Chapter 123: The Dispute

Nangong Xiong glanced around, briefly sweeping his gaze over the True Martial Sect leader, the Flying Sword Sect leader, and others, but did not linger. He understood clearly that the reason these two sects were drawn into the Blood Fiend Gang’s orbit was ultimately due to self-interest.

“Nangong Xiong! Damn it, this guy actually managed to escape the poison of the Five Venoms from the Western Regions.” Tiemu Qiu’s aged face darkened with a volatile expression, tinged with a hypocritical smile. “I never thought you would awaken alive, which is quite a shock to this old man. But I wonder, how much strength have you regained?”

Though Tiemu Qiu’s words seemed calm, there was a probing undertone. He was deeply wary of Nangong Xiong, for years ago, Nangong Xiong had already reached the pinnacle of the Ancient Core Realm, while Tiemu Qiu had only recently broken through. With Nangong Xiong’s presence, he no longer felt confident in dealing with the Nangong family.

Moreover, Nangong Xiong had appeared just as he was initiating his plan to eliminate the Nangong family.

“What? You want to test if I’ve fully recovered?” Nangong Xiong was clearly displeased with Tiemu Qiu’s old face; he had long seen through this man—cunning and treacherous. This old fox likely had something to do with his grievous injury and coma.

Looking at Tiemu Qiu calmly, Nangong Xiong said, “I’ve always wondered why you, Tiemu Qiu, dared to abandon your former cautious ways and openly provoke the Nangong family to seize a ‘Chosen’ spot. So you’ve broken through to the pinnacle realm. Even so, I advise you,” Nangong Xiong’s eyes grew cold, “do not dig your own grave.”

“Dig my own grave? The head of the Nangong family is far too confident. Now that we both possess pinnacle Ancient Core strength, I won’t fall so easily to you,” Tiemu Qiu sneered darkly.

“Is that so?” Nangong Xiong slowly extended his hand, fingers unfurling to reveal a miniature tower appearing in his palm. Fierce primordial energy crackled like thunder snakes entwining the tower, distorting the very air.

“It seems I must remind you of the grave mistake you are making.”

“Thunderclap Tower!”

“Is that the Thunderclap Tower? The ancestral treasure bestowed upon the Nangong family by the former governor of Nanyang Prefecture. My goodness, I can actually see it with my own eyes.”

Among the warriors nearby, several knowledgeable individuals immediately recognized the precious artifact in Nangong Xiong’s hand.

“Damn it, the Thunderclap Tower!” Tiemu Qiu’s expression soured. He knew well this treasure surpassed ordinary spiritual tools — it was a true treasure-level artifact. Once trapped inside, without peak Ancient Core strength, escape was nearly impossible. It was precisely because the Nangong family possessed such a treasure that they had ruled Yongle City for a century.

“Hmph, it seems my plan to eradicate the Nangong family can no longer continue. Unexpectedly, besides that kid Ye, Nangong Xiong also survived. I’ll have to wait and see, and after my second brother gains the new governor’s trust, we’ll act accordingly.”

Tiemu Qiu silently plotted. In terms of strength, he was not afraid of Nangong Xiong, but his precious artifact was formidable. If it came to a real fight, he might suffer significant losses.

“Tiemu Qiu, since this contest is over, I don’t wish to cause more trouble. Ye is a guest of the Nangong family, and I won’t allow you to act recklessly. I only hope you conduct yourself wisely. The Nangong family has stood strong in Yongle City for a hundred years, and your pinnacle Ancient Core power alone cannot shake that,” Nangong Xiong said coldly.

“Master, Tiemu Qiu’s ambition is dangerous. You cannot let him go free, or there will be endless trouble,” urged several attendants behind Nangong Xiong, anxious.

But Nangong Xiong raised a hand and transmitted his voice through primordial energy, “I am still recovering from grievous injuries. If we truly fought, even with the Thunderclap Tower, it would end in mutual destruction. And you all know well the terror of Tiemu Qiu’s current pinnacle Ancient Core realm; earlier, he didn’t even unleash his full strength—otherwise, you all might be dead.”

It was not that he did not want to kill Tiemu Qiu immediately; he had just awakened from a coma with less than half his strength restored. Now, he relied on the Thunderclap Tower to intimidate him.

“What? He didn’t use his full strength?”

At his words, Nangong Hao and the others were shocked, their lips curling bitterly. No wonder they had been so thoroughly suppressed just now. They fell silent, all seasoned veterans who understood the consequences of mutual destruction—the classic case of a mantis stalking a cicada only to fall prey to a lurking oriole.

“Yes, the Blood Fiend Gang’s overall strength now rivals the Nangong family’s. Recently, the old governor disappeared, and the new one has no ties to us. We must wait quietly for an opportunity and avoid rash conflict,” Nangong Xiong said, prompting the four attendants to nod.

“Very well, I will spare this brat for now, but you can’t avoid fate forever. If I don’t avenge my grandson, I won’t rest,” Tiemu Qiu said darkly, shooting a sharp glance at Ye Cheng before casting a fearful eye on the Thunderclap Tower. Then he turned and left. “Go!”

After Tiemu Qiu’s departure, the True Martial Sect leader and the Flying Sword Sect leader also left in succession.

“Let’s go back!” Nangong Xiong retracted the Thunderclap Tower. His face paled slightly as he took a deep breath and waved his sleeve.

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In the Nangong Family Council Hall,

Nangong Xiong sat at the head of the front table, with Nangong Xue standing elegantly beside him. The four attendants of the Nangong family sat in order beside her. Below, the nine commanders sat to the right, while Ye Cheng took the left seat.

“What? Miss, you say you promised Ye that if he won the contest, you would grant him a ‘Chosen’ spot?” One of the blue-robed attendants at the front frowned, his expression grim.

“Yes,” Nangong Xue nodded without denying it. She glanced at Ye Cheng, who was lightly sipping tea below, recalling how she had once held only a faint hope, never imagining he would truly turn the tide and win the contest.

Ye Cheng took a sip from his teacup, then set it down on the table with a smile. “Miss Nangong Xue promised me that if I helped secure victory in this contest, I would be granted a spot as a reward. Now that I have completed this task, I hope the elders will honor that promise.”