462 What is True, and What is No (1/2)
The Third Elder was awfully broken-hearted. He was also quite mad and puzzled.
The Seven Swords and the Third Elder had covered their long and arduous journey in that grim mood, and had finally returned to the Snowy Peaks. And, they went to the Silver Blizzard City the moment they returned to the Snowy Peaks.
The entire sky had been enveloped in a blizzard. And, it was extremely cold.
However, the Silver City's people were obviously accustomed to that cold. So, they didn't care about it. In fact, they were habituated to such a nasty weather. After all, they had grown up in such conditions. These people were obviously unafraid of the cold, but the same couldn't be said for the injured ones. However, they didn't need to worry in reality. They had surely been branded as traitors by the Silver City. However, their companions had still looked after them after being angry at them for a few days in the beginning. Therefore, their injuries hadn't worsened.
After all, humans are emotional beings at the end of the day…
Mu Xue Tong had inquired whether they should send an eagle to notify the Silver City's higher ups of their arrival in advance. However, the Third Elder had resolutely shot down that idea after giving it some thought.
And, he hadn't said no without reason either. After all, the Silver City was controlled by the Xiao Family regardless of how things seemed from the outside. This had been particularly the case ever since the birth of Little Princess Han Yan Meng.
[I had always believed that the Han and Xiao Families were one family. Who could've said that we weren't the same? We hadn't even though about this matter. But, it suddenly seems that the Xiao Family had been obsessed with this the entire time. The thought that I had never even considered has suddenly left my blood to run cold!]
[The letter would surely fall into the hands of a Xiao Family member first if we sent an eagle ahead of us. And, our Han Family would be pacified if that happened.]
Therefore, the wise Third Elder took the safer option, and decided to travel overnight to the Silver City. After all, the Lord of the City and the Old Master of the City would spot their arrival as long as they were to appear at the gates of the city.
However, he had never expected to be intercepted by the Great Elder Xiao Xing Yun at the base of the peak. Moreover, the Great Elder was also leading a team of powerful experts.
[How did he get the news to block me off like this?]
”Elder Brother? How come you're here?” The Third Elder looked at Xiao Xing Yun in astonishment. It wasn't that he was prepared to blindly trust a poisonous snake. After all, he knew that his Elder Brother had sinister motives. However, that man had still been his 'Elder Brother' for eighty years. So, he couldn't change the usual term of address when that man suddenly appeared in front of him.
The Third Elder had cursed him a million times over the course of the journey. But, he still found it difficult accept such a cruel reality when he was confronted with that familiar and amiable face.
”Elder Brother…? Ha ha ha… you still dare to call me 'Elder Brother'?” Xiao Xing Yun's face darkened as he gave him a deep look. In fact, it seemed like he would swallow him whole, ”Two of my younger brothers are dead because of you. My grandson is half-dead because of you. My great-grandson is dead because of you. Moreover, two more of my brothers have been rendered crippled for life because of you! You…”
”Do you think you can still call me 'Elder Brother' after everything that has happened? How did you even dare to voice the words 'Elder Brother' in flattery? I won't allow you to address me like that!” Xiao Xing Yun sneered. His glare was as sharp as a knife, ”Han Fei Yun, you've boldly created strife within the Silver City by having them killed. You've committed the greatest sin. And, the heavens won't tolerate this! However, you're still standing instead of kneeling and admitting your guilt!”
”Ha ha ha… Xiao Xing Yun, I won't call you 'Elder Brother' if you don't want! Anyway, why are you distorting the truth when everyone here is well aware of it? I'd like you to ask your conscience… do you still think that you're even worthy of being called 'Elder Brother'?”
The Third Elder's beard trembled as he gave a mournful laugh. He then slowly looked up, ”Xiao Xing Yun, I had never thought that you would instigate this betrayal! You've betrayed the Silver City. But, you're too arrogant if you think that you can take the Lord's place. The heavens will not abide by such vile ambitions!”
”Instigate betrayal? Ha ha ha…” Xiao Xing Yun laughed insolently, ”You say that I seek to betray? Everyone knows who the first true Lord of the Silver City was, right? So, let me remind you why my Xiao Family's ancestor died — it was for your Han Family's sake! My deceased ancestor had set up the Silver City, and he had advanced it step by step. And, he eventually died for it. However, the next generations of the Xiao Family had already been born by that time…
”It is undeniable that the son inherits the father's mantle. So, tell me something Han Fei Yun — shouldn't Han Zhang Meng have succeeded the deceased Old Lord at that time?” Xiao Xing Yun had spoken in a very dark tone.
The Third Elder had been rendered speechless. These arguments sounded and seemed in proper accordance. In fact, it was reasonable to argue that the Han Family's ascension to the Lord's position had been inappropriate.