Initially, he had contemplated leading a team himself to eliminate this seemingly stoic young woman.
However, a crucial realization hit him: she held the position of Crown Prince Consort of the Divine Province. It would be manageable as long as he remained in the dark, but once the truth came to light, it could spell dire consequences for him.
In such a scenario, the Family Head might use him as a scapegoat to protect the family clan.
As a result, he decided to steer clear of this complex situation and a.s.signed C-8 to lead a group of a dozen death warriors to encircle the stoic maiden.
Reflecting on it now, he felt fortunate that he had refrained from getting directly involved.
Who knew if he could have withstood the force of the young woman's powerful punch?
Though they couldn't witness the subsequent events, as the life lantern miniature couldn't capture them, the impact of the punch that struck C-8's cheekbone had already left them profoundly astonished and dismayed.
"Why has it come to this?" Qin Hong muttered to himself. Then, a spark of enlightenment flickered in his mind, and he exclaimed, "Heh, I never antic.i.p.ated that, after traversing countless paths and enduring many hards.h.i.+ps, I would fall for this young girl's deception."
"She is no ordinary Level 3 spiritual cultivator who appears frail."
"She certainly isn't!" Qin Hong exclaimed in frustration. "This cunning little rascal has deceived everyone thoroughly!"
Qin Cao pondered the matter carefully. Indeed, the force behind the punch the young lady had displayed in the life lantern miniature could dent the cheekbone of a Level-15 grand spiritual cultivator like C-8.
Evidently, her strength matched that of C-8.
"She's a Level-15 grand spiritual cultivator!" Qin Hong roared as he struck the wooden pillar beside him. "This brat has fooled me. She must possess some Dharma treasure capable of concealing her aura or a talisman to suppress her cultivation level."
Had he known that this formidable young woman was a Level-15 grand spiritual cultivator, he would never have dispatched only C-8, a fellow Level-15 grand spiritual cultivator, to confront her.
She pondered the fact that a Level 3 spiritual cultivator had deployed numerous sacrificial soldiers against her. They should have been more than capable of capturing her, yet they hadn't.
The more Qin Hong dwelled on the situation, the more infuriated he became. His fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles audibly cracked.
"d.a.m.n it!" he exclaimed in frustration.
After this encounter with the death warriors, the stoic maiden would undoubtedly become even more cautious. It might prove challenging to find another opportunity to intercept and eliminate her if she ventured alone in the future.
"Family Head." At that moment, Qin Cao cautiously interrupted him, bending down to offer him a jade messenger talisman.
"Yes, Young Master's message has arrived."
Qin Hong's expression remained icy. He accepted the jade messenger talisman and scrutinized it closely. Then, in a fit of anger, he hurled the talisman to the ground.
What was wrong with this stoic young woman? Even if she could fly, it was implausible that she could have journeyed from the capital to the Imperial Academy so swiftly.
Yet, Xin'er had indeed dispatched a messenger, inquiring about the situation.
It was evident that she was privy to all of his actions.
Furthermore, Xin'er cautioned him against taking further action and explicitly prohibited him from sending death warriors to deal with Qiao Mu.
It was not merely a caution; it was a warning. Even in her frustration, he could envision his typically composed son boiling with anger at the Imperial Academy!
To be frank, Qin Hong's emotions were in turmoil, and he was in a foul mood after delivering such a warning to his son.
Why had he gone to such lengths?
Wasn't it all in pursuit of vengeance for his destroyed avatar?
Why couldn't his son appreciate his actions and instead criticize him for acting unilaterally?
d.a.m.n it!
Qin Hong paced back and forth in the room.