Dual Cultivation God Returns - Chapter 1018 - 1018: This is my duty
Yu Zhen knew that the Grand Elder had his frustrations and disagreements, but he thought it was stemming only from their differences in views on policies. They clashed on this particular issue of the Trading Companies numerous times, but never so violently and explicitly, simply exchanging counter arguments that never even reached the sincerity and openness of the arguments about the two Trading Companies that they made today.
However, this was different. This completely shattered the image that Yu Zhen had of Grand Elder Ro as his benefactor and backer. Of the man who believed in his vision and thus supported him.
“Y-you~… never…”, he stuttered, too shocked to have a coherent thought.
“Of course I never thought your idiotic naive ramblings about taking a stand against the Iron Claw Group were right! It is insane! I only stood behind it, not even ardently, because it resonated with a lot of your younger generation in our Sect, the support of which I needed, in order to rise to the position of Sect Master!”, Grand Elder Ro seemed to no longer bother with any pretenses, gesturing wildly as he shouted.
He then went on into a rant, “The world works the way it works, it doesn’t change just because you want it, or because it is unfair! Or because you make a little effort! You have to learn to play the game, or be crushed like a bug! You think one tiny local Sect can do anything about a regional power?! The most we have is one Sect Master in early Essence Gathering Realm, and a Sect Ancestor, who is one foot in the middle Essence Gathering Realm, but also one foot in the grave! The other Sects on the continent are no better! Even if we all miraculously put our differences aside and band together, you think we have any chance against a force like the Iron Claw Group?! With their leader in Essence Ignition Realm?! And Ancestor-level figures in that same Realm?! Huh?! You think it’s realistic?!”
“…”
Seeing Yu Zhen unable to reply, the Grand Elder pointed his finger to the side of his head near his temple, violently shaking it, “Think a little, damn it, THINK!!! Don’t you know what happened to the ten Sects, who, at various points in time, defied the Iron Claw Group? Do you even know their names? Of course not! Because they don’t exist! They’re known to your younger generation simply as the Ten Fallen Sects. It was supposed to be a cautionary tale, not an instruction manual or example to follow! This isn’t a game! It is a dangerous, brutal world!!! Last night’s attack wasn’t a clue?! It wasn’t clear enough for your tiny brain to pick up?! You’re leading us all into certain death! You are a tiny bug trying to stop a carriage!”
“Last night’s attack wasn’t from the Iron Claw Group or Silverleaf Trade Hall, they’re allied with the Crystal Wood Sect that got attacked as well. It was the Seven Extreme Swords Sect-…”
“Are you even hearing yourself? Do you even hear the names that come off so casually from your lips?”, Grand Elder Ro narrowed his eyes, his expression as if he was talking to and listening to a madman, “You think that’s any better? It’s worse you idiot! Let alone trying to just oppose the Iron Claw Group, what you’re doing is getting us involved in a big conflict of three big Sects, one of which is allied with the Iron Claw Group and Silverleaf Trade Hall, the other is allied with the Silver Wing City, and there’s the third one… who are allied with who? That’s right, US! It’s us and a merry band of other optimistic idiots, all allied with a mystery Trade Company, who could be stooges of the Silverleaf Trade Hall to entrap flies like us and fool the Ember Palm Pavilion for all we know!!!”
“And if we stayed on the sidelines we would have been safe? This storm involved the entire continent, everyone had to pick a side!”, Yu Zhen’s shock finally began wearing off as he replied, “Besides, the Ember Palm Pavilion is also allied with the Imperial Prince!”
“And you picked it wrong! Don’t you see it?! We had to ally ourselves with those who have always had power here. Alright, if you are so opposed to the Iron Claw Group, then pick the Silver Wing City! It is still far better, since that side will lose but survive. That city is an established power, they might have declined, but a foundation is not that easy to erase! Or the Iron Claw Group wouldn’t have hesitated to directly deal with them for so long! We might suffer losses in a gamble, but there’s even a tiny chance we could win! And if we lose, it won’t be complete annihilation! But not a complete all-in on the one side that is guaranteed to lose! The Imperial Prince? Hah! Be specific! The 9th prince! Yes, important, and won’t suffer anything because of his status, but far enough from shielding us! With the arrival of the Imperial delegation his support means nothing! The Imperial Family were always going to be bystanders and observers in this anyway! The Ember Palm Pavilion is alone with that mystery Trading Company, and they will be crushed!”
