Chapter 34

Like a lion king, Ximen Lie suddenly raised his head, his gaze flashing as he stared at Yang Dingtian. His eyes were like flames, burning intensely. After scrutinizing Yang Dingtian from head to toe, his brows furrowed sharply.

"Yang Dingtian, this is the eldest brother Ximen Lie, the most favored adopted son by Father, and the commander of the Black Blood Cavalry of Yunxiao City," Ximen Yan Yan introduced to Yang Dingtian.

Yang Dingtian bowed and said, "Yang Dingtian, I greet Commander Ximen Lie."

Ximen Yan Yan immediately cast an unhappy glance at Yang Dingtian, annoyed that he called Ximen Lie 'Commander' instead of 'Brother.'

Ximen Lie did not speak but directed a questioning gaze at Ximen Yan Yan, wondering why she suddenly had a new husband.

"Brother, Father betrothed me to him. We have already paid respects to heaven and earth and are officially married," Ximen Yan Yan said.

Ximen Lie's expression changed, and he asked, "Why is this so?"

"Because, Father has... already passed away..." Ximen Yan Yan said, her lips pale and bloodless.

Ximen Lie's body trembled, his eyes widening, and he growled, "Impossible! Wasn't it said that our adoptive father displayed his might at sea and defeated several grandmasters?!"

Ximen Yan Yan pulled back the curtain behind her, revealing Ximen Wuyan sitting inside. Although he looked lifelike, he was completely silent.

"Crack..." Ximen Lie's fists clenched tightly, making a crisp sound.

"Roar..."

Just as he was about to roar, he suddenly clenched his teeth, and his whole body began to convulse, collapsing to the ground. His lion-like body trembled violently, and he emitted low growls from his throat, like a wounded beast.

Seeing Ximen Lie convulse in grief, Yan Yan bit her teeth hard to stop herself from crying. Her tears had almost dried up, and she did not want to cry anymore.

After several minutes, Ximen Lie raised his head. His eye sockets had split, and instead of tears, two streams of blood flowed from his eyes.

"Who did this?" Ximen Lie opened his mouth and asked slowly. Blood immediately overflowed from the corners of his mouth, and his white teeth were stained red from the force of his bite, which had torn his gums.

"Zhu Qingzhu, of the Yin-Yang Sect," Ximen Yan Yan said.

Ximen Lie's facial muscles twitched, and his eyes shot out boundless hatred. He said coldly, "I understand."

"Can I trust you, Brother?" Ximen Yan Yan asked.

Ximen Lie said firmly, "My life, my honor, everything I have, was given to me by our adoptive father. For Yunxiao City, I can dedicate everything, including my life."

Ximen Yan Yan said, "In his final moments, Father betrothed me to Yang Dingtian and entrusted Yunxiao City to him. So, Yang Dingtian is the next City Lord of Yunxiao City. Are you willing to stand by his side?"

"What?" Ximen Lie exclaimed, looking at Yang Dingtian in disbelief.

He could see that Yang Dingtian was very weak, unimaginably weak. Despite his shock and confusion, he did not utter a single word of contempt.

"Are you willing to lead the three thousand Black Blood Cavalry to swear allegiance to Yang Dingtian?" Ximen Yan Yan stared at Ximen Lie and asked slowly.

The three thousand Black Blood Cavalry were the largest armed force in Yunxiao City. Ximen Wuyan had entrusted this force to Ximen Lie, indicating that he was the most trusted person.

Ximen Lie stared at Yang Dingtian intently, his facial muscles twitching. After a long while, he gritted his teeth and said, "I don't understand, but I will obey."

Ximen Yan Yan relaxed her clenched fists and sighed, "Brother, thank you!"

"The important thing is not my support, but the Council of Elders," Ximen Lie said. "This matter will not pass in the Council of Elders. When our adoptive father was alive, he could decide with a word, but now, everything in Yunxiao City is decided by the Council of Elders. I have only one vote, and the Lady can have one vote, but the remaining seven votes will definitely oppose it."

"So, Yang Dingtian and I need not just your support, but your unconditional support," Ximen Yan Yan said. "When necessary, we must be willing to take certain measures. You command the greatest military force in Yunxiao City."

"Does Yunxiao City have to shed blood again?" Ximen Lie was shocked and looked at Yang Dingtian. "No, he is too weak, too weak to bear the responsibility of Yunxiao City."

"Being weak now doesn't mean he will always be weak," Ximen Yan Yan said.

"How long will it take? Ten years, twenty years?" Ximen Lie asked. "No one can wait that long. Yunxiao City cannot wait. Within ten years, our enemies will tear Yunxiao City apart and wash it in blood."

"Two years..." Yang Dingtian suddenly spoke. "I have just passed the启蒙期 (启蒙期 means启蒙 period, which is the initial stage of martial arts training). I am not even a novice warrior yet. By the same time next year, if I can defeat Ximen Yan and others to become the youngest top expert in Yunxiao City, I will have the qualifications to become the new City Lord. Otherwise, I will either die or leave Yunxiao City, never stepping foot in it again."

"You're crazy..." Ximen Lie said slowly. "This isn't courage, or even madness, but ignorance..."

