Chapter Twelve: Family Threats

At that moment, a wave of warmth spread from the bracelet, followed by the clear, melodious voice of the little spirit echoing in her mind: "Mighty master! But you must be careful. In the Ouyang family, apart from your second brother who still has some conscience, the others are far from easy to deal with—each one cunning, treacherous, and filled with ill intent. You must remain vigilant!"

Ouyang Xiaoyue gently nodded to show she understood. As she listened to the little spirit’s assessment of her family, she took light, graceful steps toward the main hall of the Ouyang residence.

Before even stepping through the gate, a solemn and austere atmosphere seeped through the cracks like an invisible pressure, quickly spreading and enveloping the area. Ouyang Xiaoyue’s brows furrowed slightly, and her steps faltered briefly.

Just then, a broad, strong hand reached out and firmly grasped her slender wrist, which had grown a little cold. A gentle, soothing voice whispered in her ear, "Don’t be afraid, little sister. Brother is here."

At those words, the tension in Ouyang Xiaoyue’s heart instantly eased. She turned to look at her elder brother beside her, smiled faintly, then took a deep breath and stepped forward into the hall.

Ouyang Xiaofeng held her delicate wrist tightly as he slowly pushed open the heavy door. With a creak, an old, musty scent wafted out.

Upon entering the hall, the scene before them caused both to pause slightly—inside the spacious hall, a crowded sea of people filled every seat, a dense mass of dark figures. A closer look revealed that most were men, with only a handful of women scattered among them. Aside from a few venerable elders who were secluded in meditation and thus absent, nearly the entire family had gathered here.

At the head of the hall, seated in the place of highest honor, was the formidable patriarch of the Ouyang family, Ouyang Tianxing.

He wore a brown dragon robe embroidered with exquisite golden patterns, resembling a mighty dragon coiling and clawing across his body. His eyebrows, sharp like swords, slanted into his temples, and his stern yet commanding expression forbade anyone from meeting his gaze directly. His innate authority radiated naturally, intimidating every person present.

In the center of the hall knelt a young maid dressed in plain clothes, her body trembling uncontrollably like a delicate flower battered by a violent storm, vulnerable to shattering at any moment.

As the crowd noticed Ouyang Xiaofeng and the young woman accompanying him entering, the previously noisy hall fell into sudden silence. Gazes around them turned into piercing arrows filled with undisguised contempt and disdain.

These eyes bore down heavily on the siblings, making it difficult for them to breathe and causing their steps to grow heavier.

But before anyone could utter a word, the guards standing on either side of the hall sprang into action.

Like phantoms, they swiftly surrounded Ouyang Xiaofeng, expertly and forcefully twisting his hands behind his back and pressing down on his shoulders to immobilize him completely.

This sudden upheaval plunged the entire scene into tense, suffocating stillness.

"What are you doing? Let me go!" Ouyang Xiaofeng roared hoarsely. He struggled desperately to free himself from the grip binding his arms, but no matter how hard he tried, it was useless, and the pain in his arms only intensified.

It was clear without a doubt that these men must be using spiritual energy to restrain him so effortlessly.

After all, with his current strength, he was almost powerless against those wielding spiritual power.

At that moment, the elderly man in a gray robe seated to the right of Ouyang Tianxing spoke: "Xiaofeng, today’s matter has nothing to do with you. You’d better stand aside obediently."

Though this elder’s hair and beard had turned snowy white, his eyes were sharp and vigorous, making it difficult to gauge his true age.

As soon as he finished speaking, he waved his hand lightly, signaling one of the men holding Ouyang Xiaofeng to act.

The man nodded and swiftly drew out a thick bundle of ropes from his waist, skillfully binding Ouyang Xiaofeng from head to toe, tying him so tightly that he had no room to move.

Furthermore, a strip of cloth was roughly stuffed into Ouyang Xiaofeng’s mouth, firmly sealing it shut.

"Mmmph..." Ouyang Xiaofeng could only make muffled sounds of protest.

Meanwhile, Ouyang Xiaoyue watched the entire scene with an expressionless, cold gaze, as if it were none of her concern.

Yet, when her eyes met Ouyang Xiaofeng’s, a fleeting shadow of subtle darkness flashed deep within her eyes.

Not long after, Ouyang Tianxing, seated in the place of honor, suddenly fixed a fierce gaze upon Ouyang Xiaoyue and shouted angrily, "Ouyang Xiaoyue, kneel down at once!"