"Killing, sometimes, doesn't require one to lift a finger oneself." Qian Wushuang lightly tapped the armrest of the grand armchair beneath him, a look of proud confidence blooming on his face. "My Lord Patriarch, he's always preferred handling matters personally. But if one must do everything firsthand, what use are retainers and subordinates?"

"You have retainers in Hanli Prefecture?"

"Retainers?" Qian Wushuang examined the nail of his index finger with a clipper, then blew lightly on the nail. "Sometimes, killing doesn't even require the use of one's own retainers. In Hanli Prefecture, there is Jin Zetianlu. Go find him, just give him this letter, and he will take care of Qian Jin."

Jin Zetianlu! Lei Wei cradled the letter bestowed by Qian Wushuang, waves of excitement surging through his pupils. The foremost expert of Hanli Prefecture, Jin Zetianlu, would act? Then Qian Jin was certainly doomed!

"You may withdraw." Qian Wushuang pushed off the armrests of the grand armchair and rose slowly, his chest slightly puffed out as he gazed at the sky beyond the doorway. A confidence capable of swallowing the world emanated from his core. "My Lord Patriarch is perhaps too overly cautious at times. If, this time, instead of acting personally or going to share tea with the Serpent Emperor and the others to keep them occupied, I had tasked Jin Zetianlu with killing Qian Jin, perhaps the matter would have concluded long ago."

"Once a person reaches old age, even the greatest hero can make such childish mistakes." A wry smile touched Qian Wushuang's lips. "If the Patriarch had informed me sooner, I could have used a mere trifle of strategy and maneuvering to tie down the Serpent Emperor, renowned as he is for his wit and perception. The matter would have been settled long ago. It seems, after the New King Tournament, it is time for a change in the Qian Family Patriarch."

Change? A surge of anger flashed through Qian Zhanri's pupils as he started to step out of the room, only to be halted by a raised hand from Qian Zhanxuan.

"Big Brother…" Qian Zhanri looked at Qian Zhanxuan with dissatisfaction. "Wushuang is simply too arrogant! I…"

"Forget it, Zhanri," Qian Zhanxuan replied with a faint air of indifference. "Wushuang is still young; he doesn't understand that if one doesn't crush an opponent instantly with full strength, but instead continuously feeds them opponents only slightly stronger than themselves, that opponent is inadvertently nurtured into growth."

"Then why…"

"It doesn't matter." Qian Zhanxuan waved his hand dismissively. "Fortunately, Qian Jin is an ordinary warrior. His limit for growth is fixed. This Qian Jin is precisely what is needed to correct Wushuang's mistaken perspective, ensuring that in the future, he will never underestimate any opponent with potential. It will teach him that even when facing a rabbit, a dragon must still exert its full might."

Yongliu—a large city that wasn't considered top-tier within the True Policy Dynasty.

Yet, it had now become the city commanding the most attention across the entire True Policy Dynasty, and even including the Demon and Savage Tribes.

Not just one of the most watched, but the most watched! Even if the Emperor of the True Policy Dynasty were to suddenly die at this moment, it could not draw away the focus that all powers and forces currently held on this city.

Perhaps it would truly take what the obtuse Emperor of True Policy joked about: "Only if Father Emperor strips naked in the Divine Capital City could he steal the focus from Yongliu City?"

Qian Jin, mounted on his horse, looked towards the distant walls of Yongliu City. His rise hadn't begun here, but his true ascent certainly had.

In this small city lay countless, far too many memories.

Normally, merchants could be seen moving in and out of the city gates, but never had a day been as magnificent as this. Perhaps only if the Emperor himself were to visit could Yongliu City muster a scene as spectacular as the one before him.

Tens of thousands! They were gathered outside the city gates, arrayed in orderly lines, standing quietly around the perimeter beneath the walls. If not for the palpable killing intent emanating from these formations, one might truly believe the Demon Tribe had invaded, reaching the very foundations of Yongliu City, and that the city's military and populace had assembled to live and die with it.

