Chapter 107: The Crisis of the Huo Family

“It should be a good thing!”

Faced with Old Master Huo’s question, Grandmaster Zhou pondered for a moment before analyzing the situation. “His appearance at this particular moment, his purchase of the items Divine Medicine Mountain originally needed, and his intention to visit the Huo family—all these signs suggest that he knows something about the trouble you are facing. He may even intend to intervene. What puzzles me, however, is that he clearly has a grudge against Divine Medicine Mountain. How, then, could he know about these items?”

The three men were unable to make sense of it. Old Master Huo finally said, “Let us not dwell on matters we cannot understand. What we need to consider is whether it would truly be a good thing if this Mr. Jiang intervened, and how we should respond. Grandmaster Zhou, what do you think? Of all of us, you know the most about him.”

“If he is genuinely willing to help the Huo family, I believe it would be a good thing. His astonishing achievements speak for themselves; he must possess extraordinary abilities. With him on our side, our strength would naturally increase tremendously. Moreover, he has already accumulated more enemies than he can count, so he would not be afraid of trouble from the Yama Sect. An ordinary grandmaster, on the other hand, would likely protect himself wisely. After all, it is better to avoid unnecessary complications,” Grandmaster Zhou said slowly.

Old Master Huo nodded faintly, then suddenly said, “By the way, Grandmaster Zhou, thank you for being willing to help us this time. We are deeply grateful.”

Grandmaster Zhou was taken aback, then smiled. “You are too kind, Old Master Huo. We have been old friends for many years. Besides, resisting the invasion of outside forces is the duty of our Fragrant City mystic arts tradition.”

“Huo Xiao also wishes to thank you for your aid, Grandmaster Zhou,” Huo Xiao added politely. Then, with some concern, he said, “According to what you have said, it would benefit us if Mr. Jiang were willing to help. But he has antagonized so many factions. If he assists us, will the Huo family become entangled with those factions as well?”

“It would be unrealistic to say there would be no consequences at all, but it should not lead to anything too disastrous. The cultivation world respects the strong, and Mr. Jiang is unquestionably powerful. He also has the National Guardian Manor behind him. Besides, the circumstances are unusual this time. He is the one taking the initiative to intervene. Surviving this crisis is more important than anything else. What do you think, Young Master?” Grandmaster Zhou explained.

“Grandmaster, you are right.” Huo Xiao was persuaded.

“In other words…” Old Master Huo was just about to continue when a violent pounding on the door interrupted him.

“What is going on?” he shouted, displeased.

“Master! Young Master! Second Young Master has returned, but he seems to have gone mad. No—he seems to be possessed!” the butler cried anxiously from outside the study.

The three men exchanged glances, sensing that something was wrong, and immediately hurried out of the study.

The study was on the second floor. As soon as they stepped outside, they saw Second Young Master Huo Lei standing on the sofa in the main hall below, hopping up and down in a state of dishevelment. Every so often, he let out a clear, childish laugh. Though he was a grown man nearing thirty, his gestures and expression were exactly like those of a small child. The sight was deeply bizarre.

Old Master Huo was horrified. He hurried down the stairs on his aged legs and shouted as soon as he reached the first floor, “Lei’er, what’s wrong? It’s me, your father!”

Huo Lei, who had been playing about, caught sight of Old Master Huo. He immediately performed a front flip onto the floor, then flashed forward and lunged at the old man. His hand clamped around Old Master Huo’s throat as an unfamiliar, chilling voice came from his mouth.

“Old Huo, go to hell! I’ll strangle you! I’ll strangle you!”

His hands possessed astonishing strength. Old Master Huo instantly found it almost impossible to breathe, his eyes rolling back. Fortunately, Grandmaster Zhou was no ordinary man. He rushed forward, formed a hand seal, and pressed it directly against Huo Lei’s brow.

With a sharp flash, Huo Lei was sent flying four or five meters away by that seemingly light touch.

Though injured by Grandmaster Zhou’s strike, Huo Lei did not give up. He struggled to rise and continue his attack. At that moment, Grandmaster Zhou tossed the sandalwood prayer beads in his hand into the air. A burst of golden light erupted, and the beads expanded in an instant, firmly binding the crazed Huo Lei and rendering him completely immobile.

Only then did Old Master Huo, Huo Xiao, and the servants nearby dare to approach. Yet the moment they saw Huo Lei’s appearance, they were terrified. His hair stood stiffly on end, dark circles surrounded his eyes, his lips were deathly pale, and his vicious gaze resembled that of a ravenous wolf. He bared his teeth and snarled, looking utterly terrifying.

Suddenly—

“Old Huo, do you like this little appetizer? At midnight tonight, I will claim the lives of every member of the Huo family. Anyone who stands in my way will die! Ha ha ha! Everything belonging to the Huo family was mine to begin with! Ha ha ha!”

Huo Lei abruptly grew calm. He stared at the members of the Huo family while an unfamiliar man’s sinister voice emerged from his lips.

The Huo family felt their flesh crawl. Old Master Huo pleaded, “Grandmaster, please, look!”

Grandmaster Zhou pressed his lips together in silence. With a movement of his hand seal, the prayer beads around Huo Lei suddenly burst into dazzling golden light. Huo Lei let out a shrill scream and immediately collapsed unconscious.

“It is done. I have broken the spirit-attachment spell cast by that man. Second Young Master is no longer in danger, but he will need a week or two to recover. Have him taken downstairs to rest.”

At his words, Old Master Huo waved his hand, and several servants carried the unconscious Huo Lei away.

