Chapter 1712: Making The Choice
In the Hu Clan’s meeting hall in the Black Tiger Gang, several people were present. The age of these people seemed to be high. The one in the head position had white hair and beard. However, he still had a high-spirited aura. Now that he was old, he gave the feeling of an old attractive man. One could see that he should be quite attractive when he was young. This person was the Hu Clan’s Patriarch Hu Liangchen.
The cultivation method of the Hu Clan was a double cultivation method. This method was generally practiced by a man and a woman. Once they practice, this pair would live and die together. Their minds were also connected. It was an overbearing method.
Because of this cultivation method, the males of the Hu Clan were very charming while the women were very beautiful. They were a family of rare good-looking men and women.
The Hu Clan’s method wasn’t only useful to the people of their own clan. No matter what person you are, as long as you perform double cultivation with someone from the Hu Clan, you would benefit a lot. So every time a Hu Clan member was ripe for marriage, outsiders would use all they had to get them.
However, the Hu Clan has its own marriage procedures. Even if there were marriages from outside, they would be marrying into the Hu Clan and not the other way around. The Hu Clan would never reveal their double cultivation method to an outsider.
It was also because of their cultivation method that the Hu Clan was difficult to deal with. Since they battle in pairs, they would never separate even if they were against one or even ten people.
The Hu Clan’s Patriarch Hu Liangchen was a Transcending Tribulation Expert. Since this is the case, this meant that his wife was also at the Transcending Tribulation Stage. This was the reason people dreaded the Hu Clan.
Naturally, Hu Liangchen was most famous not for his cultivation speed. To be honest, his cultivation speed was average within the Hu Clan. He wasn’t a cultivation genius. What Hu Lianchen was famous for was his resourcefulness. He was called the wise man of the Black Tiger Gang. One could see from this point how resourceful he was.
But now, the wise man of the Black Tiger Gang was frowning. He has a worried expression on his face. The reason for this was Zhang Feng’s recent actions.
Zhang Feng expanded his base and absorbed many young talents of the Black Tiger Gang. Tie Zhantian even sent Tie Ying and the others to join. This caused Hu Liangchen to feel a sense of crisis.
At first, when Zhang Feng was given the power to expand his base, Hu Liangchen didn’t think much of it. After all, he knew how much resources Zhang Feng had in hand. Even if he wanted to greatly expand, it would be impossible.
Hu Liangchen didn’t expect Zhang Feng to actually have the resources to expand his powerbase. He initially thought that Tie Zhantian gave Zhang Feng money. Therefore, he immediately issued an audit. Once he discovers that Tie Zhantian has diverted public funds, he would immediately chase Tie Zhantian off from his position.
In conclusion, Hu Liangchen’s plan blew up on his face. Not only did they fail to grasp Tie Zhantian’s weakness, they also gave Tie Zhantian the opportunity to fight back. This caused the major families to suffer heavy losses.
What worried him even more was the lack of information from the Wandering Soul Group team that was sent to attack Zhang Feng. This caused him to have an ominous feeling.
He made an agreement with the people from the Wandering Soul Group. They would attack Zhang Feng after he leaves to the life and death arena. However, Zhang Feng returned safely and he even brought a slot for the new foreign trial. Hu Liangchen thought that the Wandering Soul Group didn’t take action against Zhang Feng because of the new foreign trial. But later he found out that this was wrong. This was because there was news that the Wandering Soul Group partic.i.p.ated in the compet.i.tion for the slots. It was abnormal for these people to not return to the Wandering Soul Group.
When Hu Liangchen heard this, his first instinct was that it wasn’t good. If the people from the Wandering Soul Group didn’t return, then that only meant one thing. They suffered an accident. And this accident has something to do with Zhang Feng!
The Wandering Soul Group’s cultivators did attack Zhang Feng. But what happened next explained one thing, they had been killed by Zhang Feng.
