Chapter 514: Killing Two Birds with One Stone

"After I contact the East Sea first, then we'll discuss," said Jiang Shao.

"The Night Hawk is dead, they won't just sit idly by," replied another person.

"As long as they send high-level cultivators, no matter who the murderer is, the truth will come to light," Jiang Shao decided in the end, choosing not to seek help from the Lu family for now. He still held hope in the East Sea.

"It seems that Brother Jiang already has more reliable allies," remarked the other person. "In that case, our cooperation ends here."

"I will go to the Lu family tomorrow and ask them to come forward and uphold justice for the Southern Seven Provinces!" Chen Teng left angrily. He felt that he had been played by Jiang Shao. Jiang Shao's true ally was never him; he was merely a pawn in Jiang Shao's hands. Moreover, they were all people from the south. If they had any competition, it should have been internal. In crucial moments, they should stand united against external forces. That was the basic principle. However, Jiang Shao had secretly colluded with outsiders behind everyone's back, which made Chen Teng extremely displeased. He hated himself for misjudging Jiang Shao.

...

On the third day, news of the deaths of three cultivators from the Chen family and the blind master physician from the Jiang family spread throughout Silklake with the rising sun. The previous night, the news of the White Fiend from the Yang family being killed had only been a fuse that didn't attract much attention. Many people knew that the Yang family had a grudge against Qin Tian. Qin Tian receiving gifts and then killing someone was just a brutal retaliation. However, this piece of news was different. It was like a bomb that instantly drew the attention of all the major and minor families in Silklake.

They began to discuss what Qin Tian's intentions were. Ever since he arrived in Silklake and arrogantly took away the number one spot in Ruyi Lake, coercing the young master of the Ma family and forcing Ma Zhuoqun to step back, Qin Tian had killed high-level cultivators from the Yang family. Now, even the Chen and Jiang families, two families that had no prior connection or grudges with Qin Tian, were not spared.

From this perspective, except for the first family that had always been low-key, the remaining four families in Silklake had all suffered heavy losses at the hands of Qin Tian. Finally, someone realized it. Could it be that Qin Tian also wanted to become the overall leader of the Southern Seven Provinces Commercial Alliance? To become the leader, it was not enough to rely solely on influence in the business world. There had to be military power to back it up. By eliminating potential rivals, Qin Tian would become invincible, and only he would be fit to be the leader.

As a result, panic spread among the people. The news and various doubts and accusations also spread beyond Silklake to the entire province, even throughout the Southern Seven Provinces. Faced with the overwhelming news and criticisms, Qin Tian and Punishment secluded themselves and became even more low-key. Now, Qin Tian was convinced that there was a bigger force behind this whole incident. Even the Ma, Yang, Chen, and Jiang families, these large families, could only be sacrificed and played with by that force.

Who was that force? What was their goal? Qin Tian couldn't help but lament at how deep the waters in the Southern Seven Provinces were. He chose silence and temporarily distanced himself from the matter, observing from the sidelines. Because he knew that the hand behind this wouldn't stop there. Before fully understanding that hand, he had to maintain his strength. He had a feeling that this time, he had encountered a rare and formidable opponent. Qin Tian even felt that this force was no less formidable than the poisonous master from the Dark Flower.

Thinking about how the poisonous master had escaped on a paraglider from Mount Everest and hadn't been heard from since, Qin Tian felt a headache coming on. Truly, one wave hadn't settled before another wave rose.

"Lord Lu, Qin Tian has ambitious plans and is slaughtering fellow cultivators. You can't just turn a blind eye!" said someone imploringly.

"Truly, my lord, listen to me. Now, throughout Silklake and even the Southern Seven Provinces, only your Lu family can stop him!" added another person.

"I know your family has high-level cultivators."

"This time, you must stand up for us!" Chen Teng pleaded with frustration, portraying Qin Tian as a ruthless tyrant. Moreover, if no one stopped Qin Tian, the entire Southern Seven Provinces would be plunged into eternal darkness.

In the reception room of the Lu family's residence, Chen Teng earnestly persuaded and requested, but Lu Liang calmly sipped his tea, his expression unchanged.

"Master Chen, as you know, my father's health is not good, and in recent years, the family's affairs have fallen on my shoulders," Lu Liang explained. "With the vast industry of the Lu family, I, at such a young age, am already overwhelmed."

"I truly have no other spare energy to deal with other matters," Lu Liang continued. "Otherwise, I wouldn't have chosen to abstain from the election for the alliance leader."

"Master Chen, how about you try finding someone else?" Lu Liang suggested, finally growing impatient. He picked up a Buddhist scripture and hung an air of indifference.

Chen Teng was dumbfounded. He never expected Lu Liang to be so indifferent to the situation. "Lord Lu, pardon me for saying something impolite," he said. "You may disregard the matter now, but aren't you afraid that Qin Tian will also target the Lu family?"

"If Qin Tian wants to conquer the Southern Seven Provinces, he will definitely not spare the Lu family," Chen Teng emphasized.

Lu Liang smiled and replied, "I have nothing to do with him. Besides, what does his desire to become the alliance leader have to do with me?"

Chen Teng was completely speechless, but he was also unwilling to give up. In the end, Lu Liang seemed somewhat impatient.

"Master Chen, although I can't offer any help, I can provide you with a clear path," Lu Liang said. "Silklake has no one capable of opposing Qin Tian, but you can go elsewhere, such as the Four Seas Province."

"The Four Seas Province falls within the jurisdiction of the Southern Seven Provinces. From what I know, the Ji family of the Four Seas not only engages in business but also has numerous high-level cultivators."

"If you go and find them, perhaps you can eradicate this cancer called Qin Tian."

"The Ji family?" Chen Teng's eyes lit up. However, he soon frowned and said, "We have no relationship with the Ji family. If we suddenly visit them, will they help us?"

Lu Liang chuckled and said, "The Ji family's members are indeed proud. It's difficult to convince them with just you alone."

"Here's what you can do. Contact the other family heads and make a joint request. As a show of support, I will personally write a letter."

"Master Chen, what do you think?"

Chen Teng gritted his teeth and said, "I'll risk it all to confront Qin Tian!"

"I will go and talk to Yang Yuanqing, Ma Zhuoqun, and Jiang Shao. The four of us, along with your letter, with such great face, I don't believe the Ji family won't step forward!"

As he watched Chen Teng leave, Tong Ren admired and said, "Master, your plan of killing two birds with one stone is truly brilliant."

"By making them fight each other, both the Ji family and Qin Tian will be weakened. That way, you can reap the benefits."

"But, Master, do you think the Ji family will take action against Qin Tian?" Tong Ren asked.

Lu Liang sneered, "The old master of the Ji family is an extraordinary person. He won't bother with such worldly matters."

"However, I've heard that the young master of the Ji family, Ji Xing, is a martial fanatic and loves to challenge others."

"I will write him a letter. I don't believe he won't come."

"If Ji Xing also falls at the hands of Qin Tian, do you think the Ji family can remain calm?"