CHAPTER 566: FIVE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-SIX, THREE GREAT FAMILIES OF THE IMPERIAL CITY

"Relying solely on my Qingshan Sect, naturally we cannot eradicate the Jade Pot Sect, but what if they join us?"

Responding to Li Shan’s shout, Li Feng didn’t get mad but instead laughed, and the words that followed ignited a spark of latent unease in the hearts of everyone in the Jade Pot Sect.

Swoosh!

As Li Feng’s voice fell, from the western entrance of the Jade Pot Sect, a group of figures suddenly appeared again. When Yu Shu and the others turned their heads to look, their expressions became extremely ugly.

"Imperial City Guan Family Head: Guan Yu!"

Great Elder Lu Zhan’s words seemed to be squeezed through clenched teeth because he was not too unfamiliar with that figure. He had even interacted with this Family Head of the Guan Family several times when visiting the Imperial City.

The Imperial City boasts three major families, and it is said that the Guan Family has close ties with the Royal Family, with many of its members serving in the royal military, possessing exceptionally vast power.

It’s worth mentioning that this Guan Family Head named Guan Yu was the father of the Guan brothers who died due to Yun Xiao, so it could be said that Guan Yu’s personal presence here might have been driven by the demise of these brothers at the hands of the Jade Pot Sect.

"Guan Yu, my Jade Pot Sect has neither grudge nor grievance against your Guan Family; what advantage is there for you in doing this?"

Yu Shu also looked uncomfortable. As the Sect Master of the Jade Pot Sect, he wasn’t very clear about those matters of the Outer Sect; he cared only for the elite amongst the Inner Sect Disciples.

"What advantage? Haha, Sect Master Yu Shu, even without any benefits, my Guan Family today must eradicate the Jade Pot Sect to appease the spirit of my son in heaven!"

Upon hearing Yu Shu’s question, Guan Yu laughed loudly towards the sky, his voice filled with a mixture of resentment and sorrow, evidently recalling the tragic deaths of his two beloved sons.

"Guan Yu, this is somewhat unreasonable. Since you allowed Guan Tong and Guan Hu to join my Jade Pot Sect, you should comply with the rules of our sect. On the platform, life and death are disregarded; using this as an excuse to trouble my Jade Pot Sect seems a bit unjustifiable, doesn’t it?"

Elder Su He, who had witnessed Yun Xiao killing Guan Tong, knew more than Yu Shu and thus spoke with a somber expression.

On any normal day, even if Guan Tong died within the Jade Pot Sect, Guan Yu might only have to swallow his losses, because what Su He said was indeed plain truth.

But today, backed by powerful forces, Guan Yu no longer had to concern himself with the colossal Jade Pot Sect because, after today, there would no longer be a Jade Pot Sect in this world.

"In any case, my two sons died in your Jade Pot Sect, and all of you can’t wash your hands clean of this matter, but... I could give you a chance!"

Guan Yu paused for a moment, then pointed his finger towards a spot and suddenly raised his voice, shouting, "As long as you hand over Yun Xiao, the murderer of my two sons, then my Guan Family might consider staying out of this muddy fight, how about that?"

Where Guan Yu was pointing, stood a young boy in coarse clothes, and when Yu Shu, Lu Zhan, and the others realized who he was, uncontrollable anger surged in their hearts.

"In your dreams!"

How could Yu Shu hand over Yun Xiao? He was the Jade Pot Sect’s greatest hope for burgeoning success. Upon hearing his shout, he exclaimed again, "Even if Qingshan Sect and the Guan Family join forces, what is there for my Jade Pot Sect to fear?"

As Yu Shu said, given the current overall strength of the Jade Pot Sect, even if Qingshan Sect and the Guan Family joined forces, they wouldn’t be pushed to despair; they would merely need to fortify the sect’s defenses.

"What if my Song Family joins them?"

Just as Yu Shu and the Elders were resolute to face the adversary, another loud voice came from the eastern side, followed by a group of figures exuding powerful auras appearing.

"Imperial City Song Family Head: Song Hao!"

Turning his head, Yu Shu recognized the man at first sight, and his voice, full of grating teeth, also brought the Elders back to their senses since this man’s status within the Xuanyue Empire was no less than that of Guan Yu.

If Guan Family’s base was within the Xuanyue military, then this Family Head of the Song Family’s focus lay in the political scene of the Xuanyue Empire. It is said that one of Song Hao’s brothers is currently the chief minister of the Xuanyue Empire, holding the reins of national power.

"Yu Shu, just before the Hidden Dragon Conference began, your sect disciple Yun Xiao disregarded my Song Family, severely broke Song Zhen’s leg. This account should be settled today!"

Without waiting for Yu Shu to speak, Song Family Head Song Hao coldly stated, but upon hearing his reason, many scoffed, finding it rather far-fetched.

If the reason of Guan Family Head Guan Yu was to avenge his murdered sons, it barely passed muster, but everyone knew that this Song Family Head had only one precious son, the top prodigy of the Song Family—Song Yi. As for other talents, they probably wouldn’t catch his eye.

As for that Song Zhen, many had not even heard of him, and only because of a broken leg, the Song Family Head was making a big fuss to eradicate the Jade Pot Sect. This was indeed making a mountain out of a molehill.

