Twilight Boundary-Chapter 605 - 596: The Fierce Might of the Yan Family
"The Yan Family, that wealthy family behind the iron threshold bestowed by the Emperor, actually did such things?"
"The toad gu in the city was actually released by that evil spirit who built the Snake God Temple? No wonder it can be treated..."
"Old Master Yan is still alive? Which Old Master? Is it the one who held official status twenty years ago? Didn't he die long ago?"
"No, that Old Master just stopped celebrating his birthday starting from the age of eighty-two."
"For a person like him, his birthday celebration each year would be a grand and lively event. Not only the three prominent families of Guazhou, but even people from faraway Prefectures would come to celebrate."
"Precisely because he hasn't celebrated his birthday in over twenty years, everyone gradually forgot and began to assume that this Old Master had long since passed away..."
...
The cries of the ghostly gods throughout the city spoke of matters too shocking to comprehend.
If spoken by a human, perhaps no one would dare believe it instantly, but with the ghostly gods throughout the city crying out in unison, it was impossible not to believe.
Moreover, in the homes of those who had previously suffered, not only could they hear the cries of the ghostly gods outside, but even the ancestral spirits enshrined within their households entered their dreams one after another, lamenting, "Our family's child was harmed by that old evil spirit of the Yan Family. The Yan Family was too powerful before, and no one dared to intervene. We didn't dare tell you, fearing it would bring disaster."
"Now that a noble person is taking charge, you should know about these matters..."
"That old evil spirit should have died long ago, yet he dreamt of being an Emperor, insisting on living to refine immortal qi using our children, ruining our family's blessing!"
"That Snake God harmed so many children while refining immortal qi for the old evil spirit, and you still burned incense for it..."
...
These families, filled with anger and fear, could no longer hold back.
Yet, amidst this shock and fury, there was a strange detail: why did the ancestral spirits who came to deliver the news all appear battered and bruised?
Ah? Could they have been beaten by the Yan Family Ancestors?
Like sparks thrown into a lake of oil, the entire Guazhou City boiled over with a sweeping fire of rage.
For ordinary families, this might not have been a big deal. They usually feared the Yan Family and could feign ignorance even if they heard of its shameful deeds. But those whose children had been harmed by the Yan Family couldn't suppress their fury.
Of course, it wasn't merely uncontrollable anger that fueled the populace; this fury didn't ignite all by itself.
Even for those whose children had suffered from the toad gu illness, the passage of time had gradually diluted the pain.
But now, with their ancestral spirits watching over them, how could they not be enraged?
Thus, one great door after another was pushed open. Countless people lit lanterns or grabbed torches, ignoring the Guazhou City curfew, and rushed onto the streets.
As more and more people gathered, they even intimidated the jianghu martial artists.
Initially intoxicated and jovial, they had planned to help the Yan Family. Now, however, they hesitated. Guazhou's affairs were not their concern, but the ghostly cries gnawed at their consciences. Furthermore, countless citizens swarmed in from all directions, enveloping them. Among the crowd were familiar faces shouting loudly, "Ah, isn't that Thunder Blade, the renowned hero of the jianghu?"
"Heavens, Old Master Shen, who shook the Eight Prefectures with a single spear, is here too! Please, Old Master, uphold justice for the people of Guazhou!"
...
Enticed by these calls, the jianghu figures, not quite understanding what was happening themselves, followed the citizens towards the Yan Family, their numbers swelling.
They remained high-spirited, gradually feeling as if they had come all along with the intent to kill that old dog of the Yan Family.
This...
Outside the Yan Mansion, Calculation felt the pressure converging from all directions and was dumbfounded. "They've actually managed to sway even these jianghu rude men?"
Yet Wuya, beside him, was puzzled and asked, "Teacher, what use are these people?"
"Their reputations are resounding, but from what I see, their skills seem inferior to mine?"
...
"What do you know?"
Calculation also leaped out, blending into the crowd, all while instructing his disciple, "It's not about skills. If these people were to support the Yan Family, they'd speak in its favor everywhere, discrediting the Zhensui Mansion that comes to cause trouble. The Yan Family invited them here for that very reason—not really expecting much actual help. But now?
"The tables have turned!
"They are opposing the Yan Family and will slander it mercilessly in the future, elevating the Hu Family to the heavens.
"These big mouths love to gossip after a drink. Think what stories will circulate in the jianghu!
"And what is this?
"This is precisely the reputation the Hu Family currently needs..."
... 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢
...
It's all out, all out...
Inside the Yan Mansion, Master Yan had lost all of his prior arrogance. His face was ashen as he ruminated furiously, yet he was unable to understand.
