"Grandfather is well, about to emerge from cultivation."
Han Xiaoyi explained flatly. She could act as arrogant as she wanted here because she had a grandfather who was a Grandmaster-level being supporting her from behind.
Behind her were 3 bodyguards, each with power at 1st-stage Martial Master level.
For young masters and misses from these clans, only she and people from 3 other clans could have multiple Martial Master-level cultivators as followers.
One was the Han Clan in the eastern region.
Two was the Xie Clan in the north.
In the western region was the Zhu Clan.
And finally, the Gua Clan residing in the south.
These 4 clans had one thing in common—they had "Grandmaster"-level cultivators in their clans. Making their strength and influence spread, attracting lower-level cultivators to join or swear allegiance, until they were collectively called the 4 Great Clans.
If not for the Tang Clan having considerable influence and being an alchemist clan, Han Xiaoyi probably wouldn't even have the Tang Clan in her sights.
That was the influence of those called "Grandmasters."
And the reason why the Tang Clan treated Bai Fanxian so respectfully, even wanting to get closer to her.
"What just happened, Father?"
Tang Xiuhan turned to ask his father, who even now still had a grim face.
"Nothing. Just them talking nonsense." Tang Tianjie had calmed down but his gaze still fixed on the three groups of guests.
"What nonsense, Old Tang?" Yifan who was closest laughed roughly.
"We just want to view the treasure a bit, that's all."
"The one that emitted pressure last night..."
Tang Xiuhan immediately understood what these people came for.
As he expected, the Tier 5 elixir's power explosion that cultivators throughout the city could sense yesterday must have attracted the attention of these great clans.
But these people were quite sharp. In just one night, they knew the aura that exploded had its center from the Tang Clan.
"...We don't have any such treasure."
Tang Xiuhan certainly wouldn't admit the cause came from Bai Fanxian.
"Xiuhan, don't hide it. When yesterday's incident occurred, everyone knew." Ting Kangming pressed on. Though his lips had a smile, his staring gaze was full of greed.
"I'm really not hiding anything. How could the Tang Clan have such valuable treasure or mystical items?" Tang Xiuhan sighed and acted as if surrendering.
"That's fine. Just let us inspect the Tang Clan house a bit."
Han Xiaoyi spoke presumptuously. That sentence made Tang Xiuhan's eye twitch.
"Miss Han... that's going too far."
Never mind the Tang Clan—even if you said that sentence to ordinary people, they'd still be angry. Who would suddenly let strangers rummage through their own house?
And knowing those coming had ill intent, there was no way they'd consent.
"Uncle Tang, let's not waste time on this matter." Yifan suddenly spoke up.
"The longer we delay, the more chaotic it gets. Today many more people will probably visit the Tang house."
Yifan's words seemed like a veiled threat.
"Therefore, if only the 4 sides here know now, everything will be easier to handle..."
His words could be interpreted another way.
That is, if they agreed to share that treasure with everyone here right now, there'd be no problems later if more people found out.
"Right. Don't be too greedy, Tang Clan. Treasure that can emit such pressure must at least be Tier 5 treasure, right?"
Ting Kangming asked bluntly.
"As Young Master Yi said, if the Tang Clan agrees to share it with us, I guarantee there'll be no problems. And the Ting Clan will consider the Tang Clan a future ally." He made an offer, which made businessman Tang Xiuhan snort loudly.
Future ally?
That was no different from an empty promise. It was like giving away treasure for free!
Did the Ting Clan think he was that stupid?
"Likewise, the Han Clan will consider the Tang Clan a good friend in the future." Han Xiaoyi also began pressing. Except pressure from the Han Clan was naturally many times greater than the Ting Clan.
"Of course, this is Grandfather's wish." Han Xiaoyi revealed a smile at the corner of her mouth. "If the Tang Clan refuses, I wonder what Grandfather would say?"
Han Xiaoyi played her trump card!
A Grandmaster-level being's wish!
Just the title of Grandmaster alone might not be able to pressure the Tang Clan. But this was the Han Clan. The clan with the most cultivators under them in this entire eastern region!
If the Tang Clan refused, of course it would displease the Han Clan. And that meant a number of cultivators in this eastern region would be ready to become enemies with the Tang Clan immediately to curry favor with the Han Clan.
Tang Xiuhan was immediately stressed. Partly because of external pressure.
Another part was because the Tang Clan didn't have that treasure!
