Damn it, they're like a persistent ghost! Won't give up until they get what they want?
Zhang Yuanqing gritted his teeth inwardly, feeling utterly helpless, but forced a polite, gentle smile onto his face.
"Mr. Xiahou, is there anything else?"
Xiahou Xin sat upright, tilting his head slightly to look at Zhang Yuanqing by the roadside. He spoke warmly, "We couldn't discuss everything at the Public Security Bureau earlier. If you're willing to help us lure out Wang Qian, I'll gift you an artifact as a token of gratitude. Moreover, the Xiahou Family wields considerable influence within the Five Elements Alliance. With your talent and our backing, you're sure to rise through the ranks swiftly."
Beside him, Xiahou Tianyuan leaned lazily against the leather seat, playing with his phone, his earlier arrogance and volatility from the office completely gone.
Zhang Yuanqing paused, realizing the father-son duo had only made demands at the Public Security Bureau without mentioning any compensation because they never intended to negotiate there.
Was it because Guan Ya and Li Dongze were present, so they were just testing the waters? Now they're offering an artifact in exchange, trying to create a contrast and surprise me? he mused inwardly.
"Mr. Xiahou, please don't put me, a mere nobody, in such a difficult position," Zhang Yuanqing politely declined. "My Chief's stance is my own. I can't afford to offend the Palace of Ceasing Slaughter."
Xiahou Xin gazed at him steadily, his expression unchanging, and slowly said, "Two items!"
As expected of a Scholar family, they're truly wealthy, Zhang Yuanqing thought to himself. The Xiahou Family's profession was Scholar—high-level Scholars who possessed the skill to craft magical items, much like blacksmiths in a game.
Although creating such items was costly due to material and skill requirements, the Xiahou Family's mastery of forging gave them an unparalleled advantage over other factions.
This was why they had remained unshaken for so long, their influence extending deep into the Taiyi Sect and the Five Elements Alliance.
"I'm sorry!" Zhang Yuanqing shook his head, preparing to leave with his bicycle.
In the next moment, the wheels seemed to be stuck. He looked down and saw emerald-green Green Vines coiling around them like chains, emerging from the bicycle lane.
Xiahou Xin said calmly, "Tianyuan, take his phone."
Xiahou Tianyuan smirked, pushed open the car door, and placed a dreamlike crystal orb on the roof.
Instantly, Zhang Yuanqing felt an invisible membrane envelop the surroundings. The cars and pedestrians outside distorted, and external sounds were completely cut off.
His expression darkened slightly. "You..."
This is far too domineering.
Xiahou Tianyuan licked his lips and sauntered forward, sneering, "Primordial Heavenly Venerable, I heard you cleared two S-rank spirit realms and the Officials' Walkers hail you as a genius. How convenient! This young master has a petty heart and can't tolerate anyone. My favorite pastime? Beating up geniuses."
As his words faded, flames erupted from his shoes. Like a fiery arrow leaving a trail of afterimages, he charged forward.
Moving with blinding speed, Zhang Yuanqing hastily crossed his arms to shield his chest.
Crack! Crack! Crack! A relentless barrage of kicks, like a whip lashing out, struck Zhang Yuanqing's forearms. The blows tore his sleeves to shreds and left searing burns on his skin.
Level 3? Zhang Yuanqing's heart tightened. After blocking the initial onslaught, he immediately activated Night Roaming, entering stealth mode.
His figure vanished instantly, as if erased from existence.
Xiahou Tianyuan stood arrogantly in place, flames roaring around his feet like fiery wheels, his sharp gaze sweeping the surroundings.
Suddenly, he noticed the membrane of the "barrier" ripple violently, like water disturbed by a heavy impact.
Xiahou Tianyuan reacted instantly. Using his left foot as a pivot, he swung his right leg in a sweeping arc. With a whoosh that tore through the air, he kicked out a tumbling figure—Zhang Yuanqing.
Xiahou Tianyuan's right hand shot into the Void, retrieving a pair of dark golden shackles from his Inventory. With a flick of his wrist, he hurled them forward.
With a click-clack, the shackles snapped around Zhang Yuanqing's ankles, locking automatically.
