Chapter 180: Each Takes a Step Back, Qiao Family’s Plan

The Qiao Family Head’s expression hardened upon hearing the words, but before he could speak, he was stopped by the Old Ancestor beside him.

Then, he turned to Gu Fan with a smile:

“Little friend, don’t take it too seriously. I am indeed cautious by nature, I’ve offended you just now!”

After speaking, he cupped his fists in a respectful gesture. There wasn’t a trace of anger from being provoked by Gu Fan; instead, he appeared rather magnanimous.

“Even if little friend truly wishes to establish a power in Xuanguang City for some amusement, that’s not impossible. This old one can guarantee we will not obstruct little friend’s development.”

Gu Fan raised an eyebrow, gaining a deeper understanding of this Qiao Family Old Ancestor’s scheming.

He could be certain that if this conversation had taken place outside the secret realm, where neither side was affected by the miasma and could use their full strength, the Qiao Family Old Ancestor and the others would most likely have made a move.

It was only due to the current lingering effects of the miasma, which prevented them from maintaining their peak combat states for long, that they refrained.

There was truly no need to completely offend Gu Fan at such a critical juncture. If they did fall out, neither side could be sure they would benefit.

Gu Fan had naturally considered this as well. Seeing the Qiao Family Old Ancestor loosen his stance, he immediately smiled and said:

“Hahaha, senior is absolutely right.”

At that moment, the Qiao Family Old Ancestor spoke again:

“In that case, time is of the essence. Let us leave the secret realm as soon as possible to prevent any unforeseen changes in Xuanguang City.”

Gu Fan naturally had no objections and nodded. Although the threat from the Qiao Family would gradually increase as they regained their strength upon leaving the secret realm,

Gu Fan himself could still use Mysterious Power. If he couldn’t win, fleeing wouldn’t be a problem.

Most importantly, Gu Fan hadn’t failed to prepare backup plans for himself.

Thus, the subtly tense group quickly set off toward Xuanguang City.

……

In Xuanguang City, inside the Qiao Residence.

It was now the fifth day since Gu Fan had accepted their commission and departed.

By now, Gu Fan should have been inside the secret realm for several days, assuming he entered on the first day.

If the Qiao Family Old Ancestor and others were still alive and all went smoothly, they should have encountered each other by now.

The white-haired old woman furrowed her brows and said:

“After tonight, notify all fourth-generation disciples. As planned, divide into two teams: one to preserve the flame of our bloodline, and one to enter the secret realm and search for the Old Ancestor!”

The Qiao Family Eldest Brother sighed:

“Shouldn’t we wait a bit longer? Maybe…”

“We can’t wait any longer. Tonight is our last chance. Gu Fan has been away from Xuanguang City for five days now. If everything had gone well, he should be back by now. But there’s been no sign—this most likely means something unexpected happened.”

“We can’t wait!”

Upon hearing this, the several third-generation members of the Qiao Family all revealed bitter expressions. In the end, Lao Wu advised:

“Big Brother, listen to Mother. The ambush laid by the three families this time left little hope for the Old Ancestor. We can’t place all our bets on a vague chance. At a crucial moment, we must leave a bloodline for the Qiao Family!”

The Qiao Family Eldest Brother understood the reasoning, though he was unwilling to accept it.

Seeing everyone agreeing, he could only sigh helplessly:

“So be it. It seems Heaven truly wants my Qiao Family to endure this tribulation!”

Then Lao San asked:

“Mother, what about Ruo Xi?”

The white-haired old woman’s gaze flickered repeatedly, then she replied with resignation:

“She’ll leave the city with the fourth-generation disciples too, but have her follow the team searching for the Old Ancestor!”

Lao San and the others were shocked.

“Mother, Second Sister only has this one daughter. Isn’t this…”

“No! Third Brother! Mother is right. Ruo Xi should join the team searching for the Old Ancestor. That is the option that brings the greatest benefit!”

Qiao Family’s Lao Wu spoke calmly.

Lao San, Lao Si, and the others looked at Lao Wu with puzzled expressions, unable to understand why he said that.

“Among the mighty ones currently connected to our Qiao Family, that Gu Fan is considered the strongest. Therefore, if Ruo Xi follows the team searching for the Old Ancestor, there’s a high probability she might encounter Gu Fan in the secret realm. In that case, if the team faces danger, perhaps Gu Fan might lend a hand. But if Ruo Xi follows the team meant to preserve the bloodline, with Gu Fan’s temperament, he might not interfere.”

“More importantly, according to Ruo Xi, she and Gu Fan have both offended the Ruo Family of Wanlin City and the Lan Die Family. If she stays with the team preserving the bloodline, there’s no telling when she might bring disaster upon other Qiao Family descendants.”

Lao Wu explained sentence by sentence. His words were extremely cold, seemingly devoid of emotion.

Qiao Family Eldest Brother, Lao San, and Lao Si all showed expressions of disbelief, though Lao Wu’s analysis was undeniably reasonable.

But the three still found it hard to accept that Mother and Lao Wu would make such a decision!

“Lao Wu… Ruo Xi is Second Sister’s child. Have you forgotten how Second Sister protected us back then? Have you forgotten how she cared for us?”

“Respected Mother, I object to this decision. For the sake of some potential gain and danger, you would abandon Second Sister’s daughter! I cannot agree!”

“That’s right, I also disagree. This child suffered so much in the Ruo Family, traveled so far just to find her relatives, and even chose to stay behind when we faced a powerful enemy, trading for Gu Fan’s help. If we do this now, isn’t it repaying kindness with betrayal? It will chill the child’s heart!”

The white-haired old woman swept her cold eyes across the three brothers.

“You are all my good sons, but for the bloodline, for the continuation of the Qiao Family, I must make this decision. Even the slightest possible threat must not be overlooked!”

“Lao Wu!”

Qiao Family’s Lao Wu lowered his head and answered:

“I am here!”

“Then carry out the plan as we agreed. I will be the villain in this matter!”

Upon hearing this, Lao Wu immediately bowed:

“Understood!”

He then calmly departed under the furious stares of the other three brothers.

The white-haired old woman sighed:

“Lao Da, Lao San, Lao Si, this is what it means to be a family. For the family’s interests, everything else can be sacrificed.”

“If blame must be placed, then blame Ruo Xi’s unfortunate fate. She should not have come to the Qiao Family at this time!”

Qiao Family Eldest Brother still refused to give up and said: “Respected Mother, if nothing else works, I can explain everything to her. Letting Ruo Xi leave Xuanguang City and wander alone is at least safer than going into the secret realm!”

“Foolish. Only by entering the secret realm with the team can Ruo Xi fulfill her role. This matter is not to be discussed further.”

After saying that, the white-haired old woman flicked her sleeves and departed, leaving the three brothers staring at each other in silence, their eyes filled with sorrow.

……

In a side courtyard of the Qiao Family, Ruo Xi stared at the sky, a bit lost in thought and utterly bored.

Such a life had been her norm in the Ruo Family, and she had never found it dull.

But ever since she left the Ruo Family with Gu Fan, now that life had returned to this peaceful state, she somehow found it dull and empty.

To put it simply, after witnessing the vastness of life beside Gu Fan, she had no anticipation for the stagnant days she now lived.

“I wonder how Gu Fan is doing in searching for Grandpa and the Old Ancestor. Has he found them yet? With his strength, there shouldn’t be much danger, right?”

Ruo Xi sighed, and the courtyard once again fell into silence.

At that moment, a knock sounded from outside the courtyard.

“Ruo Xi, Fifth Uncle has something to talk to you about. Do you have a moment?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep