Project GB is an official initiative by Re:Library.

“What? Victor is dead?” The information that came from the crow’s mouth was like a meteor crashing into the sea, instantly stirring up a thousand towering waves.

Who was Victor? He was the city lord, the true master of this city. Even though his glory had faded over the years and he had long since entered the twilight of his life, a lion, no matter how old and frail, was still a lion.

Everyone had been waiting for the lion to die, yet no one dared make the first move and hasten that outcome. Because that lion still possessed the strength to bite a man to death. How could such news fail to shock them?

The Wang Family head’s expression gradually turned grave. He did not believe that Landon would go through such elaborate preparations merely to spread a false rumor. Victor was very likely truly dead. Landon had been sitting here all this time, simply waiting for Victor to die.

“So, you’re saying… Victor was killed by you?” A sharp light flickered in the Wang Family head’s eyes. He sensed that tonight was going to be a very difficult night to get through.

“How could you say such a thing? I’ve been sitting right in front of you the entire time.” Landon set down his teacup and looked at the old man with a faint smile. Dressed in a simple azure robe, he exuded the refined air of a scholar. Sitting there, he looked nothing like the lofty head of a great family.

Instead, he resembled a learned private tutor overflowing with knowledge. Not the slightest trace of killing intent could be felt from him, yet that very fact made the Wang Family head even more fearful.

“City Lord Victor’s death was merely witnessed by my people by chance. Please don’t misunderstand, Master Wang. For all we know, the one who made a move might have been that disappointing son of his.”

The Wang Family head sneered. “Since when did you learn how to joke around, Landon?”

Landon smiled and replied, “I joke quite often, especially when I’m in a good mood.”

The Wang Family head finally lost his temper. “Do you really think you’ve got the Wang Family cornered? Five years ago, your Ye Family was beaten by our Wang Family like a stray dog. Five years later, nothing has changed, and nothing will.”

“Please don’t misunderstand, Master Wang.” Landon rose to his feet and clasped his hands behind his back. He stared at the old man before him, a trace of coldness flashing through his eyes. Yet the chill vanished as quickly as it appeared, and the smile on his lips remained unchanged. “I came here today with goodwill.”

The Wang Family head let out a scornful laugh. “Goodwill? You mean the goodwill of mobilizing every elite member of the Ye Family and surrounding my Wang Family?”

“No, no, no. That’s merely an insurance policy. Only if the negotiations fail will they have a chance to step onto the stage.”

“Negotiations?”

“Of course.” Landon clapped his hands. Several people immediately carried over a number of large chests and placed them before the Wang Family head.

The chests were opened, and a dense wave of spiritual energy surged out, nearly suffocating him. The chests were filled entirely with spirit crystals. There were so many of them that a rough estimate put the number at well over ten thousand.

The Wang Family head became even more confused. “What does this mean?”

Spirit crystals were different from ordinary currency. They could aid meditation, making them the hard currency of the martial world. Even for great families like the Wang Family and the Ye Family, taking out more than ten thousand spirit crystals in one go would be painful enough to make their hearts bleed.

“I already told you. This is our sincerity in negotiation.” The smile faded from Landon’s face, replaced by an expression of utmost sincerity.

“I am also aware that my daughter, Liana, has indeed been somewhat immature and reckless. She offended your Wang Family and was disciplined by one of your elders. In my opinion, that was perfectly understandable.

“As her father, I feel deeply ashamed. That is why I specifically brought ten thousand spirit crystals to negotiate with you, Master Wang.

“These ten thousand spirit crystals can belong to you right now. However, could I ask that you release Liana, who has been detained by your Wang Family elder?

“She is still just a child. The punishment she has already received is more than enough. She should not have to suffer such treatment. If Master Wang is willing to agree, I would be most grateful.”

After speaking, Landon respectfully bowed toward the Wang Family head. Seeing this, no one could criticize the Ye Family’s attitude. Nor could anyone deny Landon’s apparent sincerity. And yet, the Wang Family head was utterly dumbfounded.

“Liana? Detained? By our Wang Family? Landon, what exactly are you talking about?”

