Novel All
Chapter 327: I Never Hold Grudges, I’m Very Generous!
Chapter 327: I Never Hold Grudges, I’m Very Generous!
The Sky Eye is immensely powerful, as every Qin citizen knows. A nuclear weapon is powerful, right? A large-yield nuclear weapon can destroy a mountain or obliterate a city! However, compared to the Sky Eye, nuclear weapons seem to be a tier below.
The Sky Eye not only possesses precision targeting and long-range point kills but also can perform large-scale bombardments.
However, even the most precise Sky Eye has limitations on its attack range. Even at its smallest setting, it could obliterate a building.
So, if Mu Longxian activated the Sky Eye, the death toll would definitely exceed a thousand, possibly even tens of thousands.
"Hmph, just a bunch of ants. Dead is dead.
Back then, when the grandson of the Yang family died, three thousand minor officials across Feng Province were shaken to death.
What, is my son not even worth as much as Yang's grandson?"
Mu Longxian's voice was filled with resentment.
Back then, even public officials were implicated, with more than half dead or injured. Now, this mall was filled with mere commoners. If they died, so be it.
As for public opinion? That was easy to handle. Gu Wu State orchestrated a terrorist attack, aided by the Gui Ran State. Qin Yuan State and Gu Wu State had used each other as scapegoats many times before.
Once, the upper echelon of Gu Wu State became furious and annihilated one of their own towns, causing massive casualties. The blame was ultimately pinned on Qin Yuan State; they claimed Qin Yuan State had done it.
Not only did the commoners not doubt the higher-ups, but they even united against the perceived enemy nation. As for those who doubted? Let them doubt.
The Seven Martial Stars held absolute control and had no fear of resistance from the lower classes.
"My... younger brother is still in the mall!" Han Kang said anxiously.
At this point, he was losing his composure.
"My son is dead, so what if your brother dies?" Mu Longxian said resolutely.
"Activate the Mu-03 Sky Eye, target location..." Mu Longxian began issuing commands.
He had already lost his mind. After his son's death, his status in the family plummeted. Now, only by annihilating Qi Yuan could he vent the hatred in his heart.
Most importantly, his mission also included eliminating Qi Yuan.
However, before he could finish his words, a voice interrupted him.
"Are you the 'middle' from my husband's saying, 'Kill the small ones, then kill the medium ones'?"
The voice appeared abruptly, somewhat ethereal and seductive.
Mu Longxian was momentarily stunned, and everyone in the hall was also startled by the voice.
Suddenly, a young man and woman appeared in the hall. It was the very same couple they had seen earlier on the surveillance feed.
Weren't they... ten kilometers away?
How had they appeared here so suddenly, just after exchanging a few words? Mu Longxian felt a disaster was imminent and shouted urgently, "Guards, quickly, seize them!"
He was genuinely terrified.
Han Kang was also taken aback, looking at his brother's friend, feeling a sense of absurdity.
Was that man back then... a legendary figure from the Immortal Dao?
Although he was qualified to be here today, he still remained mostly ignorant of Qi Yuan’s true identity.
Faced with Mu Longxian's decision to use the Sky Eye, he felt an overwhelming sense of absurdity, confusion, and disbelief.
Now that Ning Tao and Qi Yuan suddenly appeared here, he immediately understood and connected the dots with the incident at the Gui Ran military camp.
Qi Yuan's gaze fell on Mu Longxian, his smile bright: "It feels really good to have a thigh to cling to."
As he said this, he even bent down slightly, playfully hugging Ning Tao's thigh through her black dress.
But at this moment, no one noticed these little actions.
Looking at Mu Longxian, Qi Yuan continued, "Killing the small ones, then comes the 'middle' from the villains, continuously coming, extremely united.
But I... well, I have my wife’s thigh to hold.
I'm not afraid of your unity; I'm afraid of your disunity. Otherwise... wouldn't that mean, hmm, I can't wipe out your entire family?"
Qi Yuan wasn't just talking about clinging to a thigh; he was really doing it. He was a man of action.
Currently, Qi Yuan's physical strength was far inferior to Ning Tao's, so naturally, holding onto his wife’s thigh was the best option.
Qi Yuan's tone was calm, sounding particularly laid-back.
