The Zhao family patriarch froze, his eyes widening instantly.
Before he could even process Su Yueli's words, the light blue figure vanished from his sight.
In the next instant, a chilly breeze swept past the back of his neck.
Su Yueli was already standing behind him at some point.
She raised her hand and casually slapped the Zhao family patriarch's back.
“Bang!”
Accompanied by a muffled bang, the Zhao family patriarch exploded in midair, turning into a thick mist of blood.
Losing his support, Han Zhen, who had been gripped in the Zhao family patriarch's hand, fell from the sky, coughing violently and spitting out a mouthful of blood.
A dead silence instantly fell over the surroundings.
The remaining dozens of Zhao family elites finally snapped out of it. Their souls practically left their bodies in fright. Looking at the blood mist drifting down from the sky, their legs turned as soft as noodles.
Their patriarch was dead, and the immortal master they had invited had also exploded. This was no longer a battle; it was simply a one-sided slaughter!
“Run!”
No one knew who shouted it first, but the Zhao family elites threw down their weapons and fled toward the gates of the Han residence.
But how could the members of the Han family, who had now recovered, let this opportunity slip away?
“Kill them! Leave none alive! Avenge our fallen clansmen!”
Led by Han Qingling and several elders, the surviving martial artists of the Han family charged forward with bloodshot eyes.
In just a brief moment, those soul-shattered Zhao family elites were completely wiped out. Corpses littered the entire courtyard of the Han residence, and blood flowed like a river.
The Zhao family of Luochuan City was completely wiped from existence.
The battle was over, but there was no joy of victory inside the Han residence.
Han Zhen lay in a pool of blood. His blood qi was dissipating on a massive scale, his meridians were completely shattered, and he had already reached the point of exhaustion, like a lamp running out of oil.
Han Qingling and Han Yu threw themselves by Han Zhen's side, weeping uncontrollably.
“Father! Hold on! Yu'er will take you to the medical hall. We'll find the best doctor!” Han Yu wiped her tears, her voice hoarse.
Han Zhen shook his head with great difficulty. He knew his own injuries; his internal organs had long been destroyed, and not even a miraculous immortal elixir could save him.
Using the last of his strength, he gripped the hand of his eldest daughter, Han Qingling, and then looked toward the Grand Elder, Han Changqing, who had rushed over.
“Qingling... From today onward, you are the new patriarch of the Han family.”
Han Zhen spoke with great difficulty, blood spilling from his mouth with every word he uttered. “Changqing... The future of the Han family... I leave it to you... to assist Qingling.”
Han Changqing's eyes were red. He bowed deeply and nodded heavily. “Rest assured, Patriarch. Even if I must sacrifice this old life of mine, I will assist the Eldest Young Mistress and protect the foundation of the Han family!”
Having finished his final instructions, Han Zhen turned his head and looked at Su Yueli, who stood to the side with a calm expression.
Mustering the very last of his strength, he struggled to turn his head toward Su Yueli.
His voice was incredibly weak. “Thank you... Thank you, Senior Su, for preserving the Han family bloodline... Han Zhen is endlessly grateful...”
With those final words, Han Zhen's arm slipped weakly to the ground. His eyes slowly closed, and he drew his last breath.
“Father!!”
The sisters' tragic wailing echoed throughout the main hall of the Han residence.
Su Yueli stood quietly in place, watching the scene before her. There was not much emotion in her eyes.
She had seen far too many deaths.
Over her incredibly long life, she had witnessed the rise and fall of too many mortal families, as well as the parting of countless loved ones and close friends, whether in life or in death.
Life and death were ordained by fate, and the strong preying on the weak was the most fundamental law of this world.
What she sought was the Great Dao of Longevity, the ultimate pinnacle of a Fourteenth Realm physical body.
The joys and sorrows of parting and reunion... could no longer cause even the slightest ripple in her heart.
At this moment, the martial artists of Luochuan City spectating from the distant high buildings and rooftops were so shocked by the outcome that they were left speechless.
“The illustrious Zhao family... is just gone like that?”
“Just what kind of terrifying strength does that blue-robed woman possess? A peak Fourth Realm immortal master was like paper before her, exploding with just a single slap!”
“How terrifying... From now on in Luochuan City, even if one provokes the government, they must never provoke the Han family!”
“Although the Han family has lost its patriarch, with such a godlike figure backing them, they are likely to completely dominate Luochuan City from now on.”
The crowd whispered among themselves, their gazes toward Su Yueli filled with absolute dread and reverence.
The battlefield was cleared quickly.
Han Qingling wiped the tear stains from her face and led several elders back to the messy main hall.
Their father had fallen, but the Han family could not fall.
She knew very well that she had to become the backbone of the Han family now. If she showed even a hint of weakness, those hungry wolves lurking in the shadows of Luochuan City would swarm forward and devour the Han family whole.
“Grand Elder.”
Han Qingling's gaze turned cold, and her words were filled with decisiveness. “Take the law enforcement squad and immediately seal off all of the Zhao family's residences and shops. As for the remaining descendants of the Zhao bloodline... pull them up by the roots and leave none alive.”
These arrangements were swift and decisive, displaying a ruthlessness and sense of responsibility far beyond her peers.
Han Changqing's expression turned solemn, and he nodded heavily. “Understood!”
After handling the clan affairs, Han Qingling turned around, adjusted her attire, and bowed deeply to Su Yueli.
“Senior Su's grace in saving our lives and preserving the Han family is something Qingling and the entire Han family will never forget.”
Su Yueli's face remained calm as she spoke indifferently, “If you want to give thanks, thank your own kindness back on the official road.”
If not for Han Qingling's initial warm-heartedness and her sending Han Changqing to lead the way, she wouldn't have liked meddling in others' business.
The cycle of cause and effect always has its destiny.
“Now that the matter is settled, I should leave as well,” Su Yueli said calmly.
Han Qingling looked taken aback and froze slightly.
She hurriedly said, “Is Senior leaving so soon? You saved our Han family, and Qingling wanted to invite Senior to stay for a few more days so the Han family can properly repay you...”
“No need.” Su Yueli waved her hand. “I have other matters to attend to.”
“This...”
Han Qingling was momentarily at a loss. She wanted to persuade Su Yueli to stay to express her gratitude, but she didn't know how to speak.
Just as Su Yueli was about to take a step and depart, a petite figure rushed over.
Han Yu's eyes were red and swollen, and tear stains still lingered on her face. She knelt before Su Yueli with a resolute expression.
The young girl's voice was extremely hoarse, carrying both pleading and determination. “Sister... Han Yu begs you, please accept me as your disciple! I want to learn martial arts from you!”
Han Qingling had not expected Han Yu to suddenly do such a thing, and she hurriedly stepped forward to pull Han Yu up.
But no matter how she pulled, she couldn't budge her; Han Yu was exceptionally stubborn.
Han Qingling hurriedly clasped her hands. “I am truly sorry, Senior. Yu'er has lost her manners. I hope you can forgive her.”
Then she looked at Han Yu and scolded, “Yu'er, get up immediately! How can you be so rude!”
After all, Su Yueli had first saved the two of them, and then she had saved the entire Han family.
This monumental debt of gratitude was already impossible to repay. Furthermore, she knew very well that their talents were not very good; otherwise, they wouldn't have only reached the Second or Third Realm of martial arts cultivation by now.
Rashly begging to be taken as a disciple like this would likely displease Su Yueli.
Rate on N.U.
