Deep Night.

Feixue City, Wei Family Old Residence.

"Don’t you see what time it is? Disturbing my peaceful sleep—if this isn’t something urgent, I’ll skin you alive!" Wei Hongkuo, wrapped in a blanket, came to the front hall, yawning while covering his mouth. He sat down next to the only lit candle.

"Fourth Master, it’s news about Jiang Xuan," Wei Yuanzhong stepped forward, his smile unable to be hidden.

"Jiang Xuan?"

Wei Hongkuo, still looking drowsy, seemed indifferent as he spoke, "Didn’t we say Chen Yuanzhou went to challenge him? What, did that wild child return early from the mountains? Did he manage to take a few blows from Chen Yuanzhou?"

Over the past half year, the Wei family had barely paid attention to Jiang Xuan. Although Jiang Xuan had managed to turn the tide and even seemed on the verge of leading the Jiang clan to annex the Shentu clan, it was of little consequence to the Wei family. Even if the Jiang clan became the largest in Heitan Mountain, it was just another clan without any realm-level experts, a group of insignificant barbarians.

Hardly anyone in the Wei family discussed Jiang Xuan or the Jiang clan’s affairs.

Only a very few, including Wei Hongkuo, still paid some attention.

"He hasn’t returned; something happened to him in the mountains."

Wei Yuanzhong couldn’t stop his smile as he continued, "Earlier this afternoon, there was a sudden commotion in the Jiang clan’s earth city. Chen family siblings, leading their subordinates—every one of them at the innate realm—entered Heitan Mountain. Even Lord Lei Hong entered ahead of them. The Jiang clan’s innate experts asked the Chen siblings’ guards, and it seems... Jiang Xuan encountered the three Ge brothers in the mountains!"

"Encountered them?"

Wei Hongkuo, who had been rubbing his eyes, stopped, suddenly looking up, all drowsiness gone, "What exactly happened? Is he dead? Hahahahahaha! Could he have died there in the mountains? He actually ran into the three Ge monsters in Heitan Mountain? Hahahaha! What kind of luck is that?"

Just thinking about it made Wei Hongkuo laugh out loud.

Though the family hardly mentioned Jiang Xuan, the events involving Wei Baiyun and Jiang Yao had been arranged by him. Jiang Xuan had always been a thorn in Wei Hongkuo’s heart.

"What exactly happened? Tell me quickly," Wei Hongkuo said impatiently.

"We can’t confirm Jiang Xuan’s life or death."

Wei Yuanzhong spoke cautiously, "Here’s the thing, Fourth Master: It’s said that Jiang Xuan encountered the Ge brothers while with the Black Armor Guards. They split up to flee. The Ge brothers pursued Jiang Xuan but lost all trace of him. The Black Armor Guards contacted Lord Lei Hong, who happened to be with the Chen siblings, but they haven’t met Jiang Xuan yet, so they don’t have any relationship with him. However, about six months ago, Chen family genius Chen Yanyang was assassinated, so the siblings brought people into the mountain for vengeance."

"What location did this happen?" Wei Hongkuo quickly asked.

"Near Wufeng Ridge... This is the map of Heitan Mountain." Wei Yuanzhong said, taking a map from his pocket and handing it to Wei Hongkuo.

Wei Hongkuo immediately unfolded the map.

It was a very rough map. Heitan Mountain was vast, and the enormous tribal lands were only a small area at the base of the mountain. It was impossible to mark every detail of the mountain on a few feet of map, but key mountains and landmarks were marked.

Wei Hongkuo scanned the map with his eyes.

Wei Yuanzhong carefully observed Wei Hongkuo’s expression and cautiously pointed at the map.

"Ah, here! This spot!" Wei Hongkuo suddenly stood up, slamming the map down on the table, "Doesn’t this mean he’s doomed? From this distance, even if Lord Lei Hong himself went to rescue him, there wouldn’t be enough time—Jiang Xuan could’ve been killed a hundred times over by now!"

"… Actually, not necessarily." Wei Yuanzhong hesitated.

"Hmm?" Wei Hongkuo’s eyes narrowed.

