As soon as these words were spoken, the hall immediately filled with uproar.
“What did you mean by that?!”
“Do you really feel we are no longer qualified to say anything on major family matters?” Some elders angrily questioned.
Some uttered solemnly, “It seems that we truly have grown old.”
“Perhaps the Xue Family already has no need for elderly members like us anymore.”
Even some confronted directly, chastising and shouting out, “You are still young! How dare you talk this way! Do you even have any respect for the family code or ancestral regulations!”
“I knew it all along that the Xue family will one day be ruined by a traitor like you!”
Evidently, no trepidation remained towards Xue Wu as they looked upon the younger generation. At least, unlike with Qian Ye, they bore no great fear.
Xue Family’s Patriarch now spoke, saying “Let all elders and attendants stay; we will decide this course together. This matter shall stand no need for further discussion.”
Since the Patriarch had spoken, there existed little room for further insistence in Xue Wu’s position either. He bowed slightly in deference without further ado, but the iron expression upon his countenance was as dark as clouds brewing for storm. Just then, he’d been cursed bitterly and was undoubtedly despised collectively.
Certainly across every clan, every dynasty, knowledge of secrets stood key to position and power and among those elderly nobodies could endure being second.
Ji Tianshan waited quietly; watching until the Xue family’s elderly squabbled enough, then proceeded calmly stating— “Ever since the Patriarch declared his inability to identify this artifact, allow me to point it out clearly—it belongs to an emblem of the demon kin.”
Not so many of the elders showed shock. The emblem bore heavy style typical of these demon clans, thus any moderately knowledgeable would immediately discern this; however, precisely which demon lineage was less obvious to all present.
Xu Family’s Patriarch bore an uncomforting expression. After ponder, he murmured “Pardon my blindness for I fail recognize it.”
“Can’t the Lord truly?” Ji Tianshan’s smirked without pretense of sarcasm.
A few elders stole curious glances at the lord; faces betraying some indecision.
Even as cunning as the master was skilled at being, avoidance was not viable anymore thus he said simply: “This appears reminiscent of Meisfeild’s family heraldry.” Meisfeild were indeed one of the noble blooded demon lineages renowned for emblems rather distinguishable unlike those small unknown families.
Ji smiled once again adding: “Esteemed as you were once recognized for insight—it truly belongs to Meisfeild as suspected. Though…this crest carries extra peculiarities.”
The Elder took hold for more intense observation until finally declaring— “Shouldn’t this badge belong specifically, dare say, to… a Count’s lineage?”
Uproar ran amongst these elders. A demon Count represented no trifling figure to them—a position beyond even their wildest imaginations! Yet now here lay possession with one Qian Ye? Surely implications could it be a count was slain!
Tianshan expression became more openly sardonic. “Ah, what witticisms you possess Patriarch—for how could this Count ever claim such a piece? Knowing your reluctance to enlighten us, allow me… This is none others besides the emblem of Lin Garth—a demon Viscount.”
“Wha—“ A heavy clang followed the emblem’s impact hitting tabletop—dropped inadvertently from the Xue patriarch’s hands!
“Shall you inquire once yet if it’s genuine or not?“
The Patriarch’s features flushed red momentarily, yet he continued bravely: “True indeed we recognize it symbolizes Meisfeild high authority, yet nothing specific identifying individuals appears here—what grounds verify ownership to Lin?”
“This emblem can only be produced for Dukes no lower, hence established. Concerning belonging Lin—it’s simple enough, wrestling it back being how it passed.”
Elder gazes shifted uneasily with disbelief and murmuring. Some had barely or never heard the name Lin Garth—the world afar of neutral zones remained alien beyond.
Xue’s lord was one already familiarized with that name. Great was self control he attempted—impossibly hiding sheer astonishment. With voice tight but forced stability asked: “What implication does showing this Lin Garth’s emblem intend?”
Very plainly put—your awaited demon reinforcement fleet arrives led by Lin Garth himself—but not anymore. Allow this news—I assure, such reinforcement has collapsed. No more awaiting support!
For moments the leader stood silently, only after a time asked solemnly— “Then exactly what are you asking our beloved Xue family for?”
Before further dialogue unfolded an elderly jumped forth demanding: “WHY would we believe whatever claim this so-called loss is truly fact?! Shall we naively swallow this without question?! Do you truly presume we simply laze about idly!? Even if granted your claim held truth—Evernight’s strength knows no measure. Should it merely dispatch another fleet? What unfolds thereafter guarantees a sudden turning of tide for our side to dominate!”
Unanticipated by anyone—Qian Ye, like an apparitional specter—suddenly leapt up. A brilliant red flash passed between his hands—barely visible.
The Elder continued his orating passionately when suddenly his face contorted, his gaze darting down toward a couple faint blood splatters on his breast—those red spots quickly spreading outward though minute. Nevertheless, he only felt all strength fading rapidly from his extremities until no longer able to speak and collapsing weakly onto ground.
Sudden panic struck across all present: gasps echoed everywhere! Elders encircling quickly to inspect the wounded member’s condition while others maintained vigilance against Qian Ye though none dared take hostile stance.
For anyone opposing Qian Ye was to contend against dread of such relentless adversaries whom remained unaffected even amid coordinated attacks from multiple foes. His unmatched speed in combat allowed rapid decisive strikes leaving no escape for any enemy targeted within melee range—thus, despite their outrage, none dared to stand up foolishly as scapegoats amidst chaos.
It was precisely the elder Patriarch alongside few others namely Xue Wu and other few associates who witnessed faintest red strings fly briefly within Qian Ye’s grip—unseen weapons bearing deadly results from such distant strike—deprived lives almost immediately after hitting.
