As the trio heard Lee Zhong's suggestion, they were left in shock. Lee Zhong, wearing a cold expression, said, "I know. Stop looking at me like I've lost my mind and just listen."
Lee took a deep breath and spoke with a hint of anger, "Fine, son, explain yourself. But there'd better be a reasonable explanation for this crazy idea of yours. If not..."
The reason for Lee's anger was clear. In martial society, Purple-Stones had been used for nearly a millennium in towns and cities to control martial shadows.
These stones, mined and named for their color, were not only beautiful with their crystalline, radiant appearance but were also capable of suppressing martial practitioners' ability to summon their shadows, depending on the size and shape of the stone.
Every town and city typically placed these stones at their center. Their function wasn't limited to suppressing shadows—they also kept powerful monsters away from towns and cities.
Considering the potential consequences of Lee Zhong's idea, Lee's intense anger and the trio's collective shock were completely justified.
"Actually, my idea isn't that different from what we've been discussing. Being of the same strength as the enemy, how can we win without taking some risks?" Lee Zhong said, his face carrying a "Am I wrong?" expression.
"The only way to win is to find the lord and kill him. But without our shadows, it'll be like looking for a needle in a haystack. Moreover, the lord is likely to return in three days, and probably stronger than he is now. What will we do then?" Lee Zhong's voice grew intense as he spoke, his eyes locking onto the trio as though daring them to answer.
"..."
After a brief silence, Han Fei broke it with a serious tone. "Brother Lee Zhong, this idea is far too dangerous. I think we still have time—we can try another method."
As Han Fei's words left the room in silence once more, the two family leaders and Han Fei himself fell deep into thought, their faces carrying uncertain expressions. Meanwhile, Lee Zhong, thought to himself, 'We can't win without taking risks.' His expression remained resolute as he waited for the trio to respond.
After a few minutes, the silence was broken by Han, who said, "Hmm. Actually, this idea might not be so bad after all."
"Yes, Brother Han. I think it's risky, but it's our safest bet," Lee said, nodding in agreement.
"Seriously? We're really going to do this? Are you aware of what might happen to the town?" Han Fei asked, still resistant, looking at the trio as if seeking support. "And what about the monsters? The Purple-Stone doesn't just suppress shadows—it keeps monsters away too!"
"..."
While Lee Zhong's expression remained unchanged, the brows of the two family leaders furrowed deeply.
"Brother Han Fei is right. But the risk I'm talking about is exactly this. Letting the enemy use their martial shadows isn't the main concern. After all, we'll be able to summon ours too." Lee Zhong spoke as he addressed the trio.
"This risk isn't as big as you think," Lee Zhong continued, explaining his plan in detail.
Meanwhile, in the Wu family house, another trio sat together, completely unaware of the storm brewing and the chaos about to descend upon them.
Sitting together after a meal, the trio were enjoying tea. Wu Chan, brimming with excitement over his father's ongoing breakthrough, looked at the academy director and Lei To, then asked, "So, we're not attacking? We're just waiting for my Father to return?"
"Hmph."
"Exactly, martial nephew," the two elderly men confirmed with a nod.
Hearing this, Wu Chan raised an eyebrow as he sipped his tea. "What if those Han and Lee lunatics try something crazy?"
A few seconds later, the academy director replied in a deep voice, "Don't worry, Junior. They'll definitely try something crazy. The important thing is that they don't attempt the most insane option."
"The most insane option?" Wu Chan repeated, suddenly tense.
"It's nothing. They wouldn't dare attempt such a thing anyway," the director added with a reassuring smile.
"Yeah. Even those lunatics wouldn't go that far," Lei To said calmly, supporting the director as he took a sip of tea with a serene expression.
While the Wu family trio sat in peaceful contentment, the atmosphere at the Lee house was entirely different. Han Fei and the two family leaders had been listening to Lee Zhong's plan for several minutes.
"That's my plan. What do you think?" Lee Zhong asked and continued to sit without looking at the trio, who were staring at him with furrowed brows.
After some thought, Lee slammed his hand on the table. "Let's do it."
"Nephew, your idea sounded insane at first, but after hearing the details, it doesn't seem so bad," Han said calmly, supporting Lee Zhong.
Once Han finished speaking, the trio turned their gazes to Han Fei, clearly waiting for his response.
'These lunatics are going to get us all killed', Han Fei thought, his mood souring. Taking a deep breath, he said, "Fine, let's do it. But what will we do if it doesn't work?"
"What if things spiral out of control and a monster attacks the town? I mean, they'll be able to catch the scent of blood from east parts of the town," he added, his frustration showing.
"The key is to find the lord in time. The faster we locate him, the sooner we can replace the Purple-Stone," Han replied simply.
"And if we lose the fight?" Han Fei pressed.
Han and Lee exchanged a quick glance before Lee responded, "Then you young ones will take your siblings and flee to the city."
The two youths understood what that meant but chose not to dwell on it.
"All right. We've rested enough. You two, go make your preparations. Half an hour before midnight, head to the town center, to the lord's manor," Han instructed as he rose from the table.
As the two youths left the room, Lee suddenly remembered the injury on Lee Zhong's leg and shouted after them with a worried expression, "Be careful!"
Hearing this, Lee Zhong turned back with a grin. "Don't worry, Father. If it gets too dangerous, we'll run."
After the two left, Lee turned to Han and said, "I'm worried about the children."
"I am too, but we don't have a choice. We have to attack. If we lose, we'll send the children to the city," Han said, patting Lee's back as he spoke.