How could everything suddenly become known to outsiders? The Old Master's affairs were secrets even within this Guazhou City. We've been watching over that snake ghost because it was secretly performing Alchemy for our ancestor; it couldn't be known by outsiders. Even to guard against that walking ghost great hall officer, the ancestor hadn't taken a Pill in half a month. With such careful precautions, how did everything leak out all at once? Are the strategies of these lowly Martial Artists truly so unpredictable?
...
In the midst of panic, hearing the clamor outside drawing ever closer to the Yan Family, he knew it was no longer the time for complaints.
Though not a man versed in the Path, he wasn't lacking in courage or ruthlessness; otherwise, he wouldn't have been chosen by the ancestor to become the Family Head of the Iron Gate Yan Family.
He clearly understood the consequences if the ancestor's affairs were exposed. Unable to hesitate any longer, he suddenly sprang from the ground, his expression grim, and yelled loudly, "Close the gates! Close the gates!
"Who dares slander my Yan Family? Who dares tarnish our name?
"Keep them here! Not a single one of these people is to leave!"
...
BOOM!
There were people long ready for this command from Master Yan.
The Yan Mansion was vast and deep. All the turmoil had only occurred in the front courtyard. Meanwhile, in the deep recesses of the back courtyard, both the entity recently disturbed by anger and numerous eyes hidden in the shadows had made various preparations ever since the walking ghost small sword catching had entered the premises.
In the front courtyard, surrounded by so many small hall officers of the sword catching sect, Master Yan desperately shouted these words and then closed his eyes.
He knew this decision was ruthless, and he also knew that by giving this command, these people might kill him in an outburst of rage.
Yet, as the Yan Family Master, it was his duty to give this order and then face death with equanimity.
CRASH!
As soon as he shouted, the black iron gate—originally intended only for inviting the walking ghost Great sword catching sect to come in and speak of rules—slammed shut with a mighty sound, so loud it startled everyone in the courtyard.
Just by closing this Iron Gate, the Yan Family appeared to instantly isolate itself from the outside world.
Not only could people outside not come in, but even those trying to climb over the walls seemed barred from entry, as if the walls had suddenly become impossibly high.
At the same time, at the four corners of the Yan Mansion, four pavilions had been erected. At first glance, they seemed merely for appreciating flowers or scenery. But after Master Yan in the front yard shouted for the gates to be closed, the men stationed there immediately took up iron hammers. They went to the Zhuzi between the pavilions and, mustering all their strength, smashed them down.
From beneath the Zhuzi, blood-like fluid surged up, and faintly, wailing cries could be heard.
The sinister, furious roars from the depths of the Yan Mansion grew louder, and an eerie, mist-like atmosphere pressed down.
Outside the mansion, in Guazhou City, a fragrant wind suddenly swept through. Countless enraged people lifted their heads in a daze and seemed to see a noble Lord with ceremony tents appearing, and Incense Burners holding an Imperial Decree.
They commanded loudly, "The Lord of Guazhou orders that ghostly gods return to their places! The order of yin and yang must not be disrupted by chaos!"
The Lord's majestic authority was formidable, silencing the lamenting yin souls and aggrieved spirits, forcing them to kneel on the ground.
CRACK, CRACK, CRACK...
Around Guazhou City, the city gates suddenly opened wide. Under the command of the Iron Threshold King, armored and armed soldiers marched into the city. Men with iron face-guards grimly charged in, radiating killing intent.
And amidst this grand commotion, someone hurriedly escaped before the Iron Gate closed.
Looking back towards the tightly sealed Yan Mansion, they still trembled with fear. "The Iron Gate Yan Family, the Iron Gate Yan Family! Are they so easily bullied?"
"With this situation now, won't rivers flow with blood and corpses pile up like mountains?"
...
...
They will all die, all of them...
The Master of the Yan Family knew what his command would incite. Although aware of his own impending doom, he felt no fear, only laughed with a demonic glint in his eyes, thinking, What can you achieve with your chaos? The Lord of Guazhou was raised by my Yan Family, the Iron Threshold King is our house slave, and what about our enraged ancestor? These jianghu demon people, no matter their methods, will only find death in Guazhou!
As these thoughts raced through his mind, he opened his eyes, which glinted like a demon's, eager to see the expressions on their faces after they witnessed the true power of the Yan Family.
Surprisingly, with the Iron Gate closed, trapping them inside the Yan Family, even on the brink of death, no one rushed to kill him to vent their anger. Nor did he see panic in the eyes behind their masks.
Instead, he vaguely sensed that many eyes seemed to gleam with excitement, and he heard them whispering, "Is it time?"
"Finally, time to take on the big boss?"
"This Yan Family's foundation is rather deep..."
"What Yan Family? This is ours!"
