Vol. 1 - Ch. 266 - Clan Leader, Give the Order

As for the other clan members, let Father organize them.

However, he still needs to discuss matters with his father later. He must learn the exact strength of those people so he can make precise judgments about the coming battle.

This war will surely be fiercer than the previous ones. He cannot afford the slightest carelessness. One misstep could cost the lives of those who are already few in number.

Chen Xingzhen does not linger long. He soon leaves the ancestral hall.

In the empty shrine, Chen Changming and many other deceased clan members are holding a family meeting as well.

Half a month ago, two more soul forms appeared souls that could rival Innate Realm martial artists. Including Chen Changming and the others, there are now seven Innate Realm martial souls present.

Their state is limited, however. They can only manifest at night and for short periods of time. Still, their strength already outstrips the living side of the clan by more than double. They do not feel pain, and they can fly freely.

They would surely surprise the enemy when the great battle came.

But first, Chen Changming needed to train the soul-forms a bit more.

Martial artists often fought in disorganized fashion because combatants’ strengths rarely matched, and warriors of different realms found it hard to cooperate. However, Chen Changming had seen much. He knew that even within the great families, clan fighters practiced cooperative techniques that made one plus one greater than two. This allowed them to resolve fights more efficiently.

Applying that tactic to the clan’s soul-forms would catch the enemy off guard.

This idea had only recently occurred to Chen Changming. Time was short, but the departed needed little rest. Twelve earthly hours should be enough.

Dawn broke, and the sun rose.

In Yong’an City, shop doors that had been tightly shut opened again to welcome customers. Vendors came and went in a steady stream, shouting the wares they sold.

Yong’an City, thrown into disorder by the clan war, has gradually regained its vitality over the past few days.

Squads of people hurry off the streets from time to time, members of the Xie or Shi Clans. Vendors witnessing this chatter excitedly with unaware passersby about the recent upheavals in Yong’an City.

Inside the Shi family’s main hall, Shi Chenghong listens intently to reports from several elders, his expression serious.

As clan leader, he has many daily affairs, and lately, the family has had far more matters to handle than usual. Still, after hearing about the gains from this campaign, some of the fatigue on Shi Chenghong’s face eases.

"Clan Leader, a letter from Yunmeng City!"

A clan member suddenly announces outside the hall.

The unexpected announcement cuts off an elder mid-sentence, leaving a trace of displeasure on his face.

When Shi Chenghong received the letter, several clan elders immediately grew more solemn and serious.

Even the act of delivering a message within the clan followed strict rules and traditions.

The more important the letter's contents, the more unique and distinguished its envelope. This letter was coated entirely in a rare blue lacquer, the highest grade of correspondence within the clan. In other words, the contents of this letter were bound to be of the utmost importance!

After carefully confirming that the envelope bore no signs of tampering, Shi Chenghong slowly opened it and began to read.

Only a few moments later, his expression shifted dramatically first shock, then unrestrained joy.

Such a sudden change in expression made the elders below even more curious. After all, their clan leader was usually composed and unflappable. What could be written in that letter to stir such emotions in a man whose joy and anger rarely showed on his face?

After finishing the letter, Shi Chenghong calmly handed it to the clan elders and said, 

"Take a look for yourselves."

The elders immediately gathered around and read the contents with growing astonishment.

"What? The Zhou Clan has been annihilated?"

Shock spread across their faces.

The Zhou Clan was the foremost family in Yunmeng City, boasting three martial artists in the Qi Manipulation Realm and dozens of experts in the Innate Realm. How could such a powerful clan be wiped out so easily?

The news left them momentarily unable to contain themselves.

But once the initial shock passed, delight began to surface on their faces.

"Clan Leader, with the Zhou Clan destroyed, doesn't that mean the Chen Clan has lost its backing?"

"Clan Leader, now that the Zhou Clan is gone, I believe the Chen Clan is no longer a great concern. Yunmeng City is in chaos now. Shouldn't our family send people there to take advantage of the situation?"

The two elders below continued to argue heatedly, each voicing their stance.

"Clan Leader, we should deal with the Chen Clan first. The family has already failed several times. Now that the Zhou Clan is gone, we cannot afford any accidents. If we act quickly, we can seize the Blood Rice for ourselves. I believe we should end this quickly."

"With the Zhou Clan destroyed, Yunmeng City is leaderless. Many clans will surely be drawn in. Because of this chaos, our family must act fast. If we wait until the situation stabilizes, it will be far harder for us to gain a foothold in Yunmeng City!"

"The Blood Rice is stored in the Chen Clan. It won't run away. Besides, we still have Uncle He Zhang in the clan. We can move against them at any time."

"Hmph! The Blood Rice may not run away, but what if the Chen Clan does? Don’t forget that the Chen Clan is likely in possession of a high-grade martial technique!”

Their voices clashed; neither was willing to yield.

Above them, Shi Chenghong raised his hand, silencing them. After pondering for a moment, he finally spoke.

Shi Chenghong's voice carried firmly across the hall.

"The destruction of the Zhou Clan remains shrouded in mystery. We must tread carefully. Even though Yunmeng City is without a leader, if our family intervenes rashly, unforeseen dangers may arise. For now, it is best not to act.”

His tone then sharpened, filled with resolve.

"But the Chen Clan in Chaotic Burial Mountain cannot be allowed to remain! Whether for avenging our fallen clansmen or seizing the Blood Rice and their martial technique, they must be eliminated!"

"Clan Leader, wise as ever! I’ve heard that some members of the Chen Clan are still in Yong’an City. I will send men immediately to capture them!"

An elder rose, ready to leave the hall.

But before he could step out, Shi Chenghong’s voice rang out once more.

“There’s no need. I received word this morning that the Chen Clan left Yong’an City last night. They stripped their shops of all valuables before leaving. At first, I wondered about their sudden actions. But now it's clear: the Chen Clan must have learned of the Zhou Clan’s fate.”

The elders below furrowed their brows, and unease flickered across their faces.

The elders' voices rose with fervor, each brimming with anticipation.

"The Chen Clan has their incense totem, so it's normal for their messages to travel faster. But who would have thought that they had already stationed people in Yunmeng City?"

"In that case, a surprise attack may no longer be possible!"

"Hmph! So what if we can’t strike by surprise? Without the Zhou Clan’s protection, what is the Chen Clan worth?"

"Indeed."

"Clan Leader, give the order quickly! Let our people march to Chaotic Burial Mountain and wipe out the Chen Clan!”

Their faces glowed with expectation.

If they could destroy the Chen Clan and seize the Blood Rice, they could carve out a new path, even if their family failed to profit from Yunmeng City’s chaos.

With both old grudges and new enmities to settle, their eagerness had already reached its peak.

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