Chapter 344: Recruiting Gu He, The Imminent Battle
For exclusive access to 400+ advanced chapters and more, visit my Ko-fi page and support the journey:
ko-fi.com/laoyao95
Laoyao with L yeahh..thanks for the support.
or Support me at patreon for 400+ advanced chapters :
patreon.com/YaoIk
**
As the two names were uttered by Gu He, Mo Yu's expression instantly darkened.
The image of a graceful figure surfaced in his mind, and within his silver eyes, a faint trace of anger began to emerge.
"Is this true?" Mo Yu suppressed the rage in his heart as he asked.
"You have ties with the Mite'er Clan, don't you? With their intelligence network, I'm sure you'll soon verify this news," Gu He replied in a low voice.
Hearing this, Mo Yu's face turned even gloomier. Deep down, he was already convinced that this information was likely true.
After all, in the original story, at this point, Yun Yun was nearly married off by Yun Shan, that despicable old man. However, the groom wasn't the Little Beast King but the man now standing before him—Gu He.
As for why the situation had changed, Mo Yu could guess the reasons.
In the original story, after Yun Shan came out of seclusion and reclaimed power over the Yun Lan Sect, Yun Yun was subsequently placed under house arrest. This also caused Gu He to distance himself from the sect.
Thus, to secure the loyalty of Gu He, a sixth-grade alchemist, and to counter the pressure brought by Xiao Yan, Yun Shan decided to use Yun Yun as a bargaining chip to tie Gu He to the sect.
But now, compared to Gu He, the Mu Lan Valley clearly held greater value.
After all, while a sixth-grade alchemist could gather some Dou Wang and Dou Huang experts, the Mu Lan Valley had the formidable Mu Lan Three Elders, whose strength rivaled that of a Dou Zong!
By marrying Yun Yun to the Mu Lan Valley's young master, Yun Shan could not only solidify the alliance between the two factions but also secure their support against Mo Yu.
"What a shameless old dog!"
Thinking of this, Mo Yu couldn't help but feel enraged by Yun Shan's despicable actions. Using his disciple as a pawn to gain the favor of another faction's heir was the height of callousness and self-interest.
After cursing Yun Shan in his mind, the gloom on Mo Yu's face gradually dissipated. He then glanced sympathetically at Gu He.
No wonder the man had come to him with such a forlorn expression—it turned out he had suffered such a great humiliation.
When Gu He joined the Yun Lan Sect, Yun Shan had not yet emerged from seclusion, and the strongest person in the sect was Yun Yun, who was merely a Dou Huang.
Thus, while the Yun Lan Sect might have been the top force in the Jia Ma Empire, it was considered insignificant on the broader Northwestern Continent.
Meanwhile, Gu He, a sixth-grade alchemist whose skills could command respect even among second-tier powers in Central Plains, had joined the Yun Lan Sect purely for Yun Yun.
Sadly, Yun Yun had only ever regarded Gu He as a friend and felt no romantic inclination toward him.
Even so, in the original story, Gu He had at least managed to arrange a marriage with Yun Yun, almost succeeding in taking her hand.
Now, however, with Mo Yu's intervention leading to an alliance between the Yun Lan Sect and the Mu Lan Valley, Gu He had been left with nothing for his decade-long infatuation.
Shaking his head, Mo Yu pushed these thoughts aside. Turning to Gu He, he expressed his gratitude:
"Thank you for this information. I won't let Yun Yun marry the Little Beast King."
"No need to thank me. I simply don't want Yun Yun to marry someone she doesn't love," Gu He replied with a shake of his head.
Seeing Gu He's reaction, Mo Yu sighed inwardly. Then, as if struck by an idea, he extended an invitation.
"By the way, since you've disclosed this to me, if the Yun Lan Sect discovers it, they likely won't tolerate you anymore. I have a faction in the Black-Corner Region called the Yuan Manor. Why not join us?"
The allure of a sixth-grade alchemist like Gu He was too tempting for Mo Yu to resist. Moreover, Mo Yu knew Gu He's talent; in the future, he could very well become a seven-tier or even eight-tier alchemist.
If he could recruit Gu He into the Yuan Manor, having two sixth-grade alchemists in the faction would undoubtedly attract even more powerful allies.
"Join your faction?"
Gu He was momentarily stunned by Mo Yu's proposal. He hadn't expected the young man before him to invite him into his ranks.
However, as he sensed the several powerful presences locked onto him in the surroundings, he quickly realized his position.
Looking at Mo Yu's youthful and handsome face, Gu He reminded himself that this man commanded a force rivaling the Yun Lan Sect—otherwise, Gu He wouldn't have come seeking him.
