Sword Among Us c1-1268

by Black Swordsman Online

  "Seize her and let Happy deal with it!"

  Her resolute words allowed Towering Palace to remove the suspicion off themselves and display her power and influence on her turf.

  Happy cast a glance at the teenager who was stomping her feet repeatedly while struggling nonstop in two men's arms, along with the old man who smiled apologetically while apologizing for his granddaughter.

  "Don't need to. These two should just be thinking about cracking a joke with me. Palace Master Music, please release them. If it weren't for the fact that your members didn't really understand how to receive guests and made me stand here for such a long time, such a thing would not have happened, don't you agree?"

  His voice was not loud, but it clearly entered the ears of all those in the area. Their eyes instantly lit up.

  "As expected of the top ranked player on Famous People Rank. He is so magnanimous!"

  "Towering Palace was indeed a little impolite. How could they make Happy stand outside for so long? Are they feeling guilty?"

  Clear Music did not expect that Happy would regard the fact that he had just gone through an assassination attempt so lightly. When she noticed that the direction of the discussions before her door was changing, she quickly replied to him.

  "I'm to be blamed for not being strict with my subordinates, thus resulting in their lack of courtesy. My apologies… Hurry up and release that girl."

  "Thank you."

  The white-bearded old man looked at them with a sincere gaze as the dart-throwing girl was freed from the clutches of the Towering Palace members. She quickly hugged her grandfather's arm while looking like she was scared witless.

  "Don't be so naughty next time."

  Happy smiled faintly. Then, under countless people's gazes and with Clear Music's personal invitation, he entered Towering Palace's headquarters.

  Chapter 649 - Negotiation Failed

  "You reckless girl, look! You nearly got yourself into big trouble."

  The white-bearded old man watched Happy and the others enter the headquarters of Towering Palace before he turned his head around and tapped his granddaughter's head repeatedly. It was very painful, and she tried to dodge his finger, but she did not dare say anything. Clearly, she was terrified by what happened earlier.

  "What? Not saying anything now?"

  When the white-bearded old man saw that his granddaughter had decided to behave, his tone became stern, and he continued lecturing her. "You know how good he is now?"

  The granddaughter said nothing.

  When the players by the side saw the white-bearded old man lecture the girl, all their questions were answered, and smiles blossomed on their faces.

  "Don't go assuming that you can show off just because you have some skill. Did you see what happened? He didn't even want to bother with you or fight against you for this. Don't be so rash and reckless next time."

  "Got it…" The teenage girl hung her head while looking dejected and listless.

  The onlookers found that quite amusing. Once they learned of the details from the players nearby, all of them, regardless of whether they were Chinese or foreigners, laughed nonstop.

  But when they thought about it, they realized that Happy had possessed a clear grasp of his surroundings and even dodged a high-tier hidden weapon attack with ease, so quite a number of foreign players who had looked down on Happy stopped regarding him with scorn.

  The players remained outside Towering Palace's headquarters and began making guesses as to how the negotiations between Towering Palace and Happy would end.

  Would they maintain their peace, turn against each other completely, or would something unexpected like just now happen again?

  The atmosphere in the living room of Towering Place' headquarters was frozen.

  Once Happy sat down, he went straight to the point and asked Clear Music where she stood. He did not give Towering Palace a chance to think or drag things out.

  "Brother Happy, we're angry about the matter at Sky Demon Sect as well. The foreign players' act of attacking the top clan in China is an open provocation to Chinese martial artists!"

  "So, Tower Master Music, you do agree with my idea of chasing out all foreign organizations, yes?" Happy did not wait for her to finish speaking before he interrupted her, and he effectively threw Clear Music's plans of changing the direction of the conversation. "Then, I believe that the popular opinion that Towering Palace is the mastermind behind this is just a rumor."

  Clear Music was stunned silent.

  Happy spoke quickly, and his firm words as well as burning eyes put pressure on her. It was the first time she sensed it since their conversation.

  "But Young Swordsman Happy, I don't think there is a need to chase away all foreign powers."

  "Of course there is!" Happy answered without hesitation. "Each foreign organization has come here with ambitions. Perhaps we only have one Three Dragons Guild now, but soon, more Three Dragons Guilds will appear, or perhaps more organizations like them will be manipulated by other powers into becoming their weapons.

  "To prevent misunderstandings, I believe that there is a need to chase away all foreign organizations. As for the merchants, we can accept them and keep them."

  "But Young Swordsman Happy, you should know that Towering Palace has major business deals with all the foreign organizations. If we do this, we'll suffer a lot of losses, which puts me in a very troublesome situation now."

  Clear Music could sense that she had gotten caught in Happy's tempo. She s.u.c.k.e.d in a deep breath and tactfully removed herself from it.

  Musical Note and Hai Dongqing instantly became nervous upon hearing her last words. They stared at Happy to not miss even a single negative emotional change on his face.

  It was clear that Clear Music was trying to increase her own bargaining ch.i.p.s.

  If Happy continued making requests of her, he would appear to be trying to make them do something impossible.