“Oh? Master Wang, you didn’t know?” Landon raised an eyebrow, genuine surprise appearing on his face. “You mean you didn’t know that your Wang Family’s Third Elder abducted my daughter, the Third Miss of the Ye Family?”

“What?!” The Wang Family head abruptly turned around in shock.

Behind him, the Wang Family’s Third Elder, Orion, wore an equally bewildered expression. “W-What? N-No, I didn’t! It was that little girl… she was the one behind everything!”

“Third Elder, what kind of nonsense are you talking about?” Landon let out a cold laugh. “Are you telling me that a mere little girl managed to take Liana away right from under your nose?”

Panic appeared on the Third Elder’s face. “But she wasn’t an ordinary little girl. She—”

“Don’t tell me you’re trying to say that little girl was so powerful that even my most capable subordinate couldn’t defeat her?” From behind Landon, Old Huang emerged from the shadows with his head wrapped in layers of bandages.

The moment he saw Orion, Old Huang’s eyes turned bloodshot with rage. He gritted his teeth so hard that it seemed as though he wanted to devour him alive. “Master, it was Orion! He ambushed me from behind and beat me into this state! He’s also the one who took away Third Miss!”

“Old Huang, stop spouting nonsense!” Faced with Old Huang’s accusation, Orion nearly coughed up a mouthful of blood in frustration. “When the hell did I ever take your family’s Third Miss?!”

“Oh? Then are you saying this is fake too?” Old Huang pointed at the bandages wrapped around his head.

“I…” Orion’s words caught in his throat. Fine. He had indeed been the one who injured Old Huang’s head. “But there was a reason for that!”

“A reason?” Old Huang sneered. “Don’t tell me you’re about to claim that some little girl forced you to attack me. Who are you trying to fool, Orion? You were at the peak of the Eighth Stage, and I was at the initial Ninth Stage. Surely you’re not going to say something as ridiculous as the two of us being toyed with by a little girl, are you?”

“I—” Orion was so anxious that sweat poured from his forehead. He desperately wanted to shout that it was the truth. An Eighth-Stage expert and a Ninth-Stage expert had truly been played like fiddles by that little girl.

But he knew that even if he shouted it aloud, no one would believe him. Just as he himself had once thought the girl harmless before witnessing her terrifying abilities firsthand.

Watching Orion’s appearance, the Wang Family head’s expression gradually darkened. “Orion… don’t tell me you really did capture their young miss. Where is she? Hand her over immediately!”

“I’m innocent!” Under the scrutiny of everyone from both the Ye Family and the Wang Family, Orion’s legs suddenly gave way beneath him, and he collapsed to his knees.

With a grief-stricken cry, he wailed, “Master, you have to believe me! This is all a scheme by the Ye Family! Capturing that Ye Family girl would do me no good at all, so why would I kidnap her?”

“I heard you have a preference for younger girls. The youngest wife you recently married is publicly claimed to be eighteen, but in reality she’s only—”

“I’m really innocent, Master!” Before the Wang Family head could finish speaking, Orion lunged forward and tightly wrapped his arms around the man’s leg. “I swear on my life! If I truly captured her, you can kill me with a single palm strike right here and now. But I didn’t do it!”

“……”

The Wang Family head raised his head and looked toward Landon. “Did you hear that? Orion has already sworn on his life. Do you still refuse to believe him?”

“Alas, it’s not that I refuse to believe him. It’s simply that I’ve always doted on that child, Liana. Until she is truly found, I cannot rest easy.” Landon shook his head and let out a sigh, speaking in a regretful tone.

“Liana has gone missing, and I am worried sick. And right now, the greatest suspect is your Wang Family. So… would your Wang Family be willing to deactivate your clan’s protective formation and allow my people to enter and conduct a search? After all, only after I personally confirm the situation… can I truly set my mind at ease, wouldn’t you agree?”

Even now, a warm and gentle smile remained on Landon’s lips, making him appear no different from an old friend paying a casual visit. But the moment those words left his mouth, a bone-chilling coldness descended upon every member of the Wang Family.

Whether he could rest easy or not was nothing more than an excuse. The war had begun.