Chapter 268: Decisive

When these words were spoken, the scene fell into a deep silence. Everyone felt a chill; the Great Demon God was so fierce that he dared to utter such words. How domineering!

If the Martial King no longer wishes to hold that position, then he should be disposed of. This statement would surely cause a tremendous uproar. Even if no action were taken, it would still shake the capital city.

The Great Demon God was sending a signal. He was dissatisfied, not only warning everyone in the Martial King's mansion but also expressing a certain resolve to the outside world.

Was he planning to overhaul and change everything? Perhaps the ruler of the Martial King's mansion would be replaced. If this news spread, it would not only shock the various princes but also draw the attention of the Emperor of Humanity.

"Old Fifteen, how can you say such things?" an elder chided.

These words were extremely shocking to them. The impact of overturning everything in the Martial King's mansion was too great. Many people felt a chill in their bones and could not accept it.

"Our branch appears glorious on the surface, but internally, there are severe problems. We are critically ill and need treatment," Old Fifteen said calmly, looking down on everyone.

"What are you saying, Old Fifteen? You must understand that your words and actions represent something. You must be responsible and do not become the person who splits my mansion," an elder shouted.

"I know exactly what I am doing. Do you still need me to split things apart? Since you did that foolish thing thirteen years ago, the Martial King's mansion has already sown the seeds of decay. It will face a major problem sooner or later," Old Fifteen said with a cold gaze, his tone calm. "It’s like a big tree that seems prosperous but has pests inside. It will eventually rot. What I need to do now is to eliminate these pests."

"How dare you!" Some people changed color, while many others felt a deep fear, their bodies trembling, overwhelmed by an immense sense of dread.

"A serious illness must be treated," Old Fifteen said decisively. After uttering a few words, he sat in the high-backed dragon-skin chair, his eyes cold and unfeeling, staring at those present. "Those who should be punished according to family law, not a single one of you should try to escape."

Instantly, many were terrified, as if they had been sentenced to death. Who would not be afraid? Even the most formidable figures would fear death.

"Are you trying to rebel?" an old man asked, his face pale and trembling with fear of immediate death.

"I am not rebelling. You are the ones who have rebelled. You have gone against ancestral teachings, harmed family members, acted unfairly, and destroyed clan rules. You have rebelled against human relations and ethics," Old Fifteen stood up, exuding a powerful and unparalleled aura, and roared, "You are the ones who have rebelled."

Everyone was stunned. What was the Great Demon God trying to do? He had completely reversed the roles, labeling them as rebels.

These words were like thunderous hammers, striking their hearts repeatedly, making their ears ring and their heads swell. Each person nearly coughed up blood.

"Execute according to the rules. Start enforcing the clan regulations," the Great Demon God said as he sat down. His imposing figure seemed very intimidating, and his voice sounded like a demonic chant to the others.

"No!" Someone shouted in fear.

Behind them, Old Fifteen's old brothers also opened their mouths, wanting to say something. They felt that killing everyone would have too great an impact and would surely cause chaos, shaking the entire Shi Kingdom.

However, standing behind the Great Demon God, they ultimately said nothing and unconditionally supported him.

"You are committing treason and conspiracy," someone shouted loudly.

"Starting with you," Old Fifteen said, extending a finger. A golden finger grew larger and, with a thunderous sound, fell upon the person, turning him to dust immediately.

It was that simple. A powerful person was instantly turned into powder and vanished from the world.

"You cannot treat us like this," those people were terrified. The ruthlessness of the enforcement of family law was unequivocal.

"Why can’t I? You have persecuted clan members, and your crimes are punishable by death," Old Fifteen snapped his fingers again. It was as if a golden pillar had fallen, and that person turned into flying ashes.

Such majesty truly frightened everyone. No expert could resist; the difference in power was too great.

They were usually high and mighty, wielding immense power. As soon as they stepped outside the mansion, everyone would treat them with respect. Some even had such influence that their mere stomping could unsettle the four corners of the world. But now, they were all prisoners, waiting for judgment and death.

"We are the backbone of the clan, the foundation of the Martial King's mansion. If you kill us, you are destroying our clan. This cannot be done," an elder roared.

"Backbone? How dare you say that! What great achievements have you accomplished? Have you done anything extraordinary, shaken the world, or suppressed a region?" Old Fifteen asked calmly.

Then, raising his voice, he said, "Our clan is not lacking in talent. After we stabilize the internal strife, those stationed in harsh lands can be recalled. They will not be worse than you. Even the exiled criminals have many good talents who should return."

"You are creating chaos," an elder could not accept this.

"You have been rotting in the capital. Hiding in a comfortable nest is worse than those stationed in harsh lands. Even if you are direct descendants, if things continue like this, the roots will rot," Old Fifteen said. He raised his hand again and killed an elder. In the process, he solemnly announced each person's crimes and then executed them.

This was a judgment meeting. After Old Fifteen returned, he did not go on a rampage but dealt with people in this manner. Each person was announced to be guilty before being executed.

During this process, the people screamed in horror, their faces turning white. The Great Demon God was iron-willed and ruthless, not caring at all. He did whatever needed to be done.

"Stop!"

At this moment, light and shadow flickered, and oppressive pressure filled the air. Four more elders appeared in the scene, each either with an ethereal presence or returning to simplicity, all very remarkable.

They were extremely old, with white hair and beard. When they opened and closed their eyes, divine light shone through, like lightning streaking across the void.

"Old Fifteen, how can you do this?" one of them shouted.

