C17 Ambush and Trap

Su Ze was taken aback. "What happened?"

Before Su Dayi could respond, Su Mo eagerly recounted the recent events.

Listening to Su Mo, Su Ze's gaze sharpened.

Faang Gui of the Fang family was stirring up trouble, attempting to entrap me. Are they that desperate to settle the score with me?

Little did Faang Gui realize that I had indeed completed a transaction with the Myriad Treasure Auction House. He unwittingly revealed the truth.

What he also didn't anticipate was Zhang Datong of the Myriad Treasure Auction House's amicable demeanor toward me. He had no desire to cross me.

To make matters worse for the Fang family, Zhang Datong leveraged his influence to ensure that all shops in Tieling City ceased selling Element Gathering Powder, weapons, mental cultivation methods, and Martial Skills to them.

Clearly, Faang Gui gained no advantage, only loss.

"Brother Suze, there's no need to be upset with him. Zhang Datong from the Myriad Treasure Auction House has already dealt with the Fang family," Su Mo said, noticing Su Ze's troubled look. Concerned he might lose his temper, she quickly added her reassurance.

Su Ze offered a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. I'm not bothered by the likes of the Fang family. Let's head out."

With Su Ze leading, they made their way to the entrance of the Glorious Martial Merchant House.

The auction had concluded, and while most of the patrons had departed, the establishment was far from empty. Su Ze navigated through the crowd to the doorway, then paused, looking up as if sensing something.

A figure was hastily making an exit—it was Liu Hsing, the Grand Elder Su Bocheng's steward.

Was he lying in wait for me to stumble into his trap?

With a smile, Su Ze turned to Su Dayi. "Elder Dayi, I have a task for you. Su Hai, Su Jiang, Su Chi, and Su Mo, you'll accompany him."

"Please, instruct us," Su Dayi replied, with the others nodding in agreement.

"In addition to the two items I acquired from the Myriad Treasure Auction House, they owe me thirty thousand silver taels. Elder Dayi, with your extensive experience, take Su Hai and the others to purchase some goods from the Glorious Martial Merchant House and bring them back to the Su family."

"Firstly, to honor my parents. Secondly, to purchase some items our younger generation needs for their cultivation. Thirdly, to see if there's anything that could help the Su family achieve a breakthrough to the Innate Stage."

Su Dayi was taken aback.

Su Hai, puzzled, inquired, "Thirty thousand taels of silver?"

"Exactly. Thirty thousand taels. Go ahead and pick out what you need," Su Ze said with a smile.

It was then that Su Dayi snapped out of his daze. He thought, My goodness, Su Ze, what on earth did you trade with the Myriad Treasure Auction House? You managed to get two treasures and thirty thousand taels of silver from them?

Even all of the Su family's mental cultivation methods and Martial Skills weren't worth that much.

It's no wonder Zhang Datong holds Su Ze in such high regard. After pulling off such an impressive deal, it's only natural he'd go out of his way to look after him.

Su Dayi wisely chose not to probe any further. This was beyond what he could question.

Still reeling from the shock of Su Ze's actions, Su Dayi, accompanied by a similarly astonished Su Hai and three others, returned to the Glorious Martial Merchant House to select their items.

Su Ze had initially planned not to spend the thirty thousand silver today, but after seeing the steward, Liu Hsing, hurry off to deliver a message, he realized his enemies were poised to strike at any moment.

With that in mind, he decided to send Su Dayi, Su Hai, and the rest away. While he couldn't be certain of their absolute loyalty, he needed to do everything in his power to protect them. Take Su Mo, for instance, who was still just a child. Su Ze couldn't bear the thought of her being caught in the crossfire.

Should the situation escalate suddenly, they could hinder him or even betray him. It was better to distance them now and face the enemy alone, with his full attention.

As he walked down the street, he noticed people occasionally turning and stealthily heading in a specific direction.

After witnessing this several times, Su Ze pinpointed the location where Su Bocheng intended to strike.

It wasn't on the main street or near the Su family compound, but rather in some secluded alley.

The only thing Su Bocheng needed was to lure Su Ze into that alley first.

With this in mind, Su Ze couldn't help but smirk with a hint of scorn.

Su Bocheng believed he was more powerful than the patriarch and Su Ze himself. So why did he feel the need to engage in such underhanded tactics against Su Ze? Why not confront them head-on, defeat Su Zhongwu and Su Ze, and claim the patriarch's title for himself?

His lack of magnanimity was precisely why he was unfit to be the patriarch.

He might have appeared calculating, but he lacked the true stature required of a leader.

By now, their intentions were clear, and there was no chance they had any aces left up their sleeves.

Su Ze doubted that the trap he'd meticulously laid would leave him any room to maneuver.

And so, Su Bocheng's own avenues for survival were severed.

Lost in thought as he walked, a voice called out from an alley on his right, "Young master!"

Su Ze halted. A group of muscular martial artists silently closed in behind him, blocking any escape.

The voice belonged to a heavily made-up young girl, no stranger to him, but the maidservant from his memories, Xiao Hong.

She was the one who had fled to the Fang family with Su Ze's guard, Su Li.

It wasn't just the Su and Fang families after me. The Pang Family too?

All three major families were in collusion against me. They certainly held me in high regard.

Upon seeing Su Ze stop, Xiao Hong quickly exclaimed, "Young master, you've all got it wrong. I was taken by Su Li against my will. I never once planned to betray you, young master."

She finished her plea with a bowed head, tears streaming down her face.

Su Ze chuckled and dismissed her.

Resting his hand on the Blood Stripe Sword, he looked up and called out confidently, "Su Bocheng, members of the Fang and Pang families, come on out!"

"This alley is too dim for a proper meeting, so I'll stay out here. If you're set on harming me, then step into the light. You're ready to strike; what's the fear in showing yourselves?"

Xiao Hong gasped in shock at his words, crying out in alarm.

The sturdy martial artists behind Su Ze were unsure of their next move.

From the depths of the alley, two figures emerged. One was Su Bocheng, his face twisted with murderous intent, and the other was the Fang family elder, Faang Jinbao. A Ninth Layer practitioner of the Acquired stage, Faang Jinbao was a cornerstone of the Fang family's strength.

Four figures in black, brandishing short swords, emerged atop the eaves of the alleyway. In that moment, Xiao Hong too raised her hand, revealing a small crossbow concealed within her sleeve.

Together with the several martial artists at their back, this formidable assembly had the power to take down any Acquired-level martial artist in Tieling City.

"Su Ze, I had hoped to keep you in the dark, but since you're so keen on uncovering the truth, you're better off dead!" Su Bocheng's voice was icy.

Su Ze gave him a once-over and replied with a grin, "What about the Pang Family? Didn't they show up? After all, you've thrown in your lot with them."

At this, Su Bocheng responded frostily, "The renown of the Myriad Treasure Auction House has them spooked, so they didn't dare make a move against you. For all their status as Tieling City's premier family, that's the extent of their bravery."

"When I take over as head of the Su family, I'll be sure to usurp their position."