Starting as dockworkers, they swept through Chongqing.

Austin raised his hand.

His face finally darkened.

That's not fear.

It was a kind of cold anger after being offended.

He stood up.

"Gather everyone."

The adjutant immediately turned around.

But he had only taken two steps when he heard the sound of rapid hoofbeats coming from the forest path in the distance.

It wasn't just one or two riders.

It's a whole team.

Before the guards at the entrance to the hunting grounds could even ask any questions, they were forced back by the guns of the Imperial Guard.

In the firelight, Oin rode up on horseback.

Behind him were armored guards, their horses' hooves pounding the damp grass like a heavy iron tide pressing into the hunting ground.

The banquet fell completely silent.

Austin stood by the campfire, his crimson cloak trailing behind him.

He looked at Oin with eyes like knives.

"Third Uncle."

Oin was dismounted.

The movements were neither hurried nor slow.

"Chieftain."

When those two words were uttered, many people's expressions changed.

Because there was no respect in the tone.

Austin said slowly, "You led your guards into the hunting grounds; were you planning a rebellion?"

Oin did not answer.

He took out a scroll from his bosom.

The old knight stepped forward and read aloud.

"By a temporary resolution of the Council of Elders, it has been determined that during his tenure as head of the family, although Austin has achieved military merits, he has spoiled his close advisors, allowed cults to infiltrate, resulting in the leakage of the family treasury, harm to collateral branches, and corruption in the defense of the main residence. He is talented but lacks virtue and is not suitable to continue serving as the head of the Tussor family."

The campfire crackled and popped.

Every word felt like a blow to everyone's faces.

Austin's officer drew his gun.

The guards raised their guns simultaneously.

Austin raised his hand and pressed down on the adjutant's wrist.

"The Council of Elders?"

He smiled.

The laughter was very low.

"Where is Elder Holman? Speak to me."

Oin said calmly, "Elder Holman has suddenly fallen seriously ill and is no longer able to manage affairs."

Austin's smile vanished.

He understood.

The surrounding nobles understood as well.

Some people's lips turned white, some quietly retreated, and some immediately lowered their heads, not daring to look at Austin again.

Auston continued, "From this day forward, Auston relinquishes his position as patriarch, handing over the seal, military tally, and family ledgers. I will temporarily assume the position of patriarch, reorganize the family, eradicate the cult, and stabilize the Northern District."

"Temporarily?"

Austin said coldly, "You stormed into the main house, led troops to surround the hunting grounds, and now you're telling me it's just a temporary arrangement?"

Oin looked at him.

"If you are willing to step down with dignity, Tusol will still remember your military achievements."

"What if I don't want to?"

Oin paused for a moment.

For a fleeting moment, a faint hint of weariness flashed in his eyes.

It's not that I can't bear it.

It's more like the weariness of the last useless emotions towards old blood ties after finally reaching this point.

"Then let's take it."

As soon as he finished speaking, the guards stepped forward.

Several officers around Austin drew their guns and resisted.

Gunshots rang out suddenly.

Sparks flew everywhere as the hounds howled and fled into the darkness.

Xilun remained seated, without moving.

A stray bullet grazed his wine glass, knocking the silver glass away and spilling the wine onto the grass.

The smile on his face finally faded a little.

Austin was not taken down immediately.

After all, he was a man who had fought his way through the battlefield.

With a flick of his crimson cloak, he drew his sword, the blade flashing as it slashed at the muzzles of two guards' guns. He then turned and kicked down the charging knight.

His adjutant, his face covered in blood, stood guard beside him and hissed, "Chieftain, retreat to the Northern Forest!"

Torches were also lit in Beilinli.

More guards are appearing.

Austin looked around and finally realized that today's hunting ground was not a hunting ground.

It was a cage that had been pre-positioned.

Oin stood outside the firelight, watching him silently.

"Auston, it's over."

Austin's chest heaved violently as his gaze swept across the crowd, finally settling on Siren.

That gaze was complex.

There was anger, doubt, and a belated understanding.

Siren looked back calmly.

He offered no explanation.

Because at this moment, no explanation will be of any use.

The old knight stepped forward himself and, together with two guards, suppressed Austin.

The third-tier aura burst forth briefly, as if the air had been struck by a heavy hammer.

Austin's sword was knocked away.

The chains bound his wrists.

The adjutant was knocked down by the butt of a rifle, but he still struggled to get up, only to have his back stepped on.

Everyone in the hunting grounds fell silent.

Oin walked to the campfire and turned to face the crowd.

"The Tusol family will not fall."

His voice carried on.

"It simply replaced someone who was no longer suitable to take the helm."

No one spoke.

Silence thus becomes submission.

Oin's gaze slowly swept over everyone, finally settling on Xiren.

A slight smile appeared on his lips.

"Of course, we also need to thank Mr. Celen for his cooperation in making tonight's event so successful."

As soon as those words were spoken, many eyes were instantly drawn to Xilun.

Austin also looked up.

There was blood on his forehead, and his eyes were frighteningly cold.

