Chapter 181: The Fall of the Three Families, Ruo Xi’s Plan

Ruo Xi’s expression lit up with a trace of joy.

Ever since arriving at the Qiao Family, she had experienced a kind of familial affection she had never felt in the Ruo Family.

Especially the love and care from her grandmother and several uncles, which once made her feel as though she had finally found a home.

That was why she had made up her mind—if the opportunity arose, she would definitely protect the Qiao Family.

She could not let her loved ones get hurt!

Outside, Lao Wu of the Qiao Family, upon hearing no response from within, called out again:

“Ruo Xi? Are you in there?”

Ruo Xi snapped out of her thoughts and immediately responded with a smile:

“I’m here, Fifth Uncle! I’ll open the door right away!”

With that, she quickly opened the door, and saw her always-gentle Fifth Uncle standing at the entrance, smiling at her.

Over the past few days, Ruo Xi had also learned through conversations about the current state of the third generation of the Qiao Family.

In general, there were five siblings in total, with her mother being the second among them.

The eldest, third, and fourth uncles were all martial powerhouses, each possessing remarkable talent in cultivation.

The second, her mother, was once praised as one of the three great talented women of Xuanguang City—intelligent and beautiful, having once outshone her generation.

Lastly, there was Lao Wu of the Qiao Family, known as the strategist of the Qiao Family.

Though his cultivation aptitude was ordinary, he was deeply calculating and highly shrewd.

It was Ruo Xi’s first time being this close to her Fifth Uncle, and she immediately welcomed him into the courtyard with joy.

“Ruo Xi, staying within the Qiao Residence these past few days—has it been a little boring?”

“Not at all, Uncle. I’m already very happy just to be with my family.”

Lao Wu’s face showed a fleeting look of surprise, which he quickly masked, his gaze growing resolute.

“Ruo Xi, you’ve come at a bad time. The Qiao Family can no longer protect itself and can’t provide the life you were hoping for.”

Ruo Xi thought he was feeling guilty about not being able to give her a better life and quickly comforted him:

“Don’t say that, Uncle. As long as I can be with my family, I’m already very happy. Nothing else matters to me.”

“Good child… you really are just like your mother…”

As he spoke, Lao Wu closed his eyes for a moment before continuing:

“Ruo Xi, the Qiao Family can’t keep you here any longer. This place is about to become a land of certain death. You must leave with the fourth-generation disciples of the Qiao Family.”

Though Ruo Xi had been mentally prepared, the fact that they were to part ways so soon still made her feel somewhat reluctant.

“Uncle, I will follow the family’s arrangements…”

“Good! Your grandmother and I have discussed it at length. After the fourth-generation disciples of the Qiao Family leave Xuanguang City, they will split into two groups. One will head to the secret realm to search for the Old Ancestor and your grandfather, and the other will seek a safe place to establish roots and preserve the Qiao Family bloodline.”

Ruo Xi nodded. She had heard all of this from others when she had just arrived at the Qiao Family.

She just hadn’t expected that she would now become part of this plan as well.

“Ruo Xi, we need you to join the group heading to the secret realm. Help the Qiao Family find the Old Ancestor and the others. As long as they can safely return, then we can all live together again!”

Lao Wu looked at Ruo Xi with hopeful eyes after he finished speaking.

Sure enough, Ruo Xi didn’t hesitate in the slightest and smiled sweetly.

“I’ll follow the family’s arrangement. Whatever you say, Uncle, I’ll do it.”

A pang of pain struck Lao Wu’s heart, but he quickly forced himself to remain composed and said:

“Good child. Then prepare yourself tonight. Tomorrow morning, if all goes well, I’ll send you to join the main group and leave Xuanguang City together!”

“Okay, Uncle.” Ruo Xi nodded obediently.

Afterwards, the two of them confirmed a few more matters, and then Lao Wu of the Qiao Family took his leave.

Ruo Xi smiled brightly as she saw her uncle off, all the way to the gate—until the moment the door closed.

The smile on her face slowly faded, replaced by deep sorrow and disappointment.

“Mother, in this world, besides you, who else truly cares for me?”

