Chapter 293: Paying with a Life

"Exactly. You just said that none of the Qu Family's shops were robbed by your Zhang Family. It was only after our Family Head discovered it was Zhang Wan's doing that you admitted it, and now you want to go back on your word? You really are regressing as you age."

"You old fool! In all of Chenyang City, only your Zhang Family has the capability to do this. If it wasn't your Zhang Family, then who else could it be?"

"…"

Upon hearing that the Zhang Family had robbed the Ziyun Auction House, the Qu Family Martial Artists were already furious. Now, hearing the Zhang Family Head deny robbing the other Qu Family shops, they immediately began to curse loudly.

Hearing the curses from the Qu Family Martial Artists, the Zhang Family Martial Artists unsheathed their blades, staring fixedly at the Qu Family Martial Artists.

Being cursed by enemies at their own doorstep naturally incited indignation among these Zhang Family Martial Artists. They had spent years immersed in slaughter, and many of them feared nothing, not even death.

For a Martial Artist, honor is more important than anything else. Cursing their Family Head like this was even harder for them to accept than being cursed themselves.

Seeing the Zhang Family Martial Artists draw their blades, the Qu Family Martial Artists did not hesitate to take out their Weapons and prepare for an attack.

For a moment, the Zhang Family and the Qu Family stood in a standoff.

"Put down your blades," the Zhang Family Head shouted loudly.

The Qu Family Head also waved his hand, signaling his men to put down their Weapons.

"Those shops really weren't robbed by your Zhang Family!" the Qu Family Head stared at the Zhang Family Head.

"It… wasn't." Although the Zhang Family Head answered quite firmly this time, having just admitted to the previous matter, his tone inevitably lacked conviction.

The Qu Family Head nodded and did not dwell on this issue. Instead, he asked, "Then how does your Zhang Family intend to compensate for the losses at the Qu Family's Ziyun Auction House? I need to give an explanation to the Qu Family members who were lost!"

"What do you suggest as compensation?" the Zhang Family Head asked, feeling troubled. He did not know how to compensate for the Qu Family's losses.

Money could be counted and compensated for, but how could one compensate for honor and the lives of Martial Artists?

The Qu Family Head said, "Rob money, pay back money; kill someone, pay with a life! Compensate double for the stolen treasure, and in addition, leave Zhang Wan's life."

The Qu Family Head's demand could be said to be very reasonable. Zhang Wan had killed Qu Family Martial Artists; trading one life for multiple lives was already a profitable deal, and furthermore, it was in accordance with Jianghu rules.

"No!" two voices said simultaneously and decisively.

These two were the Zhang Family Head and Zhang Wan's father, Zhang Qu.

The Zhang Family Head had only fathered one son, who was Zhang Qu, and Zhang Qu had only fathered one son, Zhang Wan.

Zhang Wan could be said to be the sole heir of the family line; how could he just die like this!

"Why not? Is Zhang Wan of your Zhang Family a person, but my Qu Family's Martial Artists are not?" Qu Shengtao said loudly.

At the same time, the Qu Family Martial Artists also shouted in support.

"Change your terms. You know the situation of my Zhang Family. Absolutely nothing can happen to Zhang Wan. He is the sole heir to my Zhang Family's lineage. If he dies, won't my Zhang Family line end?"

The Zhang Family Head looked at the Qu Family Head and said in a deep voice.

"Then tell me, how should you compensate!" the Qu Family Head said.

He naturally knew that Zhang Wan could not possibly die. He was only raising the stakes now, and also testing the Zhang Family Head.

"This…" The Zhang Family Head was very troubled; he did not know what kind of compensation would be appropriate.

The Qu Family had lost Martial Artists. By rights, his Zhang Family should pay with lives, but could lives truly be compensated?

If he were to drag a few Martial Artists out now and say it was compensation for the Qu Family, he reckoned the entire Zhang Family's Martial Artists would rebel.