Rise of the Wang Clan: Starting with a Portable Farm

Chapter 164: Ji Shuguang’s Reaction

Gu Liyong sobbed as he spoke.

“Two days ago, Lei Liheng brought five Foundation Establishment cultivators and more than thirty late-stage Qi Refining cultivators to Red Maple Lake. I don’t know what they used, but they opened a gap in the formation in less than fifteen minutes. Once inside, they killed everyone they saw. Big Brother, Red Maple Lake is gone!”

“What? How could this happen? Eight hundred years of our ancestors’ work…”

Gu Lizhan was so overcome that he spat blood. His vision went dark, the world spun, and he collapsed.

“Elder Brother!”

“Brother Gu!”

Gu Liyong and the others hurried to support him. The tournament could not continue.

Ye Jingshan told his stewards to disperse the disciples.

The family heads carried Gu Lizhan into the council hall.

Gu Lizhan lay on a bed, his face deathly pale.

Ji Shuguang had a Wood Spiritual Root and was especially skilled at healing. He personally helped steady Gu Lizhan’s disordered True Essence.

Gu Lizhan slowly opened his eyes.

He seized Gu Liyong’s hand.

“You’re a Foundation Establishment cultivator! Why did you flee instead of defending our family?”

“B-Big Brother! I did exchange a few blows with Lei Liheng. But he’s at the peak Foundation Establishment stage, and I couldn’t beat him. I took some family texts with me so part of our inheritance would survive, and I came to warn you!”

“Useless!”

Gu Lizhan slapped him. If he had time to collect texts after being wounded, perhaps he had intended to flee from the start and traded a few blows only so he could say he had fought.

Gu Liyong fell to the floor and lay there crying.

A Foundation Establishment cultivator so afraid for his life and so willing to lose face was a rare sight.

“Brother Gu, mind your health,” Ye Jingshan said. “We won’t forget what Green Bull Market has done. We’ll help you avenge it.”

Ji Shuguang pointed at Gu Liyong.

“Your brother isn’t lying. His injuries are serious, and fleeing was the right choice. Otherwise we might not even know what happened.”

“The Green Bull Market families dared cross the border and attack us. They have no respect for me!”

He struck the table hard.

Gu Lizhan calmed down. Red Maple Lake was lost, and beating Gu Liyong would not change that. Ji Shuguang had spoken, and the Gu family would need the Burning Heaven Sect’s support to rebuild. He could not offend the elder who oversaw Maple Leaf Market matters.

Gu Lizhan struggled up and bowed solemnly.

“Brother Gu, what are you doing? Get up!”

“Everyone, the people from Green Bull Market reached Red Maple Lake only two days ago. They may still be gathering our resources. Our family has two other spiritual mountains, and I fear they’ll attack those as well…”

He closed his eyes. Tears ran down his cheeks. After a moment, he continued.

“Please set out at once and stop Lei Liheng. I would be deeply grateful.”

Gu Lizhan knelt.

“Brother Gu, please get up,” Ye Jingshan and the others urged as they helped him.

Gu Lizhan bowed his head again. “Please agree!”

They all looked at Ji Shuguang. With the war approaching, helping the Gu family could complicate their plans. Only he could decide.

Ji Shuguang considered it.

“Family Head Gu, get up. I agree to lead the Foundation Establishment cultivators to your family’s aid.”

“Thank you, Elder Ji!” Gu Lizhan bowed once more, rose quickly, and urged them to depart.

Ji Shuguang frowned. He understood Gu Lizhan’s distress, but resented him directing the others.

“Family Head Gu, let us discuss the situation first. If we fall into a trap by rushing out, will you take responsibility?”

Gu Lizhan struggled with himself, then yielded under Ji Shuguang’s cold gaze.

“I’ll follow your decision, Elder Ji.”

“Good. Speak briefly, everyone, and we’ll move soon.”

Ji Shuguang would not press the point. The Gu family was still useful; its two Foundation Establishment cultivators would fight even harder against Green Bull Market now.

“Elder Ji, I think Green Bull Market learned of our plan and struck first to reduce the pressure it would face later,” Ye Jingshan said.

“If the Zhao, Lei, and Cheng families came, the Wangs and Lis probably did too,” Xu Minglang said. “I fear Brother Gu’s other two mountains…”

Gu Lizhan remained silent. His nails dug into his palms and blood dripped onto the floor.

He Junyi stroked his beard, then looked alarmed. “After taking the Gu family so easily, they may not withdraw. Our families could be in danger too!”

Everyone was frightened by the thought.

The family heads and some of their strongest young members were all at Double Dragon Mountain. Their homes were poorly defended. If Green Bull Market gathered ten Foundation Establishment cultivators, no single family could hold them off.

Ji Shuguang grew anxious too.

Losing only the Gu family would not disrupt the plan much. But if the other families were attacked, the assault on Green Bull Market might collapse, and Ji Shuguang would be held responsible by his sect.

“Which family is closest to the Gu family?” he asked.

“The Sis,” Ye Jingshan said. “They have only two Foundation Establishment cultivators. Even if Si Zhijie were there, they might not hold out.”

Ye Jingshan could remain calm because ten Foundation Establishment cultivators had gathered at his home. Lei Liheng would hardly attack the Ye family now.

“Then we go to the Si family at once,” Ji Shuguang decided.

“Elder Ji?” Gu Lizhan asked. “What about my family?”

Ji Shuguang grew cold again.

“Family Head Gu, two days have passed, and reaching your family would take us two more. If you led ten Foundation Establishment cultivators, couldn’t you take two second-grade mountains in that time? Does your family still have several Foundation Establishment cultivators defending them?”

Gu Lizhan wanted to protest, but Ji Shuguang did not let him.

“You may take your own people home if you wish. I won’t stop you. But I must consider the larger situation.”

“Your family still has two Foundation Establishment cultivators and dozens of core disciples. Win the war against Green Bull Market and you can rebuild. Act on emotion now, and you may lose any chance. Think it over.”

Ji Shuguang turned to the other family heads.

“I know you’re worried about your homes. But the enemy cannot cover the distance to your territories this quickly. Going to the Si family and stopping them there is our best course. Any objections?”

They looked at one another, then nodded.

“Then we leave at once. Send word to your families to strengthen their defenses,” Ji Shuguang said.