In less than half a day, news shook the entire Baishi Road.
The head of the Chu family, Chu Tianxiong, known as the Thunder Sword, had been killed with a single punch!
Luo Yu, leader of the Tiegu Gang and renowned for his invincible fists, had been struck down with just two palm strikes.
As soon as the news spread, it sent shockwaves throughout Baishi Road.
While Chu Tianxiong had long been famous, he wasn't considered one of the top masters of Baishi Road. But Luo Yu was a different story.
He had single-handedly founded the Tiegu Gang, and in just a few decades, he had turned it into one of Baishi Road's most powerful forces, rivaled only by a few top families like the Qin family.
In recent years, the Tiegu Gang's power had grown so immense that even the Qin family struggled under its pressure.
For such a formidable figure to be killed so swiftly left the martial world reeling in disbelief.
At the same time, the name of Gu Qingfeng, the head of the Gu family, spread like wildfire across Baishi Road.
Though Gu Qingfeng had been somewhat known in the region before, his reputation had never been as terrifying as it was now.
After slaying Luo Yu, the name "Gu Qingfeng" became synonymous with being the strongest warrior on Baishi Road.
Even the Qin family's revered ancestor and Yun Changkong of the Tianyun Sect, who were both at the peak of the Blood Refining Realm, were now seen as being on par with Luo Yu.
When it came to raw power, they couldn't match Gu Qingfeng.
At that moment, deep in the Qin family's ancestral mountains, Qin Hongtang, the current head of the Qin family, approached a humble thatched cottage. Bowing respectfully, he said, "Ancestor, Luo Yu is dead!"
At these words, an old man emerged from the cottage.
With gray hair and a deeply wrinkled face, his appearance might have been deceiving, for his sharp eyes still held the intensity of an eagle.
This was the Qin family's revered ancestor.
"Luo Yu is dead? Who killed him?" the old man asked in a solemn voice.
He knew all too well how powerful Luo Yu was. In his prime, the Qin family ancestor could have bested him, but with age came a decline in his vitality and strength. If they were to face off now, the outcome would be uncertain.
Qin Hongtang replied, "It was Gu Qingfeng of the Gu family. He led his guards to the Chu family's estate and killed Chu Tianxiong with a single punch at the gate.
Soon after, Luo Yu arrived with his men, and a confrontation ensued.
According to reports, Gu Qingfeng killed Luo Yu in just two moves."
Fear flickered in Qin Hongtang's eyes as he spoke. He couldn't help but shudder at the thought of such overwhelming power.
Even the Qin family ancestor's face turned grave. His weathered expression darkened as he contemplated this turn of events.
"He killed Luo Yu in two moves? Even if he hasn't reached the Bone Refining Stage, he must be at the Half-Step Bone Refining level."
"I can't say for sure," Qin Hongtang admitted, "but witnesses said Gu Qingfeng's blood energy soared into the sky like a wolf's smoke—nearly fifty or sixty feet tall."
"A blood energy wolf smoke reaching fifty or sixty feet?!" The Qin family ancestor was visibly stunned.
The blood energy wolf smoke was notoriously difficult to cultivate. At the height of his own power, the Qin family ancestor's wolf smoke had only reached about twenty feet. Yet, even then, he had dominated Baishi Road, unmatched by any other.
But now, with his blood and vitality dwindling, his blood smoke was a distant memory.
Still, he knew what it meant to wield such an incredible force of fifty or sixty feet of blood smoke.
While the ancestor was deep in thought, Qin Hongtang added, "A few years ago, outside Baishi City, a mysterious warrior slaughtered several Blood Refining Realm elders from our Qin family. It now seems likely that this 'mysterious warrior' was Gu Qingfeng."
The Qin family ancestor nodded in agreement. "It's almost certain," he said gravely.
With Gu Qingfeng's current strength, it wouldn't have been difficult for him to accomplish such a feat.
Then, the ancestor warned, "Keep this matter to yourself. Our Qin family cannot afford to provoke a Half-Step Bone Refining expert at this time.
Also, prepare a gift. I'll pay a visit to the Gu family to show our respect."
Qin Hongtang bowed deeply. "I understand."
Indeed, a warrior as powerful as Gu Qingfeng wasn't someone the Qin family could confront. Even at the height of their power, the Qin family had never had such a formidable individual in their ranks.
Showing goodwill was the only sensible course of action.
Otherwise, what happened to the Tiegu Gang today might very well happen to the Qin family tomorrow.
As for whether it would bring shame to the Qin family—once the dominant force in Baishi Road—Qin Hongtang couldn't care less.
What was pride worth when faced with survival?
In the martial world, strength was all that mattered.
Power commanded respect.
And when your strength fell short, bowing your head was the only option.
Qin Hongtang hesitated for a moment before asking, "Ancestor, before Luo Yu died, he claimed to be a subordinate of the Divine Martial King. What should we make of this?"
At the mention of the Divine Martial King, the Qin family ancestor's expression grew serious.
"The Divine Martial King!"
The old man's voice was filled with both concern and calculation.
"King Shenwu began his uprising in Nanyang County. In just over a decade, he has conquered Nanyang, Chijiang, and Danyang counties. If the Tiegu Gang truly had ties to him, it suggests that King Shenwu may have his sights set on Guangyang Prefecture—and possibly all of Taishan County.
This could either mean nothing—or everything.
If war breaks out, we of the martial world may find ourselves caught in the crossfire."
The ancestor's heart grew heavy. If King Shenwu's rebellion extended into Guangyang Prefecture, the Qin family might not survive the ensuing conflict.
Fleeing Baishi Road would mean abandoning all the foundation they had built over the years.
But even if they managed to escape, finding a place to resettle would be nearly impossible.
The world was in chaos.
And the flames of war were spreading to the nine provinces and thirty-six counties.
Qin Hongtang, hopeful despite his fear, suggested, "King Shenwu's rise has been meteoric. Perhaps the Qin family could align with him. If King Shenwu ascends to the throne, our family might reach new heights as one of his earliest supporters."
But the Qin family ancestor's sharp rebuke quickly dampened his enthusiasm.
"In times of war, countless clans fall. If the Qin family gets involved, we may be annihilated in the blink of an eye.
And do you really think the Taixuan Dynasty, which has ruled for hundreds of years, is truly on its last legs?
The world may seem chaotic, but the Taixuan Dynasty still has deep-rooted power.
King Shenwu may seem formidable, but his forces are nothing compared to the dynasty's might—or even that of other rebel factions.
If we choose sides too hastily, it could spell the end for us."
Qin Hongtang broke out in a cold sweat, sobered by his ancestor's words.
"You're right, Ancestor. I will follow your guidance."
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