Perhaps, the old man did not think too much about it when he first saw Duan Qiao Yu acting affectionately with Duan Ling Tian or calling him brother. However, after Yu Qiu Xuan, the beautiful woman, made her move, it was clear that he assumed Duan Qiao Yu and him were from a powerful force. This was a logical assumption. After all, would ordinary people be protected by Lords of Gods? How could Duan Ling Tian be ordinary when the person the Lord of God protected had called him brother?
‘Since this old man recognized me, he must have told Zhong Er and Zhong Si about it earlier…’ Duan Ling Tian thought to himself, ‘However, Zhong Er and Zhong Si were still determined to kill me earlier. They likely set up a Formation to prevent me from sending messages so that they won’t be implicated after killing me. No wonder I felt a slight change in the air earlier. It must be from when they were setting up and removing the Formation.’
Duan Ling Tian was skilled in the law of space. Moreover, he had also comprehended the Space Mastery Dao, which was one of the Four Daos of Heaven and Earth. Hence, his senses were very keen in regard to changes in the void.
‘After finding out about my so-called background, they must have been even more determined to kill me. After all, if I survive, in their opinion, they’ll have to suffer the wrath of the so-called powerful force that they think I belong to. Unfortunately for them, they did not expect Elder Tang Chun to be an advanced King of Gods.’
In fact, not long after arriving at the restaurant, Duan Ling Tian had discreetly probed Tang Chun with his Divine Consciousness. At that time, he had sensed Tang Chun’s cultivation base that was of an advanced god. Although he was an intermediate god, he could still vaguely sense an advanced god’s cultivation base. Any higher, he would not have been able to sense the cultivation base. Subsequently, he had asked Tang Chun about his cultivation base. Tang Chun had told him that to avoid being bothered by other Kings of Gods, he had used a technique to conceal his cultivation base.
Unless one was stronger, one would not be able to detect Tang Chun’s real cultivation base at all. Those who were stronger would definitely not be bothered with Tang Chun.
‘Those three from the Zhong clan must have failed to detect Elder Tang Chun’s cultivation base like me…’
Duan Ling Tian also knew Zhong Er would not behave so humbly because of Tang Chun. After all, even after offending Tang Chun, Tang Chun did not kill them. Clearly, Tang Chun had to consider the person supporting the Zhong clan as well. It was likely someone from the Zhong clan who held a high position in the Hidden Fog Sect had messaged Tang Chun, telling him to spare the trio’s lives. Perhaps, they even compensated Tang Chun for sparing their lives. Perhaps, that was why Tang Chun only asked the trio to apologize to him.
While Tang Chun was still puzzled, Duan Ling Tian asked Zhong Er, “Are you sure you’re willing to pay any price as long as it’s within your ability?”
“Yes,” Zhong Er said without any hesitation as he nodded twice.
“Very good,” Duan Ling Tian said as he smiled faintly, “Then please show me your sincerity.”
Duan Ling Tian shifted his eyes to Zhong Ke Qi, who was behind Zhong Er, and continued to say, “Second Master Zhong, your son, Zhong Ke Qi, is the cause of this conflict between me and your clan. I only have two requests. One, Zhong Ke Qi must die.”
Zhong Er, Zhong Ke Qi, and Zhong Si’s expressions changed drastically.
Zhong Si said anxiously, “Young Master Duan, can’t you spare him?”
Duan Ling Tian glanced at Zhong Si as he said tonelessly, “Would you have spared me earlier?” Without waiting for Zhong Si’s reply, he said mockingly to Zhong Er, “Second Master Zhong, if the Zhong clan can’t fulfill my first request, then there’s no need for me to tell you my second request.”
Duan Ling Tian turned to Tang Chun, who was seated next to him, and said, “Elder Tang Chun, I’ve lost my appetite. I’ll wait for you at the Hidden Fog Academy. Please send me a message when you’re done, and I’ll come to you.”
Before leaving the Hidden Fog Academy, Duan Ling Tian and Tang Chun had exchanged Soul Pearls so they could easily communicate with each other now.
“No, I’m done as well,” Tang Chun said as he shook his head, “Let’s head to the sect.”
Although Tang Chun did not know why the Zhong clan was behaving so humbly and respectfully toward Duan Ling Tian, he knew this was not the time to ask Duan Ling Tian about it. Apart from that, he did not think the Zhong clan would agree to Duan Ling Tian’s first request.
