The moment the patriarch realized the gravity of the situation, a deep chill arose in his heart. He knew that the Wang Clan would not survive this disaster no matter what.
He also realized that the power structure of the city would undergo a huge change after today. The City Lord had been waiting for such an opportunity. He would never let go of this. The City Lord's office and the Ling Clan would surely swallow the power that was in the hands of the Wang Clan. It would in turn pressure other big clans present in the city.
The Wang Clan Patriarch also realized that the other clans will not have a good time in the city after this. More and more power would be swallowed and the clans would eventually bend and pay allegiance to the City Lord. The earlier balance and checks present in the city would be gone and the City Lord would become the undisputed despot of this city.
However, none of this had anything to do with him. His clan was going to end today. There was no other recourse. Fortunately, he sent away some members of the clan earlier and his Wang Clan would not be exterminated completely. He could only leave the revival of the clan to his son who was currently practicing in the Iron Mountain Sect.
But, before his Wang Clan was removed, he wanted the enemies of the clan to pay some prize as well. He wouldn't be able to do anything to the City Lord. But, this madman in front of him was different.
He was the reason for this calamity. The patriarch didn't know whether this man was instructed by the City Lord to take revenge or he came over voluntarily. He didn't care about the details behind it much. It didn't matter if there was collusion between the City Lord and this madman.
Now that his clan was facing disaster, he wanted to drag this madman with his clan to hell. Since there was no hope for the survival of his clan, then there was nothing else to be done. He could only make sure that the attacker of the clan will be dead along with them.
Cold light shone in the patriarch's eyes as he stared at Duncan murderously.
*****
In the City Lord's Mansion…
A woman who was dressed in exquisitely embroidered robes stood on the balcony and stared at the commotion in the distance. From where she stood, she had a clear view of the battle that was going on in the distance.
Just then, one of the servants in the City Lord's mansion walked urgently to her and whispered something in her ears. The woman's eyebrows rose and a mocking smile appeared on her face.
"Bring him here," the woman ordered nonchalantly.
The servant bowed and retreated. Soon, a middle-aged man with a steady temperament walked towards her under the guidance of the servant. Looking at the young woman who looked to be in her twenties, the man's emotions were complicated.
"Madam Ling Yue," the man greeted stiffly.
"You are wondering why the City Lord had ordered you to wait for a while before acting," Ling Yue spoke without even turning to look.
The man remained silent.
"Captain, as a member of the City Lord's office, you need to understand a very important thing. Your responsibility is to act as the City Lord ordered. Not to complain or wonder about the reasons behind his order," Ling Yue turned around and looked at him with a small smile.
The man's eyes narrowed.
"Forgive me Madam, but as the Captain of the City Guard, one of my responsibilities is to maintain the order in the city. Such a blatant disruption of peace should be dealt with promptly," the Captain insisted.
"Heh, Captain, you are still naïve," Ling Yue chuckled. "This world isn't fair. Talking about fairness and justice is moot. The strong determine what fairness and justice are."
"Ling Yue," the Captain said agitatedly. "What happened to you? You were not like this before."
Ling Yue turned and faced him fully. There was a nostalgic look in her eyes. But, it only lasted for a few seconds. It was gone immediately. A cold look replaced nostalgia as she snorted.
"Don't you know what happened to me? Why are you asking me?" Ling Yue said in a frosty tone.
"I admit what happened to you was unfair. But, that is no reason for you to behave like this. I have watched you grow up. However, I don't even recognize the woman in front of me now. No matter how unfair this world has treated you, there is no reason to watch the death of a whole clan from the sidelines," the Captain implored.
"Ha ha ha… clans… what a funny thing! So what if the Wang Clan got exterminated? What does it have to do with me? When I was in despair did the Wang Clan help me?" Ling Yue sneered.
"Ling Yue, what happened to you was an internal matter. No other clan could interfere in other clan's internal affairs. There is no need to blame the Wang Clan or the other clans for what happened to you. I implore you, kindly inform the City Lord of the situation. This is not good for the city."
"He he… why should I implore the City Lord? Furthermore, do you think the City Lord doesn't know already? Your orders came directly from the City Lord. It is just that you are not willing to obey it and are begging me to intercede."
"So be it," the Captain took a deep breath and spoke again. "For old time's sake, help me convince the City Lord to mobilize the City Guard and help out the Wang Clan."
"Do you think the City Lord will listen to me?" Ling Yue asked with a vague smile.
"I know he listens to you. Do this for me," the Captain bowed and said solemnly. "The City Lord's actions will only reflect poorly on him. The other clans would petition the Imperial Clan condemning the City Lord if the Wang Clan perishes."
"Uncle Yu, I told you that you are naïve. This is the reason. You think that everyone is as righteous and heroic as you," Ling Yue shook her head. "Even if I went in, the City Lord will not revoke the order. There is more at play here."
The Captain stood stunned. He knew how influential the words of Ling Yue were in the City Lord's ears. Even though their marriage didn't have a good beginning, it was known to everyone in the mansion that the City Lord doted heavily on her. If she was willing to intercede, these things could be handled easily.
Without her support, how could a lowly clan like the Ling Clan become a prominent clan in the city? It was all because of her influence on the City Lord. He didn't understand why Ling Yue refused to intercede at this critical moment.
"Looks like Uncle Yu still doesn't understand," Ling Yue sighed. "More than a year ago, an order came directly from the Imperial City. It came directly from the Third Prince himself. You should know how important this order is. Do you know what the order was about?"
"What?" Captain Yu asked with trepidation in his heart.
"Break the power of clans in all cities," Ling Yue looked at him squarely and conveyed the seriousness of the issue.
Captain Yu stood aghast. He didn't know how to respond to such an order. He always knew that the Imperial Clan was not fond of the clans within the empire. However, it was how things were for several centuries.
The City Lord's office had the backing of the Imperial Clan. The clans in the city had the backing of the various cultivation sects. There was always a tacit understanding between the Imperial Power and major sects within the Star Empire. Now, the Third Prince intends to break this tacit understanding.
Ling Yue watched as the implications registered in the mind of Captain Yu and sighed. She turned away from the Captain and looked at the fight happening in the distance.
"In this generation of Royal Princes, the First Prince has extraordinary achievements and has become a direct disciple of a Sect Ancestor in the Central Continent. The Second Prince is no slouch either. He is the Holy Son of one of the hegemons in the Dragon Scale Continent."
"Now the Imperial family wants to bring the entire Star Empire under their control. Whether they be other sects or clans present in the Star Empire, the Imperial family wants to subdue them. The Third Prince is the person who is in charge of this entire thing."
"After the beast tide, the power of some clans and sects was broken. In the dozens of border cities surrounding the Grasslands, only a few cities like the Starmist City have clans and the City Lord's office with equal power. The Third Prince has been dissatisfied with the situation for some time now."
"This is a good opportunity for the City Lord to accumulate more power in the city. Do you think he would give that up and incur the wrath of the Third Prince because of a few words from me?" Ling Yue asked mockingly.
