Chapter 70: Assassin

Lin, Hu, Song, Sui—one wise elder after another, their influence waxing and waning, the old and the young alike opening the gates to the negotiations between the two sides.

The Dai family’s territory along the river was being carefully considered by the elders—Elder Lin gave it a thorough assessment, Elder Si took his time weighing the matters, and Elder Wu also took a close look.

At the same time, the imperial court’s envoy Yuan Chan Pai, wrapped in his official robes, was silently present within the Kuang Yi household, quietly overseeing Lin Dang’s affairs.

Xi Hao, a man from Qin, was shadowed by an unseen presence. Born under the auspices of the Great Elder’s careful consideration, his powers of alchemy and spiritual transformation were exceptional. In the middle of the Divine Court, he was a rising star, nurtured by the Empire’s trust and resources, yet still only ranked at the first tier of the Song officials—a relatively weak position.

Xiao Ju Kun was bound by the constraints of an elder’s compassion and code of conduct. Chen Shen suddenly revealed hidden talents from the eastern region, and with the situation along the Liu River being so fragile, the core group entrusted with managing affairs was undoubtedly composed of the city’s elders, not uninvited outsiders.

“Xu Wei Jun is the chosen heir of the Sui Liang Hua Sect leader,” one voice declared, “Moon Shadow has decisively driven away Yun You, the red source of the Spring Fire, making this sect one of the top powers within our cloud region.”

The discourse took root and spread, a mixture of praise and cautious observation. Xu Lin Teng’s reputation had a strong backing, with the Zuotian Sect’s support, and the Liu Si Ren faction too.

As several elders voiced their opinions and gathered at the appointed meeting point, Luo Ang nodded in agreement with Chun Hui’s points.

The truth became clear: “I am the blade, you are the flesh.”

At present, the several elders eagerly awaited news from Lin, though trust was scant. Some had even begun covert reconnaissance, seeking any clue that might secure their positions. Using the Red Lotus Bell Lady’s network, Moon Shadow Sect was able to provide full support, enabling many to conduct explorations into the eastern lands.

Unexpectedly, the three elders in charge of listening to this intelligence took in many reports from Guo Ming Hu, adding some confidence to their assessments.

The next moment, Elder Wu slowly rose and spoke gravely: “The Snake Clan has long prepared for this confrontation. The outer territories are vast and treacherous. If they had been caught off guard, they would have already fallen.”

He himself had been an envoy to the capital, closely monitoring the state’s internal strife, so he understood why the defenses were not well-prepared.

Just as Su Diaoxiang was trapped in a dilemma, a sudden burst of laughter broke the tension. An unexpected and fierce battle was unfolding as Chen Ju expertly directed the forces.

The Red Lotus Bell Lady calmly took the lead and said, “The clan’s internal conflicts have long been perceived. Hence, Moon Shadow Sect’s frontline troops have thoroughly cleared the Yunhai Gorge, and the main forces have already advanced. We await the council of elders’ final strength.”

“Knowing this, we can rest assured. Several sabotage attempts have been suppressed and the situation stabilized.”

“With Moon Shadow Sect backing us, and a few dozen elite fighters from the fierce Wu Zhao Guild, I expect the kingdom’s internal disturbances will not escalate.”

The Great Elder sighed deeply, his eyes sharp and full of derision: “Yuan Yan once punished the Prime Minister, and during the Xiang Feng family’s assessments, the council fully endorsed the eradication of Li Bo Lin’s faction to prevent him from gaining long-term influence.”

A shout from the chancellor brought Elder Si to his feet, and he heavily stamped his foot on the floor, saying, “He’s cunning. Xu Lin, this traitorous beast who betrayed our defenses, is clever enough to cooperate with Li Si. If we want to survive, we must strike first without hesitation. No questions asked—take him down now!”

“Elder Si, calm yourself!” came a sharp voice. “Remember, this is a time of spiritual refinement and ascent; our alliances depend on measured actions.”

“That may be,” Si retorted, “but with Moon Shadow Sect on our side, the balance of power in our lands has shifted. We no longer fear their provocations.”

The discussion grew heated, but no one was willing to back down. The inner struggles of the clans were becoming ever more entangled.

Inside the assembly hall, the atmosphere thickened as the Great Elder Chun Gan turned around and declared, “We must endure this long phase of struggle. Only when the Grand Conclave opens can we confirm the status of the elders and secure Moon Shadow Sect’s full support. Only then can this matter be resolved with certainty.”

At these words, Rong Chun struck the table with a decisive blow, yet beneath the surface, subtle signs of doubt flickered.

“The longer we delay, the more advantageous it becomes for the elder faction. Why would Lin and Bai hesitate? Surely, they will not stand idly by while the Yan clan makes a move.”

Gu Yu made a calculated gesture, pointing decisively. The historical records, already scarce, now revealed a web of financial and political dealings behind the scenes, influencing current events.

Jiang Li’s expertise in medicine and alchemy had long been acknowledged in the family. Even Su Wei’s years of practice in the Daoist path could not replace the subtle influence wielded here.

“They will not hesitate,” the Great Elder said. “At the martial recruitment assembly, hundreds of factions will be present. The Lin family will take advantage of this to advance their interests.”

Cloud State’s officials had purposely chosen their words carefully, mindful of the fragile situation.

As the council members adjusted their positions, the conversation took a tense turn. Suddenly, from the courtyard roof, three elite warriors from the mountain faction appeared, unprepared but severely wounded.

The crowd watched in stunned silence as one figure stumbled backward, clutching his side, his face pale but determined.

“Speak all useful intelligence,” someone urged. “We must prevent the demons from infiltrating the capital.”

Deep in the night, the air crackled with tension and the mingled scents of blood and fear. Eyes scanned the crowd, assessing friend and foe alike. The cost in lives was already high, and the wounds ran deep among the families of Guo and Ruan.

The struggle for power in this autumnal season demanded cool heads. The normal folk of Houguo Tao, tending their fields along the Shu River, were unaware of the blood-soaked politics unfolding in the great halls.

Suddenly, a lightning-fast movement flashed across the scene—someone unleashed a spectral spear from thin air, the weapon slicing through the shadows.

Ling Sui, ever vigilant, readied himself. A single precise strike could topple his opponent’s head, but his spear work was unmatched, parrying with the speed of a thunderclap. The tension of the moment was palpable.

An explosion of blood marked the fall of a red-blooded brother, the glowing spear cutting through the gloom.

As the battle raged in the law city of Tong Hao, the outcome hung in the balance. Several blows had already landed on the feared leader Lin Yi.

When the dust settled and silence returned, Ling Sui slowly regained his composure. The man standing before him, an elder with great power, was no ordinary foe. Though he was not among the brightest stars of the second generation, his blow had inflicted considerable damage.

“Companion, are you hurt?” someone urgently asked, stepping forward with concern, the spring sun shining gently on their faces.

Ling Sui pressed his hand and replied calmly, “It’s nothing. The subtle technique of the Red Lotus Sect’s spear won’t harm me.”

Though the words soothed, his heart still flickered with doubts. The court of the Five Provinces was stirring unrest, and rumors of internal strife were spreading. This conflict was far from over.

PS: This Divine Court era elder, born in the fifty-sixth year of the reign, was both revered and feared for his commanding presence.