After pondering for a moment, Gu He finally said, "If you can save Yun Yun from this marriage, I'll agree to join your Yuan Manor."
Mo Yu's eyes flickered slightly at Gu He's words. Deep down, he felt a faint admiration for the man's genuine feelings for Yun Yun.
However, Mo Yu shook his head and replied, "I'm inviting you to join the Yuan Manor purely because of your alchemy skills, nothing else.
"As for Yun Yun, whether or not you join the Yuan Manor, I won't let her marry the Little Beast King."
Did Gu He have genuine feelings for Yun Yun? Of course. But so did Mo Yu.
Mo Yu refused to treat Yun Yun like a mere commodity, as Yun Shan did.
Hearing Mo Yu's reply, Gu He froze. After a few moments, he sighed and said, "Yun Yun couldn't have chosen a better person."
Gu He was well aware of his own worth as a sixth-grade alchemist. If not for the Yun Lan Sect's current need for military strength, even Yun Shan would likely have supported Yun Yun marrying him instead of the Little Beast King.
Mo Yu's insistence on saving Yun Yun without leveraging Gu He's loyalty made Gu He see Mo Yu's respect for Yun Yun.
"Yun Yun is lucky to have a friend like you," Mo Yu said with a hint of emotion.
Men like Gu He, who were so devoted to their feelings, were rare in the Dou Qi Continent. Even if Gu He admired the same woman Mo Yu did, Mo Yu couldn't help but respect him.
"Heh…"
Gu He responded with a faint smile, one that seemed to carry a mix of self-deprecation and discontent, perhaps at being labeled merely a friend.
"Regardless, if you can save Yun Yun from this marriage, I'll join your faction."
With that, Gu He shot Mo Yu a deep glance before donning his black cloak and walking toward the door.
At the threshold, he paused, his voice serious.
"Remember, the wedding is in two days. Don't be late.
"And… don't let her down."
With those words, Gu He disappeared into the shadows, leaving Mo Yu staring after him.
"Pill King… Gu He…"
Mo Yu murmured the name as he watched the man leave, a faint smile forming on his lips. He mentally noted down this intriguing individual.
Just then, a member of the Yuan Manor approached the door, knocking lightly before reporting respectfully:
"Master, Captain Fu Ao has relayed that Young Master Xiao Yan has fully healed the Sea Serene Scaly Beast's injuries. The imperial family and other factions have also declared their support for our campaign against the Yun Lan Sect!"
"Well done, Cousin Xiao Yan," Mo Yu said with satisfaction, nodding slightly. He then issued an order.
"Notify Cousin Xiao Yan and the other factions to prepare for battle. In two days, we march on Yun Lan Mountain!"
"Yes!"
With Mo Yu's command, the imperial family, the Alchemist Association, the Mite'er Clan, the Mu Clan, and the Nalan Clan began mobilizing their forces, recalling all their scattered experts to prepare for the upcoming decisive battle.
The large-scale movements of these major factions naturally didn't go unnoticed by the outside world, leaving many with a sense of an impending storm.
Some quick-witted individuals had already linked the recent arrogant actions of the Yun Lan Sect and vaguely guessed something, yet the gravity of the situation rendered most unwilling to speak openly, fearing they might invite disaster upon themselves.
What puzzled everyone, however, was that while the major factions were busy rallying their forces, the Yun Lan Sect remained eerily calm. It was as if the raging storm outside had nothing to do with them.
However, those with keen senses could detect that Yun Lan Mountain was also welcoming wave after wave of experts, the sheer number of whom exceeded even that of the Yun Lan Sect itself! At this thought, many couldn't help but recall Yun Lan Sect's ally, the Mu Lan Valley.
It seemed that to confront the "Xiao Clan Twin Dragons," the Yun Lan Sect and Mu Lan Valley had fully allied themselves.
The combined forces of these two superpowers would undoubtedly rank as an unparalleled colossus in the Northwest Continent.
As the city buzzed with unrest, time flowed like sand slipping through fingers. The decisive battle was now only a single night away.
In the Xiao Manor, Rear Courtyard. Mo Yu and Xiao Yan stood side by side. Their gazes swept over the brightly lit city before shifting to the shadowy distant mountains concealed in the night. Exchanging a glance, the two smiled faintly.
"Tomorrow is the day of reckoning," said Xiao Yan, his tone calm yet brimming with determination.
The two had suffered a crushing defeat during their last confrontation, fleeing like dogs with their tails between their legs. But this time, they were ready to rewrite the ending. Neither Mo Yu nor Xiao Yan doubted their chances of victory.
