8 Chapter 8.

Inside the main hall of the Sacred Family, a clandestine meeting unfolded among the seasoned experts. Each attendee boasted either a rank surpassing Gold or wielded significant influence.

At the heart of the round table sat Shen Hong, the patriarch of the Sacred Family, reluctantly drawn from his seclusion training by the emergence of Ye Han.

"That incompetent fool couldn't even dispatch a mere child," Shen Hong seethed with frustration.

"That 'child' you speak of has ascended to the Black Gold realm," his sister, Shen Xiu, remarked, her envy thinly veiled.

A mere twenty years of age, yet her cultivation lagged far behind.

"Merely a consequence of alchemy pills," Shen Hong dismissed her observation.

"What course of action do you propose, Patriarch?" inquired one of the elders. "Ye Zong won't let us off the hook, especially after his son divulged Shen Ming's involvement in the assault."

"He wouldn't dare strike immediately," Shen Hong retorted with a sly grin. "First, he'll seek an alliance with other families, then he'll move against us."

"What, then, is our strategy, elder brother?" Shen Xiu queried, her curiosity piqued.

"I'll reach out to the Dark Guild's covert base and set our plan in motion," Shen Hong declared a predatory gleam in his eye. "We'll bring Glory City to its knees now that we're sworn enemies."

"I relish the thought of watching that 'brat' struggle to protect his kin," Shen Xiu mused with a wicked chuckle.

Shen Hong's gaze shifted to the wall, where a cadre of shadow-clad figures stood, their expressions solemn.

"Several of you will return to execute the plan, while the remainder will ensure the brat's demise," Shen Hong commanded.

"We understand, Vice Guild Master," they replied in unison, eliciting a smirk from Shen Hong.

"It's a pity those two aren't in the city," Shen Hong's smile faltered as he recalled the formidable strength of the Dark Guild's law enforcement elders.

Amidst their contemplations, none among them noticed the lurking presence outside the hall.

"Has Han arrived?" Ye Zong inquired of those behind him.

"Not yet," Ye Xiu responded. "He's likely preoccupied with inscribing protective wards around the mansion."

"Will they suffice, though?" Chen Zhenlong, the patriarch of the Divine Family, voiced his concern.

"Have faith in my son," Ye Zong chuckled. "His previous words proved effective, didn't they?"

"They did," Chen Zhenlong conceded, still marvelling at the efficacy of the inscriptions.

"But do we have sufficient numbers?" Chen Zhenlong pressed. "We've brought only our family elders."

"They are more than capable, Patriarch Chen," Ye Xiu reassured with a smile. "Bringing more would risk them being held hostage for escape."

"True, but we mustn't underestimate our adversaries," Chen Zhenlong cautioned. "We're facing the notorious Dark Guild, if the intelligence is accurate."

"Fear not, uncle. I have everything under control."

Ye Han's sudden appearance startled the group, prompting smiles of admiration.

"You've raised a formidable son, Ye Zong," Chen Zhenlong remarked, casting an envious glance at his friend.

"Is everyone prepared?" Ye Zong surveyed the group with a graved demeanour. "Eliminate them all and ensure our city's peace."

"We're ready, City Lord," affirmed an elder of the Divine Family.

"Then let's proceed."

With a powerful kick, Ye Zong shattered the door, revealing the astonished Sacred Family within.

"What is the meaning of this, Ye Zong?" Shen Hong demanded, taken aback by the sudden intrusion.

"Shen Hong, as City Lord, I've decided to punish you for collusion with the Dark Guild and attempting the assassination of the Snow Wind Family's heir," Ye Zong declared boldly.

"Do you all blindly believe his accusations?" Shen Hong retorted, shooting a venomous glance at the Divine Family. "Where's your evidence?"

"We don't need proof when you're in cahoots with these Dark Guild scoundrels," Ye Xiu countered, swiftly dispatching a Dark Guild member.

"Tch!" Shen Hong clicked his tongue in frustration. "It doesn't matter. I'll personally ensure your demise."

Despite his bravado, he signalled the Dark Guild members to attack the elders.

"Shen Xiu, unleash it," Shen Hong ordered hastily. "With that, victory shall be ours."

Before Shen Xiu could act, her head rolled to the ground, severed by a swift blow.

"Pathetic," Ye Han sneered, seizing the scroll. "Were you attempting to summon the Shadow Devil?"

"Ye Han!" Shen Hong bellowed furiously, beholding his sister's lifeless form. "I'll end you!"

He swiftly fused with his demon beast spirit, the Sacred Flaming Condor, and dashed toward Ye Han, only to find his path obstructed by Ye Zong.

"Before confronting my son, you'll need to deal with me," Ye Zong stated calmly, merging with his demon beast, the Snow Wind Great Ape.

The sudden surge of power widened everyone's eyes.

"H-How?" Shen Hong faltered, halting in his tracks. "H-How did you attain the Legend rank?"

His voice dripped with disbelief and anger.

"Perhaps I'm just superior," Ye Zong replied with a chuckle, launching himself forward to engage.

"This man..." Chen Zhenlong shook his head with a wry smile, witnessing his friend's newfound strength.

The other elders, along with those of the Snow Wind Family, were equally astonished.

"You could have informed us earlier..." Ye Ming quipped at Ye Xiu with a smile. "We were needlessly concerned."

A battle between two peak Black Gold experts could swing either way, but with a Legend-ranked ally on their side, their worries dissipated.

The elders swiftly merged with their demon spirits, bolstered by newfound confidence, and charged at the Dark Guild members.

As Ye Zong and Shen Hong clashed, Ye Han swiftly dispatched the Sacred Family's elders before turning his attention to other areas, determined not to spare even the servants and maids.

