"What?"

Huang Tianxiang was taken aback, then exclaimed in disbelief, "Impossible, absolutely impossible!"

"Lord Xiao holds an esteemed status! Who do you think you are? Do you really believe you could make him afraid to see you?!" Huang Tianxiang's face was a mask of disbelief.

She had been calling out for so long, yet there was not the slightest response from Lord Xiao.

Could it be that Lord Xiao has left? No, that's also absolutely impossible! Within the stockade, Lord Xiao's status is revered; he's a man of great power. He wouldn't possibly leave just because of some guy like Lin Mu! Could he have run into some kind of trouble? Huang Tianxiang began to speculate wildly, feeling this was a strong possibility.

"Kid, Lord Xiao is dealing with something right now, which is why he hasn't come. But once he does, you're dead for sure!" Huang Tianxiang's face filled with murderous intent. "When the time comes, I'll make you kneel and beg me for mercy like a dog! As for you, Qin Luoli... after what happened to my nephew, you can prepare to serve him for the rest of your life!"

"You foul-mouthed woman!" Lin Mu suddenly slapped Huang Tianxiang across the face twice, his voice turning icy. "Do you really think I don't dare to kill you?"

After being slapped repeatedly by Lin Mu, Huang Tianxiang felt her head spin as stars danced before her eyes. But she only laughed hysterically. "Hahaha, you little beast, go ahead and hit me! I guarantee you will meet a terrible end!"

"Is that so?" Lin Mu sneered. "Since you refuse to repent, I'll put an end to your delusions."

He then shouted toward the entrance, "Xiao Long, if you don't show yourself, prepare for your clan to be exterminated!"

Huang Tianxiang was stunned. Has Lin Mu gone mad? And how does he know Lord Xiao's full name?

Her pupils constricted as a terrifying possibility bloomed in her mind. Impossible! She shook her head fiercely, trying to banish the thought, but the feeling only grew stronger, seeding a deep unease within her. Her eyes widened as she stared at the entrance, needing to see if it was true.

Qin Luoli also looked toward the door with curiosity.

At the office entrance, a figure slowly walked in. He was dressed in a black long robe that seemed somewhat out of place, but Qin Luoli recognized it as the attire of the ethnic minorities from Southern Sky. The man appeared to be in his thirties, with a mustache, and he carried an imposing air.

This was the very Lord Xiao that Huang Tianxiang had mentioned. He was a member of the Xiao Family from the Li Clan!

"Lord Xiao!" Upon seeing him, Huang Tianxiang rushed toward the man as if he were her savior.

"Lord Xiao, save me! This little beast is trying to kill me!" Huang Tianxiang burst into tears, pointing a venomous finger at Lin Mu. "Lord Xiao, that's him, the little beast! Quickly, use your Gu Insects to bite him to death! I want him to be in a state where he can neither live nor die!"

"Get lost!"

However, Lord Xiao sent her flying seven or eight meters with a single kick. "Huang Tianxiang, if you want to die, don't drag me down with you!"

Lord Xiao's eyes were filled with terror, his body trembling slightly. After kicking Huang Tianxiang aside, he walked unsteadily toward Lin Mu, then dropped to his knees, pressing his forehead against the tip of Lin Mu's shoe.

"Xiao Long of the Li Clan Xiao Branch... pays his respects to the Miao King!" His voice was laced with intense fear and despair.

He had recognized Lin Mu the moment he arrived at the Qin Corporation. During the Miao King's enthronement, Xiao Long had caught a distant glimpse of him—an image he could never forget. The Miao King! He never imagined that the most mysterious and noble Lord Miao King of the Jiuli Tribe would be here.

That was why he hadn't dared to enter. But he hadn't dared to leave, either. When Huang Tianxiang was calling for him, he had wanted nothing more than to strangle the life out of her. That foolish woman had let a little money go to her head and had forgotten her place. She had almost gotten him killed!

If Xiao Long had actually moved against Lin Mu, the latter wouldn't have needed to lift a finger. The entire Jiuli Tribe would have torn Xiao Long to shreds. Li Clan law was clear: insubordination was punishable by death! And plotting to kill the Miao King meant the annihilation of one's entire clan! Not only would Xiao Long have died, but the entire Xiao Family would have been doomed along with him.

