Chapter 340: Chapter 340, Coercion
This is not all. After half a day, a message was somehow spread out, revealing that Zhi Hua had died from the Eagle Claw Technique of the Transformation Realm. This news caused an uproar in the entire Taihang Mountain Stronghold. Everyone knew that the only person capable of cultivating the Eagle Claw Technique to the Transformation Realm was the Second Village Chief, Xu Nian.
This message was disseminated by Chu Ming. He did this merely to add fuel to the fire and increase Xu Nian’s sense of urgency.
The prefect remained silent regarding this news, apparently acquiescing to it.
At a tavern in Taihang Mountain Stronghold, the second floor was packed with people. At this moment, the incident regarding Zhi Hua had already become a topic of conversation after meals.
"Hehe, now that Zhi Hua is dead, isn’t it certain that Xu Long will become the Great Village Chief? I have to say, the Great Village Chief played a good move!"
"Good move? I think he’s just inviting trouble. Now, everyone in Taihang Mountain Stronghold knows that Zhi Hua was killed by him. Do you think the Great Village Chief will let him go so easily?"
"That’s not necessarily true. The Great Village Chief is strong, but the Second Village Chief isn’t weak either. Moreover, he has secretly allied with many forces. If it really comes to a fight, it’s hard to say who will win."
"Shh, keep your voice down. If the prefect and Xu family’s people hear this, even if we have five heads, it wouldn’t be enough to chop off."
The martial artists at the same table immediately reminded them, and they all fell silent, lowering their heads to drink, not daring to speak any more.
By the window, a young man in a white robe was rubbing his wine cup with his right hand, listening to their conversation. A slight smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. Then he raised the cup and drank it all in one gulp.
This young man was Chu Ming. At this moment, he no longer needed to hide. The relationship between the Great Village Chief Zhi Buyou and the Second Village Chief Xu Nian had become extremely tense. It wouldn’t be long before it was his turn to make a move.
Compared to the prefect’s silence, the Xu family’s atmosphere was much tenser. In private, servants of the Xu family were discussing Xu Nian’s intention to leave Taihang Mountain Stronghold.
Even daring to kill the Great Village Chief’s son, isn’t this a sign?
In the main hall, Xu Nian, Tie Hu, and Lone Wolf were sitting separately. The entire hall was silent, unnervingly so.
"Second Brother, about Zhi Hua’s incident..."
Lone Wolf’s eyes flickered, his lips slightly moving, and he mumbled.
"Do you think I did it?"
Xu Nian asked in a deep voice. His heart was conflicted. On one hand, with Zhi Hua dead, Xu Long could use his reputation to become the Great Village Chief. But on the other hand, Zhi Hua had died at the hands of the Eagle Claw Technique of the Transformation Realm. Only he knew how difficult it was to cultivate the Eagle Claw Technique to the Transformation Realm.
He understood that the Great Village Chief Zhi Buyou hadn’t made a move against him yet, waiting for the right moment to strike with a single, lethal blow.
"Someone must have framed Second Brother. But what is this person aiming for?"
Lone Wolf wasn’t stupid. From what he knew about Xu Nian, if Xu Nian had something major planned, he would certainly discuss it with the two of them. Such an impulsive action did not fit Xu Nian’s character.
"Sigh, let’s not worry about this now. We need to think about how to deal with Big Brother!"
Tie Hu said worriedly. Although he wasn’t afraid of dying, he wanted to die for a worthy cause.
The Great Village Chief Zhi Buyou was at the Fifth Layer of Guiyuan Realm. Compared to their combined strength, they were far inferior. He estimated that in less than a hundred moves, Zhi Buyou would kill them all.
Lone Wolf frowned deeply. He had to come up with a strategy. Otherwise, once the Great Village Chief acted, they would almost certainly die.
His eyes inadvertently glanced at Xu Nian, whose face was full of conflict, seemingly about to speak but stopping short.
"Second Brother, just say whatever you have to say."
Lone Wolf said coldly.
"I do have an idea, but I’m not sure if I should say it."
Xu Nian’s face turned serious, and he sighed lightly. He was being pushed to the brink.
"Second Brother, go ahead. We’re in a life-and-death situation now. We have to try everything."
Tie Hu said gruffly. Lone Wolf also stared intently at Xu Nian.
"Rather than waiting for Big Brother to make a move, we should strike first!"
Xu Nian said in a deep voice, a glint of ruthlessness in his eyes.
As soon as he finished speaking, Tie Hu and Lone Wolf were both startled.
"Second Brother, are you crazy? The three of us are no match for Big Brother!"
Tie Hu said urgently, his eyes red. Lone Wolf’s eyes flickered, and a thought quietly formed in his mind, but he was waiting for Xu Nian’s answer.
"Big Brother is very formidable in Taihang Mountain Stronghold, but that doesn’t mean he has control over all Ten Kingdoms!"
Xu Nian said in a deep voice.
"Second Brother means to seek out Chu Ming?"
Lone Wolf asked slowly at this point.
"That’s right!"
Xu Nian nodded.
"But once we seek out Chu Ming, we will be locked in an unending conflict with Big Brother!"
Tie Hu was still unwilling to rely on external forces. The internal strife within Taihang Mountain Stronghold was a matter of internal affairs, but once they involved an outside power, they would undeniably be branded as traitors.
"Hehe, we considered him as our Big Brother, but when did he ever consider us his brothers? Did he consult us about the Demonic Organization hiding in Bianyuan Kingdom? For his selfish desires, he has dragged the entire Taihang Mountain Stronghold into danger. He no longer deserves to be our Big Brother."
Xu Nian said in a deep voice. Today, he laid everything out, ready to seek refuge with Snow Peak.
Upon hearing this, Lone Wolf and Tie Hu fell silent. Xu Nian was right. Over the years, Zhi Buyou’s actions had become increasingly excessive, gradually disregarding their opinions. Their influence in Taihang Mountain Stronghold was waning.
"When should we contact Chu Ming?"
After a stick of incense time, Lone Wolf seemed to have made a decision. He took a deep breath and asked slowly.
"Of course, the sooner, the better!"
Xu Nian nodded. Lone Wolf had agreed, and Tie Hu would most likely agree too.
Sure enough, not long after Xu Nian nodded, Tie Hu clenched his teeth and said in a deep voice.
"I agree too!"
"Alright, I will immediately arrange for someone to go to Snow Peak and explain the situation. Once we have the support of Snow Peak, Zhi Buyou won’t be a threat!"
Xu Nian squinted his eyes and said slowly.
...
On the third day after Zhi Hua’s death, Chu Ming left Taihang Mountain Stronghold and returned to Snow Peak.
At this moment, the situation in Taihang Mountain Stronghold had reached a critical point. According to his guess, in a few days, the Second Village Chief Xu Nian would surely send someone to pledge allegiance.
Sure enough, on the second day after Chu Ming returned to Snow Peak, a Vice Village Chief from Taihang Mountain Stronghold arrived at Snow Peak.
"Greetings, Lord Chu!"
The Vice Village Chief from Taihang Mountain Stronghold who came this time was named Xu Hui, a younger brother of Xu Nian. Only by sending his own brother could Xu Nian be assured.
"I wonder what brings Vice Village Chief Xu to Snow Peak this time?"
Although Chu Ming already knew everything clearly in his heart, he still asked.
Even if you’re acting, you must keep up the appearance.