Join Together to Attack . . .
Did the men facing Han Bingxue truly comprehend the enigmatic and overpowering aura that surrounded him? Han Bingxue, however, paid no mind to their perception. He possessed the power to shatter the world. Minor details hardly concerned him.
At the very least, Han Bingxue reveled in the sensation of holding the highest position, akin to a king descending from the heavens. He was an unrivaled force within the universe, peerless in the Qing-Yun Realm, and a unique presence across the world.
- Shoot, shoot... -
Several dozen figures leaped out of the pit, touching the ground once more with ashen faces, their eyes filled with fear.
What Han Bingxue had achieved with a mere stomp was to make the mountains tremble and the earth crack, completely overturning the men's preconceived notions of strength. Although they couldn't gauge Han Bingxue's level of power, they clearly understood that the man in the white attire was not someone to trifle with. If he decided to take their lives, it would be as effortless as flipping his hand. The might of that stomp alone could have buried them all alive!
And it was merely a stomp.
How could that be any more challenging than turning one's hand over?
"Esteemed master, might I inquire about your name?" The white-bearded elderly man at the forefront spoke, his lips trembling, "I wonder what transgressions Huang Clan has unwittingly committed to offend you. Please, if you could enlighten us."
To humble oneself before the influential and employ flattering language was an art of survival for the weak. The leader of Huang Clan, seeing Han Bingxue's handsome and affluent appearance along with his rough speech and indecorous demeanor, yet his evidently extraordinary power, addressed him as 'esteemed master' in an attempt to win favor.
Han Bingxue seemed to appreciate the older man's approach, even though he maintained his haughty demeanor. He responded arrogantly, "Offend me? You are greatly overestimating your clan. Do you genuinely believe you have the qualifications?"
The old man was relieved upon hearing this and took a deep breath. [We didn't offend him? Excellent!]
Should such a prominent figure harbor enmity against their clan, the entire family could be annihilated in a single day. Luck alone could not spare them.
"Well... Esteemed master, your actions are for what purpose?" The old man dared not show neglect and asked humbly.
"Firstly, I disapprove of your reckless behavior," Han Bingxue said with a frown as he began to lecture them, "You were carelessly galloping down the road. What if you collided with someone? Even if you didn't harm anyone, it's still inappropriate to damage the flowers and plants along the way."
"Quite right. We were indeed foolish and inattentive. Master, you are absolutely right. We apologize," the old man said, keeping his head low and speaking humbly.
"Secondly, I am a highwayman," Han Bingxue declared. "I would typically demand payment from those passing by. However, you don't seem to possess anything of value that I might want. I've changed my mind."
He casually added, "I've decided that you may leave after answering several questions, provided your responses satisfy me."
The members of Huang Clan breathed sighs of relief.
"Just a few questions?" they thought. "Wonderful! That's easy! Anything is preferable to losing our lives."
Huang Clan was one of the prominent clans in the region, often acting as bullies in the area and committing countless nefarious deeds. But when confronted by a powerful figure like Han Bingxue, they dared not utter a single word.
In the Qing-Yun Realm, might dictated the rules, and this principle applied even more aptly to the Oracle District.
"We are at your service, honorable master," the old man replied. "Please, ask whatever questions you may have. We will do our utmost to provide satisfactory answers."
"Very well," Han Bingxue began, listing over ten questions at once.
The old man couldn't have been more relieved.
"Excellent," he thought. "None of these questions pose a challenge. I alone can provide answers to them all."
"We've received an invitation from Cha Clan to visit the Town of Cha. There are two compelling reasons for our journey. Firstly, it appears that Cha Clan in the Town of Cha has experienced a stroke of extraordinary fortune, as they've acquired a substantial quantity of Regeneration Ink Lotus. According to the Li Clan, a portion of the lotuses in Cha Clan's possession was taken from the Li Clan's hands. As Cha Clan holds a more substantial influence, the Li Clan couldn't oppose them. Consequently, all the clans have been invited to the Town of Cha, where we shall resolve this matter..."
The explanation provided by the elderly member of Huang Clan delivered all the pertinent information Cha Eun Xiao and Han Bingxue required.
The situation was straightforward. The Regeneration Ink Lotus they had brought back from the third layer of the Mountain of All Medicines had triggered a significant upheaval.
Both Li Clan and Cha Clan had departed from the mountain nearly simultaneously. As expected, that same night, Li Clan and Cha Clan had engaged in a fierce confrontation. Unfortunately, Li Clan was outmatched by Cha Clan. After all, Cha Clan's patriarch, Cha Tianchen, was at the second level of the Dao Origin Stage, rendering him invincible among the two clans. Li Clan suffered substantial losses, and they failed to secure the lotuses.
The Li Clan members had to watch as the Cha Clan members returned to their abode, seemingly having accomplished their mission.
At this point, it seemed that the matter should have been resolved. However, Li Clan could not tolerate this defeat. They feared that Cha Clan would rise in prominence with the support of the lotuses, potentially overtaking them with the backing of Misty Cloud Palace. Li Clan had long been a rival of Cha Clan, and they could not bear the prospect of their own decline due to this incident.
Subsequently, the Li Clan members continued to incite discord and disseminated rumors about Cha Clan and the lotuses. Li Clan invited numerous other clans to apply pressure on Cha Clan.
While the Cha Clan had indeed gained quite a bit, the actual quantity of Regeneration Ink Lotus was only a few dozen plants. Nevertheless, Li Clan deliberately led others to believe that Cha Clan had acquired hundreds of lotuses.
The clans were filled with envy. In recent years, it had become increasingly challenging to obtain Regeneration Ink Lotus. Misty Cloud Palace, the instigator of the lotus-hunting mission, had driven all the clans to madness.
When the other clans heard of the figure 'hundreds,' one of them remarked, "These are trying times. Even a dozen, or over a dozen, is considered valuable. It would be worth it to eliminate them all."
The clans reached a consensus to unite and pressure Cha Clan into surrendering the Regeneration Ink Lotus. Even if Cha Clan did not relinquish them all, the objective was to ensure that each clan received an equitable share. They aimed to prevent any single clan from dominating...
This solution was the best way to maintain balance. Li Clan shared the same sentiment, believing that if Cha Clan became the dominant power, Misty Cloud Palace would lend them full support, effectively suppressing Li Clan. This would culminate in Cha Clan's dominance, leaving Li Clan in a precarious position.
As such, the most favorable approach was to coerce Cha Clan into distributing the lotuses among the clans, ensuring that no single clan could assert dominance. Cha Clan's wishes were not a factor; their will was irrelevant.
Cha Clan had no choice but to yield, amicably or otherwise.