Chapter 27: Chapter 27: Coming to Collect a Debt

The Jiang Family’s main hall.

A guest had just arrived.

Jiang Han looked at the visitor. It was the Ximen Family’s Patriarch, Ximen Gong.

He hadn’t come alone, but with a group of the Ximen Family’s experts.

Both the Jiang Family and the Ximen Family were among the three great families.

For Ximen Gong to show up at their door with so many experts surely meant something major had happened.

He asked in a deep voice, "Ximen Gong, you’ve brought quite the entourage to my Jiang Family. What is the meaning of this?"

Jiang Han’s brows furrowed deeply.

The man wouldn’t show up without a reason. The Ximen and Jiang Families were rivals, after all; they didn’t typically pay each other casual visits.

The other members of the Jiang Family also turned to look at the Ximen Family contingent.

Ximen Gong, however, swept his gaze across the Jiang Family’s main hall but didn’t see the person he was looking for.

His expression was incredibly grim.

Jiang Han asked, "Ximen Gong, if you have something to say, say it directly."

"Don’t play games with me. If there’s nothing, I’ll see you out."

This was him being rather polite. After all, no matter how they competed, their families were currently of similar strength. Neither side could overwhelm the other in a short amount of time.

It wouldn’t be wise to completely tear off all pretenses just yet.

"Hmph!"

Ximen Gong let out a heavy snort.

He demanded loudly, "Jiang Han, why isn’t your son here? Get him out here."

Unable to find Jiang Chen, Ximen Gong’s anger flared even hotter.

’He was afraid the Jiang Family already knew what had happened and had hidden Jiang Chen away.’

’If Jiang Chen didn’t appear, he, Ximen Gong, would be unable to avenge his son.’

This made Jiang Han frown even more deeply.

’This definitely has something to do with my son.’

’For Ximen Gong to arrive in such a rage, it must be something serious.’

He asked coldly, "What do you want with my son?"

"If you have an issue, you can talk to me."

If his son had caused trouble, he, Jiang Han, as Jiang Chen’s father, would naturally protect his own son.

That was why he didn’t want his son to show himself just yet.

He had someone bring a chair.

"Ximen Gong, if there’s an issue, we can discuss it slowly. Please, sit."

But Ximen Gong loudly refused.

"No need. I didn’t come to the Jiang Family today as a guest."

"You must bring your son out."

"Otherwise, I, Ximen Gong, swear I will not let this rest."

The members of the Ximen Family by his side all looked absolutely furious.

The members of the Jiang Family were extremely suspicious.

The man wouldn’t explain the cause, only demanding to see Jiang Chen.

Just then, someone stormed in, seething with anger.

It was Jiang Men.

The moment Jiang Men entered, he roared, "Ximen Gong, you still have the nerve to come to our Jiang Family!"

With that, he actually roared like a ferocious beast and charged toward Ximen Gong to attack.

Seeing this, the members of the Jiang Family were all dumbfounded, completely clueless as to what was going on.

Jiang Han hurriedly flew forward to block Jiang Men.

"Second Brother, what’s going on?"

Furious, Jiang Men pointed at Ximen Gong and said, "That old scoundrel’s son, Ximen Jianren, broke my son’s arm!"

What?

The members of the Jiang Family were instantly enraged.

So that had happened!

After a flurry of questions, they learned that Jiang Men’s son, Jiang Zuo, had had his arm broken by Ximen Gong’s son.

And now, to top it all off, the Ximen Family had the audacity to come knocking at their door.

Jiang Han’s expression instantly filled with killing intent.

He looked at Ximen Gong.

"Ximen Gong, you indulge your son in breaking the arm of one of our Jiang Clan Members, and then you have the gall to come here and stir up trouble? Do you think the Jiang Family is easy to bully?"

The other members of the Jiang Family glared daggers at him.

"You Ximens have gone too far! None of you are leaving the Jiang Family’s gates today!"

Ximen Gong was taken aback.

He genuinely didn’t know about this.

At that moment, a clansman stepped forward and explained what had happened, and only then did he understand.

But even so, Ximen Gong was still burning with rage.

He sneered.

"That’s right, my son broke one of Jiang Zuo’s arms. But I heard it was just an accidental injury during a spar."