"My point is, the Ge brothers have no personal grudge with Jiang Xuan. And as the leader of his clan, Jiang Xuan still has some wealth. The Ge brothers have done kidnapping and extortion in the past. So, if Jiang Xuan is clever and reveals his identity, perhaps he could save his life," Wei Yuanzhong explained.

Wei Hongkuo frowned, staying silent for a few moments before grumbling, "If that’s the case, then he’s just a coward who’s afraid of death!"

"But… the truth is, no matter what happens, he’s finished," Wei Yuanzhong added.

"Oh?" Wei Hongkuo looked at him. "Explain it in more detail."

"It’s already the 4th of the month."

Wei Yuanzhong got straight to the point, "If Jiang Xuan is really dead, his entire clan will be buried with him. If he’s only captured, Lord Lei Hong will go to rescue him, but the Ge brothers will need at least a few days to escape… Without Jiang Xuan, his clan won’t be able to survive the upcoming battles on the 7th. By the 8th, they’ll be overrun by the Shentu clan."

"And once the Jiang clan is wiped out, no one will pay a ransom for Jiang Xuan. He’ll still die!"

Wei Hongkuo’s eyes brightened, and he looked at Wei Yuanzhong with admiration.

"So," Wei Hongkuo said, "Jiang Xuan is either already dead, or he’ll be captured and left to die in a few days? Either way, he’s dead?"

"Exactly!" Wei Yuanzhong nodded.

"Hahahaha!" Wei Hongkuo slapped Wei Yuanzhong on the shoulder, "Well done, Yuanzhong! You’ve thought it through more clearly than I have! Well said!"

"It’s all thanks to your guidance, Fourth Master," Wei Yuanzhong said, quickly bowing.

"Although I don’t care what happens to that wild child, he has been a constant worry for me. It’s not that I’m worried about him—no, I’m worried about my stubborn niece..."

Wei Hongkuo walked a few steps forward, hands behind his back, loosening his tone, "I don’t even know which gossipy fool told Wei Baiyun about that wild child defeating Shentu Lie. Not only did she stop fasting, but for the past half year, she’s been training like a madwoman, day and night. I’m really afraid that when Wei Yao gets married, Wei Baiyun pretends to submit, fools the old man, and then causes trouble during the wedding… She’s definitely hiding something malicious in her heart!"

"Now, with Jiang Xuan dead, she’ll have no more thoughts of him! This is great news! The best news ever!" Wei Hongkuo muttered as he walked toward the side door.

It seemed like he was going to rest.

Wei Yuanzhong was just about to leave when—

"No!" Wei Hongkuo suddenly stopped, thought for a moment, and turned back, "Wait for me to put on a coat, I’ll go see my niece! I need to deliver this good news to her immediately!"

Wei Family Old Residence, a guarded courtyard in a remote corner.

Wei Baiyun, dressed in white, was practicing her sword dance under the moonlight!

Since the mysterious person brought news of her son’s killing of Shentu Lie, Wei Baiyun had rekindled her hope.

Her son’s heroic deeds had inspired her!

For the past half year, under house arrest, she slept only two hours before dawn, spending the rest of the time cultivating. Her current vitality was even better than when she was with the Jiang clan. After all, she was still the daughter of the Wei family—unless the family head himself spoke up, no one dared to make things difficult for her in terms of food and clothing.

"True to being the youngest favored by the family, even if your talent was wasted, you’ve managed to pick it up again. After half a year of hard cultivation, I can see that you’re not far from understanding the 'Heaven and Human Forces' technique. After marrying the tribe all these years, your temperament hasn’t changed at all. The greater the pressure on you, the more you resist fiercely, the more determined you become. Well done."

Slap! Slap! Slap!

Dressed in a brocade robe, Wei Hongkuo emerged from the darkness by the wall, smiling as he clapped his hands slowly, as if genuinely complimenting her.

"Get out." Wei Baiyun stopped her sword dance, pointing her sword at Wei Hongkuo, her gaze cold.

"Done, I’ll leave now. Here’s news about your son," Wei Hongkuo, unfazed by Wei Baiyun’s attitude, smiled and began to speak.