Chapter 173: Goodbye Young Master

An You bowed and left.

Inside the hall, Li Banzhi turned and looked up at the sky. She stared at the white cloud drifting around in silence. She had to consider the whole picture, so she couldn’t afford to be negligent lest things went wrong.

However, Li Banzhi knew that she had to take risks as well, but she thought it was justifiable so long as the Academy would end up having a powerful and virtuous leader.

…

The most powerful clans of the Guanxuan Universe were the Gu Clan in Gu World and the Yue Clan in Yue World.

In the past, Empress Yue and Princess Xin led a few hundred thousand soldiers in a campaign to unify and conquer the various territories in the Guanxuan Universe. It could be said that they had conquered eighty percent of the Guanxuan Universe.

Of course, the Sword Master had supported them. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have been able to accomplish such a feat.

The Sword Master’s support allowed the Yue Clan and the Gu Clan to become two of the four strongest clans in the Guanxuan Universe. The Chosen One was special, but he was a mere ant in front of these two great aristocratic clans.

The four great aristocratic clans only feared one person—the Sword Master.

The Head Military Official brought Lu Tian to Yue Nation, where the Yue Clan was located, and the Yue Clan welcomed them. They had to be respectful toward the Chosen One and the Head Military Official.

The Head Military Official cupped his fist and said, “Grand Elder Yue Qian, long time no see.”

“Head Military Official, it’s nice to see you.” Yue Qian smiled. He gestured with his hand and said, “Let’s head in and talk.”

The Head Military Official nodded, and the three of them walked into a hall.

Yue Qian smiled amiably at Lu Tian and the Head Military Official.

The Head Military Official said, “Grand Elder Yue Qian, I will get straight to the point. Lu Tian hopes to get the Yue Clan’s support.”

Yue Qian smiled. “Everyone is a part of the Academy, so it is only natural for us to get along.”

The Head Military Official noticed Yue Qian’s reluctance.

He glanced at Lu Tian and said, “Show it.”

Lu Tian activated the Sword Master’s Dao Imprint. It appeared on his glabella, and Yue Qian frowned upon seeing it.

The Head Military Official stared at Yue Qian and said, “Grand Elder Yue Qian, you should know the significance of the Sword Master’s Dao Imprint.”

Yue Qian was silent for quite a while. Eventually, he shook his head and said, “My ancestors have decreed that the Yue Clan will only support the descendants of the Sword Master.”

The Head Military Official said, “Lu Tian.”

Lu Tian nodded and inwardly chanted.

A terrifying bloodline power poured out of him and enveloped everything around him.

Elder Yue Qian jumped in shock. “The Mad Demon Bloodline!”

The Head Military Official nodded.

Yue Qian stared deeply at Lu Tian with his fists clenched and his face painted with surprise.

“Grand Elder Yue Qian, we need the Yue Clan’s support,” said the Head Military Official.

Yue Qian was silent.

The Head Military Official was about to say something, but Yue Qian said, “Okay!”

The Head Military Official was surprised.

Yue Qian explained, “The Yue Clan is loyal to the Sword Master. Lu Tian is a descendant of the Sword Master, so we’re loyal to him as well.”

Lu Tian and the Head Military Official grinned at Yue Qian’s declaration.

The Head Military Official said, “I’m sure there will be mishaps on the day of Lu Tian’s battle against Ye Guan. We hope that the Yue Clan will help us overcome those hardships by then.”

“Of course.” Yue Qian nodded. He went quiet for quite a while before continuing. “Afterward…”

The Head Military Official nodded and said, “The Yue Clan will reach greater heights.”

Yue Qian was delighted. “I’m glad to hear that!”

The Head Military Official cupped his fist and said, “Grand Elder Yue Qian, farewell.”

With that, he led Lu Tian out of the hall.

Yue Qian bowed deeply and said, “Young Master, goodbye.”

Young Master! Lu Tian was startled, but he broke into a grin soon afterward and said, “Thank you.”

