411: Chapter 411 The Broken Arrow

The Yin Family.

Seven or eight elders were gathered together, among whom were Ruan Zhen and several Cabinet Elders.

"Wenzheng, did Xiao Weiqing agree?"

"Second Uncle, he did not."

Yin Zong nodded. "As expected. Xiao Weiqing is not someone who likes to go looking for trouble."

"Proceed as planned then."

"Second Uncle, do we need to discuss this matter with the Palace Master?" Yin Wenzheng asked tentatively.

"We cannot. The Palace Master might not necessarily agree with our methods, and doing so would only alert the enemy. Now that Xiao Weiqing has broken through to the Eighth Realm, his strength is unfathomable. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

A Cabinet Elder remarked, "Great Xia is truly a land of outstanding people. First there was Dongfang Hao, and now Xiao Weiqing... it's almost terrifying."

Yin Zong said, "If it weren't for Xiao Weiqing's immense strength, I wouldn't have found a way to bring him to the Vermilion Bird Empire."

"Old Ghost Ruan, I'll be counting on you regarding the Vermilion Bird Divine Hall."

Hearing this, Killing Intent appeared in Ruan Zhen's eyes. "Rest assured. If the Temple stays out of it, fine. But if they interfere, I will make sure they suffer."

Feeling Ruan Zhen's Killing Intent, Yin Wenzheng was internally horrified. He suddenly recalled an obscure rumor.

"Marshal, I heard that the death of the Third Generation Empress was related to the Temple. I wonder if..."

"Hmph!"

Ruan Zhen let out a cold snort and did not reply.

Yin Zong said, "Wenzheng, now that you've entered the Eighth Realm, it's time to tell you. The death of the Third Generation Empress has always been a mystery, but we can be certain that it is inextricably linked to the Temple."

"You just need to remember this."

Seeing Yin Zong's solemnity, Yin Wenzheng nodded vigorously. "Your nephew understands."

"Give this to Xiao Weiqing. If we wait too long, it will backfire." Yin Zong took out an arrow and handed it to Yin Wenzheng.

Yin Zong continued:

"Xiao Weiqing is no fool. He will surely realize what happened afterward. When that time comes, just tell him to come find me."

"Understood."

Yin Wenzheng took the arrow and walked out of the Yin Family residence.

...

...

Evening.

The sunset glow spilled down, draping Vermilion Bird City in a layer of gold.

Xiao Weiqing walked leisurely along the street, enjoying a rare moment of peace. The faces of the people passing by were brimming with smiles.

"Xiao Weiqing, Xiao Weiqing..."

Suddenly.

Urgent shouts came from behind.

Xiao Weiqing turned to see Yin Wenzheng rushing up to him, holding a broken arrow in his hand that looked somewhat familiar.

"Brother Yin, what's wrong?"

"It's Lou Xiaoxing. Something happened to him." Yin Wenzheng handed the broken arrow to Xiao Weiqing.

Xiao Weiqing took it and looked closely; it really was Lou Xiaoxing's arrow.

"What happened to Lou Xiaoxing?"

Xiao Weiqing questioned in a cold tone. Lou Xiaoxing's bow and arrows were a set, both being companion weapons. Now that the arrow was broken, he was likely in grave danger.

"Don't be nervous. Lou Xiaoxing should be okay, but he's probably not having a good time."

"Speak!"

Xiao Weiqing barked.

Yin Wenzheng was startled and swallowed hard. Thinking of Yin Zong's instructions, he bolstered his courage and explained:

"Remember when I mentioned that Tian Zhenzhen had a child?"

"This matter is related to Tian Zhenzhen?"

"Yes. It's a long story, let's talk as we go."

The two took to the air and boarded an aircraft that had been prepared in advance.

"Didn't you say that aircraft are not allowed within Vermilion Bird City?"

Yin Wenzheng paused slightly then said, "This is an emergency. At worst, I'll take a scolding later. After all, I'm an acquaintance of Lou Xiaoxing. If we get there too late, I'm afraid he'll suffer more."

"What exactly happened to him?"

"It's a long story. This matter dates back over ten years."

"Then make it quick."

Xiao Weiqing had no patience.

