The First Venerable of All Paths

"That good-for-nothing Wen Qing can't even keep an eye on a single maid!"

Ming family.

Upon learning of the Wen family's annihilation, Ming Yong couldn't help but snort angrily.

The powerful spiritual energy enveloped the entire hall, making it difficult for everyone to breathe.

"The Wen family is nothing but a bunch of good-for-nothings; they can't accomplish anything great."

After a long silence, an elderly man sitting at the head of the left-hand seat slowly spoke, saying, "What we should be considering now is the He family."

His name is Mingzheng.

The elder of the Ming family, with his peak cultivation at the Condensation Realm, is indeed quite powerful.

In fact, apart from him, the people in the hall were either elders of the Ming family or worshippers.

There were seven or eight people, all of whom were at the Qi Condensation Realm.

Such a lineup is already an extremely powerful force in this southwestern region.

Not to mention, before this, the Ming family had lost many elite experts.

However, since their status was not as high as Ming Zheng's, they dared not speak casually.

"The He family?"

Ming Yong composed himself and rhythmically tapped his fingers on the table.

He looked at Mingzheng and said softly, "Elder Mingzheng, what are your thoughts?"

In my humble opinion, the Ming family has two choices.

Mingzheng said, "We either need to prevent the He family from taking action, or we need to take the initiative."

Ming Yong's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he said in a deep voice, "Elder Mingzheng, please explain in detail."

Upon hearing this, Mingzheng sighed inwardly.

He knew perfectly well what the head of the family meant.

However, those present today either didn't take the He family seriously, or they were unaware of the implications.

Suppressing his distracting thoughts, Mingzheng cupped his hands and said, "The Ming and He families are like fire and water, and a war is inevitable sooner or later. If we don't take action, we should strengthen our defenses to prevent the He family from retaliating."

He Zhongtian's daughter was imprisoned by the Wen family.

This undoubtedly touched a nerve with He Zhongtian.

Last night, He Zhongtian came to provoke us, seemingly to divert attention and buy time, but he may well have been harboring thoughts of revenge.

Although He Yaoyao has been rescued and the Wen family has been wiped out, the mastermind behind her capture and imprisonment is the Ming family.

"Elder Mingzheng, isn't that a bit of an exaggeration?"

At this moment, a middle-aged man slowly spoke up: "The He family is nothing but a bunch of traitors. They dare to retaliate against my Ming family? Aren't they afraid of being wiped out?"

This man was dressed in fine clothes and had an arrogant expression.

Ming Xiao can be considered Ming Yong's cousin.

This person has always been arrogant and never takes anyone outside the Ming family seriously.

Even within the Ming family, he was not subservient to anyone except Ming Yong.

Mingzheng's words made him quite unhappy.

"Why wouldn't you dare?"

Although Ming Zheng inwardly despised Ming Xiao, he still patiently said, "Only my Ming family can take action against the He family, but the He family is not allowed to retaliate?"

"you......"

Mingxiao's voice faltered, and he coldly snorted, "I won't argue with you. Brother, I just think the He family can't cause any trouble. That little bastard surnamed Fang is nothing to fear."

Upon hearing this, many people present secretly shook their heads.

This cunning scoundrel is indeed a fool who is all show and no substance.

The He family just came knocking on our door last night, and you've already forgotten?

Why has the He family remained standing despite the years of conflict between the two families?

Has the Ming family suffered enough losses?

In your opinion, this is what you call "not making any waves"?

So many of the Ming family's elite experts died at his hands.

The bodies of the two young masters, Mingyang and Mingche, are still warm.

Is this something to be feared?

Where do you get the nerve?!

Just who gave you that confidence?

"Owl".

Upon hearing Ming Yong call his name, Ming Xiao's face immediately lit up with joy, and he said, "Brother, what are your orders?"

"Shut your mouth!"

Ming Yong's face darkened, and he let out a cold shout, his icy aura pressing down on Ming Xiao.

"I......."

"I told you to shut up!"

Ming Yong unleashed a surge of spiritual energy, sending Ming Xiao flying and crashing heavily against the wall.

"Splash!"

The owl fell to the ground, the vase shattered into pieces, and tea spilled all over the floor.

For a moment, the room fell silent.

Only Mingxiao's heavy breathing could be heard.

Although Ming Yong had deliberately controlled his strength and had not injured Ming Xiao, Ming Xiao felt a sense of fear.

Because he sensed a faint killing intent emanating from Ming Yong.

After this incident, Mingxiao indeed dared not speak again.

This was the first time Mingxiao had been publicly reprimanded by his older brother like this, and his face stung with embarrassment. Feeling utterly humiliated, he slunk out of the hall.

Nobody paid him any attention.

"continue."

Ming Yong spoke calmly.

"yes!"

Mingzheng bowed again and continued his eloquent speech.

"Although Fang Xuan is not old, his talent, strength, methods, and trump cards are all quite formidable. This can be seen from his destruction of the Wen family. He is vengeful and is by no means a kind person."

Mingzheng said, "My Ming family also has a feud with him. Now that he and the He family are in cahoots, they naturally hate my Ming family very much. We must be even more wary of them."

Hearing this, many people nodded to themselves.

Mingzheng's words were reasonable and well-founded.

Not to mention, Fang Xuan also killed so many members of the Ming family.

If we don't kill him, how can the Ming family maintain its position?

"So, Elder Mingzheng, what are your thoughts?"

After listening, Ming Yong asked a question in return.

Mingzheng was taken aback, then bowed and said, "I will obey the patriarch!"

"And what about you all? Do you have any different opinions?"

Ming Yong's gaze swept over the crowd, his eyes deep and unfathomable.

"The decision is entirely up to the head of the family!"

The group exchanged glances and whispered in unison.