That treasure was Bai Fanxian's elixir. And it had already been consumed by Tang Yeye to save her life. So what could Tang Xiuhan do besides refuse?
"...The Tang Clan really doesn't have that treasure."
Tang Xiuhan sighed. He didn't know how to make these people believe.
"If so, we'll have to get a bit forceful..."
The smile on Han Xiaoyi's face disappeared instantly. She turned to signal the three bodyguards.
"Search thoroughly. Whatever you find, report everything. The Han Clan will take responsibility."
The young woman ordered arrogantly, seeming extremely pleased.
"...Don't let it go too far!"
Tang Tianjie, the Tang Clan patriarch, exploded with 6th-stage Martial Master level qi in fury. Han Xiaoyi who'd been acting haughty earlier became several shades paler.
After all, her cultivation power was only at 8th-stage Cultivator.
What made her able to act tough was Grandmaster Han Junpo's prestige and the 1st-stage Martial Master bodyguards.
When facing the windstorm of qi gushing out oppressively from Tang Tianjie, no one in this room dared move.
Even Ting Kangming whose cultivation power was only one stage less felt pressured until trembling slightly.
The higher the level, the greater the power gap. Therefore, though Ting Kangming's cultivation power reached 5th-stage Martial Master, when sensing Tang Tianjie's full-force pressure, he still had to sweat.
"Patriarch, military personnel are requesting an audience!"
Before matters escalated, a servant ran into the guest room breathlessly. He quickly reported to the house patriarch, fearing it would become a big matter.
When government officials or military got involved, it was never good.
"...Who?"
"They said they're from the Black Hawk Unit, wanting to meet the patriarch."
"Black Hawk?"
Tang Tianjie dissipated the pressure from his qi until people in the room could breathe comfortably. Especially Liang Zongxin following Young Master Yi, whose legs were still trembling.
He'd never encountered anything like this before!
He was just a young master from a second-tier clan in this city. He came following Young Master Yi because of his father's orders. Most importantly, he was ordinary.
Though knowing about cultivators, he'd never experienced a Martial Master-level being's anger.
The pressure released made his breath catch. Both legs trembled, unable to move even a step. He felt like if he made a sound, he'd be killed instantly.
"Let them in..." Tang Tianjie ordered. Soon the servant led a group into this guest room, making the once-spacious room feel noticeably cramped.
The group entering—if Bai Fanxian saw them, she'd be surprised. Because they were the cultivator group Bai Fanxian met at the medicine shop where she sold the hundred-year ginseng.
There were 4 of them. The leader seemed to be the head because he had the most cultivation power—5th-stage Martial Master. Most importantly, they all had silver wing symbols on their chests.
Upon arriving, the person who seemed to be the group leader stated his purpose without hesitation.
"Hello, Tang Clan Patriarch. Apologies for the disturbance, but I'm here on military orders."
He spoke in a serious, clearly audible tone. His bearing was very much like a ranked military officer.
"What is it?" Tang Tianjie asked with surprise.
"Yesterday, treasure considered potentially dangerous was detected in this area. We request the Tang Clan's cooperation."
His answer made Tang Xiuhan listening on the side frown.
The military also had sharp noses?
But it wasn't strange. Because the military's intelligence network was said to be supreme. That they only appeared now was probably because they didn't need to rush like the 3 clans that came earlier.
Because they could cite military authority and easily take away any treasure found!
The three clans already in the guest room ground their teeth. They'd rushed here early morning fearing other clans would snatch it first. But most importantly, it was the military and government that were the real problem!
"We don't have any such treasure..." Tang Tianjie sighed and answered. He didn't know how many times he'd said this today.
"That's fine. Just need the Tang Clan's cooperation. We promise not to damage anything." The words of the man who seemed to be the unit leader were extremely similar to the 3 clans before. He spoke with an expressionless face. Different from the other 3 clans who had strange smiles at the corners of their mouths and turned to signal their people to prepare.
Once the military moved, they'd have their people join in too!
"...Think I'll agree?" Tang Tianjie exploded with qi again. But the Black Hawk unit leader withstood it with an expressionless face.
"It doesn't matter whether you agree or not. Because we've already started surveying."
At that instant, they heard several maids' startled voices from inside the house. But what made Tang Tianjie and Tang Xiuhan turn pale was that they heard Tang Xinlan's voice and Tang Yeye's crying mixed with those sounds!