  Happy changed his tone of speaking and said indifferently, "Based on what I understand, you have quite a lot of resources in the coastal area, and your resource points are rather rich as well. You gain a lot more profit compared to us.

  "You do not want to give up on your business deals with the foreign organizations, but instead, you should use another method to cooperate with them. I believe that they will not easily give up as well. Tower Master Music, do not give up on the many things that will come to you for temporary gain."

  "What do you mean?" Clear Music's expression darkened before she smiled sweetly. "Young Swordsman Happy, are you giving me a reminder or threatening me?"

  Quite a number of Towering Palace elders in the living room frowned and broke out into cold sweat.

  "Tower Master Music, what on earth are you thinking about?" Happy intentionally put on a surprised face while looking at Clear Music. "I came here in hopes that we will reach a common view and have an easier time in driving out those foreign organizations. I was thinking about using Towering Palace's influence to have the foreign powers understand how overwhelming the odds are against them and retreat.

  "I don't recall there being any direct conflict of interest between Mu Clan and Towering Palace. Besides, if Mu Clan wanted to attack a malicious foreign power like Three Dragons Guild, there is absolutely no need for us to ask for your help. This is something that I am still very confident in.

  "As for threatening? Tower Master Music, I believe that your thoughts have diverged from mine."

  Clear Music said nothing, but her face was pale.

  "Forget it." Happy suddenly rose up from his seat. He cast a glance at Clear Music from high above and said resolutely, "Looks like you're very reluctant to give up on the benefits you currently have. Oh well, if that's the case, Mu Clan will have to personally take action and come to the coastal area to get rid of all the foreign organizations. Farewell."

  Happy's final sentence shocked the sisters and Hai Dongqing so much that cold sweat trailed down their faces.

>   Mu Clan was about to enter the coastal areas!

  Happy's real goal was not to get rid of the foreign organizations! He was certain that Towering Palace would not easily let go of the major source of money, so he was going to enter the cities in the coastal area like a king!

  'Is this? Does Mu Clan want to break the situation of the four top-class sects ruling over the Chinese server? Right before our plans are set in motion?'

  "Wait!"

  The various Towering Palace elders instantly became nervous.

  There were countless elites in Mu Clan, and they were the strongest among the four top-class sects in the Chinese server. There was no need to talk about Happy's personal strength either.

  In the past, he had forced Class One Hall to retreat three hundred and ten miles with his own strength. He had even made them give up on the resources in a few provinces. Once he entered the coastal area, Towering Palace's resources would definitely diminish.

  Clear Music could not continue remaining calm.

  "Young Master Happy, I believe that it will be best if we make things clear regarding this matter," she said in a cold voice.

  "Am I not making myself clear?" Happy stopped at the entrance and laughed without turning his head around. "Since you're not willing to support my cause, Mu Clan will have to exact revenge on its own. At that time, it will be inevitable that we will enter the coastal area. Tower Master Music, don't worry, once the foreign organizations are all gone, Mu Clan will leave the coastal area."

  When Clear Music and Musical Note heard that, their faces became very unpleasant.

  Hai Dongqing's expression was very strange.

  The elders gritted their teeth.

  'As if we'd believe you.

  'If you continue staying here and refuse to leave by stating that you haven't gotten rid of all foreign organizations, you'll definitely permeate the coastal area.'

  But they did not know that Clear Music had long since planned to enter the center of China. In fact, she was already prepared to work together with Class One Hall to tear down Chivalry Sect and suppress Mu Clan.

  Happy had just noticed it and decided to counterattack!

  Since Towering Palace intended to fight against Mu Clan as well as Chivalry Sect during his fight against One Emperor at Mount Tai, Happy decided to light up the fuse beforehand and turn against Towering Palace.

  There were still more than twenty days left.

  Towering Palace had yet to grow overwhelmingly strong, so Mu Clan had enough time to end a large-scale sect war before he needed to leave!

  Chapter 650 - Declaration of War

  When Clear Music heard that Happy wanted to enter the coastal area, she finally could not help but stand up from her seat. Her expression darkened, and her tone became cold and severe.

  "Young Swordsman Happy, sir, do you intend to ignore the underground rules of the Chinese server for such a small matter and break the current balance we have by invading the coastal area? Towering Palace is also one of the four top-class sects in China, and we will definitely not allow this matter to happen."

  Her voice grew louder with each word, and an invisible might gathered in the air above. It pushed down on Happy, who was at the entrance.

  "Oh." When Happy heard that, he stopped moving and redirected his gaze back at her. "Three Dragons Guild decided to attack Mu Clan, but Mu Clan isn't allowed to enter the coastal area to do something about it? Tower Master Music, by saying that, you intend to protect Three Dragons Guild, who so happens to be Mu Clan's enemy."

  He placed his hands behind his back while still having it turned toward the people from Towering Palace.

  "Are you intending to declare war on Mu Clan?" he asked with a drawl.

  Boom!

  When he said that, the elders of Towering Palace sensed an unprecedented pressure, and the atmosphere in the hall instantly became incredibly solemn.

  Musical Note's face filled with anxiety. "Young Swordsman Happy, please calm down—"

  "Musical Note!"

