LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 41: Xiao Xun’er’s Considerations
Chapter 41: Xiao Xun'er's Considerations
The three elders couldn't think of any good solutions either.
Generally speaking, mercenaries were mostly active around the Demon Beast Mountain Range.
But given the vastness of the Demon Beast Mountain Range, and with only seven days at their disposal, searching the entire range for that person was practically an impossible task.
Moreover, with the complex terrain of the Monster Beast Mountain Range, even if they were lucky enough to find him, he could easily escape deeper into the mountains and hide in a secluded cave, making it impossible for them to find him.
Even if he died in there, it would be useless; they couldn't claim any credit in front of Master Han.
Not to mention, he was an archer with Dou Master strength.
Most of the Xiao family members were more accustomed to operating within Wutan City, doing escort missions and such. They definitely weren't as familiar with the Demon Beast Mountain Range as the mercenaries.
Engaging in a prolonged battle with an archer hiding in the shadows, in terrain he was more familiar with, was not a wise choice.
Indeed, in the Dou Qi Continent, the battle tactics of those with lower strength levels still heavily relied on terrain and attack methods.
Those exaggerated wave-like battles wouldn't typically occur in Wutan City.
"Why don't we just kill all the one-eyed mercenaries in and around Wutan City!"
The second elder's eyes flashed with ruthlessness.
"Foolish! If it were that simple, Master Han could have just posted a bounty in Wutan City, and there would be no need for our Xiao family's involvement.
What if the mercenary hears about it and immediately flees to another city? Then it's all over."
The eldest elder scolded the second elder harshly.
The second elder realized his mistake and gave a sheepish smile.
Xiao Zhan also felt somewhat helpless. The second elder was impulsive and good for charging into battle, but asking him for ideas was probably asking too much.
After discussing all night without any fruitful results, they could only send people to contact the mercenaries, hoping to gather some useful information.
Two days later, at night, still in the Xiao family's main hall.
"Zhang Kaitao, an eight-star Dou Master, is suspected of mastering a Profound-level archery combat skill.
He prides himself on his strength and never teams up with other mercenaries, always hunting alone in the Monster Beast Mountain Range.
He once faced the siege of three second-rank monsters and killed them all using his superb archery skills and the terrain of the Monster Beast Mountain Range.
It was in that battle that Zhang Kaitao lost an eye."
Xiao Zhan slowly read the newly received intelligence report.
"Just as expected, only some basic information, no key details like his activity range or residence."
Xiao Zhan felt a headache coming on. This fourth-grade pill was not easy to obtain.
After another night of discussion, they still couldn't come up with a solution.
Xiao Zhan left the hall, looking somewhat weary. Today, he planned to visit Xiao Yan.
Ever since Xiao Yan lost his Dou Qi, Xiao Zhan hadn't seen a smile on his face.
Sighing, Xiao Zhan thought about the strange illness that had caused so much harm.
Xiao Zhan knocked on Xiao Yan's door.
"Father, why are you here?"
Xiao Yan opened the door, looking somewhat downcast, but perked up a bit upon seeing Xiao Zhan.
"Just came to see you," Xiao Zhan said, forcing a smile on his tired face and patting Xiao Yan's shoulder.
"Yan'er, don't worry too much. Maybe one day your talent will return."
Xiao Yan gave a bitter smile, knowing Xiao Zhan was trying to comfort and encourage him.
He felt touched. Since becoming a 'waste,' only a few people like Xiao Zhan, Master Han, and Xun'er still cheered him up.
A few days ago, he even received letters from his two brothers, obviously informed by Xiao Zhan.
"Father, has something happened in the clan recently?"
Xiao Yan changed the subject, noticing the significant movement of clan members these past few days.
Xiao Zhan, feeling tired, sat down on a chair.
Although this matter was supposed to be kept secret, the clan members involved knew about it, and since Yan'er had always been in the clan, it wouldn't hurt to tell him.
Xiao Yan poured a cup of tea for Xiao Zhan, noticing his fatigue.
Xiao Zhan took the cup, drank it all in one gulp, and put the cup down.
"Two days ago, Master Han entrusted our Xiao family and the Jia Lie family with a task," Xiao Zhan began to explain slowly.
Xiao Yan nodded upon hearing this.
Although he had always stayed within the clan, he was somewhat aware of the major events happening outside. He knew about the annihilation of the Oba family, the Jia Lie family's betrayal, and their allegiance to Master Han.
"Master Han wants us to kill someone, but we haven't found any leads in the past two days," Xiao Zhan shared their difficulties with Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan's eyes flickered with thought. Indeed, the task was challenging. Although Master Han had provided detailed information and they had investigated Zhang Kaitao thoroughly, not knowing his exact location was a significant obstacle.
Moreover, even if they found him, they would need to strike him with a lightning-fast attack. If they failed to kill him in one blow and he escaped to another place, it would be difficult to pursue him within the seven-day timeframe.
This task, entrusted by Master Han, naturally concerned Xiao Yan, as he owed a great debt of gratitude to Master Han.
Meanwhile, in Xiao Xun'er's courtyard.
"Old Ling, have you found out anything?" Xiao Xun'er asked, sitting in a chair with her delicate hand supporting her chin, her face showing a hint of worry, as she spoke to Ling Ying standing beside her.
"Yes, Miss. Two days ago, that fourth-grade alchemist asked the Xiao and Jia Lie families to kill someone."
"Oh?" Xiao Xun'er's interest was piqued.
"Tell me more."
Ling Ying nodded and continued, "The man's name is Zhang Kaitao, and it seems he has offended Han Li. He offered a fourth-grade pill as a reward for the Xiao and Jia Lie families to take his life. However, we couldn't find out how he offended Han Li."
Xiao Xun'er's brows furrowed in thought.
"Miss, should we help the Xiao family?"
"No, we shouldn't expose our identity. That Han Li is not simple. Being able to refine a Three-Pattern Azure Spirit Pill, he's clearly not far from the realm of a fifth-grade alchemist. We don't know if he lacks inheritance, alchemy experience, or soul power. If he already possesses the soul power of a fifth-grade alchemist, even if you personally make a move, Han Li might detect it."
Xiao Xun'er shook her head, deciding not to get involved in this matter.
With Ling Ying's strength and the special nature of his dark attributes, a fifth-grade alchemist wouldn't notice anything unusual without him making a move. However, once he acted, it would inevitably cause fluctuations in Dou Qi, and a fifth-grade alchemist could likely detect something amiss.
In Xiao Xun'er's view, since Han Li had entrusted the Xiao and Jia Lie families to find Zhang Kaitao, it was possible that he might personally search for him as well. If Old Ling found Zhang Kaitao and made a move, and Han Li, relying on his information, was nearby, he might detect Old Ling's Dou Qi fluctuations.
Although the likelihood was minimal, Xiao Xun'er didn't want to take the risk. She had come to the Xiao family for a very important matter...
Thus, exposing her tracks was not worth it.
As for why Xiao Xun'er didn't consider these factors when Xiao Yan went to the Yunlan Sect in the original story, it was, of course, because Xiao Yan had become more important to her than that matter.
(End of Chapter)
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