WebNovels

Chapter 22 - Retreat

In the territory of the Black Tiger Family, in the city of Greystone, the Elders of the Black Tiger Family were happily conversing in a lavish room, as if they were having a celebration. Most of them held glasses filled with wine, while others were already drinking. They were rejoicing because they had just received some "good" news from the Nine Ice Family.

"I received a message from the Nine Ice Family that once the engagement is annulled, we can attack the Azure Wood Family. We'll also be allowed to take the Excellent Armament and the two Profound Nurturing Pills from them! The Nine Ice Family guaranteed the Royal Clan would turn a blind eye. I can hardly wait to get my hands on those treasures!" the First Elder declared greedily.

"Forgive me, Elders! Someone has sent something from the Adventurers Guild in Mulberry City," a guard hurriedly saluted at the door.

"Hm? Isn't that city under the Golden Lion Family's territory? What could it be?" the First Elder asked in confusion.

The guard quickly approached and handed over a container made of animal hide. When the First Elder opened it, the pungent stench of blood immediately spread through the air.

Ignoring the smell, he eagerly reached in, thinking he was finally about to see Finn's head. But his expression changed drastically when he saw whose head was actually inside.

It was Alaric's—the assassin they'd hired to kill Finn! In addition, there was a piece of paper attached to it with the words: "Be careful—because you're next."

The First Elder's face darkened as he shouted furiously:

"Finn Doria!"

--

"Miss Tiffanya Frois, Fifth Elder Guhen, will you kindly leave this small town now? We are from the Golden Lion Family, and we hereby inform you that the Azure Wood Family and the Golden Lion Family are now officially allied!"

"We will also treat anyone who dares to oppose the Azure Wood Family as our enemy, regardless of their status or influence in this kingdom."

A voice of an elderly man resounded from a short distance away. Moments later, three figures suddenly appeared beside Finn.

They had clearly heard the old man's words, but they still couldn't believe them.

"An alliance between the Golden Lion Family and the Azure Wood Family? What is happening?"

"How did the Azure Wood Family convince the Golden Lion Family to ally with them?"

"It doesn't matter. Even combined, they are still no match for a Noble Clan!"

Whispers and debates once again spread among the onlookers. Some were in disbelief, while others thought it was insignificant.

"Hm? Golden Lion Family?" Guhen frowned. He looked at the elderly man leading the two others and sneered. "Hmph. If I'm not mistaken, you are the First Elder of the Golden Lion Family, aren't you?"

Indeed. The elderly man who had unexpectedly appeared and stopped Tiffanya was none other than the First Elder of the Golden Lion Family.

Even Finn hadn't expected their arrival—since they had agreed to publicly announce their alliance in a month's time.

Calmly, the old man turned his gaze to Guhen and spoke softly:

"You're correct. I am the First Elder of the Golden Lion Family—Caesar Reeve, at your service."

"First Elder of the Golden Lion Family! This is a matter you should not meddle in! You would do well to leave this town if you don't—"

"Miss Tiffanya," Caesar interrupted her threats with a smile, "as I said, we have officially formed an alliance with the Azure Wood Family. And I am declaring here that we will protect them from anyone who tries to harm them."

"Elder Guhen!" Tiffanya turned to Guhen, clearly calling on him to help her drive Caesar away.

Guhen forced a smile and whispered, "Young Miss, he's of a higher level than I am. Please forgive me, but I wouldn't stand a chance if we fought."

Guhen was a proud Adventurer, but he knew his limits. He was fully aware that he could not defeat Caesar, whose level was 9th Level Scarlet Gold Rank. Moreover, Caesar was much older, meaning he had more experience. True, if Guhen used the Excellent Armament they had planned to offer the Azure Wood Family, he might stand a chance—but he knew that wasn't realistic.

To fully control an armament's power, one needed to leave their soulforce imprint on it first. Guhen was merely one of the weaker Elders of the Nine Ice Family and had no right to possess such a treasure. To his knowledge, only three Adventurers in their clan owned Excellent Armaments: the Clan Leader, the First Elder, and the Grand Elder—whose status was uncertain.

The Excellent Armament they were going to offer the Azure Wood Family was the cheapest they had acquired from an auction house—and they had planned to crush the Azure Wood Family using it, thinking they'd have no choice but to accept it and dissolve the engagement between Creed and Cleo. But they never expected to end up humiliated in front of this Ordinary Clan.

