I Can See Your Combat Power

“Do you know what his wife looks like?” Tang Luo asked with an indifferent expression.

“Um…” The sword intent in Xu Lao Ying’s fingertips suddenly fluctuated. Even Gong Zheng’s face changed drastically.

Just now, he was too scared of the other party backing out, so he rushed to answer without thinking. Only after Tang Luo’s reminder did he realize that the other party had no clue about the appearances of his wife and child.

Xu Lao Ying dismissed his sword intent, put his hands behind his back and said, “Ah, I didn’t get enough rest yesterday. I totally forgot about that.”

Tang Luo’s mouth twitched. He didn’t believe this lame excuse at all. He turned to Gong Zheng and asked, “Where are your wife and child now?”

“They were taken by Mi Hou!” Gong Zheng clenched his teeth and said, his voice filled with barely suppressed hatred.

Eh.. Ah?” Xu Lao Ying had a puzzled look on his face. “Aren’t you one of Mi Hou’s subordinates? Why would he take your wife and daughter?”

“Not a subordinate, but a collaborator.” Gong Zheng explained to Xu Lao Ying. With a dismissive wave of his hand, Xu Lao Ying said, “Doesn’t matter anyway.

I will rescue them. So, that you can rest in peace.”

As a renowned talkative noble son, his art of language was absolutely impeccable, leaving Gong Zheng with an awkward look on his face.

Tang Luo said to Gong Zheng, “Since he has promised to rescue your wife and daughter, we won’t go back on our word. Go take a bath first, and then wait for us at the Weiya Residence.”

Just as Gong Zheng was about to nod, he heard Xu Lao Ying query, “Why go there? Can’t he just meet us at Mi Bai’s stall after he’s had his bath?”

Tang Luo glared at Xu Lao Ying and said, “Do you think that’s appropriate?”

Xu Lao Ying was about to argue but suddenly remembered the boastful remarks he’d made in front of Mi Bai.

All the higher-ups of Righteous Gang had been executed. If Mi Bai saw Gong Zheng, whom he knew was dead, it would be a huge blow to Xu Lao Ying’s face. Inappropriate, Inappropriate! My cousin’s considerations are meticulous.” Xu Lao Ying gave a thumbs up to Tang Luo.

Tang Luo didn’t respond, covering his nose as he walked towards Mi Bai’s stall.

Xiao Family Estate

In Xiling City, besides the Tang Clan and Mi Clan, the Xiao Family is recognized as the most powerful and deeply-rooted.

Over the centuries, the Xiao Family has held the title of the third great house. It is the mainstay of all smaller clans in Xiling, as only the Xiao Family can represent these clans in negotiations with Tang and Mi Clans.

In essence, the Xiao Family serves as the representative of all small clans in Xiling City. After the recent battle outside the city, which claimed the lives of four clan chiefs at the hands of the Tang Clan’s Sect Head, numerous clan heads have visited the Xiao Family. The question on their minds is singular.

Is the Tang Clan planning to take action against all clans in Xiling?” Ever since the two clans brought back hundreds of thousands of refugees to Chengzhou, and erected new cities at both ends of the city, some clan leaders started to sense that the centuries-old peace in Xiling City might be coming to an end.

Weiya Residence

The trio, Tang Luo, were having a discussion on how to rescue Gong Zheng’s wife and child at the table. In reality, it was mostly just Xu Lao Ying making arrangements, considering he had taken the money.

A map of the South City laid out on the table, with Xu Lao Ying looking like he was giving orders about important matters.

While the map didn’t indicate the exact location of all buildings, important landmarks such as the Tian Yu Camp, Mi Clan’s Martial Hall, Ancestral Hall, Law Office, and the Noble Children’s Mansion were clearly visible. Mi Hou’s mansion was located near the center of the South City – a fact that added significant complexity to the rescue operation.

But who was Xu Lao Ying? He was a worldly traveler of a noble family, would he be daunted by such a trivial challenge?

Pointing at the location of the mansion on the map, Xu Lao Ying boasted, “Since there are no Fierce Realm warriors in this mansion, I’ll break into it with Gong Zheng at midnight. With my mastery of the Shadow Sword Intent, their guards won’t be able to react in time!”

“And then?” Tang Luo asked, his hands folded on the table, showing no signs of agreement or disagreement.

We search the entire mansion quickly, rescue his wife and daughter, and we’re done!” Xu Lao Ying made it sound like it was that simple.

Tang Luo clapped his hands expressionlessly and asked lightly, “It sounds like a good plan. Anything to add?”

“Why need anything else? Plans should be as simple as possible!” Xu Lao Ying explained confidently, “The more complicated it is, the more mistakes will be made. This is enough. We’ll just adapt if needed.”

The noble son crossed his arms over his chest, his confidence limitless.

Tang Luo turned to Gong Zheng and asked, “Do you think it’s feasible?” Gong Zheng glanced at Xu Lao Ying, then back at Tang Luo, gritting his teeth, he replied, “I shall follow your orders.”

Xu Lao Ying didn’t pick up on the trepidation in Gong Zheng’s heart and stated with an air of triumph, “That’s right, just listen to me.”

Tang Luo rubbed his throbbing head and reminded, “Do you know why the entire South City isn’t patrolled or guarded?”

Pride before a fall!” Xu Lao Ying answered offhandedly.

Tang Luo expounded, “The Mi Clan has a secret method of training birds. Of all those various birds you see flying over Xiling, eight out of ten have been trained by the Mi Clan. Although these birds can’t convey complicated messages, they’re useful in monitoring the movements of important figures. That’s why Mi Clan’s Wind Media Department is considered the best in Longzhou.”

Xu Lao Ying was taken aback. This kind of beast training secret art was extremely rare in the world. He didn’t expect the Mi Family to own one. No wonder their security looked so relaxed.

Tang Luo knew that Xu Lao Ying had gotten the point, so he reminded, “The Martial Hall of the Mi Clan is only ten miles away from the mansion. If a bird were to signal an alarm, the experts from the Martial Hall would arrive in an instant. How do you plan on escaping then?”

Fight our way out?” Xu Lao Ying blinked his eyes, testing the water.

Tang Luo covered his face with his hand and said helplessly, “What I mean is, this plan of yours isn’t going to work.”

“What do you suggest, then?” Xu Lao Yingunceremoniously asked, indicating he had done his best.

“Just make Mi Hou hand them over himself.” Tang Luo casually replied while balancing his chin on his hand.

Xu Lao Ying was taken aback and reached out his hand towards Tang Luo’s forehead.

What are you doing?” Tang Luo frowned and swatted Xu Lao Ying’s hand away. “Are you sure you’re not running a fever?” Xu Lao Ying asked, “Why would they willingly hand them over?”

“Why not just trade someone else with them?” Tang Luo suggested nonchalantly.

“Do you mean trading Gong Zheng for his wife and daughter?” Xu Lao Ying asked, knocking his right fist on his left palm.

Gong Zheng’s face went through a variety of changes before finally settling into a firm expression. “As long as they are safe, I can accept anything.” Tang Luo sometimes admired Xu Lao Ying’s convoluted thought process. Mi Hou had kidnapped Gong Zheng’s family to keep him quiet about the link between the Mansion and the Righteous Gang. If they traded Gong Zheng for his wife and child, wouldn’t that mean Mi Hou was admitting his relationship with the Righteous Gang?

Even if Mi Hou was an idiot, his advisors wouldn’t agree to this trade. They’d likely kill Gong Zheng’s family to prevent leaks. Since Gong Zheng had appeared with them, it meant he had exposed the connection between the Mansion and the Righteous Gang, and they had to distance themselves as much as possible from this matter..