The Arrogant Zhao Ling
From the courtyard a figure emerged.
It was of a young man in his twenties, his eyes narrow, and his features a little sinister. There was a cold aura around him, keeping people at a distance. It was the Grand elder of the Zhao clan, Zhao Ling. Before today he appeared to be old but since he had Brocken through and had increased his lifespan, he gained back his looks. When he appeared the surrounding temperature seemed to be reduced. There was a heavy atmosphere in the clan.
"Congratulations to Grand Elder for breaking through."
One of the elders of his faction stepped forward to offer his congratulations.
"Congratulations to grand elder for becoming the strongest person in the Zhao Clan."
"Grand Elder would bring prosperity to our clan now."
"Hahaha congratulations to grand elder for gaining back your youth."
Similar voices rose from all around with various elders stepping forward to offer their congratulations and also to show their loyalty. The expression of the six elders in the leader's faction became uglier every passing minute.
Footsteps sounded and the figures of Zhao Ying and Su Wan emerged from the crowd. Their expression was sombre and heavy. Zhao Ying stepped forward and said, "Congratulations cousin, now we have one more pillar of support for our Zhao Clan." His voice was sincere and polite. He knew there was no hope but he was unwilling to give up. If Zhao Ling was good for the development of the clan he would not have commented even if he was killed, unfortunately it was a vain dream.
Zhao Ling heard him but didn't reply. From the moment the couple had appeared his gaze was fixed on Su Wan. Undisguised lust and desire present in his eyes. Under his unscrupulous gaze, Su Wan's face turned cold and her heart died. Zhao Ying face was filled with anger. He sighed inwardly, but determination flashed in his eyes. Even if he had to die he would fight to his death. Although his chance was too low, it was still there. He was a genius who had stepped in the foundation establishment realm, and he had their fighting experience. If he risked his limb and life he might just have a chance. Before he stepped forward to move, his gaze met with his wife. Su Wan's face was also filled with determination and ruthlessness. Evidently she had made the same decision as her husband.
Zhao Ling finally tore his gaze from Su Wan's body and arrogantly looked at Zhao Ling, "Cousin, you are no longer fit to be our can leader. Cut off your right hand and leg and scram from the clan."
His unbridled words caused a commotion in the square. The faces of many paled. Zhao Ying's fists were clenched tightly. His face was red and was about to erupt.
"Zhao Ling don't go too far. Clan leader Zhao can step down from his position but who do you think you are to ask him to cut off his limbs." Shouted an elder from Zhao Ying's faction. He knew that Zhao Ling was someone vicious but even he couldn't believe that the guy would drop all the pretences the moment he broke through.
Zhao Ling didn't even glance at the elder. His venomous gaze fixed n Zhao Ying and Su Wan. He sneered and said, "Zhao Ying, I knew you wouldn't agree so I have used my status as the foundation establishment cultivator of the Zhao clan, to enlist you into the kingdom's death soldier legion for next ten years. You can use your life to help our country with your strength."
These cold words reverberated through the clan square and instantly silenced everyone. Everyone was stunned. Faces of Zhao Ying, Su Wan and the six elders of their cam turned pale. Seeing their reaction, Zhao Ling sneered then glanced at the elder who had berated him just now. A mocking grin on his face as he said, "You six don't have to worry about your leader, as you will be also accompanying him as his death guards Hahaha."
The faces of the elders turned as white as paper. Despair gripped their heart. The death soldier legion of the Qin Empire was filled with malicious criminals, who should have been executed but were given a chance to redeem their crimes by serving their country. They formed a legion that was then sent to various suicide missions. If they succeeded they would be granted freedom if not then only death awaits them. The successful survivors are less than 1% of the convicts. This was a terrifying death rate. Zhao Ling sending them there was equivalent of him killing them in the most brutal and violent way. Even more brutal was the fact that once one is nominated to join the legion, he/she cannot refuse. Otherwise the punishment would be destruction of the entire clan. They were people who cared for the clan otherwise they too would have joined Zhao Ling's side, and this care for their clan was the one reason Zhao Ling succeeded in sending them to their deaths without even a fight. This was truly a tragic end. Their faces pale they glared at Zhao Ling who remained impassive and only sneered at them. Zhao Ying let out a bitter sigh and an extreme grief welled up within him. He didn't want to continue facing the grand elder so he decided to leave.
"Wait..." suddenly a cold voice sounded and Zhao Ling stopped him from leaving. He asked "where's that brat Zhao Yun? If he's alive he should also go with you all and gain some important experience." He smiled with maliciousness. Hearing this, Zhao Ying's eyes turned red. Intense blood lust appeared from within him. he was already a cripple with no future so he didn't took it to heart when he was being sent to his death but what about that child? He hadn't even learnt about how vast the skies are ad now he was sent to such a cruel place? He wanted nothing but to attack Zhao Ling right then and there.
"Well whatever, he should follow by Kun'er side as his servant from now on." Seeing that Zhao Ying was ready to fight to his death for the brat, Zhao Ling smiled coldly. Anyway, after these fellows were sent to that hell he would have plenty of time to deal with the brat.
