Chapter 242: Discussing the Partition
I have added this story to my Patreon. You can support me and read the 40 latest and advanced Chapters there. It also fed and motivate me to write more Chapters!
Yu Yuanzhen’s expression grew increasingly grim.
Jiang Bai shifted the topic, his tone softening slightly: "Of course, submitting to the Spirit Hall is not without its benefits. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan’s legacy can be preserved. The sect’s assets can be retained. And the disciples’ prospects will only improve."
He paused briefly: "But if you insist on resisting..."
He left the sentence unfinished, merely casting a glance in the direction of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
The implication was unmistakable.
Yu Yuanzhen closed his eyes.
A maelstrom of complex emotions surged within his heart: anger, indignation, helplessness, and a profound sense of powerlessness.
Submission?
Or annihilation?
In truth, from the very beginning, there had never been a second answer to that question.
After a long silence...
He opened his eyes; those aged eyes were filled with utter weariness. He rose to his feet and bowed slightly: "The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan..."
His voice was hoarse, as if squeezed from the very depths of his throat: "We place ourselves at Sect Master Jiang’s command."
As the words left his lips, he seemed drained of all strength; he sank back into his chair, utterly silent.
Jiang Bai looked at him and nodded: "Sect Master Yu is wise."
His gaze then settled upon the final individual present.
The Sect Master of the Fire Leopard Sect.
From start to finish, he had not uttered a single word. He had merely sat in silence, his brows deeply furrowed.
Now, sensing Jiang Bai’s gaze upon him, his body stiffened almost imperceptibly.
The Fire Leopard Sect—one of the Lower Four Sects. Among the seven major sects, it ranked dead last in terms of power. It boasted no Title Douluo, and its strongest Soul Douluo was merely at Level 82.
If even the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had submitted, what choice did he have?
The Fire Leopard Sect Master took a deep breath, rose to his feet, and bowed slightly: "The Fire Leopard Sect... places itself at Sect Master Jiang’s command."
Jiang Bai smiled faintly: "Good. From this day forward, you are all one family."
He raised his teacup in a toast: "To the Spirit Hall—and to your new futures. Cheers."
The others raised their cups in unison.
Yu Yuanzhen lifted his wine cup and drained it in a single gulp. The liquor was sharp and biting, yet it could not compare to the bitterness welling within his heart.
Jiang Bai set down his teacup, the smile on his face gradually fading.
He spoke once more—his voice calm, yet compelling everyone to prick up their ears: "One final matter: the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
The hearts of everyone present leaped into their throats in unison.
Jiang Bai looked out at them and spoke coolly: "Although the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has fallen from the ranks of the Upper Three Sects, a starving camel is still larger than a horse. Their treasury holds the accumulated wealth of a thousand years."
"Gentlemen... would you be interested in claiming a share of the spoils?"
As his words hung in the air, the banquet hall fell into a dead silence.
"What?!"
The Fire Leopard Sect Master shot to his feet, his eyes wide with shock: "Sect Master Jiang, are you saying... that you intend to wipe out the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?!"
His voice was laced with sheer disbelief.
The others, too, wore expressions of utter shock. They had assumed that merely knocking the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect down from its position among the Upper Three Sects would be the final outcome.
They never expected that Jiang Bai would actually go so far as to seek their total annihilation?
Observing their reactions, Jiang Bai’s expression remained unchanged.
His gaze swept across the assembly: "I offer you two choices."
Everyone held their breath.
"First: send no one to participate in the battle. Tacitly allow my Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to wipe out the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. You will suffer no losses, but neither will you gain any benefits."
His voice was soft, yet it carried a chilling coldness that sent shivers down their spines.
"Second: send forces to join the battle, and you may claim a share of the spoils."
He held up three fingers: "Of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect’s treasury, my Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect claims seventy percent. The remaining thirty percent shall be divided equally among your five sects."
As his words fell, the banquet hall once again descended into silence.
The representatives of the five sects exchanged glances; in each other’s eyes, they saw a mixture of shock and greed.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect’s treasury!
