Chapter 590: Chapter 590: 591: The Third Leader Steps Forward

Master Rong was very indifferent. She just hadn’t expected Li Xiaobai to be so bold as to stir up such trouble.

She didn’t take the riot of the commoners to heart. In fact, it could be said that their reaction aligned perfectly with her wishes. Amidst such delicate circumstances, if she were to slightly favor the Situ Household, it would undoubtedly send a message to the various clans that she stood with the Situ Household, opposing the Great Family Head.

Such behavior, which nearly resulted in open hostility, would likely lure all the big fish hidden in the shadows to take the bait.

“Those commoners outside the Water Prison Cave…”

Huahuo said with a look of doubt.

“It will naturally be up to my younger sister to appease them. There is no need to suppress them for too long; we just need to wait until the day of the great competition on the fighting platform to uproot all the parasites at once,”

Master Rong said with a light smile.

The day of the great competition on the fighting platform is when geniuses from all clans spar with one another. It is the one day when the high echelons of the clans can gather legitimately without anyone daring to casually miss the opportunity.

“That would be ideal. The speculations Xiao Liuzi brought back about the Upper Realm are truly shocking. We must handle all our internal affairs before those significant figures make their move. This decisive action of cutting through all obstacles will, I believe, surely set the decaying Aolai Country back on the right track!”

Huahuo nodded, speaking seriously.

Outside the Water Prison Cave.

A crowd of commoners knelt, bowing their heads and tearfully recounting the injustices suffered by their villages. In their hearts, the three heads of Aolai Country were considered true Living Immortals who would surely help them to secure justice.

“The third head is masterfully strategizing; he will definitely root out those bandits and return our wives and daughters to us!”

“That’s right. As long as the heads take action, no matter who the scoundrels are, they will have to bow their heads and admit their wrongdoing!”

“I hope this farce ends soon. My daughter still wants to participate in the great competition on the fighting platform. It’s a chance for our village to make a name for itself; we can’t let it be spoiled!”

“Exactly, exactly. Every second we wait, my daughter suffers more fright. Perhaps by now, she’s already in grave danger!”

“Those worse than beasts, who knows what they might do?”

The numerous cultivators exchanged looks and comments, and what began as a plea gradually turned into a litany of grievances. Here, they were all fellow sufferers, moved to tears by each other’s sorrows, touching the hearts of all present.

Of course, Master Rong saw all of this and made her move without delay. She stepped lightly, her skirt fluttering as she emerged from within the waterfall in an instant.

“Fellow villagers, I have heard about your issues,”

“It’s the third Family Head!”

“The third Family Head has come out!”

“Our petition has had an effect; the third Family Head is going to stand up for us!”

The commoners’ faces were filled with joy, their expressions becoming agitated. To witness the third Family Head — whom they worshipped like a deity in their hearts — was a huge blessing in their lives.

“Criminals run rampant within Aolai Country and the Punishment Hall does nothing, many families remain behind closed doors, leaving only us commoners to suffer. We ask the third Family Head to take charge and return peace to us!”

“Please, third Family Head, take charge and save our wives, children, and elders!”

Village leaders from various clans spoke out indignantly, each one stepping forward with forceful pleas.

“Fellow Taoists, there’s no need for such actions. This is a negligence on our part, an oversight that almost led to a grave disaster!”

“I have observed everything that has happened in Aolai Country. Please be assured, village leaders, that the wives and daughters taken from the villages, as well as the old, weak, women, and children, will be returned to your villages unharmed by tomorrow morning. I, Master Rong, guarantee to repay all losses incurred by the clans doublefold!”

“As for thoroughly investigating and apprehending the real culprits behind the scenes, please give me a little more time. After all, I cannot simply believe one side’s story without a detailed investigation and then take action,”

“Today, I, Master Rong, hereby promise that I will not mistakenly capture a single good person, nor will I let go of a single bad person. All families within Aolai Country that engage in misdeeds, I will not miss one in extracting them all, to give everyone an explanation. How’s that?”

Master Rong swept his sleeve, spoke seriously, and layers of pale blue halos spread out. The many cultivators felt a lightness in their bodies, as their kneeling forms were lifted by an invisible force.

“Is this… Will the kidnapped be returned tomorrow?”

“We understand that a thorough investigation takes time. As long as our family members can safely return to the village, we’ll be satisfied!”

“Yes, yes, the Great Family Head is a man of his word, we believe you!”

The cultivators were visibly elated. With the Great Family Head personally giving assurance, their lost loved ones would be returned early the next morning, and they were even willing to offer double compensation—a tremendous piece of good news.

It was worth the trip here.

“Then please, everyone, go back and wait. The truth will soon come out.”

Master Rong waved his hand and said with a faint smile.

“Thank you, Great Family Head!”

“We will take our leave first and wait in the village for the Great Family Head’s good news!”

“Yes, yes, the Great Family Head has important matters to attend to, we mustn’t disturb her.”

The village chiefs of various clans hurriedly took their leave. The Great Family Head was going to rescue their family members; they dared not delay her time.

Watching the cultivators receding like the tide, a cold glint crossed Master Rong’s eyes. There were too many unexpected events this time. Not only was Li Xiaobai audacious, but even these great clans had started to disregard the law.

The Situ Household had overstepped this time. Even if they had the backing of a powerful support, they shouldn’t have acted so recklessly. To eliminate Li Xiaobai, they actually didn’t hesitate to sacrifice their own people, showing no regard for Aolai Country.

“These clans, indeed, need to be disciplined.”

“Whether I can draw out the fish hidden deep in the water, we’ll see this time.”

Master Rong murmured to himself, hands clasped behind his back as he took unhurried steps forward. The Dao rhythm in his footsteps flowed, the intricately complex formation patterns manifested, and with each step spanning a hundred zhang. After a few paces, he disappeared outside the Water Curtain Cave.

A few minutes later.

In front of the Situ Household’s main gate, a stunningly beautiful woman in a treasure blue dress walked slowly towards it.

The commoners had already dispersed quickly after receiving the news, but at this moment, the gate remained tightly closed. Vague traces of Spiritual Energy were circulating on it, clearly indicating a Formation in place.

It seemed that the Situ Household had decided to be a shrinking turtle.

“Even I cannot indulge you in this matter, so let me teach you a lesson for now.”

Her expression indifferent, Master Rong slightly lifted her hand and extended a jade finger, lightly touching the main gate of the Situ Household. The formidable power of the Primordial Spirit swept through, and without sound or notice, the clan’s grand Formation melted away like ice and snow, vanishing into nothingness.

“Creak!”

Deprived of the Formation’s protection, the gate swung open slowly as if by its own accord, revealing a crack.

“What’s going on?”

“The clan’s grand Formation has lost its sensing?”

“The gate has been breached; someone is making a move on our Situ Household!”

“These meddling commoners, to act so boldly! Elders, follow me out. Let’s confront these audacious troublemakers!”