The second elder could feel the suffocating feeling of oppression that he had not felt for a long time.
That was the oppressive feeling that only the overlord who had led them to expand their territory in the Independent Continent had, and it was the aura that belonged uniquely to the Ji family.
He suddenly fell silent: "Is there no other way?"
Qiao Nian glanced at him and said, "Yes."
The second elder subconsciously waited for her next words.
Sure enough, he saw the girl move her chin and motion him to look at the knife on the table.
"One finger."
"… "
"I want your old one."
The muscles on the Second Elder's face were tense and trembling, and there was a rage in his eyes that had not been seen in a long time and... a fear that he himself did not want to admit.
"What if I don't want to? You can't do anything about it."
He still wanted to struggle to his death.
Qiao Nian seemed to have expected him to say that. He raised his hand to press down the brim of his hat to cover his eyes, and replied nonchalantly: "You know I never follow the rules. You just said that I am not in the family tree, so I am not considered a member of your Ji family. So I am just a busybody today!"
"I am a busybody and I want to kill these elders of the Ji family here today. No one should blame me. After all... I have built the Bay Wharf. I am not afraid of being bitten by lice. Don't you agree, Second Elder?"
The second elder was completely dispirited now.
He was silent for a moment, then said knowingly, "I'll listen to Miss Qiao. You can deal with those people in the Third Hall however you want. I support you unconditionally."
He changed sides so quickly that even the elders who followed him didn't have time to react.
"Second Elder?"
The second elder was a well-known practical man with a tough personality. They thought that he would get angry when a young girl threatened them with such sweet words.
However, they did not expect that the reaction of the Second Elder was totally different from what they had expected.
I just can't afford to offend him.
The second elder ignored them, as if he didn't hear the people he brought with him calling him. He asked the girl tactfully, "Or do you need me to do anything else?"
Qiao Nian likes chatting with smart people, it's easy and convenient.
Today she had the intention to kill.
If they continue to refuse to cooperate, she doesn't mind making an example of them and letting He Lin pick out anyone and chop off his hands.
It's just that the other party is more aware of the current situation than she imagined.
She turned around and picked up the lighter that was thrown on the table. She rubbed her fingertips on the cold material of the lighter, raised the corners of her mouth, and looked at the second elder again.
"You should come forward and call all the remaining people over, and then you and my brother should come forward and 'deal' with those people from the Third Hall for everyone else to see."
"As for the Third Hall... I'll have someone take over. You're old, so don't touch it for the time being."
What she meant was that she wanted the Second Elder to cooperate with Ji Nan to establish his authority. At the same time, she also had to gather the power of the three southern halls and not allow the Second Elder's lineage to interfere.
This request is not excessive.
The second elder gritted his teeth and said, "I understand."
The other elders who came with him were obviously indignant and didn't understand why he agreed to such humiliating conditions.
Qiao Nian glanced at him, not knowing what she was thinking. Her eyes were lowered and she was playing with the lighter in her hand. The orchid flame popped out and then went out. She played with it for a few times, and as if she was bored, she put the lighter in her pocket.
Then he said to the Second Elder and others expressionlessly: "My patience is limited. If you are smart enough, don't play tricks on me."
"It's impossible for me to take down the Ji family in one go, but I can still take care of a few people."
(End of this chapter)