C16 Everyone Had a Responsibility

An hour later, the First Elder set his plan into motion.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the success of the Xiao family's play today owes much to Chiang Xie's significant contribution."

"However, I regret that I recently had a misunderstanding with Chiang Xie, which was certainly unwarranted!"

"Therefore, I wish to extend an apology to Chiang Xie today. I would appreciate it if you all could join me, to show my genuine intent."

After the First Elder finished, he disregarded the murmuring of the crowd. If getting back at Chiang Xie meant losing face, so be it.

Though the crowd found it odd to accompany an apology, they raised no objections and expressed their willingness to be present.

The Town Security and the City Lord gestured to Xiao Zhan, "Then let's join the First Elder in meeting Chiang Xie."

Xiao Zhan hesitated briefly before nodding, "Chiang Xie should be in his room. Thank you all for this."

Upon reaching Chiang Xie's residence, they found the door blasted open, leading them to suspect that something had befallen Chiang Xie.

Indeed, Xiao Zhan and the others did not find Chiang Xie in the bedroom.

"Whoever managed to target Chiang Xie without detection must be either a guest here or someone from the Xiao family with a motive..."

Xiao Zhan's anger was palpable as he scrutinized everyone present, his gaze finally resting on the First Elder.

The First Elder's recent conflict with Chiang Xie, coupled with his sudden desire to apologize, unavoidably cast suspicion upon him in Xiao Zhan's eyes.

"I assure you, my Li Family has not harmed Chiang Xie. We bear no ill will towards him; there's no reason for us to do such a thing."

"The Zhang Family is innocent as well, Patriarch Xiao. Please don't make unfounded accusations."

"I suspect someone in the Xiao family wanted to 'burn the bridge after crossing,' and thus eliminated Chiang Xie in secret!"

The First Elder, feeling Xiao Zhan's gaze, feigned indignation and challenged, "Xiao Zhan, what are you implying? Do you suspect me?"

Xiao Zhan, overcome with anger, couldn't help but laugh sarcastically. "Fine, if none of you had a hand in harming Chiang Xie, then where is he? If we don't get a clear explanation, the Xiao family will leave no stone unturned until we find out what happened!"

It was understandable why Xiao Zhan was so furious. Chiang Xie had not only helped his son overcome personal demons but had also elevated the standing of the Xiao family. To say that Chiang Xie was a benefactor to him, and indeed to the entire Xiao family, was no overstatement.

How could he not seethe with rage when his benefactor vanished right before his eyes?

Xiao Zhan's suspicions were not without merit. The Xiao family's security was impeccable. If an outsider had managed to infiltrate and assassinate Chiang Xie without his noticing, it would be as if someone were spinning a tall tale.

The only plausible explanation was that the culprit was among the people present, or perhaps it was the First Elder, who bore a grudge against Chiang Xie. They were the only ones who could have taken advantage of his distraction during the banquet to strike at Chiang Xie in secret.

"Patriarch Xiao, please, take a moment to compose yourself. Since we haven't discovered Chiang's body, it's possible he's still alive," the City Lord said, trying to soothe the tension as he patted Xiao Zhan on the shoulder.

Xiao Zhan took a deep breath and considered the situation. True, a broken door and Chiang Xie's absence didn't necessarily spell disaster. Perhaps Chiang Xie had simply stepped out? Given his unpredictable nature, it wasn't out of the question.

With a nod of acknowledgment to the City Lord, Xiao Zhan directed his men, "Search the entire Xiao family estate for Chiang. If he's not here, expand the search to all of Wutan City. We must find him!"

"I'll also deploy the city guard to look for Chiang as soon as we return," the City Lord promised, recognizing the urgency. "I'm confident we'll find him safe and sound."

Now that the City Lord and the Xiao family were allies, it was only right for him to lend his support.

Xiao Zhan expressed his gratitude with a respectful fist salute to the City Lord and then fell silent.