Moreover, the Miao King's authority within the Li Clan was absolute. Annihilator of the Nine Villages and Eighteen Caves! Slayer of the High Priest! Ascender to the Heavens to Butcher a Dragon! Each and every one of these feats had become legend among the People of the Li Clan. How could he dare to make a move? How could he dare to show his face? He could only hide outside, not emerging until the Miao King himself had summoned him.

"I was unaware of the Miao King's presence. My offense is a capital crime!" Xiao Long said, his body trembling. "But I hope the Miao King will not vent his anger on the Xiao Clan. They have nothing to do with this."

Xiao Long knew he was going to die, but he was terrified the Miao King would implicate his entire clan.

"Since you admit your guilt, your death alone will spare your clan," Lin Mu said coldly. At this moment, he radiated an invisible majesty, like a noble, uncrowned king.

"Xiao Long of the Xiao Clan, guilty of lèse-majesté against the Miao King, his crime is punishable by death! He shall suffer the Gu King's heart-piercing punishment!"

A majestic voice emanated from Lin Mu, penetrating the air and drifting toward the distant Southern Sky. These words were inaudible to Huang Tianxiang and the others. Only the people of the Jiuli Tribe could hear them. This was a right granted to the Miao King by the entire Jiuli Tribe.

「A thousand miles away in Southern Sky.」

The once-clear sky suddenly filled with the roar of thunder and howling winds. Above Thunder Mountain, countless thunderbolts gathered, converging into a gigantic face.

"Xiao Long of the Xiao Clan, guilty of lèse-majesté against the Miao King, his crime is punishable by death! He shall suffer the Gu King's heart-piercing punishment!" a voice full of authority boomed from the face.

"Die!"

"Die!"

"Die!"

As the three commands fell from the sky, all the People of the Li Clan fell to their knees in shock, their faces horror-stricken, their eyes filled with fear as they cried out the Miao King's name. The members of the Xiao Family likewise knelt, shouting, "We thank the Miao King for his mercy in sparing our lives!"

「Bai Miao Village.」

Saintess Li Lai knelt at the mountain's peak, staring at the enormous face in the sky. Her expression was complex as she murmured softly, "Master..."

「Qin Corporation.」

"Thank you... Miao King!"

Xiao Long kowtowed three times to Lin Mu and gave a wretched smile. Suddenly, his body convulsed, and countless insects swarmed out from his mouth and nose. These were the Gu Insects that Xiao Long himself had nurtured. The moment they appeared, they began to devour his body.

A few minutes later, Xiao Long's body was gone, reduced to nothingness. Aside from a few shredded pieces of clothing, he had been devoured so completely that not even a shard of bone remained. After consuming him, all the Gu Insects dropped dead, one after another. Because their master had offended the Miao King, the Gu Insects were executed as well.

This all unfolded before their very eyes, a sight that made everyone's skin crawl.

"BLEGH!"

Huang Tianxiang, who had watched Xiao Long's body being consumed, felt a surge in her throat and could no longer hold back, vomiting violently.

Qin Luoli's complexion also turned pale, but she strangely managed to suppress the urge. Her beautiful eyes, however, were fixed on Lin Mu in utter shock.

When did this guy become the Miao King? And what exactly is a Miao King?

Qin Luoli found that she understood Lin Mu less and less. The more she interacted with this man, the more mysterious he seemed.

Having executed Xiao Long, Lin Mu turned his indifferent gaze to Huang Tianxiang. "Huang Tianxiang," he said, his face devoid of expression, "I already gave you a chance. How do you wish to die?"

"I..." Huang Tianxiang's body trembled. She realized she had no allies left, and her face turned deathly pale with fright.

"L-Lord... No, Lord Miao King, I didn't know your identity! That's why I offended you!" Filled with terror, Huang Tianxiang knelt and slammed her head on the floor before Lin Mu. "Please, I beg you! They say the ignorant shouldn't be punished! Please, spare me just this once!"

Huang Tianxiang kowtowed until her forehead was bleeding, and even Qin Luoli felt a flicker of pity. But the decision was Lin Mu's to make. She would not interfere.

Lin Mu looked down on her imperiously. "It's not impossible to spare your life."

Before Huang Tianxiang could voice her surprise, Lin Mu's cold, merciless voice continued, "Unfortunately for you, you targeted my woman. For that, you cannot be spared."

At his words, Huang Tianxiang collapsed to the floor, her face ashen.

It's over...

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