A blush appeared on Ning Tao's cheeks. "After we kill the 'medium,' I'll accompany my husband... to kill the 'old.'"
As she spoke, she gently raised her hand.
Mu Longxian, who had been arrogant and proud moments ago, now looked terrified, his eyes like those of a dying dog.
"No..."
Faced with the imminent threat of death, he seemed to understand the concept of equality among all beings.
He wanted to beg for mercy, but he couldn't utter a single word.
At that moment, his body shattered.
All modern technological defenses seemed non-existent.
He shattered yet didn't shatter, his body simply collapsing to the ground.
No breath left.
The high-ranking officials and political leaders present trembled.
For the first time, they felt so powerless.
Since becoming the elite among men, their mindset had shifted. It was as if the world was a chessboard, and they were the players. Everything had to follow the rules they set.
The common folk were just pawns.
As for the wrath of a common man? It was a joke to them.
As power holders, who among them didn't have a protective suit made of nanobots, not to mention security details? The notion of a common man’s fury spilling blood within five steps was laughable.
Apart from other players, the only thing they needed to worry about and fear was making the right alliances.
But now, their hearts pounded with fear, realizing for the first time that there were things in this world beyond their control.
Ning Tao's gaze swept over the officials, her expression bright like starlight. "You... and you... you... all of you have murder in your eyes, allied with the dead ones... then you should all die."
Ning Tao, like the King of Hell marking names in the Book of Life and Death, pointed, and those she pointed to fell.
Within a few seconds, seven high-ranking officials in the room were dead.
The remaining officials stood frozen, holding their breath, not daring to utter a word.
Han Kang stood there, his mind buzzing.
Among the seven dead officials, three were members of the Provincial Cabinet.
One of them was his direct superior, someone he needed to look up to cautiously.
Yet now, that person was dead like a dog.
How could he not be shocked, not be terrified?
Qi Yuan and the charming young woman were terrifying to this extent.
"I suddenly feel like reciting a poem." Qi Yuan, in a burst of poetic inspiration, mused, "Burning the inner treasury into ashes of brocade, trampling the bones of nobles in the streets of Heaven."
Although the officials present hadn’t heard this poem before, their faces changed dramatically.
They were all cultured people and naturally understood the implications of the poem.
"Good poem... good poem..."
The leader of the Provincial Cabinet stepped out shakily, trembling as he praised.
To be honest, even when facing the Seven Martial Stars families, he had never been this obsequious.
Han Kang quickly stepped forward, adding, "This poem is excellent, depicting both emotion and scene, Mr. Qi... is truly talented."
Seeing this, a few more officials stood up to praise, as if flattering Qi Yuan's poem would spare them.
Their compliments made Qi Yuan feel a bit embarrassed.
"I didn’t write this poem."
Qi Yuan was very honest; he never wanted to take credit for someone else’s work.
The Blue Star hadn’t been destroyed yet; if he got caught plagiarizing, wouldn’t that be a social death?
"The rhythm of the poem is very well-paced, with the grandeur of a sage!" Another official quickly chimed in with more flattery.
Hearing this, Qi Yuan chuckled.
"No wonder ancient emperors liked flatterers."
Qi Yuan then turned his gaze to the secretary standing beside Han Kang.
"Why don’t you say something flattering too, to make me happy?"
Han Kang’s secretary’s face turned even more miserable than before, his body trembling uncontrollably.
"Don't be afraid. I’m a very positive person, I never hold grudges.
Although last time you said Wuyunting was your family's, what you said was a fact, which can't be changed. The fault is mine... for being poor and incapable of buying Gongxing.
Otherwise, I would have retorted right back at you."
Upon hearing Qi Yuan's words, the secretary's face turned pale, showing an expression even worse than crying.
"Mr. Qi... I was wrong." The secretary wished he could go back to a few days ago and tear his mouth apart for saying such things.
"Don’t look like that. You weren't wrong; you were right. It’s my fault for being incompetent... Sigh, if you look like this, doesn’t that make me seem petty, like a brute who resorts to violence when I can’t win an argument?" Qi Yuan couldn’t help but say.
He was always very reasonable.
He would always reason things out rather than resort to violence.
To convince people with reason!
