C18 Revenge!

Hearing those words, Su Ze couldn't help but chuckle. "You certainly don't lack courage."

Su Bocheng's sneer grew colder as he advanced.

"I had no intention of killing you in the street; it would be problematic if the City Lord got wind of it. But given the chaos you've stirred up today, I'm left with no choice but to eliminate you."

Grasping the hilt of the Blood Stripe Sword, Su Ze spoke calmly, "You're after the Patriarch's seat. The Fang family seeks revenge for past grievances, and the Pang Family is driven by profit. None of this has anything to do with bravery."

"If you can't grasp that, you're never going to claim the Patriarch's title."

Su Bocheng paused, mulling over the words. There seemed to be truth in them.

But his anger flared anew, and he bellowed, "Fine words from you! By your reasoning, your father is nothing but a blockhead, far inferior to me. So why does he get to be Patriarch when I can't?"

Su Ze smiled. "It's simply the way of things; his destiny is more favorable than yours."

Enraged to the point of near collapse, Su Bocheng spat out, "Nonsense! Should I just resign myself to the whims of fate? Your words are poison."

Meanwhile, Faang Jinbao had been silent, observing the exchange. Finally, he locked eyes with Su Ze and demanded, "How did you manage to recover? It's a serious issue, and Qingya wouldn't lie about it."

With a weary sigh, Su Ze replied, "Haven't you figured it out yet? The truth is, I don't care for Faang Qingya—it's she who's been pining for me. She claimed to have removed my Root Bone, but how could she truly bring herself to harm me?"

Faang Jinbao's face contorted with frustration, struggling for breath.

Was Su Ze spewing madness? Faang Qingya in love with him? Impossible.

Yet, seeing Su Ze unscathed, doubt crept into his mind. Could it be that Qingya would jeopardize the Fang family's entire scheme for love?

"Truth is, I deceived you," Su Ze admitted earnestly to Faang Jinbao.

"You had the audacity to deceive me?"

Faang Jinbao's emotions erupted. With a curse, he launched a punch at Su Ze. The Rolling Rock Fist technique of the Fang family might have been considered unrefined, but Faang Jinbao had honed it over many years. When executed, his punches gained momentum like a boulder tumbling down a mountain, each blow heavier than the last, culminating in a strike powerful enough to shatter stone.

Su Bocheng was right on his heels, both men poised to strike in unison, intent on claiming Su Ze's life. But in that instant, Su Ze's Blood Stripe Sword flashed from its sheath. With a move called Cool Breeze Blowing, he effortlessly dodged Faang Jinbao's punches and drove his sword into his adversary's throat.

A chill spread as ice crystals formed on Faang Jinbao's neck. He felt a sudden coolness—pain hadn't even registered before his head toppled to the ground.

Su Bocheng stood petrified, witnessing Su Ze's lethal swordplay. How could this be? Su Ze was merely an Acquired Level 5 practitioner. How had he slain an Acquired Ninth Layer warrior with a single stroke? Was this a nightmare?

Snapping out of his shock, Su Bocheng turned to flee, only to find a five-foot sword, sheathed in frost and ice crystals, at his neck.

"Grand Elder, Su Bocheng..." Su Ze's voice was calm, detached. "Is there something you wish to say?"

"I'll kill you!" In a sudden twist, Su Bocheng spun and charged at Su Ze.

A cold laugh escaped Su Ze. He read Su Bocheng's palm technique as if it were an open book, despite it being the same Stone Breaking Palm he'd always used. Su Ze countered with a Seventh Layer Mountain Suppressing Palm, targeting Su Bocheng's vulnerability and striking him in the ribs.

By the time Su Bocheng realized what had happened, it was too late. The forceful palm strike sent him crashing to the ground, blood streaming from his mouth and nose.

"It can't be!"

"How are you this strong?" he exclaimed in disbelief.

Su Ze didn't respond. With a swift, horizontal sweep of his sword, he cut down the martial artists attempting to flee. Then he turned his gaze to Xiao Hong and the four black-clad men perched on the roof. "Come here. The first to run will be the first to die."

Xiao Hong, recognizing his decisive actions, set down her crossbow and stood at the alley's entrance, head bowed. The four men in black exchanged glances, then leapt down from the roof to join her.

Su Ze then approached Su Bocheng, sword in hand. "How was the trap set up?"

Su Bocheng clenched his jaw. "I have nothing to say. Just kill me!"

"Killing you is easy," Su Ze responded coolly. "For your actions today, death is certain."

Su Bocheng closed his eyes, silent.

With a slight shake of his head, Su Ze raised the Blood Stripe Sword and ended his life.

The Su family's internal conflict stemmed from Su Bocheng's relentless agitation. Without his death, there could be no peace or unity within the Su family.

Turning to the five men before him, Su Ze inquired, "Do you four belong to the Su or the Fang family?"

"We serve as guards for the Fang family," the men in black replied.

"Do any of you have families?" Su Ze continued.

"Yes," they all confirmed.

Su Ze nodded. "I'm offering you a chance. Return to the Fang family, take your loved ones, and flee. Warn those you care about to do the same. The Fang family's end is near, and I'd prefer not to take more lives than necessary."

Relieved, the four men thanked him profusely before departing.

Finally, Su Ze turned to Xiao Hong. "You seem contemplative. What are your thoughts on my actions?"

"You were incredible!" Xiao Hong exclaimed. "With Su Bocheng and Faang Jinbao gone, you'll have sole command over the Su family. And you'll be the downfall of the Fang family. You're truly formidable!"

"And?" prompted Su Ze.

Xiao Hong hesitated, struggling to find her words.

What more was there to say?

"Master, I beg you to spare my life. I was truly left with no choice. Su Li coerced me, and the Fang family commanded me. I had no power to resist; I could only obey them."

Su Ze shook his head. "That's not the answer I was looking for. Tell me, how did I do just now?"

"You're incredible!" Xiao Hong exclaimed, her eyes widening with sudden understanding. "You released those four from the Fang family to undermine their confidence, to incite internal strife within their ranks. That's brilliant!"

Su Ze remained silent, the Blood Stripe Sword rising in his hand.

Compassion was his primary motive, calculation came second. Xiao Hong saw only the latter, revealing her impure heart and lack of benevolence.

Moreover, her so-called desperation was clearly a fabrication.

Xiao Hong was taken aback, pleading for her life. But Su Ze was resolute; he lifted his sword and ended her life.

Surveying his surroundings, he noted the already sparse population had dwindled to none.

With determined steps, Su Ze made his way back to the Su family.

Today, the Su family would be united once more, a cohesive clan.