I Can See Your Combat Power - Chapter 366: Tea Tasting

Xiao Zheng found it foolish that they were dragging the family into peril and even initiating a bloodline sharing system when there were clearly better methods. He could not believe that the Elder Council would pass such a

resolution.

However, the world is always full of surprises.

“Why make it so complicated?” Xiao Jinlin said, his tiger-like eyes filled with amusement. “Would the elders please come forth?”

Xiao Zheng was taken aback. He looked towards the screen at the back of the hall, where the six great elders of the Xiao family were filing out, their faces serious.

“Honored elders, do you agree?” Xiao Jinlin stood up and asked them respectfully.

The elders of the Xiao family exchanged glances. The Great Elder spoke solemnly, “We shall follow the head’s decision.”

The rest of the elders nodded in agreement. After securing the support of all the elders, Xiao Jinlin turned to Xiao Zheng and asked, “Do you have any objections now?”

Xiao Zheng, who was taken aback, looked at the six elders. He never anticipated that all six of them, the best of the Xiao family, would side with Xiao Jinlin.

But at this point, if he still considered himself a member of the Xiao family, he could not defy the decision supported by the Elder Council. The thought of the heavy responsibility of the bloodline sharing system weighing on his shoulders gave Xiao Zheng a tight feeling in his chest and he coughed up blood. Through gritted teeth, he muttered, “No… objections!”

At that moment, the door of the hall suddenly opened, and in came Xiao Qi who had been standing guard. He reported urgently to the higher-ups, “Greetings head, greetings elders, there is an urgent matter.

“What is it?” Xiao Jinlin asked, his brows furrowed. He knew his second son well and was certain that the boy wouldn’t have interrupted an ongoing meeting unless it was an emergency. However, he could not understand what could possibly be more urgent than the initiation of their bloodline-sharing meeting, causing Xiao Qi to report at this moment.

Not just Xiao Jinlin, all six elders were also focused on Xiao Qi, puzzled. As all eyes were on him, Xiao Qi inhaled deeply, organized his thoughts, and, reported, “The secret passage connecting the inner city of Xiling to our clan s temple was unexpectedly opened. It was Tang Zhi, the leader of the Tang Clan, who asked to see the family head. He insisted that his message was more important than anything else and demanded that I report it to you immediately. He is waiting at the side hall of the temple right now. How should

we…”

He wanted to say ‘handle’ but realizing the identity of Tang Zhi, he simply couldn’t finish his sentence.

As the leader of the most powerful Clan in Xiling, Tang Zhi had come alone through the secret passageway to the Xiao Clan’s temple. Despite being younger and ranking lower as a peak-level martial practitioner, Tang Zhi projected an immense pressure on Xiao Qi, so much so that he immediately carried out his orders without any hesitation.

After hearing Xiao Qi’s report, Jinlin’s tiger-like eyes burst with a divine light, “He’s in the side hall right now?”

He felt that he had underestimated Tang Zhi. He previously thought it would be highly remarkable if Tang Zhi could convince the members of the Tang Clan within a month. But it hadn’t been long, and it seemed Tang Zhi not only completed this task but also came alone to the Xiao Clan’s temple. Did he not realize that he would face dire consequences with a simple shift in the Xiao Clan’s attitude? In terms of sincerity, nothing could surpass Tang Zhi’s current gesture.

“Take me to him.” Xiao Jinlin told Xiao Qi while standing, he then turned to the elders and said, “Honored elders, you may wait in the side hall. Before I return, do not initiate the bloodline sharing process.

The Xiao Clan’s temple, the side hall’s quiet room

This was where Xiao Jinlin usually relaxed with a cup of tea. Hence there were no formal tables and chairs for guests. The small room had only a tea table and

two cushion seats.

The four walls were bare except for the mural of a tiger hung on the wall facing the tea table. The tiger, white foreheads and glinting eyes, was hanging from a cliff ready to pounce on its prey. All its killing intent was concealed but palpable. It was a truly masterful piece.

Where the host should be sitting, sat instead the leader of the Tang Clan. Being a tea enthusiast himself, Tang Zhi, upon seeing the exquisite tea set, started brewing his own tea.

He heated the pot, put the tea, warmed the cups, poured the water from a height, steeped the tea, divided it into cups and appreciated the aroma of the

tea.

As he prepared to take a sip from his own cup, he heard someone at the door and invited, “Head of Xiao Clan, please come in and have some tea.”

“I’ll take you up on that.” Ahoarse voice resonated, after which Xiao Jinlin, like a guest, softly pushed the door open, stepped inside, and closed it.

He walked to the seat designated for guests, sat down, picked up the cup of tea in front of him, first to assess its color, enjoy the aroma, and then to taste it slowly.

The quiet room was filled with the sound of two men sipping their tea. After he finished his cup, the lingering taste of tea on his lips, Xiao Jinlin sighed, “This tea is actually made by my own hands, but it seems I never managed to brew it as well as you. You are truly a master.

“You are the real master, head of Xiao Clan. Despite the unfavorable conditions for tea cultivation in Xiling, you still managed to grow such wonderful tea. Without such good tea leaves, even the most precious utensils and the most exquisite tea art cannot create a good cup of tea.” Tang Zhi said while laughing. Xiao Jinlin looked at the man before him and sighed, “The leader of the Tang Clan didn’t come all this way just to have tea with me, did he?”

“The reason for my coming should be clear to the head of the Xiao Clan. Tang Zhi had a smile on his face. As a child, Xiao Jinlin was already the head of the Xiao Clan, and his popularity in Xiling was extraordinary. There were stories everywhere that if Xiao Jinlin were the leader of the Tang Clan or the Mi Clan, he would have dominated Xiling long ago.

Back then he had thought that if he could one day become a clan leader, and be recognized as such by the people of Xiling, then he would die without regrets! Who knew that twenty years later, he would be sitting across from the man he had admired in his childhood, drinking tea. It was such an interesting turn of events.

Picking up the teapot, Tang Zhi poured Xiao Jinlin another cup, “This second brew is better than the first. Please have some, leader of Xiao Clan.”

After another round of appreciating and tasting, Xiao Jinlin left his cup aside and said, “Leader of Tang Clan, we are aware of the purpose of your visit, but how can a hyena be sure that after helping a lion kill a cheetah, it won’t be the next meal?”

“Hyena? The head of Xiao Clan is being overly modest.” Tang Zhi chuckled as he took out a scroll from his chest and handed it over to Xiao Jinlin, “Please have a look.”

Xiao Jinlin unfolded the scroll and was met with dense, tiny print. His tiger-like eyes grew increasingly focused and his killing intent more intense.

Closing the scroll, the old man’s gaze locked onto Tang Zhi and radiated menace as he asked, “What does the head of Tang Clan intend?”

“Head of Xiao Clan,” Tang Zhi put down his tea cup and said seriously, “In recent years, the Tang Clan’s Wind Media Department has only handled a few tasks. One of them is to thoroughly investigate the Xiao Clan’s overt and covert schemes as well as their blood lineage. The scroll has the list and a more detailed directory is also available.”

“I don’t know whatyou will accept as a demonstration of sincerity but if the Xiao Clan is willing to collaborate with me and the Tang Clan, I will order the Wind Media Department to destroy this list.”