Disinformation Campaign

The group of Imperial Han Family members ruling over Jingshan City was the Mo branch. While they were not as ancient as the Jun branch, they had also fallen from power significantly, albeit not as much. Perhaps due to their shared struggles, despite the current difference in status and overall strength, they kept a cordial relationship. Quite a few times already had the Mo branch helped out their brethren during the past thousands of years, not expecting a lot of recompense.

In their entire family, they could be considered to be on fantastic terms, especially compared to other branches which had outright warred against each other, some of them even taking over entire worlds for themselves.

Due to these circumstances, the head of the Mo branch, Han Mowei, had been close friends with Han Junming since their childhood. While he had never been clued into the latter's plans, he at least had known that Han Junhao couldn't possibly be the heir to the Jun branch. While it wasn't obvious to anyone else, the two heads had made a promise during their youth: That they would personally introduce their chosen heirs to each other.

Because Han Junhao had come to Jingshan City all on his lonesome and had never even sought out Han Mowei, the truth had been evident to him all this while. That was also the reason as to why he didn't really interfere with the man's development in these parts–he simply let things take their course.

When he had got informed yesterday of a self-proclaimed 'true' heir to the Jun branch seeking him out the following morning, he had shown nothing but a knowing smile, not doubting the new arrival's identity too much. The truth would be revealed as soon as they met anyway.

He was a bit surprised that Han Junming had chosen to pass his status on to his daughter, as it was considered unusual for women to hold the position of a branch head within the Imperial Han Family. However, there were quite a few precedents–at the end of the day, what mattered most was aptitude and capability, not societal norms.

"My Lord, Han Junqiao has arrived!"

Jolted out of his idle thoughts by this report from one of his servants, he motioned for her to be led inside, so that he might finally meet the one which his old friend had placed all of his hopes on.

The moment that the young lady entered, it felt like the sun was rising on a bleak night, melting away the darkness which had held everything in its merciless grasp. Every member of their family could be considered to be beautiful to varying extents, but she alone vastly surpassed them all! If it hadn't been for his good self-restraint and the terrifying amount of Energy which she exuded, letting him know that she might even rival his own prowess, he could have lost control then and there.

Next to her was a male servant of significantly gorgeous looks, but he paled in comparison to the goddess-like appearance of his 'niece'. As a result, Han Mowei completely ignored him.

"Thank you for receiving me, Uncle Mowei! I'm Han Junqiao, Han Junming's third daughter, and also now the head of the Jun branch. It's an honour to finally meet you. My father has been telling me about you ever since my early childhood."

Despite her cold and aloof expression, there was still a hint of warmth and closeness within, mixed with curiosity. Smiling at this, Han Mowei felt relieved. However, soon afterwards, he picked up on a disconcerting detail amidst her introduction.

"The honour is all mine! Excuse me, but I couldn't help but notice you mentioning that you have already become the branch head. What happened? Also, forgive me for being cautious, but can you prove your identity?"

In response to his questions, she couldn't help but sigh helplessly as she pulled a medallion featuring the Jun branch's crest out of one of her pockets, handing it over to Han Mowei to inspect.

"My father gave this to me a long time ago, saying that you would recognize it. I unfortunately do not have anything else on hand, nor can I ask my father to vouch for me. After all, the Jun branch has been... obliterated. Which is why I am here."

Clenching her fists, a deep hatred bubbled up from the depths of her heart, causing a terrifying aura to spread into her surroundings, whose temperature appeared to plummet rapidly. Shocked by this, as well as by her words, Han Mowei hastily dispelled her subconsciously exuded pressure, then grew unprecedentedly solemn.

"What did you just say? The Jun branch is no more? Could you elaborate?"

Caught somewhere between resentment and despair, the young woman nodded heavily, then recounted her story.

From a young age, ever since her outstanding Talents had been recognized, she had been taught in secret, hidden away from the world. Only recently had she managed to break through to the Core Formation Stage in Huizhong City–an unprecedented feat! As a result, her father had found it unnecessary to shelter her too excessively any more, so he had allowed her to venture forth outside, so that she might see a few of the sights which she had been missing out on.

Little could she have known that upon her return nary a week later, her entire family and all of their subordinates had been purged throughout the whole city, their remains still fresh. The regular civilians had been untouched, which she only realized later. At that moment, though, she had been too worried about her immediate relatives, searching until she found all of them, dead as they could be.

Terrified by who could have possibly slain even the strongest amongst them, she hastily departed, rushing all the way to Jingshan City, recalling her father's close relationship with the head of the Mo branch. On the way, she had come across rumours that some other cities had also encountered problems of a similar sort, causing her to worry that something might happen in Jingshan City as well!

