Chapter 176: Chapter 167: Ambush on the Road

More than a month later.

In the backyard of Black Water Pond Manor, Shen Wenping looked bitterly at the baby in the cradle before her.

“Mother, why is Zhongyi’s birthmark on his forehead becoming more and more pronounced?”

The baby boy in the cradle was none other than her and He Zishi’s son, He Zhongyi.

The child had a shallow birthmark on his forehead when he was born, resembling a burning flame.

Initially, they thought the birthmark would gradually fade over time. Unexpectedly, in just over a month, it had deepened significantly.

“It’s nothing, it actually looks quite nice.”

Hu Yufen glanced and laughed, “This little flame makes Zhongyi look even more imposing, doesn’t it?”

Huang Lingxiu, who was beside them, also spoke, “Zhongyi has a Fire Attribute Spirit Root, and this little flame matches perfectly with that.”

Upon hearing this, Shen Wenping pursed her lips but said nothing.

“Zishi went to Yunzhong County City to announce the good news a few days ago, why hasn’t he returned yet?”

Hu Yufen reached out to tease He Zhongyi’s little face and asked.

Shen Wenping shook her head, “Maybe he hasn’t been back in a while and is catching up with his clan brothers.”

Hu Yufen nodded and looked towards Huang Lingxiu, “Go ask Stone if the preparations for Zhongyi’s full moon banquet are ready.”

“Once Zishi and his grandfather arrive, let’s not delay any further.”

“After the full moon banquet, tell your father to have Zishi’s grandfather stay at the residence for a few days, so the old man can see his great-grandson properly.”

Huang Lingxiu got up and said, “Okay, I’ll go check on it.”

…

On the official road in the forest a hundred miles outside Anyang City, a carriage bearing Shen Family’s seal was speeding along.

Suddenly, an incredibly strong wave of spiritual power appeared ahead of the carriage!

The next moment, several massive flaming fireballs appeared out of nowhere and hurled towards the speeding carriage!

Inside the carriage, He Yan was chatting and laughing with He Zishi when he sensed the dangerous aura, his expression changed dramatically!

“Not good!”

Buzz!

Spiritual power surged within He Yan, and he instantly summoned a Spiritual Power Shield to protect himself and He Zishi!

Bang!

The next moment, the fiercely burning fireballs violently struck the carriage, causing a horrifying explosion!

The luxurious carriage was instantly engulfed in flames, and the two horses pulling the carriage and the driver were killed on the spot!

He Yan grabbed He Zishi’s shoulder and dashed out of the inferno!

Just as he was thinking of taking He Zishi to a safe place to fight the attackers, a scorching Sword Aura suddenly came at him!

The attacker seemed to have anticipated their escape route and chose the perfect timing for the attack.

Feeling the power of the scorching Sword Aura, He Yan was alarmed and without hesitation, immediately formed formulas to summon a breeze to send He Zishi away!

Bang!

Just as He Zishi was tossed out, the scorching Sword Aura brutally slashed at He Yan’s Spiritual Power Shield!

A terrifying explosion sounded, and He Yan, in mid-air, was flung more than ten yards away!

“Are you disciples of the Suihuo Sect?”

Blood poured from the corners of He Yan’s mouth. After stabilizing his position, he stared intently at the forest ahead.

There stood two cloaked figures with masked faces.

In recent years, with the arrival of the Immortal Sect and the numerous rewards from Luoxia Mountain, his cultivation had reached the peak of Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer.

However, the aura of the two who ambushed them was obviously much stronger than his.

On top of that, with such terrifying Fire Attribute techniques used at the onset, He Yan instantly realized that these two were highly likely disciples of the Suihuo Sect!

He Zishi had gone to Yunzhong County City to announce good news and specially visited Yunshui Town to see his great-grandson and organize the full moon banquet for him.

He never imagined that disciples of the Suihuo Sect would intercept them on the way.

Watching the two men approach slowly, He Yan’s expression changed, and determination flashed in his eyes.

“Zishi, take the items and go quickly!”

“Grandfather will hold them off!”

He tossed the heavy cloth bag at his waist towards He Zishi not far away and called out loudly!

The cloth bag contained the Spirit Crystal Fragments and Elixirs he had accumulated over the years. Hearing from He Zishi that his great-grandson was confirmed to have a Fire Attribute Spirit Root right after birth,

He Yan was overjoyed and planned to give all his savings as a gift to his great-grandson.

