Chapter 5: The Future of the Po Clan
Everyone present looked at Yang Wudi with puzzled expressions.
Yang Wudi spoke up, "Everyone, don't be hasty—take a look at this latest piece of information."
Yang Wushuang was the first to pick up the note. His eyes widened as he read, clearly surprised by its contents. One by one, the others read the note, which stated: Pope Qian Xunji of Spirit Hall has departed from Spirit City with Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo.
Yang Wudi scanned the room. "This is the latest intel from one of our informants within Spirit Hall. The Pope of Spirit Hall, Qian Xunji, along with Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo, has left Spirit City. Their destination? Unknown."
He continued, "As you all know, tensions between us and Spirit Hall have been escalating over the years, and a confrontation seems inevitable. While Potian's recent anxiety might seem childish, I, too, sense that something is amiss."
"I'm not afraid of a fight, nor is anyone in the Po Clan—we'd rather die than retreat. But Potian is still a child and doesn't understand any of this. So, I thought it might be best to send him off to Heaven Dou City for a while."
At this, Yang Wushuang spoke up, "Big Brother, are you saying—?"
"Look, I'm not suggesting anything drastic. The older generation may be prepared to die, but our young ones are too precious to sacrifice. We need to preserve a bit of hope for our family."
"Do you have a plan, Big Brother?"
"Yes, Wushuang. You'll personally lead a group to Heaven Dou City, taking Zhentian, Jinfeng, and all children under twelve with you. Remember, if things worsen, don't come back."
"But Big Brother, if something really happens, you'll be the only one left here."
"Don't worry about me, Wushuang. I'm not old yet; I can hold down the fort here. Your group is our clan's real hope for the future."
Everyone fell silent, absorbing the gravity of his words.
Finally, Yang Wushuang nodded solemnly. "Big Brother, rest assured, I will protect the children."
Meanwhile, Yang Potian, who had snuck out of the clan grounds, hadn't even managed to find a carriage bound for Heaven Dou City before his mother, Niu Jinfeng, found him and grabbed him by the collar.
Seeing his tall, strong mother, Potian put on a childlike act. "Mom! What are you doing here? You're not going to take me back home, are you?"
Niu Jinfeng looked less than pleased. "You little troublemaker! Didn't I say I'd take you to Heaven Dou City in a few days? And here you are, trying to run off alone."
"Well, I was afraid you wouldn't actually take me."
"Fine, I won't scold you this time. Let's head back now, and tomorrow we'll go together."
"Together? What do you mean, Mom? Who else is going with us?"
Niu Jinfeng looked at him knowingly. "Your grandfather decided that since it's a family outing, we shouldn't play favorites. So, your second grand-uncle will be leading all the children from the clan on this trip. That way, everyone can enjoy a bit of peace of mind."
Hearing this, Potian was stunned. "Grandpa wants all the kids in the clan to go? What's he thinking?"
"What do you think, little one? Stop worrying so much!"
And so, Potian found himself back home, pondering his grandfather's decision. Could Grandpa sense something's wrong and want the children to take refuge in Heaven Dou City? Or did he receive some other information?
The next morning, Potian was woken up early and ushered to the courtyard, where all the clan's children under twelve had gathered—about forty or fifty kids in total.
The group was led by his second grand-uncle, Yang Wushuang, along with ten other adults, including his father Yang Zhentian, his mother Niu Jinfeng, and several mothers carrying infants.
The children were thrilled at the news of a trip to Heaven Dou City, one of the most bustling cities on the continent. Even the younger kids couldn't contain their excitement, humming and chattering.
Under the adults' supervision, the children piled into nine carriages waiting by the gate. Each carriage had one or two adults and a few children. Potian, along with his parents and a few other children, boarded the last carriage in the line, clearly designated for the rear guard with his father keeping an eye on the entire convoy.
Yang Wushuang, as vice clan leader, took the lead in the first carriage. With a signal, all nine carriages set off toward Heaven Dou City.
Watching the Po Clan grounds grow smaller in the distance, Potian thought to himself, I hope the Po Clan can survive this crisis. Without us children as a burden, fewer people should die. If war truly breaks out, I hope Grandpa will lead the clan to Heaven Dou City, one of the few relatively safe places.
Meanwhile, back at the Po Clan grounds, Yang Wudi stood with the elders, watching the convoy disappear in the distance, a solemn yet relieved expression on his face. Everyone seemed to feel a weight lift, knowing that their children and young ones were out of harm's way.
When the convoy was finally out of sight, Yang Wudi turned to the elders. "From this moment on, we must be vigilant. Gather intelligence and enforce security among our clan members. We may not know what's coming, but we can be certain it will be significant—perhaps a matter of life or death for the Po Clan."
As the Po Clan leader and elder of the Haotian Sect's outer sect, Yang Wudi had ample experience and an iron resolve. Under his command, the clan's defenses were tightened.
Afterward, Yang Wudi, clutching the note, headed to a meeting point where he was soon joined by Titan, the leader of the Li Clan; Niu Gao, leader of the Yu Clan; and Bai He, leader of the Min Clan.
The three leaders read Yang Wudi's note but showed little surprise.
Niu Gao spoke up first. "Old Goat, what's gotten into you? Why so jumpy? And why did you send all your young ones off to Heaven Dou City?"
Yang Wudi shook his head. "It's nothing, really. I've just been feeling uneasy lately. Plus, my eldest grandson wouldn't stop pestering me about visiting Heaven Dou City, so I thought it best to let all the kids go at once."
"Oh, so it was my little grandson who wanted to go?" Niu Gao replied. "Had I known, I would have joined them."
Bai He interjected, "Oh, you old rhino. With all that's happening in the sect, you think you have time for leisure?"
As the maternal uncle to Tang Hao and Tang Xiao, Bai He was riding high as Haotian Sect's top external relative.
Titan added, "It has been quite hectic lately. If I had time, I'd like a vacation too."
It was clear that the other clan leaders had also received similar intelligence, yet they remained unfazed. Yang Wudi shook his head to himself, hoping he was simply overthinking things.
(End of Chapter)