These were the four ancestors of the Martial King's mansion. It was because they came out in the last moment that Shi Ziling was forced to leave the capital.

"Why shouldn't I? Since you handle things unfairly, I will reorganize the Martial King's mansion and correct the disorder," Old Fifteen responded, facing these four with a calm expression and no fear.

"Old Fifteen, we know you are angry. The clan owes you too much, but you must understand that the decisions made by the clan are also from the perspective of the greater good."

"Yes, everything is for the greater strength of our clan. We lost a naturally supreme being due to negligence, but we cannot kill another naturally divine person. The loss would be too great for our clan to bear."

The four ancestors remained calm and once again tried to explain the pros and cons.

"What reason is there that evil people can escape freely after taking my grandson's blood and bones just because they have become stronger, while my Ziling has to flee to a distant land, and Hao'er’s life or death is unknown? Is this your perspective and handling of matters? Very well, I am back now. Where is Shi Yi? I want to personally strip him of his Heavy Eyes, retrieve the Supreme Bone, and place it into another person's body to create a new supreme being. This way, we will have a new supreme being, and Shi Yi’s line of wastrels will be driven away. Is this what you want to hear?" Old Fifteen asked loudly.

The scene was silent. Everyone felt a shiver down their spines, not knowing how to respond.

Hearing these words, the four ancestors all furrowed their brows. One of them sighed and said, "Old Fifteen, you are being excessive. After all, things have already happened, and we can only make some choices."

"Yi'er has now become a young supreme. His strength is rare in ancient times, and looking at the wastelands, he might become one of the most powerful people in the future, surely leading our clan to glory," another ancestor spoke up.

The Great Demon God sneered and said, "You are wrong. True strength is not created this way. If my grandson does not die, I believe that even without the Supreme Bone, he could still defeat your so-called fully equipped Yi'er. Is it just a pair of eyes? Just a piece of bone? If you care so much about them, it only shows how far you have fallen. In the end, it will all be in vain."

His voice was like thunder, deafening and making everyone pale. Only he could utter such words.

"Don't you believe it?" The Great Demon God cast a cold glance at everyone and said, "I have a premonition that if Hao'er survives, he will rise even without the Supreme Bone."

Many felt a shock to their hearts. Listening to his words, seeing his demonic face and confident demeanor, everyone trembled. Could that child from back then still return?

"Old Fifteen, some things are irreversible. Do not speak those angry words. Yi'er is really excellent, and his invincible form has already been revealed."

"Angry words?" The Great Demon God laughed loudly and shook his head. "Understanding is understanding, and not understanding is not understanding. It seems you really do not understand."

The four ancestors' expressions changed. The other's disdainful attitude made them very unhappy.

"Yi'er has had great opportunities since childhood and has received many great fortunes. You cannot imagine. Now he has entered the Ancient Sacred Academy and may obtain the legendary Sky-Supplementing Technique. No one can stop his rise. Old Fifteen, for the prosperity of our clan, please show some generosity this time. Consider it our request for the clan to stand at the pinnacle of glory. Please stop."

The four ancestors looked serious, staring ahead.

"Having the Heavy Eyes is impressive, but if you cover up and tolerate it, everyone will follow suit in the future, leading to mutual killing. There will be no unity left in the clan; it will surely fall apart. You still do not understand where you went wrong. Emphasizing his divine status is not wise but foolish," Old Fifteen said unceremoniously.

But in the end, he still felt regret and sighed, speaking sadly, "If Hao'er had survived, it would have been so good. If he were by my side, the truth would show what kind of person is truly supreme, not dependent on a piece of bone or a pair of eyes."

Finally, he abruptly lifted his head and said, "Clan rules cannot be broken. Those who should be killed must still be killed."

He began announcing the crimes of those who were to be executed.

"No, this cannot be done," the four ancestors intervened.

"You did not make decisions back then; you were only called to stop Ziling at the last moment. It was not too excessive. Let him leave and indicate where the ancestral land might be. Today, I will not settle the accounts. However, you are old now. It’s time for you to retreat and cultivate," Old Fifteen said solemnly, his gaze extremely intimidating, staring at the four ancestors.

At this moment, everyone's hearts tightened with immense tension.

"You..." The four ancestors' faces changed color.

"Do not act recklessly," they shouted, seeing Old Fifteen taking action again, executing those who were announced guilty.

"Boom!"

They moved, but all were struck as if hit by lightning, bleeding from their mouths and staggering backward.

The Great Demon God stood proudly in the center, his radiance blinding and hard to look at. He seemed like a deity, surrounded by golden-winged Dapeng, Bixie, and Suanni, exuding terrifying power.

At this moment, as he announced the crimes of these people, he struck out. "Puff!" An elder was turned to ashes with a single blow.

"Puff!"

Next, another elder was turned to flying ash. Soon, a clan elder, after being informed of his violations of clan rules, was also turned into powder with a single palm strike.

Everyone was terrified; no one could stand against Old Fifteen.

"Stop!"

The four ancestors shouted again, advancing to attack Old Fifteen.

"Go and retire," the Great Demon God said, with golden-winged Dapeng and other beings surrounding him, creating a thunderous sound that forced the four ancestors back. They found it difficult to get close.

"Fifteen, you have gone too far," at this moment, a majestic voice came, as if from another realm, intimidating and causing one's soul to shiver.

"Martial King, you have finally arrived." The Great Demon God looked towards the distant sky, where a figure was descending from the horizon, returning to the mansion.