Seeing this, Xiahou Tianyuan's lips curled into a smirk. But in the next instant, Zhang Yuanqing's body shattered like a broken reflection, vanishing without a trace.
Illusion!
Bang!
Xiahou Tianyuan immediately heard a shattering sound. He spotted a figure materializing nearby, stomping the phone into smithereens with each step.
Xiahou Tianyuan's brows furrowed at the sight.
This damned brat would rather resort to this than compromise with the Xiahou Family?
Zhang Yuanqing exhaled slowly, his expression blank as he said, "If this continues, it'll end in a fight to the death."
Feeling the scorching heat of the flames beneath his feet, Xiahou Tianyuan's temper flared even hotter than usual. "You're asking for it!"
"Enough!" Xiahou Xin, watching from the car, glanced at the pulverized phone and said calmly, "Tianyuan, come back."
His deep gaze lingered on Zhang Yuanqing as he added apologetically, "My son is rather hot-tempered. Please forgive his behavior."
Veins bulged on Xiahou Tianyuan's forehead as he struggled to suppress his fiery emotions. After a moment's struggle, he "extinguished" the flames on his shoes.
Instantly, he reverted to his usual lazy demeanor, a stark contrast to his earlier fury.
"Not bad," Xiahou Tianyuan sneered. "Tough skin and thick flesh. Beating you up was quite satisfying."
He chuckled derisively, returned to the black sedan, retracted the crystal ball from the roof, and slid into the car.
The black sedan sped away, merging into the traffic. Xiahou Tianyuan leaned out the window and made a throat-slitting gesture at the young man behind them.
"Dad, that kid's got some real talent," he said lazily, reclining in the leather seat with a grin. "When did some low-level grunt start daring to disregard the Xiahou Family? Tsk tsk, crushing such a stubborn bone will be truly rewarding."
"We can use our family connections to suppress him, play him to death within the rules," Xiahou Xin said calmly. "But don't do anything foolish. He has Merit Points."
The young man's Merit Points meant minor harassment was acceptable—the Five Elements Alliance would likely only issue a reprimand. But if he were injured or killed, the White Tiger Corps wouldn't let it slide.
Killing an Official Walker with Merit Points would be tantamount to declaring war on the Five Elements Alliance, a far more serious offense than harming ordinary civilians.
After the young man crushed the phone, Xiahou Xin called a halt to the operation.
"I understand!" Xiahou Tianyuan said with a chilling smile.
"Focus on the other members of the Palace of Ceasing Slaughter," Xiahou Xin said, his face darkening. "That woman has extracted too many secrets from your older brother. She can't be allowed to live. We must eliminate her this time, no matter what."
Xiahou Tianyuan grumbled, "Older Brother is such a fool. He can't even walk straight when he sees a woman. If it weren't for him, we wouldn't be in this mess."
At that moment, Xiahou Xin noticed bloodstains on his son's ankle and frowned.
"You're injured?"
Xiahou Tianyuan paused, glanced down, and realized his ankle had been scratched.
"It's nothing, just a minor scratch," he said dismissively.
"The Xiahou Family is too domineering," Zhang Yuanqing muttered, watching the black sedan disappear from sight. "All this fuss over Wang Qian? Anyone would think I'm having an affair with the Palace Master of Ceasing Slaughter."
He glanced down at the gruesome burn scar on his forearm, his expression darkening.
No matter how domineering the Xiahou Family was, they wouldn't dare kill him—unless they wanted war with the Five Elements Alliance. If a member with Merit Points died at the hands of a Spirit Realm Family, the Alliance would demand blood repayment, no matter how powerful their connections.
Otherwise, how could they maintain order? What would the rank-and-file Official Walkers think?
Thus, Zhang Yuanqing decisively destroyed his phone, ending the conflict.
But that didn't mean the matter was over.
The Xiahou Family was too overbearing. First, they tried bribery; when that failed, they resorted to violence.
If he hadn't earned Merit Points and was just an ordinary low-level member, would the Xiahou Family have stopped at a warning?
Even now, given the ruthless methods displayed by the Xiahou father and son, they would likely resort to underhanded retaliation later.
Zhang Yuanqing pulled out a tissue, carefully wiped the traces of blood from under his fingernails, folded it neatly, and tucked it into his pocket. He muttered to himself:
"There won't be a next time."