Chapter 975
Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW
You can buy coins here to unlock advanced chapters: https://gravitytales.com/coins-purchase-page/
Chapter 975: A Good Show
They won’t let us leave East Island easily,” said Fang Yu.
“You mean the Matsuo family and the Udagawa family will make a move against us?” Zheng Ze asked, startled.
“Perhaps, but it may not be that simple,” Fang Yu replied.
“Mr. Fang, I’m slow-witted. Please explain the situation…” Zheng Ze scratched his head.
Fang Yu picked up the mineral water from the table and took a sip.
“Today we went to the dock, met Saito Hajime, and then headed to the Yagi family’s location.”
“Then, we encountered the other two families of the Snake system, Matsuo Futoshi from the Matsuo family and Udagawa Kawato from the Udagawa family,” Fang Yu said. “Then the royal priest also appeared, and there were many others present from various factions.”
“Don’t you find this strange?”
“We were just going to visit the Yagi family’s place, and we encountered so many different powers.”
“But Saito already explained this before we went,” Zheng Ze frowned.
“He mentioned it, but that doesn’t mean it’s reasonable behavior,” Fang Yu said. “So many people crowding at the Yagi family’s place to play mahjong? To investigate? What sense does it make for family bigwigs to come investigate personally? Couldn’t they just send subordinates?”
“Especially that royal priest, who was even more ridiculous, dressed extremely elegantly, well-groomed, and even wearing strong perfume—clearly an old aristocrat who cares about appearances.”
“Would such a person come to a bloody place like the Yagi family’s territory to investigate?”
Listening to Fang Yu, Zheng Ze’s frown deepened. “Mr. Fang, are you suggesting… that the appearance of this group at the Yagi family’s place was pre-arranged?”
“Very likely, though there’s still a possibility it was coincidental,” Fang Yu said.
“But why would they appear like that?” Zheng Ze asked. “They didn’t accomplish anything in the end. Was it just to meet us?”
“Not to meet us, but to create a conflict under the watchful eyes of many people,” Fang Yu said.
“You mean Matsuo Futoshi…” Zheng Ze’s expression changed as he asked.
“Exactly. That person acted too stupidly, as if deliberately picking a fight with me,” Fang Yu said. “So I believe this conflict was arranged in advance.”
“But what’s the point of doing this?” Zheng Ze asked, rubbing his temples.
“I think what they’re concerned about now isn’t the destruction of the two major families,” Fang Yu said with a slight frown.
“If not that, then what…” Zheng Ze was completely confused.
“Think carefully. Has there been any other interaction between East Island and your Martial Arts Association recently?” Fang Yu asked.
Zheng Ze furrowed his brow in thought.
Soon, he slapped his thigh and said, “Some time ago, the Tenin organization from East Island contacted my teacher. They wanted to send people to our Yan Xia to enter those opened ancient ruins.”
“But my teacher refused.”
“This morning before leaving, my teacher mentioned this again, telling me to refuse directly if anyone asked about it. I almost forgot my teacher’s instructions…”
Hearing this, Fang Yu’s eyes flickered as he smiled, “That explains it. The various factions of East Island joining forces to put on this show… must be for this reason.”
Then Fang Yu shook his head and said, “Huai Xu really is… he could have just told me directly instead of keeping me in the dark, wasting so much time.”
Zheng Ze was still confused and asked, “Mr. Fang, what exactly does my teacher mean…”
“The various factions on East Island all want to enter the ancient ruins, but without Huai Xu’s consent, they dare not enter Yan Xia—that’s the premise,” Fang Yu said. “Since that’s the case, if they want to enter the ancient ruins, they need to find another way to force Huai Xu to agree.”
“So they began setting the stage, first getting us to appear, then having Matsuo Futoshi come over to provoke conflict. This play already had quite a few spectators arranged.”
“Tonight’s banquet will probably have even more people, and Matsuo Futoshi will likely make another appearance. This will be the climax of the play.”
“They will provoke us into taking action, then use that as an excuse to incite public anger against us. Afterward, they can openly move against us, take us into custody… and then notify Huai Xu to negotiate terms.”