Yet, in the secretary's mind, was he seen as some sort of vengeful killer who exterminated entire families?
The secretary, seeing this look from Qi Yuan, collapsed to the ground, too scared to say another word.
“Sigh,” Qi Yuan sighed again, “I actually preferred the way you looked when we first met, with that defiant look in your eyes.
It's a pity that in just a few days, society has already worn down your edges. You've had a tough time."
Everyone present wanted to laugh but dared not.
The secretary looked even more wretched, as if he had lost everything.
"Alright, everyone, goodbye for now. Having killed the ‘middle,’ I now need to accompany my wife to kill the ‘old.’”
Qi Yuan wrapped an arm around Ning Tao's soft waist.
They were preparing to head to the capital.
If he didn't hold on tight, the journey would be slow.
The head of the provincial cabinet quickly said, "Mr. Qi, please wait a moment."
“Oh? What’s the matter? Are you going to help him flatter me?” Qi Yuan looked at the secretary, who was lying on the ground.
The secretary was immediately looked at by everyone, feeling a chill down his spine.
Qi Yuan continued, “I’m a reasonable person. Don’t demote him just because he’s upright and refuses to flatter me.
Although there’s some bad blood between us, I want to settle it myself. Don’t interfere!”
Qi Yuan had already planned for the future when he had enough money to buy Gongxing.
At that time, he would take out the "property certificate" of the star and slap it on the secretary’s face, saying, “Look, Gongxing is all mine. So what if Wuyunting is yours?”
Qi Yuan was lost in his fantasies, getting happier the more he thought about it.
The head of the provincial cabinet said, “Mr. Qi, the royal family of Qin Yuan State bears you no ill will. It's just that there are bad people in the imperial government. This matter with you is all the fault of the Mu family.”
Qin Yuan State is ruled by a royal family, but within it, the Seven Martial Stars hold more power.
The provincial cabinet leader belonged to the royal faction.
The royal faction's stance towards Qi Yuan was one of recruitment.
"Oh, I understand that.
Do you think I’m some bloodthirsty person who would go and kill all the members of the Seven Martial Stars?
No, I am very kind-hearted, and I believe in repaying kindness and avenging grievances. At most, I would just kill the entire Mu family."
The officials present kept their heads down, with some even gasping in shock.
There were probably thousands of members in the Mu family in the capital.
Including other branches, the number would exceed ten thousand.
Thus, one could see that many people were benefiting from the massive tree that was Qin Yuan State.
Killing the entire Mu family, and that still doesn’t count as bloodthirsty?
“You all lack perspective. I once knew a man who was truly bloodthirsty.
If it were him, he would have probably killed every person surnamed Mu on Gongxing.” Qi Yuan said, “I’m very kind, only killing the main culprits... hmm, and those who harbor ill intentions toward me.”
After saying that, Qi Yuan’s figure disappeared.
In his ear, he heard Ning Tao's charming voice.
“Husband, I heard them say that the Sky Eye is very powerful. Shall I take you up there and tear the Mu family’s Sky Eye apart?”
“Hmm… sure.” Qi Yuan nodded, tightening his grip on Ning Tao.
After all, he was afraid of falling.
Inside the hall, after Qi Yuan left, the remaining officials let out a collective sigh of relief, slumping to the ground.
When Qi Yuan was there, they were too nervous, feeling as if their brains weren’t their own.
The head of the provincial cabinet turned to Han Kang and questioned, “What exactly happened?”
He was referring to the matter between Qi Yuan and the secretary.
The secretary, still lying on the ground, was in a daze and hadn’t snapped out of it.
Han Kang quickly explained, “This matter…”
He recounted what had happened truthfully.
He couldn’t help but feel frustrated inside.
Why did his secretary have to run his mouth and make such a statement?
However, the head of the provincial cabinet’s eyes lit up. “Your brother… knows him well?”
Han Kang, realizing something, got excited and continued, “A few days ago, the Mu family was going to attack Mr. Qi. I don’t know how my brother got wind of it, but he warned Mr. Qi.”
“Good!” The head of the provincial cabinet slapped his thigh with a delighted expression. “Well done. Quickly, tell me more about your brother’s relationship with Mr. Qi.”
Han Kang, realizing this was his opportunity, decided to go all out.
