“So today we brothers are going to catch the turtle in the jar for them,” another Elite Tiger Guard chimed in with laughter.

The Pingnan Army was different from the Elite Tiger Guards. At this moment, they still stood solemnly with imposing presence. The Elite Tiger Guards were Pang Xiao’s private army, while the Pingnan Army was currently being trained under Pang Xiao’s hand. Due to Pang Xiao’s strict military discipline, “soldiers do not remove armor without the general’s command” was their accepted common knowledge. Even though they thought the same as the Elite Tiger Guards in their hearts, they remained motionless without hearing Pang Xiao’s military orders.

Therefore, when Qiu Guang and Qiu Yuanqing were mocked to the point of steam coming from their heads and wanted to retort, they were intimidated by those troops who seemed like stone sculptures and clay figures.

Qiu Yuanqing’s legs were so weak he nearly knelt down. If not for still wanting some dignity, he really wanted to faint and be done with it.

Qiu Guang, however, remained very calm: “Prince Zhongshun making such a commotion without fear shows he truly harbors rebellious intentions.”

Pang Xiao sneered coldly, glancing sideways at the direction they had come from.

People surrounded by cavalry standing on flat ground naturally couldn’t see what was outside the encirclement. But sitting on his horse, he could naturally see the thousands of troops gathered in the direction of their approach.

Governor Wu had brought soldiers in pursuit but didn’t dare come forward.

Now Sword River Pass was guarded by the Pingnan Army, with ten thousand elite troops stationed outside the city gates. The overwhelming force with which they had broken through the gates earlier still made Governor Wu tremble with fear. Though Governor Wu had responsibilities, he valued his life more.

Seeing that the Qiu family’s kidnapping of the Princess Consort had exploded, originally caused by the Qiu family being too tyrannical, Governor Wu still had somewhat of a spectator’s mentality in his heart. After all, as governor, he had been suppressed by the Qiu family for so many years…

But on second thought, in outsiders’ eyes, he was bound together with the Qiu family. Governor Wu couldn’t help feeling somewhat helpless.

It seemed his best approach was to wait and see, to observe whether he needed to choose sides anew.

Therefore, Governor Wu’s people were frightened one by one like chicks intimidated by an eagle, all hiding behind Governor Wu, this mother hen, happy not to come out.

Pang Xiao here calmly responded to Qiu Guang’s words: “You rebels still dare question the court’s military training? This Prince commands the Pingnan Army – can troops win battles without drilling? It’s just bringing tens of thousands out for practice. Even if elder brother knew, what of it? Hasn’t this Prince always trained troops this way? Who doesn’t know this?”

This reason, whether Li Qitian believed it or not, was sufficient to silence wagging tongues.

Qiu Guang was choked until he could barely breathe. Thinking more carefully about that phrase “bringing tens of thousands out for practice” in Pang Xiao’s words, he knew that today his attempt to gain the upper hand through reason was impossible.

But Qiu Guang was not afraid either.

“Whatever the Prince says makes sense. After all, the blade is in your hand. But I also advise the Prince to think clearly. Though my Qiu family has been entrenched in Sword River for over a hundred years, how do you know the Qiu family has no influence in the imperial court or the outside world? If you do anything to the Qiu family today, even if you leave Sword River, you still won’t benefit. My Qiu family’s people in the court will ensure your reputation is ruined.”

Qin Yining sat in front of Pang Xiao, gently squeezing his large hand that encircled her waist.

Because Qiu Guang was right – military drills were one thing, but using the opportunity of military drills for a long-distance raid to exterminate a great clan that had occupied Sword River City for over two hundred years, the only way to prevent this matter from becoming a big issue would be to kill everyone in Sword River.

But Pang Xiao wasn’t a thug – how could he bring himself to harm so many common people?

Since harming the enemy a thousand would also cost eight hundred of their own, taking action would be unwise.

Pang Xiao obviously thought the same as Qin Yining, his large hand squeezing hers in return.

“Aren’t you being too nervous?” Pang Xiao looked mockingly at Qiu Guang, “If the Pingnan Army wanted to flatten Sword River, we wouldn’t give you a chance to speak at all. What would be the point of killing you?”

After Pang Xiao said this, he called out loudly: “Withdraw troops.”

The limp Qiu Yuanqing was somewhat dumbfounded.

So simply, they scared the people away?

The old man still had some use!

Qiu Yuanqing straightened up – his legs no longer weak, no longer sweating coldly. Watching the troops withdraw like a receding tide, he even snorted mockingly.

Qiu Guang also breathed a sigh of relief. But he wasn’t as optimistic as Qiu Yuanqing.

“What are you laughing at?”

“Father, you’re still formidable. A great family like our Qiu clan – how could a military ruffian with no foundation touch us? Look, once you explained the reasoning clearly, you scared them away.”

“Foolish.” Qiu Guang said in a low voice, “If we had the capability today, eliminating him would be the permanent solution. His leaving without a trace of evidence, taking the people away after suffering grievances – he will definitely memorialize His Majesty later. Even if we have many people in court, I’m afraid we won’t find reasoning to defend ourselves. Then the Qiu family will probably be ten thousand times more dangerous than being trampled flat by his troops.”

“What’s the matter with that?” Qiu Yuanqing broke out in cold sweat, though his mouth argued against it, his heart knew the old man was right.

Pang Xiao was originally the current emperor’s sworn brother. Outside rumors said His Majesty was wary of him, but looking at his actions, he and His Majesty clearly had a good relationship. Thinking back to the past, if it were someone else, the crime of rebellion and defying imperial orders would have meant death long ago, yet Pang Xiao had defied thirty-three imperial edicts and was still fine.

