Chapter 70: Leaving the Xiao Clan
Upon hearing Xiao Qi's argument, Xiao Hu and the others found themselves at a loss for words. They wanted to bring back the Xiao Clan's descendants and help them — but they wanted even more to develop the clan's strength, restore the Xiao Clan's former glory as soon as possible, and eliminate its enemies.
If forced to choose between the two, they would undoubtedly choose the former without hesitation and let go of the latter. After all, they had never had any contact whatsoever with this so-called Xiao Family, let alone formed any emotional bond with them. The only connection they felt — if it could even be called that — likely stemmed from the Xiao Clan blood running through their own veins and the lingering influence of their ancestors.
But toward the Xiao Clan's small world and the clansmen living within it, the emotional bonds they shared were clearly far deeper. When weighing the two purely on the basis of sentiment, the difference in weight was already abundantly clear.
Beyond sentiment, the difference in importance between the two was equally vast. Restoring the Xiao Clan's former glory and eliminating their enemies was the shared desire of every Xiao Clan member — the common goal they had all been striving toward together. To allow centuries of careful planning to be undone for the sake of a Xiao Family they felt nothing for — how could that be acceptable? Even if there was only the slimmest thread of risk, they would never agree to it.
"But they are Xiao Clan members too — and it was their ancestors who bled on the battlefield for the sake of the clan. Are we truly just going to abandon them like this?" Xiao Yumei continued to argue, though with noticeably less conviction than before. It was clear that the earlier words had already begun to sway her.
"It is precisely because they are Xiao Clan members!"
At this, bitter expressions settled across every face in the room. Yes — it was precisely because they were Xiao Clan members that they were being hunted. It was precisely because they were Xiao Clan members that everyone needed to truly understand the difficulties of the clan's present situation, and to clearly grasp what the Xiao Clan's real objective was.
To be of the same clan, to watch your own kind be pursued and killed, to watch them gradually fall into ruin — and to be unable to do anything about it. The bitterness of that feeling was overwhelming, and it left one feeling utterly powerless and enraged.
"But what if this leads them to discover our identity and the existence of the Xiao Clan? And when our Xiao Clan eventually re-emerges into the world, how would we face them then? How would we face those who question us?" Xiao Hai voiced his own concern.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Hu and the others thought it over for a moment before letting out a quiet sigh. "This is a brilliant open stratagem — one that kills two birds with a single stone."
Indeed, in their eyes this entire situation had the hallmarks of an open trap. On one hand, it served to deal with the Xiao Family. On the other, it could be used as a probe — to test whether any other Xiao Clan survivors still existed and to draw them out.
Being fellow Xiao Clan members and survivors themselves, any remaining Xiao Clan members could not possibly stand by and watch the Xiao Family be destroyed. If someone were to appear to help, it would confirm the enemy's suspicions, and they could use that opportunity to strike again and pursue the trail further.
And even if no one appeared, the enemy would suffer no loss. Meanwhile, if they took Xiao Qi's approach and simply did nothing — even if the Xiao Family were eventually destroyed, the matter would not simply disappear. When the Xiao Clan finally emerged into the world, this would remain a stain on their name. To have watched your own kin be eliminated by others, while possessing the strength to save them yet choosing not to act — once that story spread, it would invite the contempt of all, and deal a severe blow to the Xiao Clan's reputation.
"This…" The realization hit everyone at once, and they found themselves caught between two impossible choices, unsure of what to say. In an instant, the entire hall fell into silence.
Watching the debate among Xiao Xing and the others come to its end, Xiao Feng finally made his own position known from his seat at the head of the hall. "Arguing about it now is pointless. Until the Xiao Family's identity can be confirmed, they cannot be considered Xiao Clan members."
"As for the matter of the Xiao Family — leave it to me. I will go and investigate personally."
"Clan Leader, that absolutely cannot be allowed!"
"Indeed, Clan Leader — how could we let you go yourself?!"
Xiao Feng's words sent a jolt through everyone present, and they immediately broke into urgent protests. In their view, even if the Xiao Family truly had been founded by Xiao Clan descendants, dispatching a Battle Venerable to look into it would already be more than sufficient. How could Xiao Feng go personally? As Clan Leader of the Xiao Clan, his place was here, presiding over the clan. And besides, even if doing nothing would tarnish the clan's reputation somewhat, in a world on the Dou Qi Continent where strength was the ultimate measure of worth, that was hardly a serious concern.
"My mind is made up. Say no more. From here on, manage the clan's affairs carefully, and inform me of anything of great importance when the time comes." With those words, his figure vanished from the hall.
Staring at the now-empty seat at the head of the room, Xiao Hu and the others wore bitter expressions, at a loss for words. But things had already reached this point — there was no way to stop him now. All they could do was carry out what Xiao Feng had instructed.
Returning to his own chambers, Xiao Feng began preparing everything he would need for the journey. He had no idea how long this trip would take, so he naturally wanted to bring a sufficient supply of things.
Most of what he packed consisted of low-rank medicinal pills and cultivation techniques and battle arts — these were what he had prepared for the Xiao Family.
As for his own safety, he had not a trace of concern. The Northwestern Continent was a remote and isolated place, where even a Battle Venerable realm cultivator could reign supreme. He was not merely a Battle Saint — he was a high-rank Battle Saint. That place would pose absolutely no danger to him.
Moreover, given his level of strength, if he truly encountered a life-or-death crisis that he could not overcome by force, he would have no one to rely on but himself. After all, the only individuals capable of threatening the life of someone at the peak of the Seven-Star Battle Saint realm were those at the Eight-Star Battle Saint realm or above — and such figures existed only within the ranks of the Ancient Eight Races.
Against opponents of that caliber, no scheme or stratagem would be of any use — raw strength was the only answer, and he could only rely on himself.
Of course, the likelihood of such a situation arising was close to none.
"Wutan City… the Xiao Family." Xiao Feng murmured to himself as he sat in his chair.
"I had just been facing difficulties of my own, and now the Xiao Family appears at precisely this moment. Could it truly be that fate itself has arranged all of this? Whatever the case — Wutan City is a destination I cannot avoid."
...
The following day, Xiao Feng opened a spatial wormhole and stepped through it, departing from the Xiao Clan's small world before the eyes of Xiao Hu and the others.
Watching Xiao Feng disappear into the distance, they all fell into a momentary daze — as though the very pillar holding them up had been taken away.
Xiao Feng had always been present within the Xiao Clan. Though he rarely acted directly, his mere existence had been the anchor of their confidence, the source of their strength and reassurance.
Now that he was gone — even though he would return — the sudden sense of absence left them needing quite some time before they could truly adjust.
Travelling through the spatial wormhole, Xiao Feng's thoughts drifted back to what had transpired the previous evening.
At his request, Xiao Hu had gone after the meeting to find the clansmen who had recently broken through to the Battle Saint realm and brought them before Xiao Feng.
________________________________________
Can't wait for the next chapter?
30+ advanced chapters are already available on Patreon!
👉 patreon.com/Tanji_Fanfics
________________________________________
End of this chapter...