Chapter 251: Deterrence
Tianyong Marquis, Yue Qing, left.
A trace of gloom appeared between the brows of Ning E Huo, Shen Jiulong, and Chen Zheng.
As expected, the power of the Su family in Yujing City had already taken action ahead of their expectations!
From Yue Qing's words just now, it was evident that some people related to Su Yi had already been controlled by the Su family of Yujing City, causing Su Yi to be in a state of "isolated and deserted."
Who couldn't detect the underlying meaning?
Clearly, the Su family was using their influence to oppress the forces and strong individuals associated with Su Yi, forcing them to sever ties with him!
"The Su family's actions are truly ruthless," Chen Zheng's face darkened.
He had received a message from Huo Qiong, the Fire Dome King, earlier, telling him to sever ties with Su Yi. Otherwise, the Su family of Yujing City would consider him an enemy.
Based on this inference, it was obvious that the Su family was treating others in the same way!
"Fortunately, they haven't resorted to violence yet. Otherwise, it wouldn't just be a matter of teaching Su Dao You a lesson," Ning E Huo pondered. "In other words, those people related to Su Dao You shouldn't be in immediate danger."
"But if Young Master Su goes to the Governor's Mansion tomorrow morning, wouldn't the Su family use those people's lives as a threat?" Shen Jiulong couldn't help but speak up.
"This..." Ning E Huo fell silent.
If such a situation really occurred, what would Su Yi do under such circumstances?
Choose to endure and bow down to protect the lives of those people?
Or would he unleash a massacre directly?
Ning E Huo couldn't help but look at Su Yi, "Friend, how do you view this matter?"
Shen Jiulong and Chen Zheng also looked over.
They saw Su Yi's expression remain calm and unaffected, devoid of any anxiety or worry, appearing incredibly composed and tranquil.
"If the Su family were merely dealing with me, using whatever tricks and methods, I wouldn't bother getting angry about it. However, now they are attempting to use others' lives to force me to submit. This goes beyond being despicable and crosses my bottom line," Su Yi's profound gaze showed indifference as he casually spoke. "This time, regardless of whether they kill or not, since they have chosen to act this way, they must bear the appropriate consequences."
From his demeanor and tone, one couldn't tell if Su Yi was truly angered or not.
However, Ning E Huo, Shen Jiulong, and Chen Zheng inexplicably felt a chill in their hearts.
This was the first time Su Yi had clearly stated that the Su family's actions had crossed his bottom line!
Dragons had their reverse scales, touching it meant death.
For someone like Su Yi, once his bottom line was violated, how could the consequences not be severe?
Su Yi looked at Ning E Huo and said, "Ning Sect Master, I think it would be best for you to return to the Tianyuan Academy now."
Ning E Huo immediately snapped back to attention and nodded, "Friend's reminder is right. I will go back and take a look."
With that said, she hastily mounted the Azure Scale Eagle and flew away.
"Yun Guang Marquis, the Su family may have already prepared some means to threaten you. Be prepared," Su Yi looked at Shen Jiulong.
Shen Jiulong's face changed slightly, but he took a deep breath and said, "Rest assured, Young Master Su. Shen Mou will never commit an act of betrayal!"
Su Yi shook his head and said, "When coerced, one often has no choice. As long as people are safe, there is no question of betrayal."
He rubbed his stomach and sighed helplessly, saying, "I'll trouble Marquis Yun Guang to go out and buy some food and wine."
Shen Jiulong was taken aback. Was he hungry?
However, with the situation being so serious, Su Yi actually had the leisure to think about eating and drinking?
This... This was truly remaining calm in the face of danger, displaying exceptional composure...
Seemingly influenced by Su Yi's casual and composed attitude, Shen Jiulong also relaxed a lot and smiled, saying, "Young Master, please wait a moment. I'll go and come back soon."
Su Yi instructed, "Remember to go to Xian Ding Ji and buy a whole roasted lamb and a grilled pomfret."
Shen Jiulong readily agreed and hurriedly left.
"Young Master Su, how should we deal with this person?" Chen Zheng pointed to Chen Jinlong not far away.
Chen Jinlong was already paralyzed with fear. Upon hearing that, he panicked and shouted, "Su Brother, you know, I've never had any intention of being your enemy. I..."
"No need to explain," Su Yi raised his hand to stop him and chuckled, "You really are an unlucky fellow. Every time we meet, it seems your situation is never good."
Think about it. The first time they met was at Fengyuan Restaurant in Yunhe County, where Chen Jinlong and some other Qinghe Sword Sect disciples came to provoke but were suppressed and forced to kneel, slapping their own cheeks.
The second time they met was at the Yinxue Villa, where Chen Jinlong was just a minor character but got implicated by his fellow disciple Yan Yufeng, leaving him terrified and at a loss, neither sitting nor standing.
The third time they met was in Yangku Town, where he directly caught the attention of "Old Wen" by the side of the Yu family's patriarch.
And now, this time they met, this guy was being oppressed by Tianyong Marquis...
He was truly unlucky.
Chen Jinlong was dazed and suddenly had the urge to cry.
He also felt that he was too unlucky. Every time he met Su Yi, nothing good happened...
"Su Brother, as long as you don't blame me, it's fine," Chen Jinlong choked up, on the verge of tears.
Su Yi lifted him up from the ground and said gently, "Alright, you should leave this place quickly. It would be best to leave Gunzhou City immediately and in the future... it's better if we don't meet again, and don't mention that you know me. Otherwise, I'm genuinely worried that you'll encounter more misfortune."
