347 Li Teng Yun’s Persecution (1/2)

”Well… I had just gone for a casual stroll. And, I hadn't gone very far.” Jun Mo Xie turned his gaze from his four uncles, slipped-away into the shadows, and disappeared without a trace.

[I can only tell you that I went for a stroll into the forest yesterday. What a joke! I had a very cheerful and friendly chat with seven Xuan Beast King. And, I've come to a mutual agreement with them. We have unanimously reached a mutually beneficial agreement to cooperate…]

The four men looked at each other. [You went for a stroll? You brat, this is your first time in this city! You're a stranger here! So, where did you go for a stroll? And, can one go for a stroll that lasts for a day and a night?]

[You didn't go far? You could've gone far enough to visit Tian Xiang City by now! You brat, don't you know that we four brothers were worried to death?] However, Jun Mo Xie had returned, and didn't wish to discuss his whereabouts. In any case, he had returned safe and sound. So, the four elder men were in no mood to inquire further. Moreover, Jun Wu Yi was aware that his nephew possessed special powers, and not only in name at that. They were presently in Southern Heaven City. But, he wouldn't have been too worried if his nephew had gone missing for two to three days in Tian Xiang City.

However, the four men genuinely hadn't realized that Jun Mo Xie hadn't gone very far. He had only gone to the core of the Tian Fa forest for a stroll. And, that stroll had materialized into the collection of some precious herbs, the molestation of a little creature, and what not…

The expressions of the four men changed. They shook their head, and followed in. The four had been worried this entire time. But, their hearts were at ease now. The battle would start the next day. So, everyone's mind was preoccupied with it. They had decided to take a quick rest. The next day was to be a serious one. It was at this moment that a soldier suddenly came with a message — Xue Hun Manor's Li Teng Yun had come to pay a visit.

Jun Wu Yi then muttered irresolutely, ”Invite him in!”

The Third Master Jun had been thinking about the meeting of the heads of the families. It had taken place in the morning, and Jun Wu Yi had been designated the supreme commander for the decisive battle. That is… he had been chosen as the leader of the team that would throw their lives away.

However, the Xue Hun Manor had then proposed their Third Master as a candidate to replace Jun Wu Yi for the Supreme Commander's position… that too at a point when the heads of every family had nearly reached the conclusion of the matter; this had left everyone baffled.

The so-called 'Supreme Commander' would have no real authority. He would have no hope for a victory in this battle. In fact, the Commander would be a scapegoat in defeat, and would only go out to die in this hopeless battle. Moreover, the said-man would also have to protect his own side from the animosity-ridden plots of his opposing factions. Hence, this was truly an arduous and thankless job. Therefore, no one could understand what Li Jue Tian was thinking. Why would he send the Third Master from his family — someone with a Spirit Xuan cultivation — to be a replacement-scapegoat for the number-one contender Jun Wu Yi? Wouldn't it be too great a pity…?

However, this suggestion had come from the top expert of the coalition. So, no one dared to overrule it that lightly. Therefore, the position of the Supreme Commander had been temporarily shelved. But, the selection of the Commander would only be done amidst two people — that unfortunate Third Master of the Xue Hun Manor, and Jun Wu Yi.

And, Li Teng Yun had presumably showed-up to discuss that matter.

The powerful families had also decided to send some powerful experts to the battle in the pre-preparatory meeting for the battle. The co-originators of this evil plot — the Xue Hun Manor and the Silver Blizzard City — didn't dare to defer from this idea either. This entire plan to push Jun Wu Yi into a desperate situation was theirs from the beginning. After all, they were the ones who wanted to push him into this pit of fire. So, wouldn't the entire world sneer at them if no one was sent from their side?

Everyone knew that the chances of victory were quite slim in this battle. In fact, they had 'almost' no chances. However, they still had to send someone… even if they were sending the-said individuals to their deaths!

Jun Wu Yi and the Dongfang Family would go in. So, the Duanmu and the Sikong Family would run the bank to mediate. The Silver Blizzard City decided to send three of their elders — the Third, Sixth and Ninth. The two Sky Xuan experts — Mu Xue Tong and Xiao Han — would also accompany them along with the 'Seven Swords' of the Silver Blizzard City. This was nearly seventy percent of the full strength that had arrived here from the Silver City. In fact, their contribution had been nothing less than generous on the face of it.

After all, sending the three elders wouldn't be sufficient in its own. The Seven Swords were Silver Blizzard City's greatest force, but their power would be reduced rather considerably if they weren't together. So, they'd all have to go. Mu Xue Tong and Xiao Han were the two unlucky ones. Several peak experts had gathered here. So, two Sky Xuan experts weren't considered much in this context.

However, this was also one of Silver Blizzard City's schemes. Sending great manpower would mean that they would be safer since they could all look out for each other. Therefore, they wouldn't be likely to meet with their deaths… even if they suffered a defeat in the battle. And, the Silver City wouldn't suffer too much as a result of this. However, going with less manpower could mean throwing the lives away of those who were sent to battle…

As for the remaining experts of the Silver Blizzard City — the Second, Fifth and the Eighth elders — they wouldn't be going. There was a feud between Xiao Bu Yu and the Dongfang Family. Therefore, he naturally wouldn't join the rest. It would be extremely misfortunate if an internal conflict were to arise due to his presence…

Xiao Bu Yu was Silver City's lead on this assignment. And, it was rather mature of him to make this decision when one comes to think of it. There were certainly many grudges and resentments between them and the Dongfang Family. However, the current crisis could mean that humanity's end was looming close. So, it was important to act against opening old quarrels given the current scenario.

