212: Chapter 212: You want to break me out of prison?

The Zhou Family Manor, the Discussion Hall.

The hall was spacious and bright. In the center sat a purple sandalwood armchair, its back carved with a lifelike, fierce tiger.

Four mahogany chairs were arranged on each side, their armrests polished and smooth from use.

One could tell at a glance that these were antiques used for over a hundred years.

The current Patriarch of the Zhou Family, Zhou Tianba, sat upright in the central chair, holding a cup of spiritual tea. The tea was a clear green, emitting a faint, refreshing fragrance.

He appeared to be in his early fifties, with a dignified face, thick eyebrows, and large eyes.

His black hair was tied back and secured with a golden hairpin.

Most surprising were Zhou Tianba's eyes; they were very bright, with faint flickers of fire swirling within his pupils.

That was a sign of having Cultivated the Zhou Family's ancestral Cultivation Technique, the Raging Fire True Scripture, to an extremely profound Realm.

At the Early Body Integration Stage, the Zhou Family was considered one of the top powers in the Sword Qi Great Wall, second only to the City Lord's Mansion.

Standing behind him was an old man in black with a withered face.

He was the Zhou Family's Head Steward, Zhou An, at the Peak Soul Transformation Stage. He had been with the Zhou Family for over a hundred years, was fiercely loyal, and deeply trusted by Zhou Tianba.

He stood there motionless, not even blinking, like a stone statue.

Seated on the chairs on both sides of the hall were several Elders of the Zhou Family.

Grand Elder Zhou Tianyun, Second Elder Sect Master Zhou Tianxing, Third Elder Zhou Tianfeng, and Fourth Elder Zhou天 thunder.

All four were in the Void Refinement Stage, each possessing a deep Aura that weighed on the hall like four great mountains.

Some were resting with their eyes closed, some were slowly sipping tea, some were looking down at Jade Slips in their hands, and others were staring blankly out the window.

The atmosphere in the hall was as calm as a pool of stagnant water.

Suddenly, a servant ran in frantically, his steps stumbling as he nearly tripped over the threshold.

"Patriarch! Something terrible has happened!"

The servant fell to his knees with a thud, his voice trembling.

Zhou Tianba set down his teacup, his brow furrowing slightly. "What is it? Why are you in such a panic? Where are your manners?"

The servant swallowed hard, his voice shaking. "Patriarch... the eldest Young Master... he was beaten by the Patrol Guard!"

Zhou Tianba's gaze sharpened, and the temperature in the hall suddenly plummeted.

The several Elders looked up simultaneously, their eyes falling upon the servant.

"Speak clearly."

Zhou Tianba's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an unquestionable authority, like muffled thunder rolling through the hall.

The servant wiped the sweat from his forehead and quickly said,

"The eldest Young Master had a conflict with the Zheng Family at the Zuixian Restaurant and trashed the restaurant."

"The new Patrol Guard Captain, Xiao Ran, arrested the eldest Young Master and... and even used the Soul-Scattering Whip on him!"

"Fifty lashes! The eldest Young Master is now covered in blood and unconscious!"

Bang!

The moment the words left his mouth,

Zhou Tianba slammed his palm onto the side table, which shattered instantly.

His eyes were filled with fury, and his Aura surged. The pressure of a Body Integration Stage expert pressed down like a mountain, causing the air in the hall to freeze.

"Xiao Ran? An outsider Patrol Guard Captain dares to lay a hand on someone from my Zhou Family?"

"What kind of thing does he think he is?"

Zhou Tianba's voice was cold as frost, every word as sharp as a knife.

Grand Elder Zhou Tianyun set down his teacup and spoke slowly, "Patriarch, please calm your anger."

"This Xiao Ran is the Loose Cultivator who saved the Monster Hunting Team a few days ago. It's said he holds a city lords token and was personally appointed as the Patrol Guard Captain by the City Lord."

"He has the City Lord backing him; he won't be easy to deal with."

Zhou Tianba snorted coldly. "A city lords token? Does a city lords token give him the right to beat my Zhou Family members at will?"

"My Zhou Family has operated in the Sword Qi Great Wall for over a thousand years. Why would we fear an upstart brat from the outside?"