"Back then, Tian Zhenzhen awakened a Grade 5 talent. She met and fell in love with a scion of the Fei Family from Anliang Prefecture, and they had a daughter."

"She had a child at eighteen?"

Xiao Weiqing was surprised. Having just awakened a Grade 5 talent, logically she should have seized every moment to Cultivate. Why would she have a child?

"No, to be precise, she gave birth at twenty."

"And then?"

"The Fei Family wanted Tian Zhenzhen to give up Cultivating and continue having children."

"What?" Xiao Weiqing doubted if he had heard correctly. "Are you sure?"

Yin Wenzheng also knew it sounded ridiculous, but that was the reality.

"The Fei Family wanted Tian Zhenzhen to give up Cultivating to keep having children. In fact, this wasn't the first time the Fei Family did such a thing; they could even be called habitual offenders."

"In recent years, they've become even more brazen, using all sorts of threats and inducements to force newly awakened geniuses to serve as breeding machines."

Xiao Weiqing snorted coldly. "Does the Fei Family also believe in so-called Bloodlines?"

"More or less. They believe that talent is etched into the genes from birth and can be inherited. Doing this supposedly increases the chances of their descendants Awakening Advanced talents."

"Continue."

Yin Wenzheng said, "Naturally, Tian Zhenzhen was unwilling. She broke up with the Fei Family scion, but she couldn't take her daughter with her."

"All these years, Tian Zhenzhen has been Cultivating desperately, even risking her life, just to break through to the Eighth Realm so that one day she could take her daughter back from the Fei Family."

"Did Lou Xiaoxing go to the Fei Family with Tian Zhenzhen to demand her daughter?"

"Most likely."

Xiao Weiqing sighed, then sensing something was off, he turned and asked:

"How do you know all this so clearly?"

Yin Wenzheng explained, "You and Lou Xiaoxing are honored guests of the Vermilion Bird Empire. We've always had people following you."

"Then why didn't you step in to stop it?"

"Sigh, as I told you, many Prefecture Cities are ruled by local lords. The Kang Family of Anliang Prefecture is one of them. Even in the entire Empire, the Kang Family's strength is at the forefront, second only to the Yin and Ruan Families."

"They have over ten Eighth Realm experts in their clan, and more than one at the Eighth Realm Peak. Otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to capture Lou Xiaoxing."

Xiao Weiqing nodded slightly. With Lou Xiaoxing's current strength, while he might not be at the Eighth Realm Peak, he certainly wasn't someone one or two Eighth Realm experts could take down.

"We're almost there."

The aircraft zipped through the sky, heading rapidly toward a grand city.

Xiao Weiqing looked at the broken arrow in his hand, inwardly cursing Lou Xiaoxing as a fool. Having just broken through to the Eighth Realm, he had already forgotten his own limits.

Meanwhile.

Anliang Prefecture.

The Kang Family.

The owner of the broken arrow was lying in a dark room like a dead dog.

There were over a dozen such rooms in the entire basement.

"Damn it, once I get out of here, I'm going to slaughter them all."

Lou Xiaoxing spat out broken teeth along with blood. He didn't know how many bones in his body were broken, but he couldn't even sit up.

"Buddy, give it a rest. Once you're in here, you think you're getting out?"

A pale-faced man, who looked like he had overindulged in debauchery, spoke. He wasn't very old, appearing to be in his twenties.

"Who are you?"

"I'm Ma Chi. I got here a year before you."

"A year before me?"

"Yeah. Buddy, what's your talent? What grade?"

"Why are you asking that?"

Ma Chi said, "Just curious. Aren't all the people brought in here ones who awakened decent talents?"

"Hmm? Is the Kang Family an evil cult?"

"Not quite a cult, but close enough. Sigh, the Kang Family covers the sky with one hand in Anliang Prefecture, and the Empire can't control them. My ancestors must have been blessed for me to awaken a Grade 5 talent, only for it to be ruined by these scumbags."

"These bastards, they'll die a horrible death," Ma Chi cursed.

Lou Xiaoxing silently recovered his body, inwardly reflecting. Having grown up so smoothly, he had forgotten that this wasn't Great Xia.

He let out a deep sigh. Now, he could only wait for Xiao Weiqing to come rescue him.