Siren sat by the fire, his black coat fluttering gently in the night breeze.

He showed neither surprise nor anger.

He simply glanced up at Oin.

"Mr. Oin, you're too kind."

His tone was calm.

It was like responding to a casual greeting.

O'In's smile deepened.

The dirty water has already been poured out.

Whether it's clean or not is not important.

The important thing is that from this moment on, both Austin's former associates and the observing nobles will remember this scene.

The night O'In seized power.

Helen sat unharmed by the campfire in the hunting grounds.

This is enough.

After the hunting grounds were taken over by the Imperial Guard, the night air was filled with the smell of rust.

Austin was put into a closed carriage.

He stopped struggling.

He paused for a moment as he passed by Xilun.

Two guards gripped the gun handles tightly.

Austin looked at Siron.

"Did you write that letter?"

Xilun looked up.

"Yes."

Austin remained silent for a long time.

The campfire reflected in his pupils, like two points of fire about to go out.

"I shouldn't have only believed half of it."

Xilun did not respond.

Austin twitched the corner of his mouth, as if he wanted to laugh, but it only aggravated the wound on his forehead.

"But you're not clean either."

"I never claimed to be clean."

Austin gave him a deep look before being pushed into the carriage by the guards.

The car door closed.

The iron lock fell.

After that sound, many people in the hunting grounds felt as if their bones had been removed.

Those who had been chatting and laughing around Austin now all lowered their heads, not daring to make any eye contact with the carriage.

Oin did not rush to leave.

He ordered his guards to redeploy, checked the list of those accompanying him, and separated Austin's confidants into individual guards.

It was handled very well.

There was no ecstasy, no loss of control.

Like a steward who has finally taken over a mess of debts, he calmly categorized, numbered, and sealed each debt.

This is even more disheartening.

Xilun stood by the campfire, his fingertips gently brushing against his sleeve.

There was no moon in the distant night sky.

There was no signal flame in the direction of the old water tower.

This suggests that Albert has not been alerted yet, or that he has been alerted but has chosen to continue waiting.

At that moment, Oin walked over.

"Mr. Celen."

Xilun turned around.

"Chief Aoin."

Upon hearing this title, the expressions of the surrounding nobles from collateral branches changed again.

O'In was clearly satisfied.

"It's windy here, why don't we go for a walk?"

Xilun glanced at the forest path outside the hunting grounds.

"it is good."

The two left the campfire side by side.

The old knight followed Oin ten paces behind.

Further away, there were six more guards.

The night buried the hustle and bustle of the hunting grounds behind them.

The shadows of the trees dappled on both sides of the forest path, and the damp earth smelled of decaying leaves. The sound of horses' hooves and boot soles crunching through the puddles was very soft.

Oin spoke first.

"I'm sorry you had to go through a bit of trouble tonight."

"fine."

"Auston will hate you."

"I have quite a few people who hate me."

Oin smiled.

"You're calmer than I expected."

Xilun said, "What's done is done, panicking won't change the outcome."

"That's why I admire you."

Oin stopped in his tracks.

A black carriage was parked at the end of the forest road ahead, but there was no Tusor emblem on the carriage.

"Serve me."

He turned around, his gaze gentle.

"This isn't a partnership, nor is it about getting paid to do something. It's about truly working for me. The Tusol family will give you status, resources, and protection. Once you advance to the third tier, I can put you in charge of the entire pollution cleanup operation in the Northern District."

The night breeze rustled through the treetops.

Xilun listened quietly.

O'In continued, "You should be able to see that Victoria is about to fall into chaos. The Black Death Cult, the Whispering Choir, the Armed Insurgents, the City Hall, the Council of Nobles—everyone is vying for positions. The Brotherhood is too small, and Albert won't really consider you one of his own."

Xiren said softly, "Tusor will?"

"As long as you are useful enough."

Oin answered frankly.

"I won't promise you false affection or loyalty. You solve my problems, and I'll show you the way to advancement. If you need Lunar Silver Marrow, I can continue searching for it for you. If you need cold-elemental resources, I can get them from the family treasury. If you need an advancement ceremony, I can find a way to do that too."

He looked at Xilun.

"This is your best option right now."

Xilun remained silent for a moment.

"I refuse."

Oin narrowed his eyes slightly.

He wasn't surprised.

But when he actually heard those three words, a hint of coldness still surfaced in his eyes.

"reason?"

"I don't like to put my life in someone else's hands."

"Nobody likes it."

"So I refused."

Oin sighed softly.

There was a hint of genuine regret in that sigh.

"Someone like you will be in big trouble if you don't stand on my side."

Siren said, "Mr. Oin can give me the payment."

Oin looked at him.

A moment later, he smiled.

"You remember it quite well."

"The treatment of polluters, the tacit understanding of Old Gallows Street, and not exposing you in public tonight."

Xilun said, "These should all come with a price."

"certainly."

Oin gestured for him to proceed.

