Chapter 375: One Move Decides the Game

Zu An instinctively tried to attack backward, but as soon as he moved, a strange force came from his shoulder. Most of his body went numb, leaving him utterly unable to exert any strength.

He couldn't help but be greatly alarmed. The opponent had appeared behind him silently and restrained him instantly. He had no idea how much stronger their cultivation was than his.

"A'Zu, you're finally back," Old Man Mi's chilling voice rang out from behind him.

Zu An, instead, breathed a sigh of relief. "So it was you, elder. You gave me quite a fright."

Old Man Mi released his grip on Zu An's shoulder. After two coughs, he asked, "Why are you alone? Where is Madam Chu? How are her injuries?"

Zu An couldn't help but flatter him profusely. "Senior, you truly possess foresight; you even knew Madam Chu was severely injured."

Old Man Mi snorted coldly. "I was there at the time. Otherwise, how could you have escaped from the Chu clan?"

Zu An remembered the giant tree that had suddenly fallen behind them at that time. He hurriedly thanked him, "Thank you, Senior."

"You still haven't answered my question," Old Man Mi said, a shrewd glint flickering in his eyes, clearly pondering something.

Zu An hesitated for a moment. But on second thought, since Old Man Mi wanted to save both of them, he likely didn't want anything to happen to Qin Wanru. So he replied, "There were some scares, but no real danger. Madam Chu has been rescued, but her injuries haven't fully recovered yet, which is why she didn't come back with me."

Old Man Mi nodded. "Very good, very good. That rascal Ji Dengtu certainly has some skill."

Zu An smiled, without explaining further. He didn't want to reveal too much in front of Old Man Mi.

"What are your plans next?" Old Man Mi asked.

"We plan to contact those within the Chu clan who are loyal to the main branch. At the same time, we'll reach out to Yue Shan, who is currently out of town..." Zu An roughly explained Qin Wanru's plan.

"Too slow," Old Man Mi shook his head. "Yue Shan is out of town; it will take ages for him to return. Moreover, he's too upright; he probably won't be able to handle Hong Zhong."

Zu An was a bit puzzled as to why he was telling him all this. "Do you have any suggestions, Senior?"

Old Man Mi hesitated for a long while and finally said, "Why go through all that trouble? I can help you deal with Hong Zhong and Chu Tiesheng. As the saying goes, 'to catch the bandits, first catch their leader.' Once they're taken care of, everything else will fall into place."

Zu An was both surprised and delighted. "It would naturally be for the best if Senior were to take action."

He hadn't dared to suggest this before, because Old Man Mi had always been low-key and would never act in front of others. He never imagined Old Man Mi would bring it up himself.

So he voiced his confusion.

Old Man Mi chuckled. "That was in the past. Soon, it won't be necessary."

"Of course, afterward, you still shouldn't reveal my existence. Just let everyone believe it was all your doing."

Zu An was stunned. "Senior, wouldn't I be taking credit for your achievements? This is truly... truly..."

Old Man Mi gave him a meaningful look. "There's no need to distinguish too much between mine and yours. They're almost the same."

Zu An managed a forced smile, but his heart was filled with doubts. This guy had said similar things to him several times now. What exactly did he mean?

Following Old Man Mi's guidance, the two arrived at the study. Normally, only Chu Zhongtian was permitted to use this study.

Now that Chu Tiesheng was in power, he couldn't wait to use things only Chu Zhongtian had been able to use. The years of suppressed feelings instantly vanished.

Sitting in the patriarch's chair that only Chu Zhongtian could sit in, Chu Tiesheng felt as though he had never been so proud or relieved in his entire life. The greatest regret, however, was not getting his hands on Chu Zhongtian's woman.

Hong Zhong glanced at him, noting his smug, petty demeanor. A hint of disdain appeared between his brows.

Seemingly sensing Hong Zhong's contempt, Chu Tiesheng realized it was time to get down to business. He straightened up and said, "From what we know, Zu An and Qin Wanru are probably hiding in the Ji clan's courtyard. Unfortunately, Jiang Luofu is protecting them, so how can we get in to capture them?"