Now, encountering the ambush of two disciples from the Suihuo Sect, he knew he might never see his great-grandson again in this life.

“Grandfather, be careful!”

He Zishi caught the cloth bag and shouted as the two mysterious figures, likely disciples of the Suihuo Sect, struck again!

One of them, wielding a long sword, swiftly approached He Yan, the sword emanating with scorching spiritual power in a fierce slash!

The other continued to form formulas, and flaming arrows quickly took shape in front of him, swiftly shooting towards He Zishi!

He Yan had just blocked the sword with his Spiritual Power Shield when he caught sight of this scene from the corner of his eye, and his heart sank.

He shouted desperately, “Zishi, be careful!”

Before his voice could fall, the sky-full of flaming arrows had already engulfed He Zishi’s figure.

He Zishi, a mere mortal, couldn’t withstand even the simplest techniques of a cultivator, let alone ordinary arrows.

Once engulfed by the flaming arrows, his fate was already sealed.

“My wife, Zhongyi…”

Amidst the blazing fire, He Zishi’s gaze turned towards Yunshui Town, filled with profound longing and reluctance.

His body was quickly consumed by the flames.

After swiftly finishing off He Zishi, the person turned to focus on He Yan, forming formulas once more.

At this moment, He Yan was barely managing to fend off the long sword held by the other person with his spiritual power. Even though he noticed the person preparing to strike, he was powerless to resist.

Moreover, the death of He Zishi had thrown his mind into turmoil.

A massive fireball came hurtling, instantly shattering his Spiritual Power Shield and engulfing his body in a sea of fire.

After confirming the death of the grandfather and grandson, the two suspected Suihuo Sect disciples slowly vanished into the forest.

…

At Black Water Pond Manor, Shen Yuan looked for Shen Wenxing with a grave expression.

“Go have someone inquire in the mountains if any clan members are in danger.”

“Did Zishi return from Yunzhong? Where is he now?”

Shen Wenxing looked at his father with suspicion, not understanding why he was suddenly so anxious.

“Ah Die, what happened?”

“Don’t ask any more questions, go now!”

Shen Yuan said in a deep voice.

Just moments ago, he was cultivating, when suddenly, the white jade turtle shell in his sea of consciousness trembled.

Although there was no clear hexagram displayed on the turtle shell, Shen Yuan felt a distinct sense of unease, as if something bad was about to happen.

Currently, in the Shen Family, apart from Shen Wenyan who is far away in Danzhou, only Shen Chongming and He Zishi are outside.

Shen Wenyan’s safety cannot be easily checked, so among the remaining two, he was most concerned about Shen Chongming.

It’s not that he doesn’t value He Zishi, it’s just that He Zishi is the son-in-law of the Shen Family, and the white jade turtle shell likely wouldn’t warn about him.

Moreover, compared to Shen Chongming, He Zishi is still in Yunzhong County, and under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t encounter any danger.

In contrast, Shen Chongming is currently in the mountains and could encounter Western Wilderness cultivators at any time.

“I’m leaving now!”

Shen Chongming cupped his hands and departed.

Early the next morning, the clan member sent to Yunzhong County City hurried back to the manor.

Shen Wenxing was puzzled at how quickly this had happened when the clan member, with a grave expression, pulled out a half-melted Shen Family seal from his bosom.

“What happened?”

Upon receiving the seal, Shen Wenxing felt a sense of foreboding rise in his heart.

“Reporting to the Patriarch, I didn’t see the son-in-law, but found a pile of ashes on the forest road a hundred miles north of Anyang City, where I found this Shen Family seal among the ashes.”

The road a hundred miles outside Anyang City…

Shen Wenxing gripped the seal tightly in his hand, his eyelids twitching!

That was the route one must take to return from Yunzhong County City to Yunshui Town!

And He Zishi had also taken the Shen Family’s carriage when he went to Yunzhong County City.

“You must head to Yunzhong County City immediately to see if the son-in-law and Elder He are still at the He Family!”

Even though he already had a guess in his heart, he still wasn’t willing to believe it.

He could only hope that He Zishi and He Yan were still at the He Family.

“Yes!”

After the clan member left, Shen Wenxing glanced at the seal, which he had already squeezed flat, and hurried to the back courtyard.

Before he stepped into the courtyard, he heard He Zhongyi’s crying.

Shen Wenxing paused, rubbed his face to ensure nothing was amiss, and then stepped into the courtyard.