The news that Qian Jin was returning to Yongliu City had swept through the entire Yongliu Province! Citizens from many nearby cities had rushed over, eager to catch a glimpse of the young warrior whose fame rivaled that of the Demon Tribe’s Flowing Mirror Surge.

"Oh? Isn't that Cheng Bopeng, the President of the Blacksmiths' General Guild?" Pan Hongji's eyes were sharp; even from miles away, he recognized the identity of the elder with a weathered face and white hair, yet possessing the vitality of a twenty-year-old.

"And the President of the Apothecaries' General Guild, Secheleitte," Isabella pouted her beautiful red lips. "This old gentleman usually puts on such airs that even the Emperor has trouble securing a meeting, yet today he rushes to Yongliu."

Mu Gui Wuxin quietly observed the President of the Inscriptionists' General Guild in the distance, and the President of the Warriors' General Guild. In the past, he would have leaped with joy, but today, he simply lacked the heart for such exuberance.

Li Deyu looked at the influential figures beside him, feeling an unavoidable tension rising within.

Luo Qingqing watched Li Deyu’s nervous demeanor from the side, the corners of her lips curving into a faint smile. This City Lord, whom everyone in Yongliu City usually found intimidating, a man who had seen countless major scenes, was now so nervous he was repeatedly swallowing hard.

Li Deyu felt Luo Qingqing's gaze and could only sigh helplessly. If she were any other woman, he would immediately turn and discipline her, reminding her of the City Lord's dignity.

But, infuriatingly! This woman was Qian Jin's woman!

Although Qian Jin was nominally just one of the guild leaders in Yongliu City, his status seemingly below that of the City Lord, the influence Qian Jin could command already vastly exceeded what the lord of a provincial capital city could manage.

Any person who wasn't an imbecile understood that the power Qian Jin currently held could contend even with those ancestral Bloodline Families established over countless years!

Indeed! Except for the Royal Family, no other commoner had ever possessed influence capable of rivaling the Ten Great Bloodline Families and the Three Ultimate Bloodline Families.

Now, another such young man had appeared among the common warriors! And he was only about twenty years old.

Having seldom left Yongliu City to expand his influence elsewhere, he had, in a much shorter time, accrued a magnitude of power that was unimaginable to ordinary people!

Li Deyu sighed again as he watched Pan Hongji slowly approach. The Serpent Emperor was indeed a true master strategist! What methods had he used to keep Qian Jin stationed in Yongliu City for such a long period, allowing all his strategic objectives to mature?

Most young men simply lacked such patience! Li Deyu knew well that any common warrior achieving Qian Jin's level of strength and influence back then would have been unable to resist showing off, rushing to the Human-Demon Battlefield or charging into the Divine Capital.

But the Divine Capital and the Human-Demon Battlefield were convergence points for the most significant figures; one could easily be buried there upon arrival.

Different perspectives! Li Deyu couldn't help but admire Pan Hongji; a figure of such stature stood on a higher vantage point, seeing further into the future! If his own son possessed Qian Jin's abilities, he would have sent him to the Divine Capital long ago to engage with more affairs, inadvertently hindering his development.

Waiting for so long! It was all worth it! Li Deyu sighed again as he watched Qian Jin draw nearer. When this young man last left Yongliu, his influence was comparable to Li Deyu's, and his strength was less than his own.

Now, the influence held by this young man could only be compared to that of the Ten Great Bloodline Warrior Families, the Three Ultimate Bloodline Families, and the Royal Family.

As for this young man's actual strength… Li Deyu was intensely curious. According to the intelligence sent by Pan Hongji's men a few days ago, even experts at the peak of the Fighting Soul realm might not be Qian Jin's match.

What did that imply? Li Deyu was certain that before Qian Jin left Yongliu City the last time, if he had truly harbored the intent to kill, he could have dispatched Qian Jin easily!

