Fine-draw . . .
Cha Eun Xiao acquired the Heavenly Crystal Marrow from Zuo Wuji, and those individuals who ventured to the House of Zuo to create a commotion were likely members of the Boundless Lake.
Mistakenly, these men identified Cha Eun Xiao as Ning Biluo and declared, "Ning Biluo, the Saint would never let you go!"
Curiously, the people of the Boundless Lake now resided in the House of Zuo. What could be the underlying truth, and what connections tied these events together? What relationship did the House of Zuo share with the Boundless Lake? Nevertheless, the present moment did not seem appropriate to delve into these mysteries.
Cha Eun Xiao contemplated, "In the Crown Prince's Palace, individuals from the Mu Clan hold influence. At the second prince's residence, the Nangong Clan is prominent. As for the third prince's household, it boasts members of the Gongsun Clan…"
"It appears that the three eldest princes are each aligned against the other, recognizing the threats posed by their siblings as they vie for the crown. Consequently, the Mu Clan finds itself at odds with the other two clans."
"All three clans are situated within the Kingdom of Chen, yet their interests diverge substantially. They support different factions; that much is evident."
Zuo Wuji added, "It is certain that the Nangong Clan and Gongsun Clan harbor enmity towards one another."
"Of the five remaining clans, none have chosen to reside within any other officials' houses. Instead, they have taken up residence in hostels, acting with distinct purposes and attempting to avoid arousing suspicion. An intriguing observation is that they initially occupied five separate hostels, with the closest pair being several miles apart. It seems the noble clans are embroiled in disputes amongst themselves, each harboring different intentions."
"Recently, these five clans have all converged within the largest hostel in Chen-Xing City, known as the Chen-Xing Hostel, where the Long Clan has long maintained a presence. It appears that they have begun to feel the pressure, recognizing the necessity of cooperating against external threats to ensure their survival. Due to their weakened state, they have shifted their focus from acquiring further riches to securing their own safety. They have no desire to engage in further conflict and wish to safeguard their possessions."
Zuo Wuji delved into his insights about the eight noble clans, each of which possessed strong ties to different kingdoms.
Cha Eun Xiao's eyes gleamed with interest upon hearing this information.
"The Cyan Cloud Sect, located in the eastern city, remains aloof, seemingly unconnected to any other sects. They exhibit stability, yet their power pales in comparison to the two major sects. So, why do they not fear for their safety? Moreover, not a single high-level cultivator from the Cyan Cloud Sect has journeyed to the capital in recent days. This suggests a unique strategy... The only plausible explanation is that they enjoy substantial backing."
"It is Cha Eun Xiao's belief that one of the two major sects must share a significant connection with the Cyan Cloud Sect, which would explain the absence of fear on the part of the latter.
In Cha's view, they were confident that they would never fall victim to theft, at least not at the hands of the two major sects. They believed themselves capable of fending off any other potential threats.
"The Green Mountain Sect and the Reaching Cloud Hall are presently situated in the same area," Cha Eun Xiao observed. "However, there aren't enough available hostels to accommodate their substantial numbers, so they have resorted to renting private residences at considerable expense."
"In recent days, they have dispatched a considerable number of high-level cultivators, seemingly anticipating that they might become targets of the two major sects. In response, they have assembled as many individuals as possible to address this concern."
As Zuo Wuji proceeded to provide detailed insights into each sect and family, using a slender stick to point at their locations on the map, Cha Eun Xiao attentively absorbed the information, making a concerted effort to commit it all to memory.
The city of Chen-Xing was home to over seventy formidable powerhouses, and Zuo Wuji's comprehensive knowledge about them left Cha thoroughly impressed.
Zuo Wuji continued, "Next, let's discuss the Sunlight Sect and the Starlight Sect." He paused to take a deep breath before stating, "I must emphasize that these two sects are truly audacious. The Sunlight Sect is situated in the eastern part of the city, while the Starlight Sect is located in the west. They have essentially positioned themselves to monitor the entire city. Moreover, they've even dispatched their members to the south and north gates, a bold strategic move. Clearly, their motivations extend beyond the acquisition of dan beads; they aim to vent their pent-up frustrations."
"The primary targets of their ire are the various martial forces, with particular emphasis on the Ling-Bao Hall."
"In their respective sects, they have masterful superior cultivators who outmatch those of other sects. However, they lack the financial resources needed to eliminate all the sects simultaneously. As a result, they have been sending additional reinforcements in recent days, seemingly biding their time for the right moment."
"It is when this opportune moment arrives that they will strike. The other sects will be systematically dismantled," Zuo Wuji explained.
Cha Eun Xiao seized the moment to interject, "The ideal opportunity will arise when all these forces depart Chen-Xing City on their journey home. The major sects can then pick them off one by one, seizing as much as they can in the process."
"Yes," Zuo Wuji concurred, articulating his agreement with Cha Eun Xiao. He elaborated, stating that not only the major sects but also a multitude of more than seventy other sects were well aware of the prevailing circumstances. This collective awareness had led to the unanimous decision to remain within the city, awaiting an imminent shift. After all, Chen-Xing City was the capital of a kingdom, boasting the protective presence of the king's forces, which acted as a deterrent to hasty actions by the two major sects. Zuo Wuji articulated, "This situation presents us with a formidable challenge."
"It is certain that if they don't leave voluntarily, the two major sects will eventually run out of patience. Once they deem their manpower sufficient, they will act decisively, regardless of the presence of the royal protection force, which offers limited defense."
"In essence, the initiation of their actions will mark the onset of great chaos," Zuo Wuji cautioned.
Continuing, Zuo Wuji pointed out, "However, an element of uncertainty persists, and that pertains to the individuals from the Boundless Lake who have remained concealed within my residence throughout this period. It is rumored that the Boundless Saint is considered the most malevolent individual in the world. Having such a figure lurking in the shadows constitutes a looming threat, akin to a metaphorical sword hanging over everyone's heads. None should underestimate this potential menace."
Zuo Wuji then reassured Cha Eun Xiao, saying, "These insights represent the current state of affairs within the martial world." Taking a brief pause to sip his tea, he continued, "This is the information I've been able to gather and analyze. While these individuals may possess considerable strength and influence, there is potential to mitigate the threat through strategic means. However, it is important to emphasize that regardless of the strategy employed, it will require a certain level of power to implement it effectively. Mere contemplation without the means to act will not yield favorable outcomes."