When Su Quan and the other members of the Su family saw their ancestor preparing to take action, they cheered fervently, their voices filled with hope.
"Ancestor, you're a strong man at the pinnacle of the Sky Control Realm. You must show this bastard the true power of our family!"
"Ancestor, Horn was once nothing more than a dog in our household, and now he dares to act so arrogantly? He deserves to die!"
"Ancestor, kill this bastard!"
The Su family members shouted until their throats were hoarse. They were confident that Horn, despite his newfound strength, couldn't possibly be on par with their ancestor. After all, Horn was only twenty-one years old—too young, in their eyes, to have reached the Sky Control Realm. Even if Horn's cultivation had somehow surpassed their ancestor's, reaching the Great Perfection of the Sky Control Realm, they believed there was no need to fear. Su He had always possessed the ability to fight above his level, and they were sure he would emerge victorious, especially if Horn had not reached the peak.
With great respect, Su Quan urged, "Ancestor, please, kill this bastard!"
Su He's blood surged with pride as he listened to the fervor of his clan. "I, Su He, once dominated Linzhou," he declared. "In the Xia Kingdom, I am a name to be feared. My death was a ruse, not the end. Today, I will lead the Linzhou Su family to true glory!" He pointed at Horn with determination. "I will use your blood to honor the fallen souls of my clan!"
Horn, still gripping Mr. Meng's forehead, lowered his raised right hand and began dragging him towards Su He, step by step. Su He, seeing this, prepared to launch an attack.
But in the next instant, Horn vanished. Su He could no longer sense his presence, and a deep unease crept into his heart.
"Ancestor, that bastard is behind you!" Su Quan cried out.
Horn had reappeared behind Su He, who quickly turned, ready to unleash his combat skills. But a sudden pain shot through his head, disrupting the spiritual energy in his meridians and rendering him unable to perform any techniques. As Horn continued to drag Mr. Meng, he slapped Su He with his free hand. The slap echoed with a sharp "pop," leaving the left side of Su He's face bloody, teeth flying from his mouth.
Horn looked at the staggering Su He and sneered, "Old man, I saw you getting all worked up earlier. What were you planning to do in front of me? Who do you think you are?"
Su He stood frozen, unable to move. Horn slapped him again, this time on the right cheek, making his face symmetrical in its bloodiness. "There, now it's balanced," Horn remarked coldly.
Su He's heart filled with regret. His eyes, clouded with fear, darted around as sweat soaked his clothes. When Horn had tortured Mr. Meng, he hadn't even used his full power. Now, Su He realized that Horn's true cultivation might be beyond the Sky Control Realm—a terrifying prospect for someone so young.
Desperate, Su He pleaded, "Senior Horn, I was blind. I offended you. Please, spare my life." He had no other choice; he couldn't even move his fingers.
The Su family members, who had been so hopeful just moments ago, now looked on in despair. Their ancestor, once their beacon of hope, was powerless against Horn. Su Quan stared blankly into the mourning hall, his spirit broken. How had things turned so grim? Even their fabled ancestor was bowing to Horn, a man who had risen to such terrifying heights in just two years.
Horn suddenly spoke to Su He, "Your voice… it sounds familiar." Su He's face went pale as memories flooded back. When Horn was a child, a dark figure had entered his room, immobilizing him and examining his ribs. The shadow had muttered about Horn's potential, dismissing him as a waste before leaving him near death. Now, Horn recognized the voice—it was Su He's.
"Old man, so it was you," Horn muttered, his eyes narrowing.
Su He tried to feign ignorance, but Horn wasn't interested in further conversation. With a flick of his left hand, Horn tore open Su He's clothes, exposing a deep wound that ran from his neck to his stomach. Blood gushed out as the wound widened.
"You like to examine other people's ribs so much, old man? Now, take a good look at your own!" Horn taunted as he exposed Su He's ribs for all to see.
The pain was unbearable. Su He screamed, his face contorted in agony, "Ah~!" He began to beg frantically, "Senior Horn, I was wrong! I shouldn't have done those things to you. Please, for the sake of our shared bloodline, don't kill me. I'll be your loyal dog from now on, anything you want!"
But Horn was unmoved. As he continued dragging Mr. Meng, Su He mistook this for a sign that Horn might spare him if he showed enough loyalty. But Horn's cold voice shattered that illusion.
"You're not worthy of being my dog," Horn said, dismissing Su He with a wave of his arm.
A sharp energy sliced through the air, cutting Su He's body cleanly in two. The Su family members, who had hoped to flee, found themselves paralyzed with fear, their legs like lead. Only Yang Xuan managed to edge towards the manor gate, desperate to escape before it was too late.
But Horn wasn't about to let him go. With a gesture, he caused the coffin lid from the mourning hall to fly out and slam down in front of Yang Xuan, blocking his path with a resounding "bang."