The Extreme Alchemist of the Mighty Cauldron

Chapter 1533: Chapter 1631: Annihilated Just Like That

The entire Dugu Family quickly learned of Fang Lin and Dugu Nian’s arrival, many felt surprised and astounded—for Dugu Nian had not returned home for seven or eight years, and there had been no word from her previously, not even knowing whether she was alive or dead.

During those seven years, Fang Lin’s whereabouts had also been a mystery, with many in the Nine Countries asserting that Fang Lin had perished.

Yet today, surprisingly, Dugu Nian and Fang Lin came to the Dugu Family.

For the majority of the Dugu Family members, the prestige Fang Lin garnered in the Nine Countries in previous years was something they had to look up to, even those in the Dugu Family who harbored considerable hostility towards him now had to suppress their animosity deep within, daring not to show the slightest bit.

Some other clan members felt agitated deep down, as the Dugu Family was currently facing a crisis. The return of Fang Lin and Dugu Nian could potentially provide significant assistance, maybe even help the Dugu Family out of their current predicament.

It was at this time that news from Xuan City came, plunging the Dugu Family into a state of panic.

As the eldest son of Dugu Fengyun, Dugu Xiong could not afford to be concerned about appearance or etiquette and entered the courtyard where Dugu Fengyun and Fang Lin were with an expression of urgent anxiety.

“What’s the matter that has you in such a fluster?” Dugu Fengyun knitted his brows in displeasure at his eldest son.

Dugu Xiong, not minding Fang Lin’s presence, directly said to Dugu Fengyun: “Something’s happened, Xuan City has detained our people, and they demand that you, elder, personally go to Xuan City to claim them.”

At these words, Dugu Fengyun’s complexion dramatically changed, he never expected the Zhou Royal Family to act so brazenly, overtly confronting the Dugu Family.

By detaining the members of the Dugu Family sent to Xuan City and then demanding the Family Head himself to claim them, it was evident that they aimed to trap and possibly kill Dugu Fengyun in Xuan City.

If Dugu Fengyun died there, it would be as if half of the Dugu Family fell. At that point, it would be all too easy for the Zhou Royal Family to finish off the Dugu Family.

This was no longer a conspiracy hidden in the shadows but an overt stratagem—an open challenge to the Dugu Family, questioning whether Dugu Fengyun dared to respond.

If he dared to go, he, Dugu Fengyun, should not expect to leave; the Zhou Royal Family would certainly use any means necessary to detain him in Xuan City.

If he did not go, the Zhou Royal Family would have a pretext to take action against the Dugu Family—no longer needing to hide their intentions, they could openly send their armies and powerful figures.

This move cornered both the Dugu Family and Dugu Fengyun, it seemed that no matter what they did, they could not escape the suppression of the Zhou Royal Family.

Dugu Fengyun’s expression was highly grim. The old man, despite his age, had a clear mind and understood the roundabout tactics of the Zhou Royal Family all too well.

“Father, what should our Dugu Family do now? My fourth brother and Ruoxu are still detained in Xuan City,” said Dugu Xiong, somewhat at a loss.

Dugu Xiong’s fourth brother was Dugu Nian’s father.

Dugu Fengyun’s expression was as dark as water as he said, “I will make a trip to Xuan City tomorrow to bring the two of them back.”

Dugu Xiong became frantic: “Father, I’m afraid if you go…”

Although he didn’t finish his sentence, Dugu Xiong knew that this was the Zhou Royal Family’s scheme—to trap the old man in Xuan City and leave the Dugu Family without their pillar of support.

“What else can we do if we don’t go? Just watch your fourth brother and your son die in Xuan City?” spoke Dugu Fengyun, his appearance indicating he was prepared to face death in Xuan City.

Dugu Xiong seemed frustrated, but suddenly his eyes lit up as he noticed Fang Lin, who sat to the side, silent.

“Why not ask your son-in-law for help?” exclaimed Dugu Xiong directly.

Fang Lin was startled by that address of ‘son-in-law,’ casting an odd glance at Dugu Xiong.

Dugu Fengyun was also taken aback for a moment before turning to look at Fang Lin.

Having listened on the side and more or less grasped the situation, Fang Lin asked, “Is the Zhou Royal Family going to make a move against the Dugu Family?”

Dugu Fengyun sighed and nodded.

Dugu Xiong, however, spoke indignantly, “Ever since that Demon Suppressing King became emperor, he’s been wanting to dominate Xuan Country and suppress other forces. The Shenxiao Sect has already been suppressed to the point of almost collapsing, and I’m afraid our Dugu Family won’t escape this calamity either.”

After pausing, Dugu Xiong looked at Fang Lin with hope in his eyes, “If son-in-law can take action, I fear that even the Demon Suppressing King would not dare to be reckless.”

Fang Lin felt helpless, thinking how awkward it sounded to be called ‘son-in-law.’

At this moment, Dugu Nian and her mother, Xu Xiuping, also came over, just in time to hear Dugu Xiong’s words.

“What happened?” Xu Xiuping asked anxiously, her gaze sizing up Fang Lin, exactly the way a mother-in-law would look at her son-in-law.

Fang Lin hurriedly clasped his hands towards Xu Xiuping in a greeting, “Fang Lin pays his respects to Aunt Xu.”

Xu Xiuping smiled and nodded.

Dugu Xiong nervously told Dugu Nian and Xu Xiuping about the Dugu Nian’s father and Dugu Ruoxu being detained by the Zhou Royal Family.

Upon hearing this, their expressions varied.

“What are we going to do?” Xu Xiuping became anxious at once, thinking that today should have been a happy day with her daughter returning home, and now such an incident had occurred.

Dugu Nian’s elegant brows knitted slightly, as she was clearly very concerned about her father being detained in Xuan City.

“It’s no big deal, I will make a trip to Xuan City myself if I have to, and I will bring them both back,” Dugu Fengyun said in a deep voice.

Dugu Xiong quickly responded, “Now that son-in-law and my niece have returned, there’s no need for father to exert yourself.”

Dugu Nian gave Dugu Xiong a glance, and the latter became stiff, managing a forced smile without daring to say anything more. He had felt Dugu Nian’s oppressive aura back in the corridor and was still shaken.

“What are you babbling about? What can Nian’er and the wise nephew, Fang Lin, do?” Xu Xiuping scolded Dugu Xiong. She did not want her daughter and Fang Lin engaging in something so risky.

Dugu Xiong wanted to explain that his niece has become incredibly formidable, her strength immeasurable, and perhaps even far surpassing their Family Head, but he dared not speak, fearing to upset Dugu Nian.

“I will handle this matter,” Dugu Nian finally spoke up.

Dugu Xiong breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, believing that with Dugu Nian’s terrifying strength, dealing with the Zhou Royal Family shouldn’t be a problem.

Dugu Fengyun looked at his granddaughter and frowned, “The Demon Suppressing King has now reached the peak of Spirit Source cultivation, and he has many experts under his command. We must still think this through carefully.”

“These matters do not require your intervention, you should go with the wise nephew, Fang Lin, to avoid getting involved,” Xu Xiuping said with concern in her face, not wanting Fang Lin and Dugu Nian to take risks. She also did not wish to drag them into the family’s troubles.

Dugu Nian smiled lightly, “Is it just the Zhou Royal Family? Just exterminate them.”

ps: Fourth update, time for dinner, will continue tomorrow, updating every day of the year without a break, are you hooked or what?