Zhao Ying stopped when he heard this. At least he would be able to secure that child's future by the time he left the clan. Death soldier legion gave a time of a year to the members recommended so that they can tie their loose ends. He was intending to send the child's family away discreetly and hope for him to grow up and shoulder the responsibility of the clan. The moment he had learnt of grand elder's impending break through, he had made several counter measures that would ensure that no matter how atrocious grand elder was, at least some of the clan members would survive. Even before coming here just before grand elder had completed his breakthrough, he had asked his loyal servant to take away Zhao fan and Guan Rou to a safe place and hide. This was the reason the couple was not present here. He had also stationed men outside who would immediately notify Zhao Yun of the situation and lead him to safety.
Unfortunately not everything goes as planned. The grand elder reading his emotions smiled maliciously and then gestured toward his men with a small nod. Soon some of his men disappeared from the gathering. Seeing this ominous feeling appeared on Zhao Ying's face. Before who could say anything a cold vice echoed, "Cousin Zhao Ying, you should go and make some preparations so that you could leave the clan in my hands in peace. You should not worry about sister in law. I'll take very good care of her in your absence. Hahaha" Zhao Ling laughed insidiously while his lecherous gaze scanned Su Wan's body. His actions were getting more and more arrogant and unbridled. His gaze angered Su Wan and Zhao Ying so much that they discarded everything and made their move.
At body tempering realm only some basic moves could be use due to the lack of Qi, but both Su Wan and Zhao Ying were one a foundation establishment realm so they were stronger than average warriors. Thus when joining forces and putting their life on the line, they had some chances to face Zhao Ling.
Seeing them attack like maniacs, a bit of panic appeared in Zhao Ling's eyes. He was arrogant but not foolish, having just reached a new realm, his cultivation was not stable and thus his battle power was slightly lower than normal. If he exerted himself he might damage his foundation. In his panic he retreated a few steps and gave some hand signals. Seeing that the 15+ elders on his side gritted their teeth and together formed a huge barricade to stop the two. A violent battle started going on where although the elders were weak, they had advantage in number. Slowly they started attacking with more gusto pushing the couple into a passive position.
"Despicable!" snarled Su Wan.
"Hehe sister in law, I am still stabilizing my realm. Once I do that I will properly fight 300 rounds of battle with you and will show you how despicable I can be." Chortled Zhao Ling.
Zhao Ying's fists were clenched so tight that his skin was bleeding. Which man can endure his wife being humiliated in such a manner? In that moment he decided to leave all concerns aside and just go for the broke. He had decided to explode himself. Before he could continue his plan, small hand held his hands. Turning his head he saw a pale faced, red eyed Su Wan shaking her head, "Brother Ying, you cannot do so. Even if the whole clan dies, I wouldn't care if that bastard dies because of it, but what about little Yun? Can you bear to see him go down to hell with us or being chased by the royal family?" her questions brought some sanity back to Zhao Ying. Slowly tears emerged in his eyes. A warrior of his generation was pushed to desperation that he cried. He rose to his feet, held his wife's hand and strode towards his home. Zhao Ling wanted to stop him but fearing that he would push them too far, he stopped.
'Well sooner or later you would be mine anyway.' Thinking u to here, a sinister smile surface on his face.
Turning around he scanned the surrounding elders, the six from opposite faction has left with their leader. He nodded with satisfaction upon seeing that almost all the elders have joined his camp, but after looking around he frowned.
"Where are the second elder and Kun'er?" he asked coldly.
Why were his son and most trusted subordinate absent for this important event?
Everyone exchanged puzzled glances. Zhao Kun was going to kill a clan member who was also the clan greatest genius. How can he divulge this information so casually? No one was in the know. A disciple stepped forward and with an in grating smile he cupped his fists and said, "Reporting to clan leader, Young Master Kun went out with second elder and other disciples to hunt some wild dog. This was what Young master told me to inform you."
Others may not know but how could Zhao Ling not understand what 'Wild dog' meant. He shook his head and then fondly looked at the young disciple. Apparently his address as Clan leader had won him some points. He was not worried about Zhao Kun as with second elder by his side there was no danger hunting the wild dog. He said to the disciple "You're good." After that he strolled back to his courtyard. That disciple was overjoyed. Every disciple looked at him, some with envy and mostly with disdain and hatred. Young disciples were rather pure and had not seen the dark side of the world. They treated others with how one treated them. For them Zhao Ying was good while Zhao ling was bad. But what can they do, in the grand games of the adults they were mere ants. With a sigh everyone dispersed. From his courtyard Zhao Ling saw all this but he merely sneered. Suddenly he remembered something and he furrowed his brows.
'Strange I asked my men to capture the clansmen Zhao Ying has dispersed and bring them back. Why had no one arrived yet?' he shook his head to clear his thoughts and started dreaming of how he would control the Zhao clan and how he would lay with Su Wan when all the hurdles are cleared. Just thinking about it made him so excited that he pulled the nearby maid and dragged her to the bedroom to play, unaware of the fact that a storm was coming his way.