Hong Zhong sat down beside him, picked up a teacup, and took a small sip. "Don't worry. Qin Wanru was hit by 'Bull's Milk' poison and my 'Heart-Shattering Fist.' With both combined, even gods can't save her. I was initially somewhat concerned about the Divine Physician Ji's reputation, fearing he might have a way. But we just confirmed he's left the Ji clan's residence. With only that little girl Ji Xiaoxi, how could she possibly save anyone?"

Chu Tiesheng was displeased. In the past, whenever Chu Zhongtian was seated, Hong Zhong would always stand respectfully to the side, awaiting orders. Now, Hong Zhong's demeanor clearly showed he didn't acknowledge Chu Tiesheng as the new patriarch.

"What if Zu An goes around blabbing about today's events and arouses suspicion?" Chu Tiesheng secretly lamented, "What a waste! Qin Wanru actually died just like that. It's all my fault for being so lust-crazed earlier, letting her escape."

Hong Zhong snorted. "Don't worry. We've already smeared his name. So even if he says anything unfavorable, everyone will just think he's trying to get revenge on us. Even if someone suspects something, it will just be suspicion; they'll have no proof. With you firmly in the position of Chu clan patriarch, and me backing you, everyone will definitely believe you."

Clap, clap, clap!

Before Chu Tiesheng could answer, clapping sounds already rang out from outside. Zu An was seen walking in, clapping his hands.

"What excellent schemes!" Zu An said. "Grand Steward Hong, who is usually regarded as honest and upright, actually plays dirty tricks more cunningly and viciously than ordinary people."

"Zu An!"

Seeing him walk in, both were startled simultaneously and abruptly stood up.

"How did you get in!" Chu Tiesheng looked outside, knowing that their trusted confidantes were stationed around the study. How could Zu An have appeared here silently?

Hong Zhong inwardly cursed Chu Tiesheng as an idiot. Since Zu An was here, the guards outside must have been dealt with.

Although he had just witnessed Zu An's skill not long ago, the most impressive aspect was merely his speed. It was highly unlikely he could have silently dealt with all the guards outside.

"Of course, I walked in," Zu An said calmly. "As the Chu clan's son-in-law, do I need your permission to come home?"

"Son-in-law? Hmph," Chu Tiesheng sneered. "A sparrow that flies onto a branch actually thinks itself a phoenix. Without Chu Chuyan, you are nothing. Who in the entire Chu clan truly considers you their son-in-law?"

Hong Zhong, frowning, said, "Stop with the nonsense. Just take him down."

Chu Tiesheng's breath hitched. He thought, 'You're still ordering me around? Are you the patriarch or am I?'

Seeing that Hong Zhong had no intention of acting, Chu Tiesheng gritted his teeth and had to make his move himself. 'Who asked that his cultivation is higher than mine?' he thought, resignedly.

Watching Chu Tiesheng pounce, Zu An neither dodged nor retreated. He stood calmly from a distance, watching him with a cold smile.

Seeing how calm Zu An was, especially the strange smile at the corner of his mouth, Chu Tiesheng felt a chill in his heart. However, he was a sixth-grade cultivator after all, and Hong Zhong was there, backing him up. What trouble could this little brat possibly stir up?

Just as his palm was about to strike Zu An, a finger suddenly appeared behind Zu An.

That finger was dry and ancient, like a decayed tree branch. It looked as if it would break with a mere touch.

At this moment, Hong Zhong's horrified cry rang out in his ears: "Retreat quickly!"

Chu Tiesheng's hair stood on end, but he had no time to react. That finger had already touched his glabella.

His whole body stiffened. His face still held all its previous expressions, but his eyes had completely dimmed, and his entire body collapsed heavily onto the ground.

Hong Zhong had been about to rush over to help, but seeing Chu Tiesheng instantly killed, he abruptly halted his movements.

His cultivation was higher than Chu Tiesheng's, but he definitely couldn't instantly kill him. This proved that the newcomer's cultivation was significantly higher than his own.

Moreover, he hadn't even fully comprehended that one finger strike. He only felt it was profoundly mysterious. He even doubted he could have dodged it himself, had he been in Chu Tiesheng's position.

"Old... Old Man Mi?" At this moment, Hong Zhong clearly saw the opponent's appearance. As the steward, he naturally recognized everyone in the manor, great and small. Wasn't this the taciturn old flower farmer who looked as if a gust of wind could blow him over?