Chapter 3476 - Brotherly Competition

"What's the second point?" When the old patriarch asked that, it showed that he’d accepted the first point that Suishen Ranxing had just mentioned. Indeed, murdering one's wife was hardly newsworthy in the current chaos. Even the scandal of Li Tianming and Suishen Yao, which had been a major event back then, was no longer drawing attention.

𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Myriadpath Valley wasn’t what it once was. Even Tianming’s name had been forgotten. With a world war approaching, who still cared about a mere genius?

"The second point..." Eminent Ranxing’s gaze suddenly grew colder and his voice became hoarse as he continued, "she shouldn’t be alive! I’ll head to the Myriadpath Celestial Formation and clear it out for now. I'll be waiting there if she dares to come back!"

"You still intend to kill her?" The old patriarch was shocked.

"Of course! The situation right now is too delicate. You know better than anyone what kind of person she is, don't you, Father? She’s a troublemaker who fears nothing. Do you think she wouldn’t try to kill me if she returned alive? She might even bring down the entire house with her if necessary!" Eminent Ranxing said through gritted teeth.

"Suishen Xiyue...." The old patriarch thought of the fiery woman who had been at odds with his son since their marriage. Every year, they had a few fierce fights. Given the grievances she had endured and her narrow escape from death, it was indeed impossible to imagine her letting her erstwhile 'husband' go.

"Father, it’s my private matter. Don't interfere, I’ll handle it. Trust me!" Eminent Ranxing assured.

"And what about your sister?" the old patriarch asked.

"She’s your precious daughter, how could I dare touch her? She was the one who saved Xiyue and definitely knows the truth. That little sister of mine is clearly siding with outsiders, so I don’t expect her to understand me!" Suishen Ranxing’s expression turned grim.

"You deceived your wife into entering the Yin-Yang World and tried to kill her when she was off guard. How could you expect your sister to understand you? Even I don’t understand you!" The old patriarch looked at him in disbelief.

"Father! Suishen Xiyue and I were incompatible from the start. Our marriage was the greatest mistake. My life will be ruined if I don’t kill her.... Forget it, you wouldn’t understand even if I explained it," Eminent Ranxing shook his head.

The old patriarch remained silent for a moment. "I’ll go with you. Jiguang needs to be brought back. She’s still only at the minor zenith and can be controlled. Let's get through this crisis first, then see what happens." He knew that after this incident, the relationship between his daughter and son would be irreparably damaged. But what could he do when they were both his children?

Suishen Hongtian had already drifted away, becoming more and more defiant.

As for his second son, apart from his marital issues, he had mostly been aligned with the old patriarch’s values. It was the reason the old patriarch had supported him.

His daughter, on the other hand, was still young and hadn’t reached the major zenith. She wouldn’t be capable of bearing the weight of the family in the current circumstances.

The old patriarch’s only hope now lay with Eminent Ranxing. Given that the future of the entire House Suishen was at stake, he had to prioritize the survival of the many, even if it meant sacrificing the few. "Let’s go!" He let out a heavy sigh, then left for the Myriadpath Celestial Formation.

Suishen Yao and her younger brother watched as their father and grandfather left. The children were filled with hope and anticipation, truly believing that their father and grandfather were going to bring their mother home.

***

Within the Suishen Cave, in one of the residences.

After Suishen Yue’s death, Suishen Hongtian and Eminent Jinying had been working hard on continuing their bloodline. After her husband had been confined for so long, Eminent Jinying had long grown lonely. That left Suishen Hongtian utterly exhausted, as they were insatiable day and night.

At that moment, one of their transmission stone began incessantly ringing, infuriating Eminent Jinying. She was about to hurl curses when a sister from the other end of the line said, "That bitch, Suishen Xiyue, and Suishen Jiguang’s subsouls have been restored. They’ve been made whole again!"

Hearing that, Suishen Hongtian fell off of his wife in shock.

"What?"

"That’s impossible!"

The two quickly got up and sought confirmation, and eventually realized it was true.

"It’s actually true...." The couple’s eyes were filled with disbelief. By now, Eminent Jinying knew how her son had died.

After a long silence, Suishen Hongtian’s gaze turned cold as he said, "There’s no need to panic just yet. A restored subsoul means they’re alive, but nothing’s certain in the volatile Inner Yin. Two minor-zenith cultivators won’t emerge until the calm season even if they find a hiding spot."

"True.... But the problem is, as long as Suishen Jiguang is alive, your matter will eventually come to light. Your father doesn’t value you. If the truth comes out, we’ll be finished in House Suishen! We need to come up with a strategy now..." Eminent Jinying said, clearly worried.

"Strategy?" Suishen Hongtian’s eyes grew sharp as he sneered, "You still don’t get it, do you? Do you know the current situation? Two of the Three Exalted Houses could start fighting at any moment. At this time, a major-zenith cultivator like me is incredibly valuable. No matter what, they can’t afford to punish me in the current climate. The world has changed!

"My situation is nothing compared to House Qitian and Yumo’s!" He shrugged, not realizing that Suishen Ranxing had said almost the same thing at the same time.

"But even if they need you now, after the crisis is over, your sister will definitely seek out your father for retribution. And your brother will undoubtedly seize the opportunity to kick you when you’re down!" Eminent Jinying warned.

"My brother? We’ll see how clean he is once his wife returns. I highly doubt Suishen Xiyue’s disappearance was her own doing. Who knows, he might be even more corrupt than I am!" Suishen Hongtian chuckled darkly. He had waited at the Lumistar Formation because he was unaware of the chaos in Myriadpath Valley. He wouldn’t have waited if he’d known earlier, for the upheaval had given him a new opportunity.

Both he and his brother shared the same thought that their scandals didn’t matter now.

"Suishen Jiguang’s only just entered the minor zenith. Reaching major zenith would take her at least 800 years! I’ve got plenty of time to kill her. As long as I don’t care about my reputation, what can she do to me?"

"Now that the Three Exalted Houses are all corrupt, it wouldn’t matter much even if she reveals the truth..." Eminent Jinying agreed, feeling a bit more at ease.

Suishen Hongtian’s expression turned dark as he instructed, "Be careful at home. I’m heading out."

"Where to?"

"I’m going to talk to Qitian Muyu. My brother’s caught between a rock and a hard place with his Yumo mistress. It’s a perfect time for me to take the lead and align House Suishen with House Qitian. Even though our glory’s fading, at least I’ll be the one in charge!" At the thought of that, Suishen Hongtian couldn’t help but laugh. Even if he had to bow to House Qitian, the thought of stepping on his brother and sister still brought him joy.

"Everyone knows that House Qitian’s about to rise to the top. Only fools would fight against them now. My father’s too concerned with my brother. What’s needed is someone to break the deadlock and restore peace to Myriadpath Valley!

"And that person will be me...!"

With that, Suishen Hongtian swaggered out.