In a while, they lowered their voices and discussed something…
"Coral, have you thought things through? This time, we're up against Life Ending Hall. They're even more difficult to handle compared to Purple Sun Sect."
The women looked at one person with incredible seriousness, and the speaker's tone was very stern.
"We did not dare to act rashly when Purple Sun Sect went after your life. We were worried that more of our sisters will die to save you. Right now, even though the matter with Purple Sun Sect hasn't ended yet, you're thinking of provoking Life Ending Hall. Girl, are you insane?"
"That's why I asked you to come over in disguise."
The woman being stared at by the others was Red Coral, who had left the ancient tomb for less than a day. She had a white messenger pigeon in her hands. When she heard the others' concerns, she answered very calmly before she released the messenger pigeon. Even though she felt hurt when Happy took the jade slit ring from her, she knew that he had saved her, and she owed him a favor.
She had contributed a lot to Black Rose Clan, but these good friends of hers who usually obeyed her orders and relied on her for everything did not dare to provoke Purple Sun Sect, even though logically speaking, they should have, and even though she had asked them to help her. However, in their place, a stranger had helped her.
This made Red Coral, who usually liked relying on her rationale and calculations to handle every single matter, to feel slightly touched and like she was being cared for, which she had not felt for a long time.
"You're being too carefree," a person beside her commented with a frown. "You must understand that quite a number of our people have died because of the tribute stealing quest. Right now, we need our members to protect and defend the tributes we have in the stronghold. But look at you, not only did you drag us here, you even brought our big sister, who is supposed to serve as a garrison in the stronghold. Big sister, aren't you going to rein her in?"
Black Rose, who had not said a single word since the beginning, only cast a deep glance at Red Coral. When she saw the she still had that indifferent look on her face, she said, "I believe in Red Coral. She must have her reasons for doing this."
"But Life Ending Hall isn't like any other organization!"
"Big sister, you pamper Coral too much. I heard that Vice Hall Master Light and Dark is the leader of the team. If we bring about Life Ending Hall's anger on ourselves, all our hard work will be for nothing!"
The Black Rose Clan members stood by their point of view and tried to make Black Rose see reason.
"I told you a long time ago that those tributes are useless. The developers will not be stupid enough to let loose so many items that will affect the entire game. Before the emperor's birthday arrives, they are like ticking time bombs. If you don't want to be crushed to pieces by those things, it's better to let go of them beforehand," Red Coral voiced her stance, which she firmly believed in.
"What a load of bull!"
"That's right. All the people in the game are fighting for it right now! Are we supposed to give up on them because you said so? What if this is an event organized by World of Martial Arts?"
"Then there is no need to continue playing this game. If you insist on staying, I will be the first to delete my character and quit!" Red Coral answered in a very firm and straightforward manner, causing the Black Rose Clan members around her to collectively shut up.
Red Coral's firm and decisive delivery of her stance finally allowed her to show her confidence as the military advisor of Black Rose Clan!
The members who had collectively stood against her thought that they had pressured her too much and had led her to say words that showed her fiercely adhering to her own moral code. Their faces turned pale, and they did not dare to speak anymore.
If Black Rose was the clan's core and spiritual leader, then Red Coral was the clan's strategist and administrator.
There was no doubt about her plans and her intelligence being the top in Black Rose Clan, aside from this quest she had come up with.
Even though Red Coral was very much against the members of Black Rose Clan being involved in the tribute stealing quest, she was helpless against the general trend. Many of her sisters had been dragged into the mix. Hence, even though she was opposed to it, she still provided the battle plans during critical moments and those that minimized danger and picked specific targets.
This was why Black Rose Clan had been able to continue and did not fall to ruin.
If Black Rose left, the clan's division could happen, but if Red Coral left, the clan was bound to fall to ruin.
This was why no one dared to speak up once her tone became firm.
"Alright, Coral, let's set aside the quest first," Black Rose said to ease the tense atmosphere. She asked earnestly and sincerely, "Do you really think that there is a need for us to take the risk to save the person in the ancient tomb? As long as you think that there is a need for that, as your leader, I will definitely support your decision, even if it's wrong."
"Big sis, trust me. If you truly want Black Rose to succeed in World of Martial Arts, then our clan must get a powerful ally on our side!
"The game has not been launched for a long time, and he is still alone. Also, you should know Light and Dark's abilities. Do you really think that it's worth it to get one person on our side at the risk of going up against all of Life Ending Hall?" Black Rose looked into Red Coral's eyes.
Red Coral did not shy away or avoid her gaze. She stared right back at her and said in an unperturbed manner, "It's precisely because he is alone that we have the chance to draw him to our side. As for whether it is worth it or not, we will know in the future…"
Black Rose could see the insistence and determination in Red Coral's eyes. This was very similar to the look she had many times in the past, and Black Rose always remembered seeing it. She felt sentimental and nodded firmly.
"I'll support you!"
Black Rose's answer set the operation in stone. The people who opposed the idea around her no longer said anything.
This was how Black Rose Clan operated.