"good!"

Ming Yong suddenly stood up, his eyes flashing with a sharp light, radiating coldness and filled with a chilling killing intent.

"Mingfei!"

"Your subordinate is here!"

A burly man with a cold and hard expression stepped forward from the crowd.

He was the commander of the Ming family's guards.

With his cultivation at the Condensation Realm, he was decisive and efficient in his actions, earning him the deep trust of Ming Yong.

Ming Yong said in a deep voice, "From now on, seal off Mingyang County. No one is allowed to enter or leave. In particular, the He family and Fang Xuan, if discovered, kill them!"

"yes!"

Mingfei agreed and left to carry out the order.

"Enlightened governance!"

"Your subordinate is here!"

Ming Yong continued, "From now on, gather all martial artists in the clan who are at least at the Qi Gathering Realm. In three days, raze the He family to the ground!"

"yes!"

Mingzheng trembled and quickly responded.

"Gentlemen!"

Ming Yong clenched his fists behind his back.

"Fang Xuan killed members of my Ming family and deserves to die; the He family harbors wolfish ambitions and seeks to destroy my Ming family. If they are not eliminated, how can my Ming family stand?"

"so......"

After a brief pause, Ming Yong said in a cold tone, "In this battle, only victory is permitted; defeat is not an option!"

"Victory is the only acceptable outcome; defeat is not an option!"

After everyone had left, Ming Yong sat upright in the hall, his murderous intent slowly receding.

He fiddled with a ring in his hand, a hint of helplessness flashing in his eyes.

"If it weren't for the fact that this item would require three more days to complete its refining, we would have done it tonight..."

Ming Yong gripped the ring tightly with his palm, his face revealing a fierce expression.

"Fang Xuan, the He family..."

"You will all die in three days!"

Dusk shrouded the fields, and night enveloped all directions.

"The He family? Fang Xuan?"

Mingxiao slammed his glass on the table and sneered, "Pah! You clown, how long can you keep jumping around like that?"

"My brother is really something, what's he so afraid of?"

Her cheeks were slightly flushed, clearly indicating that she was already somewhat drunk.

"Second Master, you're drunk."

A guard nearby said, "Besides, it's getting late, we should head back."

"Drunk? I can get drunk?"

Mingxiao sneered and took another big gulp of wine, his face full of resentment.

After being publicly reprimanded today, Mingxiao went to a restaurant to drown his anger.

"I really don't know what my brother was thinking, that he would let a little beast force him to this point."

Mingxiao picked up a peanut, popped it into his mouth, and mumbled indistinctly, "If it were me, I'd go straight to the He family and demand their people back. If that good-for-nothing He Zhongtian dares to refuse, I'll wipe out the entire He family!"

Hearing these words, the guards standing by were utterly speechless.

If it were that simple, why would the Ming family have lost so many elite experts?

Even the young master lost his life.

This second master of the Ming family is a complete good-for-nothing, a complete idiot.

Seeing that Mingxiao was already unsteady on his feet, the guards forcibly helped him up and left the restaurant.

Mingxiao was still shouting and saying some indistinct words.

After boarding the carriage, they headed towards the Ming family's residence.

They hadn't gone far when the carriage suddenly stopped, almost causing Mingxiao to fall inside.

"What's going on? Are you trying to kill me?"

Mingxiao was so angry that he cursed loudly, wishing he could tear the guards driving the car to pieces.

"Second...Second Master, we..."

Outside the carriage, the guard's dry, trembling voice could be heard.

"We've been stopped."

Upon hearing this, Mingxiao immediately became furious, and his drunkenness sobered up considerably.

"Dare to block my car? Who would dare be so blind? They're asking for trouble!"

Mingxiao sat up, lifted the carriage curtain, and climbed out.

Not far ahead, a young man in white stood on the street.

He carried a sword case and his eyes shone with cold light.

Although Mingxiao had never seen that face in person, he had heard of it countless times and seen it in portraits many times.

"Fang! Xuan!"

Mingxiao slowly uttered two words.

There was surprise, excitement, and trepidation.

This is the man who killed countless members of the Ming family, instilling fear in them.

This is the person who caused the Wen family's downfall, and who made him publicly reprimanded and lose face.

If... he could capture Fang Xuan, wouldn't that be...

Thinking of this, Mingxiao's heart burned even hotter.

"You've got some nerve, daring to show your face in front of me."

Fang Xuan was also taken aback upon hearing this.

This second master of the Ming family seems even more... foolish than He Yun described.

Fang Xuan remained silent and walked towards the carriage.

Before they even got close, the dragon horse became restless and uneasy, trying to break free of its reins.

"Stop right there, did I tell you to move?"

Ming Xiao coldly shouted, "If you don't want to die, cripple your cultivation and come back to the Ming family with me to receive your punishment!"

Fang Xuan remained unmoved, only moving a little faster than before.

"presumptuous!"

Ming Xiao's expression changed drastically, and he said, "Ming Feng, seize him!"

next moment.

Acting as the groom's bodyguard, his body was instantly propelled forward.

"Second Master, I'll lure this man away first, you must escape!"

And then...and then the guard ran away.

Mingxiao didn't react for a moment.

Only after the guards had disappeared from sight did he realize that the other party had abandoned him and fled for his life alone.

Mingxiao, that idiot and fool, that's Fang Xuan!

Even the head of the family couldn't take him down when he himself took action, so you want me to do it?

I'm not a god!

Good luck to you!

"Cowardly wretch!"

Mingxiao curled his lip, stood on the carriage, looking down at Fang Xuan, veins throbbing on his forehead.

"Boy, I'll see today if you're truly as invincible as the rumors say!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Ming Xiao leaped up and threw a punch at Fang Xuan.

"Die!"