Although Zhong Ke Qi was not an important figure in the Zhong clan, he was not called the little prince of the Zhong clan for nothing. He was the son of the Second Master of the Zhong clan, and he was slated to be the next Clan Leader of the Zhong clan. His uncles all doted on him a lot as well.
Tang Chun thought it was already good enough that Zhong Er did not lose his temper after listening to Duan Ling Tian’s request. How could Zhong Er agree to kill his son? Even if Murong Sui Feng, the dean of the Hidden Fog Academy and the Vice Sect Leader of the Hidden Fog Sect, were here and made this request, the Zhong clan still would not agree to it.
Just as Duan Ling Tian and Tang Chun were about to leave, something shocking happened.
“Since my unfilial son has offended Young Master Duan, he deserves to die!” Zhong Er cried out.
In the next moment, a loud sound rang out as blood splattered in the room.
The person who was alive just a moment ago fell lifelessly to the ground with a loud thump.
Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Zhong Er had decisively struck his son’s head, killing his son.
Perhaps, only Duan Ling Tian was unsurprised by this outcome. He had long guessed it would turn out like this.
On the contrary, Tang Chun was truly shocked. He did not think Zhong Er would kill his son for Duan Ling Tian’s sake. Although he had lived a long time and experienced many things, he was still shocked by this sudden turn of events. When he looked at Duan Ling Tian again, it dawned on him that he did not know the young man in front of him at all.
“Young Master Duan,” Zhong Er called out. His body was trembling, and his eyes were red as he looked at Duan Ling Tian. He tried to hide the fear in his heart as he said hoarsely, “Please tell us your second request.”
Duan Ling Tian looked at Zhong Er and said, “My second request is simple. I just want to see the sincerity of the Zhong clan.”
Then, Duan Ling Tian raised his hand, openly toying with his spatial ring. Clearly, he was implying something with this gesture.
Upon seeing this, Zhong Er, Zhong Si, and the old man sighed in relief inwardly. They were afraid Duan Ling Tian would ask for their lives. After all, if Duan Ling Tian made such a request, they would have no choice but to obey. Their lives were nothing when faced with the well-being of the entire Zhong clan.
“Elder Tang Chun, let’s go.” Duan Ling Tian did not even wait for Zhong Er to agree. He knew Zhong Er would not refuse him. After all, Zhong Er had already killed his son. How could Zhong Er still care about treasures?
Tang Chun, who was still in shock, was pulled back to his senses. He nodded and made to leave with Duan Ling Tian.
When Duan Ling Tian had just stepped out of the room, Zhong Er asked, “Young Master Duan, how should we hand the things over to you after we’ve prepared them?”
“Send someone to bring them to the Hidden Fog Sect,” Duan Ling Tian replied.
…
When Duan Ling Tian finally left, Zhong Er collapsed to the ground. His hands trembled as he held Zhong Ke Qi’s body and said, “Qi’er, please don’t blame me. I had to do it for the sake of the clan. Please forgive me. You died for the clan today; the clan will never forget your sacrifice. I’ll make sure the future generations of the clan remember your name!”
At this time, Zhong Si also came to Zhong Er’s side and patted his shoulder. “Second brother, my condolences… Actually, I could’ve done it in your stead.”
When the two brothers exchanged glances, they both saw the resentment and powerlessness in each other’s eyes.
…
At the same time, Duan Ling Tian, who left the restaurant and Skywind City with Tang Chun, finally heard Tang Chun saying apologetically, “Duan Ling Tian, I apologize for what happened earlier.”
“Elder Tang Chun, there’s no need to apologize. You didn’t do anything wrong,” Duan Ling Tian said as he shook his head.
Tang Chun smiled bitterly. “They wanted to kill you, but I only asked them to apologize to you. Aren’t you angry?”
Duan Ling Tian shook his head again, but he no longer replied.
Tang Chun’s smile grew even more bitter. He tried to explain his helplessness to Duan Ling Tian, “Earlier, when I was about to kill Zhong Si, I received a message from the sect from Zhong Tian Qing, the Grand Elder of the Zhong clan asking me to spare the trio’s lives. Although Zhong Tian Qing is also an inner elder like me and our strength is the same, he has a very good relationship with one of the core elders..”
