"I want you to repeat that one more time." Shen Yue cleaned his ears with a napkin to make sure he heard right. A few in the room started to get uneasy. Especially those who were once close to the Sacred Family. In no way did this Shen Yue look like a young teen. Even in temperament. "You want who to marry into your Family?"
Chen Linjian stood up. Giving a respectful salute to everyone in the room. Only a small look of hesitation in his eyes could be seen. It vanished after looking around the room once more.
"I Chen Linjian would like to have Shen Xiu as my bride." Chen Linjian held a steadfast gaze with Shen Yue. It was very quiet overall now. Several in the room waiting for the response of the young Patriarch. "I may be younger and not as strong as her but I will continue to grow. Closing the gap as I do so."
"Humph!" Shen Yue grumbled but said nothing. His eyes moving to Ye Hong and Huyan Lanruo to see if they knew anything. They did not by the looks of it. 'Shen Xiu is not mine to give away and she is not taking to my advances, so that marks me really two for two considering Yang Xin.'
Yang Xin herself only blinked at the revelation but said nothing overall. Her heart did feel a little easy now. Why, she did not know or pursued it for now.
A few minutes went by without anyone saying anything.
"What say you Patriarch of the Dark moon Family?" Ye Zong asked. His brow furrowing as an answer was still not given. His authority was tested by the young man in front of him. First Nie Li now Shen Yue even more so. "I understand some time is needed to make that decision."
"No time whatsoever." Shen Yue said simply. He waved his not really caring on the words spoken. "Shen Xiu is not here, so nothing to be done with the matter. However, if she leaves it up to me, the answer is just no. I will inform her of the situation when I return."
A few murmurs went around the room. The young Aristocrtc Families muttering a little.
"Any reason you object?" Chen Zhenlong asked a little bothered by the tone used. No answer was given immediately so he prodded some. "The rumors can not be true about you having designs on your own aunt? Can they?"
The Divine Family were known for being honest and upfront. But that did not mean they didn't do things to protect their own interest. Either he father, Zhenlong really thought this would create an Alliance before the Dark Moon Family grew to strong or the son, Linjian sought to do so to help the family by providing support himself.
"Nonsense, my sister is no "such" person." Shen Hong said. A small smile on his face. "As her brother, I wholly recommend the union between the Families. Even better to help bring them into our fold later. The issue with the separation of our family is nothing more than childish rebellion."
"I may be "young," but doesn't the Dark Moon Family exist because of how crappy the Sacred Family is?" Xiao Ninger said. Her head propped up by a single arm. Her arrogant look towards Shen Hong shocking most. "The Sacred Family has so many crimes it is appalling. You are just her brother in name. Not only didn't the matter of "blood" stop members from the Sacred Familly goon squad from trying to kill her previously, they even tried to abduct Shen Yue a few times."
"Young Lady, let the adults conduct this business." Shen Hong said irked.
"This does involve business. My business to be exact." Xiao Ninger corrected with a wave of her finger. "The Winged Dragon Family and Dark Moon Family are Allies after all. The merging of the Dark Family with the Sacred Family would just be disastrous. Not only would we have to break financial agreements but rearrange our patrols. After all, certain male elements in the Sacred Family like to rape and pressure so many females as well as a few males into very terrible..."
"You shut your mouth!" Shen Fei shouted. His habits were well known among several in the room. With more exploits mention more and more thanks to Shen Yue spreading rumors. "It is not your time to talk!"
*Woosh!* A force of spiritual wind blasted him off his feet. Xiao Ninger had been wanting a reason to discipline her ex-fiance. This was the time to do so. A fling of a dagger from her sleeve was blocked by Shen Hong, however.
"You bitch!" Shen Fei shouted getting up. He was restrained before stepping forward by a family member. "You gain a little strength and dare embarrass me!" The family guard that held him back felt his arm start to burn a little.
"No fighting, everyone calm down!" A voice came from the surroundings. Yet no one spotted the owner. "This is a meeting after all." The voice stopped talking when he was caught.
With the use of Astral Sense, Shen Yue brushed against the person who spoke from a few miles away. It was Ye Mo, the grandfather of Ye Ziyun. Next to him was a robbed figure. The principal of the Holy Orchid Institute.
"His growth has grown. It would be for the best if they do not upset him to much." The robed figure said to Ye Mo. Ye Mo was however shook against the pressure locking him down. "Shake it off."
"I am trying!" Ye Mo muttered through gritted teeth. "There is more than one person doing it!" From the direction of the Dark Moon Family, another was using Astral Sense to look the old man down. "Hah!"
Exerting enough will it was brushed off finally. It was a warning just a warning really.
"Heh! I see, a bunch of corpses want to get involved with my life and decisions.." Huyan Lanruo felt her blood run cold. She was not the only one as those "with" Shen Yue braced themselves. ".. my relationships are none of your business. Due continue and see what happens."
*Woom!* The Metal Seed sent out a wave of suppression. Wrapped in killing intent so strong a few of them threw up on the spot. The air was suffocating those of a weaker will.
