Chapter 125: Liu Qingxue Accepts the Challenge!

The young man was a master of internal energy. In an instant, his cultivation was fully revealed, and he directed his aggression squarely at Liu Qingxue.

"Patriarch Song, what is the meaning of this?"

"We are all part of the Jiangnan region. Instead of standing united against outsiders, why are you attacking your own kind?"

Liu Qingxue frowned. Rather than immediately responding to the Song family's challenge, she shifted her gaze toward the head of the Song family and demanded an answer.

"Liu Qingxue, I only want to ask you one thing: how exactly did my son die?"

Song Guodong, a middle-aged man with a grim expression, retorted coldly.

"I don't know what you are talking about!"

Liu Qingxue’s expression shifted instantly upon hearing this. She had long guessed the cause of Song Tao’s death, knowing it was Chu Tian who had killed him. Back then, when the Situ family had sent people to raid Cloud River Villa, Chu Tian had mistakenly believed the attack was orchestrated by Song Tao. Furthermore, because Song Tao had attempted to forcibly obtain explicit photos of her and had openly disrupted the IPO auction for the Qingxue Group, Chu Tian had chosen not to spare his life, executing him on the spot.

In the aftermath, not even a trace of Song Tao’s body remained, as if he had evaporated into thin air. Even after Song Guodong spent a fortune on investigations, he never discovered his son's whereabouts. Clearly, Song Tao was dead, and Song Guodong had been forced to accept the tragic reality. Consumed by grief, he swore to find the murderer. At the time, the only logical suspect was the CEO of the Qingxue Group, Liu Qingxue.

Song Guodong could not fathom how Liu Qingxue had managed to destroy his son's body without a trace. It wasn't until the Situ family approached him and revealed the extent of Chu Tian’s power that he shifted his suspicions toward Chu Tian. However, Chu Tian's strength far exceeded anything Song Guodong could handle; on his own, he stood no chance of revenge. Had it not been for the backing of the Situ family, Song Guodong would never have dared to challenge Liu Qingxue in public today.

"Liu Qingxue, you know full well what you have done!"

"My son's death must have something to do with you!" Song Guodong shouted, his eyes fixed intensely on her.

"And what do you want to do about it?" Liu Qingxue’s face darkened; she realized the Song family had finally set their sights on her.

"I know you have Chu Tian backing you, but today, I will have my revenge for my son!" Song Guodong enunciated each word, his voice laced with murderous intent.

"Since you know that the Qingxue Group is under Chu Tian's protection, you still dare to challenge us?" Liu Qingxue retorted, her expression icy and unyielding.

Song Guodong paused for a moment before erupting into a frantic, cold laugh. "Hahaha! Are you still trying to use Chu Tian to scare me? Chu Tian is already dead!"

Song Guodong laughed wildly, a sense of gratification washing over him as if his vengeance were already complete. He knew Chu Tian was the true killer of Song Tao; with Chu Tian now dead at the hands of Situ Deng and his body buried beneath the underground palace, Song Tao’s debt could finally be settled.

The crowd erupted in an uproar upon hearing Song Guodong’s words, particularly the various heads of families led by Li Jiahang. Having previously submitted to Chu Tian, they were naturally shocked by the news of his death. If Chu Tian were truly dead, what would become of them? One by one, they cast their eyes toward Liu Qingxue and Wei Yuansheng, searching their faces for a shred of truth.

However, Liu Qingxue and her companions had long been informed of the situation. They knew Chu Tian was alive and simply choosing not to appear, so they remained completely calm.

"Who said Chu Tian is dead?" Liu Qingxue stood up immediately, glaring at Song Guodong. She would not allow anyone to curse Chu Tian, though her display of anger appeared to some as a sign of being rattled.

The crowd began to whisper—could it be that Chu Tian had truly fallen? If not, why had he not yet appeared?

Meanwhile, the members of the Situ family present wore faint smiles. Although Situ Deng was not in attendance, he had sent word of Chu Tian’s demise. Chu Tian had previously killed Situ Feng, a great humiliation for the Situ family. Now that he was dead, killed by Situ Deng himself, the family could finally wash away their shame.

At that moment, Long Jianfei frowned slightly. He knew perfectly well that Chu Tian was alive. If he were to explain, the crowd would surely believe him. But he had no reason to speak for Chu Tian. Furthermore, only by staying in the shadows could Chu Tian lure Situ Deng out; if Situ Deng were to hide or disappear forever, the Long family would find it nearly impossible to locate him.

With that thought, Long Jianfei turned his head and swept his gaze over the Situ family members. His eyes lingered on Situ Wudi for a moment before he looked away, acting as if nothing were amiss.

"If Chu Tian isn't dead, then make him show his face. If he doesn't come out, there are only two reasons: either he’s dead, or he’s a coward hiding in a shell!" Song Guodong was convinced of Chu Tian’s death and had become fearless.

"To deal with you, we don't need Xiao Tian to step in. I can handle you myself." Liu Qingxue’s expression hardened as she stood up.

"Sister Qingxue!" Wei Qingqiu exclaimed, a flash of worry crossing her face. Chu Tian was clearly inside the venue, yet he refused to come out and help. What would happen if something went wrong for Liu Qingxue?

"Don't worry, I'll be fine." Liu Qingxue turned to look at Wei Qingqiu, offering a faint, knowing smile. "Since Xiao Tian isn't here, and someone wants to cause trouble, it is only natural that I, his senior sister, should take the field."

The next moment, Liu Qingxue left the long table and walked toward the arena. The crowd was stunned; they had not expected Liu Qingxue to accept the challenge, let alone fight personally.

"Isn't President Liu just a fragile woman? How can she dare to step into the arena?"

"The arena battles of the North-South Conflict are notoriously brutal and often end in death. Does she think this is a game?"

"This must be her first time participating. She doesn't understand the cruelty of the conflict. But if she doesn't know, why didn't Old Wei stop her?"

The crowd murmured, worried for her safety. Watching her walk to the arena, a vicious glint appeared in Song Guodong’s eyes. He had given prior instructions: the moment Liu Qingxue stepped into the ring, the master hired by the Song family would strike her down without mercy. He would send her to hell to pay for his son's life.