Before the operation, they could voice different opinions and even argue against each other, but once the decision was made, everyone had to carry out their tasks carefully and meticulously.
When Black Rose finished speaking, a white messenger pigeon quietly appeared in the forest. It flapped its wings and flew into Red Coral's extended palm.
All the people surrounded her and looked at it with interest.
They knew that it was a reply from the person in the ancient tomb!
Red Coral did not hide it either. She unfolded the letter, and astonishment filled her expression. Soft cries of surprise rose from around her soon after.
Red Coral's message to the person in the ancient tomb had included details such as the general situation of Life Ending Hall's operation, their numbers, their leader's abilities, the background of Life Ending Hall, and the situation outside the ancient tomb. She also told him that she was willing to work together with him and launch a pincer attack so that they could create a chance for him to escape.
However, even though they had taken the initiative to send a letter telling him, who was surrounded in the ancient tomb, that they were willing to send him reinforcements, their offer had been tactfully refused.
The contents of the letter were very simple: [Don't take the risk, I can handle it.]
"He doesn't need our help? What's going on?"
Black Rose frowned as she pondered over his answer, and she could not help but take off the veil from her face. An extremely exquisite, elegant, and beautiful face appeared before the women. She turned to stare at Red Coral with her bright and enchanting eyes, which shone with a heroic spark.
Red Coral's expression showed that she knew this would happen. She folded the letter and said a single sentence to the women who had astounded and puzzled expressions, "Mission complete."
Chapter 112 - Chain Attack
In
the ancient tomb, when Happy finished circulating his qi cultivation technique and released the messenger pigeon in a very grand manner, Sinless in Light and Dark finally could not suppress the curiosity and battle spirit in his heart. He gave a soft-spoken order to his subordinates before walking forward.
He was dressed in black armor and had two shortswords strapped to his waist. This getup was very unique and eye-catching. Besides, his swords and his armor were all extraordinary items. As he walked, the metal clanged against each other, and his presence gave off a faint oppressive pressure.
However, what caused Light and Dark to wear a solemn expression was the faint and dangerous aura he sensed from the young man in the ancient tomb the closer he drew. Despite the fact that Light and Dark remained calm in the face of hundreds of archers from Purple Sun Sect and had even had an imposing presence at the time, it was as if the presence he had deliberately created had been reflected back on him by how calm his opponent was.
When he was sixteen feet away from him, Happy still did not look him in the eye. He stared into the distance, as if the Dirt Puppet there was more worthy of his attention.
Light and Dark said nothing. He stood at a distance not too far away from Happy and felt aggrieved for being ignored. He s.u.c.k.e.d in a deep breath to calm himself before he took the initiative to speak. "Are you Happy?"
There were very few players who knew about the small offline martial arts tournament, and only a few Blessed Realm players had joined it, which was why it had not attracted many players' attention.
Happy raised his head and nodded.
His calm reaction made Light and Dark speechless again. In fact, he had a great urge to bring out a mirror and look at his own reflection. Had the Enforcer gained a harmless appearance at some point in time?
"Did you come for the jade slit ring?" Happy asked. He looked up and swept his gaze over the hall emblem on Light and Dark's c.h.e.s.t. He frowned, and his tone could not be considered friendly.
However, Light and Dark could sense a very obvious hint of oppression from Happy's straightforward words. Light and Dark's expression darkened.
"That jade slit ring has always belonged to Life Ending Hall. If it's of no problem to you, please return it."
"And if I say no?"
Happy still remained calm and indifferent, as if he did not know who Life Ending Hall was.
Light and Dark laughed coldly. "If that's the case, I'm going to have to ask you to show me your skills."
"You're gonna fight me alone?" Happy cast a cool glance behind Sinless in Light and Dark. "Why don't all of you attack together?"
"If we're just up against you, there's no need for that."
As Light and Dark stared into Happy's eyes, he slowly gained a confrontational air. He reached for the shortswords by his waist while he cast a glance at Thunderous Battle in the other corner, though no one knew whether that glance was intentional or not...
Thunderous Battle stood up with one hand on his sword, because he was worried Happy would have to fight alone. He walked over with a serious face.
"But if he joins, things will be different."
A cold and fierce look appeared on Light and Dark's face.
"If that's the case…" Happy leaned forward and stood up under the solemn gazes of the people from Life Ending Hall. "let's not waste each other's time. Let's do it… Big Brother Thunder."
When Thunderous Battle heard this, he immediately stopped moving and nodded.
Light and Dark looked away at that moment. With two clear sounds of weapons being drawn, his shortswords were unsheathed, revealing two balls of dazzling halos. He held them with a confident grip and placed one in front of his body, while the other was behind him—he used the stance which invited Happy to battle.
Happy and Thunderous Battle made an estimation based on the brightness of the halo. Light and Dark should have a high-tier sword technique at the eighth realm. If they were to judge things based on high-tier martial arts alone, his abilities would be above Happy's.
Thunderous Battle cast a worried look at Happy, but he did not see a single hint of alarm or gravity on his face…
Happy raised his hand in a simple gesture while he staring at Sinless in Light and Dark. He positioned his Hundred-battle Saber horizontally and had the tip pointed at his opponent.
