At Lei Xiao's signal, Keen and the other four elders, who had just secretly gathered from various parts of the inner city, took a deep breath slowly and prepared to confront Han Shui and openly describe the pain Han Shui had done to them.
Cruel facts.
No matter what, secretly assassinating a clan elder is always an extremely bad act.
This is the core content of Lei Xiao's second step plan, which is to reduce Han Shui's reputation in the clan and lay the foundation for the subsequent removal of Han Shui from the throne of the family head.
Through the previous secret conversations in the hidden castle, and after listening to the suggestions of Keen, Laisili and others, Lei Xiao clearly understood.
Even though he had the support of 6 elders and had a majority of the votes of the Presbyterian Council, even if he killed Han Shui and forcibly promoted Lin to the position of head of the family, it would be difficult to completely control the entire Merchant Army in a short period of time.
After all, there are neutral tribesmen who also account for a large proportion in the army. Only by fully gaining the support of these tribesmen, plus the supporters and collateral members of Keen and others, can we do this.
Only by yourself can you be sure to suppress Han Shui's henchmen, otherwise the other party will definitely be ready to stir up trouble and sow discord in the middle.
Once the merchant army is divided into two groups that are constraining each other, the Lancaster family and the Yorkman family will definitely take advantage of the situation and suppress the merchant army as quickly as possible.
By then, I will be empty-handed.
Therefore, the core of his second step plan is to lower Han Shui's reputation in the clan, making Lin's rise to the top more natural and gaining more support from the merchants.
"Through the descriptions of Keen and others, I have learned that Han Shui has spared no effort to develop the family over the years, but in fact, he has secretly supported his cronies to occupy important positions in the family and grabbed huge amounts of benefits. This is what Ji En and others have said.
The direct reason why En and others are fighting against each other desperately."
"Because Han Shui has trampled on the long-standing creed of the Phytococcus family, which is the family motto of being as fair as a scale."
"Alvin and Bazel, the two neutral elders who jumped left and right, also knew all this very well, but they dealt with it more smoothly. Not only did they not lose anything, they actually gained a lot of benefits."
"However, because Han Shui did everything without revealing anything, everything seemed so smooth. Therefore, although Keen and others struggled to contend with him, they were not fully recognized by the neutral tribesmen. Most of the time, they were only considered
Ordinary factional disputes."
"This time Han Shui takes the initiative to kill someone, which is an excellent opportunity. Even if the leader of a clan extends his poisonous hand to a respected elder in the clan, it is a heinous crime."
"With the help of this incident, and the fact that Han Shui has been trampling on the fairness within the clan, it will be more logical for me to pull Han Shui down from the throne of the family head, and it will be easier to gain the support of the neutral clan people."
Thinking of this in his mind, Lei Xiao raised his eyebrows slightly.
The simplest and most direct way to achieve this is naturally to let Keane and the other four people who are still alive take the initiative to stand up and confront Han Shui head-on.
Of course, if it were before, Keen and other elders would never have had this courage, but with his support behind them, everything would be completely different.
However, just as Lei Xiao had given the order, Keen and the other four elders who had just arrived were preparing to show up.
On the open-air balcony of the Patriarch's castle, Han Shui's calm face suddenly froze, obviously he had received some news.
At the same time, the awe-inspiring voice of Garth, the ice demon who stayed behind in the hidden castle, came through his words.
"Reporting to the lord, the other party has discovered that the hidden castle has not been destroyed, and is attacking the city with all its strength!"
When Lei Xiao just heard this, he saw Han Shui's face gloomy, and he spoke first: "Everyone, before officially hunting down Princess Ariel and that despicable guest, I might as well tell you one more thing, that is, the highly respected Ji
En and other four elders have rebelled against the family and secretly joined Princess Ariel's camp!"
"What?! Keen and the other elders turned out to be rebels?"
Thomas' wrinkled old face was full of shock, and he blurted out: "Master, is this the reason why you ordered the execution of Keen and others yesterday?"
"Yes, they betrayed the interests of the Phytophthora family and secretly deployed explosive magic arrays in the city, putting everyone present in danger. It is precisely because of their help that Ariel and others can appear here so easily
!”