Seeing him arrive, Shen Wenping, who was holding He Zhongyi, asked, “Brother, is there any news of Zishi and Grandpa?”

“Zhongyi has been crying all day for some reason…”

Shen Wenxing forced a slight smile and said, “I’ve already sent someone to the Commandery City; don’t worry, little sister.”

Shen Wenping nodded and continued to soothe the child in her arms.

Shen Wenxing approached Shen Yuan and called softly, “Father.”

Shen Yuan glanced at him, then got up and walked out of the courtyard.

In the front courtyard, Shen Wenxing handed over the half-melted seal.

“Clan member discovered it a hundred miles north of Anyang City.”

Upon seeing the seal, Shen Yuan’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Zishi, he…”

Shen Wenxing shook his head, “No bodies were found. I’ve already sent someone on horseback to the He Family, hoping Zishi and Elder He are still there.”

Shen Yuan said nothing.

He knew his son’s words were merely self-consolation.

“Do not tell your little sister about this for now.”

“She has no cultivation, just gave birth, and her body is still weak.”

Shen Yuan said grimly.

“You must personally go to Yunzhong County City to find Immortal Wei.”

“The Dawn Shadow from Luoxia Mountain might know what happened then.”

Shen Wenxing nodded, said nothing more, and quickly left.

After he left, aside from his grief, Shen Yuan was filled with doubt.

Last time when Huang Qingzhou faced a tribulation of life and death, the white jade turtle shell did not give a warning.

Why did the white jade turtle shell suddenly warn this time when He Zishi met with disaster?

Was it because He Zishi is the Shen family’s son-in-law, or did the turtle shell gain some abilities after absorbing the power of the Female Essence Wisdom Pearl in Danzhou last time?

This cannot be verified now and can only be observed in the future.

Outside Yunzhong County City, Shen Wenxing met the Shen Family disciple who had just come out of the city.

“Patriarch…”

The Shen Family disciple, with a troubled expression, cupped his hands and said, “The He Family said… the son-in-law and Elder He set off several days ago, and by all accounts, should have reached Yunshui Town already.”

Shen Wenxing nodded, “I see. You may return.”

After parting with the clan member, he did not go to the He Family but instead went straight to Wei Qiuling’s residence.

“Patriarch He?”

Upon entering the courtyard, he was surprised to find that Patriarch He Tianming was also present at Wei Qiuling’s small courtyard.

“Patriarch Shen.” He Tianming, with a solemn expression, cupped his hands and said, “Zishi and He Yan set off for Yunshui Town several days ago, and the Shen Family disciple just now inquired about the grandfather and grandson. I have a premonition that something has happened, and I came to report to Immortal Wei.”

Shen Wenxing sighed, first saluted Wei Qiuling, then took out the Shen Family’s seal.

“Immortal Wei, this was discovered a hundred miles north of Anyang City by a clan member.”

“According to the clan member’s report, there was also… a pile of ashes at the site.”

Wei Qiuling glanced at the seal and sneered, “This is the handiwork of the Suihuo Sect.”

“Qiuling did not expect the Suihuo Sect to truly engage in such despicable actions, having Immortal Sect disciples ambush and kill members of the He Family.”

Recently, although Yunzhong and Yingchuan have experienced ongoing friction, it was limited to the two noble families of the He Family and Zhang Family, and behind-the-scenes players Luoxia Mountain and the Suihuo Sect had not sent out disciples to participate.

Who would have imagined they would suddenly go mad this time, not only attacking and killing a peak Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer cultivator of the He Family but also killing the son-in-law of the Shen Family!

“Brother Shen, leave this matter to Luoxia Mountain to handle. The Shen Family should not provoke the Suihuo Sect at this time.”

Currently, Qiyun Valley occupies part of the Western Wilderness Barbarian Race’s forces, and the Shen Family can barely breathe. If they pick a fight with the Suihuo Sect, it will be difficult to manage both fronts.

Shen Wenxing reluctantly nodded, then his expression turned cold:

“Immortal Wei, the Shen Family has an agreement with Hundred Beasts Mountain, but not with the Suihuo Sect.”

“If necessary, I will have Wen’an lend a helping hand.”

He himself knew that the Shen Family couldn’t afford a two-front war now, but with his brother-in-law’s tragic death, revenge must be sought if possible.

Should they succeed in crippling the Suihuo Sect’s forces in the Yangnao Land, Luoxia Mountain would then be free to join forces against Hundred Beasts Mountain.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep