Sword Among Us c1-1268
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Happy crushed the letter in his hands, and his gaze instantly turned cold.
It was a coincidence that All-powerful Medicinal Stone had been ambushed by Five Venoms, and it had not been completely forgotten just yet. Happy could attack them using it as his reason and get rid of Five Venoms with an honorable face.
Even if he could not destroy them to their roots, he could make them lose the ability to participate in the battle and provide support to Class One Hall in their operation in Fox Cave!
*****
Chivalry Sect's Vice Sect Master Lin Xiao, Vice Sect Master Red Dust, and a group of Chivalry Sect's core members were all in Wuhu. They surrounded a beautiful woman who was wrapped up in a fiery red cloak while they rushed up the hall located on the first floor of Moon Pavilion.
Once they got there, they looked around, and saw an exquisite woman staring out the window at a lake.
She had a head accessory inlaid with gold in her hair and a silver veil covering her face. She had her hands placed above her knees, and her enchanting figure was casually leaning against her seat. She appeared relaxed and cozy where she sat.
However, there was a sword that let out a chilling and aggressive aura on the table, and it released an invisible presence that prevented most players from staring at her intently or getting close to her. Everyone stayed far away from her.
The people from Chivalry Sect drew near her table.
They looked at her for a long time, but Dream Clouds seemed to be completely enamored by the scene outside the window and did not notice that there was someone beside her even after a long time had passed. Then, when Red Dust could no longer bear the silence, he coughed loudly and snapped the absentminded beauty out of her daze.
"Hmm? Sister, you're here? Come, sit."
Dream Clouds might have not got up to welcome them, but the smile on her face let everyone feel as if they were regarded sincerely and with great importance. They could not get angry at her at all.
It was the same for the beautiful woman. She nodded and went closer to Dream Clouds. She unclasped her red cloak that looked like a ball of flames and revealed alluring curves that did not lose out to those of Dream Clouds.
She was Chivalry Sect's sect master, Wind Void, the woman who was rumored by the players to be the only female player who could go toe-to-toe with Dream Clouds!
However, these two women gave off two completely different presences!
Dream Clouds was not just beautiful, but also very feminine and enigmatic, as if she was someone who had experienced many things and had many stories to tell. Her actions were charming, awe inspiring, and contained her unique charm.
Wind Void was unlike her.
She was born with good looks, but the heroic and bold feeling in her eyes was too strong. Her eyes were bright, and she gave off an aggressive feeling. Even Lin Xiao and Red Dust felt slightly oppressed when they were beside her. A manly woman was a phrase meant to describe girls like Wind Void.
"Hall Master Clouds, I wonder why you have asked to see us today."
Wind Void's tone was the typical one used by wandering martial artists. Anyone could tell at first glance that she was a very upright and straightforward woman.
Chapter 236 - Issue a Declaration of War
"No wonder the world says you are like a man from the mountains, Sister Wind Void. From what I see now, you do live up to your name. Alright, then, as your elder, I will get straight to the point," Dream Clouds said while smiling.
She glanced at the sect members of Chivalry Sect before her gaze landed on Wind Void once again. "In truth, Class One Hall came to Wuhu because we want to borrow the place."
Everyone's gazes focused.
Wind Void scowled and said, "Get straight to the point."
"Fox Cave." With a complicated gaze, Dream Clouds watched as Wind Void's expression changed slightly. She said with her smile still remaining on her face. "Recently, Chivalry Sect has obtained many resources from Fox Cave, and you have been developing swiftly. I have long since had the thought of coming over to observe what is going on. After all, resources that provide great advantages such as those in Fox Cave are rare, and many sects have been longing for them for a long time.
"However, it seems like some trouble had stirred up between Chivalry Sect and Fallen Feathers Sect at that time, and since the both of us are known as the two phoenixes on the Phoenix Rank, I do not want to seem to be adding insult to injury. Hence, I have been suppressing this thought for a long time. In the meantime, Chivalry Sect seems to have been getting stronger day by day. Congratulations!"
"You praise us too much."
Wind Void might be an upright person, but she was not a fool. Based on what Dream Clouds said, she had noticed the underlying meaning, which was why she answered in a very indifferent manner.
However, this did not stop Dream Clouds' plan of bringing her army into Fox Cave.
"Even though Fox Cave is a resource that every player can enjoy in World of Martial Arts, everyone knows about the areas that Chivalry Sect controls. I have brought my sect members to experience the charm of Fox Cave, but we do not wish to cause any misunderstanding with Chivalry Sect.
"That is why I have invited you to this place. I wanted to explain to you personally in hopes that you can understand the difficulties we women have to face, Sister Wind Void."
Even though Dream Clouds' original intention was to enter Fox Cave and divide the resources that Chivalry Sect had occupied, when she said those words, they sounded reasonable and like Chivalry Sect was the one who owed her a favor. In fact, she made it seem like she was acting in consideration for Chivalry Sect in every aspect, and if they refused her offer, they would be in the wrong.
Wind Void frowned and opened her mouth to say, "Sister, you're overthinking things. Fox Cave has never been—"
"Wait!" A resonant voice suddenly spoke from the side and interrupted Wind Void's words.
He had a solemn gaze while he walked out of his group with steady footsteps. When he looked at Dream Clouds, there was a hint of a mocking smile on his lips. "Hall Master Clouds, I agree to the words you said just now, but I have a question I would like to ask you. It's something that I simply have to get off of my c.h.e.s.t!"
He was a man who was over thirty years old, and he had a lot of experience in the workings of the world. He did not want Wind Void, who still did not have a lot of experience, to fall into the trap Dream Clouds had set up just like that.
"Ah, Vice Sect Master Lin Xiao. You are also known as Chivalry Duke, yes? Please, say whatever you want to."
Dream Clouds might have said that, but her gaze wandered to Wind Void. There was a hint of a faint smile on her lips.
Anger appeared on Wind Void's expression, but she did not fly into a rage.
Lin Xiao had prestige and reputation that did not lose to hers in the sect. He was the one who managed many of the things, but it was a conversation held between the leaders of the two great sects right then, and Wind Void was a little displeased when he butted in.
"Alright." Lin Xiao let out a bark of laughter without any reservation. "We already know the meaning behind your words clearly, Hall Master Clouds. Class One Hall has their eyes on Fox Cave, and you want to take away a portion of it from our hands. But Hall Master Clouds, when you personally came to explain matters to us, did you actually have the intention to divide the resources in Fox Cave equally? Does this mean that we can also head to Rhinoceros Forest and Luohe Plains to divide half of the resources you have there as well?"
"Vice Sect Master Lin, you are indeed eloquent and skilled in debates. But how can we split those resources clearly among us? No one will know just who will get more resources than the other. That's why it's impossible for us to split those resources clearly—"
"Then, Hall Master Clouds, are you saying that once we enter Fox Cave, we should rely on our own abilities to see who gets the vast majority of resources?" When he said that, Lin Xiao laughed loudly. "Haha! If that's the case, it'
ll be more interesting. The fight for resources will result in conflicts. Besides, Fox Cave only has one Dead She-wolf respawn each time, and Yao Hua and his wife are also one of a kind. Looks like you've come here to issue a declaration of war to Chivalry Sect this time, Hall Master Dream Clouds!"
When he said his final words, Lin Xiao spoke in a booming voice, but his face was calm. The Chivalry Sect's members around him came to an understanding at that moment. When they looked at Dream Clouds, their gazes became hostile.
Dream Clouds was quiet for a while before she sighed in the face of Lin Xiao's aggressive gaze. "This isn't my real intention, but with the appearance of the divine weapons, it's difficult to not feel tempted. I'm not the only one. There are plenty of sects and martial artists who have gathered in Wuhu. Even Towering Palace has come here. Sister Wind Void, people will need to change to adapt to situations. I hope you can understand."
"If that's the case, why is there a need for you to make such an unnecessary act?"
"Lin Xiao!"
Right after Lin Xiao finished speaking, Wind Void called out his name. She glared at him with a scowl with disp.l.e.a.s.u.r.e prominent on her face. She could no longer hold herself back after her vice sect master had disrupted her talk time and again.
"Hmph."
Lin Xiao knew that he had gone overboard. He snorted coldly and looked to the other side as if he did not want to attend to Dream Clouds anymore.
"Hall Master Clouds, please don't take offense. This is how Vice Sect Master Lin is. Ever since the accident with Red Dust, he has been in charge of Fox Cave, and he does not wish anyone to bother him."
"I can understand." Dream Clouds smiled and nodded. "I have indeed been rude this time. Some time in the future, I will surely come to your headquarters to ask for forgiveness."
"You're making me shy with how serious you are, but I understand what you mean now, Hall Master Clouds. However, Chivalry Sect will definitely not let go of Fox Cave! That's why, we shall rely on our abilities to see who can claim Dead She-wolf and Yao Hua along with his wife. I will take my leave here."
Lin Xiao and Red Dust cast Dream Clouds a very complicated gaze. Lin Xiao then said, "I will wait for you quietly in Fox Cave!"
Then, he led his men out .
Once they left, Dream Clouds put down her cup and swept a glance at the two men dressed in normal clothes sitting by the table at a corner. She smiled faintly and left with light steps!
The two men looked away once Dream Clouds left while quietly sitting in the corner. Knowing smiles appeared on their faces.
"The hall master was correct in her guess. There will be a fatal flaw in a sect, no matter how strong it is, if they let a woman who is strong, but has no tactics and experience lead them. That Lin Xiao should be the one who is the real leader of Chivalry Sect!"
The person who spoke was not someone unfamiliar to Class One Hall. He was Situ Luoyu, the sect master of one of the subordinate sects Class One Hall had built.
The young man sitting across from him was hidden behind a dr.a.p.e in front of his seat. There was a golden centipede sewn above his c.h.e.s.t. He had an arrogant and cold expression on his face.
"We can make use of this. The hall master has issued a declaration of war right in front of Chivalry Sect. No matter how collectedd a person is, they won't be able to stay calm. Besides, it was a soundless provocation. When Chivalry Sect goes back, they will definitely make arrangements and argue over it. As long as we can get rid of either Lin Xiao or Wind Void, Chivalry Sect will just be a bunch of misfits."
At that moment, a messenger pigeon appeared between them while flapping its wings.
"This is…"
The young man with the golden centipede over his c.h.e.s.t opened the letter and looked at it. His face then turned livid with rage.
He slammed his palm against the table and stood up. "Damn it! Happy, you bastard! How dare you tyrannize me at the headquarters?!" he hissed through gritted teeth.
Chapter 237 - Open Challenge!
When the key to the third level of Fox Cave appeared, the three great camps: Chivalry Sect, Class One Hall, and Towering Palace gathered together. Famous elites from different regions also rushed to the area one after another, causing Wuhu, which had yet to calm down from the gathering between Class One Hall and Chivalry Sect that was bound to brew trouble, to become a gathering spot of various martial artists.
Yao Hua and his wife, the divine weapons, and Fox Cave were terms that spread rapidly through the mouths of the players who were gathered at Wuhu!
Then, the news of Dream Clouds, the hall master of Class One Hall, issuing a declaration of war on Chivalry Sect while she was at Moon Pavilion swiftly stirred up a great dispute in Wuhu with the force of a great bomb.
More people began to pay attention to the situation in Fox Cave on that day.
Regardless of whether they were there to witness the birth of the divine weapons or whether they were there to watch the two sects fight, most of the people had already decided that they had to head to Immortal Fox Village before night fell to observe the spectacular event.
However, before everyone could stop talking about the major event, an even more exciting piece of news came from the western part of Wuhu City!
Happy, a formerly well-known player, had invaded the headquarters of Five Venoms by himself. He slaughtered and pulled off the flag of the sect while rebuking Five Venoms' sinister, ruthless, and despicable behavior. He called them out for not daring to attack him, but instead attacking his brother, All-powerful Medicinal Stone, and trying to kill him!
At that moment, Happy stood outside the headquarters of Five Venoms and spoke fiercely. He demanded the sect master and vice sect masters of Five Venoms to rush back to the headquarters and apologize as well as give them compensation within ten minutes, or else, he would destroy the sect and make Five Venoms disappear from World of Martial Arts!
Boom!
Wuhu burst into an uproar.
In just a few minutes, tens of thousands of people emptied out most of the city. Only the streets and roofs around Five Venoms were packed full of people, creating a scene so grand that it was something that had never been seen before.
But that was to be expected.
Most people had seen people destroy sects before, and they had also seen people invade the headquarters of other sects alone, but they had definitely never seen anyone so arrogantly notify others to make preparations and say that he will take action ten minutes later, and this person was even the demon of countless sects in the past—Happy!
All-powerful Medicinal Stone's name was also not unfamiliar to the people in Wuhu.
With his demon vessel, Human Skin Mask, he appeared actively around Fox Cave and Wuhu. He was not just famous for his incredible lightness skills, but had also performed a major feat that had shaken the world of martial artists. That was why when they heard that Happy had arrived at the headquarters of Five Venoms, many people began to speculate whether All-powerful Medicinal Stone was also there, prepared to cause trouble for Five Venoms.
Five Venoms was not a weak sect.
On the contrary, with the venomous creatures that could lower a person's combat abilities and the hideous bugs that could terrify a person and make them distracted, Five Venoms had quite the reputation in Wuhu. They were a sect that many middle-sized and small sects did not dare provoke, and they also had quite a number of elites among them.
Everyone especially respected the sect master, Proud Over All Life. His Ten Thousand Poisonous Palms was in Grandmaster Realm, and his technique with poison could even allow him to affect the minds of the people near him. He had also managed to kill a powerful player who was ranked in the top twenty on the Dragon Rank.
Because of that, since Happy had invaded Five Venoms by himself, many people believed that he would die this time.
A faint and dreary gust of wind swept outside Five Venoms. It made the black flag that had been torn in half and was lying on the floor above t
he stairs leading to the main door to flutter powerlessly. Then, it became still again.
There were dozens of Five Venoms disciples on the stone stairs, and they stared at their flag, which symbolized the glory of their sect, with anger burning in their eyes. Then, with resentment, they glared at the man with the Yellow Dragon Set. Yet none of them had the courage to go and collect their flag.
Happy looked at the time while ignoring the increasing number of Five Venoms sect members gathering outside the headquarters. His heartbeat did not increase even when he saw the many people blocking the streets. He closed his eyes slightly, and he reminded with a calm tone, "Five minutes left."
Perhaps it was because there was an increasing number of onlookers around them, but a man who looked like a leader of Five Venoms seemed to have felt that it was slightly embarrassing for them to not take any action while they were blocked at the entrance by Happy. He walked out from behind the group, walked down the stairs, and rebuked Happy fiercely.
"You despicable person! You snatched our Hoof Shadow, and now you came to tyrannize us at our headquarters! Do you think that Five Venoms is so easy to bully?!"
"Leader Qi!"
The person behind the man was stunned, and he quickly shouted a loud warning, but he was too late!
The people who were within a circular area of three hundred and twenty-eight feet heard a faint sword w.h.i.n.e sweep through the area. A bright light shone, and an afterimage swiftly vanished from where Happy stood. A sword saber flashed, and Happy returned to his original spot!
The group of Five Venoms sect members were stunned by Happy's cold gaze. They retracted their feet, which had already descended the stone stairs, and turned their heads toward Leader Qi, who was frozen in place.
Once they shifted their gazes to him, they found that Leader Qi's face was pale, and he did not seem to have realized what had happened. He lowered his head slowly and saw a red spot appear where he felt pain in his c.h.e.s.t. Then, it spread out.