The Sword God of the Universe

"Shi Xuan!"

Huo Chunyang, with a slight frown on his brow, called out loudly.

Before the Armored Guards, an old man in a black robe swiftly turned around.

Immediately, he ran quickly towards Huo Chunyang and Lv Yan. He was Shi Xuan, the Chief Manager of the City Lord Mansion, and the most powerful person beneath the two City Lords.

"City Lord, Madam!" Shi Xuan bowed to Huo Chunyang and Lv Yan.

"What's going on?" Huo Chunyang looked at Shi Xuan.

Shi Xuan of course knew that the City Lord was asking why the Armored Guard had been assembled.

"Jing Family's Jing Yan killed Mr. Cang Long's disciple Suo Wen; Mr. Cang Long is angry and demands that the Jing Family hand over Jing Yan, but Jing Clan Patriarch Jing Chengye refuses to comply. Therefore, the Deputy City Lord ordered the Armored Guard to assemble, waiting for your return, City Lord, to give the order to annihilate the Jing Family," Shi Xuan rapidly explained.

It was Deputy City Lord Chen Bing who had assembled the Armored Guard, but the final order still had to come from City Lord Huo Chunyang. Shi Xuan also thought that, compared to offending Cang Long, annihilating the Jing Family seemed more in line with the interests of the City Lord Mansion.

"What?" Huo Chunyang's eyebrows raised, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

Annihilate the Jing Family? Ridiculous fools!

Bai Xue City Lord had just asked him to take care of Jing Yan, and now his City Lord Mansion was about to annihilate the Jing Family. How was he supposed to explain this to Bai Xue City Lord? Ridiculous, they deserved to die!

A surge of anger erupted in Huo Chunyang's heart.

"Where is Chen Bing?" Huo Chunyang's voice suddenly raised considerably.

"Hm?" Shi Xuan sensed that City Lord Huo Chunyang's mood seemed a bit off, "The Deputy City Lord is in the square, along with the Jing Clan Patriarch and the others."

Shi Xuan had a faint feeling that something was not quite right; the City Lord seemed to show signs of anger. Could it be that he resented the Deputy City Lord for assembling the Armored Guard? But the Deputy City Lord also had the authority to assemble the Armored Guard, didn't he?

"Yan'er, let's go!" Huo Chunyang's breath tightened, and he said to Lv Yan before his figure flashed out.

Lv Yan quickly followed.

Shi Xuan was somewhat stunned, watching the City Lord and his wife rush towards the square at high speed. A moment later, he hurriedly followed; he had a premonition that the Armored Guard might not need to take action after all.

"Chen Bing!"

In the square, Huo Chunyang hurried over, and from afar, he bellowed loudly.

"Hm?"

"City Lord?"

"The City Lord has returned from Lanqu County City?"

The people on the square all looked sideways, seeing the City Lord and his wife rapidly approaching the square. Everyone stood up in response.

"City Lord, have you returned from Lanqu County City so soon?" Chen Bing greeted Huo Chunyang with a smile and a bow.

He also noticed that the City Lord's shout just now was somewhat unusual. However, he did not pay too much attention to it.

"Chen Bing, what are you doing?" Huo Chunyang's gaze swept across everyone present and finally landed on Chen Bing.

This time, Huo Chunyang's tone remained severe. However, seeing that Jing Yan was still alive, he felt slightly relieved. If Jing Yan had died, it would have meant big trouble! Even if Bai Xue City Lord would not seek revenge on him, he would have no future prospects for the rest of his life.

Chen Bing's tone trembled slightly; he hadn't paid much attention the first time, but this time, he could clearly feel the anger in the City Lord's tone.

What was going on? Had he done something wrong that had displeased the City Lord? No, there didn't seem to be anything that he'd done wrong.

Although Chen Bing was the Deputy City Lord and nominally co-managed Donglin City with City Lord Huo Chunyang, he was well aware of his place. He was just a martial artist at the Peak of Innate, and compared to Huo Chunyang, a powerful figure in the Dao Spirit Realm, he was nothing. It would be very easy for Huo Chunyang to kick him off the Deputy City Lord's position.

So, facing the City Lord's anger, he felt a bit intimidated.

For a moment, he even forgot to answer Huo Chunyang's question.

"Heh heh..."

Just when Chen Bing was at a loss, Cang Long stepped forward.

"City Lord, hello!" Cang Long began with a smile to Huo Chunyang.

"We are here to deal with a matter. Unknown to you, City Lord, I am the Outer Court Deacon of Divine Wind Academy, responsible for the assessment and selection here in Donglin City. My disciple Suo Wen also came with me. However, one of the Jing Family Disciples killed my disciple Suo Wen."

"City Lord Chen Bing invited Jing Clan Patriarch and the others to the City Lord Mansion to discuss how to resolve this matter. My disciple must not die in vain," Cang Long said slowly.

Cang Long believed that Huo Chunyang should know about his background. Knowing his background, Huo Chunyang would surely give him enough respect.

In his view, now that City Lord Huo Chunyang had returned, dealing with this matter would become even more convenient. As long as Huo Chunyang issued an order, the Jing Family could disappear from Donglin City within a day. From then on, the Jing Family could only be a part of history.