“And you know that how?!”
“From having eyes, ears, and a brain you greenhorn mutt!”
“Is that your only argument? That ‘it is obvious’? First of all, who told you we even had a real choice? If we are being so realistic here”, Yu Zhen snapped back, seemingly having enough being shouted at, “They approached us first, before the three Big Sects even arrived on the continent, and predicted every single thing that has happened since with horrifying accuracy while preparing for each thing so that they profited every time. They also moved secretly, so secretly no one knew the Trading Company even existed when they were already approaching us and making deals with various Sects, not even those powerful Iron Claw Group, Silverleaf Trade Hall or Silver Wing City you talk so highly about had any clue they were moving in the shadows! You really think they would’ve left us alone after revealing themselves and portions of their plans to us? You really think we wouldn’t just disappear in a night?!”
“Ha! So you admit they are dangerous to deal with! But imagine if at that point we approached the Iron Claw Group and warned them of such a dangerous threat! You think we wouldn’t have improved our standing with them? And that Trading Company, you think they would’ve had the time to deal with us when they were confronted with the most powerful group on this continent? We would’ve not only avoided danger, but profited instead. And then we would have stood on the winning side of this big conflict of three Sects!”
“You are delusional if you think the Iron Claw Group would have patted us on the head and gave us a little medal that says ‘best lackeys’, and thrown us a bone. They would have questioned why that shadowy force approached us in the first place, and erased us just to have the peace of mind! And learn to listen with the ears you are so proud of having! Fear of being erased by the Soaring Feather Trading Company is not the only reason, it was only one consideration! It is the prospects they brought with them! It is real material investment they offered to make into us, and made good on every promise as we gradually expanded cooperation! It is their respect for our independence to make choices that are good for our Sect! Yes, it is a gamble! No one can deny it, and I never did! No one can have certainty! But it was a chance, a real chance! And I took it! Because, I, for one, wanted a bright future for our Sect with a reliable partner that values cooperation, not mediocre survival while held under a thumb of a tyrant that fears of anyone around them raising their heads! And as you pointed out yourself, the younger generation of our Sect agrees with me!”
“You are delusional”, Grand Elder Ro shook his head, “It would have been harmless had you not had any power. But you, with your delusions and madman’s vision, are a danger to this Sect’s survival in the position you now hold, and even a bigger danger with the prospect of you leading our Sect in the future! You threaten to lure us all into ruin! And I, as the one who protected this Sect for thousands of years before you were even born, have a duty to protect it from you as well”
It was at this point that Yu Zhen noticed that Grand Elder Ro was galvanizing his Profound Qi, but it was late. He was late. If he started trying to stir his own Profound Qi it would still take him a moment, in that moment the already prepared Grand Elder could strike.
“Grand Elder Ro…”, Yu Zhen widened his eyes with astonishment and disbelief.
Yi Pong was frozen in place, as he realized he was pinned down with killing intent not just from Grand Elder Ro’s aide, but about 20 others who have silently approached and revealed themselves at this moment from various directions, as a concealment formation activated in the space around them.
“Do not blame me, child”, Grand Elder Ro shook his head, seemingly with lament, “I am doing this with a heavy heart, and take no pleasure in it. I must protect this Sect, I must do my duty”
“…”
“Heh, perhaps you don’t want to hear from an old man with ‘one foot in the grave’, but this old man will say a word regardless”, a rather young voice resounded from the side and slightly above, causing Grand Elder Ro to freeze with horrified look appearing in his eyes.
Both Grand Elders then hurriedly turned and went on one knee making the hand and fist salute, as did their two subordinates, and all would-be-attackers, all speaking in unison, “Greetings to the Sect Ancestor”
