Chapter 411

Chapter 411: Internal and External Troubles

In a secret room within the City lord’s mansion of Iron-Walled Jin City, Mr. Suan Mei and the Seven Dragon True Immortals sat gathered.

Not long ago, when they first took charge of the city, excitement had filled their faces. Now, however, worry weighed heavily on them all.

Mr. Suan Mei spoke gloomily first, "Everyone, recent developments are troubling. It seems someone intends to target us."

"They *are* targeting us," Immortal Wind Dragon sneered. "We’ve even received bribes. The offer: hand over Iron-Walled Jin City, and we’d gain the status of Inner Elite Disciples with access to the sect’s secret manuals!"

"Heh," Mr. Suan Mei chuckled, "What a pitiful offer. We’re city lords now! The treatment of Inner Elite Disciples? Worthless!"

"We care little for status," Immortal Wind Dragon declared. "The Young Master showed us trust and kindness by entrusting us with this city. Betrayal is unthinkable!" He then narrowed his eyes. "Mr. Suan Mei, you were approached too, weren’t you?"

"Indeed—and my price was steep!" Mr. Suan Mei grinned. "An Eighth-rank Treasure in exchange for aiding their takeover."

"Ha! Never knew you were so valuable!" the Seven Dragon True Immortals laughed.

"Nonsense! It’s the Young Master’s city they covet!" Mr. Suan Mei retorted. "Still, their offer remains too low. By staying loyal, Eighth-rank Treasures will surely come our way. Betraying him for the Demonic Sect? That’s like bargaining with a tiger for its hide. Those scoundrels would kill me the moment I took their reward. I’m no fool!"

"True," Immortal Wind Dragon said coldly. "But while *we* resist bribes, most newcomers can’t. Over a dozen Wind Tribulation Immortals have secretly agreed to betray us during the siege."

"Worst of all," Immortal Fire Dragon sighed, "many are old allies we recruited from Wanxing Sea! Had we not uncovered this, how could we face the Young Master if disaster struck?"

"Fools blinded by ignorance!" Mr. Suan Mei scoffed. "If they grasped the Young Master’s potential, they’d cling to him even if kicked! This crisis weeds out the disloyal—better now than later!"

"Agreed," Immortal Wind Dragon said. "After this meeting, we’ll eliminate the traitors."

"Heh, another windfall!" Mr. Suan Mei rubbed his hands. "But we must act only on solid evidence to avoid unsettling the rest."

"Naturally," Immortal Wind Dragon nodded. "Now, the true threat: White Bone Sect leads this assault."

"And Ghost Realm Sect," Mr. Suan Mei added. "They’ve struck a deal—White Bone Sect takes seventy percent of the city, Ghost Realm Sect blocks Mo Sect reinforcements for thirty percent. Even ‘righteous’ sects like East Kunlun tacitly approve. Once we fall, they’ll carve up the spoils."

"So both righteous and demonic paths unite against us!" Mr. Suan Mei groaned. "The Young Master likely doesn’t grasp the scale of this disaster."

"How do you know all this?" Immortal Wind Dragon eyed him suspiciously. "Almost as if you’re involved!"

"The fool who tried bribing me couldn’t stop boasting," Mr. Suan Mei smirked. "Played along, feigned interest—he spilled everything, thinking victory assured."

"But their confidence baffles me," Immortal Wind Dragon said. "Without Thunder Tribulation Immortals, our Earth’s Magnetic Force Warship and protective array could repel any army!"

"Who said there are no Thunder Tribulation Immortals?" Mr. Suan Mei countered. "Two will come!"

"Impossible!" Immortal Earth Dragon exclaimed. "Wouldn’t the Young Master unleash the Kunlun Sword Token? He’d not hesitate!"

"The Token’s threat has limits," Mr. Suan Mei explained. "First, the attackers will be anonymous—known only as White Bone Sect members. East Kunlun might kill one Thunder Tribulation Immortal under the Token’s command, but not all. Push too hard, and East Kunlun might revolt."

"East Kunlun won’t wage war for a mere token," Immortal Wind Dragon agreed. "Only fools court mutual destruction."

"Second," Mr. Suan Mei continued, "East Kunlun and Great Thunder Sound Temple whisper that the Kunlun Sword Token and Thunder Sound Golden Bell hold little power. Even if ordered, they’d delay executing Thunder Tribulation Immortals for millennia."

"They’re reneging!" Immortal Wind Dragon roared.

"No proof—just rumors," Mr. Suan Mei sighed. "Openly, they’ll deny it. But their hatred for the Young Master ensures they’ll stall. The tokens lose all the deterrent force."

"Then Iron-Walled Jin City is doomed!" Immortal Wind Dragon grimaced. "We can’t withstand two Thunder Tribulation Immortals!"

"Worse, White Bone Sect brings armies, siege weapons, and formation-breakers," Mr. Suan Mei said. "We must seek Mo Sect’s aid immediately!"

As others nodded, Mr. Suan Mei froze mid-sentence. With a wave, a water screen materialized, revealing figures cloaked in cyan light—Wind Tribulation Immortals sneaking through corridors.

"Brother Fang," one whispered, "are you certain the protective array’s core lies ahead? How could outsiders know this?"

"The Bai family leaked it," another insisted. "They’ve controlled this place for millennia. Our smooth infiltration proves it! White Bone Sect promises a Seventh-rank Treasure each for destroying the core!"

"Seventh-rank Treasures! Worth the risk!"

"Fang Lie’s a fool, angering both paths. We won’t sink with him!"

Their laughter echoed, unaware of the watchers.

"Traitors!" Mr. Suan Mei seethed. "And the Bai family betrays their Sect! Thank the heavens we planted this listening formation!"

"This timing—" Immortal Wind Dragon paled. "They coordinate with the Demonic Sect’s attack!"

"The assault has begun?" Mr. Suan Mei gasped. "We’ve not even sent for help!"

"No time!" Immortal Wind Dragon barked. "Kill the spies! Activate the array!"

"Wait!" Mr. Suan Mei’s eyes gleamed. "Let’s turn their scheme against them. Crush their morale first!"