"What exactly happened? How did things get so bad?"
In the evening, Su Jinhao and his two siblings, utterly humiliated after Liang Hao's relentless exploitation, returned to the Su Manor.
The three of them were a sorry sight.
That scoundrel Liang Hao not only robbed them of all their spirit stones, but also their gold and silver jewelry, and even the silver flakes from their shoes.
Only when he was certain he couldn't squeeze out another cent did he finally let them go.
The three of them, upon returning to the manor, intended to go to their respective rooms to rest and change their clothes. However, they were intercepted by Su Lingzhang, who had just returned, and were brought directly to the side hall.
Seeing the state of the three, Yin Jiao'e was heartbroken. She immediately said to Su Lingzhang, "Husband, don't get so angry. We should first find out what happened."
Then, she gestured to Su Xuejiao with a kind smile, "Xuejiao, come here, come to Mother."
"Mother..."
Su Xuejiao immediately acted coquettishly, rushing into Yin Jiao'e's arms.
Yin Jiao'e lovingly stroked her head, and when she noticed that the jade hairpin on her head was gone, she frowned slightly and asked in a low voice, "Xuejiao, where's your hairpin?"
Hearing this, Su Xuejiao's eyes immediately reddened, and she put on a delicate appearance.
"Mother, I'm sorry, I didn't protect the hairpin you gave me. I'm so useless. You can hit me..."
"It's okay, if it's lost, it's lost. Mother will buy you another one later. As long as you're safe, everything else is fine."
Su Lingzhang glanced at the mother and daughter, sighed helplessly, and then said to his two sons, "What exactly happened? Someone explain it to me!"
Su Jinyi lowered his head and said with a wronged expression, "Father, we ran into bandits in the city today."
"Nonsense!" Su Lingzhang seemed to have heard the biggest joke in the world. "What bandits are so audacious as to dare touch someone from my Su Clan?"
Su Jinyi said, "It wasn't just me and elder brother. Even the young master of the Ji Clan was robbed."
"What did you say?"
Su Lingzhang's face was filled with disbelief.
Su Jinyi continued, "It's absolutely true. In comparison, the losses of me, elder brother, and little sister are minor. Even the Ji Clan's Pleasure Residence was robbed."
"What? This matter even involved the Ji Clan?" Su Lingzhang was deeply surprised. "The Pleasure Residence was robbed? How is that possible? Who is so bold as to offend both the Ji and Su Clans at the same time? Are they tired of living?"
Su Jinhao replied, "Father, the person's cultivation is unfathomable. Second brother and I, together with the second young master of the Ji Clan, couldn't even withstand a single move from that opponent."
"Who have you offended?"
"Father, you know I've been cultivating at Nanshan Academy these past few days. When would I have had time to offend anyone?"
"Then why would such a high-level expert appear in Jizhou City? Tell me, what do you think this person's cultivation realm is?"
Su Jinhao thought for a moment and said, "At least Soul Sea Realm, grade three or higher."
In the nine realms of the Immortal Martial Continent, the Southern Region's overall strength is in the middle to lower range. For someone like Su Jinhao, who is twenty-six and at the peak of the Ninth Grade of Nascent Essence, to be mentioned is already considered outstanding among his generation.
After all, in Su Jinhao's impression, the Soul Sea Realm is already a very impressive existence, something to be proud of.
He didn't dare to think any higher, because that was the extent of his imagination.
Su Lingzhang frowned. "Soul Sea Realm, grade three, huh? It seems this person has a significant background."
Seeing his father's serious expression, Su Jinyi immediately said, "Father, don't worry. Young Master Ji has already gone back to find his uncle. This matter today definitely won't be left unresolved."
Yin Jiao'e also agreed, "That's right. Ju Province City is controlled by our Ji and Su Clans. No matter who that person is, daring to slap our faces like this, this matter will not be left unresolved."
Su Lingzhang said, "Indeed. Now that someone wants to threaten the Ji and Su Clans' position, we must eliminate them completely."
Speaking of this, he immediately said to Su Jinyun beside him, "Yun'er, go prepare some small gifts, and come with me to the Ji Clan."
"Yes, Father, I'll go prepare them right away."