“On what grounds did you act this aggressively!” The elder patriarch exploded, demanding.
Remaining unmoved from her position of calmness Ji Tianshan declared— “It seems as though certain elder among you stubbornly insisted on allegiance to those demons… Well we must simply let him meet his demise appropriately.”
“You dare commit this atrocity in our family dwelling and expect such disregard for existence itself!” An accusing elder shouted immediately.
Calm still within her eyes, she responded— “Yet even now the situation slips through comprehension? We came prepared with no room reserved for negotiation here. Whoever takes demon sides—regardless, perishes forthwith.”
Angrily another elder stood rising, bellowing, “Outrageous presumption! Is your only goal incite our house to join demonic cause?”
If indeed any decision found Xue taking demons’ side—we would simply eradicate your entire ancestral legacy. Her calm voice described such an act as mundane—as though merely referring to removal of household waste—as if implying eradication bore minimal consequence at all.
Even the Patriarch—composure now broken—retained an unmistakable tone of resentment questioning, “So indeed, you haven’t come here for talks as your claim?”
Ji prepared response—but a voice intervened, bitter from laughter. It was Xue Wu, who suddenly remarked— “Lord indeed do not realize, their intent was never persuasion. We’re to merely decide which camp—Empire’s or EverNight— we belong. Nothing more.”
For an uncertain length thereafter—a grave quiet reigned over the chamber.
An elder finally mustered courage: “Then… What happens… If our house chooses to do neither—that is remain neutral?”
The response cut cold through: “When war beckons near, no trivial distinctions affect pivotal decisions any longer. Every clan not aligning fully under Imperial command faces immediate destruction! Complete purging.”
That declaration—delivered with sharp clarity—startled even the elder Patriarch, who never expected Ji to offer no concession or space at all. Furrowing brows he protested: “Act this way you shall only breed discontent widespread.”
Today we live though; do not expect a mighty empire like ours to harbor any fickle souls in our hour of need? The course remains—choose sides now! Stand with the Imperial forces, or face our departure.
The elder Patriach sighed bitterly: “Still this is happening so suddenly. Pray allow little deliberative discussion perhaps?”
She merely nodded. “Thirty Min.”
Then, with finality Ji settled into place. Every gesture spoke boldness—the posture akin unfeared guest bullying hosts.
After exchanging heavy fateful looks amongst themselves, the old Xue master rose up first and walked through the hall door, the entire elderly group followed, carrying fallen companions out—marched somberly towards council preparations.
While outside window Qian Ye stirred from silence and stood. Eyes transfixed upon Xue family sprawling mansions—reflectively gazed onward in meditative stillness.
Approaching his side Ji shrugged and said “All merely strategies from Song Zining—I act but messenger relaying directives.” Then tossing something toward him: “Behold for yourself.”
He turned to find Ji handed him an elaborate booklet filled dense script detailing dialog and exchanges all he himself had recently recited aloud moments in chamber, stunned at such precision, he asked— “What is this?!”
“A script,” She answered bluntly.
Back inside nearby courtyard conference chambers—Xue elders engaged in bitter, unyielding arguments. A handful stood stubborn to last words while others merely pushed harder negotiating advantageous position from Empire; yet once benefits reached table—all shifted towards divisive disputes over allocations—all barking furiously as if treasures already obtained without any conflict with Qian Ye nearby anymore.
Their clan chief frowned deeply turning toward Xue Wu: “What say you Xiao Wu?”
Hitherto remaining silently throughout Xue Wu now finally replied: “Don’t we already realize our limited worth?”
“Do you perhaps know Qian Ye better perhaps could broker compromise?”
Another soft exhalation escaped him, “Imperial superiority too vast to even attempt parley! Besides our relations—what bond can we share with our history?”
Silent murmuring swept the Elders; recollection vivid on numerous past occasions they conspired covertly against Qian Ye’s presence—suffering immense setbacks every time instead. Their notion of “connection,” in fact rooted not from kindness but from being thoroughly clobbered into submission time and again.
But Ji had offered little worth bargaining. Near-imperative ultimatums barely defined a negotiation at all. Hence Patriarch hesitated longer.
At that instant though sudden, without hesitation—Xue Wu leapt back positioning behind those two hardliners who never flinched in previous talks from Elder council ranks. In one swift arc—he wielded two small sharp blades striking precisely behind both old councilman’s heart positions!
His sudden offensive stunned those present beyond comprehension. Their Patriarch roared thundering, “Xue Xiao! What do you think yourself doing?!”
Yet Xue Wu, allowing twin old bodies collapse upon floor while tossing away blood-soaked blades merely stated flatly, “A price for survival.” He explained further: “These traitors accepted large sum from said Demons; they’d reject cooperation at all costs. We will not risk complete obliteration merely for selfish motives such men sought. Opposition is no more. House head—time waits. Choose now.”
One older councilman moaned “Was this necessary? Was all this truly? At best, he may be fearsome… But even one person alone—how conceivable might they wipe our lineage from earth?”
“They’d complete annihilation effortlessly.” Xue Wu confirmed solemn and still—without altering the emotionless tone. Silence reigned thereafter; no Elder dared protest further.
Finally came resolution— “Our path is resolved; The Xue Clan throws its lot behind the empire!!!”
Hearing word swiftly delivered back, Ji Tianshan stood straightened—every gesture and posture embodying that of decisive world shattering leader. Simply she remarked— “Congratulations Patriarch.”
A mere congratulatory phrase delivered in the flat monotone had yet sent chills running down Elder backs collectively.
Xue Wu stood firm facing Qian Ye’s gaze—jaw tightening as he solemnly announced: “Master Qian Ye—from this moment—we bear only the loyalty from subordinates. We are no more equals; the past dies forever!”
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