Chapter 144: “You Won’t Live Long!”
Arriving at Erlang Ping, the Gong family’s estate on Mount Nangong, they immediately sensed the tense atmosphere.
White mourning banners hung everywhere, and many people wore hemp garments.
The air was thick with tension, a single spark threatening to ignite a firestorm.
Shi Hao observed the surroundings. Young men, their faces filled with anger, filled the streets.
Many glared at them, their hostility, however, not directed at the newcomers but a general resentment towards outsiders. The Gong family clearly wasn’t welcoming visitors at this time.
The Gong family estate was large, surrounded by fields and walls.
Although they lacked high-ranking experts, they had many ranked martial artists, all members of the family. Such a large and influential family, although not comparable to a major sect, still held considerable power in the region.
And despite the inevitable internal conflicts within such a large family, when faced with external threats, they were quick to unite.
“It seems something happened to the Gong family,” Hou Bomin, his small figure hunched, said, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
They reached the main gate. Shouts and the clashing of weapons echoed from within, the air filled with a chilling aura.
Two burly men guarded the gate, but recognizing Daoist Chuan, they let them pass.
Daoist Chuan asked, “What happened here? Have we come at a bad time?”
One of the guards, gripping his iron staff, said, his voice tight with anger, “It’s that damned Hanyang Gang! They’ve gone too far!”
Daoist Chuan turned and exchanged glances with Shi Hao and the others.
Shi Hao said, “Let’s go inside.”
They entered the estate and saw many young men in the courtyard, armed with swords and sabers, some shouting, “Why are we being held back? Are we just going to let Wen Feng and Wen Yi’s deaths go unavenged? We can’t let the Hanyang Gang bully us like this, no matter how strong they are!”
Others echoed their anger, “Indeed! We can’t let them humiliate our Gong family!” “The more we retreat, the more they’ll push us. We’ll become a laughingstock, bullied by everyone!”
A middle-aged man, surrounded by the angry youths, was trying to calm them down, his voice low and pleading.
But his words were lost in the cacophony of angry shouts.
“Bring out our uncle!” someone shouted, “What’s the point of talking to you? Let the Clan Leader come out and tell us himself whether we’re going to avenge our brothers!”
Ignoring the commotion, Shi Hao and Daoist Chuan made their way to the main hall, where a funeral altar had been set up, several women in mourning clothes weeping beside seven coffins. Others stood nearby, their faces etched with grief.
“I am Daoist Chuan, the abbot of Wudang Monastery,” Daoist Chuan said to a guard standing outside the hall, “I wish to speak with Clan Leader Gong. Please inform him of our arrival.”
“Please wait a moment, Daoist,” the guard said and hurried inside, past the altar.
He returned shortly, “Please come in.”
They entered the inner hall, where angry voices could be heard. “It’s easy for you to say, Brother! They weren’t your sons!”
Another voice, filled with anger and frustration, retorted, “I’m not saying we shouldn’t avenge them, Third Brother! Your sons are also my nephews! But we can’t just charge in blindly…”
“That’s just an excuse for your cowardice!” the first voice roared, “Fine! Fine! It doesn’t matter that my sons are dead! It doesn’t matter that Wen Yi and Wen Hong are dead! But how long can you endure this? They killed several of our family today, and they’ll kill more tomorrow! And when they come for your sons, don’t you dare ask for revenge!”
A man stormed out of the room, his face flushed with anger.
A heavy sigh came from within.
Shi Hao and Daoist Chuan entered the room. A man in a brocade robe, his face square and resolute, sat inside. It was Gong Muhong, the Clan Leader of the Gong family.
Two elderly men, likely elders of the clan, sat beside him.
Daoist Chuan bowed, “Brother Gong.”
Gong Muhong hurriedly returned the gesture, “Daoist Chuan, please forgive my lack of hospitality. I’m afraid we’re in a… difficult situation.”
Daoist Chuan said, “There’s no need for formalities, Brother Gong. I saw the commotion outside. What happened?”
Gong Muhong sighed deeply, “The ‘Hanyang Three Fiends’ have gone too far. They’ve blockaded our trade routes on the river, demanding more and more money, refusing to let our ships pass.”
