Chapter 171: Chapter 169: Choices If the government is unwilling to step in and help, the Extreme Fist Sect is at a significant disadvantage against the Heavy Sword Sect. The Heavy Sword Sect already has four Full Cycle practitioners, double the number of the Extreme Fist Sect. Add in the martial artists, and there’s essentially no chance of victory. "Let’s go back first," Elder Zhou said somewhat despondently. Meanwhile, the man in the bright red official attire, none other than Captain Gao, after announcing the latest order from the City Lord’s Mansion, also left the scene. However, upon passing through a deserted alleyway, he suddenly stopped. The alleyway was covered by abundant branches and leaves, making the light dim. A man quietly stood under a tree, dressed in finery, with a strong presence. On his back was a broad sword, clearly a high-ranking member of the Heavy Sword Sect. "Elder Yu, inform your Sect Leader to only eliminate the primary offender, and do not escalate the situation or cause unnecessary trouble. Otherwise, when the City Lord returns and holds us accountable, we’ll both be in trouble," Captain Gao warned the man in a calm voice. "Naturally," Elder Yu of the Heavy Sword Sect nodded, "Once the matter is settled, we will donate the fields forcibly taken by the Extreme Fist Sect to the City Lord’s Mansion, so that during the forthcoming beast tide, there won’t be a shortage of food." Then he whispered, "Moreover, the deeds to two taverns have already been sent..." Upon hearing this, Captain Gao’s expression softened considerably: "I can only suppress this for a short while. Remember to handle it cleanly." "Sir Gao, where did the City Lord and Marshal Yue go?" Elder Yu asked curiously. "Presumably to visit Meng Family Castle. This beast tide is unprecedentedly fierce. However, the City Lord probably doesn’t know that your Sect Master Jiang has broken through to martial artist status. If he were aware, he likely wouldn’t have gone." "Haha, Sir Gao, you flatter us. Even if our Sect Master breaks through as a martial artist, he remains loyal to the court and will certainly do his utmost to fight against the beast tide!" After Captain Gao left. Several more figures suddenly appeared under the tree. "When the City Lord returns, he surely won’t be pleased," Elder Yu said in a low voice. "No problem, I will personally explain to the City Lord then. It’s just that the orchard outside the city..." "Naturally, it belongs to your Xu Family," Elder Yu smiled. "Our Fang Family only wants the cultivation technique of the Extreme Fist Sect; we won’t touch anything else," another figure said calmly, his tone full of undeniable authority. "It’s well known that the Extreme Fist Sect’s cultivation technique is of high quality; you’ve certainly gotten a great deal this time," said a third figure, "I have only one request: I want thirty percent of whatever assets you find." "Agreed," Elder Yu nodded. "When the City Lord returns, the matter will be settled, and he will have to rely on us to resist the beast tide. He’ll have no choice but to recognize it," a fourth figure said grimly. In just a few words, the Extreme Fist Sect was divided up by the major families, and its fate seemed sealed. At this moment, the two elders of the Miao family still guarded the entrance of the Extreme Fist Sect to prevent anyone from escaping. Suddenly, he perked up his ears and then spoke loudly: "Listen up, you brats of the Extreme Fist Sect! Our Sect Master is merciful and gives you half a day to consider. If anyone chooses to leave the sect, the past will be forgiven!" The sound was as loud as a heavy drum, instantly spreading throughout the entire Extreme Fist Sect. Inside the sect, the disciples looked at each other. Some were already wavering, their eyes showing a longing for life. "Those who wish to leave may decide for themselves." Suddenly, a slightly aged voice came from a room. "It’s the Sect Master!" Everyone recognized it as the voice of Sect Master Wei Youdao. The voice contained an unmistakable weariness. Has even the Sect Master given up? Finally, the first person stood up—it was a two-blood Inner Disciple, nearly thirty years old, of mediocre talent, with the Minor Circulation likely as his lifelong limit. He said somewhat ashamedly, "I’m sorry, truly sorry." After speaking, he knelt and kowtowed thrice in the direction of the Sect Master, then covered his face and left. Once the first person left, so followed the second, and the third... Soon, about half of the hundred or so disciples present had left. Time ticked away, drawing ever closer to the half-day deadline given by the Heavy Sword Sect. The air was filled with a suffocating atmosphere. More painful than death is the torment before dying. ’Shuffle!’ Another person stood up, this time everyone looked surprised. Elder Zhang couldn’t help but point at him, his face shifting between disappointment, heartbreak, and anger, finally resolving into a helpless sigh. "I’m sorry, I have an elderly mother, a wife, and children. I have to think of them as well." The speaker was Li Yagui. This fair-skinned, chubby man who always wore a kindly smile, known by everyone as the promising prodigy master of the Extreme Fist Sect. He, too, faced with life and death, made his choice! Li Yagui’s face was full of guilt, unable to meet the gazes of others. He knelt and kowtowed three times in front of his master, Elder Zhang, then left without looking back. Elder Zhang stepped aside, unwilling to accept the bow. Zhan Weida clutched Xu Yun’s hand, a cold smile playing on his lips. "Do you really think the Heavy Sword Sect would spare a disciple who has received our true inheritance?" "Even a three-year-old knows the principle of eradicating the root!" "If they were so magnanimous, why would they still kill the successor of the Light Sword lineage?" Upon hearing this, everyone remaining was shaken to their core. Indeed, this must be a psychological tactic of the Heavy Sword Sect. After this extermination battle, even if one person who had learned the Extreme Fist remained alive, it would be like a thorn in their side, keeping them awake at night! Because, who can say for sure, whether this person, once powerful, would seek revenge. Understanding this, those who stayed on had a resolute look in their eyes. ’Whoosh!’ Just then, a figure descended from the sky, a hand knife accurately striking Zhan Weida’s neck. Just moments ago confidently speaking, Zhan Weida’s eyes rolled back, and he fainted. "Apologies, the Patriarch has ordered me to take the second young master back." this person said. The elders present nodded. Zhan Family’s young master, cannot be regarded as an ordinary disciple, for holding on for the sect until now was truly not easy. ’Tap tap tap!’ Another figure approached. This was a gaunt man wrapped entirely in black, his face also covered with black cloth. Revealing only a pair of fierce eyes, the slender straight blade in his hand exuded a dangerous aura. "Everyone, my young master is holding a birthday banquet tonight and has ordered me to fetch Miss Jia." A hoarse, deep voice emerged from his mouth. "Shadow Blade?" exclaimed someone. The four famous blades of the Xu Family, widely renowned, their fame like thunder piercing the ears. However, to come at this time and take someone, the purpose is clear without asking. Everyone knows that Jia Hong and Xu Family’s second young master Xu Haoren have a close relationship, showing trends of becoming a couple. Jia Hong slowly stood up and bowed respectfully to Great Elder Zhou Bufeng: "Master, my departure will seek help from the Xu Family, I will not sit idly by as our sect falls." Jia Hong’s tone was grave, her flawless face full of seriousness. Zhou Bufeng, whose head was tied with a red band, and was stocky, looked at this closed-door disciple in some confusion, unable to tell whether her words were true or false. He could only nod mechanically. Jia Hong turned, moving elegantly even as she left. "Bitch!" Beside her, Zhou Yang, scruffy, with long messy hair, leaned on a crutch, casting a disdainful gaze at her. Jia Hong’s figure stiffened slightly, but quickly returned to normal, nodded slightly at the Shadow Blade who came to fetch her, and left with him. "I can only say, you’ve all been blind!" Zhou Yang suddenly shouted at the many elders present, "What innate divine power, what martial arts genius, what eldest senior brother, it’s all bullshit!" "All bullshit!" Being so defied by Zhou Yang, the elders’ faces showed signs of anger. Immediately, they saw Zhou Yang throw away the crutch. His whole body’s qi-blood surged, his skin swelled red, actually forcibly suppressing the leg injury, running rapidly towards the exit! "I’m a cripple, but I’m no traitor!" Zhou Yang’s face twisted, doing so was akin to cutting flesh with a knife, unimaginably painful. "Not good!" everyone cried out in shock. When they hurried out, they saw Zhou Yang suddenly charging at an unprepared Heavy Sword Sect disciple. As he ran, his chest heaved violently, muscles in his limbs constantly trembling. Finally, a hook punch hit viciously! ’Crack!’ A sharp sound like firecrackers echoed. The Heavy Sword Sect disciple clutched his snapped neck, fell down in discontent. "How dare you!" Miao Xiyang, one of the Miao family’s two elders, hurried over at this moment. A heavy sword flew from his hand, hitting Zhou Yang square in the chest, piercing through! ’Puff!’ Zhou Yang’s eyes widened, collapsing to the ground, the earth beneath soaked instantly by a torrent of fresh blood. ...