“Since you’re Huai Xu’s chief disciple and he values you highly, he will certainly agree to this small condition…”
“But… if they wanted to do this, couldn’t they have just captured us from the beginning?” Zheng Ze said.
“If they did that, they would be in the wrong. If they angered Huai Xu and he led a team to kill them, they couldn’t withstand it,” Fang Yu said. “But if they provoke us into action, it will incite public anger. Then they win in terms of public opinion. Huai Xu couldn’t bring people to East Island to forcibly rescue us. Otherwise, even within Yan Xia, many would find such behavior disgraceful, and the Martial Arts Association’s reputation would be ruined…”
“Come to think of it, they really understand Huai Xu’s character… this approach would indeed be effective against him.”
“But unfortunately, I’m the one who came this time.”
Zheng Ze listened, dumbfounded.
Fortunately, Mr. Fang came along. Otherwise, with his level of ability, he wouldn’t have been able to see through this scheme.
“So, how does Mr. Fang plan to respond?” Zheng Ze asked after collecting himself.
“Logically speaking, we shouldn’t attend tonight’s banquet, or we’ll fall into their trap,” Fang Yu said.
Then Fang Yu revealed a cold smile and said, “But I don’t want to do that.”
“We should still attend tonight’s banquet. Otherwise, they’ll think of other methods. With so many people there tonight, it’s a good opportunity to resolve everything.”
“Of course, Huai Xu might not like my approach. But… I don’t want to waste so much energy thinking of other solutions.”
“Mr. Fang, your approach is…” Zheng Ze asked curiously.
“Very simple. Overwhelming force conquers all,” Fang Yu smiled slightly.
However, the fact that so many factions could temporarily set aside such a major incident as the destruction of two major families and join forces to put on this show demonstrates how obsessed they are with the ancient ruins.
What is their understanding of these ancient ruins? Why are they so desperate to enter them?
…
Seven o’clock in the evening, Royal Mansion.
The hall was magnificently decorated, with even the stone pillars covered with a thin layer of gold plating, exuding extreme luxury.
At this moment, many guests were standing in the living room.
Some wore suits, while many others wore traditional East Island attire.
In the center of the hall was a raised dance floor that could be elevated or lowered.
By the time Fang Yu and Zheng Ze arrived, the hall was already so crowded that the space felt somewhat cramped.
“Mr. Fang, just as you predicted, there are indeed many people,” Zheng Ze said.
Fang Yu looked around; there were indeed many people.
Generally, when hosting a banquet, the number of invited guests is determined by the size of the venue.
But in the current situation, the number of people had clearly exceeded capacity.
The hall was packed, making it difficult even to move around.
Such a banquet would surely provide a poor experience for guests.
How could such an error occur at a regularly held royal banquet?
The other side’s purpose was already very obvious—to have more spectators and create public opinion.
Fang Yu and Zheng Ze had been standing in the crowd for several minutes when Saito Hajime appeared from somewhere.
“Are the royal banquets always this lively?” Fang Yu asked.
“Yes, all factions consider it an honor to be invited to the royal banquet. Therefore, once invited, there’s no reason not to come,” Saito Hajime said.
“I see,” Fang Yu nodded, agreeing with Saito Hajime’s nonsense.
After a while, there was suddenly a commotion in the hall.
“Princess Meiko has arrived,” Saito Hajime said.
“Who is Princess Meiko?” Fang Yu asked.
“She is the first princess of the current royal family, Fukuzawa Meiko,” Saito Hajime said. “She’s the dream girl of many young people in East Island.”
As he spoke, the stage in the middle of the hall slowly rose.
From Fang Yu’s position, he could clearly see a woman in a white evening gown standing on the stage.
This woman was indeed quite beautiful, with an aristocratic air about her.
As soon as she appeared, the surrounding area erupted with cheers and applause, as if it were a personal concert.
“…Next, I would like to introduce two guests who have come from afar: Mr. Zheng Ze and his assistant, Mr. Xiao Yu.”
After delivering an opening speech, Fukuzawa Meiko suddenly changed the subject.