"As for the rest of you, hurry up and get ready. There's going to be a tough battle at the Pleasure Residence tonight.
Now is the crucial moment to advance and retreat together with the Ji Clan. All Su family members must be on high alert."
"Yes, Father!"
Su Jinhao and Su Jinyi responded simultaneously.
At this moment, Su Yunying calmly returned to the residence. Passing by the side hall, she couldn't help but glance inside.
"Damn it! Where have you been!"
Seeing Su Yunying pass by, Su Lingzhang's heart sank, and his face darkened.
Not only him, but the faces of the other Su family members also turned gloomy.
Su Yunying scanned the side hall, standing at the door without any intention of entering:
"Oh, what's wrong, Master Su? Why are you so angry? Did your house get robbed?
Let me be clear, I wasn't home today, so don't even think about blaming me."
Su Jinhao was furious when he heard this: "How dare you speak to your father like that!"
"What do you want me to say?" Su Yunying retorted. "Should I affectionately call him 'Dad' and then kneel on the ground to listen to his lecture?"
Su Lingzhang was furious: "What attitude is this! I am your father!"
Seeing this, Su Xuejiao hurried to Su Lingzhang and soothed him softly: "Dad, don't be angry, sister didn't mean it."
Then she said to Su Yunying: "Sister, although Dad's tone towards you was a bit harsh, he is ultimately just concerned about you. Can you please not make him angry?"
Su Lingzhang dotingly rubbed Su Xuejiao's head: "It's still Xuejiao who is sensible, unlike some wild girl who has no upbringing at all."
Su Yunying really couldn't stand this atmosphere and said directly: "Are you done talking? If you are, then I'll go back to my room."
After speaking, she turned around and left gracefully.
"Come back!"
Yin Jiao'e called out softly, stopping Su Yunying.
"You are not allowed to leave the Su residence without permission, ever again."
Su Yunying turned her head and asked, "On what grounds do you think you can restrict my movements? Just because you're my biological mother?"
"You..."
Su Jinhao couldn't bear it any longer. He shouted sternly, "Who gave you permission to speak to your mother like that! You have no manners. If you dare to be disrespectful to your parents again, I will have to take action!"
Su Yunying immediately revealed a playful smile. "Really? If you want to, then come and try. Let's see who's the first to fall!"
Su Jinhao stood up decisively. "Today, I will let you, you wild girl, experience the rules of the Su family!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Su Jinhao threw a punch at Su Yunying.
"Enough!"
Seeing the situation about to spiral out of control, Su Lingzhang shouted, stopping the farce.
In truth, he also wanted Su Yunying to learn a lesson, but thinking about the many servants in the mansion, rumors about the Su family ostracizing their own daughter were inevitable. Thus, he spoke up to stop it.
But he had clearly thought too much. Since returning, Su Yunying hadn't enjoyed the status of a legitimate daughter of the Su family. The rumors that the young miss was disliked had long spread throughout the mansion.
How could the servants possibly respect Su Yunying?
Seeing Su Jinhao stop, Su Yunying could only sigh inwardly, What a pity, otherwise she could have used this as an excuse to really make the Su family lose face.
In fact, if it weren't to find out about Shen Zhao's whereabouts, she wouldn't want to stay in the Su mansion for even a minute longer.
Here, it wasn't nearly as easy and relaxed as when he was with Shen Zhao and those other sly dogs.
Su Lingzhang took a deep breath and said to Su Yunying in a voice as gentle as possible: "Alright, your mother is worried about you, a young lady, being targeted by bad people while you're out and about.
Just listen to your mother. In two months, the Southern Region Immortal Martial Competition will be held. During this time, many cultivators will pass through Juzhou City.
The city will inevitably become unsafe. It's better to avoid trouble. When my business here is done in a few days, I'll take you all to Daliang City to participate in the competition."
Su Yunying said nothing, sized up Su Lingzhang, and turned and went back to her room.
As soon as she left, Yin Jiao'e couldn't help but ask, "Husband, are you really planning to take that wild girl to Daliang City? Didn't we agree to only take Xuejiao, Jinyi, and Jinyun?"
Su Lingzhang said, "Taking her to Daliang City doesn't mean letting her participate in the competition. Only Xuejiao is the real hope for my Su Clan's future."