Although he had reached a conclusion, Hu Liangchen wasn’t happy at all. He knew clearly that the Wandering Soul Group weren’t reasonable people. The moment they cooperated with the Wandering Soul Group, they were trying to skin a tiger alive. Hu Liangchen was aware that the Wandering Soul Group had been looking for excuses to control the Hu Clan, but he was able to use various means to block them.
The loss of the Wandering Soul Group’s people wasn’t good news for Hu Liangchen. The Wandering Soul Group absolutely won’t let Zhang Feng off. After all, although there was no evidence, Zhang Feng was the main reason for their disappearance.
At the same time, The Wandering Soul Group wouldn’t let Hu Liangchen off. The Wandering Soul Group had always been looking for reasons to take control of the Hu Clan. And now an opportunity has arrived. If the Wandering Soul Group let go of this chance, then they would no longer be the Wandering Soul Group.
And just as expected, the Wandering Soul Group were now exerting pressure on him. If he didn’t handle it well, the people of the Wandering Soul Group would eat him up.
Hu Liangchen knew clearly who he was in the heart of the Wandering Soul Group. He was just a dog in their eyes, a dog that has betrayed its original owner. The Wandering Soul Group needs a dog like him to bite the Black Tiger Gang and make it weak. If the dog was disobedient, the Wandering Soul Group would definitely punish it. This was because the Wandering Soul Group doesn’t need a disobedient dog.
After being silent for some time, Hu Liangchen looked at the others and said, “Everyone, you should be aware of the current situation. The Wandering Soul Group is forcing our hand. Tell me about your thoughts.”
Sitting with him were heads of the major families in the Black Tiger Gang. It can be said that they represented the majority of the Black Tiger Gang’s strength. If they really joined the Wandering Soul Group, the Black Tiger Gang would definitely crumble.
Although these families usually follow the Hu Clan’s lead, they were still in an alliance in the end. Therefore, at this time, Hu Liangchen asked for their thoughts.
The people from the major families were silent. n.o.body spoke as they lowered their heads. It was as if they had endless worries.
Seeing their appearance, Hu Liangchen couldn’t help but get angry. He added, “We asked the Wandering Soul Group to deal with Zhang Feng. I’m afraid we’re already exposed. The Wandering Soul Group wouldn’t let us off. At the same time, Zhang Feng’s group wouldn’t just let this matter go. Everyone, it’s time to make up your mind. Do we cut our ties with the Wandering Soul Group and be good members of the Black Tiger Gang, or to betray the Black Tiger Gang and become members of the Wandering Soul Group. Everyone, you need to make a decision.”
These family Patriarchs couldn’t help but shake. They didn’t think that they would reach this situation. It seems like the Wandering Soul Group has made their preparations. To be honest, they weren’t prepared. They didn’t know what choice to make.
They might have fought against Tie Zhantian all these years, but all of it was internal fighting. Although they borrowed the Wandering Soul Group’s strength, it was no more than hiring mercenaries to do dirty work. They didn’t want to join the Wandering Soul Group and help them destroy the Black Tiger Gang.
These heads of the major families weren’t idiots. They knew that the Wandering Soul Group was polite to them because they were members of the Black Tiger Gang. But once they join the Wandering Soul Group, would they still be valued?
The Wandering Soul Group also had their own powerful families. If they take refuge in the Wandering Soul Group, would these powerful families allow them to hold onto their power? At that time, they would definitely be in conflict.
Once the major families of the Black Tiger Gang join the Wandering Soul Group, they would not be trusted by the sect. After all, they were traitors. The Wandering Soul Group would definitely be wary of them and try to reduce their strength as much as possible. When the time comes, could they still guarantee that they would have the same status?
Moreover, the Black Tiger Gang’s domain wasn’t any smaller than the Wandering Soul Group. These established powers inside the Wandering Soul Gang wouldn’t let such a fat piece of meat off. But at the same time, the major families of the Black Tiger Gang wouldn’t just let go of their benefits. A conflict was going to occur.
But at that time, there would no longer be a Black Tiger Gang to back the major families up. If they fought back, they would go against the entire Wandering Soul Group. The final result would certainly be ugly for them.
