Chapter 591: 592
Patriarch Situ was livid with rage, leading a group of Elders as they charged out of the great hall without further explanation.
Already having closed the doors and ignored the common people was a sign of their tolerance and concession, but to their astonishment, there were cultivators bold enough to destroy the ban on the door, which was a brazen act of defiance. Did they really think the Situ Household could be so easily bullied?
“Hmph, I really want to see who dares to violate our family’s sanctity,” snorted Patriarch Situ angrily, “Do they not wish to live?”
Fuming with anger, Patriarch Situ took the lead and burst forth.
“Exactly, a bunch of lowlifes daring to go too far, thinking our Situ Household fears these troublemakers?”
“Even ants dare to provoke the elephant. These troublemakers must have their wits obscured by lard!”
“Enough talk, let me take action. We’ll capture them all, and there will be peace eventually!”
The group of Elders followed closely behind, their faces equally colored with irritation. They had not been this angry even when they had been targeted by the Punishment Hall or by Li Xiaobai. Disputes among high-ranking cultivators, no matter what means were taken, they could accept.
But at this moment, a bunch of troublemaking commoners actually wanted to step on their heads too. They were simply treating the Situ Household with utter contempt.
The dignity of a great clan was not to be violated, and today these troublemakers must pay the price.
However, in the next second, everyone’s steps halted abruptly. There were no commoners at the gates, only a figure in treasured blue.
It was this single figure that caused the pupils of the Situ family members to constrict sharply, and the hair on their bodies to stand on end.
“Three… Great Family Head, why have you come?”
The voice of Patriarch Situ trembled slightly, as if he were treading on needles or had a fishbone in his throat.
“You were quite bold just now, saying that you were going to capture me. Why not take action now?”
Master Rong looked at the people in front of her with an amused, wry smile.
“Dare not, dare not. Just now we didn’t know it was you; we thought it was those troublemakers causing problems. We did not expect this matter to alarm the Great Family Head to come personally. Please, come inside the hall to talk!”
Patriarch Situ wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and quickly bowed as he spoke.
It would be a joke, to speak out of turn to the Great Family Head. If they angered the other party, not even ten heads would be enough to bear the consequences.
The group of Elders also trembled slightly in their hearts, making way for her, relieved that they hadn’t acted rashly before, which would have led to disaster.
Inside the hall, the host and guest took their seats.
The people from the Situ Household were uneasy, seeing that the face of the Great Family Head did not look very good. She probably came here to seek accountability for misdeeds.
“I presume it was the Great Family Head who dispersed those troublemakers from outside?”
Patriarch Situ asked tentatively.
“Indeed, I took care of it. The commoners have now returned to their respective hamlets to stand by. However, from Patriarch Situ’s words, it seems that you do not regard the commoners highly. May I ask, does the word ‘commoner’ exist in your family’s dictionary?”
Master Rong asked with an indifferent expression.
“No… dare not. Indeed, we were at fault initially, having offended the commoners of Aolai Country. I ask the Great Family Head to punish us,” said Patriarch Situ restlessly as sweat cascaded down.
“I hear that the scheme of disguising as masked men to frame and scapegoat others was your son’s idea?”
Master Rong sipped her tea leisurely, asking nonchalantly.
“Great Family Head, it was the younger generation’s rashness, acting without proper planning. I am willing to accept the punishment,” declared Situ Guixiong, collapsing to the ground with a thud, his eyes filled with fear and panic.
“Did I say I wanted to punish you?”
“What about those who were abducted? How are they now?”
Master Rong asked in a gentle voice.
“Reporting to the third Family Head, all is well; everyone captured has been placed in a secluded location and is in no danger.”
Situ Guixiong said hastily.
“That’s good. Tomorrow morning, I want to see all cultivators safely returned to their respective clans, and for the losses caused to each clan’s settlements, your Situ Household will compensate double. Do you have any objections?”
Master Rong asked.
“None at all, these are the things we ought to do!”
The Patriarch Situ nodded in agreement, feeling that the penalties were inconsequential compared to what he had anticipated.
“This time, your Situ Household has done an excellent job. My original plan was to use the grand competition on the stage to call out the Great Family Head in front of all the high-ranking clan members present and to redistribute the territories within Aolai Country.”
“At this critical moment, by you taking the lead in creating chaos, you have declared war on behalf of me against the Great Family Head and taken a stand to show your allegiance. I greatly appreciate your resoluteness.”
“There is no turning back once the work begins; I admire your resolve in making a last stand!”
“Not only you haven’t made a mistake, but you have also made a merit!”
Master Rong’s face cleared of its somber tone, smiling as she spoke.
“Third Family Head, my foolish son’s intentions were merely out of petty jealousy and without deep consideration. I’m afraid he might not truly grasp the significance of these events.”
The color drained from Patriarch Situ’s face as he felt an ominous premonition.
He felt they were about to be trapped.
In saying so, the third Family Head had directly stated the position of his Situ Household and had quietly cut off their retreat.
Take a stand?
Wasn’t this a demand for a complete break from the Great Family Head and his like?
If the third Family Head won, that might be acceptable, but if she lost, their only fate would be a dead end.
“Your thoughts are insignificant; the key is how the outside cultivators perceive this.”
“Your son has already taken a group of families to prove to the outside world that you are firmly on my side. It is precisely because of this that I will risk the great disapproval of the world to openly protect you. Do not disappoint me in the grand competition that is just a few days away.”
Master Rong said with a faint smile, her gaze sweeping over the people present, its implication clear without words.
“So, the third Family Head has already arranged everything?”
Patriarch Situ asked in a deep voice, his complexion turning an ashen hue, looking utterly displeased.
“Of course. You need not worry about the townspeople; I have already settled them down. Before the grand competition, there will be no disturbances.”
“What you all need to do is prepare well and not worry about anything. Our break from the Great Family Head is about to begin, and in this fight, we will greatly rely on the support of everyone present.”
Master Rong said with a smile.
“Cough cough, naturally, now who doesn’t know that my Situ Household is the most loyal clan under the third Family Head? On the day of the great contest, my clan will stand alongside others in support of the third Family Head!”
Patriarch Situ also said with a smile, but a cold glint passed through his eyes. If he had the strength of a Half-step Human Immortal, he would definitely fight this woman to the death.
With her maneuvering, the situation had indeed simplified, but his Situ Household was now irreversibly tied to the third Family Head’s vessel, without any other options.
This move had thwarted his scheming, pushing the Situ Household into the pit of fire.
Master Rong waved her hand and said with a delighted smile:
“Hehe, in that case, I’ll be counting on you. If the Situ Household faces any difficulties, feel free to come to me. Even if I am pointed at by a thousand men, I will ensure your safety!”