This wasn’t like the declining years of previous dynasties – this was the Great Zhou, newly established. Nobles with military achievements like Pang Xiao were at their most prosperous at the beginning of every dynasty, and could even remain prosperous for several generations.

Today, having formed a grudge with Prince Zhongshun’s faction, their Qiu family had truly completely torn their face with Pang Xiao’s faction. They feared Pang Xiao’s descendants would endlessly retaliate against them in the future.

They indeed had many descendants who had left Sword River to develop elsewhere, and they had their people in the imperial court, but distant water couldn’t quench immediate thirst!

The more he thought about it, the worse Qiu Yuanqing’s expression became. He had deeply realized his mistakes.

“If I had known, I wouldn’t have kidnapped that Pang fellow’s wife.”

Qiu Guang smiled mockingly: “The wrong things you’ve done – we’ll settle accounts later. You didn’t think I had forgotten, did you?”

Though he had deliberately gone along with the house arrest and could have escaped whenever he wanted, Qiu Yuanqing’s unfilial behavior and stupidity still angered Qiu Guang.

Qiu Yuanqing’s pupils suddenly contracted as he hurriedly explained: “Father, I didn’t…”

But before he could finish speaking, they suddenly heard a woman’s scream from the carriage behind them.

“Young Miss! Who are you? Let go of my young miss!”

Turning around abruptly, they saw a white shadow flash past the carriage. Qiu Feishan’s personal maid had fallen to the ground, crying and shouting in one direction.

Qiu Feishan had been abducted!

And right under the noses of so many of them.

Moreover, by the time they turned around, the person had already disappeared!

What kind of martial arts was this!

“It must be Prince Zhongshun’s people! Or the Princess Consort’s people! They had people break into the mansion before, burning down the sixth branch’s residence and even shaving off Qiu Yuanming’s hair. With our family’s tight security, only they could enter and exit so easily!” Qiu Yuanqing roared.

Qiu Guang pressed his lips together, his expression anxious as he said gravely: “Quick, pursue them! They abducted Feishan – they must be taking out their anger on her!”

Qiu Guang hurriedly ordered those behind him to give chase.

Qiu Yuanqing, however, was very displeased to hear this, thinking to himself that the old man still favored Qiu Feishan. It would be good if Qiu Feishan could die outside.

But after all, now that the Qiu family head had appeared, everyone in the Qiu family followed his orders.

The martial artists and guards under him unhesitatingly rode after the Pingnan Army. The old master also hurriedly got into a carriage.

Before long, they caught up with the Pingnan Army’s formation. They were still thinking about how to get around to the front of the formation to speak with Pang Xiao, but unexpectedly, Pang Xiao was walking at the very rear of the retreating troops with Qin Yining.

Qiu Guang praised inwardly, then ordered people to hurry the carriage. While still some distance from Pang Xiao, he was already shouting: “Prince, since you’re withdrawing troops, why did you still abduct this old man’s granddaughter!”

The Pingnan Army didn’t turn back, continuing their orderly retreat without any interference.

Pang Xiao slowed down, holding Qin Yining as he turned his horse around: “Abduct your granddaughter? Which eye saw this Prince do such a thing?”

“It was your people who abducted Feishan!”

“Old Master Qiu, this Prince advises you to be more honest. Don’t think this Prince truly wouldn’t dare eliminate the Qiu family. Randomly slandering this Prince – you have quite the courage.”

Qiu Yuanqing poked his head out from behind Qiu Guang: “But our people all saw it was a person in white clothes who abducted her…”

“White clothes? Don’t know them.” Pang Xiao glanced at them coldly, then spurred his horse to catch up with the formation.

The Qiu father and son stood in place with their guards, in a dilemma.

“Father, really wasn’t it their people?”

“It must have been, but if they don’t admit it, there’s nothing we can do.” Qiu Guang’s eyes held deep worry. Though Qiu Feishan’s actions this time had displeased him, she was still the girl he had raised by his side.

Qiu Guang indeed didn’t want to pass the position of family head to a woman, no matter how capable she was. But he had never thought of letting Qiu Feishan die. Taking her back, at most Qiu Feishan would be ordered by him to marry or become a nun – at least she wouldn’t lose her life.

But this time, being abducted by the angry Pang Xiao, that might not be certain…

Qiu Yuanqing saw Qiu Guang’s worry and became even more jealous and resentful. His expression became increasingly sinister, but returned to normal when Qiu Guang turned around.

Here, Qin Yining craned her neck to look back. Seeing that the Qiu family hadn’t caught up, she couldn’t help but chuckle: “Young Master Mu’s martial arts are truly excellent – to rescue someone from among so many people without letting anyone see his face clearly.”

Pang Xiao smiled: “Mutou’s martial arts are very good, and his lightness skills even better. But why did you want to save Qiu Feishan?”

Qin Yining’s eyes turned cold as she explained Qiu Feishan’s earlier submission and assistance, as well as the relationship between “hidden families” and “visible families.” Finally, she explained:

“Qiu Feishan’s ambitions are considerable. She and her family are bound to have a falling out. Her grandfather cannot tolerate a woman being stronger than men and will probably force her to become a nun. Such a talented woman becoming a nun would be quite a pity. Better to let her continue stirring up trouble outside – we could also gain an ally. After all, not considering the Qiu family’s influence, just Sitong Trading Company alone is already quite considerable.”