Chapter 146: The Tide Turns, The Two Yaos Withdraw

Seeing Han Mingyuan agree to help Qin Xiao, Clear Wind Ancestor did not know what to say.

It had not been long, yet his mood had been like a rollercoaster, joyous one moment, despairing the next.

“Heavens, are you trying to torment me to death?”

Clear Wind Ancestor’s face had already turned ashen. Han Mingyuan was a Body Integration stage expert; no matter how many Soul Formation cultivators arrived on his side, they could not match the weight of a single extra Body Integration expert.

“Elder Han, this is a matter between the Heavenly Clothes Pavilion and the Clear Wind Sect. Isn’t it inappropriate for your Pure Yang Sect to get involved?”

Chen Shunyi’s expression was far from pleasant. Han Mingyuan’s arrival threatened to unravel his entire scheme, leaving him with no choice but to speak up.

“Grand Commander Chen, what’s inappropriate about it? Leaving aside whether I’m getting involved, we belong to the cultivation world. You serve the Supreme Heavenly Dynasty in the secular world. Isn’t your involvement the inappropriate one?”

Han Mingyuan contradicted Chen Shunyi without a shred of courtesy.

The Pure Yang Sect was Qingzhou’s foremost sect and could oversee its entire cultivation world. In standing, it was on a par with the Qingzhou Governor-General. A Grand Commander did not rank high enough.

“I am not meddling in the feud between these two factions. I am merely acting in a private capacity to find Qin Xiao.”

Chen Shunyi did not want to give anyone grounds to act against him, so he claimed he was only looking for Qin Xiao.

“What a coincidence. I am also helping Qin Xiao in a private capacity.”

Han Mingyuan replied without missing a beat.

What he said was indeed the truth. The letter Qin Xiao had sent him did not ask him to deal with the Clear Wind Sect, but rather to act as a bodyguard and ensure his safety throughout this affair.

Qin Xiao knew asking him to help attack another faction would not work. Besides, most of these people seemed to be targeting Qin Xiao himself, so he had asked Han Mingyuan to protect him, promising payment afterward.

As long as Han Mingyuan kept Chen Shunyi in check, his master’s wife could easily handle the rest single-handedly, wiping out the Clear Wind Sect and naturally resolving the crisis.

“So Elder Han means there is no room for negotiation?”

Chen Shunyi did not want his plan to fail. Even if he abandoned the destruction of the Heavenly Clothes Pavilion and everything else, he had to kill Qin Xiao today. At Qin Xiao’s current rate of progress, he would have even less chance later.

“What’s there to discuss? You want to kill him, and I want to protect him. Since we’re both acting privately, there’s no need to stand on courtesy. Make your move.” The source of this chapter is NovelPing.

Unwilling to waste breath, Han Mingyuan preferred to finish the battle swiftly.

“Do you truly think I am the only one who wants Qin Xiao dead? Elder Yao, shall we join forces?”

Chen Shunyi had originally hoped to avoid relying on others, intending for his disciple to personally slay Qin Xiao. But circumstances now forced his hand.

“Of course. I’d be delighted to join forces with you, Grand Commander Chen.”

Fully aware of the dire situation, Yao Tiansheng agreed without hesitation.

“Elder Han, what say you now? I know I am no match for you, but holding you in check for a short while is entirely possible. That fleeting window will be more than enough for Elder Yao to kill Qin Xiao ten times over.”

Chen Shunyi no longer cared about courtesy. They could simply fight.

“Clear Wind Ancestor, this deviates entirely from the original plan! If the Grand Commander refuses to assist us, we are utterly outmatched!”

“Indeed! If things stand thus, I can only take my people and leave.”

“This is nothing short of suicide. We are withdrawing!”

Faced with the shifting tides and Chen Shunyi’s sudden pivot, the minor forces that had aligned themselves with the Clear Wind Sect panicked, clamoring to retreat.

“Grand Commander, this was not the agreement! You cannot simply abandon us! Qin Xiao can be dealt with later-I will help you kill him myself! Please, do not deviate from the original plan!”

Chen Shunyi was looking out only for himself, leaving the Clear Wind Ancestor in a desperate position. The ancestor hurriedly called out.

