Chapter 83: Ten-Day Deadline
Although the Xiao Sect branch was a major sect that ruled one region, it could only rule one region. Though it belonged to the Xiao Sect, in the eyes of the Xiao Sect Main Branch, apart from the annual fixed tributes, these branch sects were considered almost dispensable. There were hundreds of such branch sects within the Cang Feng Empire, but all of them combined were not even a fraction of the Main Branch's power.
The branch sects dared not offend the imperial clan. If it were just the New Moon branch, they could say harsh words like "level the New Moon Mystic Palace," but they would never actually dare to do so. Because if they angered the imperial clan and the imperial clan wiped them out, even the Main Branch might not bother to intervene. But the Xiao Sect Main Branch was an existence that surpassed the Cang Feng imperial clan! To harm someone belonging to the Xiao Sect Main Branch, unless it touched upon principles, even the Cang Feng imperial clan would absolutely not dare.
If what Xiao Tiannan said was true, then Xiao Luocheng's status had jumped from the young master of a Xiao Sect branch to someone of the Xiao Sect Main Branch. These two identities were completely worlds apart! The latter was like a great mountain, pressing down on the people of the New Moon Mystic Palace, making it hard for them to breathe.
If this was really the case, then Yun Che had committed an outright, colossal disaster! If the Main Branch were to take offense, let alone a small New Moon Mystic Palace, even the Cang Feng imperial clan could not protect him. And if this incident angered the Xiao Sect Main Branch, then not only Yun Che himself, but those who shielded him would also face great calamity! Destroying a New Moon Mystic Palace would require no effort at all.
"Is that... true?" Qin Wuyou frowned deeply, his palms covered in cold sweat. He had never imagined that this matter would involve the Xiao Sect Main Branch. Not just him, even if the Cang Feng emperor himself stood here, he would be drenched in cold sweat.
"Hmph! When it comes to matters involving my Main Branch, even if I had ten times the courage, I wouldn't dare lie!" Xiao Tiannan's reaction was completely within his expectations, and he continued sternly: "Considering that this Yun Che only entered your New Moon Mystic Palace today, I will not blame you. As long as you hand over Yun Che, I am giving your New Moon Mystic Palace an immense opportunity and face! Otherwise, once the Main Branch is angered, this New Moon Mystic Palace will cease to exist from now on!"
"Moreover, before coming here, I have already reported this matter to Elder Xiao Wuji of the Medicine Hall of the Main Branch using a Sound Transmission Talisman! Within ten days at the latest, Elder Xiao Wuji will definitely send people! He might even come in person! Palace Master Qin, if you remain obstinate, not only will you be unable to protect that damned Yun Che who deserves a thousand cuts, but you will also drag yourself and this entire New Moon Mystic Palace down with him!"
Xiao Tiannan had already informed the Main Branch of this matter... Qin Wuyou and the elders' expressions changed again.
"Palace Master, the Xiao Sect Main Branch is simply not something we can afford to provoke. Yun Che has only been in our palace for a day, and you, Palace Master Qin, have already protected him to such an extent, even going so far as to strike at the branch sect master. That is already the utmost of benevolence and righteousness! Under these circumstances, handing him over is for the sake of the entire New Moon Mystic Palace. No one can say anything about it." An elder stepped forward and spoke in a low voice.
"Ah, yes. Yun Che is indeed a genius, but unfortunately, he has caused such a great disaster. It seems he has no fate with our palace. Palace Master, it's better to hand Yun Che over. Otherwise, if it implicates our palace, the consequences would be unimaginable." Another elder sighed and said.
Qin Wuyou's expression fluctuated between darkness and uncertainty. He cast a sidelong glance at a person in the corner... and that person gently shook his head at him.
Qin Wuyou's brows tightly knitted. After clenching his teeth for a moment, he finally let out a sigh and said: "If what Sect Master Xiao says is true, then our small New Moon Mystic Palace indeed cannot protect him, and it would only bring disaster upon ourselves. But to hand him over to you right now, I cannot do that. Otherwise, even with the reason of the Xiao Sect Main Branch, I would have no face to remain in the New Moon Mystic Palace, and the New Moon Mystic Palace would be branded as heartless and unjust!"
