Return to the City: The Strongest King
Chapter 576 - 577: It’s Hard to Get Out

Chapter 576: Chapter 577: It’s Hard to Get Out

Song Xiaodong landed a successful strike and avenged a great injustice, not pausing for a moment before he began sprinting towards the main gate.

"To kill a member of my Sun family and still think of fleeing? Dream on!" Sun Changtian’s anger caused his beard and hair to bristle as he gnashed his teeth and said, "Catch him for me, I want him cut into a thousand pieces."

Such great families possessed an incredibly strong sense of collective honor; to them, Song Xiaodong’s breaking into the Sun family, killing Sun Sixteen and Sun Eighteen, as well as a young companion with a gun, and finally slaying Sun Zi’ang, was a disgrace of the highest order, so they chased after Song Xiaodong as if their lives depended on it.

Also, by now, the majority of the Sun family’s top fighters had already arrived on the scene. Aside from the top three experts, who hadn’t yet made an appearance, the rest had emerged from their spots.

The few who pursued most ferociously caused Song Xiaodong to shudder internally; these individuals were likely close to the Sun family’s top ten experts. Although they were slightly weaker than a top expert like Sun Five, the difference wasn’t much. If these fighters caught up to him, escaping would become impossible.

Moreover, the fact that three top-tier experts hadn’t yet appeared posed a great risk. At this point, Song Xiaodong could no longer afford a direct confrontation; his main priority was to secure a successful escape.

However, escaping from the Sun family was no easy task now. The main gate was already heavily guarded, and thinking of breaking through directly was simply impossible.

Upon looking at the wires atop the wall, Song Xiaodong discarded the thought of climbing over, realizing they were electrified. Attempting to scale the wall now would be suicide.

Song Xiaodong inwardly lamented at this time. Even though he expected large families to be formidable and understood that they concealed numerous skilled individuals, he had not anticipated the Sun family reaching such a fortressed level, effectively turning the place into a small city besieged in a manhunt.

Song Xiaodong was unaware that in northern families, competition was generally not very fierce. Based on the development and power of the family, ranks were almost pre-determined, and those with lesser strength naturally occupied a weaker position.

However, the South was different. Since the economy was much more developed than in the North, competition was exceedingly fierce. In addition to the normal, visible competition, all sorts of clandestine schemes and plots emerged incessantly, somewhat like natural selection, forcing major families into contests of power.

Since breaking out through the front gate was out of the question, Song Xiaodong started to play hide and seek in the courtyard. Although the opposition was numerous, they dared not spread themselves too thinly, especially when it came to protecting key members of the Sun family. If Song Xiaodong managed to take an important figure hostage at this time, it would be a real embarrassment for the Sun family.

Right now, around the Sun family’s main villa, security was tight. Sun Changtian and the main members of the Sun family were inside the villa. Sun Changtian’s face was livid with rage; over an hour had passed and night had fallen, but they still hadn’t caught Song Xiaodong—an outrage that almost made his lungs explode.

"Incompetents! You’re all a bunch of incompetents! Just one person has brought the Sun family to its knees. What do you even do? Apart from reveling all day, what else have you accomplished? Once word of this gets out, how will the Sun family show its face?"

Listening to Sun Changtian’s roar, Sun family members each hung their heads in shame, knowing that this was indeed a humiliating affair.

"Has the background of this Song Xiaodong been thoroughly investigated?" Sun Changtian bellowed again.

"Father! We’ve completed our investigation," Sun family’s eldest son Sun Tongwen took over and said, "This man named Song Xiaodong joined the military seven years ago. He was part of Lu Lang’s guard and was transferred to the Dragon Thorn Troop two years later, where he rose rapidly through the ranks, earning countless honors. Three months ago, he left Dragon Thorn and returned to his home in Tiannan."

Sun Changtian scoffed coldly and said, "A member of the Dragon Thorn Troop, huh? How bold of Dragon Thorn to dare to touch my Sun family."

Sun Tongwen said, "Father, I’ve already contacted Dragon Thorn. They say that Song Xiaodong is no longer with them, so whatever he’s done is not their concern."

Sun Changtian’s face darkened as he commanded, "Continue."

"Yes, this man is skilled in the Acupuncture Technique, having cured illnesses of some important leaders, so his network is quite complex. We don’t have a clear picture of these connections yet."

"Hmph, he’s just a doctor who’s cured some illnesses. Who else would need him? He’s not worth worrying about," Sun Changtian said disdainfully.

"Hmm, also, concerning the recent marriage alliance with the Su Family, Zi’ang was to marry Miao Xuanxuan from the Su family. Miao Xuanxuan and Miao Qingqing are twins, and Miao Qingqing was originally Song Xiaodong’s girlfriend. However, after Zi’ang’s visit to Tiannan a few days ago, it turned out that Miao Xuanxuan was also Song Xiaodong’s girlfriend, benefiting from the affections of both. It was because of this discovery and bitterness that Zi’ang ended up kidnapping his sister," he explained.

Sun Changtian furiously retorted, "Ha! Theft of a wife is a deep grievance. If Zi’ang sought revenge, what fault is there in that?"

Sun Tongwen cleared his throat and cautiously said, "Father, if this matter escalates, we still need a justification that will satisfy the public. Our Sun family cannot be seen as a bully."

Sun Changtian shot Sun Tongwen a glare but knew his point was valid and said, "As long as we don’t let the brat leave our Sun family grounds, kill him here; then what need is there for a reason?"

By then, Song Xiaodong was both exhausted and famished, his stomach growling with hunger. After several fierce battles today, even though his True Qi had significantly improved, his physical strength was flagging. Without some food to replenish his energy, his combat effectiveness would surely diminish.

Now driven into the Sun family’s back courtyard, he spotted a building hidden among the greenery. Song Xiaodong stealthily headed towards it.

Just as he reached the side of the building, Song Xiaodong heard footsteps behind him. After a moment’s hesitation, he quickly and silently opened a window and slipped inside.

Song Xiaodong stayed by the window, listening to the movements outside. Those passing by were indeed the ones hunting him, but they did not stop here and continued past, as if this building was not within their search area.

To Song Xiaodong, this was surprising, but at the very least, it was good news. He could now take a moment to rest and tend to his injuries. Of course, finding something to eat would be even better.