If no one restrained Ye Qiuyue, none of his people would survive her wrath. To alter the strategy so abruptly meant certain doom for the Clear Wind Sect.

“Shut your mouth! If not for your endless delays, we would never have reached this juncture. Pray for your own survival.”

Chen Shunyi could no longer concern himself with the Clear Wind Sect. He now faced Han Mingyuan, who was stronger even than Ye Qiuyue.

“Xian’er, when the time comes, strike alongside Elder Yao while I keep Han Mingyuan occupied. Be swift about it.”

After silencing Clear Wind Ancestor with a sharp rebuke, Chen Shunyi turned to instruct Fang Xiuxian.

“If you think you can pull it off, then make your move. But if Qin Xiao dies, I guarantee you will perish here as well. Try me if you doubt my words.”

Chen Shunyi’s words did not trouble Han Mingyuan. He threatened him in return.

“I mean the same,” Ye Qiuyue said. “Even if I leave the Clear Wind Sect alone, I’ll still make sure you die here.” The source of this chapter is novelping . com.

Chen Shunyi was left utterly baffled. Was it truly worth this? Over a mere Qin Xiao, they were willing to risk severe injuries to ensure his survival?

Battles between Body Integration cultivators were not so simple. Even someone certain of victory dared not readily strike to kill: the opponent could self-destruct. Even a cultivator one minor realm higher would not dare take a Body Integration cultivator’s self-destruction head-on. It could cause severe injuries and, with bad luck, kill them both.

Knowing the risks, they still vowed to make him perish here. Was there truly something on Qin Xiao more valuable than one’s own safety?

Chen Shunyi could understand Ye Qiuyue saying this. She was not a reasonable person and might decide anything. But Han Mingyuan was different: he was the Pure Yang Sect’s Second Elder, neither kin nor friend to Qin Xiao. Why would he do this?

Chen Shunyi had only some reservations about the threats, but Yao Tiansheng was different. He was only at late Soul Formation; killing him would be easy for two Body Integration cultivators. Even if he fled straight after killing Qin Xiao, they would probably catch him before he reached the Tianyuan Sect.

“Elder Brother, let’s give up this time and find another chance later. Otherwise, we both risk dying.”

Yao Yongzhi had not expected this turn of events either. He wanted to leave, but first he reminded his elder brother.

“This is such a rare chance… Oh, well. As long as we live, we’ll have another chance. Let’s go.”

Yao Tiansheng would not insist. Whether Han Mingyuan dared kill him or not, Ye Qiuyue certainly would. Before Han Mingyuan arrived, he had not worried: Chen Shunyi could hold Ye Qiuyue off while he escaped to the sect. Now no one could hold her off.

He had agreed to cooperate with Chen Shunyi because he wanted to use someone else to do the killing. He would leave the final strike to Fang Xiuxian, so he would not be the main target. Chen Shunyi would hold off Ye Qiuyue to protect his disciple. As for Han Mingyuan, Yao Tiansheng was sure he would not pursue him over a dead man. But he dared not gamble on it; he could not afford to.

“Brat, you’re lucky to be alive. I’ll settle this score with you another time.”

Realizing today’s attempt had failed, Yao Tiansheng abandoned all hesitation and prepared to withdraw.

“Elder Yao, what is the meaning of this?”

Stunned, Chen Shunyi demanded an explanation as he watched Yao Tiansheng turn to leave.

Chen Shunyi had a similar scheme in mind. He would let his disciple vent his anger, then leave the killing to Yao Tiansheng. He himself need only hold off Han Mingyuan; Ye Qiuyue would naturally chase Yao Tiansheng, and he could leave with his disciple. But if Yao Tiansheng withdrew, who would die in their place?

They all had ulterior motives. What cooperation was there? Each wanted the greatest benefit with the least risk. But they had all lived long enough to know better than to fall for each other’s schemes.

“Grand Commander Chen, there’s nothing we can do here today. I have matters to attend to at my sect, so I’ll leave first.”

Without waiting for Chen Shunyi to reply, Yao Tiansheng left with Yao Yongzhi on their flying swords.