Xiao Tiannan's brows sank, and then he let out a cold laugh: "Do you mean... the New Moon Mystic Palace would rather face destruction..."
Then he hurriedly said: "No! Brother-in-law! You must leave here immediately... This matter actually involves the Xiao Sect Main Branch. How could this be!"
"Xiao Sect Main Branch..." Yun Che thought of that Xiao Kuangyun and his brows sank slightly. Then he sneered in his heart. It seemed he had truly locked horns with these people surnamed Xiao.
"But even so, Palace Master Qin still didn't immediately hand me over. That's a bit strange." Yun Che tapped his chin. The four major sects had unparalleled oppressive force in the Cang Feng Empire. Once they were involved, no one dared not to bow their heads immediately. Although Qin Wuyou was very bold, he was also clearly a rational person. In a matter involving the Xiao Sect Main Branch, he actually didn't choose to rationally hand him over immediately and distance himself and the New Moon Mystic Palace from the affair. Instead, he insisted on fighting for this meaningless ten days...
This made Yun Che feel not touched, but puzzled.
After all, he was not Qin Wuyou's benefactor, nor was he a relative. He had only arrived at the palace today, and like a jinx, he had caused such a big trouble as soon as he came. Protecting him against the Xiao Sect branch earlier was one thing, since he had shown astonishing talent. But in the face of the Xiao Sect Main Branch's deterrence, he was still like this... This was very unscientific.
"Junior Brother Yun, may I come in?"
A soft, pleasant girl's voice came from outside the door. Yun Che was startled for a moment, then stood up and said: "Senior Sister, please come in."
The door was pushed open, and the dazzling, snow-white face of Lan Xueruo appeared in Yun Che's sight. Xia Yuanba hurriedly stepped forward and said urgently: "Senior Sister Xueruo, just in time. Quickly think of a way for my brother-in-law. We absolutely cannot let my brother-in-law fall into the hands of the Xiao Sect, otherwise, otherwise..."
"Ah!" Lan Xueruo sighed softly and said gently: "I never thought things would come to this." At this point, she suddenly noticed that Yun Che's expression was unexpectedly calm, not at all fearful or panicked, not even a trace of nervousness. She asked somewhat surprised: "Junior Brother Yun, what do you plan to do now?"
"Hehe!" Yun Che laughed slyly, his gaze lingering on Lan Xueruo's flawless snow-white face, and said with a grin: "I haven't figured out what to do tomorrow, but for today, of course, I'll enjoy Senior Sister's concern... I never thought that in times of trouble, I'd not only have Yuanba, but also such a beautiful and gentle senior sister to care about me. Suddenly, I feel quite happy."
The atmosphere should have been tense and oppressive, but Yun Che's few words had twisted it into something strange. Lan Xueruo vaguely sensed some subtlety in Yun Che's words and said with a slightly unnatural tone: "Although you only entered the palace today, I am still your senior sister. It's only natural for me to worry about you. This matter of yours involves the Xiao Sect Main Branch, and you might even lose your life. Our Mystic Palace finally got such a handsome, talented little junior brother, but he's about to be gone. As a senior sister, I really can't bear it."
Yun Che looked at Lan Xueruo for a moment, then finally his expression turned dejected, and he said gloomily: "Having Senior Sister say these words, I am already very happy. At least even if I die at the hands of the Xiao Sect, there will still be a beautiful senior sister who remembers me occasionally."
"Brother-in-law!" Xia Yuanba clenched his fist hard: "You won't die at the hands of the Xiao Sect. Even if I have to risk my life, I will protect you and escape from New Moon City! As long as we leave New Moon City, the Cang Feng Empire is so vast, they'll never find you."
Yun Che smiled at Xia Yuanba but said nothing.
Lan Xueruo suddenly said: "Junior Brother Yun, don't be too pessimistic. I... I might have a way to save you."
"What way?" Yun Che and Xia Yuanba said simultaneously.
Lan Xueruo thought for a moment and then said slowly: "My hometown is in the Cangfeng Imperial City. Within ten days, a family member will come here to take me home. At that time, I can have him take you away with us. That family member of mine has very strong profound strength, and he will bring a high-level flying profound beast. Even if the Xiao Sect branch here discovers it, they definitely won't be able to stop him."
(Sound of footsteps)