Chapter 152: Committed to Error
Her words seemed to jolt Zhu Ran awake. She looked up, the ferocity returning to her face, and snarled, "I'll stay and kill that woman. Let's see how they get married then!" With that, she raised her bloody sword and made to leave.
Kang Ming, horrified, quickly moved to block the doorway. He shook his head frantically, saying, "You can't hurt her!"
Heartbroken and anxious, Qu Quan roared, "Senior Brother, step aside! I'll get Senior Sister out of here!"
His mind in turmoil at those words, Kang Ming stepped away from the door.
Just then, a hideous grin spread across Zhu Ran's face as she looked outside. A graceful woman with waist-length hair, dressed in red bridal attire, was running toward them, her expression panicked.
The woman, who had been about to speak, froze in shock when she saw the two fallen members of her clan.
Blood pooled at her feet, seeping into her red embroidered shoes. Her head was bowed, her expression hidden, but her voice was chillingly cold. "Kang Ming, you have to leave, now! Several clan members have been killed by the warehouse. The Old Ancestor is furious and she's on her way! This way, this way..." Her voice trailed off into a sob, and she could say no more. She collapsed beside her two fallen clansmen, weeping.
Zhu Ran laughed wretchedly. 'This woman is so fake, it's disgusting,' she thought. The moment the woman finished speaking, Zhu Ran thrust her sword forward.
"Why did you choose her and not me, Senior Brother!"
Kang Ming instantly moved in front of the woman, meeting the point of Zhu Ran's sword with his own chest, fully prepared to die.
The tip of the sword pressed against Kang Ming's chest and stopped.
A figure flickered, and Chen Dong appeared off to the side. He was followed by a terrifying pressure that swept over the scene.
Qu Quan's expression turned grim. He stepped forward, snatched the sword from Zhu Ran's hand, and muttered, "Senior Sister, why do you only choose him and not me?"
An aged, furious voice boomed from the sky. "Bitch! You dare kill members of my Zhang Family? Forfeit your life!" Wreathed in astral light, Old Ji appeared in the air and slammed her palm down toward Zhu Ran.
But Zhu Ran remained frozen in place, her eyes vacant.
Just then, a figure leaped up with a sword, blocking the attack aimed at Zhu Ran. "I'm the one who killed the Zhang Family members!"
With a muffled THUD, Qu Quan was sent flying backward, spitting blood, before crashing heavily onto the ground.
Old Ji landed in the courtyard and said coldly, "I may be old, but I'm not senile. Do you think I don't know who did the killing?"
Qu Quan struggled to his feet. Spitting blood, he said, "Senior, I'm the one who killed them and set the fire! Spare my Senior Sister!"
The killing intent in Old Ji's eyes intensified.
At that, Kang Ming also fell to his knees before Old Ji. "Senior," he pleaded, "this is all my fault. Please, spare my Junior Sister. I am willing to pay for this with my own life!"
Snapping out of her daze, Zhu Ran sneered. "You dare kill me, you old hag? I'm Zhu Yanghua's daughter!"
A mocking sneer spread across Old Ji's face. "Not dare kill you? What a joke!" As she spoke, the astral light around her body converged on her arm. "I'll kill you right now, and we'll see what your father Zhu Yanghua can do to me!"
With that, she thrust her palm toward Zhu Ran.
Faced with the threat of death, Zhu Ran finally felt a pang of fear. 'This old hag really is going to kill me!'
In that instant, Qu Quan shoved Zhu Ran aside, taking the blow for her once more. But this time, he didn't get back up.
Chen Dong slowly closed his eyes, offering a silent moment of mourning for Qu Quan. 'This isn't something I can bring myself to get involved in.'
Disheveled and battered, Zhu Ran glared venomously at Old Ji and shrieked, "You old hag! You'll die a miserable death! My father will avenge my junior brother!"
Old Ji said coldly, "This disaster started because your father spoiled you rotten. The members of my Zhang Family did not die for nothing. Even if your father were standing here right now, I would still demand your life!"
Kang Ming crawled on his knees to Old Ji's feet, repeatedly slamming his forehead on the ground. "Senior, I'm begging you, please spare her! My junior brother is already dead... take my life in exchange, please? Please?"
Old Ji kicked him aside. "You're part of this disaster too! I'll settle the score with you later!"
Watching Kang Ming, the gaze of the woman in red gradually turned ice-cold.
Zhu Ran sneered, "Senior Brother, don't beg her. Just let her kill me. My father will slaughter the entire Zhang Clan to avenge me and our junior brother!"
The killing intent in Old Ji's eyes blazed. "Fine! I will grant you your wish!" She raised her palm, about to strike.
A deafening roar echoed throughout the entire Zhang Family estate: "STOOOOP!"
The corner of Chen Dong's mouth twitched, his brow furrowing in displeasure.
The voice came again. "Zhang Kongqing! I usually address you with the respect due to a senior, but if you dare kill my daughter, I will slaughter your entire clan!"
Hearing this voice, Zhu Ran's expression brightened. A smug look crossed her face as she said, "Now that my father's here, you're going to pay for killing my junior brother, you old hag!" Then she turned to Kang Ming. "Senior Brother, what are you still doing on the ground? Master is here! There's nothing to be afraid of!"
As Zhu Ran spoke, a middle-aged man landed beside her. He was of average build, with sharp, chiseled features, piercing eyes, a hooked nose, and thin lips.
Old Ji regarded him with a cold stare and chuckled. "How utterly arrogant."
Zhu Yanghua replied just as coldly, "I'm not the arrogant one here, Senior. You want to take my daughter's life over a few common clan members? How absurd!"
Hearing this, Chen Dong winced. 'No wonder his daughter turned out this way,' he thought, stretching his wrists. 'Should I get involved personally?'