But shortly after his men had been dispatched, one of them returned with alarming news: bloodstains had been found near Xiao Ning's room.

Every few steps revealed fresh blood on the ground, a trail leading all the way to the exterior of the Xiao family estate. This sight immediately drew everyone's attention to the First Elder. Chiang Xie had vanished, and bloodstains were found in Xiao Ning's room. What could this imply?

The First Elder frowned privately. Hadn't Xiao Ning assured him of a thorough job? This was hardly thorough. And wasn't Xiao Ning supposed to bring Chiang Xie and Xiao Xuner together? Where were they now?

Could it be that Xiao Ning had left the blood trail intentionally, leading them to witness an intimate encounter between Chiang Xie and Xiao Xuner?

The more he thought about it, the more the First Elder believed it was a possibility. Although he didn't understand why Xiao Ning would lead them so far, as long as the objective was met, it was acceptable.

"Grandson, it's only with your grandfather's insight that I can decipher your intentions. Anyone else would be at a loss," he mused to himself. "In the end, you'll be grateful for having such a shrewd grandfather who prevented a disaster."

With his thoughts settled, he addressed Xiao Zhan, "This could be a sign from Chiang Xie. Let's follow it quickly and see what's happening! If we delay, Chiang Xie might be in danger!"

Xiao Zhan, grasping the urgency, set aside his questions about the blood near Xiao Ning's room. Rescuing Chiang Xie was the priority; other matters could wait.

The City Lord and others intended to join Xiao Zhan, who nodded in agreement, and together they followed the bloody trail away from the Xiao family...

...

"I never imagined Xiao Ning could stoop so low. Thank goodness for Mr. Chiang. If anything had happened to you, I would have taken matters into my own hands!"

"Indeed, but Xiao Ning has already been dealt with by Mr. Chiang. Xiao Yan, there's no need for anger now."

Xiao Xuner had initially set out to seek help for Chiang Xie, but on her return, she encountered Chiang Xie carrying Xiao Ning.

Chiang Xie reassured her with a pat on the chest, "Rest easy, Sister Xuner. I've taken care of it for you! This one's on me now. And when you head back, try not to alert anyone else. Otherwise, the mark I left will have been in vain."

Xiao Xuner had deliberately kept Xiao Yan from joining Xiao Zhan and the others, but she made sure to fill him in on everything that had transpired.

"...But as for Xiao Ning, if that rascal ends up in Mr. Chiang's hands, he's likely to suffer a fate worse than death. I shouldn't be too concerned about it, though. The main thing is that you're safe, Xun Er."

At that moment, Xiao Xuner flashed a sweet smile and asked, "Xiao Yan, can you guess what Mr. Chiang did to Xiao Ning?"

Curious, Xiao Yan inquired, "What happened?"

"He gave him a taste of his own medicine, even used an aphrodisiac on him," Xiao Xuner revealed, her cheeks blushing at the mention.

"Mr. Chiang is incredible!"

"And there's more. Guess where Mr. Chiang took Xiao Ning?"

Xiao Yan, momentarily taken aback, shook his head. Xiao Xuner, still smiling, finally continued, "He took him to... a pigsty."

Xiao Yan burst into laughter. Chiang Xie had been merciless—after dosing him with an aphrodisiac, he'd dumped him in a pigsty. It didn't take a genius to imagine what ensued!

Meanwhile, Xiao Zhan and his group had followed the trail of blood to a small village, which ended at a widow's doorstep.

The group was puzzled as to why the blood trail had stopped there. Could it be that Chiang Xie had been abducted by someone in this household?

It seemed absurd. How could a widow from a village, unfamiliar with the ways of cultivation, possibly kidnap a Foundation Stage Level 9 cultivator? Was this village's widow aiming for the stars?

Xiao Zhan was skeptical, but the blood trail had indeed ended here, so he had to investigate further.

The First Elder, eager to see Xiao Zhan embarrassed, was in high spirits and was the first to knock on the widow's door.