Ruo Xi wasn’t a fool. On the contrary, apart from being somewhat naive to worldly affairs, she was exceptionally intelligent.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have rushed out with Gu Fan immediately after he briefly explained everything, nor would she have so easily persuaded Gu Fan to step in and resolve the trouble that night at the Qiao Family.

So, as soon as her Fifth Uncle voiced those decisions just now, she understood the underlying implications.

On the surface, it sounded like staying at the Qiao Residence meant certain death, and that leaving would preserve a path to survival.

But in truth, the core issue was that her greatest value could only be realized by leaving with the others.

The team assigned to enter the secret realm in search of the Old Ancestor would undoubtedly be walking into extreme danger, with a very low survival rate.

Just think—Gu Fan himself had yet to return, his life or death still unknown. Could the Qiao Family not be aware of how perilous it was?

And for them to have her accompany that team into the secret realm at such a time, besides possibly hoping to gain Gu Fan’s help—assuming he was still alive—it was more likely because they feared the enemies pursuing her might threaten the safety of the Qiao Family bloodline.

Lao Wu of the Qiao Family had never imagined that the seemingly simple and naive Ruo Xi could so quickly grasp the web of interests and consequences behind it all.

But none of that mattered—Ruo Xi had already agreed.

Because from the moment her Fifth Uncle made that decision, Ruo Xi knew this was never a place where she could truly take root.

It was just a pity—after all Gu Fan had done for her, running around and worrying on her behalf, in the end, none of it had been fulfilled.

If she had the means, Ruo Xi even thought about negotiating with that potential future Heart Demon of Gu Fan.

Maybe they could just let her go, let this task of hers be cast aside?

Perhaps if it had been a different task, Gu Fan might have already completed it by now.

Thinking of this, Ruo Xi gave a self-mocking smile, then returned to her room to pack her things and prepare to leave.

…

That night, after the first half of a noisy evening, Xuanguang City gradually quieted down in the latter half of the night.

At that moment, from the bases of the three major powers within the city—the Bai Family, the Xun Family, and the Dongye Family—sudden and relentless screams echoed out.

In an instant, fires erupted everywhere, and countless sounds of slaughter filled the air.

But soon, everything went silent again. In the end, the three families fell into complete silence, as if nothing had ever happened.

For a time, everyone who heard the commotion dared not step outside to check, choosing instead to wait quietly for dawn.

The Old Ancestor of the Qiao Family then led all remaining Divine Moon Realm cultivators and descended directly over Xuanguang City.

At last, a powerful declaration rang out:

“The Old Ancestors of the three families in Xuanguang City have all been executed. Their remnants have all been purged. From now on, only the Qiao Family shall reign supreme in Xuanguang City. The position of City Lord shall be held by the Qiao Family, effective immediately!”

It was only then that everyone understood—the Old Ancestor of the Qiao Family and his group, returning from outside the city, had directly assaulted and wiped out the strongholds of the three families.

And from the current situation, it was clear the three families had been thoroughly defeated.

There was likely not even a trace of their bloodline left.

The Qiao Family would henceforth take direct control of Xuanguang City’s leadership. From this day forward, Xuanguang City would revere the Qiao Family alone!

A moment later, inside the Qiao Residence.

The Old Ancestor of the Qiao Family looked at the kneeling disciples of the clan before him, a satisfied smile at the corner of his lips.

Fortunately, everything had come just in time. The Qiao Residence remained unscathed, and the strength of the Qiao Family was largely intact.

As for the manpower lost in the secret realm, there was no need for concern. Once they absorbed the assets and forces of the three families, the Qiao Family would grow even stronger than before in no time.

The Old Ancestor of the Qiao Family briefly explained the events that had transpired during this period.

For a while, everyone in the Qiao Family listened in rapt attention.

At the same time, in a side courtyard, Gu Fan’s figure slowly drifted down beside Ruo Xi.

“Looks like you’re not planning to stay?”

Ruo Xi turned and smiled at Gu Fan.

“Yes. I’ve troubled you enough.”

Gu Fan sighed, somewhat helplessly.

“Just my bad luck!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep