52: Chapter 52 The Yan Clan is well hidden

By the time Gu Xun'er learned of the Ancient Clan Elder Hall's resolution, it had already been several days since Gu Yuan returned to the Ancient World.

The news was delivered in person by Hun Qian, in the form of an incredibly thin jade slip. The wording was neat and restrained, yet every word felt like a wedge driven into her eyes—nine votes in favor, three abstentions, one vote against.

The Ancient Clan would officially withdraw from the Sky Mansion Alliance, renew the engagement with the Hun Clan, and the entire clan would support Hun Feng in his breakthrough to the Emperor Realm.

She read the jade slip three times, then placed it on the stone table. She didn't throw it, nor did she burn it; she simply let her fingertips linger on the edge of the jade slip for a long while, her pads rubbing back and forth against the cool, sharp edge.

When Yao Yao came to serve fresh tea, she caught a glimpse of the contents on the jade slip, a flicker of faint complexity flashing through her peach-blossom eyes.

She set down the teacup and quietly retreated, closing the courtyard door behind her.

Walking outside the courtyard, Yao Yao turned back and glanced through the bamboo curtain at that pale cyan figure—she hadn't known Xun'er for very long, but she could tell that this young lady of the Ancient Clan didn't need comfort right now; she needed to be alone.

Xun'er sat alone on the stone stool, the Golden Emperor Sky Burning Flame dancing silently at her fingertips, casting flickering light and shadow across her elegant, lotus-like face.

Thirty years old, a Four-Star Dou Sheng, and possessing the Ancient Clan's God-Grade Bloodline—she had too many things that others envied, but at this moment, she realized that everything she possessed was pushing her in the same direction.

Her bloodline made her an indispensable piece of the puzzle for Hun Feng's path to the Emperor Realm; her talent made her a "well-matched" bargaining chip in the eyes of the Council of Elders; and her status made her the bridge for the Ancient Clan and the Hun Clan to reconcile.

Yet, no one asked if she was willing.

Her father didn't ask, the Council of Elders didn't ask, and Gu Dao didn't ask.

They simply notified her of the result after the vote, as if informing her of a foregone conclusion.

It wasn't that she hadn't thought this day would come.

From the moment Hun Feng said in public at the Ancient Emperor Hall, "My Hun Clan will remember today's humiliation," she knew this man would not let the matter rest.

But she hadn't expected him to use this method—not revenge, not humiliation, but a grand plan that made it impossible for her to hate him completely.

She wanted to hate him, but she had heard the words he said with her own ears, and every word was clear and logical; she wanted to call him a liar, but Elder Gu Jun of the Council of Elders had corroborated his claims, and even her father hadn't refuted them.

A madman isn't scary, and a liar isn't scary either; what's scary is a gambler who dares to bet his own life, and who, so far, has never lost.

She picked up the cup of tea that Yao Yao had left, but the tea had already gone cold.

As the cold tea slid down her throat, she suddenly wanted to ask Brother Xiao Yan a question— "Are you okay?"

But she couldn't ask; what separated the Soul Realm and the Starfall Pavilion wasn't distance, but factions.

At the same moment, in the East Courtyard sleeping chambers.

Mu Xiao had been taken away by Lin Qingwan to learn calligraphy, and the entire sleeping chamber was so quiet that only the rustling of the dark osmanthus leaves outside the window, stirred by the breeze, could be heard.

Morning light leaked in through the gaps in the window lattice, casting faint light patterns onto the dark red silk canopy, and the faint fragrance of the tea from breakfast still lingered in the air.

Medusa leaned against the soft couch, her purple eyes half-closed like a cat basking in the sun. She had changed into a thin, casual long dress, the neckline slightly open, revealing a segment of her exquisite collarbone and a small patch of skin at the hollow of her shoulder, dyed warm by the morning light.

Her long hair was not tied up but draped casually over her shoulder, a few strands falling against her neck, gently swaying with her breathing.

She looked down at Hun Feng, who was resting his head on her lap, her fingertips idly running through his hair, her pads occasionally brushing against his earlobe. Her movements were light and slow, as if she were stroking a trapped beast that had finally decided to settle down.

Hun Feng's face was buried against her thigh, his breathing steady and long. His nose brushed against the small patch of her knee revealed beneath her skirt, while his right hand rested restlessly on her waist, his thumb rubbing against the curve of her side through the thin gauze dress.

Medusa felt ticklish from his touch and looked down at him, rolling her eyes. There wasn't a shred of real annoyance in that look, only the indulgence of a wife who could do nothing about her husband.

This was the scene Yao Yao saw when she returned from the side hall.

She didn't make a sound, but walked on tiptoe to the other side of the soft couch, bending over to lean close to Hun Feng.

Mischief flashed in her peach-blossom eyes; she had intended to sneak a kiss on his forehead as she usually did, but as she leaned down, he suddenly reached out and pulled her. With a soft cry, she fell into his arms, the hem of her black dress overlapping with Medusa's white dress, distinct in color yet tangled together.

Hun Feng clamped a hand onto the back of her neck and looked up to kiss her lips.

It wasn't the dragonfly-skimming-water light touch from before, but a deep, lazy, yet somewhat domineering kiss. His tongue pried open her teeth, tasting the residual sweetness of grapes on her lips.

Yao Yao let out a muffled groan from his kiss, her fingers instinctively clutching the fabric at his shoulder. Immediately, her entire body went soft, and her other hand climbed up to the back of his neck, her slender fingertips threading into his hair and gently rubbing.

Medusa looked down at this scene, a faint smile appearing at the corners of her lips.

She didn't make a sound to disturb them, her fingers still running unhurriedly through Hun Feng's hair, her fingertips occasionally sliding across his forehead as if smoothing the fur of a cat that was acting spoiled.

A moment later, Hun Feng reluctantly released Yao Yao, his thumb gently rubbing across the corner of her lips to wipe away the trace of dampness.

The corners of Yao Yao's eyes shimmered with faint moisture as she lay on his chest and muttered softly, "It's like this every time," her voice so soft it carried no bite.

Hun Feng chuckled, turned his head to look at Medusa, and reached out to gently tug at a strand of her falling hair, pulling her down slowly until her face was within inches of his.

Her purple eyes met his, the depths of them calm and unruffled, yet without a hint of evasion.

He released her hair, his fingers shifting to clasp the back of her neck as he kissed her lips.

Medusa closed her eyes, responding more passionately than he had expected—her hand slid from his hair to his cheek, her fingertips gently rubbing his jawline, and amidst the intertwining of lips and tongues, there was a trace of faint tea fragrance, from the pot he had brewed himself that morning.

Yao Yao didn't move away from Hun Feng's chest but instead looked on with interest, her face tilted up to watch the scene, her fingers tracing circles around his collar.

When the two parted, she reached out and poked Medusa's chin, her voice carrying a hint of mischief: "Sister Cai Lin, your breathing was unsteady just now."

Medusa didn't answer but simply picked up the teacup from the low table beside the soft couch and took a sip, her lowered eyelashes casting two shallow shadows on her cheeks.

Seeing that she wouldn't speak, Yao Yao snuggled into Hun Feng's embrace, tilted her face up to bite him lightly on the jaw, leaving a faint tooth mark, and then reached out to pull his arm under her head. She closed her eyes in satisfaction, the silver bells on her ankles jingling a few times as she curled her legs.

The wind outside the window blew a fallen leaf onto the stone table, landing on the plate of unfinished pastries, ignored by everyone.

In this small space, there were only three intertwined breaths and the occasional soft sound of silver bells, quiet and long.

This moment of peace did not last long.

Hun Qian's message rang out from outside the door, his voice still respectful but his pace faster than usual: "Young Master, the Clan Leader requests your presence at the main hall to discuss matters. The scouts from the Yan Clan have sent back news; the whereabouts of the Eight Desolation Destruction Flame have been confirmed, along with the Nine Nether Golden Ancestor Flame—both Heavenly Flames are in the Yan Clan."

Hun Feng opened his eyes and pushed himself up from Medusa's lap.

He leaned down and planted another kiss on Medusa's lips, much shorter than the last, but equally unhurried, carrying a touch of laziness at not wanting to get up.

Then he reached out and gave Yao Yao a light pat on her lower back, moving her from his chest, and picked up his outer robe before walking toward the door.

When he reached the doorway, Yao Yao's voice drifted lazily from behind: "Husband, do take it easy. If you bring back a few more, I'm afraid this East Courtyard won't be able to hold them all."

Hun Feng turned back to glare at her, but as he turned away, the corners of his mouth curled up despite himself.

Hall of Hun Tiandi.

The candles in the hall were not lit; only the dark red fluorescence on the walls made of soul-devouring iron flowed silently.

When Hun Feng stepped into the main hall, Hun Tiandi was standing with his hands behind his back in front of a massive chart of Heavenly Flames. The top ten Heavenly Flames on the chart were circled one by one with cinnabar, and several had already been marked.

The Void Swallowing Flame stood in human form to the right of the chart, the black flames at its fingertips tapping lightly on several key locations, leaving behind thin, charred marks.

Hun Qinger leaned in a corner, her ice-crystal lotus spinning very slowly.

Soul Yuan Tian and Elder Hun Tu stood on the left and right, while Hun Qian stood to the side.

"Feng'er," Hun Tiandi said without turning back, his voice carrying a faint excitement, "The scouts have just sent back confirmed news from the Yan Clan. The Red Lotus Karma Fire is indeed the Yan Clan's guardian Heavenly Flame; no one on the continent is unaware of this. But the scouts have also discovered the whereabouts of two other Heavenly Flames—the Eight Desolation Destruction Flame and the Nine Nether Golden Ancestor Flame are also in the hands of the Yan Clan. Three of the top ten Heavenly Flames hidden in the hands of the same ancient clan—such a thing has not happened on the Fighting Qi Continent for thousands of years."

