Chapter 165 Qian Hong (Four Updates) _1
The black-clothed cultivator was so infuriated that he coughed up blood, while Mo Hua, using the Fireball Technique, looked leisurely and unruffled.
In the following days, as Qian Family cultivators didn’t press their attack, Mo Hua spent his days drawing formations, strolling around to look at the spiritual mines and admire the mountain scenery, calculating how many more days the meat in his storage bag would last him.
One day, Mo Hua saw Elder Yu looking solemn and couldn’t help but ask curiously,
“Elder Yu, is the Qian Family making a move again?”
“Not for the time being, but that old turtle Qian Hong should be arriving soon.”
“Old turtle?”
“Qian Hong.”
“Oh, the head of the Qian Family?” Mo Hua’s expression grew somewhat somber, “Is Qian Hong very formidable?”
Elder Yu said dismissively, “About the same as Qian Zhongxuan.”
“Then how did he become the family head?”
Elder Yu chuckled lightly, “There’s a lot of scheming involved there. In the Cultivation World, both within clans and sects, there are many who occupy positions they don’t deserve. To climb the ranks, it doesn’t necessarily depend on cultivation or capability. Being able to boast, scheme, deceive, and flatter is often more useful than diligently doing your job.”
Elder Yu scoffed again, “Those people who look respectable, most of them are probably good for nothing.”
Mo Hua was enlightened and asked further, “So, is Qian Hong a good-for-nothing?”
“Not quite.”
“Then he’s a schemer?”
Elder Yu nodded, “Indeed, Qian Hong is very cunning. This time Qian Zhongxuan took a heavy loss, and it’s time for him to step in and take advantage.”
“Take advantage?” Mo Hua was taken aback, “They even take advantage of their own family’s misfortunes?”
Elder Yu chuckled, “The Qian Family is so large, supporting so many people. Strictly speaking, they’re all family because of blood ties and connections. But because they are family, at the same time, they aren’t really family.”
Mo Hua scratched his head, “Is the Qian Family’s infighting that intense?”
Elder Yu raised an eyebrow and said, “When I call the Qian Family treacherous, it’s not for no reason. They’re ruthless to outsiders and their own kin alike. They’ll eat meat whenever there’s meat, and it doesn’t matter who it’s been bitten off from.”
Mo Hua clicked his tongue, asking, “Then what should we do?”
Elder Yu stroked his chin, “It’s about time to consider making an escape.”
“Escape?” Mo Hua’s eyes lit up, “Is the spiritual mine depleted?”
Elder Yu shook his head, “We can’t deplete it.”
Mo Hua felt a bit regretful, “Isn’t that a bit wasteful…”
Elder Yu laughed, “We’ve had our fill of the meat; we have to leave some soup for the Qian Family.”
As night fell and mountain winds howled, a group of cultivators once again approached the Qian Family camp, led by none other than the Qian Family head, Qian Hong.
Qian Zhongxuan stood in the cold wind outside the camp with Qian Family cultivators, respectfully welcoming the Qian Family head, Qian Hong.
Qian Hong was middle-aged with half-white hair, handsome features, but an arrogant demeanor, and his sharp gaze swept around as keenly as an eagle.
Qian Zhongxuan greeted him with cupped hands, “Welcome, Family Head.”
The nearby Qian Family cultivators all bowed to pay their respects.
Qian Hong nodded in acknowledgment and followed Qian Zhongxuan into the camp.
Once seated with no one else around, Qian Hong asked, “How’s the battle going?”
Qian Zhongxuan briefly reported.
Qian Hong sighed, “Elder Qian, you were a bit too hurried. They were trapped inside and couldn’t escape. You should have taken your time initially; then you wouldn’t have suffered such heavy losses.”
Qian Zhongxuan was quite ashamed and frustrated but had nothing to say.
Whether he attacked, defended, besieged, or trapped, if he failed, there would always be an excuse to place blame.
He indeed had lost, spent a lot of spirit stones, lost many subordinates, and his face was completely gone.
Now powerless to retort, Qian Zhongxuan could only grit his teeth and say, “What the Family Head said is very true!”
Qian Hong glanced at Qian Zhongxuan and slowly said,
“However, Elder Qian, you’ve worked hard this time. The clan remembers your toil. I’ll take care of what’s to come, so you don’t need to trouble yourself further.”
Qian Zhongxuan couldn’t help but curse inwardly.
What does he mean by remembering my toil? Does he mean to say I have no merit at all?
Qian Zhongxuan said, “The Family Head is busy with numerous affairs, and regarding the matter of the Spiritual mines, how could we trouble the Family Head? Just give me some more hands, and I will definitely secure the Spiritual mines!”
“Elder Qian!” Qian Hong frowned and said, “I trust in the Elder’s abilities and am willing to entrust this matter to the Elder, but by doing so, I would not be able to justify this to the clan.”
Qian Hong’s expression was grave and carried a hint of heartache as he said, “After all, the losses we suffered previously were too severe!”
In his heart, Qian Zhongxuan silently spat out a curse.
Such pretense, what took you so long? Isn’t it just to wait for him and Yu Changlin to fight to the bitter end, losing their capital, so that he, as the Family Head, could come and reap the benefits?
By then, the credit would be his, the Spiritual mines his, and the prestige his as well.