Chapter 468: Sacrifice for the Greater Good

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio  Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

When all the ancient martial art practitioners of the series of three big mountain ranges had caught wind of it, they directed their gazes one by one over to Dafang Sect. They all had odd expressions and there was already a group of people who had started to engage in their own discussion.

After all, the fact that the old man in white robe had done such a thing meant that he had something against Dafang Sect. In order to get back at Dafang Sect, he had even been willing to let them off the hook. Just what kind of ruthless things had Dafang Sect done to warrant such behaviors from this group?

Although no one had stood to leave immediately, there were already a group of people who were subtly shifting their bodies further from the people of Dafang Sect, pulling the distance between them.

There were many people from smaller sects that were compelled to escape from the current location entirely, as to rid themselves of their relations to Dafang Sect. After all, nobody was willing to establish themselves as the enemies of such a scary group of people. The moment they crossed swords, they would immediately lose and die. If they simply left, they would have escaped and it was undoubtedly a good thing.

However, none of the four major influences had made their stand clear as of yet. Although some of the smaller sects wanted to leave really badly, they did not dare to make it too obvious as well.

When Wang Yinru heard that, her expression changed and she asked coldly, “Are you trying to sow discord? Do you want to separate us all before you attack us individually? Do you really think that we would be so foolish?”

Many of the ancient martial art practitioners from the series of three big mountain ranges actually agreed with the statement. That was because, at that point, that group of people had the highest chance of wanting to sow discord. Hence, their words may not have been the truth. If there was no such worry, perhaps a large number of people would have already chosen to leave.

“Old thing, there is no use in talking too much. There is an unspoken rule in the series of three big mountain ranges. Whenever we are in the face of an external intruder, we all have to stand united to fight against the outsider. Do you think that your mere words would be able to sow discord and split us all apart?” Granny Hong Yan smiled coldly and asked. She had lived for over a hundred years. Naturally, her beliefs would not be shaken simply with the words of the other party. This group of people was vicious and ambitious. They were capable of anything in order to achieve their goal. If they did as they wanted not only would they be endangering themselves, it was also very likely that the group would not keep to their promise. The people would not be let off so easily.

“Everything that I say has always been honest. You had better not be looking for death, the few of you. You should all know that if there are any tensions or warnings of mutual discussion, it is not a difficult thing for us to kill off every single one of you. We are just being kind now that we are even talking some terms through with you. Please do not take it for granted,” the old man in the white robe said coldly. The aura exuding from his body was becoming stronger and stronger.

The people from the four influences all shared glances and they all looked a little hesitant. That old man in the white robe was not wrong. Currently, they did not have any capabilities of going against the abilities of those people. If they forcefully went against them, there would definitely be lots of bloodshed.

However, now, they were also afraid of believing in them too easily. Pinning their hopes on the other party being kind was clearly very foolish. At the moment, they would be able to seek temporary refuge if they ran away. However, there was no guarantee if this group of people would still come looking for them after that.

Moreover, this group of people had purposely set themselves against Dafang Sect. This meant that their motives were not as simple as they appeared to be. Perhaps they had some other motives that could not be revealed.

The people at the scene were all the leaders of the major influences. Naturally, their motives were not pure. Their first thought would be, if there were really some precious treasures that belonged to Dafang Sect, it would explain why the group of people coveted it. For these treasures, they did not even mind giving up their heritage treasures.

Granny Hong Yan, Hu Tianfeng and the others were all very clear after the interaction with Dafang Sect for a few days; Dafang Sect was definitely not lacking in the good stuff. The Cyan Spiritual Pills that Wang Yinru had taken out to mediate the situation the previous day, especially, was essentially a panacea, and it was difficult to even tag a price to it. In fact, it would be difficult for even the Medicine Manor to gift such a panacea.

The fact that that group of people had their eyes solely on Dafang Sect was very likely related to the treasures that Dafang Sect owned.

