Chapter 1587 - 458: Brother-in-law, You’re So Powerful! (6k)_3

In the past, the ancestor of the Liu Family, Liu Xuancang, joined forces with the Yan Family and Celestial Phoenix Palace to forcibly break into the Shen Family, the ruler of the Fifth Tail, only to seize a complete inscription-level Divine Technique as his lifespan was nearing its end.

Unfortunately, Shen Canghai eventually escaped, and even though they searched the souls of the Shen Family’s direct descendants, they could not find the whereabouts of the first part of the Divine Technique.

However, after the destruction of the Shen Family, the Liu Family eventually gained a massive amount of resources.

Coupled with the Yan Family’s promise of protection for five thousand years, not only was their position as the Fifth Tail ruler as solid as a rock, but perhaps... they might even advance further!

Nevertheless, it is said that the ancestor of the Liu Family, Liu Xuancang, had less than ten years of life left. During the great battle of the past, he forcefully activated the latter half of the inscription-level Divine Technique and suffered a backlash.

Combined with the severe injury from fighting Shen Canghai, five years have passed, and now it is said to be nearing the verge of dissolution, likely within the next year or two.

"Although the Liu Family has recruited several Spirit Severing Realm cultivators from my Shen Family, they still dare not heavily use them, fearing they might be feigning submission. All those people have been dispatched to guard remote mineral veins."

Shen Yunzhou said in a low voice inside the tavern’s private room, analyzing the information he had gathered for Zhou Qing.

"Adding to that is their occupation of several rare mineral veins from my Shen Family in the Fifth Tail; they had to send down Spirit Severing Realm members to maintain their position while simultaneously allocating personnel to find my grandfather’s whereabouts."

"So, I estimate that the Liu Family can mobilize, at most, only seven Spirit Severing Realm cultivators now!"

Zhou Qing appeared introspective, saying, "Their ambitious steps have become a fatal flaw."

Shen Yunzhou scoffed, "Isn’t it? Those mineral veins from my Shen Family in the Fifth Tail produce valuable spiritual ore; they had no choice but to dispatch Spirit Severing Realm to guard them."

"Add to that the revenge attacks from my surviving family members over the past few years, forcing them to disperse their strength."

Suddenly, Zhou Qing raised his eyes, "Yet one thing is odd — your grandfather has yet to be captured. Aren’t they afraid a late-stage Supreme Realm expert might retaliate against the Liu Family one by one?"

Shen Yunzhou’s brow furrowed sharply, "I also find it peculiar. Given my grandfather’s power, he should be able to crush Spirit Severing Realm like ants. How can they be so bold?"

Zhou Qing said lightly, "Yet five years have passed, and aside from the Spirit Severing Realm cultivator I killed three months ago, the remaining Liu Family cultivators are all alive and well. They... don’t seem to fear your grandfather’s revenge at all."

As soon as these words fell, Shen Yunzhou’s face turned deathly pale, gripping the table edge tightly, "Brother-in-law, are you saying... My grandfather..."

Zhou Qing patted his shoulder, "One should always plan for the worst. Of course, it could be that your grandfather’s injuries are too severe, rendering him powerless for revenge in the short term."

Shen Yunzhou gritted his teeth, hesitating for a while before reluctantly shaking his head, "Previously, I never thought in this direction, but now, with your reminder, I feel... My grandfather might have already been captured."

The private room suddenly fell into dead silence.

Zhou Qing remained silent.

In fact, he had long suspected this.

If he was truly captured—involved parties would either be Celestial Phoenix Palace or the Yan Family!

Firstly, since the Liu Family could invite the Yan Family to assist, the second half of the inscription-level Divine Technique must have been the bartering chip.

Otherwise, with both being part of the Eight Great Families, why would the Yan Family offer their full support and even pledge a Heavenly Dao Oath of five thousand years of protection?

Of course, the Vice Palace Master of Celestial Phoenix Palace, Bai Fengyin, who was residing with the Yan Family, naturally came to partake in the spoils.

With Celestial Phoenix Palace’s transcendental status in Nanhuang State, the Yan Family dared not be disrespectful.

That second half of the inscription-level Divine Technique would likely "pay tribute." Using it as a stepping stone for forging connections.

But how could the Yan Family allow the Liu Family to rise unchecked?

How can one sleep soundly beside a tiger’s den?

Now the Liu Family has annexed the Shen Family’s resources; if they gain the complete inscription-level Divine Technique and with five thousand years of protection, nurturing a few prodigies with time, aiming for the fourth Noble Family spot is not just a fool’s dream.

It should be known that the Yan Family currently ranks third...

Therefore, the best outcome for the Divine Technique’s upper half in Shen Canghai’s possession is to remain forever undiscovered.

Whether it be the Yan Family or the Liu Family if word gets out that they have mastered the complete inscription-level Divine Technique, they are bound to attract countless covetous eyes, bringing endless calamity.

Just like Zhou Qing today, merely possessing rumors of two Divine Techniques has already stirred several reclusive Earth Venerables to emerge.

Even giant entities like Celestial Phoenix Palace would face immense calamities if it’s known they possess multiple inscription-level Divine Techniques.

Moreover, when Shen Canghai was besieged, five Supreme Realm experts, including the Liu Family ancestor, three ancestors from the Yan Family, and the Vice Palace Master from Celestial Phoenix Palace, allied.

Three among them were of the same rank as Shen Canghai, how could they let him escape easily?

Unless... They deliberately let him go.

Understanding this, Zhou Qing sighed softly, his gaze turning to Shen Yunzhou.

After experiencing the trauma of losing his family, this former noble son had already shed his innocence.

These intricate games, surely he could comprehend seventy to eighty percent of them.

"Brother-in-law!" Shen Yunzhou’s adam’s apple moved, his voice tinged with hoarseness, "Maybe... let’s forget it."

"What do you mean forget it?" Zhou Qing’s brow furrowed slightly.

Shen Yunzhou clenched his fist, "With just the two of us, we are indeed weak. As the saying goes, a gentleman can wait ten years for revenge. Since the Liu Family ancestor is already a dying man, why not wait until he’s dead and then slowly settle this score?"

"I... don’t want to see anything happen to you again!" Shen Yunzhou’s voice trembled, suddenly grabbing Zhou Qing’s sleeve.

"Now that my elder sister’s recovery looks promising and Yaoyao is still so young... Should we plan this revenge slowly?"

Looking at his brother-in-law showing signs of retreating, Zhou Qing understood his concerns but merely shook his head slowly.

A chilling gleam flashed in his eyes, "I’ve come here to ensure Liu Xuancang sees with his own eyes before he breathes his last..."