High Martial Arts: Invincible Starts from Basic Archery Chapter 779 - 610 I Dare Not Say_2

"Yes, that is correct."

Song Youren gave a submissive nod.

"Speak, what is it?"

"I... I truly do not dare to utter it." Song Youren recoiled, pulling his neck back.

"Just say what you need to say. Why all this stalling?" Elder Qin remarked with clear irritation.

This person had used the same excuse to gain entry earlier.

Now, he was claiming he didn't dare to speak.

Did he take them for three-year-old children who were easily manipulated?

"Yes, of course."

Song Youren stole a glance at the assembled group and confessed: "He commanded me to inform you Elders that if it is vengeance you seek, you should target him directly rather than harming others. Should you ignore this, he promised to retaliate an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth."

"Preposterous!"

The moment the words were out, Xu Hu flew into a rage, his voice booming, "Is he actually threatening us?"

"It is a threat, plain and simple."

Elder Yan spoke in a measured tone: "He is warning us that if we touch anyone from the Jiangnan Martial Arts Association, he will strike back at our own kin."

A heavy silence suddenly descended upon the room.

Even the previously roaring Xu Hu grew noticeably quiet.

As the proverb goes, one can guard against a thief for a day, but not every day. To be hunted by someone with strength comparable to their family ancestors meant that no one—aside from the ancestors themselves—would be safe.

Furthermore, given that Chen Fan had slaughtered every person they sent without leaving a single survivor, he was clearly a man of his word.

"In my view, our priority must be locating that brat. We kill him first, and only then do we deal with the Jiangnan Martial Arts Association," Zhao Chunyuan suggested with a heavy sigh.

If they dared to move against the association members now, they would likely be the next to die.

"Agreed. Unless he is eliminated, we would be forced to retreat into our family secret realms to escape his shadow, which is simply unsustainable," Elder Yan added, sighing as well.

He had initially preferred to stay out of this mess.

However, as a member of the Elder Council, and with the Su family’s influence proving greater than anticipated, he had been left with no alternative but to participate.

"Are we truly going to submit to the threats of this brat?"

Xu Hu remained stubborn, unable to swallow his pride.

After all, the opposition to the Elder Council didn't stop at Chen Fan; Shi Tao and several others were involved.

They had been warned but had completely disregarded the Council's authority.

To Xu Hu, anyone who dared to mock the Elder Council deserved nothing less than death!

"Old Xu, compose yourself."

Elder Qin looked toward him, offering counsel. "The boy possesses the power to back up such a threat. We must endure now to ensure our ultimate victory. Once he is captured and executed, the others will be yours to deal with as you please."

"That is right."

Su Ming finally weighed in, "Let Shi Tao and his lot survive for a few more days. Our main objective is the death of that brat surnamed Chen."

Xu Hu could only nod in agreement, though he redirected his fury toward the kneeling Song Youren.

"Is there anything else? If not, get out of my sight!"

"No, nothing more."

Song Youren shook his head frantically, scrambled to his feet, and hurried toward the exit.

Just before reaching the door, he hesitated. Turning back, he summoned his remaining courage and said, "Elders, my Song family has endured devastating losses. I humbly request that the Elders provide us with some measure of protection."

"We shall see."

Su Ming gave a dismissive, perfunctory reply.

"Elder..."

Song Youren tried to press the issue.

"Hmm?"

Su Ming’s gaze turned icy.

Trembling, Song Youren swallowed the rest of his words.

He realized the Council had no intention of helping him.

Should another clan decide to prey upon the Song family, these Elders would likely stand by and watch.

Yet, there was nothing he could do.

With a heavy heart, he sighed, opened the door, and departed.

"His wishful thinking is quite something," Elder Qin scoffed. "For years, hasn't the Song family grown fat by devouring the assets of others? It is only natural that they are now the ones being circled by predators."

"It is a shame about that secret realm and those two Divine Demon-level martial arts," Zhao Chunyuan remarked regretfully. "I never imagined the brat would be so bold as to infiltrate them alone and seize the prize first, oh..."

A thought seemed to strike him, causing him to gasp.

"What has occurred to you?"

Elder Yan asked, his curiosity piqued.

Su Ming and the others also turned their attention toward him.

"I was considering this: if the boy had the nerve to raid the Song family for their secret realm and Divine Demon-level martial arts, wouldn't his next targets be the Liu and Bai families?"

The room grew cold as the realization hit the others.

"That is highly probable."

Su Ming’s eyes narrowed into slits.

It was evident to everyone that Chen Fan was hunting for Divine Demon-level martial arts.

Having already struck the Song family, the weaker Bai and Liu families were surely next on his list.

"If I recall correctly, the Bai family lacks such techniques, but the Liu family possesses one," Elder Qin noted.

In an instant, all eyes turned to Su Ming.

"Brother Su, we must dispatch those two to the Liu family immediately. We might just catch the brat red-handed!"

"Indeed! The Bai family is located in Baijiang City, just like the Song family. I suspect he is either there now or already traveling toward the Liu family in Sifang City!"

The group grew animated.

Tracking Chen Fan had seemed an impossible task before, but these clues made the path forward clear.

Following Su Ming’s plan, the combined force of two Quasi-S-Class Awakened would surely be enough to end the boy's life.

"Very well."

Su Ming acted without hesitation. "I will contact them to finalize the arrangements. The rest of you must notify the Bai and Liu families at once. If the boy is there, they must stall him. If he hasn't arrived, tell them to move their secret realm here immediately."

"Understood!"

Xu Hu and the others recognized the gravity of the situation.

In all these years, Chen was the first to have the audacity and the capability to threaten them.

This thorn in their side had to be pulled out at any cost!

Meanwhile.

Within the Liu family estate in Sifang City.

The family head and the inner circle were gathered in somber discussion. They had just learned of their patriarch’s passing and were debating their future.

Seeking vengeance was out of the question—they lacked the strength.

Furthermore, because their Liu Family Ancestor had fallen while performing a task for the Elder Council, they felt the Council owed them a significant debt of protection and compensation.

But their most pressing worry was their immediate survival.

The Liu family had only ever boasted one Celestial Realm Martial Artist—their late ancestor. With him gone, their power had plummeted, yet they still held a Divine Demon-level martial art!

While their ancestor lived, the technique was a blessing.

Now that he was dead, it was a target on their backs.

The debate over what to do with the manual grew intense.

Many argued that since it was a family heirloom, it should never be surrendered; if they couldn't keep it, it should be destroyed.

Others suggested concealing it or lying to the world, claiming the knowledge had died with the patriarch.

A few pragmatists pointed out that no one would believe such lies, arguing that handing it over to the Elder Council in exchange for safety was the only logical path.

As the argument reached its peak, a sudden voice cut through the hall: "Since you all find it to be such a burden, why not simply give it to me?"