I Have Infinite Attributes

Chapter 25

C25 – Destroy the Zheng Family!

Zhou Kaile gritted his teeth in fury, exclaiming, “I once believed Zheng Huai and Zheng Xunqin of the Zheng family were merely vain, but they’re nothing short of monsters! To think they would stoop so low as to harm my son!”

Zhou Chulang and the others were similarly incensed.

Over recent days, it had become clear to them that Zhou Jibo was the true linchpin of the Zhou family’s stability and unity, as well as the beacon of hope for their future prosperity. His exceptional abilities commanded the respect of every Zhou family peer.

And yet, the Zheng family sought to ruin him just to ingratiate themselves with the Shrine of Astral Radiance?

Their malice was beyond measure!

The perpetrator was none other than Zhou Jibo’s betrothed, Zheng Xunqin. Their malevolence was nothing short of sinful.

Zhou Jibo had survived that perilous encounter, which might very well have been the catalyst for his burgeoning strength. They knew better than to pry further into the matter.

Zhou Chulang spoke plainly, “The Zheng family’s scheme has clearly backfired. It seems to be unrelated to the Shrine of Astral Radiance now. Given this, the Zhou family can focus on thriving in peace for the next few decades. Or perhaps once Zhou Jibo reaches the Innate Stage, we can eliminate the Zheng family’s able-bodied men and expel the weak from Icefair City!”

“Isn’t that excessively harsh?” the Fourth Elder interjected softly.

“For their actions, they must face the consequences!” Zhou Shuang retorted, “Besides, the Shrine of Astral Radiance isn’t backing them. We have nothing to fear.”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Jibo shook his head slightly, “You’re all mistaken. The Shrine of Astral Radiance has already consented to make the Zheng family a subordinate race.”

The revelation left the Zhou family members stunned, all eyes turning to Zhou Jibo.

After a heavy silence, Zhou Chulang finally spoke, “If that’s the case, how can we ensure the Zheng family doesn’t hold this against us?”

Despite the Zheng family’s contemptible actions, the Zhou family’s survival was at stake, compelling them to swallow their pride.

Zhou Kaile was overwhelmed with the urge to unleash a roar of anger, yet he knew it would be futile.

The Third Elder couldn’t contain his rage, “The Zheng family and the Shrine of Astral Radiance have gone too far.”

“Zhenbo!” Zhou Chulang closed his eyes, a pained expression crossing his face. “In this world, the strong are revered, and the weak are scorned. Haven’t you realized that after all these years?”

The Third Elder heaved a deep sigh and fell silent.

They had once brimmed with hope and joy for Zhou Jibo, but now they were consumed by an equal measure of pain and loss. In an instant, the Zhou family’s dreams of ascension had vanished. With the Shrine of Astral Radiance coveting Zhou Jibo’s bone root, it seemed inevitable that he wouldn’t escape their grasp.

Despite knowing the Zheng family’s malice, they might still find themselves pleading for their mercy. It was a bitter pill to swallow.

In the midst of this, Zhou Jibo offered a reassuring smile and turned to Zhou Leng. “What’s on your mind?”

Zhou Leng, kneeling on the ground, shook his head. “I’m not sure. I just want to return to my mother’s side. My only wish is for the Zhou family to weather this storm.”

Seeing the honesty in Zhou Leng’s eyes, Zhou Jibo nodded. “Go back. The Zhou family will be alright. Keep today’s events to yourself.”

“Yes, Young Master Zhou.” Zhou Leng rose and departed in silence.

Zhou Kaile, fraught with urgency, blurted out, “How can you be concerned with him at a time like this? Are we truly powerless against the Zheng family and the Shrine of Astral Radiance?”

Zhou Jibo remained composed. “Not at all.”

A solution still existed?

Zhou Kaile was taken aback, while Zhou Tong and the younger generation brightened with hope. However, Zhou Chulang, the Third Elder, and the rest harbored skepticism. What could possibly be done now, facing the might of the Shrine of Astral Radiance, a force capable of annihilating an entire city?

Zhou Jibo clarified, “There’s no need for such fear of the Shrine of Astral Radiance. The Zheng family is merely the most expendable among their vassal houses. They’re cornered, having relied solely on the sale of my bone root to forge a tie with the Shrine. It will be over two months before an envoy arrives to escort Zheng Xunqin there.”

“That’s the sole link between the Zheng family and the Shrine. Given how insignificant and feeble the Zhengs are, is the Shrine of Astral Radiance truly going to concern itself with pursuing this matter?”

Upon hearing his words, the tension in the room eased somewhat.

If things were as Zhou Jibo described, they wouldn’t be nearly as frightening.

Yet Zhou Chulang was still shaken, “But we’re talking about the Shrine of Astral Radiance!”

Zhou Jibo offered a reassuring smile, “Relax, I’ve got this. If they truly won’t back down, then my bone root is what they’ll be after.”

Zhou Chulang froze, instinctively shaking his head.

How could they possibly surrender Zhou Jibo’s bone root?

His expression soured with the thought. If it came to that, they’d be out of options. He prayed it would never come to that.

“For the moment, let’s set aside the threat from the Shrine of Astral Radiance.”

Zhou Jibo pressed on, “Let’s focus on the dynamics within Icefair City, between the Zhou and Zheng families. How many in Icefair can withstand my swordsmanship?”

Zhou Chulang replied with conviction, “I can’t speak for the Yu family patriarch or the Icefair city lord, both Innate Stage masters. But apart from them, no one can match my sword.”

“That’s reassuring,” Zhou Jibo said. “Is there any chance of reconciling the feud between the Zhou and Zheng families?”

“None,” Zhou Chulang declared. “The Zhengs are underhanded and cruel. Even if the Zhous were to bite their tongues and endure, those vile people wouldn’t introspect. They’d only harbor deeper resentment towards the Zhous for killing Zheng Kang, cutting off their access to cultivation resources in Icefair.”

Zhou Jibo nodded, “Exactly. We can’t afford to be lenient or hopeful. We mustn’t delude ourselves into thinking they’ll stand down and see the error of their ways.”

At this, Zhou Chulang looked horrified. “You intend to wipe out the Zhou family?”

“Yes,” Zhou Jibo confirmed gravely.

“But they’ve been acknowledged by the Shrine of Astral Radiance!” Zhou Chulang protested.

“Does the Shrine of Astral Radiance really know Icefair City that well? Do they care so much about the Zhengs?” Zhou Jibo asked with a hint of a smile. “Facing the Zhengs’ threat either way, keeping them around would only allow them to leverage the Shrine’s influence against the Zhou family.”

“Let’s take the offensive and wipe them out before they can act,” I suggested decisively.

“But…” Zhou Chulang, Zhou Shuang, and Zhou Shu were visibly uneasy.

Zhou Jibo spoke with authority, “You will follow my lead. Should we face any troubles ahead, I’ll handle them. Don’t wait until we’re in deep crisis and it’s too late for regrets.”

“Who’s ready to obey my command and join me in taking down the Zheng family?”

No sooner had Zhou Jibo’s words faded than Zhou Kaile spoke up, “I’ll follow your lead, of course. The Zheng family has targeted my son; I can’t let that slide.”

“Jibo, count me in too!” Zhou Youqing called out eagerly.

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