138: Killing is coming (asking for monthly ticket)

Inside the Li Family manor, it was exceptionally lively at this moment.

Night had not yet fallen, but inside the manor, servants holding lamps hurried with small steps, their figures swaying as they walked through the connecting corridors, lighting up every corner of the estate.

From time to time, sounds of clinking cups, boisterous laughter, and unrestrained revelry could be heard from rooms along the corridors.

A door suddenly opened.

A man, with a dissolute figure and an open shirt, pulled a passing servant girl and slapped her ample bottom.

The servant girl shrieked, looking flustered, while the man turned his head and burst into wild laughter at those inside.

"Third Young Master, this one's cries are pleasant to hear; I'll take her."

Inside, the banquet was in full swing, with cups and plates scattered about in disarray. A Young Master, dressed in open robes, with sinister eyes and a depraved demeanor, was embracing two women, one on each side. The woman in his arms was completely naked, her eyes filled with terror, yet she dared not show the slightest defiance.

"Reward him!" The Young Master burst out laughing.

He then turned his head, his sinister eyes glinting with a smile, and looked at a woman beside him, caressing her smooth cheek. He clicked his tongue, while the woman, tears welling in her eyes, trembled with fear, trying to pull away in resistance, crying pitifully: "Young Master... please... please let me go. My child is still in swaddling clothes at home, and my husband is waiting for me to return..."

Before she could finish her sentence, a painful shriek of "Ah!" escaped her lips, her fair Face contorted, and she let out a tragic cry.

The Third Young Master of the Li Family, with a fierce glint in his eyes, yanked the woman's hair, then grabbed a wine pot from the table, shoved its spout into her mouth, and forcefully poured the wine down her throat.

The woman wailed and struggled, but he held her down tightly, his Face contorted into a malevolent grin as he sneered, "Didn't anyone tell you when you came? Your husband and your son are both dead. I had them killed, hehe. Aren't you happy to hear that? Just be obedient."

As he spoke, his expression grew increasingly excited, and he couldn't help but apply more force with his hand.

Slowly, the woman's screams ceased, and her struggling hands fell limp.

Seeing this, the Third Young Master of the Li Family casually tossed the corpse aside, the pleasure in his eyes causing his eyelids to twitch rapidly. He then let out a long breath and turned his gaze to the other side.

The other woman, meeting his gaze for that instant, was so terrified that tears streamed down her Face, and she frantically shook her head, then nodded.

"Obedient... I'll be obedient!"

Only then did the Third Young Master of the Li Family reveal a satisfied smile, and then he spoke, "Pour the wine."

The woman tremblingly filled the wine cup in front of him. At this moment, the Third Young Master of the Li Family raised the wine cup in front of him, looking at the dozen or so people seated around the table with an evil expression.

"Gentlemen, this Young Master has always valued talent the most."

"All of you are local heroes both inside and outside the Pass."

"Now that a new era has dawned, and heroes are rising in the Jianghu, my Li Family is sharpening its blades. I humbly ask for your assistance."

"As long as you are willing to follow us, the Li Family will never treat you unfairly. Gold, silver, women, Medicinal Pills, and treasures will all be at your disposal."

"Cheers!"

At this moment, the dozen or so people at the table, of various heights, weights, and eccentricities, dismissed the women serving them and burst into hearty laughter.

"Young Master's spirit soars to the clouds; we have always looked up to you. Now that your esteemed Family occupies the East City and possesses astonishing strength, having even driven out those fellows from the Sky Patrol Division, it is truly gratifying! We are naturally willing to follow you."

"Exactly! This old man has endured those Sky Patrol Division fellows for too long. Your esteemed Family has truly helped us vent our frustrations. When your Family raises its arm, heroes from all corners of the Jianghu will surely come to respond."

"Haha, cheers!"

"......"

Just as this group of people were clinking cups and drinking heartily, along a long corridor in the Li manor, a robust man with a scar near his eye, dressed in black tight-fitting clothes, hurried towards a flying-eaved pavilion in the center of the manor.

It seemed he had an urgent matter!

As this man passed by that door, he heard some commotion and glanced inside, seeing the absurd scene within. He couldn't help but frown.

Just a bunch of Jianghu rabble, sycophants, yet they were allowed to step through the Li manor's gates.

The Third Young Master should just play with his women; why get involved in these matters?

However, thinking of the news he had just received, his brow twitched slightly, and he did not stop his steps, heading straight for the pavilion in the center of the mansion.