If they don’t join the Wandering Soul Group, then they must cooperate with Tie Zhantian and make preparations to deal with the Wandering Soul Group. But if they work with Tie Zhantian, they would have to give up on some benefits and powers to save themselves. But they can still save themselves and their families’ interests.
After all, they were still people of the Black Tiger Gang. They were deep-rooted in the sect. They were very familiar with the Black Tiger Gang. Even if they give away their benefits, they can still live leisurely in the sect.
Therefore, staying in the Black Tiger Gang and giving up some benefits was the best choice for them. The only uncertain thing about this was Tie Zhantian’s att.i.tude towards them.
All of the heads present have thought about this, including Hu Liangchen. They just didn’t express their opinion since they don’t know what the others think.
Hu Liangchen was about to speak when the Patriarch of the Si Clan suddenly opened his mouth and said, “Since n.o.body wants to talk, I want to say a few words. Our Si Family doesn’t agree to joining the Wandering Soul Group. We’re still very strong on our own. We can talk to Tie Zhantian about this situation. Although he has a lot of sinister means, he’s a body cultivator in the end. He solves things in a straightforward manner. Now that the attack of the Wandering Soul Group is coming, we would still be members of the Black Tiger Gang if Tie Zhantian agrees. However, we should present our conditions. We’ll weaken our power, but he shouldn’t suppress us too much. If he disagrees, then that would be another matter to be discussed.”
The Si Patriarch’s response caused the others to give their own responses. They approved the Si Patriarch’s plan. To be honest, they wanted to keep their position as major families in the Black Tiger Gang. They didn’t want to become dogs under the Wandering Soul Group.
Hu Liangchen looked at everyone and understood their thoughts. But he gave them a test, “Everyone, you should know that discussing betrayal to Tie Zhantian wouldn’t be easy. Don’t forget how many conflicts we had with him over the years. Even if he doesn’t suppress us now, what about later?” Hu Liangcheng observed their responses and saw the Patriarchs frowning. There was only one person who didn’t seem bothered by it. Hu Liangchen immediately noticed who it was, it was the Ma Clan’s Patriarch, Ma Feng!
The Ma Clan can only be regarded as a middle-cla.s.s family in the Black Tiger Gang. However, their rise was faster among those present. When they rose up, they took refuge under the Hu Faction. Also, their rise was directly linked to the Wandering Soul Group. It can be said that the Ma Clan has the closest relations.h.i.+p to the Wandering Soul Group among all the families under the Hu Clan. Hu Liangchen suspected that the Ma Clan might be a p.a.w.n arranged by the Wandering Soul Group to help the Hu Clan. Now, it seems like this suspicion was true.
Hu Liangchen’s eyes twinkled. He set a firm resolve as he looked at everyone and said, “What do you think?”
At this time, the Ma Patriarch looked at everyone and said, “Everyone, you need to think this through. Tie Zhantian is not a saint. If he really deals with us later on, what can we do? Do we just allow ourselves to be suppressed? However, the same might not be the case with the Wandering Soul Group. Collectively, we hold great strength. The Wandering Soul Group would definitely treat us well. Not only would we enjoy glory and fame, our families would also be prosperous for a long time.”
After Ma Feng finished speaking, the expressions of the patriarchs changed. Ma Feng thought that he had convinced everyone, so he continued, “Everyone, the Wandering Soul Group already gave us a guarantee. The Wandering Soul Group certainly wouldn’t treat us unjustly. If we don’t go to them and wait for the Wandering Soul Group, we would be burning jade in exchange for common stone.”
The expressions of the patriarchs continued to change. Killing intent flashed through their eyes. Seeing this Hu Liangchen knew that this was a crucial moment. He immediately said, “Everyone, this isn’t something we can decide immediately. Please return to your families and discuss it with your members. What do you think?”
The patriarchs nodded as they stood up. At this time, Hu Liangchen stopped Ma Feng, “Brother Ma, please remain behind. I have something to tell you.”
When Ma Feng heard this, his expression lit up as he nodded and remained. The other patriarchs didn’t say anything as they all turned around and left.