Chapter 43: Benevolent Father and Filial Son

A pig-like shrieking echoed through the Jianghe Granery.

Without Chen Xiao's command, the hundred or so people outside the water barrier did not dare to move a single step.

Everyone grimaced as they looked at the miserable scene inside the barrier.

The once lofty Young Master Xu was currently like an old hog being led to slaughter.

His screams were wretched, piercing, melodious, and long-drawn!

"Dad... I'm really going to die. If you still don't speak up... Ah, ah, ah, ah!"

"Enough!"

Xu Yun let out a furious roar, which instantly gave Xu Baichuan a glimmer of hope.

Immediately following that, Xu Yun said, "I really cannot speak of it. If I do, a catastrophic disaster will befall us. Trust me, I am doing this for your own good!"

Jiang Yunhan felt helpless. After making a huge fuss for so long, this was still his excuse?

He stepped forward to treat Xu Baichuan's injuries once again.

However, he was pushed aside by Chen Xiao.

Chen Xiao slowly walked up to Xu Yun and said, "I'll give it to you, you've got a spine."

Then, he raised his foot, intending to end Xu Yun's life right there.

As for Tang Shirou and Dashan...

He had plenty of time to track them down.

Right at that moment, Xu Yun blurted out, "I'll talk!"

Xu Baichuan: "?"

Even Chen Xiao was left dumbfounded. What kind of bizarre show was this?

After beating your son mercilessly for more than a dozen rounds, you remained tight-lipped;

And now, the moment he merely raised his leg to kick you, you immediately gave in?

"I'll talk! I'll talk! Just stop torturing me like this!"

Xu Yun spoke in a panic, his entire body trembling.

Xu Baichuan could finally no longer contain his fury and shrieked at the top of his lungs, "Dad! I curse your entire ancestry!"

"You old bastard, you really are a beast!"

Xu Yun curled his lip in disdain. "You unfilial brat, you brought such a massive disaster upon your father, yet you still have the nerve to yell!"

"I think you are the real good-for-nothing!"

Jiang Chuxue pulled the little monk's hand and let out a sudden chuckle.

What a truly touching scene of paternal love and filial piety!

Chen Xiao interrupted the bickering father and son, saying, "Cut it out! Let's talk business."

Xu Yun sullenly shut his mouth, but Xu Baichuan continued to curse and swear from the ground: "You old bastard, you deliberately wanted to get your own son killed..."

Chen Xiao helplessly lifted his foot and kicked him viciously in his familiar spot.

"Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah—hiccup—"

Xu Baichuan completely passed out, finally falling silent.

[Evolution Value +20]

Chen Xiao hadn't expected that a single kick would actually end up killing the guy!

It seemed that this kid's pain tolerance wasn't all that impressive after all.

Xu Yun simply assumed his son had fainted and let out a sigh. "I wasn't willing to talk earlier for a genuine reason."

"That young lady from the Tang family is no ordinary person; how could we ever dare to keep her prisoner!"

Having said that, he glanced apprehensively at Jiang Chuxue, terrified that he might be beaten up next.

Jiang Chuxue put her hands on her hips, glared at him fiercely, and waited for him to continue.

Xu Yun went on, "Leader Lin was hunting that woman down at the time and happened to enter my territory."

"After my five S-rank subordinates engaged in a fierce battle with Leader Lin, he eventually gave up."

"However, he also confessed her identity to me, and I was terrified out of my wits when I found out!"

"She turned out to be the direct granddaughter of Tang Xiangui! I immediately notified the Tang family!"

Chen Xiao questioned skeptically, "You notified Tang Xiangui? Do you have that kind of good intentions?"

Xu Yun gave an awkward laugh. "Uh... Calling it a notification isn't entirely accurate. It should rather be notifying the Tang family to bring a ransom for her release."

"In other words, extortion. Why make it sound so noble?"

Even the little monk couldn't listen any longer and bluntly exposed him aloud.

Xu Yun chuckled flatteringly and chimed in, "Yes, yes, it was extortion."

Jiang Yunhan sneered, "You had the guts to extort the Tang family?"

Hearing this, Xu Yun sighed helplessly, "Indeed. I was blinded by greed at the time. That is the Tang family we're talking about!"

