Chapter 592 - 334: Claiming Supremacy

Unexpectedly, Liu Hong’s next words shattered Elder Master Xiao’s remaining composure.

"The thing I am most proud of happened five years ago, during the Barbarian Race’s invasion." Liu Hong looked at Elder Master Xiao, a smug smirk surfacing on his face. "I was the one who leaked Xiao Fengchun’s location to the Barbarian Race!"

Elder Master Xiao froze. His anger dissipated significantly, replaced by sheer disbelief, as if he doubted his own ears. "W-what did you say?"

"Did Marquis Xiao not hear me? I will repeat it.

"Back then, when Xiao Fengchun successfully led the iron cavalry to raid the Barbarian Race’s supplies, I was the one who tipped them off, drawing their..."

Before Liu Hong could finish, a fist the size of a bowl loomed in his vision and smashed into his face.

BAM.

Liu Hong was sent flying backward, crashing heavily against the wall.

Before he could even react, fists rained down on his face and body, one punch after another.

Had Elder Master Xiao not retained a shred of rationality and refrained from using his True Essence, those few punches alone would have been enough to blow Liu Hong’s head clean off.

"Why?!

"Why did you do this?!

"Speak!"

Li Huai’gu watched the scene unfold, completely at a loss. Unable to step forward and intervene, he could only watch helplessly as Elder Master Xiao battered Liu Hong with punch after punch.

At that moment, Xiao Shen arrived.

Seeing the situation in the hall, he hurriedly rushed forward to hold Elder Master Xiao back. "Brother, Brother, stop! Stop!"

"Scram!"

Elder Master Xiao flung his arm, tossing Xiao Shen aside. Just as he was about to resume his beating, Xiao Shen cried out in pain.

"Brother, the imperial court has sent people!

"Jinghong is bringing them here right now. They said they’re here to announce an imperial decree condemning Liu Hong. You... you can’t hit him anymore!

"If you beat him to death, you... you..."

Elder Master Xiao delivered two more punches. His eyes were bloodshot and his face was flushed with fury. One hand still maintained a death grip on Liu Hong’s neck, pinning him against the wall.

"Speak! Who ordered you to do this?!"

Liu Hong’s already aged face was now battered beyond recognition. Blood seeped from the corners of his mouth and the bridge of his nose, his eye sockets were bruised and purple, and his entire face was severely swollen.

Yet, he was still smiling. Coughing weakly, he gasped, "N-no one ordered me. Heh...

"Marquis Xiao, you are Marquis Xiao... Your son was also Marquis Xiao. But I, Liu Hong, am merely... merely from the third branch of the Jing State Liu Family...

"If it weren’t for... for my diligent studying, I could never have hoped to even measure up to the Xiao Family’s prestige in my entire life.

"Ever since I arrived in Shu State, I knew very well that Shu State belonged to the Xiao Family. If Xiao Fengchun was still alive, even if I became the Governor, I would still have to act according to the Xiao Family’s whims..."

Elder Master Xiao panted heavily, his fists clenching and unclenching.

He absolutely refused to believe that his son had died for such a ridiculous reason.

What did he mean, Shu State belonged to the Xiao Family?

What did he mean, act according to the Xiao Family’s whims?

The Xiao Family had guarded the borders of Great Wei for two hundred years. Every generation had shed blood and died on the battlefield. They had never once thought of ruling over Shu State as kings.

Why was it that, in the eyes of people like Liu Hong, it had become the Xiao Family’s fault?

No matter how consumed by rage Elder Master Xiao was, the impending arrival of the envoys from the Capital Prefecture forced him to suppress his urge to kill Liu Hong.

"Liu Gongmo, you and the Liu Family will pay the price for what you’ve done!"

With that, Elder Master Xiao was about to release his grip, but Liu Hong suddenly grabbed his hand and softly uttered a name.

"Marquis Xiao, did you know that General... General Fu, she didn’t..."

Elder Master Xiao’s eyes widened sharply. He slammed a fist into Liu Hong’s abdomen, forcing the rest of his words back down his throat.

"Shut up!

"If you dare leak another word, I will kill you!"

Liu Hong clutched his stomach with both hands, coughing incessantly. His face flushed completely red, yet he struggled to speak.

"Hehe... Marquis Xiao knows about the Barbarian Race... Hehe... Fu... Fu..."

Elder Master Xiao threw another punch.

But Liu Hong continued to speak.

Simultaneously, footsteps approached from outside the Qingjing Residence behind them. Among them was none other than Xiao Jinghong.

"Marquis Xiao, Fu..."

Before he could finish, a resounding BAM echoed through the air.

Blood splattered.

Unable to tolerate it any longer, Elder Master Xiao drove his fist straight through Liu Hong’s chest, pinning him to the wall as crimson stained the surface behind him.

Despite such a fatal blow, Liu Hong showed no signs of agony in his final moments. Instead, he forced out a smile, as if his scheme had finally succeeded.

"Heh... hehe... Thank... thank you, Marquis Xiao..."

As blood bubbled from his lips, Liu Hong could no longer speak. Yet, he mustered his very last ounce of strength to trace a few words onto Elder Master Xiao’s wrist.

Reading the words, Elder Master Xiao’s expression changed drastically once more. He clenched his fist and struck out again.

At the same time, a voice rang out from behind him.

"Marquis Xiao, wait..."