Chapter 23 is not a brainless villain, huh?

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After returning to the branch hall, Xu Zimei began his cultivation practice as well.

Night fell, darkness engulfed everything like a gigantic beast, and a bright moon hung in the sky.

The moon over the willow treetops!

Xu Zimei was currently practicing the Great Emperor of the Three Blades' Annihilation Jue. Once the cultivation of the Annihilation Jue was successful, a Qi of Annihilation would be born within the body.

In his previous life, Xu Zimei had cultivated this very technique, so everything came naturally to him, without any difficulty at all.

What he was mainly focused on now was deducing his own cultivation technique, the "Sole Great Freedom Jue".

In his past life, he had deduced this cultivation technique up to the Divine Vein Realm, but then he could advance no further.

However, this rebirth had given him a deeper understanding of the past and the future.

Xu Zimei believed that it wouldn't take long before he could deduce the cultivation techniques beyond the Divine Vein Realm.

...

The night passed in silence, and Xu Zimei got up early the next morning.

The only Vein Skill he was practicing now was the "Sword Drawing Technique", and Xu Zimei was confident that even if martial artists at the Condensing Vein or even at the True Vein Realm were to face him, they would be unable to react to the speed of his sword drawing.

But he felt it wasn't enough, for there was no limit to speed.

Moreover, he could integrate the comprehended Qi of Annihilation into the Sword Drawing Technique, which would greatly enhance both its power and speed.

Xu Zimei also set a daily training goal for himself: to practice drawing his sword a thousand times every morning and evening, and swinging it a thousand times as well.

As the saying goes, diligence can make up for lack of talent, and even though he was reincarnated, he couldn't be complacent. Effort was an indispensable part of becoming powerful.

After breakfast, Xu Zimei was busy all morning before finally taking a break, as he had to visit the Chang Family at noon.

Xu Zimei's mouth curved into a smile, "I should also start gathering those things as soon as possible."

...

Under the accompaniment of Guan Zhenhai and a few others, they made their majestic way to the Chang Family.

As the Overlord King of Heavenly Sword City, the Chang Family's mansion naturally occupied the most bustling section of Central Street.

Standing at the entrance to the Chang Family's home, two doorkeepers stopped them, saying they had to report inside before letting them in.

Xu Zimei wasn't polite, he was here to make trouble in the first place, no need to be courteous with them.

Lin Ruhu kicked each of the two doorkeepers to the ground with one foot and then strutted inside, causing a commotion.

The entire Chang Family mansion looked grand and magnificent. Pavilions and terraces could be seen throughout, with rockery courtyards, lotus-filled waterways, and the place was resplendent with gilt and splendor while still exuding a majestic atmosphere.

...

"I wonder which talented young disciple of the True Martial Holy Sect has honored our Chang Family with a visit. Please forgive us for not coming out to meet you sooner," Chang Tianxiong, dressed in a green robe and exuding an imposing aura, laughed heartily as he stepped forward to greet them.

Behind him followed five elders of the Chang Family, as well as representatives from various clans.

"True Martial Holy Sect's elite Inner Sect Disciple, Feng Buyu," Feng Buyu stated, presenting his identity token with an indifferent tone.

At this moment, Chang Tianxiong's heart sank. Elite Inner Sect Disciples had the strength of the True Vein Realm, a force that could contend with the highest battle power of the Chang Family.

And he could tell that among this group, Feng Buyu wasn't the main character; the true leader was the young man in a purple robe at the very front.

"Things seem to have gone beyond what was expected," Chang Tianxiong said, frowning slightly. The identities of his guests were even higher than he had anticipated!

\"Could it be that the talented individuals from the Holy Sect have come to our Chang Family because of my worthless son?" Chang Tianxiong pondered for a moment, then waved his right hand.

```

Chang Wei was dragged out by the servants, his hands and feet bound tightly. Chang Tianxiong spoke loudly and resolutely, "My Chang Family has always closely followed the Holy Sect's lead, swearing to uphold the authority of the Holy Sect.

If my foolish son has indeed offended any of the talented disciples, my Chang Family will certainly not shelter him.

Today, I shall hand him over to the talented disciples to deal with as you see fit, and my Chang Family will not utter a single word of complaint."

Xu Zimei watched Chang Tianxiong's solo performance with a smile, thinking to himself, "Indeed, this man is still the crafty sovereign he was in the last lifetime."

As the Family Head of the Chang Family, Chang Tianxiong was an overlord figure in Heavenly Sword City.

But he was no frog at the bottom of a well; he knew the vastness of the world outside and would evaluate his own strength, standing firm when he needed to be tough and showing weakness when it was strategic to do so.

Even if it meant sacrificing his own son, he would do it without a change in expression.

Xu Zimei knew that the other party was digging a pit for him. Chang Tianxiong first spoke of how loyal his Chang Family was to the True Martial Holy Sect.

He then presented himself as upright, not making excuses or pleading for mercy, and directly brought his son out, bound hand and foot.

If Xu Zimei truly killed Chang Wei over such a trivial conflict, what would outsiders think of the True Martial Holy Sect?

...…

"Family Head Chang, what are you talking about? It's normal for young people to be proud and have conflicts.

But nobody takes it to heart. I already forgot about yesterday's conflict," Xu Zimei said with a smile, "I'm here today because I heard from Brother Guan that Heavenly Sword City couldn't be as prosperous as it is today without the help of your Chang Family. I simply came to visit out of admiration."

Originally, Xu Zimei had intended to start trouble directly, but he temporarily changed his mind.

The other party was not the kind of brainless antagonist who would start fighting at the slightest disagreement.

Indeed, it would be inappropriate to behave that way. As a professional antagonist with a code of conduct, Xu Zimei felt it was important to convincingly and willingly make others accept his dominance.

...

"The breadth of mind of the talented disciples is too much stronger than my useless son's," Chang Tianxiong, with a stern gaze, kicked Chang Wei to the ground and said, "Aren't you going to roll to the backyard and reflect on your actions? Don't spoil the enjoyment of the gathering here."

"Yes, yes," Chang Wei nodded hastily, shakily standing up with the help of the servants and leaving.

He knew this was his father protecting him, signaling for him to leave at once and bring an end to the matter.

"It's not every day that we have the talented disciples visiting my Chang Family. How can we have you standing outside? Please come inside quickly. I've already asked people to prepare food," Chang Tianxiong hurriedly said with a smile.

Xu Zimei nodded with a smile and walked inside with Lin Ruhu and the others.

Chang Tianxiong's gaze was profound as he pondered silently.

When Xu Zimei forgave Chang Wei, Chang Tianxiong knew there was something unconventional about the situation.

The purpose of Xu Zimei's visit to the Chang Family was not because of his son.

Or to put it another way, from the beginning of his visit to Heavenly Sword City, Xu Zimei's target was their Chang Family. Even if his son had not had any conflict with him, Xu Zimei would have still come to the Chang Family.

Chang Tianxiong couldn't figure out where they had offended Xu Zimei or if there was something that attracted him.

After a moment of contemplation, he more or less guessed the intentions of Xu Zimei and his party.

...

During the meal, Chang Tianxiong kept probing from the sidelines, but Xu Zimei just smiled while eating, never mentioning his purpose for the visit.

Finally, after the wine had circulated five times and Xu Zimei's party had their fill,

he said with a smile, "I heard from others that your Chang Family's ancestors were once just ordinary villagers in a small mountain village.

Later on, they found some opportunities and began their journey of martial cultivation, which led to the prosperity of the Chang Family today."