"A bunch of lunatics!"
Looking at the ruins before him, Ji Yuan felt all his composure vanish in an instant!
Beside him, Elder Hong Tian and others wore grim expressions, their eyes burning with anger!
Who could have imagined that those lunatics from the Shen Xuan Sect would dare to act within the county city?
The vast Qian family manor was now more than seventy to eighty percent destroyed.
As many as thirty to forty people had suffered undeserved disaster as a result.
"Someone must have been assisting them from the shadows!"
Qian Ni Chang said with a pale face.
Without assistance, with the strength of the Shen Xuan Sect members, it would have been impossible for them to escape so easily after causing such destruction. kuAiδugg
Did they take the County Governor's mansion and the tens of thousands of great formations in the county city as mere decorations?
"Those lunatics cooperated with someone in the County Governor's mansion."
Ji Yuan's face was somber.
He hadn't expected that while he intended to lure the snake out of its hole, the other party also had plans for a diversion.
The cultivators of the Shen Xuan Sect, at some unknown time, had formed ties with certain powerful individuals. They had seized the opportunity while he was ambushing them outside the county city to launch a surprise attack on Qian Ni Chang.
If she hadn't been of considerable cultivation and possessed various treasures on her person,
and if she hadn't had the old woman and another three-realm martial artist by her side.
She might have fallen victim to those lunatics by now!
Even so, the Qian family manor was largely destroyed, and the maids and household servants suffered heavy casualties.
Fortunately, this was not the Qian family's ancestral home, and aside from Qian Ni Chang, no other Qian family members resided here.
Otherwise, a single attack would have resulted in devastating losses for the entire Qian family.
"Why would they do this?"
Lin Yu Bai gritted his teeth, unable to fathom the reason.
In his opinion, the Qian family had little to do with this matter, and even if they sought revenge, there was no reason to act in such a manner.
"Hmph, they want to sever my arm and make other factions reconsider whether they should maintain close ties with me."
Ji Yuan sneered, understanding the intentions of those lunatics.
Their actions, besides attempting to assassinate Qian Ni Chang and cut off his greatest support in the county city,
were also to display the strength of the Shen Xuan Sect and deter other factions.
To make some people hesitant to associate closely with him or maintain any connections.
Otherwise, they would be targeted by three-realm cultivators who dared to carry out open attacks and killings within the county city!
Furthermore, they were connected to powerful figures, allowing them to escape unscathed and unpursued even after violating the law!
"They call themselves lunatics, yet they are more shrewd than anyone when it comes to planning!"
Cui Ying Hong snorted coldly.
The cultivators of the Shen Xuan Sect were called lunatics by outsiders, but when it came to planning, their schemes were intricately woven.
It now seemed that this reputation was likely intentionally cultivated by them to create a false impression, causing enemies to become careless when facing them.
"They are also demonstrating their strength to us."
Ji Yuan retracted his gaze, his mind having largely deduced their intentions.
Before long, Tie Xiong Xin of the Shan He Gang and Xu Lin of the Ming Jian Division departed.
The others returned to the Ming Xin Xuan.
Although the Qian family had other properties in the county city, none were as secure as the Ming Xin Xuan.
After all, even with the Qian family manor's multiple great formations and the presence of three three-realm experts, it was still largely destroyed.
Even if other locations were prepared meticulously, they would likely suffer a similar fate if attacked.
Therefore, they could only choose the Ming Xin Xuan, which possessed more formations and stronger defenses.
However, as soon as they arrived at the grand entrance of the main hall, they saw that someone was already waiting.
It was a chief shopkeeper from the Zhuang family, accompanied by three to five shop assistants from the Zhuang family.
"What is the meaning of this?"
Cui Ying Hong raised an eyebrow, a sharp glint in her eyes.
She was naturally aware of the internal workings of the Ming Xin Xuan and instinctively assumed that the Zhuang family intended to bar them from entry.
However, Qian Ni Chang, Ji Yuan, and even Elder Hong Tian and the others, immediately understood the Zhuang family's intentions.
They intended to 'send charcoal in the snow'!
The few exchanged glances, a hint of a smile flashing in their eyes.
Indeed, with the Zhuang family's resources, they would not fear a few three-realm cultivators from the Shen Xuan Sect.
After all, no matter how powerful their sect was, it did not belong to Ling Yang Prefecture.
"The Grand Proprietor has ordered us to obey the Second Proprietor's arrangements."
The chief shopkeeper of the Zhuang family, with a respectful expression, handed over two jade talismans.
These were symbols of the Ming Xin Xuan's proprietorship and the core of controlling the shop's grand formations.
There were a total of three jade talismans; the Qian and Zhuang families each held one, with the remaining one normally kept in the shop.
The Zhuang family's actions were equivalent to handing over complete control of the Ming Xin Xuan.
For the jade talismans not only controlled the formations of this place but also directly mobilized all the forces and resources belonging to the Ming Xin Xuan.
"The Zhuang family's actions are truly generous!"
As soon as they ascended to the private room on the top floor, Cui Ying Hong couldn't help but exclaim, "And their courage is immense!"
To relinquish all authority at once, were they not afraid of them failing?
If they were to fall to the Shen Xuan Sect, it would mean the end of everything; no matter how talented or full of potential they were, without the opportunity to grow, it would all be in vain.
However, Ji Yuan chuckled, his expression filled with a hint of knowing amusement.
"The Zhuang family appears to be gambling, presenting themselves as offering help in times of need."
"But in reality, they know better than anyone that the Shen Xuan Sect might be a troublemaker, but it will never pose a significant danger."
"They can make us remember their immense favor with virtually no substantive cost."
He leaned back against the chair, slowly revealing the Zhuang family's entire plan.
Hearing this, Cui Ying Hong's lips twitched. So, this was essentially a risk-free transaction!
While it seemed like they were temporarily handing over all authority, allowing free access to any resources.
In reality, for every bit they used, they would have to return double in the future.
And even if they used nothing, this favor would still be owed.
Regardless, the Zhuang family would ultimately be the biggest winner.
After all, with their connections to the County Governor's mansion and the Ming Jian Division, it would be difficult for a few three-realm cultivators to accomplish anything substantial.
Even though they originated from the Shen Xuan Sect, their sect was a force within Zhong Yuan Prefecture and could not extend its reach into Ling Yang Prefecture.
Not to mention that Ji Yuan and Elder Hong Tian had the powerful Nine Xuan Sect as their backing.
From any perspective, they were in an advantageous position.
Even if unexpected events occurred, at most, they would incur some losses; their own lives would certainly not be in danger.
"This is rather troublesome."
Elder Hong Tian said teasingly, "Since they have offered such a generous gift, should we use it or not?"
The jade talismans, representing the full authority of the Ming Xin Xuan, could mobilize all resources and forces.
If they were to use it, they would inevitably have to return double in the future.
But if they didn't, it would seem like a waste of their 'good intentions'.