The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror
Chapter 52 - 48: Ruin of the Family

Chapter 52: Chapter 48: Ruin of the Family

"How did you get in?" Zhao Xiong’s face turned pale.

The sensation of a naked blade pressed against one’s neck is far from pleasant.

Man is the knife and I am the meat.

He never thought that one day he would become the fish on the chopping board, with no chance to fight back.

Xu Qing looked around and said softly, "Officer Zhao, the feng shui of your courtyard is not good; how come it’s drafty everywhere?"

Zhao Xiong couldn’t help but cry out as Xu Qing had dislocated the joints of his limbs.

This secret room, although having air holes, wouldn’t let his voice carry further than the wind.

But Xu Qing still pat Zhao Xiong’s face with the dagger, kindly reminding him, "Officer Zhao, if you want to leave sooner, perhaps you could scream a little louder."

As a result, Zhao Xiong only dared to moan in pain, no longer having the guts to shout loudly.

In fact, the more evil persons are, the more they fear death.

But they often pretend not to fear death to scare ordinary people.

When they truly face someone more evil, sometimes their reaction is even worse than that of the common folk.

At this moment, Xu Qing was still in peril, but he was even calmer than usual, and this calm carried an unspoken excitement.

Using martial arts to violate the prohibition, indeed.

He was in a young man’s body and a martial artist himself; in such a situation, his blood awoke!

In this world, no pleasure from any conspiracy or scheme can compare to the sheer exhilaration of settling grudges through one’s martial prowess.

Ask yourself, who hasn’t dreamt of avenging grievances and settling scores through martial strength alone?

Like Wu Song at the Mandarin Duck Towers, or at Feiyun Pier.

Particularly, the episode at Feiyun Pier where the suona sounded and Wu Song broke free from the iron chains, was one of Xu Qing’s most impassioned memories from his youth.

Enduring the pain, Zhao Xiong said, "Name your price."

Xu Qing spoke indifferently, "Do you still think you’re in a position to negotiate with me?"

Zhao Xiong: "Aren’t you afraid of a situation where both the fish dies and the net splits? Do you really think by capturing me, you can safely walk out of this courtyard? You’re not the only one in the world with kung fu skills. Young man, hear my advice; there is always a higher sky and someone better than you. Leaving some leeway ensures a future."

Xu Qing replied, "Officer Zhao, what does it matter to you who is beyond the sky right now? If I can come in, I can go out. So I’m sorry, but even if the fish dies, the net will not break."

Zhao Xiong: "What exactly do you want?"

Xu Qing looked at him calmly, speaking in a very relaxed tone, "As I said, your family doesn’t have much time left."

Zhao Xiong: "Must you kill us all? Aren’t you afraid of retribution?"

Xu Qing sighed lightly, "You should be aware of my background. If such things truly had retribution, it wouldn’t start with me."

Hearing this, Zhao Xiong stiffened; he remembered the annihilation of the Xu Family over a decade ago.

"If I can tell you the truth about the annihilation of the Xu Family, would you consider showing mercy?" The expression on Zhao Xiong’s face was like that of a man clutching at a lifesaving straw.

"I don’t want to know."

Xu Qing’s answer plunged Zhao Xiong into despair.

"You think that just by capturing me, you can be safe and sound?" Zhao Xiong’s expression grew ferocious.

Xu Qing sighed, "Do I look like a fool to you? Would I attack your Zhao family’s den alone?" He squinted with his eyes sharp as knives, his gaze falling upon Zhao Xiong: "Zhao Xiong, the County Master and Lord are already aware of your secret conspiracy to rebel with the Lotus Sect. If you don’t believe me, wait until I take you outside and you’ll see whether the Official Army is everywhere or not."

"It’s impossible, absolutely impossible. How could you possibly know?" Zhao Xiong’s forehead beaded with sweat the size of beans.

Xu Qing: "Don’t I know now?"

Zhao Xiong said hatefully, "Who betrayed me?"

Xu Qing: "What do you think?"

"Was it that despicable Yin Sanniang? I knew it long ago; she has a good relationship with Feng Xifeng’s daughter, bound to cause trouble sooner or later. How could the Holy Sect employ such a person? It’s infuriating, I should have left the city earlier." At this moment, Zhao Xiong’s sanity was beginning to fray as he fell into madness.

