It was early morning in Silver Mist City, and the mist was covering the whole sky.
Even though winters were far away, the weather was still quite chilly, making everyone wish to snuggle in their silky blankets.
However, things were different in one of the top three clans of the city, the Jia Lei Clan.
A heated discussion was going on in the clan main hall, and all the elders of the clan were barred from entry.
In fact, no one was allowed to step within fifty steps of the main hall - except for the certain special guests and the Clan Head.
Even though everyone in the clan was quite curious about what was going on, no one dared to disobey the orders and create trouble for themselves.
Everyone was intently staring at the main hall, wishing to know what was going on.
"There is no way out!" Yin Shan slammed the table in a fury.
Last night, he and the other three in the room had divided themselves into two pairs and went on the search for the arrays arranged throughout the city.
"There is no way out without encountering these arrays." Yin Shan continued, "There is always something that's barring everyone from getting out of the city."
Ye Tian Yun, who had paired himself with Yin Shan, was seated quietly on his chair.
Unlike the other three who were scratching their heads to solve the problem on the table, Ye Tian Yun's mind was distracted.
It was all because of one small incident last night.
While he and Yin Shan were checking through the northern part of the Silver Mist City - Ye Tian Yun felt something.
He felt as if someone was staring at him.
At first, he just brushed it off because he was used to this feeling, but something was out of the ordinary this time.
It felt as if this was a hidden enemy - Ye Tian Yun instinctively had his guard up.
He even asked Yin Shan if he felt anything weird, but Yin Shan just shook his head and continued to trace the arrays.
However, Ye Tian Yun knew something was wrong.
This made him alert at all times. However, after about an hour or so, this feeling disappeared.
Even then, Ye Tian Yun didn't lower his guard and continued to remain alert and ready to strike.
But in the end, no one attacked or ambushed them.
Ye Tian Yun could only grit his teeth and return to the Jia Lei Clan.
'Something's wrong… I can feel it. But what is it? I can't see it…'
"Shu Xian!"
"Shu Xian!"
Suddenly Ye Tian Yun felt a slight jerk on his shoulders, and he snapped out of his thoughts.
"What are you thinking about?" Yin Shan asked.
"Hm.. hm, nothing," Ye Tian Yun shook his head.
"Never mind, tell me if you find any way."
Yin Shan pointed at the map and continued, "The only path of escape I see is through the Zheng Clan. But the Zheng Clan and Jia Lei Clan are enemies, so it isn't possible to use their route."
"Can't you make amends with them?" The Elder, who had been quiet all this time, asked Clan Head Jia Lei Shan.
Jia lei Shan pursed his lips and thought for a moment.
"Elder, it's not that amends can't be made, but Zheng Clan will be too suspicious of us."
"Suspicious of what?" The Elder asked.
"Elder, actually in the last few months, we have been thoroughly going all out against each other and are literally having a trade war."
"However, if I were to call for a truce, it wouldn't be hard. The problem will come when I ask them for access to the route."
"They will never agree to that."
The Elder frowned.
Ye Tian Yun suddenly said, "We can't go to the Zheng Clan, Elder."
"Hm? Why?" Everyone put their attention on him.
Ye Tian Yun replied, "The Crown Prince has asked the Zheng Clan to make arrangements for the Gracious Sword Sect people."
"If we were to call for a truce, things would get complicated, and there might be unnecessary attention on us."
"Oh," The Elder nodded his head and asked, "So there's no way out?"
Ye Tian Yun kept quiet while Yin Shan and Jia Lei Shan shook their heads.
"What if we remove the Zheng Clan from the equation?" The Elder suggested.
"Hm?" The other three frowned.
"We can just kill the Zheng Clan from the equation. We will have enough routes after that."
Ye Tian Yun was suddenly alarmed at this suggestion.
'Zheng Clan is home to Zheng Xiang... what should I do?'
"Yes, Elder." Yin Shan nodded his head, "I have no problem with this."
Jia Lei Shan smiled, "They are my clan's enemies. I would love not to hear the Zheng Clan's name anymore in the city."
After a moment of thought, Ye Tian Yun said, "We shouldn't strike the Zheng Clan."
"Why?" Jia Lei Shan frowned.
He was so close to getting a huge enemy out of the way, and he was certainly not going to let a disciple sway the opinion of others.
Ye Tian Yun could clearly see his intentions, "Well, as I said, Zheng Clan is a part of the Crown Prince Xin's faction right now, and the Gracious Sword Sect people will soon be arriving in the city."
"Don't forget that there will be a Core Formation Realm cultivator with them."
"So we can't kill them before the Wu Kingdom people arrive here."
"Also, we can't kill them after they arrive, or else when the whole world's attention lays upon this city, it will be Jia Lei Clan that will bear the blunt attack from all sides."
His words put everyone else in deep thoughts.
"So, what should we do?" Yin Shan asked, "Do you have a better choice?"
Ye Tian Yun let out a sigh, "I will go to the Zheng Clan and make some arrangements. I am part of the Gracious SwordSect, so I am their ally in this scene."
"Let me handle this."