BXBX NOVEL Chapter 124 Trust Issues
"Sense Trainer Gu picked the Storm and Thunder Hammers, Sense Trainer Feng chose the Bloody Halberd and Brother Ikasa chose…."
Mo Fan registered the weapons when the three came out of the Weaponry. He paused as he rechecked the name of the weapon Ikasa picked.
"You picked the Serrated Sun Disc?"
He asked, confirming Ikasa's choice once more. As an unusual and unpopular weapon, the Serrated Sun disc had been gathering dust even though it was extraordinary in nature.
"Yes."
Ikasa succinctly replied, putting the disc back in his robes. Now that they were out, the euphoria and excitement of getting new weapons had subsided.
He grew suspicious of City Lord's intentions behind offering them weapons. Even when his right to rule was on the line during the Tribute Tournament, he did not open his weaponry for Feng Yan.
'So what changed now? Is he really thankful to us for saving him back then?'
As soon as his thoughts wandered in this direction, he pulled the reins. He found a more plausible reason to refute this thought.
'No. If he really was grateful, he would've opened Weaponry the next day and not waited until he had won a significant victory against the Monstrous Flame Sect.'
The moment he thought of the Monstrous Flame Sect, Ikasa came to a realization.
'He is trying to court my support after seeing my power at the Hu Clan!'
By acting indecisively at a crucial juncture, the City Lord knew he had lost Ikasa's trust. In the same battle, Ikasa had emerged as the most powerful faction leader in the City. After all, his side had three powerful Sense Realm Experts!
Now that the Monstrous Flame Sect and Hu Clan had aligned, superior numbers of the City Guards would not play much of a role. Then there was the mysterious Advanced Sense Realm Expert from Hu Clan. Zhen Wu felt threatened by his mere presence.
To counter them, he had no choice but to court Ikasa. Hence, he had gone through this trouble to project himself in the best light.
To establish himself in a position of power, he had to show some results. By catching the Monstrous Flame Sect off guard at night, he had won a decisive battle and recaptured the Port. Thanks to the map of secret tunnels he had found, he ended the battle before the Hu Clan could interfere.
Even though he had to use his entire manpower, this victory was enough to display his military might.
To show his sincerity to Ikasa and appease his displeasure, he even decided to part with three precious weapons!
Ikasa understood the City Lord's intentions. He also understood that the weapons they received would come with a heavy price.
Either way, he was ready to pay it as he needed City Lord's help to ensure his survival. If he was getting a few weapons from it, why would he not take them?
Mo Fan led the trio to the Banquet Hall where City Lord was waiting for them with a goblet of wine in his hands. No guests had arrived yet.
As soon as he saw Ikasa, the City Lord came over. Taking a look at the weapons they chose, he complimented profusely.
"You have chosen a weapon befitting your status, Brother Ikasa. I don't know how this Serrated Sun Disc ended up in the Weaponry, but its owner should be an astute merchant like you!"
Ikasa accepted the praise with a smile. As he had expected, the City Lord was indeed courting his favor.
'It feels good to be bootlicked by someone I will have to depend on later.'
He thought as he watched the City Lord praise Feng Yan and Gu Dan's choices. After the small talk, the City Lord brought them to another room.
"Brother Ikasa, I have received credible news that the Monstrous Flame Sect's Elders are gathered at the Hu Clan."
'Here it comes. The price of the weapons.'
Ikasa thought as Zhen Wu informed him of the news.
'If he is sharing this news, he must have a plan ready to take advantage of the current situation.'
Just as this thought crossed his mind, the City Lord unveiled his bold plan.
"I want to take this chance to infiltrate the Sect's base and lay a trap for them. By tomorrow's sunset, I want to end this Battle of Rights and return peace to my Citizens. Will you help me with your forces in this endeavor?"
The City Lord ended his plan with a question. His use of key phrases like 'returning peace to his citizens' earned Gu Dan's sympathy. Feng Yan, who had become familiar with this way of speaking, had developed a certain immunity, but he too was inspired to help the City Lord.