Hearing this, Su Xuejiao immediately put on a pitiful look and said to Su Lingzhang:
"Dad, it's my sister who is your biological daughter. She should be the one participating in the competition. I, I just want to stay by Dad and Mom's side."
Su Lingzhang looked at her with a loving expression, "Don't worry, Xuejiao. No one can replace your position in the Su Clan.
The Confucian Saint Sect is the Southern Region's top sect. If you have the chance to get in, your future will be limitless.
Our Su Clan will also rise with your success."
"But…" Su Xuejiao said with some lack of confidence, "The Southern Region Immortal Martial Competition is filled with experts. I'm afraid that if I lose face for the Su Clan, what should I do?"
Yin Jiao'e quickly said, "Xuejiao, just relax. You will definitely stand out in the Southern Region Immortal Martial Competition in two months and become the respected disciple of the Confucian Saint Sect!"
"Really?"
"When has Mom ever lied to you? Just relax."
"Thank you, Mother."
Su Xuejiao hugged Yin Jiao'e, acting as coy as she could.
Su Lingzhang said, "Alright, it's time to get down to business. Prepare the carriage, and come with me to the Su Clan."
"A fleeting spectacle in the world, you once bloomed."
"Etched a few in my heart, from then on, I live alone."
"The flowers of Jiangnan have withered, how can I still deliberate?"
"Alas, the good times are few, and it seems no one speaks."
The first floor of Pin Yue Ju was bustling at night. On the grand stage in the center, a group of dancers, each more beautiful than the last, were gracefully performing to the accompaniment of music.
"Bravo! What a song and dance! Truly a taste of the mortal world. I never expected that Big Brother would not only be invincible in combat but also be a master of poetry and music, a rare talent indeed."
Liang Hao, seated at the main table, was constantly flattering Shen Zhao.
On their table were over twenty storage bags, almost bursting, while the spirit stones behind them were piled up like a small mountain, quite eye-catching.
Shen Zhao humbly replied to Liang Hao's compliments, "It's nothing, just something I wrote on a whim. It's nothing special.
But speaking of which, these dancers are truly excellent. Not only are they fair-skinned and beautiful, but they are also very talented. Well deserved, well deserved!"
"That's right. This is the very meaning of our Public Arbitration Association's poverty alleviation efforts."
"Then, let's give each of them ten spirit stones as a reward."
"You're right, Brother," said one of the Public Arbitration Association members, "We certainly won't stand idly by when someone needs help. Ten spirit stones each is what they deserve."
The two of them exchanged a knowing glance, clearly treating the Pleasure Residence as their own territory.
"Hey~"
Suddenly, a loud shout from outside the hall shattered the pleasant atmosphere.
Liang Hao frowned, "Who the hell is that? Why are you yelling like a ghost in the middle of the night?"
The voice outside the Pleasure Residence boomed, "You ants are truly audacious! You dare to covet the Ji Clan's property? Next year, today will be your day of sacrifice!"
Liang Hao slammed his hand on the table, stood up, and pointed at the door, yelling, "What kind of idiot are you? Are you still asleep, or have you had too much fake liquor? If you've got the guts, come out and have a go with me!"
"Gladly. Come out and face me one-on-one, and I'll show you, you outsider ant, what true foundation is!"
"Then let me experience the so-called splendor of your foundation!"
Liang Hao transformed into a streak of light and shot toward the door. The resulting gusts of wind lifted the dancers' skirts on the stage, causing the women to shriek in alarm and scramble to cover themselves.
They had been on edge all day, fearing the Ji Clan would return to cause trouble.
The Ji Clan's methods were not something these dancers and musicians could withstand. Now that their fears were becoming reality, how could they not panic?
"Don't worry about them, keep playing the music and keep dancing."
Shen Zhao didn't pay much attention to the commotion. He simply said a word to calm everyone down, then picked up his wine cup and took a sip.
Outside the door, under the night sky…
Two streaks of purple and green qi clashed, and at the moment of impact, the purple qi was knocked away, while the green qi dissipated. Liang Hao's imposing figure stood in mid-air.
Bang!
At the same time, the purple light dissipated, and a figure fell painfully onto the roof of a civilian's house.
-----------------------
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