  A stern shout interrupted whatever Musical Note had wanted to say. She turned her head around, and a person walked out from the elders' seats. He had a stocky and imposing build, and he appeared to be thirty years old. He was an awe-inspiring man.

  "Mu Clan might be large and we might not want to provoke them, but since they have already come to our doorstep, if we continue compromising, how will we lead our people and defend our area?"

  When he said that, he wrapped his fist in his palm in Happy's direction and said, "I am Grim Green, Vice Palace Master of Towering Palace. If Mu Clan insists on entering the coastal area and invading Towering Palace's territory, all of Towering Palace will stand on our palace master's side to fight against Mu Clan."

  "Stop saying such fancy things and making yourself dignified and respectable. You're stopping us from taking revenge, but you're trying to make it seem as if you suffered a great injustice. Is this how Towering Palace does things now? Honestly, I'm really disappointed. I only wanted the final reply from Palace Master Music."

  He had come rushing back after he received news that Happy had decided to personally visit Towering Palace's headquarters.

  Towering Palace's intentions of advocating war had been higher than at any other period of time, especially after Vice Palace Master Grim Green and his group joined. Towering Palace had changed from the originally conservative and level-headed manner of doing things to a far more aggressive style, and he was very worried that Towering Palace would choose to go on an all-out confrontation against Mu Clan .

  When he entered the headquarters, he saw Happy's originally expressionless face turn dark while he stood at the entrance, and Shangguan Lian quickly realized that the situation was not right.

  "Palace master!"

  He rushed into the hall with quick steps.

  Then, he heard Clear Music's cold voice travel into his ears firmly from a higher place.

  "Towering Palace might not have someone as great as you, Young Swordsman Happy, and our strength might not be as great as that of Mu Clan, but we are not a palace that will allow others to bully us. Once we notice the people of Mu Clan entering the coastal area, I, Clear Music, will treat it as an open provocation from Mu Clan, and we will take action to protect our benefits."

  "Very well!"

  Shangguan Lian shuddered. When he heard Clear Music say those words, he knew that it was already too late. His eyes reflexively moved to Happy, and he saw a light shine on his c.h.e.s.t. Then, he looked away.

  "The fact that I stand here today at Towering Palace's headquarters seems to have heavily infringed upon your rights and privileges. Enough with the nonsense! I'd like to see just what sort of might Towering Palace has to stop the heroes of the world from entering the coastal area, and what sort of strength do you have that allows you to insist upon protecting those foreign organizations."

  As Happy spoke, his normal and unassuming blue robes shone, and a golden "MU" appeared on it!

  Mu!

  The Towering Palace elders who noticed the change including Clear Music and Grim Green, were all shocked.

  Everyone in the game knew that Happy had never joined any sect, and that was an intimidating factor he had deliberately created. For the sake of his title as the top ranked on Famous People Rank and because he wanted to have more time for himself, he remained without a sect, and it was something many of the great players in the game copied from him.

  In fact, even if he fought multiple times against Class One Hall, Happy had never changed his stance or status.

  But this time, he had personally come to Towering Palace for the matter of Sky Demon Secret Cave, and he joined Mu Clan in front of the higher ups of Towering Palace.

  Musical Note's eyes went wide. The frozen atmosphere caused her to feel as if there was something blocking her c.h.e.s.t, making it difficult to breathe. There were many words that she could no longer say in front of Happy because of the situation right before her.

  She
was certain that Happy did not come to them without an aim, and neither did he come to Towering Palace because of an impulsive decision. He had thought things through and had decided to attack Towering Palace.

  Clang!

  A dazzling sword glare erupted from Happy's hands.

  Bang!

  A fiery-red sword glare shot into the air and broke through the roof beams of the living room. The people within the circular area of one third of a mile could all see it.

  Countless players who were outside the headquarters took note of it.

  Then, a clear voice traveled out of Towering Palace's headquarters.

  "I stand here today as Mu Clan's second clan master and officially accept Towering Palace's declaration of war!"

  The voice was stately and determined, and it was like a clap of thunder during summer, shocking all the players within the circular area of one third of a mile and making their blood fluctuate.

  Countless players burst into a commotion.

  Boom!

  "They're fighting?"

  "Weren't things alright when they entered?"

  "Happy's in a bad situation now. He's alone in Towering Palace's headquarters."

  The girl who had mischievously ambushed Happy stood in the talking crowd while tugging at her grandfather with an anxious look on her face. "Grandpa, you just mentioned that he's smart and awesome, but why didn't he declare war after he came out? Look!"

  The white-bearded old man said nothing. He just scowled and stared at Towering Palace's heavily-guarded iron fortress. All the words he had in his mind turned into a resigned sigh.

  *****

  Flap, flap, flap!

  Countless black messenger pigeons appeared above Towering Palace, and they blotted out the sky.

  Clang, clang, clang, clang!

  All Towering Palace members outside the headquarters drew their weapons at the same time.

  Thud, thud, thud, thud!

  The atmosphere in Towering Palace turned incredibly solemn and grim!