Chapter Forty-Seven: The Chen Family Seeks Reconciliation

“Yun Yufeng, everyone knows there’s bad blood between you and Yun Shangmo, but you can’t speak recklessly. Besides, what reason would Yun Shangmo have to betray us?”

“I don’t know his reason, nor do I care to. His fate has nothing to do with mine. To put it bluntly, among our peers, only Yun Shangdi and Yun Yexiang are worthy of my regard.” Yun Yufeng was clearly displeased, openly refuting the elders' doubts. He had the confidence and standing to do so.

The clan leader gave a bitter smile and shook his head. “I trust Yufeng. He wouldn’t be wrong.”

Several old men closed their mouths in embarrassment. With the clan leader’s pronouncement, they understood he had no intention of pursuing Yun Yufeng’s insubordination. If the clan leader didn’t care, these seasoned elders certainly wouldn’t risk igniting a fire beneath a volcano—lest they burn themselves instead.

“The matter of Shangmo will be settled. We don’t yet know how much of our secret has leaked; accelerate the brewing process, and those selected may enter, but not leave, for now.” The clan leader’s eyes flickered, his expression dark. He hated wasted potential. He knew Yun Shangmo’s vindictiveness, which was why he had wanted him to spend time quietly at the mountain’s summit. But now, alas…

“Tonight’s incident provides a perfect excuse, and we need not give any explanation. The Chens trespassed in our Yun clan estate—an unforgivable act, demanding retribution. The Chens will come to us, and losing Chen Tianxing is a painful blow.” Yun Yufeng spoke softly.

“This matter is significant. The two families are now irreconcilable enemies.” The speaker was the gaunt Seventh Elder, Yun Feigu.

The old clan leader tapped the table. “This is an opportunity. The Mountain Circle Town must be unified. The question is how to achieve this at the lowest cost.”

“Unify?” The elders were shocked. The idea had vanished from their minds long ago. For decades, three families had formed a stalemate—none could overcome the others.

“The biggest problem now is that as Yun and Chen clash, the Gu family will watch from the sidelines. No matter which of us falls, they’ll be the ultimate winner.”

“If we destroy the Chen family, our Yun clan will suffer heavy losses. When the Gu family attacks, we’ll have no strength left to resist.” An elder spoke up.

“If I may interject,” Yun Yufeng began, “the Chen family’s actions tonight are unusual—bold, but rash and urgent. Why act so recklessly? Why the haste? They moved as soon as they heard we were selecting clan members? Chen Tianxing warned us to beware of the Gu family—what does that imply?” He now realized he’d killed Chen Tianxing too quickly; though forcing him to reveal clan secrets was unlikely, he should have tried.

“What are your thoughts, Yufeng?” asked the clan leader.

“I see two possibilities. First, the Chens seek something from the Gu family; second, they are pressured by them. From Chen Tianxing’s last words, I surmise Gu is coercing Chen.”

The clan leader mused, “So the Gu family fears Yun, and needs the Chen family as a probe—a stepping stone.”

Hearts raced. The Gu family had long aimed to unify the Mountain Circle, yet none here had realized, nor made any preparations. If Gu attacked, Yun would be utterly defeated.

Yun Yufeng nodded. “If Gu can coerce Chen but won’t destroy them outright, there must be reasons. Chen’s willingness to submit suggests Gu has gained a breakthrough in high-level power, making rebellion unthinkable—even mutual destruction is impossible.”

The clan leader frowned. “So, Gu has at least one mid-seventh-tier expert, or two at the early seventh tier. I know the Chen clan elders reached the peak of the sixth tier, but haven’t appeared in decades. Who knows if they’ve broken through? With such power, Gu can threaten Chen, test Yun’s strength, and needn’t worry about Chen siding with us.”

“If they haven’t advanced, they’re at least halfway to the seventh tier. Gu’s high-end power is clear. Yet they still fear Yun—why?” Yun Yufeng pondered.

“Perhaps because of my third brother. He was a fleeting legend, known to few, but he once fought Gu’s fourth son, famed for his brilliance, who studied at Zichen Academy. After that battle, Gu’s son vanished, and my brother said nothing. Gu never reacted. Now, it seems he lives, perhaps has reached the eighth tier. Only he could make Gu wary of Yun. With his hidden strength, Gu won’t act rashly.”

All nodded, deep in thought.

“So if Yun suffers great losses, only Gu will remain in the Mountain Circle. If Chen falls quickly, Gu will wait and seize half the territory.”

“Then we make peace with Chen, and Gu’s plot fails!” an elder suggested.

Yun Feiying glanced sideways at the speaker, saying nothing. The group lapsed into silence. Yun Yufeng sipped his tea, eyes half-closed, savoring the moment.

The elder, seeing no one respond, realized his mistake, gulped some tea, and fell silent.