The black flames at the fingertips of the Void Swallowing Flame tapped firmly on the Heavenly Flame chart, its deep voice echoing in the hall like flames burning bone: "The Yan Clan has always claimed to the outside world that the Red Lotus Karma Fire is their only guardian Heavenly Flame, and they have never mentioned the other two in any public setting. The Eight Desolation Destruction Flame and the Nine Nether Golden Ancestor Flame are sealed within the Ancient World of Ten Thousand Fires in the Yan Clan's ancestral land, collected by the Yan Clan's ancestors from various places a thousand years ago. The Nine Nether Golden Ancestor Flame has just entered the seven-star level, while the Eight Desolation Destruction Flame is closer to the mid-seven-star level; the Red Lotus Karma Fire is slightly weaker, but still at the peak of the six-star level. The reason the Yan Clan has kept it a secret is that they simply don't have anyone strong enough to refine them—Yan Jin is only at the peak of the four-star level, and the other Supreme Elders of the Yan Clan are at most five-star; they can't even get close."

"Three Heavenly Flames, the lowest at peak six-star, the strongest approaching mid-seven-star. The Yan Clan's own strength is not considered top-tier among the Ancient Eight Clans; Yan Jin is at the peak of four-star, and the strongest in the Yan Clan is only five-star. With such strength, they cannot guard three of the top ten Heavenly Flames." Hun Tiandi turned around, his gaze falling on Hun Feng, "The path before us is very simple—either take them by force or exchange for them."

Elder Hun Tu spoke first, his withered old face devoid of any extra expression: "Take them by force. The Yan Clan's overall strength is nothing; even with the power of their entire clan, they could hardly block my Gate of Dead Silence. Give this subordinate seven days, and the Yan Clan's Ancient World of Ten Thousand Fires will belong to the Hun Clan from then on."

Hun Qian frowned slightly, stepped forward half a step, and bowed: "Elder Tu makes it sound easy, but the Yan Clan is, after all, one of the Ancient Eight Clans, and Yan Jin even helped us contain the Sky Mansion Alliance in the Northern Region Corridor. If we attack by force, not to mention whether it will push the Yan Clan completely to the opposite side of the Hun Clan, the other clans will certainly take the opportunity to denounce us. The matters of the Ling Clan and the Shi Clan were not long ago, and the Ancient Clan has just withdrawn from the Sky Mansion Alliance; making more enemies at this time would be a loss that outweighs the gain. This subordinate suggests exchanging for them—the Yan Clan lacks soul origin and artifact refining materials, both of which the Hun Clan has. Name a price for Yan Jin, name a price for the Yan Clan; Yan Jin owes us a favor, so he might not be unwilling to sit down and talk."

Soul Yuan Tian slowly shook his head: "Trading is safe, of course, but the Yan Clan has hidden these Heavenly Flames for thousands of years without making them public, which shows that they value these Heavenly Flames far more than outsiders imagine. Ordinary bargaining chips are unlikely to move them. Moreover, once word of the trade leaks out, the Medicine Clan, the Lei Clan, and the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan will all set their sights on the Yan Clan, and it will be easy for others to get there first."

Hun Tiandi listened to the opinions of the three parties, no obvious leaning visible on his face. He turned his head to look at Hun Feng—the Young Clan Leader of the Hun Clan, who had been silent since entering, was staring intently at the Heavenly Flame chart, his brows slightly furrowed as if deducing something, yet there was not a shred of hesitation in his eyes, only the certainty a hunter has after locking onto their prey.

"Feng'er, what do you think?"

Hun Feng turned from the Heavenly Flame chart, his gaze sweeping slowly over the faces of everyone in the hall: "Taking by force is not advisable. The Hun Clan has just renewed the engagement with the Ancient Clan and is at a critical juncture of winning the support of the various clans. Sending troops to attack the Yan Clan at this time is equivalent to tearing down all the goodwill accumulated with such difficulty, and it will also force a backlash from the pro-peace factions within the Lei Clan, the Medicine Clan, and even the Ancient Clan—the loss outweighs the gain."

He paused and continued: "Exchange is advisable, but the Yan Clan will not agree. They have hidden these Heavenly Flames for thousands of years just to wait for someone strong enough to refine them. If we trade with soul origin and artifact refining materials, it is merely icing on the cake for them; it won't trade away their guardian treasures. But precisely because of this, we should propose an exchange first—openly and honestly deliver a generous exchange agreement, letting the entire continent know that the Hun Clan is willing to treat them with courtesy. If the Yan Clan refuses, then it is they who are unappreciative. At that time, when we take action, it will be called 'courtesy first, force later.' We will have a legitimate reason, and even if other clans denounce us in the future, we will stand on firm ground."