Chapter 979: Lucky Charm

Proofreader : Papatonks

"Luo Clan Head, after we finish the meeting, us two will take half of Double Dragon Manor's experts along with Ye Lin and the other outstanding disciples, to help northern lands and stop Invincible Sword's savage power from lighting the whole area on fire!"

Exalted Hei Ran spoke after a pause.

Luo Yunhai pondered and then shook his head, "Double Dragon Manor is the cornerstone of western lands' power. Taking half of that will leave it an empty shell. The odds are high for the Sword Star Empire to use this to his advantage by luring out our forces."

"Hear hear, Exalted, please don't go. We can't just give up our own home just for the northern lands' people." One elder jumped to his feet and cupped his hands.

A Hellion Flame elder.

Luo Yuhai did not let the Exalted speak, continuing, "But not going isn't an option either. After they take the Heaven Sealing Sword they'll fix their eyes on us. How long do you think we'll last? What's worse, by not answering the call for help will make the four land alliance moot, with neither believing the other. Won't that also fall in the enemy's plan?"

Ugh!

The elder deflated as he said, "Luo Clan head, you've been talking all this time, but where are you going with this? We can't save but must save. Are you just running your mouth?"

"Not at all."

Leng Wuchang smiled, "I ask that elder understands, these aren't mere ramblings, but Clan Head's speculations of the situation. Only through analysis of the matter at hand can we take the right course of action. And how we act isn't our Clan Head's call, but the Exalted. My Clan Head is only giving advice, ha-ha-ha..."

The man's face twitched, having just gotten served, but anger got the best of him, evident by the forceful tone, "There's no end to shrewd men from the Luo Clan I see, knowing how to weave words. Then I won't spend my time with you!"

"Please, we're simply stating facts, ha-ha-ha..." Leng Wuchang spoke.

Exalted Hei Ran gave him a sharp look then his firm voice echoed, "It's true, I almost forgot how Luo Clan has many sharp minds. I would like to ask your counsel about such a complicated problem. I dare presume you to be the two of Luo Alliance's three sages, Leng Wuchang and Zhuge Changfeng, Sir Leng and Steward Zhuge?"

"Exalted, you honor us." The two stood and bowed with wide smiles.

Exalted Bai Mei nodded, "Going by your judgment, what do you two think we should do next?"

They shared a smile and Zhuge Changfeng took the lead to explain, "Exalted, our Clan Head has been more than clear. By ignoring the northern lands' plea, our safety will be short-lived, followed by losing everyone's respect. On the other hand, jumping to its rescue will invite disaster. Danger will come to the western lands regardless, sooner or later. I could only defer to Exalted's decision."

Zhuge Changfeng hadn't been a prime minister for nothing, his speech was flawless.

He was getting one abundantly clear point across...

[We're here to dish advice. You're the one calling the shots, especially since both paths are fraught with danger.]

[Don't come to us to settle your problems. We've already given you an early reminder, but you wouldn't listen.]

"Steward Zhuge, your reputation precedes you, ha-ha-ha..."

Exalted read between the lines and chuckled.

[He's still hanging it over us. Sigh, just why are we making the call?]

This would absolve the Luo Clan of any responsibility for when everything went south. Double Dragon Manor just lost a scapegoat.

[Ha-ha-ha, now I see how the tiny clan experienced exponential growth. Not even the gatekeeper is average!]

Sighing, the two faced the problem once more, now with a little more clarity. By assisting northern lands, their own home would be left empty, ripe for the taking. But that was just a short-term loss, while the alliance would stay strong.

While ignoring northern lands' plea was the knee-jerk reaction, giving them a short respite of safety while losing the trust of the other lands, making the next time they fought the central area that much harder.

Exalted's eyes shone, having come to a decision, "We go to northern lands' rescue. I shall leave our home's safety in everyone's hands, especially the Luo Alliance and their skilled military conduct. You are to be vigilant against the central area and take full responsibility and authority!"

"Exalted, we will!" Luo Yunhai cupped his hands.

Double Dragon Manor had made its decision, or to be more particular about it, it had been made since the start. They only called this meeting to get them all along with it, lest someone got any bright ideas and screwed everything up.

The two had yet to leave as an aged hand was raised, "Exalted sirs, I wish to report something!"

"What?"

Exalted Hei Ran spoke, "You're Ultimate Clarity Sect's Elder Xu, right? What's so urgent that you need to tell us?"

