Chapter 582: Chapter 583: The Uprising of the Common People
“Humph, it seems someone has been whispering in his ear, otherwise why would the Great Family Head issue such an order?”

With a sinister expression, Elder Sun’s face turned terrifying. Elder Wang and several other influential old folks all wore the look of small men gloating in their success, clearly having used some method unknown to the rest to leak the information, without anyone present realizing anything was amiss!

“You speak wrongly, the Great Family Head’s consideration is solely for the greater good. Let’s just follow the Great Family Head’s direction and quietly watch for changes.”

A hint of smugness flickered through Elder Wang’s eyes as he spoke indifferently.

“Yes, Elder Sun, you have lost your composure. Cultivators should not act rashly, especially those in high positions. Every action must be taken with the bigger picture in mind, prioritizing the interests of Aolai Country above all else!”

The other Elders also spoke out in agreement, their expressions condescending and their voices tinged with an accusing tone.

“The satisfaction of the small-minded!”

Furious, Elder Sun’s face turned green and his chest heaved violently, but he said no more.

They couldn’t possibly defy the wishes of the Great Family Head; their only choice was to comply.

If word got out that the Aolai Country’s Punishment Hall let criminals roam free without doing anything, it would sound terrible!

“Enough, it’s almost dawn. We cannot fathom the Great Family Head’s intentions, so let’s take things one step at a time. Let Li Xiaobai stand by for now, and as for the rest, return to your homes. During this period, keep a low profile.”

A cold glint flashed in the Great Elder’s eyes as he spoke solemnly.

“Yes!”

…

The next morning, Li Xiaobai and his group waited quietly in the side room for the Elders to make a decision.

But despite waiting and waiting, not a soul came by, not to mention an Elder; not even a servant to bring tea or water was seen.

Impatient, Liu Jinshui pushed the door open and shouted hoarsely, “Is anybody alive out there? Someone come here!”

Silence reigned, the hallway deathly quiet, all cultivators nearby had evacuated, leaving the area completely deserted.

“What’s going on? Wasn’t it said that a response would certainly come today? Why has no one come?”

“Could it be they haven’t reached a decision yet?”

Full of confusion, Su Yunbing wore a puzzled look as she asked.

“It looks like this is the result they’ve come up with, to ignore the matter and play for time.”

Third Senior Brother Lin Yin’s gaze narrowed slightly, exuding a subtle sense of danger.

“Earlier the Great Elder said he would report to the three Family Heads and ask them to decide. It seems this might also be the wish of the third Family Head. Do they really intend to use me as a scapegoat?”

Li Xiaobai was burning with rage. Now that both the witnesses and the criminal had been brought forth, the third Family Head was still equivocating. What exactly was this woman thinking?

Isn’t this the perfect opportunity to strike at these families?

“Damn it, I’ve been set up; they’re dead set on making us take the fall!”

“Junior Brother, let’s break out. With our skills, we should still be able to escape the Eastern Sea.”

Liu Jinshui’s fleshy face trembled with extreme anger.

After all the preparation they had done, at the critical moment, the other side did nothing. If he had enough cultivation level, he would’ve already caused uproar throughout Aolai Country.

“Hehe, no need to hurry. I anticipated this situation.”

“Oh? What do you mean, Junior Brother?”

The group was somewhat puzzled.

“The Vice Leader’s target is not just the Situ Household that is apparent, she had long since seized control of their lifeblood and could have eradicated this cancer at any time. The reason she has refrained from acting is to lure out those families hiding even deeper, intending to wipe them all out in one fell swoop.”

“This time is no different; by using the affair of the masked man to relay messages to the Situ Household and its affiliated cultivators, she made us take the blame, all to draw out even bigger fish.”

“In other words, our sacrifice is all for her plan and the bigger picture. I fear that from the moment she dragged me into this trap, she had already figured out how to set me up.”

Li Xiaobai’s eyes flashed with a cold glint. After all, he was a guest brought back by the Vice Leader, and to be treated this way was unacceptable. Liuren was definitely not this cunning; it was all Master Rong pulling the strings from behind.

Even Liuren himself probably didn’t know the full scope of the plan.

“Damn it, these tacticians have the dirtiest hearts. That little wench is nothing good. Junior Brother, let’s call over Elder Tianwu and the helpers from the borderlands, and finish them off!”

Fifth Senior Brother Ling Feng’s expression was cold and dark as he spoke.

“Junior Brother, you’re saying that all this is within your expectations, and you already have a countermeasure?”

Ye Wushuang asked.

“Perhaps my fellow Senior Brothers and Sisters haven’t noticed yet, but at this very moment, we have already won.”

Suddenly, Li Xiaobai smiled. From the moment he distributed the Immortal Spirit Daily and sent out the masks and Inner Armors to the Situ Household, the scales of victory were already tipped in his favor.

Sit back and do nothing?

Remain inactive?

Want to watch the fire from across the shore and enjoy the drama?

Well good, the longer this is dragged out, the bigger the issue becomes, and in this affair, his own heroic image will become increasingly rooted in the hearts of the people.

This round is stirring up class relations, which has nothing to do with cultivation level. The common people are the foundation of a country, and if the foundation conflicts with these families, he didn’t believe the Punishment Hall would continue to sit idly by.

“Junior Brother, are you talking about the preparations you made last night?”

Ye Wushuang’s expression shifted as he asked.

“Correct. The news has already reached the hands of every citizen in Aolai Country. By now, they should have already responded to the call of the Immortal Spirit Daily and started making their way towards the city center. This time, the foundation of Aolai Country is shaking; I want to see how the Vice Leader continues to do nothing!”

“We just need to stand by and wait for the good news,” he added.

Li Xiaobai’s mouth curled into a cold sneer. Dare to lay a trap for him? He would surely pay them back a hundredfold.

You like to play dirty? Well, he didn’t care whether she was the Vice Leader’s sister or not, he would retaliate in kind.

…

At the same time, within the Situ Household.

Elder Wang and several other high-ranking Elders from the Punishment Hall were visiting the grand hall, and on the high platform, Patriarch Situ was all smiles. The news brought by the visitors put him in a very good mood.

He had not expected that the actions of one of their juniors against Li Xiaobai would lead to such a big series of events, and in the end, it was still Li Xiaobai who took the blame. His Situ Household’s reputation had significantly improved.

“Elder Wang, is the Great Elder truly having the Punishment Hall stand by and do nothing?”

“If that’s really the case, we can start rolling out many plans now, can’t we?” Patriarch Situ said with a smile.

“Heh, is that even a question? The Great Elder said it in front of everyone, this affair has been decided. The Vice Leader is determined to have Li Xiaobai take the fall, and his businesses like the Quality Shop and Tangneng First-class won’t be spared either.”

“Next, we can turn our sights toward the three big families. Let me congratulate the Situ Household in advance!”