"They very quickly sent two formidable experts who, right in front of my five S-rank subordinates, forcefully snatched the Tang woman away."

"You have no idea, those two experts were even more brutal and ruthless than this gentleman here; absolutely no one dared to stop them!"

"Forget about demanding money; I didn't even dare to open my mouth. Before leaving, he warned us to keep our lips tightly sealed, or else we would face total annihilation!"

Upon hearing the whole sequence of events, Chen Xiao was somewhat surprised.

He hadn't expected that the Tang family would send people to take Tang Shirou away so quickly.

Xu Yun glanced around cautiously and lowered his voice, "Um... From what I overheard those two experts saying, it seemed they mentioned something about a political marriage and a grand wedding. Of course, oh, this information isn't entirely guaranteed, so you should just take it as a reference and not believe it completely."

Chen Xiao's expression instantly darkened as he turned his gaze toward Jiang Yunhan.

"The Tang family and the Yang family indeed arranged a marriage alliance before the apocalypse, and it seems they are strictly adhering to it even after the end of the world."

"There are many deep waters and hidden secrets behind all this."

Jiang Yunhan stated calmly.

Hearing this, Xu Yun seemed to have his claim validated and puffed out his chest. "See? I wouldn't dare lie to you."

Chen Xiao stared coldly at Xu Yun and asked, "What did those two people look like?"

Xu Yun pondered for a moment before speaking, "They were both dressed entirely in black, and one of them wore a black veiled hat—you know, the kind people who raise bees wear?"

"As for the other one, I didn't leave much of an impression..."

Chen Xiao nodded, nearly certain of their identities.

That person in the black veiled hat was none of than Ouyang Tu, the Jiangnan Beekeeper from his past life!

The owner of the SS-rank talent [Bee King]!

In his previous life, he had always been in the service of the Tang family, practically acting as their executioner.

He guessed that sending Ouyang Tu to Jianghe Bridge to retrieve Tang Shirou this time was also a precaution to prevent any and all uncontrollable variables.

"Chen Xiao, do not act recklessly. The strength of the Tang family is far beyond these petty games played in the north."

Knowing Chen Xiao's temperament and fearing that he would act out of impulse, Jiang Yunhan offered words of dissuasion.

Chen Xiao did not reply. Instead, he pressed on, "What about Dashan? Where is he?"

Xu Yun answered, "You mean that big idiot... tall guy? All five of our S-rankers couldn't catch him, and we were originally going to let him run away."

"But later on, he insisted on going to fight those two men in black!"

"I heard he almost lost his life in the process..."

Chen Xiao's complexion looked unimaginably grim. His heart shuddered violently as he struggled to suppress his surging fury.

Given Dashan's personality, he would undoubtedly carry out whatever task Chen Xiao had entrusted to him, even if it cost him his life!

Yet, he never wanted to see Dashan go head-to-head against the Beekeeper!

Besides, those people had backup!

In his past life, you died covering my retreat.

If in this lifetime, you were to throw your life away once again because of my words,

How could I ever possibly repay that debt?

Chen Xiao's heart was bleeding as he let out a heavy sigh.

"Big Brother Chen Xiao, Big Brother Dashan is extremely powerful; he'll be fine."

Jiang Chuxue stepped to Chen Xiao's side and offered words of comfort.

Only the little monk spoke with crystal clarity, "Chen Xiao, are we going to fight? I'll go with you."

"?"

Jiang Yunhan immediately clapped his hand over the little monk's mouth and yanked him backward.

What kind of situation were you trying to meddle in right now!

He was the one most keenly aware of the Tang family's true power. To an organization of that caliber, wanting to wipe out a person was as effortless as blowing away a speck of dust!

Chen Xiao had already learned everything he needed to know.

He turned around and gazed coldly at Xu Yun, his expression utterly frigid.

"Spare my life, Senior! I was only led astray by my rebellious son... Ah, ah, ah, ah!"

Chen Xiao had no intention of listening to his excuses. With another kick precisely aimed at the target,

He then dismantled the water barrier of the vault, transforming it into a long blade to finish off Xu Yun once and for all.

"Doctor Jiang, I intend to establish a tripartite alliance in Northern Jiang. What do you think?"

Chen Xiao withdrew his blade and spoke in a resounding voice, his gaze sharp and piercing.