Chapter 8
C8 – He Wanted to Take Revenge First
After hearing Zhou Kaile’s words, Qian Jiajia refrained from trying to dissuade Zhou Jibo. Yet, she couldn’t help but repeatedly caution him against acting impulsively or taking unnecessary risks.
Zhou Kaile had another piece of news for Zhou Jibo. Perhaps to demonstrate his loyalty, Zhou Shu, along with a few loyal aides, had pursued the fleeing Zhou Xiuyun and Fangyin through the night.
Zhou Jibo was taken aback by this revelation. Zhou Shu’s actions spoke volumes about his belief in Zhou Jibo’s potential.
Zhou Shu was a seasoned elder whose tactics were shrewd and calculated. Seeing his latest move, Zhou Jibo found it hard to hold onto any grudges, even if Zhou Shu had previously aligned with Zhou Qian.
“He’s quite the sly one,” Zhou Jibo remarked with a chuckle. “But he’s indeed valuable to us, so let’s keep him around.”
Both Zhou Kaile and Qian Jiajia smiled in agreement, nodding their heads. Until now, no one had shown such overt allegiance to Zhou Kaile.
Their conversation was interrupted by a sudden uproar outside.
A person burst in, panting, “Patriarch, the elder has returned wounded!”
Zhou Kaile and Zhou Jibo hastened to the front courtyard, where they found Zhou Shu holding his chest. He reported to Zhou Kaile, “The traitors got away. I followed them close to the Zheng family’s territory when two of their elders blocked my path and even inflicted these injuries on me! Why would they intervene like this?”
“The Zheng family?” Zhou Kaile exclaimed through gritted teeth. “Not the Zheng family again! I’ve had enough of their interference.”
“Take it easy,” Zhou Jibo interjected, “We’ll handle this methodically. Given the Zheng family’s actions, I plan to exact our revenge gradually over the next three months. With them united and us facing internal strife, a direct confrontation would be ill-advised.”
Curiosity piqued by the mention of a plan, the injured Zhou Shu inquired, “What happened?”
After learning about Zheng Xunqin and the Zheng family’s betrayal, Zhou Shu’s face flushed with fury. “They’ve crossed the line!”
“I’ll summon Zhou Chulang, Zhou Shuang, and Zhou Qian immediately,” he declared, his voice seething with resolve. “I refuse to believe that a united Zhou family can’t overpower the Zheng family!”
Zhou Jibo spoke with a grave tone, “Elder Zhou Shu, if you’re willing to trust me, please remain patient. There’s no need to inform Zhou Qian and the rest; I’m confident I can handle this situation.”
Zhou Shu’s expression was serious as he clutched his chest, “Zhou Jibo, are you truly certain?”
“Absolutely. I have complete confidence,” Zhou Jibo assured him with composure.
Biting down on his resolve, Zhou Shu conceded, “Fine, I’ll trust you this once. But my patience is limited. If you don’t succeed, we’ll have to rally the entire Zhou family to confront the Zhengs.”
“It’s not that I question your abilities. I have no doubts about your potential. But this issue affects more than just your betrothed—it’s about the honor of our Zhou family!”
“If we lose face, the Zhou family could fall to the level of a non-influential clan. When I pass away, I wouldn’t be able to face our ancestors with such a disgrace!”
Zhou Jibo remained silent, simply bowing in respect to Zhou Shu.
After Zhou Shu left to tend to his injuries, Zhou Kaile was still seething with anger.
With a smile, Zhou Jibo suggested to Zhou Kaile, “Though it’s not yet time to strike at the Zheng family, we can still release some steam. Father, here’s what you can do.”
Zhou Kaile, all ears, brightened up at the plan. “Excellent, let’s proceed with that!”
With a smile, Zhou Jibo departed from the mansion. Zhou Kaile and Qian Jiajia huddled together, plotting eagerly. Soon after, the Zhou family’s servants sprang into action.
A contingent departed from the Zhou residence, making their way toward the Zheng estate.
Strolling down the street with a smile, Zhou Jibo was unperturbed by the Zhou family’s unresolved internal strife or the malicious Zheng family. He felt as though he had everything firmly in his grasp.
His serene and detached air allowed him to navigate the bustling marketplace with an unhurried rhythm. Hurried passersby instinctively gave him room, as if he and the composed young master existed in separate realms.
Indifferent to the common wares of the shops, Zhou Jibo briefly surveyed the street before arriving at Icefair’s largest martial arts emporium, Glorious House. The shop boasted an array of goods, including mental cultivation methods, martial skills, Element Gathering Powder, and weaponry.
The shop didn’t stock any first-grade pills or weapons, yet it offered Element Gathering Powder, Bleeding Control Powder, and a variety of sharp weaponry.
The most expensive mental cultivation method available was the Low-Grade Yellow Rank “Green Snake Heart Technique,” tagged at five thousand silver. Lesser mental cultivation methods ranged from five hundred to two thousand silver.
Martial skills were similarly priced between five hundred and two thousand silver. Not a single Yellow Rank martial skill graced the shelves here.
Zhou Jibo mulled over his options: The mental cultivation method wasn’t immediately necessary. I can simply use my attribute points to enhance my mental cultivation level.
Martial skills amounted to mere hand techniques. Could they lack sufficient power at times? Maybe I should look into a martial skill that incorporates weaponry.
Abruptly, an angry voice from upstairs caught his attention, “I’ll purchase this knife to deal with Zhou Jibo. Let’s see if he can keep up his smugness after that!”
This was followed by a chorus of snickering.
Zhou Jibo’s eyebrows quirked. Zhou Zheyan and Zhou Tong?
As sons of the Third and Fourth Elders, what could possibly fuel their animosity towards him?
If Zhou Qian could defeat the Patriarch in a duel, he would assume the role of the new Patriarch. Zhou Leng, as the legitimate eldest son of the new Patriarch, was poised to be the next in line.
Both were elder’s sons; where did such deep-seated resentment and conflicts of interest stem from?
With a smile, Zhou Jibo ascended the stairs.
Upstairs, Zhou Zheyan, Zhou Tong, along with Zhou Tong’s brother Zhou Xunshi, and sister Zhou Youqing were all present. They were chuckling as they brandished a slightly curved long knife, seemingly deliberating which part of Zhou Jibo to target.
“Have you made your selection?” Zhou Jibo inquired, grinning.
Zhou Tong spun around, dropping the long knife to the floor, “Zhou Jibo? What brings you here? When did you arrive?”
“Right when you were plotting to give me a taste of that knife,” Zhou Jibo replied, still smiling.
The faces of Zhou Tong, Zhou Zheyan, Zhou Xunshi, and Zhou Youqing darkened.
“Cat got your tongues?” Zhou Jibo prodded.
With a huff, Zhou Tong retorted, “We’re leaving!”
The group of four was on the verge of departing when a voice called out.
“Hold on.”
It was Zhou Jibo speaking.
Zhou Tong halted. “What’s up? You got something else?”
“Pick up the knife you tossed aside. Glorious House needs to keep doing business,” Zhou Jibo said, a smile playing on his lips.
Zhou Tong retorted with irritation, “What’s it to you? I won’t do it!”
He was ready to lead the others out when Zhou Jibo stepped forward, his palm striking Zhou Tong’s shoulder with deceptive speed.
Zhou Tong tried to evade, but to no avail. His cultivation was only at the fourth layer of Acquired, and he had mastered just the first layer of Gravel Palm. He couldn’t fend off Zhou Jibo’s move.
In a calm tone, Zhou Jibo commanded Zhou Tong, “Follow my instructions.”
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