Carefully pondering everything that he had just been informed of, Han Mowei furrowed his brows, a deep sorrow weighing down upon his shoulders. Never once had he thought that his old comrade would silently bite the dust in such a freak occurrence. The token which his daughter had handed over was genuine, so he had no reason to doubt her testimony. He himself had also hidden away the most outstanding one of his descendants, so Han Junming having done the same didn't come as much of a shock.

'But who could have murdered the entire Jun branch? Is there a new rebellious faction of undesirables on the rise? Or was it another branch? Or perhaps... an outside invasion?'

For now, he was lacking too much information to make a proper judgement. He couldn't fault Han Junqiao for fleeing here without getting to the bottom of things, as saving herself as the last remaining member of the Jun branch was indeed the most rational choice which she could have made. Her mentions of other cities also encountering unusual circumstances gave him pause, a sense of fear and unease settling in.

'It would be wisest to shore up our defences, so that we might be able to weather any storm to come. At the same time, I will have to send out a few trusted subordinates to scout Huizhong City. Hopefully, they can find out what happened.'

Quickly planning how to navigate this situation, he refocused once more on the downtrodden young lady, a complicated expression on his face. It would feel wrong for him to welcome her with a feast under such circumstances, yet he didn't want her to wallow in gloom on her lonesome either.

"Thank you for informing me. Rest assured, I will handle this. The Mo branch aren't pushovers. As long as you're here, I can guarantee that I will not let anyone harm a single hair on your head! Is there anything that you'd like me to do, or any way in which I can help you through this? Please, don't hesitate to let me know. I'll do everything in my power! It's the least I can do to honour the memory of my childhood friend."

Her eyes widened in surprise at his kindness, clearly not having expected such selflessness from the uncle who she had never met before. Lowering her head and bowing slightly, a somewhat forced smile blossomed on her lips.

"I have already bought a home in the Inner City. For now, I'd like to rest there and find some peace. Maybe I'll cultivate to get my mind off... everything. There is only one thing that I wish for: To be clued in to any development in regards to this situation. Would that be alright, Uncle Mowei?"

Thinking that her request stemmed from a desire to possibly get her revenge on the one who had caused this tragedy, he nodded without hesitation, an encouraging beam on his face.

"But of course! Don't worry, I'll let everyone in the City Lord's Mansion know to share any and all information with you. Just contact them whenever you'd like to learn about any recent developments, and they'll clue you in."

Her smile growing slightly broader, Han Junqiao bowed a little further, a hint of excitement sparkling in her gaze.

"Thank you, Uncle Mowei! I shan't disturb you any longer today. I... I really need to rest. I will come see you again once I have sufficiently recovered."

Noticing the barely suppressed mixture of various emotions threatening to overwhelm her, Han Mowei showed a kind, understanding expression and nodded, not keeping her here any longer than necessary. With her living in Jingshan City now, there would surely be plenty of opportunities to meet.

"I'll be looking forward to that day. If there is anything you need, contact my subordinates. We're all family here, so treat this place as your home!"

The corners of her mouth rising a bit higher, she nodded, then waved at her uncle to bid him farewell and left this place, her servant dutifully following behind her, blending into the background.

Once she had departed from here, Han Mowei quickly passed down a series of orders, which figuratively stirred up a hornet's nest. Before two hours had gone by, the security on the city wall had been more than tripled and a small but elite squad of Mo branch members at the Core Formation Stage had begun their journey towards Huizhong City.

Comfortably leaning back in his throne, Han Mowei's thoughts drifted away from the immediate crisis and back to his niece. Although they had only met once, she had left a deep impression on him.

'I should introduce Mocheng to her when there's a chance. As the two most outstanding members amongst their peers, I'm certain they'll get along well with each other! Mocheng doesn't really have any friends, considering that his existence has always been kept a secret.'

While now was definitely not the right time for it, the future would certainly play host to their interactions. Looking forward to continuing the fantastic relationship between the Jun and Mo branches for at least another generation, he heaved a sigh of relief.

Meanwhile, back at her new temporary home, Han Junqiao rejoiced in having accomplished her mission. It had been difficult, but she had managed to keep up the facade! Now, not only had the doors to all information which they might need been opened to her, but the vast majority of the Mo branch's forces would be on standby in Jingshan City as well!

"But Master, wouldn't they soon be able to figure out that other areas haven't experienced anything unusual yet?"

Right as she had uttered this question, she suddenly froze, then slapped her forehead in disbelief. How could she have been this blind!? After all, the answer was more than obvious.

"It's the other Heaven's Chosen. You're banking on them causing some sort of uproar in the near future. Am I right?"

Swallowing a mouthful of the delectable home-cooked meal which Li Shuying had served him just now, Theodore turned to face her and nodded.

"Exactly. It's only a matter of time until they make themselves known. I'd be shocked if some of them didn't attempt to flip this world on its head."

Looking outside of the window, not really focusing his gaze on anything in particular, he contemplated what his competitors' actions might turn out to be. The possibilities were practically endless.