Since he had already offended the Mu family, he might as well climb aboard this big ship.
“My brother and Mr. Qi are both martial artists…” Han Kang began explaining everything he knew to the head of the provincial cabinet.
The head of the provincial cabinet’s eyes brightened even more. “Having this relationship is great… But…”
He paused, growing worried.
“The Sky Eye… the Sky Eye controlled by the Seven Martial Stars… is too strong.
No, I must immediately inform the King to prevent the Mu family from using the Sky Eye!”
...
In the capital.
The most prosperous place in Qin Yuan State.
Inside the Mu family mansion.
The old patriarch sat at the head of the table, his face dark and somber.
Beside the old man stood several middle-aged men, all with grim expressions.
He looked at the Seventh Prince and Gongyi Cai, his face filled with displeasure.
“Is it possible that the royal family and the Gongyi family want to interfere in our Mu family’s affairs?”
The old patriarch’s voice was filled with anger.
The royal family was weak, even weaker than any of the Seven Martial Stars families.
The Gongyi family was in decline. If they hadn’t still controlled a Sky Eye, they would have long been kicked out of the Seven Martial Stars.
Facing the Seventh Prince and Gongyi Cai, the Mu family patriarch was not polite at all.
The Seventh Prince stepped forward with grace and a calm demeanor, not showing any resentment despite the Mu patriarch's harsh words.
“Old Patriarch Mu, we can sit down and discuss things. Rashly using a weapon like the Sky Eye is harmful to the country and could lead to conflicts.”
The Mu patriarch snorted, “I see, your royal family wants to recruit him?
Hmph, he killed my grandson, and we just let him go? How would our Mu family maintain its standing among the Seven Martial Stars?
If you want to sit down and talk, it’s simple. Have him kneel down, hand over everything he has, and sever his own arms, then we can forget about it.
Otherwise... the Sky Eye will definitely descend upon him.”
The Mu patriarch was furious.
This time, if they didn’t act against Qi Yuan, the Mu family would lose face.
More importantly, what would the other Seven Martial Stars families think of the Mu family? Wouldn’t they see them as a pushover?
The Seventh Prince, unhurried, said, “Patriarch Mu, according to the agreement signed between the Seven Martial Stars and the royal family, the use of a weapon like the Sky Eye requires approval from above, from the royal family.
If you intend to act against Mr. Qi, please proceed according to the agreement.”
Back when the royal family wasn’t fully in decline and still had some authority, they had signed a similar agreement with the Seven Martial Stars families.
But now, the royal family was weakened, and many of the Seven Martial Stars families didn’t take this agreement seriously.
Or, they would follow the procedure, apply for approval, and the royal family would typically go through the motions and not deny it.
At this moment, the Seventh Prince brought up this agreement, signaling the royal family’s determination to recruit Qi Yuan.
It was also to make the Mu family wary of the royal family, thereby preventing them from using the Sky Eye and ending the conflict.
“Heh.” The Mu patriarch sneered, “An agreement? A royal family? We, the Seven Martial Stars, consider you the royal family only because we choose to.
If we don’t, you’re no different from a stray dog on the street.
Without your own Sky Eye, does the royal family… even deserve to be called a royal family?”
The Mu patriarch directly tore apart the pretense, not even pretending anymore.
Decades ago, someone had married a princess from the royal family. That person was young and promising, considered the rising star of the royal family. The royal family heavily supported him, hoping to revive their prestige.
But who knew that in the end, that person would strip the royal family of control over their last three Sky Eyes.
It sounds ridiculous, hard to believe, but it's true.
Since losing control over the Sky Eyes, the royal family had truly fallen.
The Mu patriarch showed no respect to the Seventh Prince at this moment. This was a direct tearing of the face.
He was speaking the truth.
The royal family was merely a figurehead now.
Their power only extended to a few provinces.
And as for their military force?
They didn’t even control a single military district.
Not even the Sky Eye.
This royal family… if not a mascot, then what?
Hearing the Mu patriarch's ridicule, the Seventh Prince’s eyes briefly flashed with a trace of resentment, even though he maintained a smile on his face.
“Patriarch Mu, the world is changing, the Immortal Dao is reviving, and Mr. Qi is a pioneer on the path of the Immortal Dao. Keeping him alive benefits us all.
