Chapter 76 The Ma Family of Beichuan

…
Meanwhile.

Beichuan.

Within the grand conference hall of the Ma Residence.

“Sorry, the number you have dialed is currently unavailable. Please try again later…”

Once more, the cold automated voice echoed from the phone.

With a sharp crack, Ma Hongbin, head of the Ma family, hurled his phone to the ground. The device shattered instantly.

“Damn it! Are those three dead? Why are their phones still unreachable?!”

Seeing the scene before them, the people standing in the center of the hall all lowered their heads, not daring to utter a word.

At this moment,

One among them summoned his courage and spoke, “Master, could it be that the three elders wish to sever ties with the Ma family, and that’s why…”

He stopped mid-sentence, unwilling to continue.

The three elders were guest elders of the Ma family, and it was always possible they might leave the clan.

This had prompted such a thought.

“Impossible!” Ma Hongbin waved his hand dismissively. “The Ma family has never treated those three unfairly. They have no reason to act so.”

Three years ago, those brothers, famed for their strength, had been invited into the Ma family.

Over the years, the family had shown them considerable favor.

He could not believe they would leave, and even less so in such a manner.

Hearing the family head’s words, everyone present fell silent.

Just then—

“Tap, tap, tap…”

Footsteps sounded from outside.

Soon, a servant hurried in from beyond the doors.

“Master, there is a stranger outside, requesting to see you.”

Ma Hongbin was irritable at this moment. Hearing of a visitor, he had no desire to receive them. With a wave, he said,

“No, send him away! Let him return to wherever he came from!”

The servant hesitated.

Seeing this, Ma Hongbin snapped, “What, are you deaf?”

“Master, the visitor says he has news of the three elders.”

“What?” Ma Hongbin responded quickly, “Damn it, next time say the important part first! Let him in!”

The servant dared not linger, quickly leaving.

Moments later,

An elderly man in a blue robe walked in, slow and dignified.

He was about sixty, tall and straight, hair and beard white as snow. Though his face was lined with age, his dark eyes shone with vitality.

—

At first glance, he exuded the aura of a sage.

Seeing the visitor was an elder, and sensing a martial energy equal to his own, Ma Hongbin smiled and asked,

“I am Ma Hongbin, head of the Ma family. May I ask how I should address you, senior?”

The old man nodded slightly, “You are too polite, Master Ma. I am Yangmei Daoist.”

Hearing the name, Ma Hongbin pondered, realizing he did not know this man.

“I heard you have news of my family's three elders. Is that true?”

He went straight to the point.

He was indeed curious how this old man knew the elders’ whereabouts.

Yet, it was good news. He was eager to learn where those three scoundrels had gone.

“They are dead.”

Yangmei Daoist spoke calmly.

At his words,

Everyone in the hall froze.

What!

The three elders… are dead?

How could that be?

Ma Hongbin was the quickest to recover, hurriedly asking, “Senior Yang, this is no matter for jest.”

He found it hard to believe.

The three elders had merely gone out to find someone. How could they have died?

Moreover, the third elder was a mid-stage Grandmaster, and his brothers were both peak Grandmasters. Few could even injure them.

How could they be slain so easily?

Seeing their disbelief,

Yangmei Daoist continued, “Master Ma, I witnessed their deaths myself. And I have no reason to deceive you.”

Hearing this, Ma Hongbin pressed, “How did they die?”

He would not trust the old man based on a few words.

With the elders’ strength, their killer must have been at least a peak Grandmaster.

And how would the elders provoke such a person for no reason?

Besides, he’d never heard of any enemies.

Suddenly,

Questions surged through his mind.

Seeing Ma Hongbin still unconvinced, Yangmei Daoist asked, “You know of the Immortal Mansion cave, do you not?”

“Of course I do. Wait, what do you mean? Could it be…”

“Exactly. The one who killed them was among those who entered the Immortal Mansion cave.”

Yangmei Daoist explained, “My only disciple, Feng Wudao, went there as well, but he died.”

At this, sorrow clouded his face.

After a pause,

—

He continued, “Among the forces present, the Xiao family was the most powerful. At first, I thought it was they who killed my disciple, so I went to the Xiao family in Jinling.”

“But upon arrival, I found the Xiao family had been annihilated. After some inquiry, I learned the culprit was from a small clan in Southeast Cloud City.”

“Not only that, but all who entered the Immortal Mansion cave perished, slain by the same person.”

He related all he had learned.

“What?”

Hearing that all who went had died,

Ma Hongbin’s eyes widened. “Senior Yang, you said all who entered the Immortal Mansion cave died?”

Yangmei Daoist nodded, “Indeed. If you doubt me, you can send someone to Jinling to inquire.”

“Senior Yang, I didn’t mean that.”

Ma Hongbin lowered his head in contemplation.

That would mean even Third Sister…

Damn it!

Who is this person?!

I will see him dead and buried!

Suppressing his rage, Ma Hongbin asked, “Since you said you saw my three elders killed by this person, does that mean you met him? Why didn’t you kill him to avenge your disciple, but came to the Ma family instead?”

Was there some hidden reason?

Yangmei Daoist remained unruffled, his reply ready. “I did intend to avenge my disciple.”

“But when I arrived, I found the man’s strength overwhelming. Your three elders were dispatched by him in a single move.”

“Seeing such power, I decided it was safest to come to Beichuan and seek your cooperation. Would Master Ma be willing? Shall we join forces to slay him?”

Ma Hongbin caught the nuances in his words.

This old fox truly lived up to his reputation.

He must have followed the elders, waiting for an opportunity.

But upon witnessing the foe’s might, he dared not act and came to Beichuan seeking allies.

He called it cooperation,

But really, he wanted to use the Ma family as a weapon.

If they failed, the old man would surely be the first to flee.

Fine, since you wish to use me as your blade, I shall play along.

With this in mind,

Ma Hongbin clasped his hands. “This man has slain so many of my kin, including my own sister.”

“Since he is your enemy as well, let us join forces and kill him.”

Hearing agreement,

A gleam flashed in Yangmei Daoist’s eyes. “Excellent—with Master Ma beside me, that man is doomed!”

He had just relaxed.

But at that moment,

A resounding voice thundered from outside:

“Ma family brat, come out at once!”

…