Chapter 1175: Chapter 1164: Courtesy Before Force, Tit for Tat
At this time, a protector walked into the hall and loudly reported, “Master, Young Master, just as you expected, Nalan Jiuhuang has brought several elders from the Nalan Family to visit. Please make a decision.”
“Oh? They arrived so quickly?”
Ning Qiankun raised an eyebrow, glanced at Ning Fan, and waved his hand, saying, “Invite them up immediately, do not neglect our distinguished guests.”
“Yes, Master.”
The protector clasped his fists and left after receiving the order.
Ning Fan said with amusement, “This Lan Jiuhuang is quite interesting, being so formal.”
Ning Qiankun nodded and explained, “In ancient times, etiquette was particularly emphasized. Over history, etiquette has become simplified. A hundred years ago it was still a feudal society, so naturally, Nalan Jiuhuang has adopted these habits.”
“Indeed.”
Ning Fan shook his head. He couldn’t possibly discuss the idea of simplifying with a person over a hundred years old; it likely wouldn’t make sense to her.
He took a sip of tea and sat patiently waiting.
After a short while, footsteps echoed from outside the door.
Ning Qiankun pulled Ning Fan along to welcome them at the door.
“Senior Nalan, decades have passed, and yet you still remain dashing and heroic, truly remarkable.”
“You brat, don’t talk in riddles with me.”
Nalan Jiuhuang pointed at Ning Qiankun, grumbling as she walked inside.
She directly sat on the main seat alongside Ning Qiankun, looked at Ning Fan, and revealed a strange smile, “This must be the Ning Family’s third son, vigorous and spirited, truly worthy of being the Ning Family’s gifted child.
Meeting you today, it is indeed so.”
“Senior, welcome to the Ning Family as a guest.”
Ning Fan did not break the cordial atmosphere first; at such times, whose composure remains steady can gain the upper hand.
Ning Qiankun also agreed, “Senior, in a hundred years, Ning Fan will become the family head of the Ning Family, what do you think of his aptitude?”
“Outstanding!”
Nalan Jiuhuang did not drink tea but stared intently at Ning Fan, as if seeing through him.
Ning Fan felt a shiver down his spine, coughed twice to cover his embarrassment.
Even though this old witch is over a hundred years old, her appearance and skin could rival that of a beautiful woman in her thirties, and she’s still quite charming.
Being stared at so intensely would unsettle any man.
“Senior, don’t you think it’s somewhat inappropriate to stare so intensely at a younger generation from the Jianghu?”
“Is it?”
Nalan Jiuhuang shook her head and laughed, “In my eyes, there is only appreciation, devoid of any emotion; you’re overthinking it. The higher one’s martial cultivation realm, the more one should be free of distractions. It seems you haven’t entered the Aerial Mastery Realm.”
This comment seemed like humor, but it was actually probing Ning Fan.
Ning Fan was not fearful in the least and spoke the truth, “At my young age, how could I have stepped into the Aerial Mastery Realm? I’m merely at the peak of the True Origin Realm.”
“What?”
This statement seemed trivial, but the senior elders from the Nalan Family were quite shocked. Why?
Because Nalan Invincible was a peak expert in the True Origin Realm, yet he is now dead, indicating that Ning Fan had a significant advantage at the same realm.
Keep in mind, Nalan Invincible was a top figure in the entire Nalan Family; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been dispatched by Nalan Jiuhuang as a vanguard officer.
Yet, under the same martial cultivation realm, he was countered and killed by Ning Fan.
This made Nalan Jiuhuang regard Ning Fan with greater respect, her expression puzzled, “How could you, at such a realm and age, possibly defeat Nalan Invincible? Truly strange.”
Ning Fan smiled but remained silent, carrying a hint of mystery.
Ning Qiankun changed the topic and directly asked, “Senior, for what reason have you come this time?”
“Why? The Bi Family can demand reckoning, but why can’t our Nalan Family?”
Nalan Jiuhuang spoke with a touch of anger, her imposing aura spreading intensely.
Both Ning Qiankun and the Nalan Family elders felt it slightly hard to breathe.
Only Ning Fan sat there, unflustered, calm and composed, seemingly unaffected.
“Hmm?”
Nalan Jiuhuang was surprised; her Aerial Mastery Realm cultivation could not suppress a young man at the peak of the True Origin Realm, and Ning Fan was so young.
“Ning Qiankun, your son Ning Fan has killed Ning Qingfeng and Nalan Yanfeng, yet you have nothing to say to me?”
“Say what? Things have come to this point, do you expect me to kill my only son?”
Nian Qiankun spoke expressionlessly, word by word.
Despite the pressure from Nalan Jiuhuang, his words carried undeniable authority, showcasing the majestic dominance of the Ning Family Head.
“So, there’s nothing more to discuss?”
Nalan Jiuhuang’s eyes turned cold as she questioned.
Ning Qiankun smiled faintly and said with righteousness, “Senior Nalan, both Ning Qingfeng and Nalan Yanfeng were my Ning Family’s son and daughter-in-law. This is our Ning Family’s internal affair and has nothing to do with your Nalan Family. If you seek an explanation, or use force to make us yield, then you’re gravely mistaken. The Ning Family is unafraid of any threat from any person or family.”
“Ning Qiankun, you’re truly remarkable!”
Nalan Jiuhuang nodded, signaling to a Nalan Family elder with her mouth.
The elder immediately understood, stood up, and arrogantly declared, “In that case, the Nalan Family won’t be polite. Our thousand-strong forces can crush the Ning Family villa to dust at any moment.”
With no more words to exchange, Ning Qiankun and Ning Fan showed no signs of worry, calmly sipping their tea, unruffled and composed.
Nalan Jiuhuang sighed helplessly, waved her hand to the elder.
The elder, though frustrated, walked out toward the door of the Quiet Thought Hall.
As soon as he stepped outside, he fired a signal flare into the sky.
Soon, the red smoke spread in the air, visible even from dozens of miles away.
“What’s this?”
The Ning Family’s guards were stunned and confused.
The Nalan Family elder curled his lips, sneering, “What else could it be? It’s naturally the attack order, you’d better be ready to defend.”
Saying this, he turned around and walked back into the Quiet Thought Hall.
The Ning Family guards were dumbfounded, looking at each other in disbelief.
“What’s going on? The Nalan Family is about to attack, and the high-levels of both families are still quietly drinking tea?”
“You know nothing, this is the highest level of playing chess, where subordinates fight while the leaders remain steady as Mount Tai.”
“The leaders move their mouths, and the subordinates run tirelessly, a true depiction.”
“Enough talking, sound the alarm, full alert!”
In an instant, both the outer and inner courtyards of the Ning Family, the clansmen held weapons, ready for battle.
And three miles away, the Nalan Family troops also saw the signal smoke bomb and shouted with excitement.
“Hurry, brothers, prepare to attack.”