"Tofang, you..."
Araki Rui died with his eyes wide open, unable to rest in peace.
He clearly hadn't expected to die at the hands of his own son-in-law.
Hijikata Jushirō expressionlessly drew his katana, wiped it on Araki Rui's body, and then sheathed it.
"I'm sorry, Father-in-law, but I couldn't let my senior brother's revenge go unavenged."
Hijikata Jushirō's senior brother was Tanaka Toru.
And his words were like looking for a pretext to condemn someone.
No matter how you sought revenge for Tanaka Toru, it shouldn't have led to Araki Rui.
Moreover, he was your own father-in-law!
However, anyone with eyes could see that Hijikata Jushirō's true intention in killing Araki Rui was merely to offer his allegiance to Araki Yoji.
When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter. Araki Mikoto, the great tree, was dead. "Smart people" would naturally seek a new patron.
"Everyone, I think we can proceed directly to the election of the new clan leader."
Since Araki Yoji had not yet returned, Araki Taku spoke on behalf of his son.
After all, in his opinion, Araki Yoji becoming the new clan leader was a foregone conclusion.
Not to mention that Araki Yoji was a prodigy among the younger generation, but the mere fact that he had killed Araki Mikoto was enough to crown him.
And nearly half of the young high-ranking officials present also stood up to express their support.
Araki Yoji had the ability and the means, and he would surely lead the Araki clan to a new height.
This was the thought of some, while others held a different view.
They supported Araki Gang, the elder brother of Araki Rui and Araki Taku.
"Brother, the future belongs to the young. Why are you joining in the fun?"
Araki Taku, elevated by his son's status, no longer held much regard for his nearly seventy-year-old elder brother.
Araki Gang glanced at Araki Taku, and he too was surprised.
His third brother had been incompetent for most of his life, always failing to achieve anything and causing trouble.
Yet, in his old age, he was being elevated by his son and trying to lord it over him.
"Yoji is indeed a good child, but he is too young... And my father had originally intended to pass the position of clan leader to me. If it weren't for the second brother having Mikoto, I would have become the clan leader long ago."
Araki Gang's tone was calm but full of confidence.
This was not only due to his seniority and status but also his ability and competence.
He had gathered a group of old guards who held real power within the clan, and even when Araki Mikoto was in charge, she had relied heavily on him.
"Heh, what's wrong with being young? If we're talking about youth, Mikoto was even younger when she became clan leader, and you didn't dare to object back then!"
Araki Taku said with a cold laugh.
He had pushed things to this point today, and he was determined to secure the position of clan leader for his son, no matter who stood in his way!
Little did he know that the son he relied on for the rest of his life was now cold and dead.
"There's no point in saying more. Father will return tomorrow, and it will be clear who will be the clan leader then."
Araki Gang had no intention of wasting more words with his third brother. Although they were brothers, their statuses were no longer on the same level.
Talking more would only be like talking to a brick wall.
"It's good that Father is returning. Since he entrusted such an important task as killing Araki Mikoto to my son, it means he has already made up his mind!"
"This position of clan leader belongs to my son, and no one else!"
Araki Taku said through gritted teeth, like a mad dog fighting for territory.
However, at that moment, a light and breezy voice suddenly drifted in.
"Hey, hey, hey, such an important matter as electing a new clan leader, how can it be decided without my opinion!"
The wooden door at the entrance was pulled open from the outside.
Then, to everyone's disbelief, Araki Mikoto made a dazzling appearance.
Upon seeing her, everyone was stunned.
How was she still alive? Hadn't she already died?
As Araki Mikoto entered, she immediately saw her father lying in a pool of blood.
In an instant, her gaze turned exceptionally cold. Although she suppressed her emotions, everyone could feel the chill in her eyes.
"You traitor, why are you back? Didn't you die?"
Araki Taku pointed at Araki Mikoto's nose and cursed loudly.
Araki Mikoto did not answer his question and asked with a cold voice, "Who killed my father?"
"Traitor, I'm talking to you! Where is my son?"
Araki Taku shouted.
Araki Mikoto's gaze sharpened, and with a sweep of her jade hand, Araki Taku was sent flying towards her, his neck gripped tightly.
"I'll ask one last time, who killed my father!"
"You... traitor... let me go..."
Araki Taku's face turned purple, struggling to breathe, and he was clearly about to collapse.
"You want to know where your son is, right? Fine, I'll send you to see him now!"
Araki Mikoto exerted force, instantly crushing Araki Taku's Adam's apple.
Then she let go, and Araki Taku's body went limp and fell to the ground.
"Guards, kill this traitor!"
Araki Gang roared with righteous anger, shouting at the outside!
Although his face was filled with rage, he was inwardly overjoyed.
Araki Mikoto's return was indeed timely. Upon her arrival, she had presented him with a great gift, clearing all obstacles on his path to becoming clan leader!
As for Araki Mikoto herself, although she was powerful, Araki Gang was not afraid of her at all.
No matter how strong she was alone, she could not stir up any trouble against the behemoth that was the Araki clan!
The Araki clan, as one of the three great noble families of Dongyang, did not rely on any single individual but on centuries of heritage!
This century of accumulation had resulted in the Araki clan having numerous household guards, equipped with heavy weaponry, their strength comparable to an army.
No matter how powerful a supernatural being was, they would only be blown to smithereens under the encirclement of troops!
However, despite Araki Gang's shouts, only one guard managed to crawl in.
He was covered in blood and severely wounded, clearly not long for this world.
"My lord, it's bad. Someone has broken in. The Araki family has been wiped out..."
He managed to hold on just long enough to say this, and after uttering these words, he let out a gasp and died.
"What? Wiped out? How is that possible?"
The faces of the Araki clan's high-ranking officials were filled with disbelief.
That was an army! They had specifically ordered them to be on high alert before the meeting. How could they have been wiped out so quickly?
Most importantly, no one had heard a single sound!
"Who dares to oppose my Araki clan!"
Araki Gang's eyes were about to burst.
He hadn't even become the clan leader yet, and the family's guard force had been annihilated. He was so enraged that his lungs felt like they would explode!
Just then, Chen Xiao walked in slowly.
He looked at Araki Mikoto as if no one else was around and said with a disappointed tone, "Your Araki clan, not a single capable fighter?"