Hearing Song Hao’s words, Yun Xiao couldn’t help but exchange a look with Mo Qingling Pill beside him, recalling the incident that happened at Heavenly Moon Pavilion; they both shook their heads and smiled bitterly.

At that time, due to some intentions, the Crown Prince Xuan Jiuding wanted to gather numerous talents to serve him, and suppress Yun Xiao’s momentum a bit, so he instructed Song Yi to come forward, who in turn didn’t want to act personally and let Song Zhen come to stir up trouble.

For such a minor character, how could Yun Xiao care? If not for Song Hao mentioning it today, he would have forgotten about it. Yet this highly respected Family Head of the Song Family actually used this as a reason, catching them totally off guard.

"If Family Head Song Hao wants to find trouble, just say it directly, why put on such a grand pretense?"

Great Elder Lu Zhan sneered. These people, one by one, had prepared their excuses well. It seemed they truly wouldn’t let Jade Pot Sect off easily today.

A single Qingshan Sect, Jade Pot Sect wouldn’t take seriously. Adding the Guan Family of Imperial City, Jade Pot Sect still felt confident to face two strong enemies together.

But now with the addition of the Song Family from the Imperial City, even though the strength of Jade Pot Sect had greatly progressed recently, they still felt tremendous pressure. Besides, with the two major families of the Imperial City here, what about the Wang Family, also one of the top three families?

"Haha, Brother Song, Brother Guan, you guys arrived even faster than me, that’s really not polite!"

Just as Yu Shu and the others were thinking this, a domineering laugh suddenly came from a distance, followed closely by a group of powerful figures striding forward, the leader emanating a sharp energy that simply couldn’t be concealed.

"This guy’s aura, it’s like the Strange Spirit, Golden Blade Jin Wuli!"

Feeling the aura of that robust figure, Yun Xiao touched his waist, remembering the Strange Spirit that was killed by the Dragon Taming Sword during the final battle of the Countries Hidden Dragon Conference.

"This person is the Family Head of one of the three great families of Imperial City, Wang Family, named Wang Yidao. It’s said he always strikes with only one blade and never strikes twice, because his opponents are often already split into two under one blade!"

Seeing Yun Xiao slightly puzzled, Mo Qing quickly explained, yet there was a hint of worry in her voice. The pressure on Jade Pot Sect was getting bigger with three great families of the Imperial City gathered.

"Only one blade? Heh, quite the arrogance!"

Hearing Mo Qing’s words, Yun Xiao straightened his back, wondering whether this Wang Yidao, whether his real name or an alias, would still be so confident when facing his Dragon Taming Sword?

"Wang Yidao, you have come to our Jade Pot Sect, and for what purpose?"

At this moment, Yu Shu calmed down. Even knowing that this Wang Yidao wouldn’t retreat just because of his words, he still asked.

"Yu Shu Sect Master is uninformed; our three great families of the Imperial City have always been closely united. Brother Song and Brother Guan have arrived, how could my Wang Family pretend not to know and not join in the excitement?"

Wang Yidao was blunt, but his words not only caused the people of Jade Pot Sect to roll their eyes but also made the people from the Song and Guan Family show a trace of an odd expression, silently remarking this guy’s skin is really thick.

Although collectively known as the three great families of the Imperial City, since they are all in the same city, for power distribution and individual interests, there definitely are conflicts among the three families.

Thus, although there are no major conflicts on the surface among the three great families of the Imperial City, the conspiracy behind the scenes is endless. The relationship between the three families is far from harmonious.

Yet, this Wang Yidao still had to make such a statement. If it were someone unaware of the inside story, they might actually believe such nonsense about the three families being closely united.

"Hmph, Jade Pot Sect has always acted openly and honestly, aren’t you afraid the Royal Family will punish you for such blatant joint attack?"

Under the aggressive pressure from Qingshan Sect and the three great families, Yu Shu was under great stress and could only bring up the Royal Family, with whom they had a good relationship.

In Yu Shu’s view, the current King Xuan Haoran was a wise ruler and would not allow Qingshan Sect to join forces with the three families and destroy Jade Pot Sect, especially since Xuan Haoran still owed a big favor to Yun Xiao’s sister Yun Wei; he couldn’t ignore such a matter.

"Sorry, Sect Master Yu Shu, for such personal grudges, His Majesty the King will not intervene!"

Just as the people of Jade Pot Sect were hoping these powers might show restraint because of the Royal Family, another voice suddenly came from a distance, and hearing this voice, like Lu Zhan, Li Shan, and others, they felt a vague familiarity.

"Yan Chun?!"

When everyone turned their heads to look towards where the voice was coming from, they saw a group of about ten people walking together, the leading person being all too familiar to the elders of Jade Pot Sect, even to Yun Xiao— it was Yan Chun, the former Fifth Elder of the sect!

Initially, when Third Prince Xuan Zhi infiltrated Jade Pot Sect, together with Yan Chun, they stole the Sect Treasure of Jade Pot Sect. Only then did Lu Zhan and the others realize that this Fifth Elder was actually the Commander of the Royal Xuantie Army.

Today, this person returning to Jade Pot Sect was likely not a pleasant matter!