Chapter 25: Settling the Score
"Thank you for your efforts, Uncle. This is exactly the mithril I need. Go home and get some rest," Xiao Tiance said.
Xiao Realm, Tiance Residence
Xiao Chun hesitated, worried that Xiao Tiance might seek revenge and inadvertently expose their branch's true strength. If things escalated, their plans could fall apart.
"Tiance, your uncle is fine. Please don't act impulsively," Xiao Chun pleaded.
"Uncle, you've endured enough. Look at me I haven't even asked who you fought with. Isn't it clear I plan to let this slide? Don't worry, just rest easy," Xiao Tiance said, his tone calm and his demeanor composed, making his words seem convincing.
Seeing Xiao Tiance's apparent restraint, Xiao Chun confirmed again before finally leaving, reassured.
The moment Xiao Chun left, Xiao Tiance's expression turned cold. He muttered, "Uncle, you've treated me like your own son since my parents passed away. How could I swallow this insult on your behalf?"
"Someone, come!"
Shortly after, a young man from the Xiao Clan's Xuanhuang Guard entered, his demeanor serious.
"Xuanhuang Guard member Xiao Bieli, reporting to the Clan Head. What are your orders?" he asked respectfully.
"Do you know who confronted Elder Xiao Chun at the Treasury within the last hour?" Xiao Tiance asked in a low voice.
"Reporting, Clan Head, I do. News of the conflict has spread across the Xiao Clan. It was Elder Xiao Tianyun who clashed with Elder Xiao Chun.
"The dispute arose because Elder Tianyun's son needed mithril to forge a weapon. However, only one block of mithril remained in the Treasury, and Elder Tianyun, leveraging his Four Star Dou Sheng peak strength, disregarded Elder Xiao Chun's earlier claim to the mithril.
"Elder Tianyun then declared that if Elder Xiao Chun could endure one of his attacks, he would give up the mithril, saying he was being merciful by sparing it for our branch," Xiao Bieli explained, bowing deeply.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Tiance sneered. "If I'm not mistaken, the head of Xiao Tianyun's branch is his brother, Xiao Tianshan, a Six Star Dou Sheng peak expert?"
"Yes, Clan Head. Xiao Tianshan is indeed the head of their branch," Xiao Bieli confirmed.
"Good, very good. During my century long slumber, it seems that Xiao Tianshan, who once grovelled before me, has risen to the position of branch leader." Xiao Tiance's sneer deepened.
He remembered that when he, Xiao Xuan, and Xiao Chen were hailed as the Three Prodigies of the Xiao Clan, Xiao Tianshan and Xiao Tianyun were mere lackeys, utterly submissive in his presence.
How ironic that time had emboldened them.
Xiao Tiance waved his hand, and with a flick of his soul power, a golden, masked Tianyao Puppet emerged.
Xiao Bieli jumped in surprise but quickly composed himself as Xiao Tiance gave instructions.
"Take this Tianyao Puppet to Xiao Tianshan's Sangui Pavilion. Deliver this message: Elder Xiao Chun is my uncle. If Xiao Tianyun demanded that he endure one attack to claim the mithril, it's only fair that my uncle's nephew repays the courtesy.
"If Xiao Tianshan can endure one attack from my Tianyao Puppet, I'll consider the matter settled. Otherwise, they can bring their grievances to me personally at Tiance Residence," Xiao Tiance ordered coldly.
"Clan Head, are you certain this Tianyao Puppet can handle it?" Xiao Bieli asked cautiously, sensing the puppet's power but still unsure.
"Just go. Leave the rest to me."
"Understood!"
Xiao Bieli bowed and left with the Tianyao Puppet following closely behind.
Half an Hour Later
The Tianyao Puppet returned to Tiance Residence.
Since it contained a fragment of Xiao Tiance's soul, he knew exactly what had transpired at Sangui Pavilion.
Sangui Pavilion
The aftermath of the confrontation was clear: Xiao Tianshan and Xiao Tianyun had been sent flying like broken kites, both with their arms shattered.
Watching the scene, Xiao Bieli was astonished. He hadn't expected the Tianyao Puppet to defeat a Six Star Dou Sheng peak expert and a Four Star Dou Sheng peak expert so easily.
A sense of satisfaction overcame his earlier worries.
"Elders, the Clan Head has spoken: if you can endure one strike, the matter will be resolved. If not, you're welcome to bring your grievances to Tiance Residence," Xiao Bieli declared loudly.
"We wouldn't dare! Please convey to Clan Head Tiance that we'll personally come to apologize," Xiao Tianshan said hastily, his voice trembling.
After Xiao Bieli and the Tianyao Puppet left, Xiao Tianyun turned to his brother in frustration. "Brother, how can you be so spineless? Xiao Tiance is just a measly Five Star Dou Sheng beginner. Are we really supposed to fear him?"
Slap!
Xiao Tianshan struck his brother hard across the face.
"You fool! When Xiao Tiance awoke, I warned you not to provoke their branch. Did my words go in one ear and out the other?"
"You hit me?" Xiao Tianyun stared at his brother in disbelief.
"You've brought this upon yourself! Do you know that ever since Xiao Tiance awoke, no one dares bully his branch anymore?
"And don't think for a second that his 'Five Star Dou Sheng' rank means anything. His combat prowess surpasses his realm. The only one in the clan who can confidently defeat him is the Clan Leader.
"Moreover, that puppet alone is at least as strong as a Seven Star Dou Sheng. If you still can't see the bigger picture, you're beyond help."
After venting his frustration, Xiao Tianshan sighed and began preparing gifts for their formal apology.
Meanwhile, Xiao Tianyun remained defiant. "You can go and apologize if you want. I'm going to find Xiao Wu. With his Seven Star Dou Sheng late stage strength, I doubt he's afraid of Xiao Tiance!"
Xiao Tianshan shook his head, resigned. "Go if you want. Let's see if you can even meet him."
As Xiao Tianyun stormed off, Xiao Tianshan muttered under his breath, "He'll learn soon enough."
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