hai Dongqing for – he needed her special fine bones. Since there was no one who would shoulder the main responsibilities of the Hai Clan anymore, the clan was therefore deemed unworthy to be one of the three big clans in the Ice Cold City. Because of that, the Hai Clan was eventually doomed to be devoured either by the Luo Clan or the Tu Clan.
"Please don't say that. I had promised you since the beginning, and I will continue to battle to the end." There was no emotion on Hai Dongqing's face. She was unperturbed despite how things had unexpectedly become.
At that moment, Qing Shui walked to the side of Hai Tian and quickly pressed a few acupuncture points on his chest. In a spectator's point of view, Qing Shui had actually hit about eighteen acupuncture points on the chest.
"I can probably heal your wounds, but if you leave it be for a long period of time, it might be too late. Also, I have no problem in extending your life for about 30 to 50 more years. You still have unfinished responsibilities to bear, so now's not the time to curl up and die." said Qing Shui as he smiled at the Old Ancestor.
Hai Tian had lived for too long and he understood what Qing Shui meant. He could never let go of Hai Clan, because if he wanted Hai Dongqing to take over the clan, it would require her a few more years of experience before she would be ready. A clan would need a prestigious senior to support them, even if the senior did not possess an incredible strength that could conquer the world.
Moreover, he didn't have the intention to die just yet. If he were to die right now, then he would never rest in peace. When Qing Shui said he didn't need to die, he was glad and delighted. If it wasn't for Qing Shui's 18 taps on his acupuncture points, he would have never believed his words. But now, he fully trusted Qing Shui with all his heart.
"Thank you, sir!" said Hai Tian as he gave a sincere smile to Qing Shui. Age and gender didn't matter when it came to showing respect to someone who were truly capable.
Just then, the people from the Luo Clan came and approached them!
"Miss Hai, it's almost time. Our master is currently waiting for you in the residence." The elder from the Luo clan said with a serious tone.
"To where?" Hai Dongqing looked at the dozen men from the Luo Clan before she stopped her gaze at the relatively old elder in front of these men.
"Of course we are going back to the Luo Residence. You are already part of the Luo Clan. A lot of people in the Ice Cold City admires Miss Hai, you know. We have already prepared the carriage in front of the door for you." The elder of the Luo Clan smiled.
"Why are the people from the Luo Clan acts like a bunch of brainless pigs!" Qing Shui frowned and looked at the surrounding people with dubious gazes.
Qing Shui's words were basically the reflection of the inner thoughts of the members of the Hai Clan. Up until now, no one had ever dared to speak in such a blunt, impudent manner by calling the members of the Luo Clan as a bunch of pigs.
His words had also completely enraged the people from the Luo Clan in an instant. The Luo Clan had a sense of dignity that outweighed everything else in the Ice Cold City. No one dared to be plainspoken in front of them, nor want to oppose the Luo Clan's ruling. Certainly they wouldn't even dare to ridicule them like how Qing Shui just did earlier.
"You really are a fearless fellow with no sense of death. In any case, Miss Hai, we are still waiting for your decision." The elder of the Luo Clan turned to ask Hai Dongqing after he had managed to hold in his anger. His face was swollen red from anger, but he kept his frustration in checked and did not make a simple situation to explode.
"He was right about you all. You even had the guts to say such things now. You really are brainless." Hai Dongqing did not hold back her words.
"Good good, Hai Clan seems to be resolved in their decision. You've got guts." Even though the elder of the Luo Clan was at his boiling point, he began to laugh.
Then at that moment, a few dozen men came inside the Hai Residence in succession. The leader of these men was a seemingly valiant yet fierce middle-aged man. Before he could even enter, his voice already rang out first.
"Hai Tian, my old ignorant man. How did it feel to sneak up on my father last night? Today, the Tu Clan will come to pay a visit as a reciprocation for your deeds. I hope you all can endure your best this time."
The Tu Clan had initially planned to remain as a spectator in the fight between the Hai Clan and the Luo Clan then reap the benefits of the winner after that. Unfortunately, they were forced by the Luo Clan to initiate a fight with the Hai Clan if they were to be uncooperative with the Luo Clan's wishes. The Tu Clan was helpless – they had no choice but to do what the Luo Clan dictated.
Before anyone knew it, the combined force of the people from the Tu Clan and the Luo Clan had forced the members of the Hai Clan to the corner of the room. The people from the Luo Clan had a sly smile on their faces.
The expressions of the members of the Hai Clan changed when they saw the overwhelming number of people that had surrounded them. Most people would turn grim when they were about to face death, even those who had proclaimed their fearlessness towards death – their faces would turn pale at the moment that they were face-to-face with death.
"Where's that coward Tu Renxiong? Why is his bastard son here instead?" Hai Tian remained unfazed by the situation.
"Haha, one tiny Hai Clan isn't going to force my father to come. I alone will be enough to kill you, ignorant old man." The middle-aged man gave a sinister chuckle as he revealed his set of snow white teeth.
"Miss Hai, it's not too late to change your mind now. Do you really want to see your brothers and sisters getting killed by the Tu Clan? They will not harm you of course, you still need to go to the Luo Residence after all of them were killed. Since you are going to the Luo Residence sooner or later, you don't really have to sacrifice your family." The elder from the Luo Clan smiled as he said those words.
