Urban Seduction: Housewives Club Chapter 2101 - 430: Widespread Debts of Infamy 3

With his status as a formidable expert in the Deification Realm, Zhang Jiazu possessed reflexes that vastly outpaced those of Zhang Jiancheng. He leaped back in an instant, successfully evading the aggressive kick while also spotting the identity of their attacker with perfect clarity.

"It’s you?!" Upon recognizing that sharp-eyed face with a beak-like nose, Zhang Jiazu surged with a mix of astonishment and fury.

The shock stemmed from how this individual had slipped past countless trackers to emerge directly in his path.

The fury arose from the audacity of this foe appearing before him and slaying Zhang Jiancheng in his very presence.

Even though Zhang Jiancheng lacked exceptional skills, he remained his direct descendant. How could Zhang Jiazu contain his wrath when his own grandson met his end so brazenly before him?

Consumed by anger, Zhang Jiazu parted his hands, employing his left to shield his body as he drove his right straight toward Wang Yue’s torso.

Wang Yue evaded the strike effortlessly and retaliated with a swift sword cut targeted at Zhang Jiazu’s throat.

Within the nine tiers of the Deification Realm, every single level signifies a profound leap in might. Only an anomaly like Wang Yue could overturn such disparities; otherwise, a mere one-level gap sealed any hope of turning the tide.

Positioned at the late stage of the first level in the Deification Realm, Zhang Jiazu trailed three full levels behind Wang Yue’s late fourth-level prowess. Besides, as a standard fighter, he stood no chance against superiors in rank.

Thus, should Wang Yue decide to end him, a single sword stroke would suffice.

Yet Wang Yue held back from that. He opted instead to clash blades with Zhang Jiazu, honing his sword techniques in the fray.

For one, he had recently mastered the Bad Luck Sword Skill and required a sparring partner to refine it.

For another, it mirrored his earlier choice to spare those two young Zhangs—to feign vulnerability against the foe.

Displaying overwhelming power by felling Zhang Jiazu instantly could prompt the Zhang clan to withdraw or devise alternative countermeasures.

Yet revealing just sufficient dominance to overpower Zhang Jiazu might draw the elder Zhang into the pursuit.

Therefore, following over thirty exchanges with Zhang Jiazu, Wang Yue seized a momentary flaw and unleashed a devastating assault, severing Zhang Jiazu’s head in one decisive cut.

Subsequently, the monitoring equipment across the surrounding miles malfunctioned once more. After claiming the spatial rings from the two Zhangs, he vanished in the same elusive manner as previously.

Over on the Zhang faction’s end, fresh reports of success from the third patriarch arrived, only to be overshadowed by the shocking announcement of both the third patriarch and Zhang Jiancheng’s demise.

Accompanying this grim update were recordings from the nearby cameras capturing the intense duel between Zhang Jiazu and the mysterious youth.

Consequently, the Zhang family’s key figures convened urgently yet again. On this occasion, not Zhang Jianyuan but the venerable Zhang patriarch took the central position, joining the critical assembly.

Having reviewed the combat recordings, the elder Zhang patriarch mulled it over briefly before declaring, "I should be able to handle this person."

His use of "should" rather than absolute certainty arose from the enigmatic nature of this adversary. Initially sparing the two junior Zhangs suggested some reluctance to fully engage the family, yet he abruptly executed Zhang Jiazu and Zhang Jiancheng.

While dispatching Zhang Jiazu demanded effort, one couldn’t rule out it being yet another ploy to mask true capabilities.

Still, presuming mere posturing from this and rashly advancing would paint the Zhangs as cowardly. Hence, the clan now teetered in a bind, unable to progress or retreat decisively.

"Are we overthinking things?" questioned a bolder branch head. "If this guy truly could eradicate our Zhang family, he’d have struck outright. No point in all this shadowy maneuvering."

"Yes, he may be using a tactic of feigning weakness to make us hesitate and not dare to fight him with all our might," another voice chimed in right away.

"I’m afraid it’s not that simple," Zhang Jianyuan replied, shaking his head. "It seems like he’s also concerned about the Warrior Alliance. After all, fighting each other outside and attacking directly are completely different situations. It’s also possible that he wants to use this strategy to lure us out and defeat us one by one."

"What should we do then?" The group fell into bewilderment. With countless scenarios in play, which path to take?

In that instant, all eyes shifted to the Zhang family patriarch occupying the head seat.

"Let’s hold our ground and wait to see how effective the Warrior Alliance’s search efforts are," the Zhang family patriarch resolved with steadfast conviction.

Currently, the Zhang family confronts two scenarios and matching approaches, yielding four potential results:

1. The Zhang family takes the initiative to attack, but the opponent deliberately shows weakness. Even the patriarch isn’t a match for them. Outcome: The Zhang family is destroyed.

2. The Zhang family takes the initiative to attack, and the opponent is just bluffing. The Zhang family captures, kills them, or forces them to hide forever. Outcome: The Zhang family saves face.

3. The Zhang family stays back and doesn’t act. The opponent was pretending to be weak, but eventually gave up because they couldn’t wait for the right opportunity. Outcome: The Zhang family survives but loses face.

4. The Zhang family stays back and doesn’t act. The opponent is just bluffing, and as a result, the Zhang family misses the chance to avenge themselves and regain their dignity. Outcome: The Zhang family is laughed at.

Of these four results, one spells utter ruin, one promises triumph, and two offer middling results.

Both the grandest victory and the direst failure hinge on launching an offensive, essentially surrendering control to the enemy. It’s akin to wagering the whole Zhang lineage on a single throw. Defeat brings catastrophe, and even success yields scant rewards.

The risks far eclipse any prospective advantages.

Remaining defensive guarantees some loss of prestige, yet in a world ruled by power, reputation pales beside survival.

Thus, the Zhang family patriarch opted resolutely to bide their time without further moves.