Xiao Hei overheard the local ravens gossiping and was about to commit a great crime.
Not yet allowed to leave Chen Anyue's side, there wasn't much that she could do from the confines of Reling. But she did what she could and snatched one of those pesky ravens from its perch. "Do as I say or else I will end your pathetic trash life!" She flashed her fangs and bound it with a curse. The raven, cowered and fearful, had its life clutched between Xiao Hei's fingers.
But she knew that her fate would be no different from this raven's should her schemes be discovered. Still, Xiao Hei set the raven out.
Three days later, the raven hadn't returned and Xiao Hei was already fearing the worst. But why did her heart still weaver for that Haishang man? Why was she so concerned with the well-being of one Zhao Fanyu?
Xiao Hei refused to answer that question and busied herself with local gossip and handsome Ascending Dawn Sect boys.
And it was only at night where she would bow her head in prayer, with quiet hope that the raven had made its way up north…
…
The Main Hall felt more crowded than usual. In reality, there were only a few extra people welcomed to join the council. Peng Zhugen was seated across from Chen Leike at whom he was busy glaring daggers. But Chen Leike was doing his best at ignoring those glares by chatting up the charming lady beside him, Xia An. Xia An came from a much smaller sect but her name was a well-known one among the cultivator world, having studied under many famous teachers.
Aside from Xia An, there were a few other notable characters like Ma Equn, a rogue cultivator of little words and Tu Caihe said to be prominent immortal with more years on him than even the Guanghai Elder.
Speaking of the Guanghai Elder, Liu Langce was nowhere to be found. Liu Sumeng looked around, everyone seemed to settle in quite comfortably with Liu Fumao at the head of the room. He felt like they had waited there for quite some time already and couldn't fathom why they weren't beginning. He glanced at his older brother, who sat beside him, with a questioning gaze.
"We're waiting for Zhao Fanyu," Liu Suye filled his brother in.
"Zhao Fanyu?" Liu Sumeng felt a pang of anxiety in his chest. Sect Leader Zhao might have a questionable personality at times but he was a man that conducted business in a punctual and disciplined manner. He was not known for being late.
Liu Suye saw the uncertainty that danced in Liu Sumeng's eyes and shrugged, "Perhaps he got caught with something on the way here. But he's a capable man, despite what some people say about him."
"..." Liu Sumeng did not feel comforted.
The council began without the Wayward Wind Sect Leader and Liu Sumeng was wrought with worry. He did not care for Zhao Fanyu for any specific personal reasons, but that man's life played a vital role in keeping everyone else safe.
Sect Leader Zhao had one very important secret that he guarded, which ended up causing his demise at Yuan Xuelan's hands in his previous incarnation. There was no doubt that the Seven Moons Sect and the Demon King's clan would go after him for the very same reason. But how was his secret discovered so quickly? This wasn't the sequence of events from Liu Sumeng's previous life!
Liu Fumao's voice commanded the room with booming authority, interrupting Liu Sumeng's thoughts. "I wish to thank our honorable guests today for making the trip to our humble Wangyun Peak in this dire hour. We gather today for a great cause. The demons are upon us and we must deliver them to justice."
His uncle was becoming fond of these speeches, Liu Sumeng lamented. And he, over the weeks and months was growing tired of them. But he was still patient and waited until he thought his uncle was finished before cutting in, "I have something to say."
Unfortunately, it seemed that he had misread his Uncle, who wasn't finished speaking but was only taking an extended pause. Liu Fumao was frowning unhappily and the rest of the Elders shuffled awkwardly in their seats. They've already seen this scene play out too many times to count.
"Sumeng," the Sect Leader said in a grave tone. He was miffed but also didn't want to scold his nephew too much in front of these outsiders. He tried to keep a cool tone, "Keep your words brief. There is much to discuss today."
If Liu Sumeng was bothered by the way his uncle spoke to him, he made no show of it, "Then I will say is simply. This is a stupid plan."
The Elders gasped and Liu Fumao paled. While they were all already aware of the Second Young Master Liu's stance, none of them had expected him to declare it so brazenly and rudely in front of their esteemed guests.
Perhaps if this was Liu Sumeng from a few months ago, he would at the very least kept his words more respectful and formal. But it wasn't as though anyone had listened to him anyway.