Soon, he arrived in front of the Li manor's main hall.

This building had flying eaves and upturned corners, vermilion lacquer, and glazed tiles. In front of the door were steps made of white marble, and between the beams and pillars were carved various exquisite patterns, exuding luxury and grandeur.

The scarred Hunter ascended the steps. Just as he was about to enter, a sound of furious anger came from inside, followed closely by cries of agony.

"Your Li Family is going too far... *sob*"

As the words fell, a figure was sent flying out of the main hall, crashing heavily against a pillar outside the hall that two people could barely embrace.

A middle-aged man, dressed in a green brocade robe with floral patterns, landed on the ground, and with a "Waaah," he spewed blood from his mouth. He clutched his chest, his Face twisted in pain, but his eyes held fury. He pointed at the inside of the main hall, his blood-soaked lips parting as if to say something.

But the next second, a streak of cold light shot forth, directly piercing through the man's chest.

The middle-aged man's pupils suddenly widened, and he let out a rapid, brief wheezing sound from his throat. Then his hand fell, his body slumped, and he breathed his last.

At this moment, several strong Hunters walked out of the main hall and quickly carried the body away.

The scarred Hunter watched this scene indifferently, then stepped into the main hall.

At this moment, there were many people in the main hall, and the atmosphere was heavy. The air was filled with the scent of blood, and there were still many crimson bloodstains on the floor.

On both sides of the main hall, many people were seated. These people were all dressed in splendid brocade and exuded an extraordinary aura, but at this moment, most of them had grim, volatile expressions and agitated auras.

These Faces belonged to several small and medium-sized Families and School forces from the East City.

The Li Family had set up a Hongmen Banquet, forcing them to submit to the Li Family. Some were unyielding, and the result was just like the person earlier, who was directly killed.

Most people were shocked and enraged. The Li Family wanted to rebel; this was simply blatant robbery and bullying.

For a moment, they all glared angrily at a man seated on the main seat, with apricot-shaped eyes and a faint sneer on his lips.

And as the scarred Hunter quickly stepped in, he interrupted the tense atmosphere.

"Eldest Young Master, your subordinate has an urgent matter to report and wishes to see the Family Head!"

After the scarred Hunter entered, he bowed, cupped his hands, and spoke respectfully.

The Li Family's Eldest Young Master, seeing the interruption, couldn't help but frown.

"Father is currently meeting an important guest. Wait first!"

Saying that, he waved his hand, signaling him to wait aside.

The scarred Hunter was a bit anxious and wanted to continue speaking.

But then he saw the Eldest Young Master's brow furrow, a sharp glint shooting from his eyes, and he said coldly, "Didn't you see that this Young Master is busy?"

Seeing that he had angered the Eldest Young Master, the scarred subordinate's lips moved, and he reluctantly retreated to the side.

However, at this moment, he was thinking, it should be fine if the news about what happened in the South City is reported a bit later, right?

Seeing this ignorant Family servant retreat, the Li Family's Eldest Young Master snorted coldly. The esteemed guest from the main Family in the manor should be watching him and his father deal with these disobedient fellows from the East City. He couldn't mess this up. Thinking this, his sharp gaze swept over the others in the main hall, and he sneered.

"How have you all considered it?"

"My patience is limited!"

At this moment, on the second floor of the pavilion, two people stood by a window, observing everything in the main hall.

One of them, with bright, piercing eyes, eyebrows shaped like the character 'eight,' a body nine feet tall and silvery, around thirty-four or thirty-five years old, dressed in a parrot-green silk battle robe, spoke with a smile:

"Your esteemed Family's Eldest Young Master is truly impressive in appearance and handles matters with remarkable composure. I believe he will surely inherit the mantle of the Li Family Head in the future!"

Beside him, another person with deep-set eyes and raised eyebrows, a slightly crooked mouth, and a beard that curled upwards, dressed in a round-necked crimson brocade robe with flying clouds, laughed heartily upon hearing this:

"Brother Yuan flatters me. Among my useless sons, this one is the only one who gives me less worry, but he's merely passable. He has enough sharpness, but his handling of this matter is not smooth enough. To subdue these fellows, one must use both kindness and coercion, win over some, suppress others, and these fools will naturally not dare to make a fuss."

As he spoke, the man snorted coldly, and a murderous glint flickered in his eyes.

