Chapter 492 - 491: Killing Each Other

Qiao Dongliang spoke with a smile, "I never imagined someone so young could possess such heaven-defying medical skills. Divine Doctor Ye, you truly are a promising young talent!

You saved my daughter, and for that, I, Qiao Dongliang, thank you. At the same time, I'll make this promise right here and now: if the Tribunal dares to cause you trouble this time, the Qiao family will bear the consequences for you!"

"Patriarch, you mustn't be so impulsive!" The moment Qiao Dongliang's voice fell, the Grand Elder cried out in a sharp voice, "Patriarch, the Tribunal is far more powerful than we are. If we turn against them, they could wipe out the Qiao family with ease."

The other elders quickly chimed in with their agreement.

Qiao Dongliang turned to look at the Grand Elder, his expression calm.

The Grand Elder continued, "Patriarch, to be blunt, the Qiao family has offended the Tribunal several times, and it was I who mediated on our behalf each time to resolve the crises.

Now, our relationship with the Tribunal has eased considerably. In fact, they've already softened their stance. As long as the Qiao family agrees to submit to them, the Tribunal will grant us their protection, and our family will reap immense benefits!"

The other elders all nodded hastily in agreement.

Qiao Dongliang suddenly chuckled. "You mean the few of you will reap immense benefits, right?"

The Grand Elder's expression changed. He spoke with surprise, "Patriarch, what do you mean by that? I'm afraid I don't understand."

Qiao Dongliang continued to smile as he said, "You know perfectly well what I mean, how could you not understand? All these years, you've been secretly colluding with the Tribunal. Did you really think I didn't know?

Let me tell you, I know everything. But out of respect for our many years of brotherhood, I endured it time and time again. Yet, not only did you not restrain yourselves, you became even more brazen! You secretly sent the young women of our Qiao family to the Tribunal for their amusement. Don't you think you've gone too far?"

As he said this, Qiao Dongliang's expression turned ice-cold.

"Patriarch, no, that's not it! Those girls were all abducted by human traffickers!" the Eighth Elder said hurriedly.

"Silence!" Before the Eighth Elder could finish, Qiao Dongliang cut him off with a cold voice.

"Old Eight, you personally captured those girls and sent them to the Tribunal. I've already investigated this matter thoroughly. And you still have the gall to argue here? Do you take me for a fool?"

The Eighth Elder's face instantly turned deathly pale.

The Grand Elder walked up to the Eighth Elder, his expression turning cold as he glared at him.

"Old Eight, we all thought of you as a brother. I can't believe you would sell out your own brothers and do something so shameless. Do you have any sense of decency?"

Hearing this, the Eighth Elder's face turned ashen. He pointed a finger at the Grand Elder and shrieked, "You're the one who—"

Before he could finish his sentence, the Grand Elder's right fist shot out, smashing directly into his chest. With a sickening CRACK of breaking bones, the Eighth Elder's chest completely caved in.

The Eighth Elder let out a wretched scream as his body went rigid. He looked up at the Grand Elder, his eyes filled with disbelief. But soon, his pupils dilated, and he collapsed limply to the ground, dead.

His eyes remained open, even in death.

The Grand Elder then turned to Qiao Dongliang, his face a mask of fury. "Patriarch, I never would have imagined that Old Eight was such a beast in human skin! A person like that doesn't deserve to live!"

Standing behind them, Ye Lingtian thought, 'You old bastard, you're the worst one here.' He couldn't stop himself and was about to rush forward, but Ye Feng raised a hand to stop him. Ye Feng shook his head slightly and said in a low voice, "Grandfather, this is another family's business. It's not our place to interfere."

Only then did Ye Lingtian stop and turn to look at Qiao Dongliang.

A distinct glint of cold light flashed in Qiao Dongliang's eyes, but it vanished just as quickly. He nodded and spoke calmly.

"Divine Doctor Ye saved Ling'Er. He has shown great kindness to Ling'Er, and thus to me. I, Qiao Dongliang, always repay my debts of gratitude. Therefore, if the Tribunal comes after Ye Feng this time, I am determined to protect him. Do any of you have an opinion on this?"

The few remaining elders all turned to look at the Grand Elder. A glint of cold light flashed in the Grand Elder's eyes but vanished in an instant. He looked at Qiao Dongliang and said with a smile:

"Patriarch, in the Qiao family, your word is law. We will, of course, firmly support your decision!"

After speaking, he looked at the other elders, who seemed somewhat stunned, and said with a laugh:

"We must fully support the Patriarch's words. Wouldn't you all agree?"

As he said this, with his back to Qiao Dongliang, he gave them a subtle wink.

The elders snapped out of it and nodded hastily.

"Since there are no objections, go and make your separate preparations," Qiao Dongliang instructed calmly.

The group of elders turned and left.

Qiao Dongliang led the rest of his guests back to his room. The moment the door was closed, the straightforward Ye Lingtian could no longer hold back. He looked at Qiao Dongliang and said:

"Patriarch, I'm the kind of person who can't keep things bottled up, so I'll just say it. That Grand Elder is the worst of them all. When he killed the Eighth Elder just now, I suspect it was to silence him. I suspect he's the real mastermind!"

Qiao Dongliang gave a bitter smile. "Uncle, how could I not see these things? These men have been my brothers for many years. How could I not know what kind of people they are?

But when I first came here, they were the ones who fought alongside me to build this life. They even saved my life on several occasions. We're brothers-in-arms who crawled out of a mountain of corpses together!

Although a life of peace and comfort has made them lose their way and change so much, even doing many shameless things behind my back, I just can't bring myself to turn on these old brothers! I truly can't bring myself to engage in internecine strife!

Killing Old Eight this time was also a warning to them. I still hope they can pull back from the brink!"

"But a leopard can't change its spots," Ye Lingtian said, shaking his head with a sigh.

Qiao Dongliang was about to say something, but just then, Qiao Ling'Er, who was beside them, let out a muffled groan. Her face instantly became as white as a sheet.