Now, judging by the Serpent Emperor's words, it seemed Qian Jin had not only surpassed him in influence but also in strength…

Thank goodness he hadn't made an enemy of Qian Jin! Li Deyu felt deep relief. After learning about Qian Jin's background, he had decisively pledged allegiance to the Serpent Emperor Pan Hongji's faction. Had he sided with the Elven King Bloodline Warrior Family back then, wouldn't Qian Jin, upon returning to Yongliu City, have sought retribution against him?

"Brother Qian Jin, you've returned." Li Deyu strode towards Qian Jin with open arms and a booming laugh, his form of address changing from 'Qian Jin' or 'Kid' to treating him as an equal brother.

"City Lord, greetings." Qian Jin shared a symbolic embrace with Li Deyu as Elder Yun Xinghuizheng approached with a smile.

"Elder Yun." Qian Jin gave Yun Xinghuizheng a firm hug.

"Lad, let me introduce you…" Yun Xinghuizheng pulled Qian Jin towards Cheng Bopeng, the President of the Blacksmiths' General Guild.

"Elder Yun, please wait a moment." Qian Jin stopped. "I have something I need to announce. I don't wish to state my decision only after those esteemed figures have declared their stances. I don't want to drag the various guilds into this; some things must be clarified beforehand."

Yun Xinghuizheng froze in place, having never seen Qian Jin wear such a grave expression before. More guild leaders focused their curious gazes on Qian Jin, following his movements.

"Jia Ying…" Qian Jin stood before Gu Yue Jiaying and whispered with deep solemnity. "Uncle Fabu… Uncle has… returned to the stars…"

The extremely low voice resonated in the ears of the crowd like a sudden, deafening thunderclap. Li Deyu's body violently trembled, a chilling cold shooting up his spine straight into his brain.

Fabu Leidis, a Saint-level expert! Dead!

The smile Gu Yue Jiaying held, anticipating her beloved's return, instantly solidified. She stood like a wooden sculpture, staring at Qian Jin, the hand she'd extended to grasp his frozen mid-air.

"Who,"

After a long pause, Gu Yue Jiaying suddenly uttered a question in a startlingly calm tone. Only a true warrior could sense the frigid killing intent concealed within the words.

"Qian Zhanxuan." Qian Jin's answer was equally brief.

As the words reached the crowd, this simple answer instantly became anything but simple.

Qian Zhanxuan! The premier powerhouse of the Qian Family! One of the strongest top-tier warriors among the Human, Demon, and Savage realms combined! How could such a feud be repaid? At this moment, it appeared Qian Jin and Qian Zhanxuan were locked in mortal enmity!

Instantly, many faction leaders who had intended to build rapport with Qian Jin discarded their initial thoughts. Offending Qian Zhanxuan was never a good proposition.

"I understand." Gu Yue Jiaying lowered the hands she'd extended toward Qian Jin. "Qingqing, I've taken good care of her. From now on, you look after yourself; I have matters requiring me to leave."

"Where are you going?"

Qian Jin moved to block Gu Yue Jiaying's path, gazing quietly at the woman slightly older than himself.

"To kill."

"Qian Zhanxuan?"

"More than that—all of the Qian family."

The terse exchange sent waves of icy chill surging continuously through the bodies of those listening. They were discussing murder so openly, discussing killing members of the Qian Family!

Such thoughts were rare even in private among only a few individuals; yet here, two young people were conversing about it without reservation.

"How many can you kill?"

"As many as I can, I'll kill."

Gu Yue Jiaying's words flowed while her feet moved continuously, attempting to slip past Qian Jin, but he consistently blocked her. A fierce light suddenly flashed in her eyes as the Twin Moon Blades materialized from beneath her sleeves, resting against Qian Jin's neck. "Move aside! Don't force me to kill you. Today, whoever blocks me, I kill."

