Chapter 10 Someone Else Gets Involved!

"Come again, and I'll kill again!"

Xia Jiuxuan leaned on his long spear, his aura dominating the world, leaving the heads and elders of the three families at a loss. Was this truly the so-called wastrel of the Xia family? Judging by his presence alone, he was far from the rumored cripple. Moreover, his actions were swift and ruthless, more like a blood-soaked outlaw than a fragile invalid.

"I want you dead!"

The other three families dared not make a move, but the Wang Family's young master had already been slain. The enraged Wang Family could not possibly stand idly by. The guest elder of the Wang Family struck with a massive palm.

Boom!

Xia Jiuxuan activated a divine movement technique from his past life's memories, narrowly evading the blow. Of course, forcibly employing such a high-level technique had already ruptured several tendons in his legs.

"Stop!"

As Xia Jiuxuan darted aside, the guest elder's attack could not be withdrawn; the palm print swept toward the three young masters of the Li, Bai, and Zhou families. The already tense families acted decisively, unleashing their true power to block the Wang Family elder's assault.

Afterward, several Palace Realm experts rushed forward, intending to rescue their young masters. Unexpectedly, Xia Jiuxuan returned, his spear pressed against the backs of the three. With a single sweep, he could sever all three at the waist.

"Back off."

His cold shout stopped the advancing Palace Realm experts in their tracks. The lives of the young masters now rested in the hands of this youth; any rash action would mean they suffered the same fate as the Wang Family's young master.

"Please, nephew, do not act impulsively. Whatever your demands, we will agree."

"Yes, yes, it's just a friendly contest among peers. If my son is injured, it's only because his skills are lacking. Nephew, please don't be angry."

"Nephew Xia, as long as you release my son, I swear to the heavens I will not trouble you."

The three great families hurried to make promises, swearing and pledging in earnest.

Who was Xia Jiuxuan? He had slain more powerful cultivators than these men had consumed salt. What kind of cunning had he not seen? He would never believe their words. Once these three young masters were out of danger, he would face the combined assault of all four families. With dozens of Palace Realm experts against him, unless he burned his soul entirely, he wouldn't even have a chance to escape.

Moreover, the person most important to Xia Jiuxuan was his niece. If he couldn't take Ranran with him, what was the point of risking his life to flee?

Therefore, holding the three young masters hostage and never letting go was his only choice.

"You brat, I will kill you today!"

The Wang Family had no such scruples. Failing with one strike, the guest elder now prepared to unleash his full strength and kill Xia Jiuxuan.

"If he kills me, I will kill these three. Let's see who is faster."

Xia Jiuxuan remained utterly calm.

Ordinarily, the aura of Palace Realm experts could suppress a fourth-level innate cultivator into immobility. Yet this youth was strange; even under the pressure of so many Palace Realm experts, he remained composed.

Thus, the three families dared not act, instead sending several elders to intercept the Wang Family's guest elder.

"Brother, hold your hand. Everything can be discussed later!"

Over a dozen Palace Realm experts blocked the Wang Family, with more experts waiting in the wings. The Wang Family had only brought the patriarch and chief guest elder, making them no match for the others.

"You!"

The Wang Family patriarch was furious to the point of spitting blood. Watching his son killed, the other three families refused to let him avenge him! His heart ached as if splitting, yet he could do nothing.

"Brother Wang, endure for now. Do not act impulsively."

The other three patriarchs stepped forward to surround the Wang Family's patriarch, exchanging meaningful glances.

The message was clear—rescue first, kill later!

"Hmph!"

The Wang patriarch, eyes bloodshot, could only temporarily relent.

"Nephew Xia, please release the three of them. If you delay, their lives may be at risk."

The three patriarchs, seeing their sons bleeding profusely, were anxious to the point of near begging.

"Their fate does not depend on me, but on you, does it not?" Xia Jiuxuan replied coolly.

"All right, all right, name your conditions. Whatever you ask, we will not bargain!" cried the Bai patriarch, echoed by the others.

"Fine. Then all of you kill yourselves."

His words were icy.

The crowd was incensed. "Xia Jiuxuan, you are treating your life as a joke!"

Yet Xia Jiuxuan merely smirked coldly. "I'm a cripple, a worthless life. One for four—it's worth it for me."

All were speechless. This fellow was like a dead pig unafraid of boiling water; there was truly nothing they could do.

But for everyone to commit suicide?

Impossible. Who would be such a fool?

The Li patriarch forced a smile. "Nephew Xia, I apologize on behalf of my foolish son. I will order fifty thousand Xuan Crystals sent to your residence immediately. Will you be satisfied?"

The other two patriarchs nodded eagerly. "Whatever you want, as long as my son is safe."

Xia Jiuxuan, hearing this, grew furious and thrust his spear at Zhou Wenyang—not to kill, but to make his point.

"You old fools, do you take me for a child? Stop playing games with me. You know what you must do. Leave now. Once I am safe, I will naturally release the three."

"Fine, fine, we will go. Nephew, please calm yourself!"

Seeing Zhou's son stabbed, the Zhou family hurriedly retreated dozens of yards, followed by the other two families, leaving only the Wang Family unmoving.

Xia Jiuxuan knew that merely holding three hostages was not enough for him and Ranran to escape safely. But as long as everyone kept their distance, he could risk everything, activate his movement technique, and escape the city. At worst, he'd suffer grievous injuries from advanced martial techniques and return for revenge after recovering.

At this point, this was his only choice.

Yet now, the Wang Family refused to retreat. Any lapse would invite a deadly attack. This was troublesome.

Moreover, Xia Jiuxuan noticed that the Wang Family's chief guest elder now gazed at Ranran, not at him. He immediately guessed the old man's intention.

"Drive the Wang Family away now, or I’ll kill one every ten breaths. I don’t care if I die."

No sooner had he spoken than Xia Jiuxuan stabbed the Li Family's young master in the back, piercing through to the chest.

This act terrified the three families, who rushed to urge the Wang Family to withdraw.

"Brother Wang, please retreat. We promise you will personally avenge your nephew. If you withdraw now, our three families will owe you a great favor. Please, Brother Wang, step aside."

Their words were polite, their demeanor humble. The three families' experts stood by, ready to intervene.

Thus, the Wang Family had no choice but to retreat for now.

Just as escape seemed possible, a sudden change occurred.

A surging aura descended from the heavens. A white-haired elder wearing a ghost-face mask appeared suddenly on the street.

"Isn’t that Old Ghost, Master Xu’s friend?"

The three families' hearts tightened. What did this old fiend want now?