By the time Ye Han returned to the hall, the battle was almost over. The only people who were still fighting were Ye Zong and Shen Hong as the rest of the enemies died.

Now, everyone was looking at their battle.

As the battle reached its climax, Ye Zong seized a moment of vulnerability in Shen Hong's defence with a lightning-fast attack and delivered a devastating blow that sent Shen Hong crashing to the ground, his strength drained and his spirit broken.

"You have been defeated, Shen Hong," Ye Zong said, his tone sombre.

"Why did I fail?" Shen Hong questioned, blood dribbling from his lips. "I schemed for so long, yet I couldn't protect my family."

"You strayed from the right path," Ye Zong replied. "In your pursuit of power and recognition, you lost sight of who you truly are, or perhaps, you were always this way."

"I see..." Shen Hong murmured, a bitter laugh escaping him. "You may have won for now, but how will you contend with the Demon Lord? His strength surpasses any we've faced, even your father's."

A furrow creased Ye Zong's brow. "We will deal with him too, Shen Hong. You needn't worry."

With a final strike, Shen Hong breathed his last.

"We should celebrate," Chen Zhenlong approached Ye Zong with a smile. "In honour of gaining another Legend-ranked ally."

"Agreed," Ye Zong nodded, dispelling his demon spirit. "And it's also an opportunity to root out any remaining supporters of the Sacred Family."

Though not affiliated with the Dark Guild, these supporters still posed a potential threat to the city's stability.

With their tasks concluded, the group made their way to the Sacred Family's treasury. As agreed, both families would claim 40% of the wealth, while the remaining 20% would be allocated for the city's benefit.

Ye Han scoured the treasure room in search of valuable items but found nothing of significance. Disappointed, he turned his attention to the library, hoping to uncover hidden knowledge.

Yet again, his search proved fruitless, leaving him to ponder whether the people of Glory City truly valued the pursuit of knowledge.

As night descended, everyone retreated to their quarters, seeking solace in the quiet of their thoughts. But with the dawn came an explosive dissemination of grim tidings: the treachery of the Sacred family and the ensuing bloodbath rippled through the populace like wildfire.

From commoners to nobles and aristocrats, disbelief and shock coursed through every stratum of society, sparking fervent discussions and heated debates. The once-revered Sacred family, whose ascent to prominence had been meteoric over three centuries, now stood accused of collusion with the nefarious Dark Guild in a plot to obliterate Glory City.

While the general populace breathed a collective sigh of relief at their demise, certain factions previously aligned with the Sacred family now found themselves gripped by fear, apprehensive of reprisals from the newly minted Legendary City Lord. To allay any misconceptions and salvage their standing, these anxious parties hastened to petition an audience with the City Lord.

Amidst the cacophony of scandalous revelations, another bombshell detonated: news of the theft of the sixteen revered inscription patterns, purportedly crafted by the Sacred family's founding patriarch, reverberated like a death knell, further tarnishing the already besmirched reputation of the once-venerated lineage.

These sixteen patterns had been the linchpin in the Sacred family's elevation from nobility to the echelons of major familial status; their loss now spelt the nadir of the family's standing.

In the swirling maelstrom of gossip and speculation, one name emerged as the beacon of truth and justice: Ye Han. His unmasking of the unholy alliance between the Sacred family and the Dark Guild, coupled with his revelation regarding the stolen inscription patterns, catapulted him into the spotlight as the epitome of heroism and integrity.

For those who had previously harboured doubts about his capabilities, Ye Han's valorous deeds now cemented his status as the undisputed paragon of Glory City. With mastery in alchemy, prodigious cultivation prowess, and burgeoning talent in inscription craft, Ye Han stood peerless, a colossus whose shadow loomed large over both past and present.

Little did the populace know that amidst their discussions, Ye Han was tirelessly at work from dawn till dusk. In his commitment to ensuring the city's peace and safety, he decided to erect a massive inscription array outside the city, encompassing all its borders.

Yet, one array was not enough for Ye Han. He strategically placed multiple arrays to safeguard against both demon beasts and members of the Dark Guild.

As the evening approached, Ye Han's work continued unabated. He moved on to fortifying the city mansion with powerful arrays, leaving no stone unturned in his quest to protect his home.

Only when he had completed his task did Ye Han retreat to his courtyard for a brief respite. After a quick bath and change into formal attire, he prepared to attend the celebration party held in the great hall of the city lord's mansion.

"Perhaps I should also take a look at that array book," Ye Han mused to himself, recalling the Ten Thousand Demon Spirits Array mentioned in the city's history.

The book could be found either in his father's office or with his aunt, he reasoned.

Lost in thoughts of the array's potential benefits, Ye Han arrived at the grand hall, where he was greeted by a sea of familiar and unfamiliar faces.

With the exception of the principals of the Holy Orchid Institute and senior master Alchemists, nearly every individual of high status had gathered for the celebration.

Representatives from all the prominent families were present, including the six noble families—Huyan, Hong Yue, Chu, Ao Cloud, Feng Ming, and Winged Dragon—and the nine aristocratic families—Xiao, Lu, Li Yuan, Tian Ling, Tian Kun, Silver Tiger, TieMen, Heavenly Marks, and Heavenly Soul.

Even the other major and wealthiest Divine family had made an appearance.

Ye Han's sudden arrival drew instant attention.

"Master Ye, it's a pleasure to see you again," greeted Yang Xin, representing the Alchemy Association, with a smile.

"I apologise for not meeting you earlier, Director Xin," replied Ye Han, returning the smile. "I was occupied with other matters and couldn't spare the time."

"No need for apologies, Master Ye," chuckled Yang Xin. "Your recent endeavours have not gone unnoticed by anyone."

Ye Han simply nodded, acknowledging her words with a polite smile.

"Elder brother, you are finally here."