"During earlier and even now, you kept saying that we'll pay for this. I'm curious. How strong is your clan, anyway?" Alina asked the boy.
Mark had the questions to ask but he let his Android Assistant be his mouth for she had a passive skill that can easily extract the information from lower realm Spirit Warriors and civilians.
As if he was hypnotized by her voice, Ji Guanli answered right away, "The strongest person in our clan is my great grandfather. He is a seven-circle realm warrior who is just a step away from reaching peak stage.
Other than him, there are 8 Elders with each of one in the six-circle realm. There are more than 20 five-circle realm experts and 42 four-circle realm experts working for our clan."
"It's weaker than I thought." Mark thought that they are some great force to capture Western Yan but it turns out that even Sui Clan is stronger than them. But then, all of a sudden, he remembered about those four elite guards of him who are in the Upper Elite realm (6-circle). If 6-circle experts were deemed as elders of the clan, then, how come such powerful people were acting as mere guards?
He glanced at Alina and transmitted his thoughts through telepathy.
Alina nodded to him and asked the boy, "You have fewer six-circle realm experts than I thought. Then, who are those elite guards? Do you have any allies or backing of some large organization or sect?"
"Yes." Ji Guanli nodded right away and explained, "In our Western Yan, there are no sects or combat guilds. Everything is monopolized by the Church of Nuwa. They are the ones who supply manpower whenever we needed."
"Church of Nuwa?" Mark was a little bit confused and went over his memories. "Ah, I see. Nuwa is the mother goddess who was believed to be the creator of humanity."
He glanced at Alina, who quickly asked, "Is the Church of Nuwa different from the Church of Light in the Imperial City? What is the relationship between them?"
"Church of light is solely dedicated to the goddess of sun and light, Xihe. They won't acknowledge someone else as the principal deity. The same goes for the Church of Nuwa.
The former follows the teachings of Saint Confucius and the latter follows the teachings of Saint Mozi. They are at odds with each other." Ji Guanli answered truthfully.
Mark fell into thoughts. Church of Light is a peaceful organization made up of healers but this one seemed to have warriors. So, if the Kunyu bandits were to invade the region, they will be bound to get into trouble.
He wanted to know their strength.
Alina sensed his thoughts and immediately enquired about them with the hostage.
Ji Guanli once again answered with a dazed look, "I don't have exact numbers but it is common knowledge that the current Cardinal of Church of Nuwa, overseeing the Western Yan is an intermediate stage Exalt realm Archer (mid-7-circle).
And behind him lies the headquarters of the church, which is originated in the Empire of Qing. No one knows how strong they are."
"If it is just that, then, was worried for nothing." Mark shook his head with a smile. Since the members of the church were usually blessed by their deity, he was worried that the strongest one would be in the legendary realm. If it is just a 7-circle, then, he can take care of him from far away in a couple of strikes in case they refuse to stay neutral.
"So, if you were killed, will they come for revenge?"Alina once again asked to confirm it.
However, to Mark's surprise, Ji Guanli shook his head and revealed another character, "No, they won't. Although they will be seeking justice for their lost members, it's the Ji Clan that has to answer to them. But, the one who will take revenge is the fifth princess Shang Jiao."
"Shang Jiao?" Mark's facial expression instantly changed. It was his biological sister, the one who awakened the same bloodline as him, Blizzard Pegasus.
Ji Guanli continued, "I was close friends with the fifth princess. We studied together in the Phoenix Academy, although I graduated early to take care of family matters. The elders in our Clan planned to send a proposal to the Imperial palace after I make a breakthrough to 6-circle. If that happens, I will be the son-in-law of the Emperor.
I don't know whether Shang Jiao views me in the same way that I view her, but if anything happens to me, I'm sure that she will avenge me. She's the type of person who would harbor grudges even for smaller matters.
Apart from that, recently, our clan received a marriage proposal from the independent kingdom of Western Moon to my elder brother. But, the relationship between Western Moon and the Imperial family is a bit complex. So, my father is still thinking about it.
Once it was finalized, our clan will get another backing.
With Western Moon kingdom and the Imperial palace as our allies, our Ji Clan will become so powerful that the other clans will have to think twice before offending us in any way."
As soon as he finished the reply, a hand fell on his shoulder. "Don't dare to have any thoughts on my sister." Mark's gaze was too cold, contrary to the devil's smile before.
Mark threatened him, "I will skin you alive if you drag her into the mess. How old are you? Just 14. Do the things that compliment your age. Don't play an adult. Had you been an adult, you would have departed this world, a while ago."
"Eh? Sister?" Ji Guanli was taken aback by surprise. That little word has more impact on him than a serious warning. "What are you talking about?"
"Shit." Mark realized what he had just blurted out in anger. He then spoke to himself in his mind, "Mark, what are you thinking, right now. She is the beloved daughter of the Emperor and that Queen Consort. She's an enemy. You cannot accept as your sister even by mistake."
Seeing Mark fall into thoughts, a sudden thought appeared in Guanli's head and he asked, "Are you, Prince Bo?"
