185 Chapter 184: Danger (2/2)
”Blood Shadow's target is you. From what we've gathered, he is far more powerful and terrifying than Gray Shadow and Black Shadow combined. I know that you've defeated Black Shadow, but Blood Shadow is several times stronger than him.”
Well, I kind of expected that. However, I wasn't going to just sit around and let the Blood Blades protect me. I was one of the Blood Blades myself, and I was more than happy to take the fight to the enemy if I had to.
I was about to express that intention to Tong Xue, but his next reply came in pretty quickly. Damn, but he was a fast typist.
”So don't let your guard down. It seems that Liang Yang Zu has prioritized your death because he wants revenge for you killing his son.”
”Bring it on,” I muttered under my breath as I lowered my smartphone. Glancing into the distance, I frowned and tried to reach out with my qi senses. Despite my Heaven and Earth sense, I couldn't detect any hostile presence.
It was only natural. The Nine-Tailed Fox Sect was heavily guarded by Blood Blades, the most powerful martial artists in our sect. Unlike the guards posted to the gates, who were more often than not lower-ranking warriors, the sect grounds themselves were protected by veterans and experienced professionals of Blood Baldes.
Even Blood Shadow would find it difficult to break into the sect proper.
”Normally, I would say that it is best if you leave Nine-Tailed Fox Sect immediately, but…I don't think that's possible. We've also received alarming news regarding the Martial Arts Alliance. Apparently, Divine Shadow Sect isn't the only one attacking us. Dark Asura Sect, the Seven Valley Sects, and Cloud Sky Mountain are all scheming against Nine-Tailed Fox Sect.”
”What are they scheming?” I typed in response, even though I was sure I knew the answer. There could only be one reason why they were scheming against us.
”In the future, they will most likely combine forces and attack Nine-Tailed Fox Sect. That's why we're readying for war.”
”…”
I took a deep breath, weary and wary. This was just getting better and better. Not only was a renowned assassin sent after my head, the sect was going to be attacked and surrounded by enemies. Oh, yay.
”What is the Imperial Guard going to do about it?” I replied silently, my fingers flying over the touch keyboard. After sending that, I immediately sent a second message. ”Surely the royal family isn't going to let them do what they please?”
”Apparently they're requested to remain neutral. The Martial Arts Alliance is formulating a legitimate reason to attack us, which would force the royal family to withhold their Imperial Guard and forbid them from acting.”
Damn…what sort of legitimate reason could they come up with? Ironically, I was unaware of it at that time, but it was some poor excuse about us harboring weapons of mass destruction, which they knew we didn't have.
But what they didn't know was that I was about to build those very weapons of mass destruction to fend off their invasion. Karma had a way of biting those bastards in the ass sometimes.
”Well, the royal family will most likely sort out the legalities and come to our aid…eventually, but you know how all this bureaucratic red tape and nonsense go. It might take months before they are finally able to move.”
By that time, it would be too late for Nine-Tailed Fox Sect. Not unless we were able to hold out against a massive siege from almost a dozen different sects.
Welp, there was nothing I could do about it, so I headed back to my room, jumped into bed and fell asleep, all the foreboding thoughts pushed to the back of my mind. There was no use worrying about it, not unless I had enough strength to destroy several sects by myself (with Blood Blades' help, I mean). For now, I had best focus on finishing those Spirit Bombs I was trying to craft. If I wasn't mistaken, they might be the only hope Nine-Tailed Fox Sect had of surviving.
At least there was a single good thing that happened that night. When I dropped onto bed, I suddenly received a social message notification. Apparently Elder Tie had posted on Facebook a couple of photographs regarding the Spirit Weapons he was forging for the Ling Sisters. He was showing off the Fire Demon Stone, Water Spirit Jade and Water Fluorite that he had his assistants bring, and titled the album ”Work in Progress.”
Dude…shouldn't you be working on forging those Spirit Weapons instead of taking pictures and uploading them on social media?
Despite the reprimanding thought that ran through my mind, I couldn't help but smile wryly as I dropped my head against my pillow and swiped the screen of my phone to black it out.
*
Within the main sect hall at the peak of Flame Volcano, the next day, Sect Leader Zi Shou De, his wife Sect Lady Zi Da Ji, the six Great Elders, the dozens of inner sect elders including the Chief Elder Hai Mo, Blood Blades' Lang Xie and Hai Mo's wife, Hai Rong, had all gathered within it. If I had seen the scene, I would have likened it to the senate in the Star Wars prequels.
Sect Leader Zi rose from his seat to call attention to him. Everyone stopped talking and whispering and focused on his distinguished figure.
”The reason why I've gathered everyone here today is to explain the current situation. Simply put, we're in quite the crisis this time. That's why I need to brief and update you on what's going on now, and discuss what we will do going forward.” he glanced at Hai Rong and tilted his head respectfully in her direction. ”Mrs. Hai, please.”
Everyone's eyes swiveled around to Feng Rong, who stood up and nodded before she launched into her briefing.
”We've gained the upper hand ever since we've begun the war against Divine Shadow Sect.” She smiled. ”Blood Blades have killed over eighty-seven martial artists from Divine Shadow Sect outside Tushan City. In contrast, our casualties only number six.”