“We must fight. But we need clarity on how to fight. For decades, our skirmishes have been minor, too comfortable for true growth.” The clan leader cleared his throat.

Yun Yufeng fell quiet, enjoying his tea, content to listen as the elders shaped strategy.

Meanwhile, dawn had yet to break. In the Chen clan’s secret chamber, several elders sat cross-legged on cushions, awaiting something.

The chief elder suddenly spoke, “Tianxing will not return.”

The short, stout elder sighed. “A pity. Brother Tianxing was lonely for so many years—who could have guessed… Alas!”

“We should have seen it coming. Why did Gu seek out the Chen clan? Because they fear Yun.” The Chens mourned Tianxing’s death; their anger had no outlet.

“We don’t know Yun’s true strength, and Tianxing’s fall proves nothing. But Gu’s fear must have a reason.”

The stout elder turned to the chief elder, respectfully asking, “Elder, what should we do?”

The elder spoke coldly, “You’re the clan leader. Decide for yourself; there’s no need to ask me.”

The stout elder, Chen Tianhao, current Chen clan leader, accepted this without protest. “I believe we should approach Yun, perhaps they can resist Gu. For the clan’s sake, we must set aside Tianxing’s vengeance. The true culprit is Gu.”

“So we need someone to sound out Yun—a person of weight. Elder, this task falls to you.”

“Very well. I have offered aid to Yun Feiyun before; it is best I go. Without delay, I’ll head to the Yun estate now. Continue your meeting, I’ll be off.” Before his words faded, he was already gone.

Yun Yufeng, half-dozing with his tea, suddenly stirred. His lips curled in a faint smile as he murmured, “Interesting!”

The clan leader, deep in discussion, perked his ears and looked at Yun Yufeng. “What did you say?”

Yun Yufeng sighed lightly. “Clan leader, we should ask Grandfather to preside. Someone is coming—not hostile, it seems, but with caution, Grandfather’s presence is best.”

“Should I go now, will I make it in time?”

Yun Yufeng nodded lightly. “No problem.”

The elders smirked. The ancestral hall was only two breaths away; how could it not be in time? Was the visitor miles away, to arrive after two breaths? Surely Yun Yufeng wasn’t claiming he could sense someone from so far off?

The old clan leader, trusting Yun Yufeng, sped toward the ancestral hall.

Yun Yufeng continued sipping his tea, his long hair stirring without wind. The Chen clan elder, rushing toward the Yun estate, suddenly halted, then slowed. He felt a bitter smile rise, unable to suppress his shock. Tianxing’s death was inevitable; he would have met the same fate himself. Just now, a powerful mental wave had touched him—Yun’s warning.

Soon, the clan leader returned, bringing Yun Feiyan. The clan leader took his seat, while Yun Feiyan stayed behind the curtain. He’d never had a seat reserved; clearly, his hidden presence would better intimidate the Chens.

Time passed quickly. A guard reported that a Chen clan visitor had arrived. The elders were surprised—having just lost one elder, now another visitor came.

Yun Yufeng smiled; his prediction was correct. The Chens were indeed pressured by Gu. The visitor had two purposes and would decide today: if Yun was strong, they would ally to expel Gu; if not, they’d look out for their own clan.

“Let him in,” ordered the clan leader.

“Yes, sir.”

A hearty laughter rang from the doorway. An elderly man with white hair and beard strode in, cupping his hands, “Brother Feiyun, it’s been decades—how are you?”

The clan leader was startled, examined him closely, then broke into a smile. “So it’s Elder Chen! I must thank you for your help back then; without it, I wouldn’t be here today.”

“Haha, if you weren’t here, I wouldn’t be here either.”

“Take a seat, serve tea.” The clan elder waved, instructing the attendants. He hadn’t expected the visitor to be a benefactor from years past.

“Elders, this is Chen Fengli, Elder of the Chen clan, who hasn’t been seen in the martial world for decades.”

“Ha, Yun elders, forgive me, I’m just a few years older.” Chen Fengli spoke amiably, but his eyes discreetly scanned the room, failing to find anyone with that aura of spiritual power. At the negotiation table, there was no need for further concealment. Since he found nothing, the true expert wasn’t present.

The clan leader laughed. “May I ask what brings Elder Chen here?”

“My clansmen acted rashly, so I came to apologize.” Chen Fengli chuckled.

The clan leader looked embarrassed. “Well… Elder Chen, accidents happen in conflict. I hope you understand. Had I known he was related to you, I would never have let you down.”

Chen Fengli fell silent, prepared as he was, still feeling regret. It was a clansman—a pillar of his family.

“This time, I represent the Chen clan.” Chen Fengli said.

“Elder Chen, I am grateful for your candor,” the clan leader replied solemnly. Chen Fengli’s presence proved he wasn’t here to cause trouble.

“The hidden fourth son of the Gu family has reached the eighth tier. Only he can defeat your Yun clan.”

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