With that, he left with the Head Military Official.

Yue Qian’s bright demeanor vanished and was replaced by a cold look. A young man who seemed to be about twenty years old walked toward him. The young man was dressed in a white robe, and he was staring into the distance in silence.

The young man was none other than Yue Chen, and he was Rank 2 on the Divine Martial List of the Main Guanxuan Academy.

Yue Qian glanced at Yue Chen and asked, “There’s something fishy about it, so why did you tell me to support them?”

Yue Chen calmly said, “Lu Tian isn’t a descendant of the Sword Master.”

Yue Qian frowned and asked, “Why do you think so?”

The young man explained, “He wouldn’t have come here to ask for our support if he were truly the Sword Master’s son. He could have revealed it in public, and our Yue Clan would have immediately supported him.”

“Indeed!” Yue Qian nodded and said, “They want us to help them during the battle by suppressing Ye Guan once he gains the upper hand."

Yue Qian shook his head and said, “It seems Lu Tian isn’t confident against him.”

Yue Chen suddenly asked, “Grand Elder, are you familiar with Ye Guan?”

Yue Qian nodded. “I’ve investigated him.”

Yue Chen asked, “What if he’s the Sword Master’s son?”

Yue Qian was stupefied.

Yue Chen paced around the room as he said, “There are three suspicious points about Ye Guan. The first one is the fact that he had such a powerful sword inheritance, even though he was from Nanzhou, a remote and tiny location somewhere in the Lower Realm.

“How come his rate of progress is at breakneck speed? I’ve mulled over that point, and I’ve finally discovered the answer. Ye Guan’s tutor is a powerful swordsman. It is the answer, but how come our Yue Clan still couldn’t ascertain Ye Guan’s identity?

“What does that mean? It means that Ye Guan’s tutor is hiding Ye Guan’s identity.”

Yue Qian sat down on a chair with a frown.

Yue Chen continued. “The second suspicious point appeared when Ye Guan went to Qingzhou and met the Sword Master. The Sword Master punished the An Clan, and he had a long conversation with Ye Guan.

”When Ye Guan collapsed, the Sword Master carried Ye Guan with his own hands rather than just using his sword energy to catch him. It shows that he favors Ye Guan.”

Beaded cold sweat covered Yue Qian’s face as he listened to Yue Chen’s explanation.

Of course, Yue Chen wasn’t done just yet as he added, “The third suspicious point I’ve discovered is the fact that Committee Head Li still hadn’t done anything. It is really strange how the Guanxuan Committee still hasn’t done anything even though the matter between Lu Tian and Ye Guan had already blown up to such an extent.

”Why is that?”

Yue Chen pondered for a while before answering his own question, “Grand Elder, I’m convinced that Ye Guan is the son of the Sword Master. I’m sure Committee Head Li already knows about Ye Guan’s identity, and she’s simply hiding it.”

Yue Qian directed a confused gaze at Yue Chen before asking, “Why?”

Yue Chen’s eyes narrowed. “I’m sure she wants to take advantage of the upcoming battle to sever the rotten parts of the Academy and cull the corrupted members of the aristocratic family and great clan factions.”

Yue Qian was taken aback, but his expression quickly turned sour.

Yue Chen continued, “It’s a rare opportunity, as those greedy clans and families will definitely show themselves for the sake of taking a slice of the pie. She just has to reel in the net by then.

“Is she not afraid of a rebellion?” Yue Qian asked.

Yue Chen chuckled and said, “I’m sure she would love it if they rebelled. Grand Elder, do you really think that they will succeed if they rebel?”

Yue Qian couldn’t say anything in response.

Yue Chen laughed at that and pointed out. “I’m sure you’re thinking that it’s possible, right? After all, it has been so many years since the Sword Master went missing, and everyone suspects that he had perished during that battle.

“I’m sure you’re thinking that the aristocratic family faction and the great clan factions will be successful in their rebellion if they choose to rebel because of the Sword Master’s absence, am I right?”