"And it's a pity that these cunning guys used a cover-up trick to hide the exploding castle yesterday, which means that they are still living in this city!"
Han Shui's voice was a little louder, and he shouted coldly: "The head of the family declares that Keen and his group of four are also public enemies of the family. No matter how sweet they talk, they are just excuses!"
As soon as Han Shui said this, the whole place was in an uproar again.
The hundreds of members of the Phytolacca family in the courtyard all had expressions of surprise and disbelief on their faces.
However, within just a moment, Hanshui's supporters started shouting and screaming again, trying to continue to win over the neutral tribesmen and the cronies of Keen and others.
The neutral tribesmen headed by Thomas, as well as the close followers of Keen and others, were still full of surprise.
If things are really as Han Shui said, then everything can be explained.
Han Shui killed Keen and others in order to protect the family, which is a reasonable thing.
Thinking of this in their minds, not only the neutral tribesmen, but also Thomas, who had always questioned Han Shui, had doubts on his face.
Even he can't tell now whether Keen and others have truly rebelled, but judging from Han Shui's sworn expression, he is probably inseparable.
Among the astonished crowd, only Keane and his close associates still couldn't believe it all.
However, because their number was too small, they did not dare to refute openly and had to quietly retreat to the side, looking at a loss.
"As expected of Han Shui, he is indeed an extremely cunning guy."
Lei Xiao frowned when he saw Han Shuishui not changing his composure and finding a high-sounding excuse for yesterday's evil deeds, even pointing it at the top of his head.
Although he was a step late and did not expose Han Shui's evil deeds first, judging from Han Shui's cunning behavior, even if Keen and others came forward first, Han Shui would still label him as a family traitor.
In addition, the only member of the subordinate team who could not be detected by any detection barrier or other detection methods, Rei, as a battle doll, had secretly sneaked into the courtyard just now and confirmed that the cold water on the open-air balcony was indeed just
A phantom, not the real body.
This means that, just as Keen said, the real Hanguo is actually hiding in the richly organized Patriarch's castle and is controlling everything in a safe area.
"However, this is not a bad thing. A late strike may be more effective than a preemptive strike. At least it will not leave Keen and other elders at a loss."
Lei Xiao narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at Thomas and others who were still looking suspicious in the courtyard. He decisively informed Keen and other elders and continued to act according to the predetermined plan.
As long as Keen and other elders come forward to refute, Han Shui's conspiracy will not succeed. After all, the reputation and conduct of Keen and other elders are well known to the merchants.
"Hanshui, you have labeled us innocent people as family rebels. Such an act of making a complaint first is probably not in line with your status as the head of the family, right?"
An old and solemn voice sounded. After Erza's illusion disguise was lifted, Keen and the other four elders appeared at the main entrance of the courtyard of the family's castle with awe-inspiring faces.
Seeing the intact figures of Keen and the other four elders, the few cronies immediately cheered.
Han Shui's supporters, on the other hand, had disdainful expressions on their faces, apparently regarding the four of them as rebels from the family.
As for the neutral tribesmen caught between the two, they all showed hesitation, still not sure who was the one who committed all kinds of evil.
"Han Shui, the four of us have devoted ourselves wholeheartedly to the family, but you actually killed us in an attempt to kill us. At that time, you will be able to monopolize the power of the family."
Keen's old voice was loud and he shouted coldly: "This is a cunning conspiracy that has been planned for a long time. What does it have to do with Her Highness Ariel, who has just arrived?"
"As the head of the family, not only have you repeatedly ignored the clan rules and attempted to murder our elders, but you have also extended your poisonous hand to Her Royal Highness Ariel. Such crazy actions will only lead to the destruction of the Phytolacca family!"
"For your own ambition, you actually led the entire family to the brink of destruction, and coveted this vast land together with the other two ambitious wealthy families. Don't you know that dancing with wolves will only lead to flames?"
Keen's words became louder and louder. He stared at Han Shui on the castle's open-air balcony with his old eyes and asked, "Han Shui, you are not worthy of being the head of the Shanglu family at all!"