This man was none other than the current Head of the Li Family, Li Wanhao!

And the one beside him was a Family retainer sent by the main Family from the Central Plains outside the Pass, named Yuan Lie.

Although the other party was merely a Family retainer, he was a master of the Fourth Heavenly Gate Dao Soldier Realm, and he came from the main Family. Li Wanhao showed no neglect, treating him as a distinguished guest.

Yuan Lie's eyes curved into a slight smile: "What Family Head Li said is indeed true, but ultimately, they are just a rabble, incapable of stirring up any significant waves. If they truly refuse to obey, then killing them is all there is to it. The main Family sent me this time precisely to help Family Head Li clear obstacles and stabilize his position in the East City!"

"Haha, Brother Yuan is truly noble! With Brother Yuan joining us, it will be like adding wings to a tiger!" Li Wanhao laughed heartily, then, as if thinking of something, a cold sneer appeared on his Face: "The other two Families feigned obedience, but after dragging this Family Head into the water, they wanted to cast me aside. How could there be such a good thing in this world? How could the fat meat already in one's mouth be spit out? So, I contacted the main Family, and I never expected the main Family to send such an expert as Brother Yuan!"

"After receiving the news, the main Family attaches great importance to this matter. This Tianxiong Pass connects to all directions, is located in a dangerous area, and is easy to defend but difficult to attack. It is an excellent fortress. Now, the Central Plains is not very peaceful, and the main Family, being prepared for danger in times of peace, also needs to consider a retreat." Yuan Lie's gaze deepened.

"The main Family must be far-sighted and resourceful." Li Wanhao nodded upon hearing this, then frowned: "It's just the Sky Patrol Division, they're a bit troublesome!"

Yuan Lie's eyebrows slightly arched, and he dismissed it with a smile, "So what? If the main Family's Lord truly speaks, even the Zhenmo General here will have to show some Face! Moreover, they also have to guard the Southwest barrier and dare not easily extricate themselves."

Li Wanhao's spirits immediately lifted upon hearing this. He knew that Yuan Lie's words were not spoken casually; they must have been instructed by the main Family.

"Haha, then our Li branch will..."

His laughter had not completely faded when sudden commotion came from outside.

Sounds of panic and hurried footsteps gradually drifted into the main hall.

"It's not good!"

"Soldiers are attacking!"

"Quickly notify the Family Head!"

Soon, the commotion grew loud, echoing throughout the entire Li manor.

Inside the main hall, everyone's expressions varied, and Li Wanhao's Face darkened!

... ...

"Bang!"

With a loud crash, a vermilion gate, three zhang tall, collapsed, sending dust flying.

A brawny Hunter, his Face filled with terror, narrowly dodged the falling gate and looked back.

Amidst the dust, a large horse leaped into the air, and above it, an iron pagoda glinted with a chilling cold light. A long saber was raised high, its blade shimmering with a fierce cold light, growing larger and larger in the brawny Hunter's eyes.

"No!" The brawny Hunter cried out in horror, a shriek escaping his throat.

The next second,

"Pfft!"

A terrified head flew high into the air.

Following closely, the main entrance rumbled and vibrated.

Amidst the rolling dust, horses neighed, and streams of Black Armored Soldiers surged in through the broken gate!

Outside the Li Family's main gate, a woman sat on the ground, her Face splattered with crimson bloodstains, staring blankly ahead.

A head rolled to a stop in front of her.

Several headless corpses lay around her.

The Hunters who had captured her were all there.

She raised her eyes, looked at the soldiers who had burst through the gate, and then burst into wailing sobs.

Just then, a furious roar came from inside the Li manor.

A man with disheveled clothes, drunkenly leading a group of recently recruited Jianghu heroes, rushed out.

Looking at the tall horses and Black Armored cavalry not far away, his head surged forward!

"How audacious!"

"You dogs from the Sky Patrol Division, how dare you come to my doorstep!"

"Kill them!"

As soon as he spoke, the leader of the Black Armored Soldiers opposite him, a pair of eyes beneath his helmet, shot out a fierce light.

His long saber suddenly slashed down!

A thin white line shot forth, its momentum astonishing.

And as the saber struck, the group of rabble who had been surrounding the man instantly sobered up from their intoxication, scrambling to get out of the way.

And that Young Master, his gloomy eyes suddenly widened.

"You..."

The next second, a thin line of blood appeared on his body, and then he exploded with a bang.