"It's in the old warehouse of the hunting grounds. It was originally a supply depot prepared for the autumn hunt. There's a batch of cold-type resources inside, which I specially had brought over. Of course, there's also a portion of Moon Phase Silver Marrow."

As previously agreed, if Xilun remained neutral, he would receive a share of Lunar Silver Marrow.

It seems that this still works now, even though Siren informed Austin without his consent.

However, Xilun was very skeptical that such a resource would really be given to him so easily.

Xilun looked at the black carriage.

"Shall we go now?"

"Go now."

Oin smiled gently.

"I'll be very busy after tonight. I don't want to go through the night in debt."

Xilun nodded.

"Let's go then."

The carriage headed north of the hunting grounds.

Only Oin and Xiren were in the carriage.

The old knight did not get into the carriage, but rode outside on horseback.

The wheels rolled over the gravel, making a regular, soft sound.

Oin sat back in the shadows, his fingers resting on his knees.

He didn't try to persuade him any further.

Xilun remained silent.

A small kerosene lamp separated the two people, its flame flickering and dimming as the vehicle swayed.

As Oin looked at Xilun's calm profile, the last bit of regret he had for his talent slowly sank away.

pity.

It's such a pity.

This young man is too clear-headed and too unwilling to back down.

He can cure pollution, fight the Black Death Cult, seize resources from second-tier extreme beings, and repeatedly maneuver between Austin and himself.

Once such a person advances to the third rank, they are no longer a piece that can be placed on the chessboard.

It is the hand that will overturn the chessboard.

Since they won't serve me.

Then go die.

Oin lowered his eyes.

The old warehouse in the hunting grounds originally belonged to a mountain supply station. The outer walls were made of gray stone, the roof was low, and the back was connected to an abandoned stable.

When the carriage stopped, only two lanterns were lit outside the warehouse.

There weren't many guards.

Four guards stood at the door, while a middle-aged man in gray armor leaned against the wall, his breathing deep and his eyes half-closed.

Third-order extraordinary.

Xilun glanced at the man as he got out of the car.

The other person also looked up at him.

Their eyes met briefly.

There was no intent to kill.

At least not on the surface.

Oin said, "This is Gran, my deputy commander of the Royal Guard."

Xiren smiled and nodded.

Grant did not return the gift.

Oin pushed open the warehouse door.

Inside were wooden crates, leather bags, medicine racks, and several wax-sealed iron boxes.

The air was filled with the crisp, clean scents of hay, metal, medicinal powder, and cold-based materials.

As soon as Xilun stepped across the threshold, he sensed something was wrong.

It's too quiet.

There's a wind outside the warehouse.

However, the dust deep inside the warehouse was not stirred up by the wind.

There were three breaths in the corner.

It was pressed down very low.

He is not one of Oin's people.

Because the third-tier Gran at the door suddenly opened his eyes at the same time that Xilun noticed.

The next instant, a ring of dark red runes exploded on the warehouse floor.

The lantern went out.

A deep voice echoed from the darkness.

"Mr. O'In, the armed insurgents have been waiting for you for a long time."

Gunshots suddenly rang out.

Two of the four guards at the entrance fell instantly.

Oin's expression changed drastically.

He reacted extremely quickly, stepping back while simultaneously grabbing the pistol at his waist.

But a burly figure leaped down from the warehouse beam, his fist wrapped in crimson energy, and slammed into his face.

Gran roared and stood firmly in front of Oin.

Two third-order forces collided.

The entire warehouse seemed to shake; wooden crates tipped over, and the sound of medicine bottles shattering rang out in rapid succession.

Two more figures emerged from behind the shelves.

One of them was a short-haired woman holding a thin sword with silver arcs of electricity crackling around its blade.

A person wearing half an iron mask and with heavy mechanical arm armor covering both arms, steam and white mist spewed out from the gaps in the joints.

Three people, third rank.

O'In finally lost his composure.

"Has Albert gone mad?!"

The short-haired woman said coldly, "The Chief Executive said that the Northern District does not need a second self-proclaimed master."

The stern-faced man twisted his neck.

"We don't need a nobleman who wants to stick his hands into our territory as soon as he seizes power."

Siren needs to protect himself, and the armed insurgents need to be beheaded; the two can easily reach an agreement.

To maintain secrecy, it was impossible to mobilize higher-level personnel.

However, they also sent three Tier 3 Extraordinary individuals, hoping to kill Oin directly.

Oin's face was extremely gloomy.

He brought Gran tonight to kill Siron.

It wasn't for a three-tiered encirclement and kill.

The main guards were all in the hunting grounds and manor, while the old knight stayed outside to coordinate, believing that everything was foolproof.

He has already taken over the family seal.

They took control of Austin.

They took over the council of elders.

After tonight, Tusol will be his.

But he never expected that despite his accurate calculations of Austin, the collateral branches, and Xilun, he would be waiting for him in the warehouse by the armed insurgents.

Xilun had already retreated into the shadows of the shelves when the first shot was fired.

They didn't help O'In.

They did not help the armed insurgents.

He slipped into a crevice like a drop of water, so quiet that people almost forgot he was there.