A Third Jade {Mo Dao Zu Shi}

♬Chapter 23♬

At the Cloud Recesses, Lan Qiren was holding a meeting about their plan to exterminate the Qishan Wen Clan.

Qiren started the meeting, "Everyone. Qishan Wen Clan has oppressed us to this state. And you still want to watch by the sidelines while others burn? Guarding against the fire, lest it burn onto yourself?"

The other clans leaders looked at each other, "Sir Lan. Since we are all here. Of course we earnestly want to discuss this matter. However..."

"Clan Leader Jin, would you like to share your wise idea?" Qiren asked Guangshan, "Not some wise idea. Just that in my humble thought, attacking the Wens rashly this time is rather inappropriate" Jin Guangshan answered with a smile.

"Exactly. Now there is still room for negotiation"

"If we really provoke Wen Ruohan, then the way for retreat might be totally gone"

"Where is the room for negotiation? Where is the way for retreat? Surrender our shield formation and magic treasures, then drag out a feeble existence in the Supervisory Offices?!" Qiren angrily asked.

Someone started laughing and Qiren turned around and to see Mingjue, "Forgive my frankness. Once you surrender your weapons, in Wen Ruohan's eyes, you are no different from livestock waiting to be slaughtered!"

"You!"

"Everyone please calm down" Guangshan let out a nervous chuckle before he continued, "What I mean is that don't contend against brute force using the same. Qingheng-Jun was highly skilled in formidable arts. Gusu Lan Clan ranks top tier among cultivation clans. But look at the results"

"Thank you Clan Leader Jin for your acknowledgement of our clan's strength. But I believe that the gap in strengths is not an excuse for retreating from an enemy"

Everyone was shocked to see Xichen, Qiren was happy to see his oldest back.

"According to Clan Leader Jin, Lanling Jin Clan is prepared to surrender without a fight?"

"Well..." Guangshan didn't have a counterargument against Xichen, so he stayed quiet.

Xichen bowed to his uncle, "Greetings to uncle. Greetings to all Clan Leaders"

"Xichen. I have received news of your return for quite a while. Why did you show up this late?" Qiren asked, "I made a detour to handle some affairs, therefore I was late. Sorry to have made you worry" Xichen answered, "All's well as long as you're back. This few months must have been hard for you" Qiren said.

"While I was away during these few months, it must have been hard for uncle instead" Xichen said.

"Young Master Lan. You can speak of it with ease. But looks at Yunmeng Jiang Clan. Resisting rashly brought it to such an end!" A clan leader argued.

"Just because it's a long shot, you'd rather be Qishan Wen Clan's lackeys?" Everyone suddenly noticed the hooded figure next to Xichen.

"Who?!"

The hooded person took off their disguise and it was Jiang Cheng.

"Jiang Kid?!"

"Of course you'd say that. Yunmeng Jiang Clan is no more, but I still have the lives of my whole clan on my shoulders" that same clan leader boasted. Jiang Cheng smirked, "That's right. Everyone has different priorities. Perhaps Clan Leader Yao wouldn't mind even if his clan were forced into slavery and prostitution. Being worked like dogs and treated like dirt! It doesn't matter as long as they are alive"