Chapter 1111, Coming for the Sacred Yei Family

Translator: Silavin

 

The figure wore crimson leather armour and crouched amongst the dark branches of the canopy. He was naturally conspicuous against the blackness of the wood. Yet, his presence had been so thoroughly suppressed that no one would have noticed he was there at all. Of course, that was had he not laughed and drawn their attention.

 

Even now that he had dropped his Concealment, not a breath of aura escaped him, which suggested he possessed some form of extraordinarily powerful Passive, which continued to mask him. It was easy to imagine that, should he choose to assassinate someone, even a Sixth Profession Player would find it nearly impossible to guard against.

 

This was a genuine expert.

 

The fury in Situ Ying’s chest began to cool, giving way to an acute and careful wariness of this individual. The other Situ Family members reached for their weapons as well, their vigilance high. They needed to uncover who this person was, and why he had ambushed their Sacred Ship.

 

Situ Ying cleared his throat. His voice low and measured. “Would this distinguished Sir care to identify yourself? Do you have some grievances with my Situ Family? I am an Elder of the Situ Family. I have never seen you before, so this might all be some kind of misunderstanding?”

 

“Misunderstanding?” The young man gave a short, amused laugh, then dropped lightly from the branch, landing on the ground without a sound.

 

“I came here specifically for your Situ Family. What kind of misunderstanding could there be?” Situ Ying drew his longsword, settling into a ready stance. “If there is no misunderstanding, then what grievances do you have with us?”

 

“No grievance.” The young man replied, shaking his head with complete calm. “None at all.”

 

Situ Ying’s brow furrowed.

 

He knew they were from the Situ Family and attacked anyway. Yet, he personally admitted they had no grievance. That meant that the man was not here for revenge, but for provocation. People of this sort were always the most difficult to reason with. If there were some existing dispute, the other party might at least have an objective, something to negotiate around. But if the intent was simply to kill or to plunder, then negotiation had any meaning whatsoever. Such a person would never show themselves with the intent to resolve matters peacefully.

 

“In that case,” Situ Ying said, his eyes narrowing slightly as he activated his Detection Skill to probe the man’s Level and Profession. “You came for the goods aboard our Sacred Ship?”

 

Situ Ying’s Detection Skill spread out. However, something about the man seemed to negate his Detection Skill, revealing nothing. It could be his equipment or Skill, or maybe a combination of the two. Either way, no information could be drawn from him.

 

Even so, from the fact that the Sacred Ship had been struck twice and immediately broken apart, Situ Ying could tell that the man’s Combat Power was far from ordinary. Even if Situ Ying tried to do it himself, he could not guarantee bringing down his own Sacred Ship with just two Skills.

 

Meanwhile, the man sensed the probing attempt but did not seem the least bit concerned. There was not even a flicker of reaction. He was clearly aware from the start that the Skill would reveal nothing.

 

He considered for a moment, then openly said. “Goods? In a sense, yes. The things you’re delivering to the Sacred Yei Family are indeed of considerable value. After I kill you all, I’ll definitely take them back with me. But to say I came purely for that would be wrong. What I’m really here for is the Sacred Yei Family.”

 

“The Sacred Land needs those goods of yours to complete the construction of an Array. I cannot allow that Array to be completed, so here I am.” A faint smile spread across his face even as his words took on an oddly charitable tone. “Don’t blame me. There is truly no enmity between us. If you must blame something, blame your misfortune to be the ones escorting this shipment.”

 

[He is after the Sacred Yei Family!?] Something lurched in Situ Ying’s chest.

 

The Sacred Yei Family was a Sacred Land. Its might was incomparably beyond anything even an Ancient Noble Family of Supreme Tier could muster. That this man, knowing full well that the goods were destined for the Sacred Yei Family, still dared to intercept and seize them… that was someone with absolutely no fear of standing against a Sacred Land.

 

The Force behind him must not be small

 

At the very least, only a Force at the level on par with a Sacred Land could provide the backing necessary for someone to do something like this.

 

A confrontation on that scale was already beyond anything the Situ Family could involve themselves in.

 

No matter how desperately Situ Ying wanted to tear apart the man who had killed his Nephew, he still kept his logical mind.

 

After a moment’s consideration, he steadily said. “If this concerns the Sacred Yei Family, then we concede. Take everything on board. We will not resist.”

 

Beside him, a young Situ Family member immediately grew agitated, dropping his voice to a fierce whisper. “Uncle! We can’t just do that! If he takes everything, how are we going to explain ourselves when we get back? How will the Situ Family explain to the Sacred Yei Family?”

 

Another person chimed in. “Exactly! I think that man is bluffing. We should take him down and deliver him to the Sacred Yei Family ourselves. Our Situ Family is a Supreme Tier Ancient Noble Family. We also have the Sacred Yei Family behind us. Even other Supreme Tier Ancient Noble Families show us nothing but respect and deference when they see us. Even if it were another Sacred Land, wanting to wipe us out, they would have to think about whether the Sacred Yei Family would permit it first. On what grounds must we hand over all these goods just because he says so!?”

 

The others echoed in agreement; none were willing to let the goods go without a fight.

 

Situ Ying had little patience for it. He gave a sharp rebuke. “All of you, shut up! This is my decision! You are not allowed to question it!”

 

The younger generation fell silent immediately.

 

Situ Ying had not exchanged blows with the man, and could not see his Attributes or Level. The possibility that the man was putting on an act did exist. But anyone capable of sinking a Sacred Ship from the Situ Family must have the Damage Output to back it up. This was no small matter. The probability was high that this man’s strength far exceeded that of anyone here.

 

Rather than gamble on that uncertain outcome, Situ Ying’s priority was to preserve as many lives as possible.

 

He turned back to the crimson armoured young man. “What do you say? If you agree, we will leave right now.”

 

The crimson armoured young man laughed, and after a long moment he nodded. “Worthy of being one of the key figures within the Situ Family. You are truly perceptive. I might not know who you are, but your composure puts most people to shame. No wonder the Sacred Yei Family chose to take your Situ Family under their wing. Not bad, not bad at all. Given a few hundred years, with more people of your calibre, the Situ Family might well become a Sacred Land in its own right.”

 

Then, without warning, his tone shifted, dropping to something much colder. “But, simply walking away from here is not an option for you. Since I’m going to make an enemy of the Sacred Yei Family, why would I show any restraint?”

 

“Never mind that you’re merely members of the Situ Family, if you were Sacred Yei Family members themselves, I would kill you all just the same.”