Upon hearing Qin Cangjing's words, everyone present changed their expressions, their eyes filled with shock and disbelief as they looked at him.
In their memories, Qin Cangjing was a gentle and elegant gentleman in white robes, never one to be so aggressive. Yet, every word he spoke now made them feel oppressed and uneasy, a stark contrast to the Qin Cangjing they once knew.
"Everyone, my words are not just for Qin Chunqiu, but for all of you as well. I have now taken the position of Family Head. What do you intend to do?"
Qin Cangjing placed the Minghong Saber on a small table to his right and then addressed the crowd, "If anyone is not convinced, please speak up. I will make you speak."
"Qin Cangjing, you disgrace to the Qin family! If you want to be Family Head, I, Qin Chunqiu, will be the first to object."
Before Qin Cangjing's return, Qin Chunqiu was the most likely candidate for Family Head. Over the past twenty years, within the Qin family's internal strife, Qin Chunqiu's faction had grown increasingly powerful, enough to crush Qin Lianxing and Qin Tianxia.
With the fruits of victory within his grasp, how could Qin Chunqiu allow someone to snatch them away at this moment? Therefore, he would naturally oppose Qin Cangjing's return to the Qin family with all his might.
"Good, Third Uncle, very good. I like your straightforward nature, but your words have displeased me."
Qin Cangjing slowly stood up, grasped the Minghong Saber, then drew it with a backhand, and slashed towards Qin Chunqiu.
"Qin Cangjing, you unfilial wretch, you dare to kill me?"
Qin Chunqiu did not expect Qin Cangjing to dare to attempt to kill him in broad daylight. His expression changed instantly, but as he possessed martial arts cultivation at the early Earth realm, Qin Chunqiu quickly dodged, narrowly avoiding the saber strike.
"Oh, Third Uncle, not bad. I thought you had spent all these years scheming and plotting, but it seems your martial arts cultivation hasn't fallen behind. Good, since that's the case, take another saber strike from me."
Qin Cangjing looked at Qin Chunqiu with surprise, then his gaze turned cold. He raised his hand and swung his saber again.
The previous saber strike was merely a casual probing from Qin Cangjing. This time, however, Qin Cangjing used twenty percent of his strength, combined with the augmentation from the Minghong Saber. As this saber strike was unleashed, it seemed capable of tearing the air apart, making everyone in the assembly hall turn pale and instinctively hold their breath.
The saber had not yet arrived, but its terrifying aura had already swept forth. Qin Chunqiu knew his strength was insufficient to evade this fearsome strike. He shouted, "Masters Wen Jue, Xing Yin, please lend me your aid!"
As Qin Chunqiu spoke, the formidable saber energy had already reached him. The mere saber aura was enough to cut gold and shatter jade, to split mountains and crack stones, making Qin Chunqiu feel a despair he had never known. At this critical moment, he called out to his greatest reliance.
"Rumble—"
Just as Qin Chunqiu finished speaking, two figures, one black and one white, appeared in the assembly hall like phantoms. They stood in front of Qin Chunqiu, clasped their hands together, and a massive golden bell materialized, enveloping Qin Chunqiu.
"Clang—"
The sharp saber energy struck the great bell. It did not shatter the bell but left a crack.
"The Golden Bell Shield of the Western Regions Buddhist Sect?"
Seeing this, Qin Cangjing's lips curled into a smile. He quickly moved closer to the trio, slashing the Minghong Saber in his hand through the air and heavily onto the great bell. Instantly, the bell was split into pieces. The black and white monks quickly shielded Qin Chunqiu and retreated, preventing him from being killed by Qin Cangjing's saber.
"Young Master Qin is indeed a prodigy. After these twenty years, your martial arts cultivation has reached the pinnacle. Looking at the entire Dragon Country today, you can probably rank among the top ten."
The monk in white, after protecting Qin Chunqiu, stepped forward, bowed to Qin Cangjing, and said.
"Master, you are too modest. To be able to protect Qin Chunqiu under my saber, your strength is also considerable. However, you should not have protected the person I wish to kill, because the consequences of such an action are severe."
Qin Cangjing gently flicked the Minghong Saber with two fingers, producing a pleasant melody that made everyone present feel comfortable.
"Plucking the sword to sing?"
Seeing this scene, everyone present recalled Qin Cangjing's past.
That year, Qin Cangjing, in snow-white robes, was astonishingly talented. He stood on a tall building, plucking his long sword with his fingers, which could make white birds sing.
Twenty years have passed, and Qin Cangjing is no longer the Qin Cangjing of that year, yet he still amazes and intimidates.
"Masters, those I wish to kill, you cannot protect. No one can. Out of consideration for the fact that you once guided me in my martial arts practice, I will give you a chance: leave immediately. Otherwise, you will never have the opportunity to return to Snow Palace in this lifetime."
Qin Cangjing's saber slowly pointed at the black and white monks. He said, "Think carefully, do not rush, for the opportunity comes only once."
"Young Master Qin, we must still protect Mr. Qin, because he has saved our lives. We cannot let him die by your hand, even if it means our death."
The white-robed monk clasped his hands and sighed, "We are all of the Qin family. Young Master Qin, why must you be so ruthless? Can we not take a step back?"
"Master, you are ascetics. How can you understand the cruelty of power struggles? Here, there is no kinship, and certainly no friendship."
"Very well, since you refuse to retreat, then take another saber strike from me."
As his words fell, a terrifying killing intent erupted from Qin Cangjing, filling the air and making everyone present turn pale with fright. Then, Qin Cangjing charged towards the black and white monks with a single step.
"Be careful, Qin Cangjing has reached the peak of the Heaven realm. We must resist with all our might."
The white-robed monk sensed Qin Cangjing's power and his expression changed. He said to the black-robed monk.
"I can sense it. Qin Cangjing is far more terrifying than he was back then."
The black-robed monk replied in agreement.
As their words fell, the black-robed monk stood behind the white-robed monk, placing his hands on his back and channeling all his strength into him.
The next moment, the white-robed monk let out a fierce roar, "Buddha's Wrath Golden Body."
With his cry, a massive golden Buddha statue appeared before the white-robed monk. He then delivered a heavy punch towards Qin Cangjing.
However, as Qin Cangjing swung his saber, the colossal golden Buddha statue was directly shattered. The saber energy, capable of slicing through iron, left a blood streak on the throats of the black and white monks.
Spitting a mouthful of blood, the black and white monks fell to the ground, their lives extinguished.
"What?"
Seeing that Qin Cangjing had actually killed someone, all the Qin family members in the assembly hall changed their expressions. The Qin Cangjing before them was far more terrifying than they had imagined, instilling fear in their very bones.
At this moment, Qin Cangjing stood before Qin Chunqiu, his saber at Qin Chunqiu's neck, and calmly said, "Nephew Cangjing, invites Third Uncle to meet his death."