The guests watched him intently. Chen Leike had a brow raised while Peng Zhugen wore a more restrained but critical expression.
Liu Suye already wanted to sigh and the meeting had barely begun.
"Liu Sumeng-" Liu Fumao's voice was low and impatient but the Ivory Sword Saint knew this would be his only chance to speak.
So he cut his uncle off, "The strongest heroes are gathered here. So what of the south?"
One of the Heaven Sword Sect Elders could no longer hold back his irritation, "Second Young Master Liu, are you even listening to yourself speak? What of the south! There is nothing going on down south! You should know better than anyone else the attacks we've been suffering at the hands of the demons!"
Liu Sumeng, undaunted, continued, "Only a blind man believes there is nothing happening in the south."
The tension in the air grew even greater. Xia An, no longer able to contain herself, leaned over to Chen Leike and mumbled, "Could it be that the Ivory Sword Saint has lost favor at the Heavenly Sword Sect?"
Chen Leike hummed, his smile masked his feelings. Though he wasn't sure if he should be concerned or intrigued. This man was supposed to be his darling sister's future husband, after all. But maybe, Chen Leike thought mischievously, this could be interesting as well.
The gossiping didn't go unnoticed from Sect Leader Liu, whose face became drained of blood. "Quiet!" He bellowed, loud enough to silence any chattering and then turned to an icy gaze toward his nephew. He had to solve this quickly before suffering more humiliation, "Sumeng. Your opinions have been received but you will remember to show respect to your betters."
Even Liu Suye was feeling incredibly awkward. His uncle had very specifically chosen the word 'betters' over 'elders' to put Liu Sumeng in his place. All his life, he knew his younger brother to be the favorite, who only acted within the rules and bowed his head to anyone passing. How did things become like this?
But Liu Sumeng was daring and continued, "Who is my better?" His cold eyes swept across the ghastly faces of angered Elders, "Who has more experience in war?"
"Enough!" Liu Fumao did not want to hear any more, "Liu Chao. While it makes me happy that you have grown confident with your opinions, it truly pains me to have to remind you of your place."
Liu Sumeng bowed. "I meant no offense," he spoke sincerely.
"We've heard enough from you for today," Liu Fumao said coldly.
Liu Sumeng bowed again, showing as much respect as he could in his actions. But unfortunately for his uncle, the Ivory Sword Saint still had more to say, "One more thing," Liu Fumao's face was glowing red with rage and he was no doubt going to pop. But Liu Sumeng couldn't risk not being heard so he blurted out before he could be interrupted, "The demons will be waiting for us at Xinlie City. There is no way they are not prepared. Even with the heroes gathered here, it will not be easy."
"Out!" Liu Fumao yelled.
"..." He said nothing more and turned around and left.
Liu Sumeng's iron-clad visage did not betray the storm that he felt in his heart, from anger to sadness, despair, and embarrassment. He was wrestling with all of them to stay calm.
That night, he was not allowed to sleep and received so many lashes that even Liu Sumeng found it difficult to haul himself back onto his feet afterward. He was due to kneel in the Hall of Repentance for a full week on top of the lashes, but Liu Sumeng was not intent on sitting around idly for any longer. Especially not when he returned to his room to see the raven demon bowing on his desk.
The demon was quaking in fear and was only a lowly creature that couldn't even dream of doing any harm to the Ivory Sword Saint. And it was weak enough that no remarkable trace of spiritual energy radiated off its body, making the creature difficult to detect even among the large crowd of talented cultivators.
But it still begged the question of why a lowly raven demon had snuck into the Ivory Sword Saint's room at this time. He walked up to the demon and it only shrunk lower in a prostrating position, "This lowly one brings no harm! This lowly one only brings a message!" It squawked desperately at him. Liu Sumeng could already guess it was bound by a life-threatening curse to be doing something like this.
"Who is your Master?" Liu Sumeng couldn't help but query.
The way it cawed almost sounded like a sob, "This lowly one cannot say…! If I say then I will die!"
"..." Liu Sumeng expected as much. "What message?"
"This lowly one brings news about one Zhao Fanyu, Head of the Wayward Wind Sect."
"...!" Liu Sumeng's calm expression instantly changed into one of alarm.
"He has been captured by his enemies!"