“I never imagined our enemy would strike tonight. He clearly has no intention of giving us any time to prepare! Grandmaster Zhou, what should we do now?” Having witnessed the power of Southeast Asian black magic, Old Master Huo asked anxiously, his face full of worry.

“Although Southeast Asian black magic has its subtleties, the orthodox mystic arts of our homeland certainly have nothing to fear from it. I have some confidence in matching spells with him. What concerns me is whether he has other accomplices,” Grandmaster Zhou said, troubled.

Huo Xiao was about to speak, but after thinking it over, he decided against it. He had initially wanted to suggest inviting the other mystic arts masters to help, but he knew that the eminent practitioners of Fragrant City were all proud men. As the saying went, two tigers could not share one mountain. With Grandmaster Zhou present, the others would never intervene unless Zhou himself admitted that he was outmatched. If Huo Xiao brought it up, Grandmaster Zhou would likely be the first to turn and leave in anger.

“Then it seems all we can do is wait for Mr. Jiang to arrive. I hope he will not disappoint me,” Old Master Huo said bitterly. He then issued an order. “Prepare a banquet according to the highest possible standards. I am hosting Grandmaster Zhou and an honored guest.”

“Yes, Master!”

…

Time passed second by second. The father and son of the Huo family had never found waiting so agonizingly slow. At last, toward evening, a car drove into the Huo family estate.

The dignified Young Master of the Huo family personally ran over to open the door. The first person to step out was naturally Jiang An.

“Mr. Jiang, your arrival brings glory to the Huo family! Please, come in, come in!” Huo Xiao regarded Jiang An as their hope and was exceedingly attentive, speaking with utmost respect.

Jiang An seemed to have guessed the reason for Huo Xiao’s behavior, but he accepted the courtesy without hesitation. “Young Master Huo, you are too kind. I am the one who came uninvited and disturbed you.”

“Not at all, not at all! Mr. Jiang, please come inside. My father has been eagerly awaiting your arrival as well.”

As he spoke, Huo Xiao led Jiang An inside. Jiang An followed at an unhurried pace, while behind him came Fan Jun, wearing an expression of pride, and Huang Dashu, whose face was filled with bewilderment and shock.

Was this really the Huo family, one of the ten wealthiest clans in Fragrant City? Why were they being so deferential, almost like grandsons before their grandfather?

“Are you Mr. Jiang An?” Old Master Huo asked when Jiang An appeared in the doorway. “I am Huo Xingge.”

Old Master Huo first glanced at Grandmaster Zhou. After receiving Zhou’s confirmation, he breathed a sigh of relief and rose to welcome Jiang An. He had feared that, by some unlikely chance, this Jiang An might not be the same person Grandmaster Zhou had described. Fortunately, there had been no such misunderstanding.

“You are too gracious, Old Master Huo. I came without notice. I hope you will not take offense,” Jiang An said with a smile as he lightly shook Huo Xingge’s hand.

“Not at all, not at all. I could not be happier. Everyone, please take your seats.”

Huo Xingge smiled so broadly that his face became a mass of wrinkles as he ushered his guests to their places.

Jiang An walked over and casually chose a seat, nodding to Grandmaster Zhou, who sat nearby. Huang Dashu, following behind him, could barely contain his excitement. He had never imagined that one day he would truly be honored as a distinguished guest by the Huo family. Was this really not a dream?

His heart surging, he sat down somewhat dazedly. But when he turned his head and saw Fan Jun standing naturally behind Jiang An, his broad face flushed red. He quickly rose and obediently went to stand behind Jiang An as well.

“Let us dispense with formalities,” Jiang An said directly. “I came here for one reason only. I will take over the entire deal the Huo family was supposed to make with Divine Medicine Mountain. Whatever Divine Medicine Mountain can provide for you, I can provide as well—and I can do it better. What do you say, Old Master Huo?”

Huo Xingge had been wondering how to begin the conversation, but Jiang An had gone straight to the point. He was not accustomed to such bluntness, yet it suited him perfectly.

“Mr. Jiang, you certainly are forthright. Very well. To be honest, I had two items to exchange with Divine Medicine Mountain. The first was that porcelain artifact, which is already in your possession, so there is no need to discuss it. The second is a special shipment of goods. You should know what it is.”

“Yes, I know. And I need that shipment,” Jiang An said without hesitation.

“Originally, those goods were meant to be exchanged with Divine Medicine Mountain. The Huo family does not conduct such transactions with anyone else. In business, reputation is of the utmost importance. But these are extraordinary circumstances…” Huo Xingge said solemnly. His expression suddenly turned bitter. “The Huo family is facing a grave calamity. If you are willing to help us overcome this crisis, the shipment will be yours.”

The Huo family had stated its condition clearly: Jiang An had to help them survive the crisis.

“As I said, whatever Divine Medicine Mountain can offer, I can offer as well. I know a little about the trouble facing the Huo family. It seems someone has come seeking revenge?” Jiang An said with a faint smile.

“Yes. Our enemy is no ordinary man. He will come to our door at midnight tonight. It will be extremely dangerous.” Huo Xingge spoke frankly. He knew that sincerity was essential now; attempting to deceive such powerful figures would only provoke their anger.

“Do not worry. I cannot make promises about everything, but I can ensure that the Huo family remains intact tonight. How about this? Allow me to demonstrate my sincerity first.”

As he spoke, Jiang An smiled mysteriously. Then, without warning, he raised his hand and reached toward the silent Young Master Huo.