His voice wasn't particularly loud, but everyone around him could hear what he had said. Most of the members of the Hai Clan stared at Hai Dongqing with eyes full of hope. Her decision could either kill them or let them live.
"Hai Dongqing, you must not drag us down with you!"
One of the members of the Hai Clan wasn't able to hold his frustrations anymore as he shrilled at Hai Dongqing.
"Hai Ping, execute him according to the clan's rules. The Hai Clan doesn't have such a treacherous weakling like that man. If he can't stay on the same boat, then finish him on the spot. He is unworthy to be a member of the Hai Clan." Hai Tian ignored the shrilling middle-aged man who was about to be executed by Hai Ping.
After a while, the middle-aged man was executed and the whole room became quiet. The people from the Luo Clan and the Tu Clan all had faint smiles on their faces, as if they were elated to have seen such a situation happened to the Hai Clan.
"Whoever wants to leave the Hai Clan now, I will give you the choice to walk out from here alive. If you decide to leave, you can still stay in the Ice Cold City. As a member of the Tu Clan, we will never go back on our word." The leader of the Tu Clan group made a proposal in a loud voice.
"Then maybe I should leave this Hai Clan. From now on, I will have nothing to do with the Hai Clan anymore." After a while, a man seemingly in his 30s stood up with a grimace.
"The blood flowing in your veins is of the Hai Clan. If you still want to go, I will not hold you back. Just leave one of your hands before you step out from here." Hai Tian sighed.
The man buried himself in a deeper frown for a moment. Losing an arm would always be better than losing his life, he thought. So he took out his sharp sword, let out a deep groan, and proceeded to chop off his left hand. He was last seen with his teeth clenched before he left through the door.
Hai Tian with his eyes full of distress, watched as the man walked away.
"Those who want to leave, just leave. You don't have to cut off your hand anymore. Once you passed this door, you are no longer a member of the Hai Clan." Hai Tian let out a long sigh before he began to talk slowly.
A breath of time had passed when he had finished speaking. A young man stood up as he trembled from fear and he slowly made his way outside with heavy steps.
Of course, 'heavy' was the right word to describe his footsteps. After all, once he left the Hai Clan, he could never come back. When the sight of his silhouette had vanished from the door, a few more people gradually began to stood up.
These few people felt that it was better to try their luck and leave the clan rather than to stay here and die. The Tu Clan was one of the big clans in the Ice Cold City, so their words could be trusted for the most part. That was just one of the reasons why they chose to leave the Hai Clan.
The people from the Tu Clan and the Luo Clan still had a smile plastered on their faces, as they watched the great performance of the former members of the Hai Clan leave. In a blink of an eye, half of the members were already gone.
"Hai Chusheng, if you leave, we will sever our ties as father and son." An old man shouted as he looked at his middle-aged son. "Father, I am still young, I don't want to die……."
The man knelt and bowed a few times at the old man before he quickly vanished from the residence!
In the end, a clan with such an enormous size had been reduced to about 40 people. The one-third of the people left in the residence were the core members of the Hai Clan. These remaining members were determined to stay despite the high possibility of losing their lives to the two big clans.
It was important for a clan to have such determined and courageous members who would fight without fear in spite of difficulties. They were the ones who should be considered as the fundamental soul of the clan.
"You all are the best sons and daughters the Hai Clan could ever have……." said Hai Tian while he held back his tears.
"We will fight them. Even if we die trying, it is enough if we managed to kill one of them. It will be a bonus if we can kill two."
"Yes, kill them!"
"This has gone too far, let's kill them!"
…………
Hai Dongqing was silent as she turned around to look at the remaining members of the Hai Clan.
"Don’t agree to their wishes. We will not fall back. We will rather die than to trade you. They will never let go of us alive anyway." One member of the Hai Clan shouted at Hai Dongqing.
"Miss Hai, let me ask you again. If you don't give me a firm reply, then today's matter will be none of our business." The elder from the Luo Clan said in a non-pleasing, calm manner.
"Are you done?" Qing Shui seemed to mind the perverse smile that was on the elder's face. "What do you mean? I've had enough of you." The elder of the Luo Clan shot a sinister murderous look at Qing Shui as he took a step forward in front of him.
"What I mean is that you should go and die if you are done talking." Qing Shui replied casually before he abruptly rushed towards the elder and used the Tiger Laceration move against him.
Roar!
Heavenly Thunder Slash!
Boom!
The elder of the Luo Clan was quite overwhelmed by Qing Shui's power. Even though he wasn't completely paralyzed by the Heavenly Thunder Slash move, his movements appeared to had stopped, as if he was suddenly interrupted by something.
Qing Shui pushed him back with his strength and proceeded to boost up his own speed!
Cloudmist Steps!
Ripping Tiger Claw!
Qing Shui didn't even give the old man a chance to strike back and quickly smashed his head into smithereens. The elder of the Luo Clan had been killed instantly, and all of that happened in less than a breath's time after Qing Shui spoke.
Everyone was shocked. Qing Shui had killed the fifth brother of the Luo Clan's head – Luo Chong. Although Luo Chong wasn't that strong, he was still a Martial Saint warrior. He was one of the important figures who was tasked to 'escort' Hai Dongqing back to her wedding at the Luo Residence.
However, he had been killed in a split-second by someone who was apparently looked down by the Luo Clan.
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