Lan Junjie glanced back, seeing that many people had not yet expressed their stance. "I won't force anyone," he said. "Those who wish to go, follow me. We shall depart."
...
In the grand hall of Lan Family Fort.
The banquet was still in progress.
However, the host of the banquet had changed. It was no longer the Lan family, but Liang Hutu!
Liang Hutu sat high on the main seat, with fine wines and delicacies laid out before him.
His subordinates were also seated, cursing, drinking, shouting orders, and playing drinking games.
The vast hall of Lan Family Fort was filled with noise and clamor.
Lan Tiankui was fawning over them, pouring wine for one, serving dishes to another, his face plastered with a fawning smile.
As for Lan Tianxiong, Li Huimei, and the other members of the Lan family, they were shackled and lined up, kneeling in the middle of the hall.
The various families and forces from Jiangnan City who had come to offer gifts to the Lan family simply went with the flow and began congratulating Liang Hutu.
"Congratulations, Mountain Master Liang! Congratulations, Mountain Master Liang! You have seized Lan Family Fort in one fell swoop and obtained the priceless Fire Crystal vein. It is truly killing two birds with one stone."
"Mountain Master Liang, you must take good care of our Wu family in the future, especially regarding the supply of Fire Crystals. We hope Mountain Master Liang can give us more preferential treatment and supply us with more!"
"Mountain Master Liang, I am insignificant, but I represent the Lu family in toasting you! With your unparalleled wisdom and martial prowess, and with you presiding over Lan Family Fort, oh no, it is Liangshan Stronghold now, you will protect us from outer beasts and ensure inner peace. Our Jiangnan City can rest easy!"
"Mountain Master Liang, our Liu family has a gem of a daughter, who is incredibly beautiful. She has both looks and a figure. If Mountain Master Liang does not find her unworthy, our Liu family is willing to form an alliance with you. What do you think?"
...
Liang Hutu's absolute strength was evident. At the late stage of the Profound Gang realm, even in Jiangnan City or the surrounding five cities, he was at least ranked among the top ten, or even the top five, supreme experts.
How could these families miss such an excellent opportunity to curry favor with him?
Thus, for a time, flattery flowed like a tide, and praise filled the air.
Some smaller families, in order to climb onto this powerful figure, did not hesitate to offer their beautiful daughters in their late teens and early twenties to Liang Hutu as concubines.
Liang Hutu, though appearing rough and unrefined, was actually meticulous in his heart and understood the subtle intentions of these Jiangnan City families perfectly.
These families merely wanted to build a good relationship with him, lest they become his next target.
Another reason was their covetousness for the Fire Crystal vein in his possession, hoping to gain some benefits.
However, Liang Hutu would not refuse their overtures. After all, to establish a lasting presence in the Jiangnan City region, forging relationships with these families, big and small, was indispensable.
"Why hasn't that sweet thing, Sky Dog, returned yet?"
Liang Hutu frowned slightly.
Sky Dog had been gone for quite some time.
They were just a bunch of Lan family disciples in the Qi Refining realm, and a son-in-law named Ling Fan. Was it that difficult to capture them?
Sky Dog was in the Profound Gang realm. What couldn't he handle?
"Lan Tiankui, are there any tricks in that Fire Crystal vein? Why hasn't Sky Dog returned yet?"
Liang Hutu asked Lan Tiankui with displeasure.
Lan Tiankui trembled and quickly replied, "Mountain Master, I have told you everything honestly. Even if you gave me ten times the courage, I wouldn't dare to hide anything from you! I don't know why Lord Sky Dog hasn't returned. Perhaps that Ling Fan hasn't come out of seclusion yet."
"Hmm, then let Sky Dog be. That sweet thing is a useless fellow who can't resist a pretty woman. He must have been held up by a woman."
Liang Hutu didn't think too deeply.
He turned his gaze to Lan Tianxiong and said, "How about it, Lan Tianxiong? Have you considered it? As long as you are willing to become my slave, I can spare your Lan family. If you remain stubborn, then don't blame me for being ruthless."
Lan Tianxiong was, after all, an expert in the early stage of the Profound Gang realm, no weaker than Sky Dog. If he could subdue such an expert, it would greatly enhance Liang Hutu's forces.
Lan Tianxiong, with his hair disheveled and body covered in wounds, still held his head high and spat, "I, Lan Tianxiong, a dignified man, how can I assist a villain and consort with a thief! Kill me, but I will never be your lackey."
At this moment, even those who disliked Lan Tianxiong could not help but acknowledge him as a man of iron will.
Liang Hutu sat in the grand chair, his head held high, and sneered upon hearing Lan Tianxiong's words. "That is truly a pity. Since you cannot be of use to me, then you must die."
"Boss, let me do it! Haha, today I want to try the feeling of chopping off the head of a Profound Gang realm expert. I wonder what the experience of using a Profound Gang realm head as a chamber pot would be like, hahaha!"
A dark-faced brute stood up, cupped his fists, and bowed to Liang Hutu.
Liang Hutu waved his hand.
"Go ahead!"
"Thank you, Boss!"
This fierce-looking man was over six feet tall, with bulging muscles. His cultivation had reached the peak of the Qi Refining realm. Rubbing his hands excitedly, he drew a heavy broadsword and walked towards Lan Tianxiong.
"No! You... you scoundrels will die a horrible death!"
"Stop! Stop it!"
"Ah!"
"Please, don't kill our family head!"
"Don't kill my husband! If you want to kill, kill me instead. If you kill him, I won't be able to live either!"
The members of the Lan family cried out in despair. Some were terrified, some cursed, but most pleaded for Lan Tianxiong's life.
Especially Li Huimei, who seemed oblivious to pain as she desperately kowtowed to Liang Hutu. In just a few moments, her forehead was broken, and blood flowed all over her face.
The dark-faced man, holding his saber, watched the desperate cries of the Lan family members with great interest, appearing to relish it.
After a while, his ears grew tired of the noise. He then stretched his muscles and raised the heavy broadsword high above his head.
Instantly, a deathly silence fell over the entire hall, and many held their breath.
The gaze of everyone in the hall converged on his saber.
As soon as this saber fell, Lan Tianxiong, an expert who had been renowned in Jiangnan City for decades, would meet his tragic end.
Li Huimei was completely despairing. Her eyes were vacant, as if all her strength had been drained away.
Lan Tianxiong's back remained straight.
He raised his head, stretched his neck, gritted his teeth, and closed his eyes.
"Swish!"
With a flash of the blade, the dark-faced man, wielding the saber with both hands, swung it down fiercely towards Lan Tianxiong's neck.