Chapter 266: What A Scheme
But the eight Grandmasters, not wanting to slap their own faces, all fell silent in response.
Xiahou Bubai originally wanted to speak, but upon recalling Xiahou Ba’s thunderous rage, ordering him to fully mend relations with the various clans. At this moment, he was already satisfied with barely stabilizing the Grandmasters, fearing any further complications that would lead to his previous efforts being in vain.
So he also fell silent.
“If you all find it difficult, you don’t have to help either side!” Xu Xuanji knew that he couldn’t pressure these Grandmasters too much. Seeing this, he turned to Sun Yuanlang and Lu Xian with a look of tragic heroism, and said with righteous indignation: “To eradicate demons and uphold righteousness, what is there to fear even in death? Where are the Heavenly Master Dao disciples?!”
Over a hundred Heavenly Master Dao followers, hearing this, felt their blood boil and drew their Precious Swords in unison.
“Form the formation!” Xu Xuanji shouted, also drawing the Taiyi Sword, representing the Sect Leader of the Heavenly Master Dao. “Let our sect face two Half-step Xiantian and fight to the last man!”
“Yes!” The Heavenly Master Dao disciples began to tread the Gang steps like a tide, forming the Grand Supreme One-Oneness Star Gang Demon-Slaying Sword Formation. Countless shining Precious Swords flowed like a silk-like banner, surrounding Lu Xian and Sun Yuanlang.
Xu Xuanji couldn’t believe that these members of the noble clans would dare to watch Lu Xian and Sun Yuanlang slaughter him, the Heavenly Master, and the elites of the Heavenly Master Dao?!
As expected, the Grandmasters showed distressed expressions. This was naked coercion, but none of them could bear the consequences of not saving a life!
“Wait a moment!” Just then, Pei Yuqiu finally spoke.
Xu Xuanji felt a sense of relief in his heart, thinking, finally someone was going to help. He had truly worried that these people would stand by and watch, leading to his own death and disappearance here!
But Pei Yuqiu had no intention of intervening. Instead, he walked into the center like a peacemaker, smiling at both sides and saying: “Why bother, why bother? After so much hardship, how did we achieve our current fortunes. Why bother to die for a fit of pique, it’s so not worth it?” He paused, then smiled at Xu Xuanji: “Heavenly Master, don’t blame Old Lu for speaking bluntly, that’s just his temper. It’s truly because we Grandmasters have already given our word to Sun Yuanlang and it’s not good to go back on our promises.”
“Heh heh…” Xu Xuanji hadn’t expected that the man named Pei would actually speak well of Lu Xian, and in his anger, he laughed mockingly: “So, is the Pei Clan also going to oppose my Heavenly Master Dao?”
“Brother Pei, you should say less.” Xiahou Bubai also spoke up to persuade him, constantly exchanging glances with Pei Yuqiu.
“Let me finish speaking. I’m not trying to take anyone’s side.” Pei Yuqiu said unhurriedly: “Rather, I want to find a compromise that everyone can live with.”
“I’m all ears.” Xu Xuanji sneered.
“Everything in this world has a price. How about this, Sect Leader Sun, hand over a valuable item you possess, as a price for peace.” Pei Yuqiu said softly: “This way, we will ensure your safe departure, what do you say?”
“A joke!” Before Sun Yuanlang could speak, an old Grandmaster beside Xu Xuanji waved his Precious Sword and mocked: “What valuable thing does Sun Yuanlang possess that would make my Heavenly Master Dao let him off the hook?!”
“Insolent!” Pei Yuqiu’s expression suddenly turned cold. He flicked his finger, and a sharp Forceful energy pierced the old Grandmaster’s shoulder blade. The old Taoist priest cried out in pain, and his Precious Sword fell to the ground.
Anyone with a bit of insight could see that this person would never be able to hold a sword with his right hand again in this life…
Those Heavenly Master Dao followers were both shocked and angered, not expecting their Senior Brother Mingjing, who had opened the Ren and Du Meridians for many years, to be disabled like a mere straw bag by the opponent. They didn’t expect Pei Yuqiu to dare to attack the Heavenly Master Dao!
But under the mighty authority of the Grandmasters, who dared to complain?
“How can a piece of trash like you dare to interrupt when a Grandmaster is speaking.” Pei Yuqiu snorted coldly, not even glancing at the old Taoist priest. He directly addressed Xu Xuanji: “I have disciplined an ignorant junior for the Heavenly Master, there should be no problem, right?” In reality, he was at least a decade younger than the old Taoist, but what did that matter?