"Useless!" Tiffanya shouted angrily. She shot Finn a deathly glare and pointed at him.

"I will remember all of this! I will never forget the humiliation you inflicted on me in this town!"

After her words, she immediately entered the carriage, followed by Guhen. Before stepping in, Guhen gave Caesar a meaningful look, which Caesar simply answered with a smile.

Once they were inside, the coachman cracked the reins, and the carriage—drawn by two sturdy white horses—swiftly departed.

When the carriage was gone, Caesar finally turned to Finn and sighed.

"You were reckless, young man. But what's done is done. Don't worry. We will keep the promise our clan made to you," Caesar said with a forced smile.

"Thank you very much, Elder Caesar," Finn replied respectfully, bowing to him and the two other Elders.

"May we go inside the clan's territory? There's something important I must tell you," he added seriously.

The Azure Wood Family higher-ups and the Golden Lion Family Elders agreed. This place was not suitable to discuss important matters—too many were watching.

Members of the Azure Wood Family began to head inside, while Finn and the Elders led the three Golden Lion Family Elders in.

As they disappeared into the compound, the crowd gradually dispersed.

Most still could not believe what had happened and rushed home to spread the news of what had unfolded before the Azure Wood Family's territory.

It was clear this information would quickly spread across the Aurora Town within days: the alliance between the Golden Lion Family and Azure Wood Family, the Nine Ice Family's secret involvement with the Black Tiger Family, and the annulled engagement.

After this, it was certain the Nine Ice Family would not be able to move against the Azure Wood Family so easily.

--

Inside a small room, two figures sat quietly across from each other. They were Caesar—the First Elder of the Golden Lion Family—and Finn, just an ordinary member of the Azure Wood Family.

They sat in silence until Finn finally spoke.

"Elder Caesar, why did you announce our alliance so early? But I'm also grateful you came—otherwise, I'd probably already be lying in a coffin," Finn said with a smile.

Caesar winced at his words and gave a forced laugh.

"Hahaha. When you were in our territory, you claimed you had hundreds of ways to escape us. And now you're saying you'd be dead because of just a 3rd Level Scarlet Gold Rank and a 7th Level Scarlet Gold Rank? I may be old, but I'm not senile, young man."

Indeed, Finn had said that when he was in Golden Lion territory, and it was true. He really did have many ways to get away safely.

Finn only smiled and said nothing more.

"The reason I came personally," Caesar continued, "is that our clan received word that someone from the Nine Ice Family would be visiting here. So I brought the Fourth Elder and Fifth Elder along in case trouble arose."

After a short pause, he added, "Right now, Family Head Augustus is in seclusion, attempting to break through to Profound Rank. With the pill you gave him, I think he'll succeed in a month."

Finn's face brightened with satisfaction. The stronger his allies grew, the stronger their combined power would be.

"Why don't you try the pill I gave your clan as well? I guarantee you won't be disturbed during your cultivation," Finn offered sincerely.

Caesar's expression changed—his eyes betrayed a longing he couldn't conceal.

He had been stuck at 9th Level Scarlet Gold Rank for a long time, unable to reach Profound Rank due to a lack of resources. But now, with Finn's pill, he had a real chance.

The likelihood of advancing with the Advance Profound Pill was high—and he knew he would need a month of uninterrupted cultivation to fully absorb the natural energy within it.

"Since you're the one suggesting it…I'll try," Caesar said seriously.

"In that case, I won't disturb you further. I wish you success, Elder Caesar," Finn said as he stood and bowed respectfully before leaving.

--

Meanwhile, in the Azure Wood Family's meeting chamber, the leader and the Elders were in a tense discussion. Each of the five had worried, perplexed expressions.

"What is the reason the Golden Lion Family allied themselves with us? And now that we know why the Black Tiger Family has been harassing us—what can an Ordinary Clan like ours do to fight back?" asked the First Elder.

The room fell silent.

"The Black Tiger Family is already a huge problem, but now there's an even bigger one—the Nine Ice Family!"

"We have nothing to offer the Golden Lion Family. How could we possibly form an alliance? We all know nothing in this world is free—everything comes with a price," added the Second Elder.

While the others continued to worry, Creed, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke.

"To be honest, I've never felt fear toward the Nine Ice Family. The only person who ever truly frightened me…was one Adventurer," Creed said quietly.

Everyone looked at him, and a particular figure flashed in their minds.

"Elder Creed, are you referring to the mysterious Adventurer who appeared before us long ago?"

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