"Yes, ignorance knows no fear," Yang Dingtian said slowly. "But if I am still not a match for Ximen Yan and others in two years, how can I face Dongfang Bingling in five years?"

Ximen Yan Yan added, "Yang Dingtian was recognized by Dongfang Niemie and later by my father. They both trusted him completely."

Ximen Lie was torn, his jaw clenched. After a long while, he slammed his fist on the ground and said, "Fine, I'll give you two years. Within these two years, I will support you with everything I have, even if it means paying the price in blood."

Then, Ximen Lie got up and walked outside, saying, "Our adoptive father's reputation is renowned and revered. The Council of Elders led a thousand disciples to welcome him from a hundred miles away, and they are just a few dozen miles from here. You need to be prepared, and I will go and prepare as well, just in case..."

After getting off the carriage, Ximen Lie mounted his warhorse and shouted, "Everyone, mount your horses. Head to Black Blood Castle, full speed ahead."

"Yes!" All the Black Blood Cavalry quickly mounted their horses and formed a neat line.

Ximen Yan hurried forward and said, "Wait a moment, Leader, I have something to say to you."

Ximen Lie turned and stared at Ximen Yan for a while, then said calmly, "I'm in a hurry, next time."

Ximen Yan sensed the change in his attitude and quickly said, "Just a moment, Brother."

Ximen Lie said, "Then come with me to Black Blood Castle."

"This..." Ximen Yan hesitated. He needed to see the Council of Elders immediately to express his intentions, but he also needed Ximen Lie's support.

Before Yang Dingtian appeared, the next City Lord of Yunxiao City would be chosen from among the adopted sons. Ximen Lie had the best chance because he was the strongest and most favored and trusted by Ximen Wuyan. However, he was the first to withdraw from the competition and became the commander of the Black Blood Cavalry.

This position, commanding the greatest military force in Yunxiao City, was the most trusted by the City Lord, second only to the City Lord himself. But taking this position meant forever giving up the chance to become City Lord.

Therefore, Ximen Lie was the most sought-after among the adopted sons. Whoever wanted to become City Lord needed the support of the commander of the Black Blood Cavalry.

"Fine, it's been over half a year since I last saw you, Brother. I miss you so much. I'll go with you to Black Blood Castle. I have a lot to say to you," Ximen Yan quickly decided. He mounted his horse and rode alongside Ximen Lie, heading toward Black Blood Castle.

Black Blood Castle, the base of the Black Blood Cavalry, was built on a strategic pass, guarding Yunxiao City.

After Ximen Yan and Ximen Lie left, Ximen Yan Yan sent a trusted subordinate on a fast horse to the location where a thousand disciples were waiting to welcome the City Lord. She ordered in Ximen Wuyan's name that only the Council of Elders should remain to continue the welcome, and the rest should return to Yunxiao City.

******

More than an hour later.

A stunningly beautiful woman, accompanied by six men, waited at the entrance of a large stone bridge. Her beautiful eyes were filled with joy and anticipation. The thousand disciples behind them had already returned.

Ximen Yan Yan and Yang Dingtian's group slowly approached the other end of the bridge, getting closer and closer.

An old man stepped forward and bowed, saying, "The Council of Elders of Yunxiao City welcomes the City Lord and congratulates the City Lord on his triumphant return and his renowned might."

Everyone, including the stunningly beautiful woman, bowed.

The group stopped, and the door of the largest carriage opened. Ximen Yan Yan and Yang Dingtian slowly descended from the carriage.

Ximen Yan Yan's lips were pale, and she trembled slightly as she said, "Father was severely injured and is now in a state of rest and recovery. He will not emerge for three years. Father has ordered that my husband, Yang Dingtian, be the successor to the City Lord of Yunxiao City."

After saying this, Ximen Yan Yan gently lifted the curtain, allowing her mother to see the silent Ximen Wuyan inside.

The stunningly beautiful woman let out a mournful cry and fainted.

"Mother..." Ximen Yan Yan quickly ran out.

The rest of the elders trembled, shocked and pale.

...

*****

Yunxiao City, built on a mountain peak nearly a thousand meters high, extended for several miles along a range of mountains. Yunxiao City itself stretched for several miles.

The Yin-Yang Sect was built along the mountains, occupying a large part of Mount Wu Liang. Yunxiao City was built along the mountain ridge, winding and long. The Yin-Yang Sect had no city walls, but Yunxiao City had tall, massive black walls.

Inside the central castle of Yunxiao City, the highest point.

In a large hall, eight elders sat in high positions, surrounding the hall. Yang Dingtian and Ximen Yan Yan stood in the center, answering the Council of Elders' questions about the entire process of events.

After more than an hour of narration, every detail and every word of dialogue was clearly explained.

Finally, Ximen Yan Yan said, "My grandfather, Yang Lie, betrothed my mother to my father, Ximen Wuyan, and designated him as the new City Lord of Yunxiao City. My father betrothed me to Yang Dingtian and designated him as the new City Lord of Yunxiao City."

Ximen Yan Yan's beautiful eyes slowly swept over all the elders present and asked, "Every generation of City Lords of Yunxiao City has the right to designate a new successor, correct? Therefore, Yang Dingtian becoming the new successor to the City Lord of Yunxiao City is legal and reasonable, right?