Xu Qing’s expression grew ever more tranquil, creating a stark contrast.

In the past, Fu Jiezi said, "When Han troops approach, dare not make a move; to move is to destroy the nation," and Ban Dingyuan said, "Without entering the tiger’s den, how can one obtain the tiger’s cub." That kind of demeanor, calm and at ease even in the enemy’s lair, brimming with high spirits, seemed to impart to him some understanding at this moment.

His Divine Soul underwent an indescribable, ineffable Transformation.

Originally, his Divine Soul’s progress was becoming weaker and weaker, but now it seemed as if it had taken a dose of Supplemental Medicine, excited and lively.

"It seems that having a thorough understanding and a chivalrous spirit is also one of the tricks to the progress of the Divine Soul."

In fact, it is not surprising, for those historical figures with strong wills, none have not waded through life and death challenges. Even though people plot against Cao Cao at Huarong Dao, the actual story reveals Cao Cao’s resilience and his ability to find joy amid suffering.

After suffering a terrible defeat at Red Cliffs, he managed to rally from the defeated army and converse with ease and laughter.

Thus goes the proverb, "Scholars lightly discuss those in the graves; those in the graves laugh at the scholars’ airs."

Xu Qing recalled the ancient literature and history he studied in his past life, and those historical figures’ charisma seemed to be manifesting upon him at this moment.

Especially the thread of Wei Wu’s divine martial spirit from history, evident in his words and actions.

Adding to that, he was still a youth, not tall in stature, similar to Wei Wu. Holding a dagger and with that thread of divine martial spirit, he exhibited the heroic air of a knight ready to strike by the bedside.

This divine aura plunged the befuddled Zhao Xiong into an icy cave, where despair grew and spread in his heart, weakening his desire to resist.

Xu Qing kept lashing out to diminish Zhao Xiong’s will to fight, in fact, buying time, waiting for County Magistrate Wu to send people over.

Because the Zhao residence was very close to the County Government.

Xu Qing, with his keen ears and sharp eyes.

The secret chamber was built underground, yet he could still hear the sound of horseshoes getting closer.

He waited a little while longer, covered Zhao Xiong’s mouth with a cloth strip, took Zhao Xiong hostage, and led him out of the secret chamber.

Indeed, he heard the voices of the Official Army outside the courtyard.

At the same time, many torches were lit around the Zhao residence.

Regardless of combat power, they made a full show of force.

Moreover, most of the Zhao family’s people were of low birth and naturally fearful of the Officials. Seeing the Official Army appear, their will to fight instantly collapsed.

Some even looked at Niu Peng, a fierce bandit who had just fallen asleep, and was then rudely awakened.

Most of them suspected that it was Niu Peng, the fierce bandit, who had brought the Official Army down upon them.

Puzzled and surprised, Niu Peng hadn’t made his move yet, and the Official Army had already surrounded the Zhao residence.

When did the Government operate with such efficiency?

"The County Master decrees, Zhao Xiong, in collusion with the rebels of the Holy Sect, attempts rebellion. Those who can bring forth the ringleader may be dealt with leniently. Otherwise, they shall be considered complicit in the conspiracy, and their family will be annihilated..." Historian Li read aloud a non-existent decree from the County Master.

But as an Archivist, the fourth-ranking official of the County Government, his words naturally carried credibility.

In that instant, these proclamations shattered the will of those inside the Zhao residence.

Most crucially, up to now, the people of the Zhao residence still did not know where Zhao Xiong was.

The servants who went to Zhao Xiong’s room were promptly taken down by Xu Qing.

Xu Qing was well aware that the more Zhao Xiong failed to appear, the more chaos would ensue within the Zhao family.

But he did not return to the secret chamber.

For the secret chamber had only one entrance and exit, and entering it again might trap him like a turtle in a jar.

Now that he had come out, he was free to come and go.

"The Magistrate decrees, Zhao Xiong, in collusion with the rebels of the Holy Sect, plots rebellion. Those among his followers shall be viewed as complicit in the conspiracy..."

Even the Government’s Official Army had arrived.

The will of the people in the Zhao residence was further dissipated.

An elder of the household felt profound sorrow,

"Destroyed by the County Magistrate, exterminated by the Magistrate. Now, with both attending, the Zhao family’s path to life is sealed today..."