Time had long since run out.
Crimson petals shattered the blood-red sphere, releasing the blood poison…
Forcing everyone in the banquet hall to immediately use their spiritual power to block the poison.
The eerie Ghost Brothers and the Blood Form trio seized this opportunity and fled.
Alas, Yang Ye, who considered himself exceptionally clever, was ultimately played for a fool, utterly outmatched in intelligence by the Ten Branches Bandit Group.
At least, that's how it appeared to everyone present.
Yang Ye's body trembled uncontrollably, not from injury, but from rage.
Screams and cries of fear mingled in the hall.
Seeing this, Zhang Heng’s expression grew solemn. He instinctively moved closer to Wu Tao, seeking a sense of security.
The Ten Branches Bandit Group truly lived up to their reputation as professional bandits – ruthless, fearsome, cruel, and audacious…
And their strength surpassed his expectations.
The combat power of these individuals meant that an ordinary Foundation Establishment stage cultivator would stand no chance against them.
Demonic cultivators, generally, do not prioritize their own lives. They reign supreme among cultivators of the same realm through their destructive techniques. It now seemed true.
In contrast, Wu Tao’s peculiar expression deepened as he witnessed this scene.
Finally, he muttered, "They certainly know how to play."
Then, his expression returned to normal.
Yet, a hint of amusement remained in his eyes.
Yang Ye forced himself to compose, cupping his fists and saying, "Everyone, please allow me to arrange the body of Brother You and the younger generation of the You family before we discuss anything further…"
A joyous occasion had turned into a funeral. Yang Ye’s body trembled slightly, indicating that his inner turmoil was far from the calm he displayed.
However, he managed to gather You Changjing into a coffin and make arrangements for the four You brothers.
Everyone observed this unfold, many lost in thought, each harboring their own intentions.
And not all of these intentions were benevolent.
Xue Tielong, the Right County Lieutenant representing the authorities, was the first to step forward and declare, "The Ten Branches Bandit Group is too arrogant. On behalf of the county office, I will bring them to justice."
"Thank you, Brother Xue. You came to attend the banquet, only to be embroiled in trouble."
Yang Ye, having calmed down, expressed his gratitude.
The others in the banquet hall also spoke up, offering their assistance.
On the surface, everyone seemed united and loyal.
Of course, anyone could say nice things.
When it came to a real crisis, few of these loud talkers would be willing to step forward.
Yang Ye pondered for a moment, then cupped his fists and said, "I request Brother Qi Yu, Brother Xin Yang, Brother Sima Guang, Brother Qian Zheng, and Brother Xue Tielong to lend us your assistance!"
The five men immediately cupped their hands and replied, "It is our duty. We will certainly help!"
Just then, a violent explosion rocked the residential area of Yang Family Fort, followed by a deafening roar.
A massive fireball shot up into the sky, accompanied by thick smoke. This time, who knew how many more had died.
Yang Ye's expression changed drastically, and he immediately rushed out.
Upon seeing the houses consumed by flames, his face grew even more grim.
"Damn these bastards."
Qi Yu, the patriarch of the Qi family, stepped forward and said, "The Ten Branches Bandit Group are all experts in the late Foundation Establishment stage. If we do nothing, the casualties among the Yang family disciples will only grow…"
"It's not a solution for us to just sit here!"
"Why don't we patrol, and if we encounter the Ten Branches Bandit Group, we elders will engage them…"
"Old Yang, you lead the Yang family disciples to concentrate on eliminating them."
Yang Ye hesitated slightly, then bowed his head and replied, "Elder Qi, the enemy is merely probing. Currently, they are hidden, and we are exposed. We lack intelligence, and we don't even know their identities…"
"Moreover, Yang Family Fort is currently a mix of people due to the birthday celebration, making it susceptible to chaos."
He paused, then continued.
"The protective grand array of Yang Family Fort is active. No one is allowed in or out at this time…"
"The Ten Branches Bandit Group is actually trapped within our grasp, confined here."
"Despite their ferocity, their decision to infiltrate Yang Family Fort is the biggest mistake of their lives."
"Friends, please wait here. Give me a few hours, and I will surely capture this group of thieves from the Ten Branches Bandit Group."
"Conversely, if we fall into chaos due to this disruption and mess up our plans, the enemy has not even attacked, yet we have already defeated ourselves."
"My Yang family disciples know each other well and are difficult to impersonate. Compared to hastily forming teams and searching everyone…"
"It's much better to avoid being exploited by their unfamiliarity, allowing them to find weaknesses and defeat us one by one!"