Jiang Men was incensed.

"Ximen Gong, that’s nonsense! Your son did it on purpose!"

"And you’re trying to deny it."

Soon, Jiang Zuo appeared in the hall, his arm bandaged.

Jiang Zuo looked at Ximen Gong with great fury.

"Patriarch Ximen, your son broke my arm, and it was deliberate."

"And yet you’re still trying to argue otherwise."

Hearing this, Ximen Gong retorted.

"That’s absolute nonsense. My son was sparring with you, you were less skilled, and you fell and broke your own arm."

"Don’t you dare try to frame my son."

’How could he admit that his son was the one who crippled the other party?’

’Even if it were true, he couldn’t admit it.’

’If worse comes to worst, he could just compensate them for their loss.’

’He had already come up with a clever plan. As for Jiang Chen, he would not let him off the hook.’

Jiang Han could no longer be friendly.

"Ximen Gong, you must give us an explanation for my nephew’s broken arm."

"Otherwise, none of you from the Ximen Family will be leaving today."

Instantly, the Jiang Family members surrounded the people from the Ximen Family.

All of them looked menacing.

Ximen Gong was a bit frustrated. He hadn’t investigated the matter of his son’s injury in detail, and now this complication had arisen.

However, his reputation for being old and cunning was not for nothing.

He pondered for a moment.

Then he spoke, "Jiang Han, since your nephew fell and broke his own arm while sparring with my son, we, the Ximen Family, can offer you compensation."

"Name your price. How much?"

He wanted to settle the matter with Jiang Zuo first, and then pursue the matter with Jiang Chen.

Jiang Han’s face was cold.

He was very displeased. "Compensation? It’s not as simple as just compensation. You must have your son apologize to my nephew in front of everyone."

As the Patriarch of the Jiang Family, Jiang Han couldn’t resort to violence lightly.

Fighting would benefit no one.

Not only was the Bai Family watching, but so was the City Lord’s Mansion.

Therefore, it was best if it could be resolved peacefully.

But the Jiang Family would absolutely not suffer a loss.

This, however, made Ximen Gong even more furious.

"Jiang Han, my son’s four limbs are completely crippled! How is he supposed to apologize to your nephew?"

"Don’t you go too far!"

The members of the Jiang Family were stunned.

"Ximen Jianren’s four limbs are completely crippled?"

"Is that for real?"

Even Jiang Men was utterly astonished.

His son’s arm had been broken by Ximen Jianren, and he had been planning to go to the Ximen Family to demand accountability. He never expected them to show up at his door instead.

And they seemed even angrier than he was.

Just then, Jiang Zuo suddenly said to his father, "Father, that’s right. All of Ximen Jianren’s limbs have been broken. I’m afraid he’ll be crippled for life."

What?

The members of the Jiang Family were all greatly shocked.

All four limbs broken and crippled for life... that was truly tragic.

"What happened?"

The Jiang Family members looked at the ashen-faced people from the Ximen Family.

They all turned to ask Jiang Zuo.

Jiang Zuo, of course, knew clearly that it was Jiang Chen who had crippled Ximen Jianren’s four limbs.

It was considered revenge on his behalf.

Now that the Ximen Family had come looking, they were definitely here to cause trouble for Jiang Chen.

But it seemed the rest of the Jiang Family didn’t know the inside story.

Just as he was about to speak, Ximen Gong said angrily, "Alright, name your price for Jiang Zuo’s injury. The Ximen Family will compensate you. Any amount can be discussed."

He now wanted to get the matter of Jiang Zuo settled, and then deal with Jiang Chen.

Jiang Men looked at Jiang Han.

Jiang Han gave a slight, wry smile.

Since the other party’s son had all four limbs broken, his injuries were much more severe than Jiang Zuo’s.

He let Jiang Men make the decision himself.

Jiang Men spoke up. "Fine. In that case, your Ximen Family will compensate my son with ten thousand essence crystals, and we’ll consider this matter settled."

Ximen Gong waved his hand grandly.

"No problem."

"Here, give them the compensation."

Without another word, Ximen Gong immediately began to arrange the compensation.

Inside, however, he was extremely displeased. He had come here to get revenge for his son, and now he was out ten thousand essence crystals for nothing.