Her expression was full of pride. This was practically a one to fifteen kill ratio, which was extremely impressive. It also illustrated why Nine-Tailed Fox Sect was one of the eight major sects, and why Divine Shadow Sect was not ranked among them.
The six Great Elders and the dozens of inner sect elders were all nodding in approval.
”If it was just Divine Shadow Sect alone, we believe that Blood Blades will be able to defeat them easily. Even if Di Shi Ju and Liang Yang Zu personally lead from the frontlines, they still will not be able to overturn their loss.”
It was at this point when Hai Rong faltered somewhat, and her bright eyes began to cloud over with worry.
”But recently, Dark Asura Sect and Cloud Sky Mountain have also gradually stopped trading with Nine-Tailed Fox Sect. Many of their lower-ranking martial artists have also evacuated from Tushan City. I fear this is a sign of things to come.”
The moment she said that, the elders' expressions all changed.
”Blood Blades have discovered that the seven Valley Sect Leaders have been meeting more frequently recently. They are discussing highly classified matters. It's not just them. Even the demonic sects are on the move. From the river to our east, there has been quite a bit of movement, with what seems like an armada being assembled.”
”The demonic sects?” the second great elder echoed. ”Who?”
”Incendiary Ifrit Sect.”
The great elders all sank back against their seats, looking as if they had aged decades.
”Why?” the third great elder murmured weakly.
”Isn't it obvious?” the first Great Elder, Luo Zhi Chang, was bitter. ”Fei Wu's appearance has caused many people to feel uncomfortable. They're worried that Nine-Tailed Fox Sect will grow much stronger and become harder to deal with in future. Already we've a fair amount of autonomy and independence even within the Martial Arts Alliance. The people in charge are afraid that we will become powerful enough to break away from them and declare our own independence. The other seven major sects are worried that we will surpass them and become a superpower ranked above them. With the promise Fei Wu has displayed so far, it's looking likely that he will lead Nine-Tailed Fox Sect to heights previously unimagined.”
Dude, you're giving way too much credit. I was just one guy. There was a limit to what I could do on my own. And I had no intention of leading Nine-Tailed Fox Sect, in any case.
Unfortunately, nobody bothered to ask what I wanted. The sects attacking us just made their assumptions on their own. And admittedly, it wasn't unreasonable that they wouldn't believe me if I told them the truth.
”Furthermore, Nine-Tailed Fox Sect has grown stronger over the years, especially recently. Blood Blades' strength has also caused a lot of people to become wary of us.” The fourth great elder added heavily.
”Not only that, Divine Shadow Sect's swift defeat and eighty-seven casualties have cemented that fear of us,” Hai Rong agreed. ”Even though Divine Shadow Sect isn't one of the eight major sects, their power is not to be underestimated and they are still ranked pretty highly. So when we crushed them so overwhelmingly…”
”A lot of people started getting more afraid of us,” Sect Leader Zi concluded, and Hai Rong nodded silently.
”If the ten or so sects join forces, will our Nine-Tailed Fox Sect be able to handle their attack?” Sect Lady Zi Da Ji asked.
Her husband, the six Great Elders, and even Hai Rong smiled bitterly when they heard her question.
The answer was obvious.
To be honest, Nine-Tailed Fox Sect could destroy Divine Shadow easily by itself. Even if they allied with Dark Asura Sect, the two sects were still no match for Nine-Tailed Fox Sect. never mind them, even if the Seven Valley Sects combined forces, Nine-Tailed Fox Sect might just barely be able to fight against the seven of them.
But ten sects? If all ten sects decided to invade Nine-Tailed Fox Sect together, there was no chance of victory. And that wasn't even taking into account the suspicious movements of the demonic sects such as Incendiary Ifrit Sect.
”Are they really attacking us because of Fei Wu?” the fifth Great Elder lamented. ”That makes no sense. They didn't move when Liang Shao Yang showed up, but now they decided to attack us when Fei Wu triggered the response from three Spirit Engraved Pillars?”
”You know as well as I do that they're merely using Fei Wu as an excuse,” Luo Zhi Chang pointed out. ”The Martial Arts Alliance have always coveted our sect and resources for a very long time. It was only a matter of time before they act to curtail our independence and autonomy and destroy us. They're just making up excuses to legitimize their claim. What weapons of mass destruction? Anyone sensible will know that they're just spouting bullcrap!”
”But that bullshit is enough to stop the royal family and Imperial Guard from aiding us,” Sect Leader Zi muttered warily. ”I've spoken to his highness, and he says it'll take his legal team some time to work through the technicalities. But once they find a loophole or flaw, they will immediately move to act, and they'll take our side.”
”That's good to know,” Sect Lady Da Ji said dryly. ”Except that they'll need months to do that and pass the motion in court. Unfortunately, I don't think we have months.”
”We'll do our best,” Hai Rong promised. ”We will turn this into a siege, and Tushan City is a fortress. We'll hold them off for a year if we need to. Hopefully by then the Imperial Guard will be able to reinforce us.”
”Even then, we'll suffer quite heavy losses.” Sect Leader Zi sighed. Raising his head, he gripped the armrests of his chair tightly. ”Let's hope it doesn't come to that.”
The rest of the people gathered in the room nodded solemnly, but every single one of them knew deep down in their hearts that it would only be a matter of time before Nine-Tailed Fox Sect fell before the combined might of their supposed ally, the Martial Arts Alliance.