High Martial Arts: Invincible Starts from Basic Archery Chapter 791 - 616: All for the Elder Council_2

"Brother Zhao makes a good point."

Elder Yan chimed in agreement, "At present, these two lack the power, which is why they stick to attacking minor clans. I’m certain that once they build up enough might, they won’t settle for the Liu Family or the Song Family—they’ll set their sights on us, the Five Great Families."

Xu Hu and Elder Qin, standing nearby, grew quiet as they absorbed these words.

Truth be told, their minds echoed the very same worries.

After all, anyone with a shred of sense would recognize those two names as signs of pure chaos. This round, they’d struck so boldly in the open.

Without swift measures to stop them, letting them run wild would only make them bolder. It’s wiser to crush dangers like this before they spread.

Take, for example, if they clashed with Chen Fan and took him down, the elders could step in and finish those two off on the spot.

Such a move would serve their clans well, keeping the equilibrium among the Five Great Families intact.

"Gentlemen, isn’t this all just your guesswork?"

Su Ming spoke calmly, "Sure, those two carry bad names, but under the Su Family’s guidance, they’ve mended their ways long ago. Meanwhile, you’ve likely heard about Chen Fan cultivating that wicked Star Absorption Technique, haven’t you? So, it wouldn’t be hard for him to pick up yet another skill that saps someone’s inner energy and blood, right?"

The four shared looks among themselves.

Clearly, Su Ming planned to shield those two.

After all, his logic held firm and left no room for easy rebuttal.

Seizing the opening, Su Ming continued, "Don’t worry, gentlemen—no matter how capable those two might be, in front of the Su Family, they’ll have to bow down without question. If not, a single whim from our family’s ancestor could wipe them out body and soul. Even if resentment brews inside them, they won’t manage to cause real chaos."

"You’re right, Brother Su, but risks always linger."

Zhao Chunyuan let out a sigh, "If it turns out to be their handiwork, that’s disastrous. They’re growing cocky because we depend on them and figure we won’t strike back. Who knows what bolder acts they’ll pull off next."

Deep down, he nursed even graver fears he couldn’t utter aloud.

Namely, as their abilities swelled, would the Su Family’s ancestor still find it simple to end them?

After all, ascending to Quasi-S-Class Awakened status demands sharp wits and raw power, so types like that aren’t simple to rein in. They’d seek escapes, and once they did, the Su Family would top their hit list.

The Su Family’s downfall would drag their own clans into the mess too.

Sure, in an open fight, those two couldn’t stand against the Five Great Families. But they’re no idiots—why choose a head-on clash? A ambush today, another tomorrow; no matter the Five Great Families’ dominance, they’d get played like fools, maybe even too scared to step outside over assassination threats.

Yet he held his tongue, aware it would irk Su Ming.

"Younger Brother Zhao, don’t you believe in me?"

Su Ming, a touch irritated, noted, "I’ve already explained that the deaths in those clans can’t be their work. It has to be that Chen boy, lashing out after snatching their cultivation techniques. Drop it now—no more talk on this.

For the folks waiting outside, head out and calm them down. Assure them that by tomorrow at the latest, our Elder Council will nab that kid and deliver a proper resolution to all. As for those two, I’ll push them to move fast."

"Got it."

The rest nodded in response.

Even if doubts lingered for some, Su Ming’s stern look made them swallow their words wisely.

With the link severed, the meeting chamber plunged into hush.

"Fine, everyone, let’s move past this." Xu Hu broke in with a grin, "If Brother Su says it’s not on them, then it isn’t."

"That’s not our real concern," Zhao Chunyuan shook his head, "We fear that someday, those two could turn into another Chen Fan."

"Exactly," Elder Yan breathed a heavy sigh, "Should that nightmare come true, they’d prove tougher to handle than Chen Fan, given their ruthless nature."

Xu Hu’s eyes flickered at the remark, but he chuckled, "Easy now, easy—Brother Su assures us it’s all in hand. If those two decide to stir real trouble, I’m sure Brother Su can squash them without effort."

"Here’s hoping."

Zhao Chunyuan fell quiet after that.

Once the connection ended, Su Ming’s features twisted into a scowl, and he punched in Gong Bo’s contact.

At that moment, Gong Bo and Yu Jianqiao had just wiped out a lesser clan and were counting their spoils.

Nothing beat grabbing loot for quick gains, after all.

The phone vibrated; Gong Bo pulled it free and smirked at the screen.

"A ring from that old fool?"

Yu Jianqiao queried, not bothering to glance over.

"Who but him? He must’ve caught wind of us taking down those clan folks and wants to grill us."

"Let him grill away." Yu Jianqiao shrugged indifferently.

After pulling off their deed, he’d braced himself for fallout.

Plus, the other side relied on them, so no harsh repercussions would follow.

"Hmm."

A grin spread over Gong Bo’s lips as he picked up.

Right away, an enraged shout exploded through.

"You’ve got guts! Acting against the Song Family and the rest without my say-so—are you courting death?"

Su Ming’s anger boiled over for real.

The assurances he’d given Zhao Chunyuan and the group were all calculated; he knew full well it was Gong Bo and his partner at work.

But confessing that was impossible.

For one, if word got out that the Su Family had groomed these two, their standing would take a massive hit.

For another, he aimed to thrust them forward as heirs to the Thunder Emperor and War Emperor.

"Elder Su, what’s this about? I’m lost." Gong Bo shot back evenly.

"Quit the act. Swear on your life that none of what happened in those clans ties to you. Choose your words with care—I warn you."

A veiled menace laced Su Ming’s voice.

True, as the Su Family’s ancestor, he held their fates in his grasp and could end them whenever. But he couldn’t micromanage every move, so he’d handed over a certain tool. It wouldn’t slay them outright, but it kept them leashed.

Gong Bo’s face tightened a bit.

"Elder Su, calm down—no need to get worked up."

Yu Jianqiao’s casual tone cut in, "We pulled this off for the good of the Elder Council."

"What?"

Su Ming nearly laughed at the absurdity.

"You claim all those murders were for my benefit?"

Gong Bo stared at him in shock too.

The man had obviously drained those victims’ energy to boost himself, but now it was framed as aid to the Elder Council?

A lie that bold—Su Ming wouldn’t swallow it.

"That’s correct, Elder Su—you heard me right. We acted for you and the Elder Council you represent."