"With me in command, no matter how cunning the Ten Branches Bandit Group is, they cannot escape this inescapable net. Everyone, please stay here with peace of mind."
"Once the enemy's situation is confirmed, if we act, it will be a decisive blow!"
Yang Ye's words resounded with authority. Moreover, this was his territory, and everyone had to give face to the patriarch of the Yang family.
While Yang Ye and a host of Yang family disciples were searching outside for the Ten Branches Bandit Group, the banquet hall itself was also bustling.
Here, one could clearly discern the status and importance of each person by their seating arrangement and cultivation level.
As a prominent family, the Yang family naturally divided seats strictly according to seniority, lest they offend someone.
Now, confined to the banquet hall, with nothing else to do, those nearby began to strike up conversations, exchange pleasantries, and engage in small talk.
No one was lonely.
A few younger Qi Condensation stage disciples, engrossed in conversation, had overlooked the current situation and were excitedly discussing something.
Zhang Heng, with his mid-Foundation Establishment stage cultivation, was among the top-ranked individuals in the Yang family banquet hall…
Therefore, even though his seat was towards the back, many people approached him for conversation.
Zhang Heng, with his gentle manners, engaged in polite conversation with several uninvited guests…
This caused the faces of two young ladies in the Qi Condensation stage to blush, clearly smitten.
Wu Tao, who concealed his cultivation and appeared to be only at the Qi Condensation stage externally, chuckled coldly.
If his suspicions were correct, the Yang family itself had significant problems.
If these people truly believed that these matters had nothing to do with them and could rest easy…
In the end, they would surely face dire consequences.
Wu Tao would not be surprised if eight out of ten people here died after the banquet ended!
Listening to the incessant chatter around him, Wu Tao, who had been coldly mocking, was surprised to discover…
That besides the Cai family, who had always been at odds with the Yang family, the patriarchs of all the other fifth-rank families were gathered here.
Wu Tao glanced at the still chatting family heads and noticed they had brought a considerable portion of their clan's strength.
After pondering, connecting all the dots, Wu Tao finally understood everything.
Meanwhile.
Sima Guang, with a smile, said to Zhang Heng, whom he had just met.
"This is Sima Nan, a rising star of my Sima family. His swordsmanship is incredibly sharp. Although he is only at the early Foundation Establishment stage, he is a prodigy among the younger generation of our Tianshui County."
After introducing his junior relative, Sima Guang pointed to a beautiful young woman with a charming smile and said with a hint of amusement.
"This is Bai Shuangxue, a renowned beauty in Tianshui County, the widow of Mr. Duan Dao Song Jia…"
"Although Mr. Song Jia was extremely ugly, he found a wife who was a top-tier beauty. It made all of us old friends envious. Unfortunately, he died young!"
"This is the village chief Hu Tou Kuang Dao, Zhao Wenxuan. He is the leader of Tiger Head Mountain and commands a bronze ore vein that occasionally yields precious copper essence, making him quite wealthy."
"And Mr. Zhong, who wields the Golden Book and Silver Pen, a pair of top-tier magical artifacts that are well-known in Tianshui County's cultivator circles."
"As for Master Yuan Chen, who sits in the corner quietly drinking, he is the only Foundation Establishment stage cultivator in Tianshui County renowned for his hidden weapons and magical artifacts."
As a result, the guests who came to celebrate the birthday waited for a day and a night but did not see the Yang family disciples capture the Ten Branches Bandit Group…
Growing impatient, everyone began to wish to leave.
Seeing this, Yang Ye once again persuaded them, expending considerable effort to appease everyone.
The banquet finally concluded after several more hours.
However, due to Yang Ye's persuasion, the guests decided to stay a few more days in Yang Family Fort and leave only after the Yang family had completely eliminated the Ten Branches Bandit Group.
The guests, having had their fill, began to head towards the rooms arranged for them by the Yang family.
Zhang Heng and Wu Tao, the latter with a cold smile, walked towards the rooms arranged by the Yang family.
But just as Zhang Heng was about to separate from Wu Tao and sleep in an adjacent room…
A sentence spoken by Wu Tao suddenly made Zhang Heng freeze in shock and tension.
"Alright, no need for such trouble. Let's share a room!"
Although Wu Tao's tone was polite, Zhang Heng dared not be negligent.
However, he harbored some reservations, as in the Great Jin dynasty, same-sex relationships and male prostitution were not uncommon.
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