Chapter 119: Shadows and Schemes
Evening fell over Oakwood City like a soft curtain, bathing the streets in hues of gold and deep crimson. Lanterns flickered to life one by one, their warm glow reflecting off tiled rooftops and cobblestone alleys. The markets had quieted, replaced by the gentle hum of distant conversation and the rustling of leaves in the evening breeze. A tranquil calm blanketed the city—but beneath that peace, undercurrents of tension still lingered, subtle yet undeniable.
In a dimly lit hall at the heart of the Ye family estate, six figures sat around a long obsidian table. Each wore a solemn or grim expression. The air was thick with silence—oppressive and absolute.
The upper echelons of the Ye family.
"Do you all know why I called you here?" Ye Zhenwu asked from the Patriarch's seat, his voice carrying across the vast room.
Silence held for several heartbeats before another voice broke it—hoarse and deep.
"This has something to do with the Su family, doesn't it?" Ye Chongtai said.
"You're right, Fourth Elder." Ye Zhenwu's expression darkened. "The Su family is becoming a force to be reckoned with in Oakwood City. We cannot allow that to continue."
"If they aren't suppressed," Ye Xunhai added, "sooner or later they could grow strong enough to claim the City Lord position."
"Becoming City Lord of Oakwood City..."
The words settled over the room like storm clouds creeping across a moonlit sky—foretelling a tempest not yet broken.
BAM!
Ye Baokang slammed his palm against the obsidian table, chubby face flushed with fury. "That cannot be allowed to happen!"
"Indeed, Third Elder." Ye Zhenwu nodded, voice deliberately measured. "For centuries, Oakwood City has been without a City Lord—dominated equally by the three great clans. Only when one clan rises above the others can a City Lord mansion be established."
He paused, eyes narrowing. "If anyone deserves to become City Lord, it is us."
Though many years had passed since Oakwood City's founding, the three great clans had always remained in uneasy equilibrium. There had been wars and battles—especially between the Su and Ye families—but none had ever proven decisive enough to tip the balance permanently.
"I understand your ambitions, Patriarch," Ye Chongtai said, his expression solemn, "but those words are easier said than done."
"The Fourth Elder is right." Ye Sheng's voice rumbled like distant thunder. "From what we witnessed today, the Su family's strength exceeds ours. Not just their Patriarch or First Elder—their other elders are formidable as well."
Silence settled over the room again, each elder sitting in quiet contemplation.
After several long minutes, Ye Zhenwu spoke. "As much as I hate to admit it, the Fifth Elder's assessment is not without merit."
He tapped the table in a slow, rhythmic pattern—each tap rippling through the tense quiet like drops of water on a still pond.
"Do you have any suggestions, Second Elder?" He turned to Ye Xunhai. "How do we bring the Su family down?"
Ye Xunhai's eyes gleamed with quiet calculation. "We go to war with them."
"Second Elder, it seems old age is dulling your mind," Ye Baokang sneered. "Didn't you just hear what was said about the Su family's strength?"
Ye Xunhai remained entirely unfazed. "You need to learn patience, Third Elder. The war I'm referring to isn't the usual kind—it's an economic war."
"Economic war?" The elders exchanged stunned glances.
Hmph.
"The Su family deals in alchemy and pill production," Ye Baokang said, his voice thick with disdain. "What economic war could we possibly wage? We don't even have a single grade two alchemist."
Ye Xunhai shook his head slowly. "It seems all that fat really is blocking your thinking."
Ye Baokang's face went crimson. "You—how dar—"
"Silence."
Ye Zhenwu's voice cut through the room like a blade drawn in the dead of night—cold, sharp, absolute. Ye Baokang swallowed the rest of his outburst, casting Ye Xunhai one final furious glare before forcing himself still.
Ye Zhenwu turned back to Ye Xunhai. "Please elaborate."
Ye Xunhai nodded. "While it's true we lack the capability to fight the Su family economically on our own—what happens if we collaborate with the He family?"
The words struck like a boulder dropped into still water, sending ripples through the entire room.
"The He family..." Ye Zhenwu's eyes widened. "With their Peak-level grade two alchemist, we could absolutely wage an economic war against the Su family."
"Brilliant!" Ye Sheng laughed heartily, clapping a hand on Ye Xunhai's shoulder.
"Very sound," Ye Chongtai agreed with a measured nod.
