Chapter 307: Three Clans Conspiracy - 02
Li Kaicheng looked at Patriarch Jin.
"Patriarch Jin, once this is all over, you’ll thank me. You might even be grateful that we persuaded you. The Gu Clan certainly has ties to the Upper Realm. We all know that. That’s the only reason the Gu Clan hasn’t been annihilated by Vice Sect Leader Jian."
"But think about it. How long have we heard about the Underworld Palace?" he asked Patriarch Jin.
The question made Patriarch Jin, who was still nervous, stop and think.
"Since..." He paused. "Since the time I started cultivating and learning about world history."
Li Kaicheng nodded before continuing.
"And how long has it been since the Gu Clan’s ancestor ascended to the Immortal Realm?"
"Um... about 500 years?" Patriarch Jin replied, unsure of the exact number.
"562 years, to be exact," Li Kaicheng corrected him before continuing.
"And do you think 500 years would really be enough for a Great Ascension Realm expert to advance beyond the Pseudo Immortal Realm? As far as I know, the so-called genius of Patriarch Gu was supported by cultivation resources large enough to feed an entire sect for more than 100 years. If not, why do you think the Gu Clan hasn’t produced another genius since then?" Li Kaicheng asked.
"You mean... because of the overuse of resources and the wealth accumulated throughout the years, that’s why the Gu Clan can’t produce any more geniuses?" The Jin Clan Patriarch arrived at the conclusion.
"Exactly! And do you know what happened to their current so-called genius?" Li Kaicheng paused, his smile filled with disdain, before continuing.
"He got turned into a eunuch by Young Master Wei! I think this is the end of the Gu Clan, so you don’t need to be nervous at all. This is a very good opportunity for us to gain some favor from the Underworld Palace!"
"The world is about to change. Considering the Underworld Palace’s power, we can’t stop it. So since we can’t stop it, why don’t we join them and secure a front-row seat in the upper hierarchy of the new system?" Li Kaicheng persuaded.
The Jin Clan Patriarch listened to every word, and the more he listened, the more it made sense.
That’s right. If they couldn’t stop the Underworld Palace, why not join them and get on the train of change? They could secure some benefits and obtain a seat in the upper hierarchy of the new world!
"City Lord Li, you’re right! Thank you for enlightening me!" the Jin Clan Patriarch said with a cupped fist.
"Hahahaha! No problem. Just don’t forget our agreement. The garden you promised us!"
"Don’t worry, City Lord Li. We won’t go back on our word!" the Jin Clan Patriarch said with certainty.
— Meanwhile - The Gu Clan —
Within the secret room of the Gu Clan, Gu Tianshan was sitting in the patriarch’s seat at the head of the long table. The table was occupied by his people, loyalists who were ready to support him no matter what.
"Patriarch, I think this is too risky! We all know how powerful the Underworld Palace is. We shouldn’t act recklessly!" one of the elders said with trepidation.
Gu Tianshan smiled. He didn’t seem serious or solemn at all, which greatly startled his supporters.
Could it be... their patriarch had finally snapped and his brain suddenly wasn’t working as it should?
That was what all the elders were thinking.
At this time, Gu Tianshan finally spoke.
"Of course I know how powerful the Underworld Palace is. That’s why... we’re going to act righteously and expose the evil plan of those two clans, the Li Clan and the Jin Clan."
"What!?" The elders all blurted out at the same time, as if they couldn’t believe their ears.
"But this... this...."
Gu Tianshan smirked.
"This what? This is the most profitable solution! Think about it. We are just a normal clan, yet we have a connection with the Upper Realm. Do you think the Underworld Palace doesn’t have one? I’m sure they do, and their connection is definitely more powerful than our ancestor’s!" Gu Tianshan said without the slightest regard for their ancestor.
"But this... this is betrayal! Our ancestor...."
"No, Elder! If we follow our ancestor and that old eunuch, Gu Tianhe, our Gu Clan will be finished! Do you think I gained this patriarch position because Gu Tianhe gave it to me out of the goodness of his heart? No! He gave it to me because he had no choice!"
"He had already become an eunuch, and his potential had been exhausted long ago. Whether he can even come out of his secluded cultivation alive is still questionable. I won’t let our Gu Clan die with him!" Gu Tianshan vented all of his pent-up anger before continuing.
"And honestly... do you think our ancestor in the Immortal Realm holds our clan in high regard? No! Eighty percent of the cultivation resources we acquire have to be sent to the Immortal Realm so that he can burn through all of them just to maintain his cultivation!"
He slammed his hand onto the table, splitting it in half as he continued.
"Because of his recklessness in his youth, his cultivation foundation was shaky at best and on the verge of collapse at worst! He didn’t cultivate through comprehension or temper himself through his Dao heart. It was nothing but the consumption of resources that drove him to ascend. And now, he has to maintain that shaky foundation, and the ones who pay the price are us! The people in the Lower Realm!"
Gu Tianshan spoke loudly, venting all of his frustration before slowly regaining control over his emotions.
"At this rate... the Gu Clan will never rise again.... Are you with me, Elders?" Gu Tianshan asked as he looked at all of his die-hard supporters.
The elders looked at each other, then nodded.
"Absolutely, Patriarch... We will follow your lead. We are too fed up with the status quo of the clan. But..." one of the elders whispered as he looked left and right, as if afraid that the walls might have ears. "Gu Tianhe still has many supporters. What should we do about them?"
Gu Tianshan’s eyes suddenly grew cold. He then made a gesture across his neck, making it clear that he had no need for those people in his plan.
"It shall be done, Patriarch!" said the elder.