Chapter 49 - Three Clans as One (1/2)

After muttering under his breath for a while, the fatty spoke, “This was settled at the moment the secret order was given. What is a clan’s foundation? Spirit stones, pills? No, these are support items. Strength is the best guarantee of a powerful clan.”

“Veiled Dragon Pavilion has its nine outstanding elders, Hell Valley has its twelve elders as overseers. Each of the seven houses has its own strength. Also, every one of them has invited a Venerable. Along with other secret weapons they’re holding, even we, the Imperial family, don’t dare stir them.”

Fatty’s eyes then shined like a radiant sun, “At the time, in order to paralyze the seven houses, Great Ancestor confiscated the wealth of your clans. This is why none of you has any decent cultivation method and martial arts. It was also because of this reason the seven houses withdrew their surveillance on you five hundred years ago.”

“Yet none of them would have thought that you all are still holding a low profound ranked martial art.” Fatty showed a sneaky smile, “With this martial art all of you can become strong. Even the seven houses only have one or two profound ranked martial arts.”

The three clans were amazed.

When did they have such a martial art? If they had it, they’d have used it to grow strong by now.

Only Zhuo Fan’s eyes rolled about, recalling something.

With a vague smile, fatty’s hand flashed and revealed a green jade slip, “This is a low mortal ranked martial art, Combining Art. By itself, it holds no value, but if you use it along with your clans’ spirit ranked martial arts you inherited, you can combine them into a single martial art of the profound rank.”

“In other words, Luo clan’s Returning Dragon Palm, Cai clan’s Wind Kick, and Lei clan’s Lightning Finger were originally one single martial art that the Imperial family split among the three clans. And only the Imperial family knew the way to restore it.” Zhuo Fan squinted.

Fatty was shocked but then nodded, “Steward Zhuo is wise. There aren’t many martial arts which are capable of splitting other martial arts, and the number of martial arts that can restore them are even lesser. I didn’t think Steward Zhuo would know of this. If imperial father hadn’t mentioned it, I would’ve never found out.”

Zhuo Fan just smiled.

Perhaps because the splitting martial arts were uncommon even at the mortal rank, each sect in the Sacred Domain seized them. They split their core martial arts to prevent degenerate disciples from spreading it. Only the sect leader’s disciple had the right to learn the entire set of martial arts.

Zhuo Fan turned to look at Cai clan and Lei clan. They were startled, but their eyes showed deep regret.

Perhaps because they were negligent in safeguarding their inherited martial arts and let the Hell Valley steal them. Especially with regards to Cai clan, who were quick to give it away.

[It must be really eating Cai Rong inside right now!]

“Clan Heads, please take out your inherited martial arts.” Fatty placed the jade slip on the table with a smile.

But only Luo Yunchang took out her clan’s martial art. After Lei Yuting got to know of Yang Ming’s treachery, she gave back the Returning Dragon Palm to Luo Yunchang. But the other clan heads looked at each other in shame.

Fatty frowned as he stared at them.

Sighing, Lei Yuntian cupped his hands, “Your Highness, I was unable to protect my ancestor’s martial art from Hell Valley’s thieving hands. I accept Your Highness’ punishment.”

“What?” Fatty slapped the table.

Cai Rong also cupped his hands, “Your Highness… I am the same…”

Fatty’s body shivered in rage, “Y-you, just how are you both Clan Heads? Have you forgotten your ancestor’s instructions? You should have defended it with your lives.”

The two kneeled, “Please forgive us, Your Highness.”

Fatty sighed as he scratched his head.

Cai Rong peeked at him, “Your Highness, can’t the Imperial family bestow us another profound ranked martial art?”

“Bestow your mom!”

Fatty couldn’t hold it in and began raining curses and spitting all over Cai Rong’s kneeling figure, “What do you take profound ranked martial arts for, cabbage? Even the Imperial family has only four of them. And they’re each registered. If I take one out, everyone will know. How are your clans gonna rise then?”

“You dumb pig, are you tired of living?” Fatty gave Cai Rong a round of slapping then stomped his feet.

Cai Rong curled up and shivered on the ground.

“What now, what now? The Secret Pearl Order is ruined!” Fatty paced around.

Zhuo Fan smirked and two jade slips appeared with a flash in his hand, “3rd Prince, there’s no need to worry. I have their clans’ martial arts.”

“What?”

The two Clan Heads shouted in unison, staring dumbfounded in Zhuo Fan’s direction. Cai Rong in particular, having not witnessed Zhuo Fan’s prowess, was incredulous at what was happening.

Lei Yuntian gave Zhuo Fan a thankful nod. If not for him, not only Lei clan wouldn’t recover, they’d even be executed in a fit of anger by 3rd Prince.

“Ha-ha-ha, Steward Zhuo, you truly are amazing. I see why Elder Jiu of Veiled Dragon Pavilion speaks so highly of you!” Fatty was overjoyed, and ran into Zhuo Fan for a bear hug, “If not for you, I would’ve failed Imperial Father’s task. I owe you one.”

Smiling, Zhuo Fan shook his head, “This is all for the Luo clan!”

“Yes, right, for the Luo clan and for me, ha-ha-ha…” Fatty slapped Zhuo Fan’s shoulder, then gathered the four jade slips, “Now that we have the martial arts, next is the merger of the three clans. According to the Great Ancestor’s Secret Pearl Order, two clans are to merge with the strongest. And the profound ranked martial art will be in the Clan Head’s care. As such, you…”

“Your Highness,” Cai Rong seemed hyped as he jumped to his feet, “Luo clan has little strength and only four members, and Lei clan is on the verge of collapse, only my Cai clan is flourishing. As such, I will begrudgingly accept this responsibility and support them under my clan’s wing. As of now, I will take Lei and Luo clan as Cai clan’s disciples and assist the Imperial family in fulfilling the secret edict.”

As he finished speaking, Cai Rong reached for the jade slips but a rough hand stopped him. Lei Yuntian glared at him as he asked.