Chapter 661: Preparing for War

After seeing off Liu Yi, Zhou Ao, and the others, Ye Chen, Yang Ding Tian, and the rest headed towards the main hall of Qian Qiu Ancient City.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, our god has returned!" Ye Chen had just stepped into the hall when he heard someone speaking mockingly, their tongue clicking. As for whether they meant the God of Killing or the God of Pitfalls, that remained a mystery.

"You've made a name for yourself across the land with this one." The Su family ancestor looked at Ye Chen and shook his head.

"Keep it low-key, low-key," Ye Chen said, adjusting his collar as he spoke.

"This time, you must have miscalculated!" Chu Ling Yu said casually while trimming her nails.

"Miscalculated? A serious miscalculation." Ye Chen gave an awkward smile. "I never expected Ji Ning Shuang to break through my seal. Otherwise, I would have crippled her ages ago."

"Am I right to think you couldn't bring yourself to do it?" Hong Chen Xue asked lightly, fixing her hair in a small bronze mirror.

"Nonsense, I really wanted to cripple her."

"We believe you—after all, you're the type who dares to kidnap an ex-girlfriend, take the ransom, and not even let her go. There's nothing you wouldn't do."

"How do I feel like you're all insulting me?" Ye Chen said, black lines starting to creep across his forehead.

"Nonsense, we're praising you!"

"Enough." Just as they were bantering, Tian Zong Lao Zu cut in firmly. "Let's get to business."

At the mention of serious matters, everyone straightened up. Those trimming their nails stopped, those checking mirrors put them away, and those flirting ceased their games, all adopting a more serious demeanor.

"The situation has gotten complicated." Tian Zong Lao Zu turned to Ye Chen.

"Go ahead, senior, speak freely."

"News just came from Bei Chu yesterday. Besides the Sha Shou Shen Chao, a mysterious and powerful force has started making moves in the shadows," Tian Zong Lao Zu explained. "Intelligence suggests it's the Gui Zu from the past, the one suppressed by Tian Zang Huang."

"Something similar has emerged in Nan Chu." Hong Chen Xue took over. "We can confirm it's the Xue Zu, the race suppressed by Chen Huang long ago."

"Not surprising." Ye Chen stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Whether it's the Sha Shou Shen Chao, the Gui Zu, or even the Yin Ming Sheng Yu and the Xue Zu, they're all incredibly ancient forces. Their resurgence was only a matter of time. Just the day before, I encountered three Zhun Tian Jing experts from the Gui Zu."

"You've already clashed with the Gui Zu?" Everyone expressed their surprise.

"That's not the point." Ye Chen tapped his fingers rhythmically on the table. "The key is, we need to speed up and take control of Heng Yue. The situation in Da Chu will change rapidly with all these terrifying forces and races emerging. We have to gather enough power in the shortest time possible to handle any sudden developments."

"I think it's time we went to war with Heng Yue." Zhong Jiang said, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "Reports from the nine branch halls indicate that Heng Yue's leadership is already investigating the three-sect brawl."

"Qing Yun Zong and Zheng Yang Zong are doing the same," Zhong Kui added. "The kidnapping incident is fading, and their attention is shifting back. They're all confused about the three-sect melee and are now chasing leads."

"Then let's go to war." Ye Chen took a deep breath.

"Are we attacking directly?" Everyone turned to Ye Chen.

"No." Ye Chen shook his head lightly. "At the right time, I'll challenge Yin Zhi Ping publicly in the form of Qin Yu at the Lu Gu Cang Yuan."

"A public challenge?" Everyone frowned. "If you do that, your true identity might be exposed to the world. Then, the three sects, or even the major forces of Nan Chu, could send experts. The consequences would far exceed our control."

"There's a strategy in military tactics called 'feint to the east while attacking the west,' or more precisely, 'repair the plank road while secretly crossing the Chen Cang.'" Ye Chen smiled. "That's exactly the effect I want. It will draw attention from all sides. Most importantly, for Yin Zhi Ping's safety, Tong Xuan and the others will definitely lead many experts there. Without them guarding Heng Yue, you'll have an easier time taking it."