“My nephew, Wen Feng, who manages our trade, went to Changyan City to negotiate with them. But those three fiends attacked without warning, killing him and the six men he brought with him.
“They sent their bodies back and then sent a message, saying they’re holding a banquet tonight in Changyan City, inviting us to join them if we dare. Then they laughed and left. Everyone is furious, demanding revenge, wanting to attack Changyan City tonight. I’ve been trying to stop them, but I can’t hold them back much longer. Alas…”
One of the elders chuckled, “Those Hanyang Three Fiends were already notorious criminals before joining the Hanyang Gang, each of them a sixth-rank expert. And now, with the Hanyang Gang’s backing, they’re even more arrogant. Changyan City is under their control now. Heh, sending our men there is a suicide mission.”
Gong Muhong looked at the hunched, small figure who had spoken, “And you are…?”
The man chuckled, “Hou Bomin, a nobody. Don’t mind me, Clan Leader.”
Gong Muhong coughed and said, “My apologies.” He hadn’t heard of him but still maintained a polite demeanor.
Daoist Chuan said, “Brother Hou is right. If we attack…”
“The man who just left was even more right,” Shi Hao interrupted, “They’re deliberately provoking you. The world is in chaos, the barbarian court indifferent, the Six Gates useless. We’re on our own.
“Those Hanyang Three Fiends are looking for a fight. If you back down today, they’ll kill more tomorrow. And if you back down tomorrow, they’ll kill more the day after. Those young men outside are hot-blooded. How long can you restrain them? If you force them to stand down, those who have lost family will resent you, and those who obey you will lose their courage. If this continues, your own clan will be divided.
“And even then, it won’t stop them from attacking again. What can you do?”
Hou Bomin chuckled, “So it’s either fight and die, or wait and die. Either way, we’re doomed.”
Gong Muhong was speechless, paralyzed by indecision.
Shi Hao said coldly, “There are other options, but with your men losing their courage, and their leaders hesitant, you’re indeed left with only two choices: a quick death or a slow one.”
Gong Muhong looked at Shi Hao, “And you are…?”
Shi Hao said, “My name is Shi, also known as Chongyun. I came here with Daoist Chuan to discuss the Hanyang Gang’s aggression, their attempt to control the Nine Villages. Listen to me, Clan Leader. Although your men are impulsive, they are united.
“If you try to stop them, you’ll either lose their respect or divide your clan, giving the Hanyang Gang an opportunity to exploit your weakness.”
Gong Muhong knew he was right. He sighed, his face etched with worry, “Then what should we do?”
Shi Hao said, “If you trust me, Clan Leader, let me speak to your men.”
Gong Muhong looked at Daoist Chuan, who flicked his whisk and said, “Let him try, Brother Gong.”
Gong Muhong bowed to Shi Hao, “I’ll leave it to you, young man.”
Shi Hao turned and walked out, the others following him.
Everyone present, except for Du Yuejiao, was older than Shi Hao.
Yet, they instinctively followed his lead.
Shi Hao reached the courtyard, where the young men were still arguing, their voices loud and angry, the middle-aged man they had surrounded now crouching on the ground, silent. Some were trying to force their way into the inner hall to confront the Clan Leader, others brandishing their weapons, ready to attack Changyan City.
Ignoring them, Shi Hao entered the main hall.
The spacious hall was filled with the seven coffins, the women’s wails mingling with the angry shouts from outside.
Shi Hao and the others lit incense before the memorial tablets, then Shi Hao stood before the coffins and said loudly, “Brothers, don’t worry, don’t be afraid, you’re not alone. Although your deaths cannot be avenged, those responsible will soon join you.
“Just wait a little longer. You can all be reunited and reincarnate together.”
His voice, amplified by his internal energy, echoed through the courtyard, silencing the angry shouts.
His blatant provocation, however, further enraged the already restless young men outside. “What did you say?!” someone shouted.
Shi Hao turned around, his back to them, the Sacred Heart Clear Mirror Technique radiating an invisible sword intent, his figure sharp and menacing.
All eyes were on him as his imposing aura, like a tidal wave, washed over them.
He stood there, on the steps, seemingly ordinary, yet his presence was like an insurmountable mountain.
Under their wary and confused gazes, Shi Hao looked around and said loudly, “I said, you won’t live long! Any objections?”
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