"Ugh!" Ye Ziyun like several others started having trouble breathing. Nie Li grabbed her hand shielding her and a few others. Only those who walked through a field of blood could resist. "Thank you.." She muttered.
"Ehem!" Nie Li nodded looking around at the few that fainted after a minute. "Are you trying to kill everyone in the room!?"
"I do believe you made your point master!" Huyan Lanruo shouted. Her father completely shocked in regards to the revelation. She gave him a gesture they could talk it over later. "I am sure the Divine Family understands it is none of their business now!"
*Woosh!* The pressure came back letting half the room take a breath of fresh air. Only those in the Black Gold Realm were ok. As well as those shielded. Shen Hong's eyes narrowed in like a hawk on Shen Yue. A look at Shen Fei he was glad to see he was ok. Both of his "sons" had surpassed him it seemed.
"Well, do you?" Shen Yue's cold eyes bore into Chen Zhenlong. Daring him to say otherwise. The blue-white flames projected inside caused the Divine Family Patriarch to shutter in fear. As if he was getting pulled into a quagmire of a Burning Abyss, "I do not like to repeat myself."
"I.. I understand." Chen Zhenlong answered. He turned to Ye Zong apologizing. "It was this one's mistake. I only sought to make matters better for my Family and Glory City."
"Then the matter is over." Ye Zong said. "A few minutes to allow everyone to recover." The members of the Alchemy Association saw to those who threw up and fainted. Forget their overall image, they were lucky to survive. 'The level of Killing Pressure reminds me of the Heavenly Border. But stronger somehow.'
"Boss really didn't care about those in the room." Zhu Xiangjun muttered. "Well, those not in his "camp" anyway."
"Glad we are on his side." Wei Nan muttered.
A few whispers and mutters carried on for a bit. Some families changing plans while others outright sucking up to each other a little.
Shen Yue using his control of sound with Astral Sense started to talk to those in the room worth a damn before it started back up. According to Xiao Ninger and Huyan Lanruo there was a plan by Nie Li and Ye Ziyuin to knock the Sacred Family down some. But it was to risky and brought problems for both of their families so they did not agree to join in with it.
"To announce something a little more positive," Ye Zong said forcefully. He looked at his daughter who only gave him a smile in return. ".my daughter Ye Ziyun is engaged to the young lord of the Heavenly Marks Family, Nie Li. Who is an accomplished Apothecary that has helped along with the Alchemy Association to bring in several new recipes."
The room gave an applause. Some in earnest with few just doing tentative ones. Shen Yue and Xiao Ninger were part of the tentative ones. Shen Yue due to the different feeling it placed in the room. Xiao Ninger.. well because she was still in love with Nie Li.
"Reports about Demon Beast Activity have increased." Ye Zong announced. He passed a report around with areas listed with increased activity. "We don't know if it is a precursor the Demon Beast Horde arriving but we must be careful."
When a report came to Shen Yue, he only glanced at it before heading it to the 2nd Officer. The contents were outdated by two weeks. Which was odd since standing orders given to his scouting parties to turn in updated patrol logs outside the city every week.
"Patriarch Shen Yue, why so dismissive?" Huyan Ming questioned. He was on the Alchemy Association side but thought the matter odd that the young man didn't take it seriously. "Surely you take the matter seriously."
Before Shen Yue answered someone decided to make trouble by answering for him.
"He might just be a coward." Shen Fei sneered. "The words of the Demon Beasts increasing must be to much for you."
He was ignored as Shen Yue just stared at the City Lord waiting for him to continue now. He even gestured for the man to do so.
"We only request for everyone to increase scouts, patrols, and inspections." Ye Zong announced. "Recent information has come to light that several outsiders are in the city. The Dark Guild may have taken the chance to sneak their own in."
"Scouts and patrols are fine." Shen Yue said. "But the inspection is declined. The Dark moon Family have several matters underway and they will not be compromised for the sake of your foolishness."
"Foolishness?"
"Yes, these reports are outdated." Shen Yue answered. His finger hitting the table to point out the issue he had. "My people have delivered reports every week and I do not see any of them on these documents. I don't know if it is an error in your Logistics Department or not but I will not open my area up for a search."
"You think yourself above a search?" Sheng Hong questioned. A look of contempt in his eyes but not a smart move. "Seems like you are hiding something. Might shed light on the items stolen from the Sacred Family vaults."
"Not even. But I tell you what, you allow the families to search your Sacred Family top to bottom undisturbed and I will do the same." Shen Yue smiled broadly. Either way, this would work for him. "In fact let's go right now before anyone has a chance to hide something incriminating."
"My Sacred Family has nothing to hide!" Shen Hong said in anger. "Why don't you admit to stealing from the family vaults!?? No way your strength is natural!"
"Calm down brother Shen." Ye Zong said. The very words caused a few to frown. Especially those who knew Shen Hong was the one that killed his wife. The level of respect and familiarity was an insult to her memory. "The Dark Moon Family will be searched after the meeting by myself and the Divine Family. That way the matter regarding Shen Xiu can be solved in one go."
A few grumblings were heard but the thing they just didn't understand, was that if Shen Yue didn't agree, they would be lucky to keep their lives in tact.