Chapter 26: A Figure of Blood!

It was late at night when Duan Lingxiao and Xiao Mengxue took a taxi back. On the way, Li Dongming sent a computer-generated image. Duan Lingxiao glanced at it and saw a dense list of over a dozen factions. They included noble families, underworld organizations, and even entities from the military, political, and martial arts associations.

As he was pondering, Li Dongming called. Duan Lingxiao answered.

"Lord Dragon Emperor, I have investigated everything!"

"Over the past five years, a total of twelve factions have targeted the Xiao family. Among the noble families, besides the Lu family, the six major families of Jiangnan City—the Liu, Li, Gu, Zhang, Qin, and Zhao families—all participated. They primarily seized most of the Xiao family’s assets in Jiangnan City, including but not limited to their machinery leasing companies."

"The local underworld forces seized the remainder, with the Sanjiang Gang, the Dragon-Tiger Gang, and the Sakura Society being the most prominent."

"There are also two other factions, consisting of relatives of the Xiao family who wanted to strip the estate bare."

Li Dongming's voice came through.

"Go on," Duan Lingxiao said, his voice deepening.

He had been framed and sent to prison, and Xiao Longhu had been murdered. After his death, his reputation was smeared, and even his military merits were erased. The machinations behind this were deep and complex. It was clear that a long string of factions was involved. If twelve factions were involved in Jiangnan City alone, one could only imagine how many people or organizations they had offended across the Southeast Province, the capital of Dragon City, throughout the country, and in the border regions who might have struck from the shadows.

But it did not matter. He would investigate slowly, find them one by one, and exterminate them all.

"The only remaining property of the Xiao family is that detached villa. Everything else has been seized."

"The villa was spared only because Miss Xiao Mengxue threatened to take her own life, and since Xiao Longhu was a decorated hero, no one dared to go further."

Li Dongming paused after saying this. Sure enough, upon hearing that Xiao Mengxue had threatened to kill herself, Duan Lingxiao’s expression turned cold, as chilling as an Arctic blizzard.

"What are the specific details?" Duan Lingxiao asked.

"I have discovered that in three days, the five major families will hold a conference to discuss the distribution of interests regarding the various industries in Jiangnan City. They will all be gathered there," Li Dongming replied.

"Good. I understand. Keep me updated if there is any news."

With that, he hung up the phone.

"A conference? That will be a perfect opportunity to wipe them all out at once." Duan Lingxiao’s eyes narrowed, a cold glint flickering within.

Half an hour later, the taxi arrived at the Xiao villa. He paid the fare and stepped out.

The two walked straight toward the villa.

"Hmm?" Suddenly, Duan Lingxiao’s eyes turned cold. Years of combat experience had given him an extremely keen perception. Beneath the cover of the night, a faint killing intent was lurking. Though subtle, as if in hibernation, it could not escape his senses.

"Who is it? It seems the Han family is not slow to act," Duan Lingxiao sneered.

"Brother Lingxiao, what’s wrong?" Xiao Mengxue asked, feeling him tighten his grip on her hand.

"Nothing. A flea has snuck in. I’ll squash it in a moment," Duan Lingxiao said with a smile.

"A flea?" Xiao Mengxue frowned, immediately understanding that someone had intruded.

"Let’s go. Don’t worry." Duan Lingxiao held her hand, the warmth of his palm making her feel secure. He led the way and pushed the door open.

*Biu! Biu! Biu!*

At that same moment, three bullets tore through the air, descending upon Duan Lingxiao in an instant. He projected his internal energy, manifesting a spiritual barrier to shield Xiao Mengxue. Upon touching the barrier, the bullets acted as if they had hit the ocean, ripples spreading out as their force was instantly neutralized.

"Eh? Why didn't they fall?" In a dark spot on the second floor, a man in night-vision gear lay behind a sniper rifle, filled with confusion. Because it was night and the lights were off, the assassin could only identify their positions through the infrared scope. But the display only showed silhouettes, not the full picture. He was shocked to find that after firing three shots, the targets were still standing.

"Is this fun?"

At that moment, the assassin’s hair stood on end as a voice sounded right beside his ear. Duan Lingxiao, who had been at the door, had appeared behind him.

How did he do it? As an assassin, his greatest pride was his ability to conceal his presence and his sharp senses, yet he hadn't detected the slightest movement. The assassin’s mind collapsed. He didn't have time to think; he gathered all his energy, threw himself around, and swung a punch at Duan Lingxiao’s head. At the same time, he kicked off the ground, twisting his body to escape. Duan Lingxiao felt too dangerous; his internal alarm was ringing. If he stayed, his life was forfeit.

But there was no way he could leave now.

"Since you're here, don't think about leaving."

Duan Lingxiao struck out with his palm, landing precisely on the assassin’s back. The man let out a miserable shriek as he fell from the second floor to the lobby below.

*Click!*

Xiao Mengxue reached out and flipped the wall switch, and the lights flooded the room.

"Speak. Who sent you to kill me? And which assassin organization do you belong to?" Duan Lingxiao stood with his foot on the assassin’s head, his expression cold.

The assassin lay on the floor, seeing the bullets scattered on the ground where they had entered the door. He realized his aim had not been off. Realizing this man was a martial artist, his face changed instantly. A martial artist who could stand still and deflect bullets—there was only one explanation.

He was a Heaven-Realm martial artist! Earth-Realm martial artists could project energy, but not enough to block a sniper rifle at such close range. Only a Heaven-Realm master possessed such power.

"I didn't expect you to be a Heaven-Realm master. I’ve lost this time, but... you won't get any secrets out of me! If you kill me, the organization won't let you off. Just wait to die!" The assassin’s expression was resolute. Assassins from the Assassin Hall underwent brutal training; if a mission failed, they were expected to commit suicide. He clamped his jaws together, intending to bite the hidden poison in his tooth.

*Crack!*

Duan Lingxiao applied pressure to his foot, dislocating the assassin’s jaw. The poison-filled tooth was knocked out of his mouth before it could release its contents.

"In front of me, you won't even have the chance to die." Having spent time in Prison Zero and the military, Duan Lingxiao was no novice to such tricks; he saw through it instantly.

*Swish, swish, swish!*

The Nine-Yin Demon Needles flew out, piercing the assassin’s acupuncture points. At the same time, Duan Lingxiao crushed the assassin’s limbs to ensure he couldn't tear his own throat open like Lu Beilie had.

"Enjoy it slowly. When you decide to talk, I will naturally lift your pain." Duan Lingxiao sat on the sofa, waiting calmly.

"Heh, I’ve undergone rigorous and scientific training. You think you can break me with a few needles? You're dreaming!" The assassin sneered. They had been trained since childhood with methods so cruel they could be described as torture. How could a few silver needles make him yield?

But the next moment, the assassin’s muscles began to tremble—not just one, but all of them, vibrating like harp strings. Then, his muscles began to coil and twist together like steel cables.

"Ahhhhh!" The assassin’s limbs tensed violently. A storm of pain swept through his entire body. He had never experienced such agony in his life; it felt as if a madman were cutting his muscles, tendons, and bones with a chainsaw. It was a pain that chilled the soul, like a mournful wail from the depths of the underworld.

Within moments, the veins on his forehead bulged, his sweat seemed to have dried up, and his capillaries burst, blood seeping through his skin until he looked like a man made of blood.

"I... I'll tell you... I'll tell you everything..."