It was the wealthiest treasury on the entire continent—a hoard of wealth accumulated over thousands of years! Countless rare Gold Soul Coins, medicinal herbs, Soul Tools...
Even a single share of that thirty percent would be an astonishing fortune!
Silence.
A long, drawn-out silence.
"The Elephant Armored Sect is willing to send forces to join the battle!"
Huyan Zhen was the first to rise, his voice booming like thunder.
A glint of greed flickered in his eyes.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect’s treasury?
That was a prime cut of meat!
Since Jiang Bai was willing to offer a share of the spoils, what reason did he have to refuse?
"The Rock Antelope Sect is willing to send forces to join the battle!"
Kamis was the second to rise, a rare smile gracing her fair features.
"The Black Tiger Sect is willing to send forces to join the battle!"
Hu Xiaotian rose third, laughing heartily.
The three sects once again voiced their agreement in unison.
All eyes turned toward Yu Yuanzhen.
Yu Yuanzhen sat there, his face ashen.
Within his heart, a storm of complex emotions raged. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect...
Although he was at odds with Ning Fengzhi—and although he disliked that "smiling tiger"—the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was, after all, one of the Three Upper Sects, having stood on equal footing with his own Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan for so many years.
And now, he was expected to personally take part in carving up their legacy?
Jiang Bai looked at him and spoke in a detached tone: "Sect Master Yu, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan would do well to think this through carefully."
His voice was neither warm nor cold: "The fate that has befallen the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect lies right before your eyes. Will you stand with us and claim a share of the spoils? Or..."
He left the sentence unfinished, but the implication was abundantly clear.
Yu Yuanzhen closed his eyes.
A long silence ensued.
Finally, he opened his eyes; his aged gaze was filled with weariness.
"The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan agrees to dispatch forces to join the battle."
Jiang Bai nodded and turned his gaze toward the final individual.
The Sect Master of the Fire Leopard Sect.
He hesitated not at all; rising to his feet, he declared: "The Fire Leopard Sect is ready to send its forces to join the fight!"
There was a distinct note of eagerness in his voice.
For he knew that this was the Fire Leopard Sect’s chance to rise to prominence.
Miss this opportunity, and it would be lost forever.
Jiang Bai smiled faintly and raised his teacup: "Good. Then it is settled."
"Once the schedule is finalized, I will notify you all!"
The others raised their cups in unison.
Yu Yuanzhen lifted his wine cup and drained it in a single gulp.
The wine was sharp and biting, yet it could not compare to the bitterness welling up within his heart.
...
It was late into the night.
The banquet had concluded, and the representatives of the five major sects had each departed.
Jiang Bai stood by the window, gazing out at the moonlight.
Jiang Li’er walked over and leaned against him.
"Jiang Bai, what do you suppose that Ning Fengzhi is thinking right now?"
Jiang Bai smiled: "He’s thinking about how to survive."
Jiang Li’er tilted her head: "Will he run?"
Jiang Bai shook his head: "Run? Where could he possibly run to?"
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is his very root—his foundation. He simply cannot bring himself to abandon it."
Jiang Li’er nodded, appearing to grasp the concept only vaguely. Bi Ji walked over and asked softly, "Regarding the matter of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect—do you truly intend to handle it personally?"
Jiang Bai looked at her. "Does Sister Bi Ji feel that would be inappropriate?"
Bi Ji shook her head. "I merely feel that... while Ning Fengzhi is indeed a hypocrite, he is not an utterly heinous villain."
Jiang Bai smiled. "Sister Bi Ji has a kind heart."
He turned around to gaze at the moonlight streaming through the window, his voice barely a whisper: "But in this world, a kind heart alone is not enough to ensure one’s survival."
"If the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect stands in our way, it must be cleared aside."
"This is not a question of right or wrong."
"It is a question of stance."
Bi Ji fell silent for a moment, then let out a soft sigh.
The moonlight, flowing like water, spilled down upon the three of them.