"This battle... Yun Shan must die, and the Yun Lan Sect must fall!" Xiao Yan declared.
"If Yun Shan doesn't perish, we cannot honor the spirits of my grandfather and Butler Mo in the afterlife. If the Yun Lan Sect isn't destroyed, we cannot avenge the hundreds of deceased from the Xiao Clan!"
Imperial Palace, Royal Hall. Yao Ye said softly, her delicate brows furrowed "Great-grandfather, the royal army of 100,000 elite soldiers has been stationed near Yun Lan Mountain. Once the battle begins tomorrow, they will seal off the entire mountain."
"As for the stronger combatants, besides yourself and the Serene Sea Scaly Beast, we have three Dou Wang experts cultivated over the years. This is the strongest force the royal family can muster," she added.
Jia Xing Tian nodded slightly. Despite his wealth of experience, the gravity of the situation left the elderly man visibly uneasy. This time, the stakes were unimaginably high. A single misstep could drag the entire royal family into ruin.
After a moment of silence, he asked slowly, "What are our chances?"
"Great-grandfather, there's no need to worry. Our alliance is not weaker than the Yun Lan Sect and Mu Lan Valley. Furthermore, I've gathered some information from a experts from the Black-Corner Region. Mo Yu's Yuan Manor is a superpower that dominates the region."
"Mo Yu not only possesses a Dou Zong-level puppet but has even gained Medusa Queen's allegiance. This battle... victory is almost assured," Yao Ye said with a forced smile that betrayed her inner unease.
"Sigh... Let's hope so. This time, we've gambled everything on the line," Jia Xing Tian sighed deeply.
"Grand Elder, our clan's elite forces have been fully assembled. Once the order is given tomorrow, we will join the other factions to wage war against the Yun Lan Sect!" Ya Fei reported with a smile to the elderly Hai Bodong, who stood with his hands behind his back, gazing out the window.
Hearing Ya Fei's words, Hai Bodong turned back with a smile and nodded slightly before letting out a long sigh. "Everything is prepared. Now, we can only wait and see which side the heavens favor in this battle."
Ya Fei nodded silently. This battle would determine the survival of two massive factions. The outcome was not to be taken lightly. Her beautiful eyes glanced toward the Xiao Manor's direction, and a faint smile appeared on her lips. For some reason, she had an unshakable confidence in that young man.
The Alchemist Association.
The Mu Clan.
The Nalan Clan.
That night, countless people were unable to sleep.
As the first rays of sunlight pierced through the clouds, illuminating the vast city of Yan, the empty streets gradually began filling with people.
Within the Xiao Manor, Mo Yu abruptly opened his eyes while sitting cross-legged on his bed. His figure trembled slightly before disappearing without a trace.
In the front courtyard of the Xiao Manor, over a hundred black-clad figures led by Fu Ao stood silently. The dense smell of blood lingering around them was enough to send chills down anyone's spine. At the forefront were experts like Elder Yin Gu, Lin Yan, and Zi Yan, standing quietly, their presence lending an oppressive atmosphere to the courtyard.
"Is everyone ready?" The stillness was broken by a voice filled with mirth. A silver figure flickered onto the platform, smiling at the crowd below.
"Boom!"
All one hundred black-clad men knelt on one knee simultaneously. Though they made no sound, the sheer momentum was overwhelming.
Satisfied with the scene, Mo Yu's silver eyes shimmered with excitement. Today would be the day of reckoning!
His chest surged with fighting spirit as a pair of silver Thunder Wings unfolded from his back. With a faint vibration, his figure floated in mid-air, resembling a thunder god. The wings radiated dazzling, terrifying currents of electricity, drawing countless gazes across the city.
Not long after, a figure clad in emerald-green flames rose into the air. It was none other than Xiao Yan.
As Xiao Yan appeared, powerful shouts echoed from various corners of the imperial capital. Encased in surging Dou Qi, these voices reverberated through every corner of the city:
"The Yun Lan Sect's arrogance knows no bounds. They plot rebellion! The royal family pledges to aid Yuan Manor and the Xiao Clan in eradicating these traitors!"
"The Mite'er Clan pledges its support!"
"The Alchemist Association pledges its support!"
"The Mu Clan pledges its support!"
"The Nalan Clan pledges its support!"
The battle for survival had begun.
----------------------------------------------------------------
For exclusive access to 400+ advanced chapters and more, visit my Ko-fi page and support the journey:
ko-fi.com/laoyao95
Laoyao with L yeahh..thanks for the support.
or Support me at patreon for 400+ advanced chapters :
patreon.com/YaoIk