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    Just as the Murong Prince Mansion east of the river hosted a clan meeting to discuss how to deal with the murder of the head of the Southern River Region Jiangnan branch family, the Jiang Family that had been quietly out of sight suddenly lit up with bright lights.

    The Jiang Family, one of the Four Great Families of Southern River Region Jiangnan, normally conducted their affairs with great fanfare, but ever since their chief and several elders were killed, they became utterly silent, closing their doors to visitors, with the direct lineage refraining from stepping outside.

    The usually bustling and crowded Jiang Family compound suddenly became deserted, but tonight, all the lights were turned on, and even the tightly shut vermilion gates were suddenly thrown open with a loud bang.

    Following that, the newly appointed chief of the Jiang Family, Jiang Youcai, hurried out with the direct lineage of the family, and even Jiang Tianlong, whose legs had been crippled, was carried out.

    Led by Jiang Youcai, all the direct members of the Jiang Family formed a line, seemingly expecting the arrival of an important figure.

    About two minutes later, down the straight street ahead, two olive-green Mercedes G-Class SUVs suddenly appeared.

    The vehicles, whistling through the air, came to a screeching halt in front of the gate, the rubber tires making a sharp noise against the ground, and then a burly middle-aged man in an agile motion jumped out of the car.

    This man was dressed in olive-green military trousers and a tight white tank top that highlighted his sturdy muscles without a doubt. He wore leather military boots and black sunglasses on his head, moving with an indescribably brisk efficiency.

    "What''s going on, what exactly is going on, cousin, why was my uncle killed all of a sudden?" the strapping, agile middle-aged man had barely stood firm when he immediately shouted at Jiang Youcai.

    Also getting out of the car was another middle-aged man wearing sunglasses, with a long horse-face and a hooked nose, giving him a particularly fierce and ruthless appearance. An imperceptible aura of menace emanated from him, and ordinary people dared not meet his gaze.

    In addition to them, there were two young men who appeared to be deputies or attendants.

    Jiang Youcai immediately wailed in agony, "Cousin, you''re finally back, at last, you don''t know, our Jiang Family almost met its end, nearly wiped out!"

    The strapping, agile middle-aged man said, "Enough, cousin! No more crying here. If outsiders see us like this, where will our Jiang Family''s face go? Let''s go inside to talk!"

    After speaking, he did not forget to turn around and say to the hooked-nose man, "Commander Xia, there has been a little mishap in my family, which might amuse you. Please come inside."

    Commander Xia, the man being addressed, gave a faint cold laugh and said, "Look at you, making such a scene. What''s the relationship between the two of us? If your Jiang Family hadn''t had such a major event, I might not have even come."

    The middle-aged man from the Jiang Family nodded and smiled repeatedly, "It seems that the opponent our Jiang Family has met this time is no ordinary one. It might be necessary to have Commander Xia lend a hand."

    Commander Xia said, "Sure thing, we are brothers, let''s not talk such alienating words. Let''s go in!"

    After greeting Commander Xia inside, the middle-aged man from the Jiang Family immediately turned to Jiang Youcai and said, "This is Commander Xia from the Southern Territory, ranked third. Have someone prepare some fine food and send it to the rear courtyard. Once we have dined, we will talk business."

    "Of course, of course, I''ll take care of it right away!" Jiang Youcai nodded repeatedly. Upon hearing about Commander Xia''s background, his attitude instantly became extremely respectful, and he couldn''t hide his excitement and agitation.

    The middle-aged man accompanied Commander Xia into the inner courtyard, while the rest of the Jiang Family''s direct lineage, such as Jiang Tianlong, were left in the outer hall, since they were not qualified to go in.

    As it turned out, this middle-aged man from the Jiang Family was named Jiang Yicai. Not only was he born into the prestigious Jiang Family, but he was also the Deputy Commander of the Third Legion, quite famous in the Southern Territory. Commander Xia was his immediate superior.

    "The son-in-law of the Hong Family in Jiangdu, that small Hong Family?" Jiang Yicai''s frown deepened.

    "Furthermore, according to the intelligence from the Cui Family a few days ago, this kid could very likely be from one of the Aristocratic Clan Gates in the Imperial City. He himself is crippled in both legs and is simply relying on a grandmaster follower behind him," Jiang Youcai added after pondering for a moment.

    "A scion from one of the Aristocratic Clan Gates in the Imperial City?"

    Jiang Yicai''s eyes narrowed to slits, and then he demanded, "Did the man directly admit it or not? Which Aristocratic Clan from the Imperial City does he belong to?"

    Jiang Youcai shook his head and said, "No, the kid himself has never said he''s from the Imperial City, nor has he identified which Noble Clan Aristocrat he belongs to."

    "He hasn''t said? That''s even better. If he really admitted to being from one of those clans, I''d have to think twice before taking action. After all, these Aristocratic Clan Gates from the Imperial City are no small matter. Even I can''t afford to offend them rashly!"

    Jiang Youcai asked, "Cousin, how do you plan to handle this matter?"

    Jiang Yicai glared at him and snorted, "How to handle it? He killed members of my clan, do I need to say more? If this child does not die, our Jiang Family will never be able to lift our heads in Jiangnan again. I, Jiang Yicai, Deputy Commander of the Third Legion of the Southern Territory, would not have mixed in these years for nothing!"

    The sole remaining Elder of the Jiang Family in the room immediately gave a thumbs-up and said, "That''s the spirit. That''s how a man of our Jiang Family should act. Yicai, from here on out, the Jiang Family will rely on you."

    Jiang Youcai felt a mix of emotions. Although he was the current head of the family, his martial prowess and prestige were far inferior to that of this younger cousin.

    Jiang Yicai swept his gaze across the room and said, "Rest assured, fellow kinsmen, that boy Ye Feng killed members of our clan. I, Yicai, guarantee here that his head will be taken and offered at the Jiang Family ancestral hall to commemorate the deceased uncles!"

    "Youcai, come with me!" With those words, Jiang Yicai stepped out of the great hall and headed straight back to the Inner Courtyard, with Jiang Youcai following closely behind.

    In the Inner Courtyard, two attendants stood guard at the door, while Commander Xia sat on a meditation mat, seated on the floor.

    "Commander Xia..." as soon as Jiang Yicai entered, he bowed with his hands folded in front.

    But before he could finish speaking, Commander Xia waved his hand to interrupt, "I''m already aware of your Jiang Family''s situation. I promise you, if you can''t handle the matter, I am willing to intervene. But there is one condition: figure out the enemy''s true capabilities first."

    Jiang Yicai gritted his teeth and said, "Originally, I wanted to storm in now and bring that madman''s head back, but since Commander Xia has spoken, I shall send someone with a letter first, to see how the other party reacts."

    Commander Xia nodded, "Good. You are a leader in your own right. In the art of war, it''s vital to know both yourself and your enemy to ensure victory in all battles. Don''t act recklessly before you have a clear understanding of the opponent. Otherwise, it is easy to bring disaster upon oneself."

    "Go pass on the message. Let''s first probe the real situation of the other party!" Commander Xia waved his hand.

    "Understood!"

    Jiang Yicai immediately bowed and then called to Jiang Youcai, "As for that madcap Ye, do you already have his whereabouts?"

    "Of course, I have been secretly having someone watch him this whole time. He''s staying at the Jiangwan Villa," Jiang Youcai said.

    "That''s excellent. Go and give the orders to pass the message as I intend!" Jiang Yicai said in a stern, cold voice.