"Will Yin Zhi Ping accept the challenge?" Everyone looked at Ye Chen.

"He will." Before Ye Chen could respond, Yang Ding Tian interjected confidently. "His arrogance far exceeds our expectations. Otherwise, there wouldn't have been the three-sect brawl."

"Uncle-Master is right." Ye Chen smiled. "I'm second on the Feng Yun Bang, and he's first. He won't allow anyone who threatens his dominant position to live."

"Even if he shows up, are you so sure the three sects won't attack you?"

"I've thought about that." Ye Chen began tapping the table rhythmically again. "I can be certain that before Yin Zhi Ping and I decide a winner, the three sects won't make a move against me—especially Qing Yun Zong and Zheng Yang Zong. No matter which of us dies, it's all gain and no loss for them, so they'll hold each other back until we have a clear victor."

"In that case, we'll have experts ready to back you up." Zhong Kui took a deep breath.

"No need, no need." Ye Chen waved his hand with a laugh. "Don't worry—thirty-plus Zhun Tian Jing experts and over a thousand Kong Ming Jing ones couldn't kill me. I have confidence in getting out safely."

"This isn't a joke."

"I know. What you all need to do is gather all our forces and, while Yin Zhi Ping and I are battling, seize Heng Yue Zong with overwhelming speed. Minimize casualties as much as possible—target the horse before the rider, capture the thief by taking the king. Control the high-level members left at Heng Yue, and you'll control the entire sect. Once successful, seal off Heng Yue completely. Remember, don't let a single person escape."

At that point, Ye Chen turned to Yang Ding Tian. "Uncle-Master, you must be there that day."

"I understand." Yang Ding Tian nodded with a smile. "Though I'm just the former sect leader, I still hold some influence. Yin Zhi Ping's actions lately have angered everyone in Heng Yue. Our return will be a beacon of hope."

"What happens after we take Heng Yue?" The Su family ancestor glanced around at everyone, his eyes finally settling on Ye Chen. "Will Tong Xuan and the others recognize your return?"

"I don't know about the others, but Tong Xuan definitely won't." Ye Chen couldn't help but laugh. "You should know that well, Uncle-Master."

"He's someone who never admits he's wrong." Yang Ding Tian sighed deeply. "He believes he's incapable of making mistakes. Even if he knows he's erred, he won't confess, and he can't stand anyone challenging his authority."

"So, even if we seize Heng Yue, he won't acknowledge our existence," Dao Xuan Zhen Ren said. "Acknowledging us would mean admitting he was wrong, and that's impossible for him."

"What about the other Heng Yue ancestors? Heng Yue Lao Zu, Heng Yue Shang Ren, and the others? Would they recognize us? If they do, we won't have to fight another major battle with those Zhun Tian Jing experts."

"Compared to Tong Xuan, the other uncles and masters are more reasonable." Yang Ding Tian pondered. "If they learn of Ye Chen's achievements now, most would side with us. Not everyone is as stubborn as Tong Xuan. It's clear who between Ye Chen and Yin Zhi Ping can lead Heng Yue to glory."

"That's right," Dao Xuan Zhen Ren added. "Have those uncles and masters truly been unaware of Yin Zhi Ping's actions these days? If he weren't the nine-tenths host, he probably would have been ousted long ago!"

"In short, Heng Yue is like a stagnant pool right now." Tian Zong Lao Zu hit the nail on the head. "The only reason they're keeping Yin Zhi Ping is that they can't find anyone else to challenge him. Ye Chen's return will shatter this deadlock. Compared to Yin Zhi Ping, Ye Chen is far more qualified to be the commander of Heng Yue's forces."

"In that case, the issue is settled." Everyone smiled, full of determination and energy.

"Alright then, let's get started with the preparations!"