Still, the decision lay with a single person. Ikasa. His yes or no would decide the fate of this plan. The City Lord looked at Ikasa with hope, awaiting his answer.
On the other side of the table, Ikasa controlled his excitement and put on a poker face.
This was the chance he was waiting for. A chance to get City Lord indebted to him so when he brings up his proposal, City Lord will not be able to refuse.
Still he couldn't jump into fire just to avoid future arson. He assessed the danger of this plan.
'If City Lord's information is correct, we won't encounter any Sense Realm experts in the Sect. Our infiltration will be smooth.'
Judging the danger to be negligible, he decided to go ahead with City Lord's plan. He raised his goblet and spoke with a smile.
"City Lord, we will help you return peace to this City."
—---
When City Lord was making a plan to uproot the Monstrous Flame Sect, a figure in black arrived at Ikasa's villa. She snuck into Ikasa's study and left a note before leaving without anyone's notice.
Shortly after the figure's departure, Caretaker Han found a man with numerous bleeding wounds near the Villa's gate. On a closer look, he gasped with surprise.
"Isn't he one of the men who frequently deliver reports to Xin Ruo?"
Recognizing the man, he picked him up and brought him inside.
"Zhi Zan! Call, Miss Xin Ruo."
He ordered as soon as he laid the man on a patch of grass. He started to administer the first aid treatment, trying to stop his bleeding.
"Call…Xin…Ruo"
When the man regained his senses, he asked to speak with Xin Ruo. She had just arrived at the scene. Hearing her name being called, she responded to the man.
"What happened? Who did this to you?"
She softly asked, kneeling beside him. Her voice may be soft but her hardened tone betrayed her anger.
"Yin… Ying…"
He croaked, trying his best to relay information. He had more he wanted to say but before he could explain, he breathed his last.
Xin Ruo sighed in frustration. The past few days she had been receiving conflicting reports. Many of them were against Yin Ying. Though she trusted Ikasa's judgment, she couldn't help but question if Yin Ying had really switched her allegiance.
'I will find out your true face.' She swore in her heart.
—---
In the Hu Clan, Clan Master Qing and Sect Master Yan sat with grave expressions. Path Finder Zhi Yang leisurely sipped a cup of tea while his newest female disciple stood by his side.
"As soon as they attack the Sect, we will surround them with all our forces. With Path Finder Zhi's presence, even if he doesn't make a move, our victory will be guaranteed."
The Third Elder of the Monstrous Flame Sect explained the hypothetical scenario. Except the First Elder of the Sect, every other important personnel from both the forces was present here. And most of them favored their side.
"Once City Lord is gone, let's see how that bastard Ikasa escapes my clutches."
Clan Master Qing fumed as he remembered the humiliation of that day. His proclamation was met with many cheers.
Their cheers did not affect Path Finder Zhi. He calmly watched them celebrate before victory and sadly shook his head.
"Yin Ying, do you think they will fall for this plan?"
Path Finder Zhi asked the buxom lady beside him. Her skills with dagger had attracted his attention. Upon learning she was a slave who had escaped her master, he decided to bring her into his Earth Fire Sect.
Yin Ying nodded in response to his question, her face still covered with a black mask. Her eyes did not betray her emotions.
Her answer satisfied Path Finder Zhi. He silently sipped tea as they waited for news from the City Lord's Manor.
—---
When Ikasa returned to his manor, he found the atmosphere tense. When Xin Ruo recounted to him the incident that happened in his absence, his eyes narrowed.
He was unwilling to believe Yin Ying would betray him but there were too many reports against her. He furrowed his brows and took the reports to his study.
As he cleared the table to make space for these reports, he noticed a note fall down the table.
"Path Finders are not allowed to harm the citizens of Birch City under any circumstances during the Battle of Rights."
"P.S. Some of my men may have betrayed us."
He did not have to wonder who this note came from. He recognized the handwriting of Yin Ying. He threw a glance at the reports on the table and the note in his hand.
His gut instinct told him to trust the note while logic and evidence were stacked against Yin Ying. He put the note aside and opened the first report.
It was going to be a long night.