The Duanmu and the Sikong Family had friendly relations with the three Dongfang brothers. So, they invariably stood on the Jun Family's side when they saw Dongfang Wen Qing stand beside them.

Xue Hun Manor also decided to dispatch a massive force. In fact, they had dispatched over half their manpower. This included three-hundred Jade Xuan experts, one-hundred Earth Xuan experts, thirty Sky Xuan experts, and five Spirit Xuan experts. The Xue Hun Manor's team was the strongest amongst the gathered forces.

The weakest contingent hailed from the Baili Family. They had decided to dispatch two Sky Xuan experts along with the Jade Xuan Baili Luo Yun. This decision made the other families sigh in the secrecy of their hearts. And, this also made everyone look down on them somewhat…

[It's too short-sighted of the Baili Family to treat such a young genius like this…]

[No matter what level of hatred or enmities may have driven this family against this unique genius… they should've rather expelled Baili Luo Yun from the family as the most severe punishment instead of doing this!]

[Baili Luo Yun might even become a loner in society-at-large if they had expelled him. But, he would still have his family name – Baili. He would then remain a member of the Baili Family in the eyes of society. Moreover, he would've become a Spirit Xuan expert… or maybe even a Great Master if they had given him a dozen or so years to train!]

[Baili Luo Yun could've become the patron of the Baili Family then. Resentment may still have remained between Baili Luo Yun and the Baili Family in that case. But, any person wishing to mess with the Baili Family would still have to think about Baili Luo Yun's reaction. He would at least be a virtual threat! And, the unnoticeable Baili Family would've then been able to change the tide, and would've risen in the society when that time came!]

However, the Baili Family simply couldn't wait to get rid of this person. In fact, they were almost impatient to bring that rare genius to death. This left everyone to look at the Baili Family's decision-making abilities with disdain. [You're a powerful family. So, how can you not read the situation? How can you be so short-sighted? What will you gain by this?]

Some people even started to assert that the Baili Family had started to decline… and was even done for!

Jun Wu Yi — the Supreme Commander who had lead twenty-thousand men to the Southern Heaven City — would only lead around three-hundred men of his own to this battle. And, two-hundred of these men were Jade Xuan experts. The remaining were mostly at the Earth Xuan realm. In fact, most of the assembled experts were the ones who had been sent by Tian Xiang's influential families to protect their Young Masters.

Jun Wu Yi had clearly understood the Emperor's intentions in the manner he had singled out these people. [The many Young Masters of the various families will be well protected, and won't face a mishap. But, my life is surely foreordained for doom!]

The families of the capital city were quite scattered. And, he probably desired to use this time to reorganize them. Their strength wasn't exactly that great when compared to the rest of the world. Yet, they were considered quite powerful inside the city. After all, even monkeys can become the kings when there are no tigers in the mountains.

However, the families' powers would be crippled if a majority of these men died here. And, these men were accompanying the precious treasures of each family. So, they would certainly be left to feel indignant if too many of these 'bodyguards' were to die. Moreover, these Young Masters would return home to their siblings later. They would then notice that everything would be settled and calm. This would drive them mad. And, everything would then change — whether it would be a gripe for power, or schemes for toppling the family's line of succession. And, this would eventually weaken every major family.

This step-by-step degradation scheme's genius had to be attributed to the Emperor. He would be able to hold the powerful families together in his hands in this manner. There could've come a time when the heads of the powerful families may have united to take a stand against the Emperor. But, that scenario would vanish in thin air as a result of this scheme.

This was a great and far-reaching scheme. In fact, it was an excellent and exquisite plan.

The Emperor's far-sighted plan was already at play at that time.

The Third Master Jun was immersed in these thoughts when Li Teng Yun walked-in in his excessively 'jingly' attire. His clothes were decorated with flowers, and gave-off a shiny-bright radiance. In fact, he looked like a 'walking lighthouse'. Jun Wu Yi and the three Dongfang brothers were flabbergasted. [This brat is too coquettish!]

He would be a live target for any assassin. The said-killer could make it work even if he had bad aim. He would only need to throw his weapon at the shiny light, and that alone would be enough to make his target gurgle blood.

Li Teng Yun entered with two experts in tow. He cupped his hands, and looked rather arrogant as he said, ”I've come to pay a visit, Commander Jun. I request the Commander doesn't mind this intrusion.”

”The Young Master is too courteous.” Jun Wu Yi remained calm and maintained etiquette, ”Yet, I don't know why you've come here. To what do I owe this meet?”

Li Teng Yun chuckled gently. He then looked around. The young man was about to speak-up… but he stopped himself.

The three Dongfang brothers smiled. They were aware that he had some apprehensions. So, they excused themselves, and retired. But, Jun Mo Xie walked-in from behind the cloth flap just as his three uncles left. However, the shadows of two other people remained hidden behind the flap. These two individuals were Guan Qing Han, and Dugu Xiao Yi.

Jun Mo Xie and Guan Qing Han had suspected the reason behind Li Teng Yun's visit. And hence, they had walked-in in advance. Dugu Xiao Yi had naturally followed after them.

”Everyone present here is family. So, the Young Master Li Teng Yun can speak freely,” Jun Wu Yi smiled faintly. The faint yet cold glint in Li Teng Yun's eyes had somewhat revealed his intentions. And, Jun Wu Yi was no fool. So, he had guessed the reason behind Li Teng Yun's visit.