"Open up, quickly!" he demanded in a stern voice, implying he would break down the door if it wasn't opened promptly.

The others saw nothing amiss with the First Elder's demeanor; after all, a cultivator owed no courtesy to a commoner.

"Who's there? I won't open it; there's nobody here!" came a frightened female voice from inside.

The First Elder, upon encountering the defiance of a mere commoner, exclaimed in anger, "Enough with the nonsense! If you don't open this door, I will demolish this place!"

The widow at the door was clearly unaware that she was addressing a group of highly skilled cultivators. Unfazed, she retorted, "Don't try to intimidate me, a lone widow! I'm not scared, I assure you! And right now, it's really not a good time to let anyone in."

The First Elder had no interest in further dialogue with the widow. He was about to forcefully break through the wooden door when Xiao Zhan intervened, cautioning the elder, who reluctantly backed down.

"Ma'am, we urgently need to find someone. Please open the door. We can discuss any issues afterwards, and we will make it right by you," Xiao Zhan implored.

The widow, upon hearing this, responded with palpable excitement, "Are you actually looking for someone? Truly?"

Before Xiao Zhan could reply, the First Elder interjected, "Indeed we are. Now, will you please open the door?"

The widow hesitated briefly before cautioning, "Does anyone here have a weak heart? If so, it might be best not to enter. I'm only thinking of your well-being!"

Although the First Elder was puzzled by her warning, eager to see Xiao Zhan embarrassed, he replied with impatience, "My heart is exceptionally strong, and so are the hearts of my companions. Now, open the door!"

After a prolonged silence, the door was finally opened by a woman still possessing an air of grace.

The group swiftly entered the courtyard and began an earnest search for Chiang Xie.

Thanks to the cultivators' potent Divine Sense, they quickly located a figure, but to their surprise, he was in the pigsty!

Xiao Zhan, with a grim expression, hastened towards the pigsty, followed by an excited First Elder and the rest of the group.

Upon reaching the pigsty, Xiao Zhan was shocked by the sight before him. There, engaged in frenzied activity with a group of sows, was a naked man adopting various positions. And this man was none other than Xiao Ning, the grandson of the Xiao family's First Elder!

One look at the spectacle caused Xiao Zhan's heart to pound furiously, and he nearly retched. The scene was unbearably revolting and utterly shocking.

The First Elder arrived in a rush, but Xiao Zhan quickly intercepted him, keen on preventing him from witnessing the scandalous scene inside.

Noticing Xiao Zhan's distressed expression and his unusual attempt to block him, the First Elder realized that Xiao Zhan must have caught Chiang Xie and Xiao Xuner in a compromising situation.

With a commanding wave of his hand, he bellowed, "Everyone, with me! Don't mind him! Move it!"

As Xiao Zhan watched in bewilderment, the First Elder, followed by the City Lord and others, charged inside.

A scream of horror soon followed, and many began to retch violently. The First Elder was aghast to find his grandson in the midst of an unspeakable act with a group of sows, and to think he had brought an audience!

To add insult to injury, Xiao Ning's member bore an inscription: "Protecting our pig friends is everyone's duty! Chiang Xie stands with you in this cause!"

The shock was too much for the First Elder; his heart gave out as he cursed, "Damn you, Chiang Xie!" and collapsed unconscious.

A cultivator, no less a Golden Core Stage master, knocked out cold by sheer rage – it was an astonishing sight.

Soon after, a widow arrived on the scene and, finding the First Elder prostrate, remarked with resignation, "Didn't I warn that those with weak hearts shouldn't enter? What was he thinking?"

Xiao Zhan could only offer a wry smile. The First Elder's enthusiasm to showcase his grandson's disgraceful behavior was indeed foolish.

The City Lord, reading the inscription, felt a chill run down his spine. Mr. Chiang was a force to be reckoned with – a truly fearsome individual.