After hearing Keen's words, the neutral Thomas and others looked at Han Shui for a while, and then looked at Keen for a while, trying to find any clues from the expressions of both sides, but in the end they found nothing.
However, due to the appearance of Keen and others, some of the neutral tribesmen who originally supported Han Shui have become wavering again.
"The despicable rebels actually showed up at the door themselves."
Facing Keen's question, Hanshui Phantom's eyes showed a hint of surprise, but they still looked indifferent.
Han Shui, who has a keen mind, has already seen from the fact that Keen and others dare to show up here and the honorific name Ariel, these four damn old guys have indeed joined the camp of the despicable aliens!
Thinking of this, Han Shui did not argue with Keen and others, but said with murderous intent on his face: "Then go die!"
After Han Shui finished speaking, the main entrance of the courtyard was suddenly filled with wind and clouds, and the space was trembling.
Countless ice arrows exuding a cold aura had condensed and formed out of thin air, shooting towards the four of Keen from all directions.
For a time, the overwhelming ice arrows were like a violent storm, at least tens of thousands of them, causing the surrounding cold air to rise, the ground to quickly frost, and the temperature to drop sharply.
These ice arrows were formed almost instantly, and their speed was extremely fast. They did not give the four of Keen any time to react, and even blocked all escape routes.
Seeing this murderous scene, Thomas and others in the courtyard held their breaths with solemn expressions on their faces.
This is obviously an attack magic trap preset in the Patriarch's castle. Even though Keen and others are all level 4 experts, this magic trap for dealing with legion-level targets is enough to easily ice-bury four people!
Thomas and others had just thought of this when a harsh "swish, swish" sound broke through the air.
Keen and the others, who had no time to react, were immediately covered by countless ice arrows.
Wherever you look, you can only see a large amount of ice slag, splashing out continuously, and the momentum can be described as extremely shocking.
"Oh, these old guys like Keane are bound to die now."
Thomas' old eyes were full of regret, and he shook his head helplessly.
The cronies of Keane and others turned from hope to despair in an instant, and some even collapsed on the ground.
As for those doglegs who support Han Shui, they have already cheered and started to praise Han Shui's smelly feet.
However, the arrogant smile stopped abruptly before the losers could hold him for long.
When the attack of the ice arrows gradually died down and the rising cold air gradually dissipated, everyone was surprised to find out.
The old bodies of Keen and the other four people are still strong, and in front of the four people, there is a strong man wearing white armor standing proudly.
The strong man in white armor lifted the energy barrier surrounding himself and the four elders with a simple wave of his hand. The rich white armor on his body shone brightly in the sunlight.
Needless to say, what appeared in front of everyone was the white knight who had just been equipped with a full set of fifth-level national-level equipment.
"I'm afraid it won't be that easy to eliminate Keen and others."
Looking at the dumb and frozen laughter on the faces of the cold water doglegs, Lei Xiao raised his eyebrows slightly.
These four elders are the most important ones in controlling the merchant family, so naturally I will not let them suffer any harm.
"He's actually the White Knight?!"
Seeing the figure of the White Knight, Thomas and others were once again surprised.
It has to be said that this country-level powerhouse who is loyal to the Lengyan royal family is indeed extraordinary.
Just when the whole audience was shocked by the appearance of the white knight, Han Shui's calm and unhurried voice sounded again.
"The White Knight has already joined Princess Ariel's camp on the previous battlefield, and the reason why he appears here now is self-evident."
"This is the best evidence that Keen and others rebelled against the family and colluded with Princess Ariel!"
Han Shui's voice became more and more fierce, obviously attracting the top experts under Lei Xiao's command to appear, which was the real purpose of his attack just now.
"Keane, no matter what you say, it will no longer help."
Han Shui smiled coldly, then waved his hand and said: "Fighters of the Shanglu family, now that all the evidence is conclusive, this is the best opportunity to get rid of the rebels such as Keen!"
"As long as you kill any one of them, you will have made a great contribution to the family and will become the new elder of the family!"
As soon as Han Shui said these words, even the neutral tribesmen calmed down and began to get ready to take action.