“My fellow people, if you guys are willing to listen to these vicious people sowing discord, you may take your leave; our Dafang Sect does not require such allies. Also, our ancestors have set the rule regarding the series of three big mountain ranges. When met with an external enemy, we have to share the same spirit and pit ourselves against the common enemy.

“Regarding this issue, for the interest of the series of three big mountain ranges, our Dafang Sect had contributed a great deal, such that we have even offered our sect’s treasure; if you guys choose to leave, it would mean the breaking of our collaboration of a thousand years. In the future, if any of you encounter similar situations, do not blame us if we simply watch from the sidelines by then.

“Today, the people who have left to protect themselves will lose all benefits from our thousand years allied state. Whether or not it is worth it, I beseech all of you to make a choice for yourselves,” Wang Yinru said calmly. She was not forceful in trying to get the people to stay. She simply stated the rules of the series of three big mountain ranges once again.

The surrounding ancient martial art practitioners all fell silent one after the other. Even some of the people who were ready to cause trouble had also calmed down significantly. Through the years, it had not been the first time that the series of three big mountain ranges encountered a similar incident. The whole reason that they had been able to live till this day was because of the agreement since a thousand years ago. Each time they were faced with the danger of being entirely killed off, they would gather as one and face their common enemy as a united body.

In the course of history, the series of three big mountain ranges had been faced with great threats a couple of times. However, in the end, they had been united which finally allowed them to tide through the tough times.

Because of this, for hundreds of years, there were not many changes to the ancient martial art sects in the series of three big mountain ranges, and they were able to pass down their teachings till this day.

Just as Wang Yinru had said, if they detached themselves from Dafang Sect simply for self-protection, it would be equivalent to breaking the agreement of a thousand years; the moment such a thing happen, it would be difficult to predict what their fate would be like in the future.

“Sect Elder Wang Yinru is right, the series of three big mountain ranges has been able to develop till this day because of the rules set by our ancestors. The thousand years rule should not be broken. Today, if anyone chooses to leave, he will automatically also be completely out of the series of three big mountain ranges. In the future, there will be no place for him in the series of three big mountain ranges.”

Granny Hong Yan nodded her head and said serenely. She was the first to express her thoughts. She was a senior and she thoroughly understood that the moment a thousand years agreement had been broken, even if they were able to sail through the current difficulty, what would happen when the countless of challenges in the future came?

One could retreat when faced with a strong enemy but a rule that allowed for stability in daily life should not be broken.

“Granny Hong Yan is right. The thousand years rule should not be broken. Our Hu Clan is firm on standing as one with Dafang Sect. I am embarrassed when I say this, but because of our Hu Clan, we have dragged a lot of people down. If we leave to protect ourselves at this time, our Hu Clan would be throwing away our most basic loyalty. Our Hu Clan still has dignity in the ancient martial arts world and we have maintained a clear conscience. We do not wish to become the clan that is looked down upon by everyone.

“Anyone who chooses to leave at this time will be seen as leaving the series of three big mountain ranges by default. Our series of three big mountain ranges do not welcome such ancient martial art sects.” Hu Tianfeng stepped out and was the second to voice his opinions. Ignoring the fact that this had been caused by the Hu Clan, just the breaking of the thousand years agreement was something that could not be condoned.

“Our Cangling Taoist Temple has a history of 450 years. We have been deeply rooted in the series of three big mountain ranges; I only have one thing to say, the thousand years agreement cannot be broken. Anyone who chooses to break it had to get out of the series of three big mountain ranges as well.” The Taoist priest, Yun Ling, from Cangling Taoist Temple looked at Granny Hong Yan and Hu Tianfeng, and nodded slightly. It was not by chance that Yanxia Sect, the Ghost Physicians Hu Clan, Dafang Sect and Cangling Taoist Temple could stand erected as the series of three big mountain ranges for so many years. The whole reason for their success was because they had been united against all outside forces.

