Path Of The Dragon (A Dark Fantasy Cultivation Wuxia Xianxia Progression Series)

Chapter 63 Family's Future

Meanwhile, in the Chen family compound's audience chamber, the Chen family head listened to a female elder, Chen Xing, giving her report as his annoyance grew.

"You mean to tell me that that bitch is still alive? And you didn't even learn anything useful?" Lord Chen Liang asked.

Chen Xing swallowed hard. Her face was a mask of tight muscles. "Only that she's more formidable than we expected and the Pan family was ready for such an attempt," she said.

"And it didn't occur to you to attack when she wasn't surrounded by guards?" Chen Liang asked.

"The choice was not mine, but the assassins we hired. I ensured it could not be traced back to us, my lord. Managing them directly would've interfered with that. The guards kept a close watch on the girl and she was always with two of the best of the Pan family's younger generation. So, a great deal of protection was given to them. I doubt they would ever have found a time when she wasn't guarded," said Chen Xing.

He could sense the cold sweat running down her back as she spoke.

"Then they should've snuck inside the Pan family's mansion and gutted her like a fish while she slept!" Chen Liang said.

Even as he said the words, he knew such a task wasn't nearly so easy. Between the formations and excellent patrols, only the strongest in the region could even attempt such a thing. And Chen Liang had no wish to lower himself to perform such a task personally, even if he didn't fear the death that might befall him...

He stroked his chin. Just how powerful would her guards have to be to absorb so much Essence and yet remain otherwise undetectable to even the headmaster of the Crimson Academy?

"And you learned nothing? No guards showed up? She didn't expose some kind of weakness? Something we can use?" Chen Liang asked.

"No guards revealed themselves, my lord. It's possible that Elder Kanev and the others were incorrect about that. But, she wasn't in a position to force their hand. It could be that they didn't wish to interfere with a chance to temper herself through combat," Chen Xing said.

Chen Liang nodded absently, his mind already turning over thoughts. "Yes... it doesn't mean anything. We must still be careful," he said, "did you learn nothing else?"

"No--well... there was one thing, but I'm unsure if it's of any importance," said the woman.

Chen Liang snorted. "Speak. I will determine what is important or not, fool," he said.

"The girl didn't kill any of the assassins," said the woman.

Chen Liang raised an eyebrow. "I thought you said she was formidable? Did she not fight?" he asked.

"No, she fought and fought well. But, she never executed a killing move, my lord. It looked intentional," said the woman.

Chen Liang smiled darkly. "Ah, saving them for later torture," he said. His eyes sparkled as he said it and the other family elders shuddered.

"I don't believe so, my lord," Chen Xing said with a slight quiver in her otherwise controlled voice, "she allowed the guards to kill the assassins and take a few prisoner. It seemed she had little interest in them and was happy to allow others to deal with them."

Chen Liang nodded. "She couldn't be bothered to dirty her hands? She must be from an important family or sect for sure then. It's good you didn't intervene. Her guards would likely have traced it back to us and I'm not sure we could stop them," he said.

"But surely they'll assume it was us anyway?" asked another elder.

"Perhaps they will," Chen Liang said, "but, there's no reason to make it a certainty. Doubt we can work with. Perhaps even turn to our advantage. This girl must die, but we cannot afford to open ourselves to reprisal so easily."