Yue Qian was silent.

“I’ve found two reasons behind why our ancestors had decreed that we should follow the Sword Master’s descendant.” Yue Chen abruptly changed the topic. “The first reason is that they truly want us to become loyal to the Sword Master’s descendant, but the second reason is a bit complicated…

“It is a warning. The ancestors have warned us to be careful even during the Sword Master’s absence.”

Yue Qian looked at Yue Chen and asked, “Are you saying that we still have to remain as their subjects, even though it has been such a long time since our ancestors’ declaration?”

Yue Chen burst out laughing and said, “Grand Elder, we would have long vanished from the universe if it weren’t for the undeniable fact that we are the Sword Master’s subjects.”

Yue Qian frowned.

“The universe still respects the Sword Master,” said Yue Chen with a smile. “It is impossible for us to obtain the support of anyone if we were to rebel, and we can’t really rebel. I also don’t believe that the Sword Master didn’t have any contingency plans before he disappeared somewhere.

“He was kind, so he let our clan be, but it doesn’t mean that he has completely lowered his guard.”

Yue Chen looked outside and said, “We’re starting to lose our respect for him because it has truly been a really long time since his last appearance. We’re truly becoming too prideful.”

Yue Qian sighed softly, but he didn’t say anything in the end.

Yue Chen added, “It’s a good thing that strength still towers over everything in this universe. In other words, if we want to remain as the overlord of the universe, we simply have to crush the Sword Master’s son. Might makes right, after all.”

Yue Chen chuckled bitterly and said, “Unfortunately, I don’t think I can defeat Ye Guan if he truly is the Sword Master’s son.”

Yue Qian chuckled bitterly as well.

Yue Chen said, “Grand Elder, you should go and visit our Clan Leader. Tell her my deductions. The decision is up to her, and I am not worthy enough of making the call here.”

Yue Qian nodded. However, he seemed to have suddenly thought of something as he turned toward Yue Chen and asked, “Who’s going to win in a fair fight between them?”

“Ye Guan!” Yue Chen answered almost immediately

Stunned, Yue Qian asked, “Why?”

Yue Chen chuckled and explained, “The Chosen One summoned the Heavenly Dao upon realizing that he was losing. He had truly embarrassed himself, and it’s only natural for people to look down on him after what he had done. He’s a sore loser”

Yue Qian laughed and nodded. “Indeed.”

Yue Chen’s voice deepened as he said, “Grand Elder, hurry up and inform the Clan Leader. This matter is critical to our clan. Once we’ve confirmed Ye Guan’s identity, we have to get ready.”

Yue Qian asked, “Get ready for what?”

Yue Chen said, “We have to get ready to welcome the new king!”

...

Lu Tian sighed as he streaked across the clouds.

He and the Head Military Official had just departed the Yue World.

Young Master! It was music to his ears. How proud were the four great clans of the Guanxuan Universe?

They didn’t even bother to greet him when he first visited him, but after revealing the aura of the Mad Demon Bloodline, the Grand Elder of the Yue Clan actually bowed to him.

Lu Tian was sure that the entire Guanxuan Academy would bow to him if he were to reveal the aura of the Mad Demon Bloodline to them!

Lu Tian clenched his fists tightly as he grinned in excitement.

He felt his blood boil at the mere thought of it.

The Head Military Official suddenly said, “Calm down.”

Lu Tian let out a long exhale and suppressed his thoughts. He turned toward somewhere and muttered, “The Lingxu Blessed Land, Time Paradise and the Sword Sect…”

His expression turned sour. He vowed to make them pay in the future.

Those daring enough to oppose me will die!

“It’s over once we’ve gotten the support of the Gu Clan,” said the Head Military Official. “Ye Guan is still going to die, even if he has the support of a thousand Great Sword Sovereigns.”

The Head Military Official made a sidelong glance at Lu Tian and continued. “Kill him, and you’ll become king—the King of the Guanxuan Universe!”