Li Deyu instinctively stepped back, watching the rampaging Gu Yue Jiaying. The pain of losing her father had stripped this cold woman of her reason, reverting her to the state of Ice Woman Gu Yue Jiaying.

"How many can you kill? Will the ones you kill make Qian Zhanxuan feel the pain?" Qian Jin watched Gu Yue Jiaying quietly, not moving an inch. "How many bloodline warriors does the Qian Family have? Can you kill them all? They can afford the loss, but can you afford yours?"

"Move aside." The blades at Qian Jin's neck pressed forward a few more points, and drops of bright red blood traced a crimson line down the pristine edge, dripping onto Qian Jin's instep.

"No…"

Luo Qingqing cried out in alarm and started running toward them, but her wrist was caught by Bi Luo.

"Don't go over there." Hidden within her voluminous magic robe, Bi Luo's timid voice held a rare firmness. "It won't help if you go over there for this matter."

Hearing Bi Luo, Yi also halted the charge he was about to launch. Since Qian Jin left for the Demon Tribe, he had been ordered to remain in Yongliu to guard Luo Qingqing and the others. Through their time together, he had gradually come to understand some of Bi Luo's nature and the temperaments of the group.

"Put the blade down." Qian Jin’s voice was calm as he looked at Gu Yue Jiaying, slowly raising his arm. His five fingers gently wove through Gu Yue Jiaying’s long hair, his thumb lightly stroking her cheek. "I don't need to say it; I understand your feelings. The pain of losing a father—if you haven't experienced it yourself, you cannot truly comprehend it."

"I don't need to say it; accept my condolences. No one can truly accept condolences after losing a father."

"I only want to tell you, I am here for everything."

"I only want to tell you, your pain is my pain."

"I only want to tell you, you are my woman; you have me, your man, at home. I should carry everything."

"I only want to tell you, your man is not dead yet, so it is not your turn to draw your blade and charge into battle."

"I only want to tell you, the blade that severs Qian Zhanxuan's head must be wielded by you. I will break every one of his bones; I will make the entire Qian Family beg for your forgiveness. If they refuse to repent, I will surely annihilate the entire Qian Family."

"I am your man, and I am the only kin you have left in this world. You must trust me, and you can only trust me. Unless I die, it is not your turn to draw your blade and fight."

"Do you understand clearly?"

Sentence after sentence impacted not only Gu Yue Jiaying but every single person present! These words… these words! In the near future, they were destined to echo throughout the entire True Policy Dynasty, the Lucifer Dynasty, and the Savage Tribes!

These words were Qian Jin unequivocally declaring his stance to everyone, to every power! This young man and the Qian Family absolutely could not coexist! From now on, the relationship between them could only be one of irreconcilable opposition.

Any faction leader who had hoped to curry favor with Qian Jin and establish ties would have to give profound consideration to what he had just said.

After all, these were words no other power had ever dared to utter.

The men contemplated the implications for their factions, while the women watched Qian Jin with almost complete adoration, especially the younger women, whose eyes were nearly heart-shaped.

"Brother, so handsome!" Qian Niancheng turned, his eyes fixed on Qian Jin, gripping the collar of Yongliu City's underground boss, Jun Wudao, fiercely. "Dad! Brother Qian Jin is too handsome! Do you believe it? For a long time to come, the dream lover of every girl in the True Policy Dynasty will be Brother Qian Jin! These domineering words are enough to move any woman to tears of emotion. Look, Sister-in-law is crying…"

"Look, Sister-in-law’s knife has fallen to the ground."

"Look quickly, Sister-in-law has been pulled into Brother Qian Jin's embrace."

Qian Jin gently stroked Gu Yue Jiaying's shoulder, feeling her body tremble with sobs as he softly patted her back. "Cry, don't hold it in. I am here for everything."

Everything is on me—this seemed to be the sentence every woman most wished to hear from her man when facing hardship.

Everything is on me! Everything is on me! If you agree with this statement, then for this phrase, which only men are qualified to say, cast your vote now!