Chen Jinlong nodded bitterly.
He quickly left, his figure desolate.
Watching this, Su Yi couldn't help but sigh. It was truly unfortunate for Chen Jinlong, to the point that he couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy.
Then, he looked at the sky and took out a rattan chair, lazily sitting by the side of the lake.
Comfortably relaxing his body, Su Yi whispered, "Marquis Wuling, during this leisure time, let me impart to you a secret technique of the soul. With it, you can completely refine the soul power in your sea of consciousness. Listen carefully."
Chen Zheng's heart trembled, immediately casting aside all distractions and attentively listening.
Su Yi immediately began speaking, imparting a secret technique called the "Mixed Combat Soul Refining Art" to Chen Zheng.
Though it consisted of only a few hundred words, each word was like a precious gem, carrying profound mysteries within.
As Chen Zheng memorized each word, Su Yi began to explain the profound insights behind the first sentence.
Unconsciously, Chen Zheng became engrossed in his explanation, completely absorbed in it.
Until Su Yi finished speaking, Chen Zheng remained immersed in a wondrous comprehension.
Su Yi didn't disturb him, quietly lying in the rattan chair, watching the lotus flowers swaying gracefully in the lake under the fiery glow of the sunset.
He still remembered the time not long ago when they were accompanied by the fragrance of tea, doing household chores together, pouring tea and water, and having deep discussions on the path of cultivation in the room at night.
But in just a few short days, everything changed with the involvement of the Su family's power in Yujing City.
This sudden change left Su Yi feeling a sense of aversion and disgust deep within him.
"After this matter is resolved, it's necessary to pay a visit to Yujing City..." Su Yi murmured to himself, his deep eyes indifferent, devoid of any emotional fluctuations.
"Thank you for teaching me, Young Master!" After a long time, Chen Zheng snapped out of his comprehension.
Gratitude filled his resolute expression, and he was about to kneel and kowtow in thanks.
Su Yi remained seated in the rattan chair without moving, but his right hand lifted slightly, causing Chen Zheng's figure to freeze in place, unable to kneel.
"A man's knees are made for gold. For us cultivators, there's no need to kneel to heaven, disrespect deities and spirits, or fear life and death. Martial Marquis Wuling is not my disciple or successor, so there's no need to be so polite," Su Yi calmly spoke.
Chen Zheng took a deep breath and clasped his fists, saying, "Thank you for your guidance, Young Master."
At that moment, Shen Jiulong entered with a food box and wine jug. When he saw this scene, an indescribable envy surged in his heart.
How could he not see that Chen Zheng had received guidance and instruction from Su Yi?
Shen Jiulong congratulated with a smile, "Congratulations, Martial Marquis Wuling. With Young Master Su's guidance, there's no need to worry about not being able to truly embark on the path of cultivation in the future."
Joy filled Chen Zheng's eyebrows as well.
This time, he had indeed turned misfortune into a blessing. Although he had almost been possessed, now, under Su Yi's guidance, he had hope for turning calamity into fortune!
Night fell.
Su Yi, Shen Jiulong, and Chen Zheng sat at a table by the lakeside, eating and chatting.
The starry sky above was clear, the moonlight serene, and the breeze from the lake brought a refreshing tranquility.
However, Shen Jiulong and Chen Zheng couldn't truly relax in their hearts, still mindful of Tianyong Marquis Le Qing's words earlier in the day.
Only Su Yi, seemingly unaffected, enjoyed the delicious food without a care in the world.
When they had eaten their fill and drunk enough, a blue-scaled eagle descended from the sky, carrying a sealed letter written in Ning Xihan's own hand.
The contents of the letter were brief:
Yesterday morning, the Vice Headmasters of Jixia Academy, "Tao Zheng," and Shuiyue Academy, "Mo Huaque," each led a group of elders to visit Tianyuan Academy.
Currently, they are temporarily staying at Tianyuan Academy.
On the surface, Tao Zheng and Mo Huaque claimed that this visit was to allow the disciples of the three academies to engage in martial exchanges and promote communication.
But Ning Xihan could see at a glance that both Tao Zheng and Mo Huaque's visit was clearly a form of intimidation!
Because both Jixia Academy and Shuiyue Academy have an intimate relationship with the Su family of Yujing City!
Most of the descendants of the Su family and the major forces affiliated with them cultivate in these two academies.
For instance, Tao Zheng, the Vice Headmaster of Jixia Academy, is himself a senior elder of the Tao clan.
And the Tao clan is one of the "Seven Great Clans" that is aligned with the Su family of Yujing City!
Similarly, Mo Huaque also has intricate connections with the Su family of Yujing City.
It can be said that the visit of these two academies to Tianyuan Academy is clearly a coordinated action with the power of the Su family!
However, Tianyuan Academy is still one of the ten major academies of Da Zhou.
Coupled with the presence of Ning Xihan, the mysterious and enchanting Academy Master, neither Tao Zheng nor Mo Huaque would act rashly.
But who can't see that their arrival itself is an invisible intimidation?
According to Ning Xihan's inference, once Su Yi and the power of the Su family come into conflict, Tao Zheng and Mo Huaque will undoubtedly take action!
Regarding this, Su Yi is not concerned, or rather, he doesn't care at all.
After seeing that Wen Lingxue and Cha Jin are safe and sound, as written in Ning Xihan's letter, Su Yi is too lazy to pay attention to the other contents.
They are just roles playing lapdogs for the Su family. If they dare to bark and harm others, they will be killed. Why bother caring?