Chapter 1132: Intercepted

Proofreader: Papatonks

“Father, I would like to know if the Luo Alliance ever had a blind member…”

“Alliance Leader, we have a grave situation…”

Luo Yunhai thought of something and asked, but the sudden panicked shout drew everyone’s attention to outside the hall. A scout in black rushed in and kneeled, “We have news from the central area that Dragon Cleaving Sword King is on his way to kill Alliance Leader. You must get to safety and survive!”

[What?!]

Everyone at the celebration panicked, the hall drowned in frantic voices.

Dragon Cleaving Sword King, the once best in western lands, was coming after Luo Yunhai’s head? 

[This is a disaster. There’s nothing in western lands that can stop him.]

The Luo Alliance was in huge trouble.

Many guests had dark looks, waiting for their response.

Zhuge Changfeng rushed to the scout, snapping at him, “How solid is the info? He is a Sword King, not someone to stoop down to dirty assassinations. Did the empire send him? Are they only after the Luo Alliance?”

“Steward Zhuge, the report says the central area has no hand in it, that Danqing Shen is doing it on his own…”

“What did we ever do to him?”

“Clan Head, stewards, not to him but someone else. For he brought Lads of Our Nation to him and asked for Clan Head’s death. It has spread everywhere by now. Everyone calls it hate begets hate, a part of the cultivation world. Now they’re waiting for the drama to unfold between the Luo Alliance and Danqing Shen.”

Zhuge Changfeng’s face shook hard at the impossible problem.

[This is grave!]

[Since this was treated as a cultivator’s grudge, and only after one person, no expert of the four lands will lend a hand, especially since the central area isn’t marching on us.]

[Luo Yunhai’s death would mean nothing to the four lands, the impact limited to the Luo Alliance, not a loss of strength, but a restructuring of power.]

[While the four states keep their strength, the Luo Alliance’s will crumble under the redistribution of power.]

[Double Dragon Manor’s dear wish, no doubt. Asking them to help now…]

Zhuge Changfeng shook his head and sighed. Leng Wuchang knew the situation was dire, his mind working hard for a solution. He found none.

“Brother Yunhai, we nine Sect Leaders will plead your case before Double Dragon Manor. Only the Exalted can stop their former disciple now.” Wen Tao spoke. 

The others weren’t against it, but Qin Hao had little hope this would work.

As an old adversary of the Luo Alliance for years and years, he knew best of Double Dragon Manor’s stance. In this trying time where a supreme expert was joining in, they all supported Luo Alliance in getting Double Dragon Manor to help, but whether the help would come, remained to be seen. 

“The Exalted can at best match Danqing Shen, even if they do agree. This is an assassination. Danqing Shen can sidestep them with ease.” 

Qin Hao, having Luo Yunhai nursing his ego all this time, decided to give subtle advice. 

[Don’t go as they won’t help since they’re too eager to see you die.]

The others fell silent, with Wu Qingqiu making another proposal, “I was once somewhat close to the Shangguan clan. Maybe I could send them a request to help.”

“Somewhat? Brother Wu, you’ve been making constant trips to eastern lands even now, ha-ha-ha…” Wen Tao snickered at his expense.

Wu Qingqiu smiled as he looked at Luo Yunhai, “Well?”

“Thank you Sect Leader Wu, but going to Double Dragon Manor is still better, since this involves western lands. It would be best not to go over them.”

Zhuge Changfeng nodded, looking grave, “Clan Head, Sect Leaders request will also take days and that means delaying the old man is a must. I propose we double the guard and raise the alert of the border patrols while also sending people to intercept in between to buy enough time.” 

A tall man popped before them, his sideburns swaying in the breeze. He cupped his hands, “Clan Head, I volunteer to go and meet Dragon Cleaving Sword King.” 

“Elder Li…”

“Clan Head, we also volunteer.”

Qiu Yanhai, Xue Qingjian, along with Earth and Heaven elders cupped their hands as well.

Luo Yunhai hesitated, “You are Luo clan’s guardian venerables, without equal in the Luo Alliance. But Dragon Cleaving Sword King is just as monstrous. Going means…” 

“As fellow peak Genesis experts, we would like to see what sets a Sword King apart from us, ha-ha-ha…” Li Jingtian made a fierce salute, his eyes eager for battle, “Clan Head, allow us to go against true experts. Death matters little to us!”

“Please allow us, Clan Head!” The other fow bowed.

Luo Yunhai sighed and nodded. Everyone else watched the five with respect. 

[The loyalty and courage Luo clan’s venerables have is awe-inspiring, rushing by their own initiative against such an enemy.]

“Before you go, take Everblue with you to help.”

“And Pyrocloud. While not up to Alliance Leader’s Everblue, it will help.”

Luo Yunhai offered his new spiritual sword and Qin Hao presented the degraded Pyrocloud. This was respect among heroes. There was a stifling mode prevalent in the hall.

The five took them and cupped their hands before leaving. All felt this might be the last time they would see them.

“As the wind howls and rain batters, our brave depart never to return.”

Qin Hao cupped his hand in complete respect, “Alliance Leader Luo, you have nothing but admiration at the strength your alliance garnered, having such loyal warriors as well.”

Luo Yunhai shook his head with sorrow, “It was Steward Zhuo who brought them. Watching them go to their doom makes me a failure as a Clan Head, disgracing his spirit.”

[Steward Zhuo again?]

Luo Sifan was getting more and more curious. 

[Who on earth is he? Why is he mentioned with nothing but reverence, like a saint?]

Her feelings were ignored in this dire time when survival was doubtful. People rushed about, laying defenses, forming patrols, anything to stop Danqing Shen. The celebration came to a halt as the guest knew this was the last drink.

“Long Jianshan, Xie Nianyang, we never did see the five elders fight as one. It must be amazing. Let’s go watch!” While all were busy, she sneaked to her gophers to get them on board.

Long Jianshan hesitated, “The strongest venerables have never moved before. The enemy must be dangerous. Won’t we get hurt by going?”

“Scared?”

“I-I’m not scared. How are we going to catch up anyway?”

“Simple, with Grandpa Li’s dotting so much, I slipped a Thousand Leagues Scent on him in case the old man would try to avoid playing with me. We’ll find them for sure with the Lovesick Larva.”

“Sifan, you trickster.” Long Jianshan’s face twitched and sighed, “I got nothing left to argue…”

“Stop with the prattle. You’re in or out?”

“In!”

The brats sneaked out.

“We’re did those kids go this time?” Yue’er looked around and frowned…

A month later, at the western lands border, a thin old man stood in the desert, facing five men.

Danqing Shen was out on a stroll, living a little, while also taking Luo Yunhai in passing.

“I haven’t been home in years, yet I just passed the border and you’re here to meet me. How may I help you?”

“Are you Dragon Cleaving Sword King, Danqing Shen?”

“Precisely!”

“We’re the Luo clan’s five venerables.”

“That explains it.” Danqing Shen nodded, smiling, “You came to die for your lord. I do appreciate your devotion.”

Ding!

Li Jingtian held out an azure sword while Qiu Yanhai wielded Pyrocloud, pointing it at him, “We came on behalf of the Clan Head, but also to see the legend of the best in western lands for ourselves. As peak Genesis experts, why are you so much stronger?” 

“I see, martial fanatics, just like me, ha-ha-ha…” Danqing Shen chuckled freely. Then he stiffened, setting his piercing gaze upon the azure sword. 

“Where did you get that?”