Hearing this, Second Elder Sect Master Zhou Tianxing stood up and cupped his hands.

"Patriarch, I will go to the Patrol Guard and bring Zhou Xian back."

His voice was calm, but his eyes were full of killing intent.

Zhou Tianba looked at him, remained silent for a moment, and then nodded.

"Go. Warn that Xiao Ran that members of the Zhou Family are not people he can touch."

Sect Master Zhou Tianxing nodded, turned, and strode out of the hall.

Third Elder Zhou Tianfeng watched his departing back and shook his head. "Second Brother's temper is still as impulsive as ever."

Fourth Elder Zhou Tian thunder said indifferently, "What's there to fear from being impulsive? An Nascent Soul Early Stage brat—Second Brother could crush him with a single finger."

Grand Elder Zhou Tianyun picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said nothing.

But a hint of worry flashed in his eyes.

He wasn't worried about Sect Master Zhou Tianxing, but rather about that Xiao Ran.

Someone who could obtain a city lords token was not simple.

...

Outside the Patrol Guard Prison.

Two Patrol Guards stood at the entrance, chatting idly out of boredom.

One was young, and the other was older.

The young one was called Xiao Zhao, at the Nascent Soul Early Stage, having recently joined the Patrol Guard.

He was full of energy, thinking about earning merits all day long.

The older one was called Old Qian, at the Late Nascent Soul Stage. He had been in the Patrol Guard for over a decade and had seen much of the world, his sharp edges long since worn smooth.

"Old Qian, do you think Captain Xiao really dared to beat someone from the Zhou Family?"

Xiao Zhao asked in a low voice, his eyes full of curiosity.

Old Qian glanced at him and sighed.

"Dared? Hasn't he already done it? Fifty lashes from the Soul-Scattering Whip is no joke."

"Even if Zhou Xian doesn't die this time, he'll have to shed a layer of skin."

Xiao Zhao clicked his tongue. "Isn't Captain Xiao afraid of the Zhou Family's retaliation?"

Old Qian shook his head. "Afraid of what? He has the city lords token in his hand and the City Lord standing behind him."

"No matter how big the Zhou Family is, can they be bigger than the City Lord?"

Xiao Zhao nodded thoughtfully.

Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly saw a group of people approaching from a distance.

Leading them was a white-haired old man with a lean face and sharp eyes.

His Aura was as deep as an abyss, making people feel a sense of oppression even from afar.

Behind him followed a dozen men in black, each with a strong Aura, the weakest being at the Early Stage of Spirit Severing.

They were lined up in a row, aggressive and imposing, as if they were coming to raid a house.

"Oh no! The Zhou Family is here!"

Xiao Zhao's expression changed, and he quickly nudged Old Qian.

Old Qian narrowed his eyes. Once he saw the face of the leader, his expression changed as well.

"It's the Zhou Family's Second Elder, Sect Master Zhou Tianxing! A powerhouse of the Void Refinement Stage! Quick, go report to Captain Xiao!"

Xiao Zhao turned and ran, bolting into the courtyard.

Old Qian took a deep breath and braced himself to meet them, blocking the entrance and cupping his hands.

"Elder Zhou, you are..."

Sect Master Zhou Tianxing stopped and looked down at him, his eyes filled with contempt.

"Step aside."

Old Qian swallowed and forced himself to say,

"Elder Zhou, this is the Patrol Guard Prison. No one is allowed entry without the Captain's orders."

Sect Master Zhou Tianxing sneered and waved his hand, a gust of powerful wind knocking Old Qian to the ground.

Old Qian crashed to the ground, coughing up blood.

"A mere Patrol Guard dares to block me?"

Sect Master Zhou Tianxing didn't even spare him a glance as he strode into the courtyard.

The men in black followed in single file, their footsteps making the ground tremble.

In the courtyard.

Several Patrol Guards saw Sect Master Zhou Tianxing barge in with a group and were so frightened they quickly hid to the side.

Sect Master Zhou Tianxing scanned the courtyard, his gaze landing on the entrance to the prison, a cold sneer curling his lips.

"Xiao Ran, come out."