Chapter 1671: Chapter 1672: Moved by Heart
“The Xiao Tribe, huh.”
Bai Qiu murmured the na, seemingly lost in thought, without saying more.
Ao Tian, standing to the side, was blunt as usual, “Just them? Did none of their own Xiao Tribe people co?”
Su Chengyu shook his head, “At least, I didn’t see them, and…”
“And what?”
“I don’t think the Xiao Tribe would tarnish their own reputation by getting directly involved. Since they’ve chosen to send the beasts instead, it’s likely they’ve left themselves room to maneuver in the event that the Luo Clan doesn’t face annihilation. This way, they still have a plausible explanation.”
As long as no mber of the Xiao Tribe personally steps in, even if the Luo Clan barely survives, the Xiao Tribe could distance itself, blaming everything on these Demon Clan creatures.
Though the Luo Clan people would undoubtedly understand the truth, outwardly, it would be difficult to directly challenge the Xiao Tribe.
“No wonder soone like the Mountain Lord of General’s Mountain would erge. The Xiao Tribe today is not the Xiao Tribe we once knew.”
Bai Qiu sighed with emotion.
What Su Chengyu said resonated with her deeply. Now that it was spoken aloud, she didn’t bother to mask her thoughts anymore.
“I brought this up not to stir resentnt toward the Xiao Tribe, but to consider whether, since these are ancient exotic beasts, you might have the opportunity to unite them.”
Su Chengyu directed this question toward the two of them.
Having noticed the peculiarity in the appearance of a few Demon Clan creatures, Su Chengyu had already been contemplating this possibility.
At that ti, Su Chengyu remained hidden in the shadows, not only to assess the Luo Clan’s resources but also with the beasts as a target in mind.
“What do you an ‘opportunity’? When this great master steps in, those exotic beasts will surely flock to obediently, won’t they?”
Ao Tian’s confident declaration didn’t completely reassure Su Zengyu, who glanced over at Bai Qiu.
Bai Qiu contemplated seriously for a mont and then said, “If we can confirm that no mbers of the Xiao Tribe are present, most likely these creatures were simply given orders to attack the Luo Clan. With aligned interests as the foundation, given my and Ao Tian’s reputations, we could indeed unite these ancient beings temporarily.”
The Demon Clan holds biases far greater than humans, and without a clear leader, they often fight as fragnted factions.
It’s precisely this disunity that, in battle, causes them to contribute less to the war despite their notable power.
But if Ao Tian and Bai Qiu intervened, transforming these Demon Clan creatures into a singular force, the pressure on the Luo Clan would undoubtedly multiply.
“Alright. But before that, there’s sothing else we need to do.”
Su Chengyu nodded after speaking, then pulled out the dust-covered Order of the Court of Heavenly Punishnt from his robe.
Yu Yanshu imdiately recognized it and exclaid, “That’s Senior Chou’s secret order!”
“Yes. Whether it’s the Demon Clan creatures in the Luo Clan’s Blessed Realm, mbers of other ancient clans, or even those from the demonic path hiding among us—this order bestows a temporary mark of mutual recognition. So long as one has this mark, they won’t be treated as an enemy.”
“The Imperial Court has truly intervened?”
Bai Qiu didn’t know much about the Xia Country, but in his view, the ancient clans should hold a higher status than mortal dynasties.
“The Xia Country has probably long harbored ambitions against the ancient clans. Back then, I thought the ancient clans settling into the Capital City was related to the demon-slaying convention. Looking at it now, it’s clear they noticed the brewing trouble at that critical juncture and were already paving their way ahead.”
Elevation of perspective grants a broader view, naturally.
At the ti, Su Chengyu hadn’t yet grasped the subtleties of the Xia Country’s power plays among its factions, but he understood more now, and fortunately, there was still ti to act.
He reflected on his earlier decision to secure Su Zi’s role as the Su Clan’s representative in the Capital City, which now seed even more valuable.
“Can you replicate the mark?”
With the mark being central to mutual recognition, Bai Qiu understood its importance for approaching other Demon Clan creatures. Without aligning positions, uniting them would be almost impossible.
Su Chengyu chuckled lightly at Bai Qiu’s question. “Who do you take for? While I don’t know who among the current Heaven Punishnt Departnt granted them this mark, the mark I hold was given to personally by the first Sect Master of the departnt.”
With the Xia Country involved, if the individuals were from the Demon Slayer Departnt, things would prove thorny. If it was the Dragon Soul Departnt, unfamiliar territory for Su Chengyu, navigating it would also be complicated.
But since it was the Heaven Punishnt Departnt—an enigma to most—Su Chengyu was confident it posed no real problem.
He visualized the mark in his mind and then infused mana into the Order of Heavenly Punishnt.
Soon, ethereal marks rose from the secret order, drifting toward the three of them, embedding themselves into their bodies.
“It’s done.”
Su Chengyu reopened his eyes, tucked away the Order of Heavenly Punishnt, and continued.
“With this order, those outside engaged with the Luo Clan will perceive you as allies. While you’ll recognize marks from others, you’ll also discern that not all marks share the sa source. This makes future identifications, where I may impart marks to others, more practical for mutual recognition.”
Bai Qiu summoned forth the temporary mark, examining it curiously. “I can discern the mark’s specifics. Why wouldn’t they?”
“Of course not.”
“Why not?”
Bai Qiu asked, puzzled.
“Because the authority of the individual granting the marks differs.”
Su Chengyu spoke with conviction, holding the highest authority within the Heaven Punishnt Departnt through his Order of Heavenly Punishnt—none higher.
Su Chengyu had deduced this fact upon seeing an adversary reveal their secret order. Yet, unless absolutely necessary, he intended to keep this information concealed.
Now reshaped by Zhao Xuan, the Heaven Punishnt Departnt had essentially beco his elite unit, holding little resemblance to its original purpose.
Under such circumstances, possessing the highest-tier secret order might offer unparalleled advantages down the line.
“Then we should leave now. What about the girl and the little fox?”
“Keep them with . I’ll recover briefly and catch up later.”
Su Chengyu said, then sealed the unconscious Bai Huang within the Dragon Slayer Sword before watching Bai Qiu and Ao Tian depart.
But the mont they left, Su Chengyu coughed up more clotted blood from his chest.
Yu Yanshu panicked and rushed to support him, exclaiming, “Master, are you alright?”
With a pale face, Su Chengyu shook his head, “I’m fine. I just didn’t expect using the order to drain so much. So rest will do.”
He sat cross-legged again, regulating his breathing and adjusting his body. Yu Yanshu silently observed, her brows furrowed deeply, yet her hesitant expression kept her from speaking.
Before Yu Yanshu could utter a word, Su Chengyu spoke first.
“Saving Nan Zhi is my responsibility. I understand your concern, Yan’er, but so tasks require sacrifice. It won’t be you.”
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