No matter the enmities or clashes in interests between them, whenever they were faced with external enemies, they always maintained a united stand.

After the Four Major Powers had established the stand, the remaining smaller sects all shared glances and fell silent. At the moment, not only was retreating from the group a huge risk is that group of people turned back on their words, but they would also face threats from the Four Major Powers in future. If the Yanxia Sect and Cangling Taoist Temple did not take the lead, the other smaller sects would not dare to take a single step.

“Ignorant!” The old man in white robe laughed and said coldly, “What’s with this nonsense of the thousand years agreement, do you actually think that you will be able to live another thousand years? Such a joke. If you dare to take me on as an enemy today, everyone will only face one outcome—death.”

The voice of the old man in the white robe was so cold that it caused a chill to run all the way into one’s bones. The surrounding people could not help but shiver a little. They all felt compelled to escape. However, with the influence of the Four Major Powers, they did not dare to let this desire manifest. That group of people was too scary. Moreover, they even had the capability to execute them all.

“What’s with all this talk of dying or not. I just know that if you intend to kill us all, don’t think that you will be able to escape so easily; killing a thousand of one’s enemies would kill 800 of one’s own men. Perhaps we would not be able to kill you, but it is hard to say how many of your men you would have to sacrifice,” Granny Hong Yan smiled coldly and said. Perhaps they could not compare to their top martial art practitioner. However, with regards to the number of ancient martial art practitioners with the Embryonic Breathing realm, they may come out tops. As for ancient martial art practitioners with the Qi Nucleation realm, they had ten times more of them. If a full-out battle broke out, they would have at least half their men become casualties.

“I’ll have to admit that although your so-called series of three big mountain ranges is only a small corner of the world, you all have the strong will characteristic of a true ancient martial art practitioner. That has made me very surprised.”

The old man in white robe nodded his head. It was a rare time that he had calmed down. Then, he said serenely, “If it had been before, I would think about it seriously when I’m faced with such a group that is not afraid of death. But now, I will no longer hesitate to give it my all.”

He was being completely honest. If it had been just yesterday, he would not have dared cause too many losses to this group. However, things were different today. If he was able to attain the inheritance from the Ming Clan, he did not even mind if everyone died off. His higher-ups would not blame him either, and he would only be rewarded.

“Old thing, do you think you’ll win us for sure? Since you think that way, why not we have a battle?” Wang Yinru smiled coldly and walked out from the crowd, as though she was not afraid of the old man in the white robe at all and she said with a clear voice.

“A battle?” The old man in white robe looked at Wang Yinru in shock. At such a time, she had actually dared propose a battle.

“Tomorrow afternoon, let’s hold five battle rounds. We’ll do a best of three. If you win, Dafang Sect will voluntarily withdraw from the thousand years agreement and no longer receive the protection from the agreement. The ancient martial art sects from the series of three big mountain ranges would also not interfere with this matter anymore. If you lose, you will have to retreat from the series of three big mountain ranges and no longer take a step in here,” Wang Yinru said calmly.

When all the surrounding people heard it, they all shared glances with one another. Many of them looked towards Wang Yinru once again with immense gratitude. Such a battle worked for them. If they won, everyone would be celebrating. If they lost, only Dafanf Sect would be the one to face the consequences.

It could be said that this move from Wang Yinru was like a sacrifice on her part for the greater good. She had managed to switch the words of the old man in the white robe before into conditions for the battle. This way, they would also not breach the rules of the thousand years agreement.

As for the people in power of the Four Major Powers, they were all in amazement at Wang Yinru’s intellect and the way in which she carried herself; she had pushed the battle back to the next day so that there was a chance for Mo Wen to return and save the situation. Even if they lost the battle, if Mo Wen managed to rush back in time, that group of people would not be able to do anything to Dafang Sect as well.

If Mo Wen did not manage to rush back, the outcome would be the same whether or not they had held the battle. Her doing so was already making a sacrifice on her part for the greater good.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.