Chapter 127: Qian Longtou’s Irresolution
Translator: Tim Editor: Chrissy
Sai Na Peninsula.
In Nan Qing’s grand meeting room, only a few people sat. In the middle sat a man in his sixties. He had sharp eyes and loose eyebrows, but very thick lips. This was Nan Qing’s leader, Qian Baihe, also called Qian Longtou.
Many years ago, Qian Longtou withdrew from the underworld, but his name still commanded respect. No gang dared oppose him, not only in China, but in Africa and Europe as well.
However, Qian Longtou’s face was bleak. He stared at the screen, silent. Besides him sat six others.
Two were familiar to Ye Mo: the woman he’d disarmed, and Lang Ji. The other four were: a thin man in red, in his forties, with triangular eyes and long eyebrows, who sat beside Qian Longtou. This was Dongfang Xi, Qian Longtou’s advisor; a scholarly-looking youth, neither handsome nor ugly, but the most mysterious and arguably the strongest member of Nan Qing: Wu Qiang; a nun, looking fresh and seated beside the disarmed woman, who seemed related, her arm now reattached, her face still pale; and finally, a reclusive-looking but ferocious man, Li Sandao, Qian Longtou’s close henchman and army general.
Nan Qing’s most important figures were assembled, yet the atmosphere was heavy. After a long silence, Dongfang Xi relaxed his brow and said, “From the recordings, Lang Ji, and Zi Xu’s description, Ye Mo is indeed strong. However, I have my own assessment of the fireball and invisibility.”
Seeing everyone’s attention, Dongfang Xi continued, “I’ll leave the fireball aside. Modern technology makes simulating fireballs easy. However, the fireball’s high temperature suggests a unique fire source. As for invisibility, I suspect he acquired an artifact from a hidden sect. Otherwise, it’s unbelievable. Even hidden sect members can’t achieve that. But one thing is certain: he’s incredibly powerful.”
“What’s your opinion, Master Hui Yan?” Qian Longtou asked the nun after a pause.
The nun replied slowly, “My disciple is severely injured, having paid the price of an arm. My promise to Brother Qian is fulfilled. I will not offer an opinion. I am leaving with my disciple.” She stood, Zi Xu following.
Qian Longtou frowned but didn’t stop her. After a moment, he rose, saying, “Master Hui Yan, I hope we meet again.”
Hui Yan left silently with her disciple, driving off in a car, suggesting pre-planned departure. Zi Xu curiously asked, “Master, why leave? Uncle Qian is kind, and that bastard ruined my arm! I want revenge.”
The nun sighed. “Zi Xu, you only see one side of Qian Longtou. You haven’t seen his viciousness. He can take a month to kill someone. My brother owed him, and I promised three tasks. This, sending you to the desert with Lang Ji, is the last. We are no longer connected.”
“But Master, no revenge?” Zi Xu asked, unwilling to let it go. Years of martial arts training, now undone.
“Revenge?” Hui Yan repeated. “Do you think you can succeed? I don’t know Ye Mo, but I know Qian Longtou’s son. Ye Mo had a reason to kill him. Revenge won’t be easy.”
“Why?” Zi Xu asked. “Didn’t Dongfang Xi say Ye Mo used flammables and magic artifacts?”
Hui Yan said coldly, “Must you believe him? You prefer the mortal world, not returning to our sect. If so, stay.”
“No, Master,” Zi Xu quickly said.
“Then stop. Do you think hidden sects create invisibility artifacts? What flammable substance incinerates so quickly? Even I know he didn’t use flammables. Dongfang Xi deceives himself. Didn’t you see his hand seals? He’s terrifying. Don’t provoke him.” Hui Yan remained shaken by the memory.
She wasn't naive. Her sect, though declining, knew the limitations of hidden sects. Invisibility artifacts were beyond them.
…
“Brother, why let them go?” Lang Ji asked, confused by Hui Yan and Zi Xu’s departure.
Qian Longtou waved his hand, unspeaking. He didn’t want them to leave, but had no reason to stop them. He’d agreed to their departure after three tasks. Forcing Hui Yan would cause conflict, adding to his problems with Ye Mo.
Initially, Qian Longtou considered Ye Mo insignificant. He hadn't expected Ye Mo’s ferocity facing Nan Qing elites. He’d seemed to stroll through combat, frightening Qian Longtou.
Though Ye Mo threatened him, Qian Longtou wasn’t afraid. However, if Ye Mo really possessed flammables and an invisibility artifact, the threat would be significant. He decided to abandon the hunt. Nan Qing would only suffer losses attacking Ye Mo.
Furthermore, Xian Daoist of Metal River was said to be about to break through after his solitary training. If so, he’d visit to show his power, leaving Qian Longtou helpless. Wu Qiang, though strong, was unpredictable and no match for Xian Daoist, especially after a breakthrough.
Qian Longtou felt a headache. Ye Mo, unafraid, might attack. Why did his son provoke him? If it were anyone else, Qian Longtou would have already killed them.
Seeing Qian Longtou's annoyance, Dongfang Xi smiled, saying, “Big Brother, don’t worry. I’ve analyzed the situation. Even if Ye Mo attacks, he can’t harm Nan Qing. He might not even dare. The main issue is that the Song Family manipulated our conflict with Ye Mo.”
“Why?” Li Sandao asked.
Dongfang Xi said confidently, “It’s simple. Ye Mo killed Song Shaowen. This is known, and the Song and Ye families have long been business rivals. When Ye Mo killed Song Shaowen, he possibly mistook Shiping for Song Shaowen’s man, killing him casually.”
The Song Family used this to unite us against Ye Mo, making it seem the Ye Family valued Ye Mo, provoking our attack. They promised benefits, even knowing our prior stance, enticing us with their offering. Collaboration seemed harmless, and we intended to kill Ye Mo anyway.”
“So?” Lang Ji asked, not fully understanding.
“Originally, it was fine; we profited, but Ye Mo was an unknown variable. Even the Song and Ye families may not have known how strong he was,” Dongfang Xi said.
“So, cease our attack on the Ye Family?” Qian Longtou interrupted.
Dongfang Xi shook his head, taking a drink. “No…”