Ye Zhenwu's expression sharpened with predatory focus. "Although the He family is currently competing against the Su family, there's nothing deliberately malicious about it... But if we fan those flames—"
"—we shake the Su family's foundation and strike when they're most fragile," Ye Xunhai completed, seamlessly.
"Exactly." Ye Zhenwu rubbed his palms together slowly. "Once their finances are compromised, they'll begin losing not just guards but the very disciples that shape their future generation."
"The question," Ye Chongtai said, grounding the room, "is how we secure the He family's assistance. We'll need a solid plan to convince them."
"It's straightforward," Ye Xunhai replied. "The He family doesn't care about power struggles—only business and profit. We use that." He leaned forward, fingers interlaced. "As long as we offer them sufficient benefits and prove our value, we can win their cooperation."
Ye Zhenwu's grin widened slowly, becoming something predatory. His voice dropped to a near-whisper.
"The Su family won't see this coming... I'm sure you won't, Huiqing."
---
The meeting continued for some time—strategies laid out, contingencies discussed, every angle considered. When the last detail had been settled, Ye Zhenwu declared it concluded.
One by one the elders filed out.
Ye Shiming was the last to remain at the table.
From beginning to end, he had not spoken a single word. His face was expressionless, eyes cold and distant—fixed on something no one else could see.
Then Ye Baokang stepped back into the room, approaching with calm, deliberate steps. He rested a hand on Ye Shiming's shoulder.
"Don't worry, First Elder. Jie'er will be avenged. Su Tianhao must pay."
Ye Shiming nodded slowly, eyes moist, frame trembling with suppressed rage. "That's right... he will pay."
"Good." Ye Baokang's eyes flashed with sinister light. "Do you have a plan?"
"Don't worry about it, Third Elder." Ye Shiming stood, his voice carrying a chilling finality. "Su Tianhao is already dead."
He turned and walked away, his solitary figure disappearing slowly into the distance under Ye Baokang's watchful gaze.
---
He arrived at his private quarters to find a tall, hooded figure standing motionless beneath the peach tree at the courtyard's center, cloaked entirely in black.
Ye Shiming's eyes went bloodshot the moment he saw him. "It's you—the assassin sent by the Blood Shadow!"
The figure stepped forward in silence, face still obscured.
Ye Shiming's killing intent flared—though of course he didn't act on it. The figure's backing was simply too formidable to provoke carelessly.
"I have heard of the Blood Shadow Assassins' reputation for a long time," he said, voice taut with barely contained fury. "How did you let a single boy escape your grasp?!"
"Relax."
The figure reached up and pulled back his hood, revealing his face without ceremony—scarred, rough, one eye gleaming with sinister life, the other pale and lifeless. That permanent, twisted smile.
Blood Grin.
Ye Shiming's anger subsided slightly, replaced by a different kind of unease.
"Allow me to properly introduce myself, Elder Shiming," Blood Grin said, extending a hand. "I am Blood Grin—lower-ranked assassin of the Blood Shadow."
Ye Shiming glanced at the offered hand, but he didn't take it.
Blood Grin simply smiled and withdrew it without comment. He was arrogant by nature—but not foolish. Ye Shiming was a Martial Master. He was only a Martial Adept. A casual strike from the man before him could end his life.
"I sincerely apologize for what happened to your son," Blood Grin said.
But that smile never left his face—and in Ye Shiming's eyes, it said everything the words tried to hide. Blood Grin was mocking him.
"Spare me your apology. Why is that bastard still alive?" Ye Shiming snapped.
"I was careless. He escaped," Blood Grin said flatly—no remorse, no regret.
"I want him dead! In the worst way possible! I want his head delivered as an apology for what was done to my son!" The words came out raw, every syllable dripping with malice.
"Three days." Blood Grin raised three fingers. "Give me three days."
Ye Shiming's brows furrowed. He considered it carefully.
After everything that had happened, Su Tianhao would most likely remain within the Su family estate. That meant Blood Grin would have to infiltrate to complete the kill—past dozens of guards who were themselves Martial Adepts, all operating on high alert. To achieve a clean result in three days would be nothing short of extraordinary.
"Three days," Ye Shiming said finally. "And I want no excuses."
Jejeje...
"Don't worry, Elder Shiming." Blood Grin's dark laughter dissolved into the quiet courtyard, low and unhurried. His grin widened, yellow teeth catching the moonlight like drawn daggers.
"Three days is more than enough."
His voice dropped to something almost gentle.
"I'm coming for you... Su Tianhao."