Xu Xuanji’s face turned ashen, but he couldn’t push Pei Yuqiu to the enemy’s side. He could only swallow his anger and say: “No problem…” Then he returned to the main topic: “What exactly is this thing, stop playing coy.”
“The Imperial Seal of the State.” Pei Yuqiu uttered four words calmly, but they struck Xu Xuanji and the Xiahou Brothers like a thunderclap, leaving them stunned.
The warriors around were even more overwhelmed, practically on the verge of fainting. The amount of information they had received today was simply too much and too intense. First, two Half-step Xiantian appeared, and then the legendary Imperial Seal of the State emerged. They simply couldn’t accept it…
“How is that possible?!” Xu Xuanji blurted out instinctively, but he saw that the Grandmasters were not surprised, clearly already aware of it.
“Indeed, the Imperial Seal is in this humble Taoist’s hands.” Sun Yuanlang laughed heartily, and proactively revealed the Imperial Seal, holding it in his palm to show Xu Xuanji.
“If the Imperial Seal is real, then this deal can be made.” Before Xu Xuanji could speak, Xiahou Bubai quickly interjected. Looking at the Imperial Seal radiating a treasure’s gleam, he couldn’t hide the greed in his eyes.
“…” Seeing this, Xu Xuanji knew he had no choice and said coldly: “Indeed.” Although the Heavenly Master Dao had no ambition to contend for the world, possessing the Imperial Seal would undoubtedly make the Imperial Family and the various clans submit.
“Hand it over!” Xiahou Bubai and Xu Xuanji reached out almost simultaneously.
“I only have this one,” Sect Leader Sun laughed heartily, seeming to be resorting to his old tricks again. “And besides, did I say I wanted to do business with you?”
“Sect Leader Sun has his concerns. What if you all get the Imperial Seal and then go back on your word?” Pei Yuqiu interjected somewhat stiffly. “Why don’t we do this: let my uncle and I temporarily hold it. Once Sect Leader Sun is safely away, we’ll hand it over to everyone, how about that?”
“Shameless…” Mei Yu couldn’t help but spit softly. At this, she finally understood Pei Yuqiu’s scheme. No wonder this guy had jumped out so readily, he was after the Imperial Seal!
The other Grandmasters also understood clearly why Pei Yuqiu had voluntarily spoken up and made a show of strength. It was to seize control of the matter and thus hold the Imperial Seal in his hands.
It must be said that the military strategy of the Pei Clan members was not learned in vain. Their move at this moment was indeed accurate and ruthless. Pei Yuqiu had calculated that Sun Yuanlang would not be able to escape today without handing over the Imperial Seal… Even if Lu Xian shouted loudly, could he truly disregard the Lu Clan’s predicament and fight to the death with the Heavenly Master Dao and the Xiahou Clan?
At the same time, Pei Yuqiu also calculated that neither the Xiahou Clan nor the Heavenly Master Dao would allow the Imperial Seal to fall into other hands. With the weight of his uncle and himself, two Grandmasters, they were enough to be temporary custodians.
Looking even deeper, did the Pei uncle and nephew merely want to be custodians? Although the Pei Clan did not have the guts to claim the Imperial Seal for themselves, they could completely demand exorbitant prices like the Taiping Dao did back then and make a fortune!
It could be said that as long as the Imperial Seal was in the hands of the Pei Clan, everyone would have to placate them and let them extort them to their heart’s content. This was the uncle and nephew’s ultimate scheme.
.
After Pei Yuqiu finished speaking, he calmly observed everyone. He was confident that he would win this gamble!
The Xiahou Brothers exchanged glances. Although they were very displeased with Pei Yuqiu’s meddling, given the relationship between the Xiahou Clan and the Pei Clan, they believed the Imperial Seal would not fall into anyone else’s hands. Moreover, the Xiahou Clan had not openly rebelled yet, so it was truly inconvenient to seize the Imperial Seal directly under everyone’s watchful eyes.
“That is a way…” Xiahou Bubai said softly, about to agree with Pei Yuqiu’s proposal.
Xu Xuanji was left alone and powerless. He had no choice but to agree. “Fine, we’ll give the Pei Clan this face.”
“Good!” Seeing that they all agreed, Pei Yuqiu was overjoyed. He then turned to Sect Leader Sun and asked, “Sect Leader Sun, what is your opinion?”
“I disagree,” Sect Leader Sun replied with a smile.