Moreover, the Sky Eye cannot be used indefinitely. Once the energy is exhausted, it will be very difficult to replenish. So..."
"Hmph, the control of the Sky Eye is in my hands; I decide when and how to use it!
Oh, I forgot, it seems your royal family even had the control of your own Sky Eyes tricked away, haha." The Mu patriarch laughed heartily, not giving any face to the royal family or the Gongyi family. "And you, Gongyi Cai, if your Gongyi family doesn’t work harder, within a hundred years, you might end up like the royal family, losing control of your last Sky Eye."
The Mu patriarch continued to insult Gongyi Cai, his eyes filled with disdain. He sneered, "Only weak mice huddle together."
As one of the top three families among the Seven Martial Stars, the Mu patriarch had the right to speak this way.
Even the daughters of powerful families from the Radiant Star would choose to marry into the Mu family.
In short, in all of Gongxing, Mu Longxian was one of the top ten most powerful individuals.
"Mu Series 01 to 13 Sky Eyes, heed my command, full power activation, initiate war mode..." The Mu patriarch directly issued the command.
His body was equipped with various nanobots.
The password to control the Sky Eye was encoded in his voice, specially tuned, impossible to replicate or impersonate.
The network was also independent of the shared internet.
"Directive One, activate the Sky Eye, search for Qi Yuan's location!"
The Mu patriarch continued to issue orders.
Today, he wanted to show the world the authority of the Mu family, an authority not to be challenged.
However, at that moment, a mechanical voice responded.
"Command failed to execute, encountered unknown error."
Hearing this, everyone present was stunned.
The Mu patriarch's face turned ugly. "What’s going on?"
The AI system responded again, "Command failed to execute, encountered unknown error."
The Mu patriarch’s expression darkened even more. "Activate manual override!"
But before he could continue, a soft, calm voice echoed through the room.
"Are you all done barking?"
Everyone turned to see Ning Tao, with Qi Yuan by her side, appearing casually in the center of the hall.
The sight of them instantly heightened the tension.
"How did you get in here?" one of the middle-aged men shouted, his face filled with shock.
"Does it matter?" Ning Tao’s eyes gleamed coldly. "You’re all going to die anyway."
The Mu patriarch gritted his teeth, anger flaring. "Activate all defensive protocols! Engage all automated defense systems!"
However, before anyone could react, Ning Tao waved her hand lightly.
In an instant, an invisible force swept across the room.
All the high-tech defense mechanisms, the protective shields, and the combat robots, everything shattered into pieces as if made of fragile glass.
It was as if an invisible hand had crushed them all effortlessly.
The scene left everyone dumbfounded.
The Mu patriarch’s face drained of color. "Impossible... this can’t be..."
Qi Yuan chuckled, "I told you, didn’t I?
Kill the small ones, then the middle ones, and finally, the old ones. Today is the end of the line for your Mu family."
"No!" The Mu patriarch roared, a look of fear and desperation in his eyes. "Do you think you can get away with this? The Seven Martial Stars will not—"
"Will not what?" Ning Tao interrupted, her tone icy. "Will not kill you?"
She stepped forward, and with each step, the air around her seemed to freeze, the pressure in the room becoming almost unbearable.
"I can assure you," she continued, "in this world, there is nothing I cannot do."
The remaining members of the Mu family, seeing the patriarch’s defeat, panicked. They knew they were facing an entity far beyond their comprehension or power.
The Mu patriarch, in a last-ditch effort, tried to issue another command, but his voice faltered, his strength fading rapidly.
Ning Tao raised her hand again, and a brilliant, blinding light filled the room.
When it dissipated, the bodies of the Mu family members lay lifeless on the ground, not a single one left standing.
Qi Yuan sighed, looking around at the now-silent hall. "Well, that’s done.
I guess we’ll have to find another way to pass the time."
He turned to Ning Tao, his expression softening. "Shall we?"
Ning Tao smiled sweetly, "As you wish, husband."
And with that, they disappeared from the room, leaving behind only silence and the cold, unyielding presence of death.
The Seven Martial Stars might have ruled over Gongxing with an iron fist, but today, a new force had made itself known—a force that would not be so easily forgotten.