Chapter 407: Declaration Of War (1)

Tan Qingying's smile bloomed like a flower. Meanwhile, everyone else in the hall remained rooted to their spots. They seemed petrified.

What had they just witnessed? The son of the Ouyang family head had been killed. The four bodyguards had also been killed. It felt as though the sky had collapsed. Killing Tan Shengwei was one thing. But killing Ouyang Shengyi? How would they answer to the Ouyang family? This was tantamount to a declaration of war.

The Second Grandmother, Fourth Grandfather, and the others turned to look at Li Xiaofei. They wanted to scold him, but they did not dare. They wanted to speak, but no words came. Only now did they realize that the young man who had remained silent all this time was not silent out of fear or inexperience. He simply had not bothered to respond.

Li Xiaofei wiped the blood from his hands, holding the rusty sword at his side as he stood next to Tan Qingying. He deliberately spoke loudly, “If anyone else is dissatisfied with you sitting in the family head’s seat, speak up now. I’ll kill them all for you.”

Tan Qingying understood. She pretended to ponder this very seriously. The mid and high-level members of the Tan family present trembled when they heard these words.

If even figures like Ouyang Shengyi and Tan Shengwei were decapitated like mere dogs or pigs, what hope did they have?

The Second Grandmother and Fourth Grandfather, among others, had no doubt that if Tan Qingying gave the order, Li Xiaofei would unleash a slaughter without hesitation and kill them all. The girl’s mouth was no longer just a mouth. It was an invitation from death itself.

“What are you standing there for?” The Second Grandmother thumped her cane and shouted, “Bow and pay your respects to the family head!”

“Anyone who dares to defy the family head will be executed without mercy,” Fourth Grandfather roared with an energy that belied his age.

Regardless of what they truly thought in their hearts, the others all fell to their knees in unison.

“Greetings to the family head.”

“Long live the family head.”

Voices of loyalty and congratulations echoed throughout the entire hall like the clash of metal and stone.

Tan Qingying smiled. Family affairs were just that simple. Whoever had the strongest fist ruled. Poor Tan Shengwei, who had schemed for so long, failed to understand this truth. He had been utterly defeated in the face of overwhelming strength.

However, she knew very well in her heart. Most of the people kneeling in the hall did not truly submit. As soon as the meeting ended, they would rush to spread the news. Tan Qingying was certain that at least half of those currently kneeling would immediately inform the Ouyang family and try to seek forgiveness. When the experts from the Ouyang family came to demand justice, they would eagerly betray her, switching sides without hesitation.

But it didn’t matter. The Ouyang family had long plotted to dismantle the Tan family. They would come sooner or later. Instead of dying a slow death, it was better to burn brightly and fight with everything they had.

“Everyone, rise.” Tan Qingying said calmly, “Today’s events end here. From now on, I am the head of the Tan family. Any changes to the family’s industries must not proceed without my approval. Fulfill your duties... you are dismissed.”

Only then did everyone shakily get to their feet and withdraw. None dared to spare even a glance at the corpses of Ouyang Shengyi and the others.

Tan Qingying snapped her fingers lightly.

Snap.

The bodies lying on the floor stood up on their own. Ouyang Shengyi picked up his severed head, placed it back on his neck, and stiffly walked to a corner. Tan Shengwei and the four Ouyang bodyguards did the same.

The precision of her corpse-controlling technique left Li Xiaofei astonished. It was like his eyes had been opened to a whole new world.

“What’s next?” Li Xiaofei asked, “Handling internal Tan family matters is one thing, but the Ouyang family has substantial influence in Xiajing City and many powerful experts. They won’t let this slide easily.”

Tan Qingying smiled and said, “I’ve killed their people. So what if they won’t let it go? At worst, we’ll go to war.”

Li Xiaofei suggested, “Why not strike first?”

Tan Qingying gave a faint smile and admitted, “We’re not strong enough for that...”

Li Xiaofei seemed about to speak, but Tan Qingying waved her hand slightly and said, “There’s no need to worry. I have a plan. Although the great Saint families stand above national laws, with internal punishments and executions not bound by them, war between Saint families invariably catches the attention of the highest leaders. I will personally declare war on the Ouyang family and engage in a Saint’s duel, resolving this in the most traditional way.”

Li Xiaofei said, “The Tan family is now severely depleted in a Saint family battle. There are hardly any capable fighters left to take the field.”

Tan Qingying did not hide anything from Li Xiaofei. “I have already contacted the An family. After making some concessions in exchange for benefits, they agreed to send their experts. With the combined strength of our two families, I am confident we can stand on equal footing with the Ouyang family...”