The elder stood up, revealing him to be the same man that had met with Zhuo Fan on his trip to Ultimate Clarity Sect. Looking hesitant, the old man frowned as he muttered, "Exalted sirs, something of great importance must be shared with you and everyone else. I ask that you refrain from testing everyone you meet in your journeys, lest you invite disaster."

"What are you yapping about, you old coot? Spit it out already!" The other seated men started getting annoyed with his drawling.

The elder sighed and said something that had everyone's eyes bugged out, "A disciple of Devil Mountain has appeared again!"

Sss~

A unanimous gasp resounded throughout the room, with everyone freezing on their spots, more panicked than even hearing of Invincible Sword and the Nine Sword Kings.

Two years ago, the western lands had been quaking with the news of a one Overlord Nine Serenities' power. Now Devil Mountain had sent another of their disciples into the world, and they couldn't have picked a worse time too.

Hearts racing in their chests, trying to gulp down their anxiety, they along with Exalted would really like to avoid having to meet that dreaded old freak again, even more so than Invincible Sword.

"Old coot, are you certain? Don't scare us now!"

With all wiping their ever-soaking brows, some in particular were getting panicky. These were all people who liked causing a scene.

They were mavericks through and through, but circumstances called for them to bend a knee and be nice for a change, lest they would like to feel the wrath and destruction that got five sects wiped off the face of this world on their very skin.

They had no concept of turning the other cheek, not when they enjoyed striking first. The only ones that had their blood run cold weren't stronger and nice folks, but those worse than them. It was safe to say Devil Mountain was such an abomination, a pit of demons that would destroy them—and then some—at the mere sight of any of their disciples.

Last time Zhuo Fan's display had the sects stirring at Double Dragon Gathering, making the Overlord Nine Serenities come out to wreck five sects. Now that another disciple showed up, what were they supposed to do?

While utterly confused, fear dominated among these men. Exalted Hei Ran snapped at the elder, "Speak clearly and in detail, man!"

Gulping hard, the man nodded and presented his full report.

Everyone was rendered speechless once he finished.

[Oh hell, the guy's even riding a 9th level... Yep, he's from Devil Mountain alright. Only that weird place has such freaks. It's also clear Overlord Nine Serenities learned his lesson last time and sent a freaky spiritual beast to safeguard his disciples.]

Western lands' sects had better tuck their tails, or else...

Exalted Hei Ran cleared his voice and mumbled, "Bai Mei and I will be leaving in a few days. The rest of you need to behave while we're gone."

[Screw you! You're leaving awfully fast now that you know Devil Mountain is out again! You just can't wait to save northern lands from Invincible Sword? At least you can fight him, while Overlord Nine Serenities is impossible to even touch.]

[Those scheming old coots...]

The Exalted got only dirty looks from the rest.

"Also, we're taking Qingcheng as well. As a core disciple, it's good for her to learn about the world, ha-ha-ha..." Exalted Bai Mei shouted with a dry laugh.

[To hell with you! You old geezers are taking even the lucky charm with you, but what about us?]

Everyone's faces twitched, with the whole of western lands knowing that Devil Mountain was only ever nice with the widow Chu Qingcheng.

With her along, on the off chance they stepped on Devil Mountain's toes, they were safe behind her. Under her shield of love, these two old coots would be mighty relaxed, earning everyone else's ire, of course...

At a crater of a volcano in the southern lands, a girl was holding a jade slip while looking around.

She handed the slip to a man with soaked eyebrows and said, "Brother, northern lands is calling for help!"

"Bring me the Decimating Sword!"

"You're not even asking for details?"

"Our four lands alliance is a promise set in stone. There's no need to doubt it." The large man spoke calmly as he left. Murong Xue watched his back with a smile and turned her bright eyes northbound.

"You just came back and now you're leaving..."

A scarlet sword whirled through a heavy snowstorm, with three old men surrounding it and making hand signs.

Shangguan Feixiong rushed over nervously, "It's still sealed?"

"I don't know what that boy did to it, but not even us three together can't unseal its sword spirit."

"Blast it, I knew he gave up the sword too easily! He screwed us over!"

Shangguan Feixiong raged, "Damn you, Gu Yifan! What damn use do I have for this useless thing after you sealed its spirit? How am I supposed to fight Invincible Sword now? Once I get my hands on you I'll tear you to pieces!"

Shangguan Feixiong gnashed his teeth with Shangguan Qingyan sighing nearby, her eyes filled with longing. She had no idea Zhuo Fan was on a mad dash to the cold north as well...