"Mr. Cang Long, you have traveled a long way, and that must have been tiring," Huo Chunyang nodded to Cang Long, his tone still courteous.

Cang Long was pleased with Huo Chunyang's attitude. It wasn't a big deal for Chen Bing to be courteous to him. Huo Chunyang being courteous was truly an honor. After all, a Dao Spirit Realm martial artist in Lanqu County City was a very important person!

"Chen Bing, recount the events to me," Huo Chunyang turned his gaze to Chen Bing, his voice low and inquiring.

"Yes!" Chen Bing responded immediately.

He then relayed the events of Jing Yan killing Suo Wen in rather detailed fashion.

At this time, Jing Chengye's face showed no expression.

What use was there in the City Lord's return?

Without the City Lord, the Armored Guard of the City Lord Mansion could not be mobilized on a large scale, and the Jing Family could remain safe for a brief moment. Now that the City Lord was back, the Armored Guard could be mobilized at any time.

Jing Chengye could almost foresee the Jing Family about to be engulfed in a storm of blood and carnage. How much longer could the Jing Family exist? Half an hour? Or two hours?

Jing Chengye felt somewhat desolate inside.

Not only did Jing Chengye understand this, but Jing Yan knew it too. So did Jing Tianying, who had been injured by Zhao Dangyuan.

Only the Great Elder Jing Chunyu of the Jing Family had a look of indecision in his eyes, as if he were looking for an opportunity to speak. He felt it was time to sever ties with the Jing Family, for it seemed on the verge of destruction.

"Jing Yan, was it you who killed Suo Wen?" Huo Chunyang asked Jing Yan after listening to Chen Bing's account.

"Yes!" Jing Yan nodded.

At this moment, denying it would be pointless.

"City Lord, Jing Yan deserved death for killing Suo Wen! Jing Family Patriarch Jing Chengye, by protecting Jing Yan, is equally inexcusable. I've always believed that we in the Jing Family should have handed Jing Yan over proactively, for the City Lord Mansion and Mr. Cang Long to deal with. However, as merely an elder of the Jing Family, I lack sufficient authority."

"Now, I want to say that Jing Chengye and Jing Tianying do not completely represent all of the Jing Family. Inside the Jing Family, many do not agree with Jing Chengye's actions. I announce that I, Jing Chunyu, am breaking away from the Jing Family, and I hope that you, City Lord, can give me a chance. I will separate those in the Jing Family with a sense of justice in their hearts; they should not have to pay with their lives for Jing Chengye's wrong decisions." Jing Chunyu had prepared his words well in advance, and as he spoke them now, there was not even a slight pause.

His intentions were clear.

Not only did he want to break away from the Jing Family himself, he also wanted to take away a portion of the Jing Family, seemingly to rebuild the Jing Family with himself as the new Patriarch. Although the rebuilt Jing Family would undoubtedly decline drastically in strength and completely lose its status as a first-rate family in Donglin City, it would still be entirely possible to establish a foothold in the city.

Listening to Jing Chunyu's words, Jing Chengye and Jing Tianying both furrowed their brows.

But they no longer had the energy to reprimand Jing Chunyu. No matter what they said, it would be of no use.

The Jing Family seemed to have no chance of salvation. Perhaps allowing Jing Chunyu to take away some of the Jing Family Disciples could be seen as a blessing, as at least it would allow more members of the Jing Family to survive.

"Are you finished?" Huo Chunyang looked at Jing Chunyu.

"Ah?" Jing Chunyu was startled, "Oh, I am done, please give me a chance, City Lord."

Jing Chunyu bowed his head.

"Who would have thought there exists such a scum in the Jing Family! Jing Patriarch, you are not qualified for your position! How could you allow such a scum to hold the position of the Jing Family Great Elder?" Huo Chunyang suddenly turned his gaze towards Jing Chengye and spoke.

"Hm?"

"What?"

"What does the City Lord mean?"

Everyone's gaze was fixed on City Lord Huo Chunyang, filled with confusion.

Jing Chunyu was shocked, not knowing why the City Lord was berating him so harshly, but he dared not speak anymore.

Even Jing Chengye himself had an expression of utter shock. What did the City Lord's words mean? Was he actually reproaching Jing Chunyu as a scum? Could it be that the City Lord had no intentions of destroying the Jing Family? But that would not make sense!

Would the City Lord really risk offending Cang Long and the powers behind him for the sake of the Jing Family?

Jing Chengye stared blankly at Huo Chunyang.

"Chen Bing, you've disappointed me!"

"As the Deputy City Lord of Donglin City, you failed to protect the city's martial artists! From now on, you are no longer the Deputy City Lord." Huo Chunyang stretched out his hand and pointed at Chen Bing through the air.

"Buzz!" Chen Bing's whole body trembled, and his mind went blank as he looked at Huo Chunyang.

What had happened to the City Lord? Was he truly going to protect the Jing Family? And to directly strip him of his Deputy City Lord position? How was this possible?

Chen Bing's face turned pale, his eyes focused on Huo Chunyang, and for a moment, he could not utter a word. He never expected that City Lord Huo Chunyang would protect the Jing Family so resolutely. Did Huo Chunyang not know of the relations behind Cang Long? Did he not know that the Zhao Family also wished for Jing Yan's death?