The An family was the family of the eldest lady’s mother. They, too, were a Saint family. Though not based in Xiajing, they still had considerable influence.

𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

As she spoke, an unshakeable confidence appeared on Tan Qingying’s stunning face. She declared confidently, “Give me enough time, and I can cultivate strong warriors for the Tan family. When that day comes, destroying the Ouyang family will be as easy as turning over my hand.”

Li Xiaofei was momentarily taken aback. He immediately realized that Tan Qingying’s recent seclusion must have yielded more than just mastery of the Corpse Whisper technique for controlling corpses. She must have gained other formidable skills as well.

Tan Zhenwei had once mentioned that the divine bloodline within her body was of exceptional purity and far beyond imagination. Half a year ago, she had also practiced dual cultivation with him...

Hmm.

Li Xiaofei found that even now, he did not fully understand the depths of the lady’s power.

“What are you thinking about?” Tan Qingying turned, her eyes full of playful light as she smiled at him.

Li Xiaofei said, “I was thinking, now that you’ve emerged from seclusion, you won’t be disappearing again, will you?”

“Of course not.” The lady smiled and said, “Haven’t you already saved my light core number? Once the family matters are settled, I’ll follow Grandfather’s wishes and enroll in Beixia University to continue my studies. Then, we can truly enjoy carefree university days together. As long as you want, I’ll always be by your side.”

“Beixia University?” Li Xiaofei asked.

The lady’s smile deepened as she wrapped her arms around Li Xiaofei’s neck. Standing on her tiptoes, she kissed him lightly on the lips, like a dragonfly skimming the surface of the water. “It was something Grandfather arranged before he passed. I promised him. Hehe, I know you were ostracized by Beixia University, but don’t worry, I’ll go undercover and help you get your revenge.”

“Haha, there’s no need for that,” Li Xiaofei laughed. “I have my own ways to make them regret it deeply.”

He had gone to great lengths to come to Xiajing, all just to be with his lady. Now, that goal was finally achieved. Though they wouldn’t be at the same school, it didn’t matter. Being in the same city was enough. Distance made the heart grow fonder, after all. Besides, with an ability like Spatial Point Theft, meeting the lady whenever he wished would be effortless.

At this thought, new ideas suddenly came to Li Xiaofei’s mind.

“Arrange for me a quiet training room in the Tan family, and prepare a light core mainframe pod. I might be visiting often,” Li Xiaofei said.

The eldest lady giggled and said, “No need to prepare anything—what’s mine is yours.”

She led Li Xiaofei to her residence. It was an independent estate spanning ten acres that had a two-story building, an indoor training ground and an outdoor training ground. Inside the building, there was a room equipped with a light core mainframe pod. Although the Tan family had fallen on hard times, they could still afford a few of the most advanced light core mainframe pods, which had already been installed.

Additionally, the estate featured an indoor bath, entertainment facilities, and more. Everything looked as pristine as if it had never been used. This well-appointed estate had been specially prepared by the old family head as his granddaughter’s private quarters. Every detail and feature was the product of the old man's heartfelt efforts to make amends to her.

Unfortunately, not long after Tan Qingying returned to Xiajing City, the Tan family had received the news of Tan Zhenwei’s death. The old family head was deeply affected by the shock and passed away soon after passing the family head position to Tan Qingying.

At that time, Tan Qingying’s strength was insufficient, and the Tan family was fraught with internal strife. Wisely, she chose not to immediately assume the role of family head and instead opted to seclude herself to refine her bloodline and strengthen herself. Tan Qingying had only been to these quarters a handful of times.

“Aren’t you worried about rumors when you bring me here?” Li Xiaofei smiled as he sat in the young lady’s private room.

Tan Qingying had shed her outer garments and changed into a white off-shoulder camisole and denim mini-skirt. Her skin was as white as snow, and her figure as graceful as a dancer.

In an instant, she had transformed from the fierce family head back into an innocent, captivating young girl.

“I’ve already announced publicly that you’re my fiancé.” The lady sat in Li Xiaofei’s lap, her arms encircling his neck. She spoke affectionately, “Isn’t it perfectly normal for you to come here? Besides, if anyone dares to spread gossip, you can just kill them for me.”

“At your command, my lady,” Li Xiaofei replied.

“Grandfather and grandmother, father and mother are all gone now.” Her smooth, jade-like forehead rested against Li Xiaofei’s chest as she closed her eyes gently, listening to the steady, powerful beat of his heart. In a soft, fragile voice, she said, “From now on, you’re the closest person I have in this world. Never leave me, alright you?”

Li Xiaofei, heart aching, embraced her tender frame and said, “In the sky, may we be birds flying side by side; on the earth, may we be branches growing together.”