Chapter 588: Chapter 589: The Procrastination Technique
In the grand hall of the Situ Household, the atmosphere was oppressively tense and frightening.

The Elders dared not even let out a breath, silent as frost cicadas, quietly retreating to one side, waiting for the Family Head’s next words.

Having experienced a series of targeted incidents had indeed left everyone breathless, but at this moment, Patriarch Situ had actually calmed down.

Li Xiaobai’s operations had certainly been unexpected, but they also presented an opportunity. The arrival of that expert from Central Province was imminent, and the Situ Household’s combat power would rise to a considerable degree. It was believed that by then, the Third Family Head would also seize this opportunity to overthrow the Great Family Head’s rule and establish a new faction.

“Guixiong, what the Immortal Spirit Daily reported, can you be sure it’s all clear and understood?”

Patriarch Situ sat on the high platform, asking with an indifferent expression.

“Clear, understood, Father, this time, your child was rash, underestimating Li Xiaobai’s energy and bringing disaster upon our Situ Household,” Situ Guixiong said with a pale face, clutching the Immortal Spirit Daily tightly in his hands, his voice somewhat shaking.

From beginning to end, he had been playing the clown, believing he had everything under control. In the end, the opponent had simply used his own tactics against him, effortlessly shattering his schemes, and incidentally pushing the Situ Household into the eye of the storm.

“Is it merely rashness? Did you lead an attack on various villages again last night?”

“Are you aware that Li Xiaobai spent last night inside the Punishment Hall?”

“Taking action at this critical moment, aren’t you just eagerly proving Li Xiaobai’s innocence?”

Patriarch Situ gave a cold snort, “Taking action without permission, this shows wanton arrogance. How can you bear the consequences and responsibilities for this oversight?”

“Your child knows his mistake; there won’t be a next time!”

Situ Guixiong’s heart trembled. He could not bear his own father’s anger, and indeed, this time he had almost led the Situ Household to an irreversible catastrophe.

“Indeed, there will be no next time. From today on, put an end to that framing and false accusation plan of yours. You are not to make Li Xiaobai your enemy again. I will handle the matters that follow.”

“Yes, your child understands!”

“Furthermore, have you ever touched the personal clothing of the Old Dragon King’s granddaughter of the Eastern Sea? Why would this Inner Armor appear at the entrance of our Situ Household?”

Patriarch Situ threw out a piece of azure Inner Armor, crystal clear, and emitting a faint enchanting fragrance that was captivating.

Even without regarding its style and color, but merely by its fragrance, Situ Guixiong recognized at a glance that it belonged to Long Xue, whom he had been yearning for day and night.

The scent on it was something he would never forget in his lifetime, and as a regular at the tea parties, he naturally recognized the Inner Armor. It was Long Xue’s favorite piece, yet he had never imagined it would end up in the hands of his own Family Head.

“This was also a setup by Li Xiaobai, framing us in Linglong Pagoda for the theft of the Mermaid’s Essence from the Eastern Sea!” Situ Guixiong blurted out with eyes full of indignant expression.

This Inner Armor had been thrown in front of the Situ Household along with a face mask. Apart from Li Xiaobai, no second person could be found responsible, and in Linglong Pagoda, the suspicion had been greatest on him. Thinking this way, every key point fell neatly into place.

“Hmph, what of it? The other party is meticulous in their actions, unlike you, who leaves flaws and gives others something to leverage. Now, unless the Third Family Head intervenes, we must not act rashly!”

Patriarch Situ said coldly, Li Xiaobai was controlling the narrative and was not someone he could face in terms of scheming. If they wanted to press down with force, they needed the Third Family Head’s consent first.

“Patriarch, how should we deal with the commoners? Informants within our clan have sent messages, many villagers have already entered the city, heading straight for the Punishment Hall and the Situ Household. I fear we have been pushed into the public eye to bear their anger.”

An Elder commented at the side that the current situation was not optimistic. The Situ Household had always been one to forcefully break through impasses, but such strong-handed measures were absolutely inadmissible under these circumstances, leaving everyone feeling anxious.

“What should be done?”

“They’re just a bunch of troublesome peasants. If they want to come, then let them come. Issue the order that the clan’s main gates shall remain firmly shut, to be opened only with a command!”

“Let those penniless troublemakers try their luck!”

Patriarch Situ sneered, commenting indifferently that even if ordinary people had some cultivation, they were merely at the Qi Cultivation Stage or Foundation Establishment Stage. As long as the Situ Household kept its gates firmly closed, it would be an impregnable wall of copper and iron for the masses.

There was absolutely no need to worry. If the people wanted to make trouble, then let them. If their ruckus grew, the third in command would come out to deal with it.

By the time word got out to Central Province, the Situ Household would completely possess the bargaining chip needed to converse and negotiate with the clans, and even those in power would not dare to dispose of him randomly.

“Understood!”

“We shall immediately make the arrangements!”

“Opening just a corner of the family’s great magical formation will be sufficient to fend off the disturbance of the masses.”

The group of Elders responded promptly, quickly dispersing to assign their tasks.

Meanwhile.

Inside the Punishment Hall.

In a side room.

A group of Elders paced anxiously at the door, fretting like ants on a hot pan, waiting for the outcome of the Great Elder’s negotiations with the other party.

“Ahem, Young Master Li, did you rest well last night?”

The Great Elder forced a slightly stiff smile and looked towards the few people inside the room as he spoke.

“The residence arranged by the Great Elder was, of course, extremely satisfactory. Thanks to the Great Elder’s blessing, I even heard the magpies chirping outside my window early this morning, suggesting that a verdict has been reached regarding yesterday’s events?”

Li Xiaobai spoke with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile, his tone indicating that he had full control over the affair. The situation had been stirred into such chaos that the Punishment Hall couldn’t stay out of it, and certainly couldn’t allow him, the instigator, to remain uninvolved; it had no choice but to proactively seek help.

“Hehe, Young Master Li can rest assured. The situation has been reported accurately, and I believe the Great Family Head will have made a decision by now.”

“News should arrive soon, but the article Young Master published in the ‘Immortal Spirit Daily’ has truly caused a great stir. Now people from all over Aolai Country have risen and are heading towards the city center. The situation is subtly becoming uncontrollable, and we would like to ask Young Master Li to step forward and appease the masses for the time being.”

The Great Elder spoke earnestly.

“Great Elder, you’re not being very honorable. You promised to give us an answer before today, but the agreed time has long passed. You’re not planning on delaying, are you?”

Liu Jinshui was unhappy, speaking bluntly and hitting the Great Elder right in the spine.

“Indeed, we’re not afraid of a delaying tactic. We’re not Aolai Country cultivators, we can simply leave afterward. But Aolai Country will suffer. Every second of delay could make the situation worse.”

Yang Chen immediately chimed in, his words carrying a sarcastic tone.

“Yes, indeed, you have to follow rules in doing things. If you’re not righteous, you can’t blame us for not being just.”