"This time, I will stop once I prove my point, but if anyone else comes here because of the jade slit ring… Hmph!" Happy said in a cold tone.
He left the second half of his sentence hanging, letting it dissolve into a grunt instead, because to him, there was absolutely no need to say those words. If he did, the others would just think he was tooting his own horn.
However, while the person who said those words might not have had the intention, the listener might still misinterpret it.
When Sinless in Light and Dark heard him, his words gained a derisive tone that he absolutely could not forgive.
They had not even began fighting, and the youth had already put on a victor's stance.
"We'll talk once you win!" he roared and turned into an afterimage. He vanished from the spot. He was so fast that Thunderous Battle's expression changed.
On the other hand, Happy just swung his Hundred-battle Saber upwards without panicking.
A dazzling blue saber glare appeared, and the sound of air being sliced could be heard. The dangerous saber glare instantly sealed off most of the area before it, and it was just in time to force the black figure who had showed itself seven feet away to stagger backwards and retreat.
Two shortswords parried the Hundred-battle Saber's slash at the critical moment. If they had not, the slash would have cut Light and Dark in half. Shock and astonishment filled the man's face. His footwork, which he had fused with his assassination technique, was the skill of which he was the most proud. When he executed it, he could instantly draw close to his enemy. It would deal a lot of damage and created mental effect on the enemy which resulted in him never missing.
He did not expect that Happy would figure it out so easily.
But that was not all. A seventh realm Flowering Knights' Song might not be as high in offensive power as God Slayer Sword Technique, which specialized in assassination, but the domineering strength contained in its every skill was definitely not something shortsword martial arts could compare to.
Sinless in Light and Dark was forced back after his attack was neutralized.
He staggered back!
Happy's gaze focused.
He spun around decisively and swung his saber diagonally outwards. With a perfect spin, his Hundred-battle Saber drew a circle of blue light that looked like a natural phenomenon. His lingering momentum allowed him to bring forth an even more power and speed, and he caught up to the black figure that staggered back with a speed as fast as lightning.
Hiss!
A terrifying spark rose from the sturdy black metallic armor. Sinless in Light and Dark continued staggering backwards. Before he could recover, he was pushed back by even greater force, and he tumbled back.
Sinless in Light and Dark fell onto the dusty ground.
"Vice hall master!"
"Vice Hall Master Sinless!"
The people from Life Ending Hall were shocked and dumbfounded by what they saw. They could not believe that their vice hall master, whom had always appeared before them like a god of war, would lose in just one round.
Even when he was injured, Sinless in Light and Dark did not lose his alertness and agility. He rolled on the ground in an incredibly wretched manner. But when he was a few feet away, he found that Happy stood where he was without moving. He did not seize the chance to catch up.
However, Happy's act of not chasing after him crushed his confidence even more. He had lost in one strike, and his opponent did not even show any d.e.s.i.r.e or intention to chase after him. Just how much did he look down on him?
His facial color went white before it turned red, but he did not continue to attack.
At that moment
, the people from Life Ending Hall had surged into the main hall to face their common enemy. They stared at Happy with hostile gazes and weapons drawn. They looked ready to destroy Happy once they received the order.
"Go back!"
"Now, I finally understand why the people from Purple Sun Sect did not dare to seek revenge against you…" He paused for a moment. When he saw that Happy did not have the expression that a victor should have, he scowled, sighed, and said, "You win. From now on, as long as I am in Life Ending Hall, we will not cause you trouble… Let's go!"
Once he gave his order, Sinless in Light and Dark, who felt incredibly desolate, brought his men away. Not a single one remained behind.
Chapter 113 - Set Out on a Journey
The group from Black Rose Clan saw the people from Life Ending Hall exit the ancient tomb one after another. The women did not even dare to breathe in the direction of the large number of people who left into the distance. No matter how thick-headed they were, they knew that the people from Life Ending Hall had not had an easy time in the ancient tomb. When the women looked at Red Coral, their eyes were filled with admiration and incredulity.
It was difficult to believe that Sinless in Light and Dark had lost to a nameless boy even when he had attacked personally.
It had to be known that over the last few days, Sinless in Light and Dark had built his reputation in Xuzhou and Yangzhou. He was known as the Enforcer, who was of equal standing to Quicksword and North Placating Duke!
"Coral… is the boy really that good?"
"You said that he's not really old, right? Is he handsome?"
"Big sister, I think that we should ensnare him with our beauty and bring him to our family. What do you say? Then, Black Rose Clan will definitely gain great fame. Hehe… We'll leave this glorious talk to Big Sis Coral!"
The women's warm and cordial gazes were directed at Red Coral while they asked her all sorts of questions. At the same time, they teased her.
Red Coral might have been incredibly smug, but once she heard one of her sister's teasing remark, she could not help but remember the calm and indifferent tone the person used on her, and inevitably, she became a little downspirited. She snorted and said, "Enough with it. That boy might be a little handsome, but he is eccentric. He's not a good man."
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