Chapter 174: White Bamboo Sect

"We have spotted a large number of people heading in our direction"

"People?"

"Yes, people wearing white robes. Amira described them as the same as the one who grabbed her friends"

Xing Cai and Sofia quickly stopped their conversation as they focused their attention on Tilly's report.

"White robes?", Xing Cai placed her hand on her chin, "Could it be the White Bamboo sect? What could they want?"

"I heard there has been an internal feud going between the secondary branches and the Heaven Bamboo sect for quite a long time now", Cha Jin-ri slowly made her way to the window, "They are here to cause trouble"

Hearing Jin-ri's words, Xing Cai could not help but take a long sigh, "Even with the Heaven Bamboo sect out of the picture, they are still making trouble for us"

The group really was not thinking that the White Bamboo sect would launch an attack now of all times. They didn't take that into account when they were planning the raid on the Heaven Bamboo sect.

What should they even do now? Fight again?

But wait, if they were launching an attack, they should have already rammed through the gates already.

Could it be they were here to…

"Could they be issuing a duel?", Xing Cai muttered as she narrowed her eyebrows. The Golden Pavilion also had secondary branches. And from time to time, those branches gather up the courage and initiate a challenge to the main branch for a right to be at the top.

"Does it really matter?", Jin-ri sighed as she stared at the cloud of dirt that the steps of the White Bamboo sect were causing, "They are here now, we're going to deal with them one way or another"

"Let's go--"

"Wait"

Before Jin-ri could finish her words, Viel got up from the sofa. "I will go and talk to them", he said, "It is my responsibility as the Lord of Xingcai city. Also, they are our first visitors, let us welcome them properly"

"..."

Jin-ri, Sofia, and Xing Cai all looked at each other, their eyebrows raised. And, after a while, Sofia spoke up. "Then let me come with you, every great leader needs to have an adviser by his side", she said.

Hearing this, Viel squinted his eyes and placed his hand on his chin, seriously deliberating Sofia's words. Since Sofia was a princess, her words should have merit, Viel thought. Maybe having her by his side was not a bad idea.

"Alright", Viel nodded his head. He then flicked his hair as he walked towards the door, "Let's go, my minions!", he then flapped and wore his red cape, which came out of nowhere.

"Would… it really be alright?", Jin-ri could not help but release a deep sigh as he looked at Viel's back disappearing by the closing of the door.

"Of course not", Xing Cai shook her head, "Let's go watch from the sides"

***

"Come out of there!"

"Let us settle this once and for all!"

"We are the ones who deserve to be the main branch!"

Numerous disciples of the White Bamboo sect were shouting and hurling words towards the gate as they waited for it to open. Their sect master, Ma Ling, had a satisfied expression on his face as he stood valiantly in front of the gate.

Today was the day, he thought. Today was the day that they would rise to the top and replace the Heaven Bamboo sect as the main branch. He could not wait to see the look on the Heaven Bamboo's sect master once he obliterated them.

They have been foiling their operations for a while now. Heaven Bamboo sect has been trafficking drifter children, and they hinder it and take the children away so that they could not gather any more members.

So right now, he was sure of it-- the Heaven Bamboo sect was at its weakest!

And finally, as sect master Ma Ling was lost in thought, the gates finally opened.

"We have come here to--"

"You dare!?"

Before sect master Ma Ling could announce his words, a loud voice reverberated from the other side of the gates.

"Who dares to disturb the peace of Xingcai city!?"

The gates slowly opened, revealing the source of the majestic voice-- Viel.

"...A kid?"

Sect master Ma Ling's bewildered face could not be painted as he looked at the golden-haired kid in front of him, his red cape being fluttered in the air by the girl beside him.

"What is… going on?", sect master Ma Ling blinked his eyes numerous times as he muttered his words.

"What is your purpose for bringing an army to our beautiful Xingcai city, peasant?", the golden-haired boy said as he waved his hand gallantly.

"Xingcai City?", sect master Ma Ling could not help but scratch his chin as his confusion grew by the second, "This is not the Heaven Bamboo sect?", he then asked.

"No", the golden-haired kid crossed his arms, "As I said, this is the new peaceful and beautiful ancient city of Xingcai!"

"I… I see", sect master Ma Ling could only look to his elders and nod. Signaling for them to move out, "Let's go, it seems we have come to the wrong place", he said.

The disciples started to disperse as the elders ordered them to march back one by one. However, before they can take their 15th step, sect master Ma Ling shouted.

"This is the Heaven Bamboo sect!", he hollered as he ran back towards the gates, which were now slowly shutting close, "You dare trick me!?"

With him coming back, the gates once again slowly opened.

"What do you want now?", there was visible irritation in Viel's tone.

"Tell the Heaven Bamboo sect master to come out now or we will destroy your gates!", sect master Ma Ling threatened as he summoned his weapon. His elders, who were beside him, also drew out their weapons as they all pointed towards Viel.

"Tch", Viel could not help but click his tongue as he saw the weapons pointed at him, "I told you, this is Xingcai city...

...and those who draw their weapons towards us will suffer the same fate as the Heaven Bamboo sect!"