Before he knew it, the kind looking Uncle Rong and both of his bodyguards had turned icy stares upon him. Sage was not expecting Dian Huifang to be so ineloquent. He also didn’t think of how Huifang was going to explain the predicament to her family. He’d thought this wouldn’t be an easy encounter, but it was already off to a terrible start.

Idiot! Why didn’t I think of what to say earlier? I should have known someone like Huifang wouldn’t have a good story to tell her clan. How am I supposed to explain my way out of this one without revealing my Inner World?

Sage took a physical step back, reducing the pressure of the three men’s gazes. He wanted to bow down and show respect, but he feared that would make it seem even more like he was a thief, trying to steal away Huifang without following the proper procedure. It was already bad enough that what she said sounded like he was trying to take Huifang as a concubine, and he didn’t want to make it even worse. Even so, he still had no good way to explain the situation in an acceptable manner.

If I tell them about my Inner World, then there wouldn’t be any need for Dian Huifang to stay permanently. The only reason she can’t leave is to keep the secret from spreading…

“The situation is not as you imagine it. Huifang is going to take up a very important duty, one that requires utter secrecy.”

Sage threw out the best explanation he could come up with off the top of his head. Only, who was he to put such a powerful member of the Dian Clan into such a situation? Why would they let a completely unknown stranger take away their clan member temporarily, let along permanently?

Uncle Rong’s eyebrows arched with anger and the strength of his aura increased once again, “What makes you think that’s better!? At least if this was some misguided romance then a fickle heart could be to blame!”

With that outburst, the room went completely silent. All three of them now involved in the conversation were stunned. What else could they say? After a few long moments of silence, Uncle Rong let out a long and tired sigh, “I had hoped you’d finally live up to your potential and do your part for the Clan, Huifang. You know I’ve always supported you, but if this is what you are committed to, you will be on your own. I promised your parents I would always look after you, but even I cannot help you with such a drastic course of action.”

Dian Huifang nodded and gave her Uncle Rong another kowtow. Only after she was finished did she rise from her kneeling position on the ground. She looked quite solemn as she gave her Uncle another last bow. The man receiving the bow on the other hand, looked as if he’d aged a dozen years, his posture slumping and his shoulders drooping. The bright look in his eyes also seemed to dim, the concern for the woman in front of him shading his enthusiasm.

Sage had grown accustomed to the harsh truths of this cultivation world. There were such vast gulfs in privilege and rights for those with and without power. It was a world full of superhumans that made all the rules, one where normal humans could be treated as cattle or mere possessions depending on who the local leader was. Even so, the scene he was witnessing made him wonder how far he was willing to go. Could he actually stand up to the Dian Clan and convince them to lose Huifang forever? Or was it better to take the risk of sharing one of his secrets with their upper echelon? Is it even possible to get through this confrontation without sharing some of his secrets?

He was already deep within the Dian Clan’s Manor. If he wasn’t careful, one of them might get angry enough to strike out at him. If they activated their defensive formations, would he even have a chance? He still had no clue how many Nascent Soul’s the Dian Clan had. Huifang seemed far from being in charge, so that meant the number would not be small, otherwise with her strength she would be highly valued. Sage suddenly had the urge to flee immediately. Was the possible recruitment of a Nascent Soul worth all this trouble?

If I flee, Dian Huifang will become my enemy. Would her Clan also agree with her anger, or would they be glad I’m gone? Hmm, only her Uncle Rong knows the situation. The rest of her Clan might just support her without understanding the situation. Can I only escape after I’ve annoyed the whole Clan first so they’re glad I leave? Would I only be creating a future enemy for the Lang Clan? Ugh, I need a politician and diplomat to handle this crap.

While Sage was trying to figure out how to handle the situation, the meeting was called to an end. Dian Huifang, Songji, and himself were then led to a set of rooms for them to rest in. Sage started examining the defensive formations around both his room and the manor he was in, wanting to prepare an escape route. Unfortunately, the formation guarding the manor seemed to be at least the peak of the six star standard, quite beyond his own achievements as a Formation Master.

The next day, Sage and Songji were confined to a single courtyard. Meals were delivered by a few very quiet servants until the late afternoon when they were summoned to another meeting. This time, Uncle Rong wasn’t alone. Instead he was only one of many, a half-dozen others were waiting there with him. Each of them getting on in their years and also adorned with flashy pieces of clothing made from blue scales. Their chairs were set up on a short dais only a few steps higher than the main floor. Dian Huifang was standing near the chairs, but below the dais and facing towards Sage and Songji as they entered the room. She looked quite like a witness in a court, while Sage had become the defendant.

At least there aren’t any lawyers.

After a few tense moments of silence, one of the people on the chairs, an older gentleman with a blue scaled breastplate on, finally spoke, “We are the Elder’s Council of the Dian Clan. Dian Huifang has told us she has been sworn to secrecy and will be leaving forever. Just who are you to think that you can steal away our Clan members without our say?”

“My name is Lang Sheng. Founder of the Jade Horde and Co-owner of the Palace of Prosperity. These organizations mean little to you now, but in the future you will know them. As for Dian Huifang, I am not stealing her away. It is her own desire to take a position of great importance, but unfortunately that position requires utter secrecy. There’s no telling how long she will be gone, hence it is safer to consider it permanent.”

Dian Rong seemed sad as he listened to Sage. On the other hand, the other five Elders seemed quite livid. The explanation was just as vague and unsatisfying as the ones that Huifang had given them.

“Is that so? Just what group thinks they are strong enough to treat the Dian Clan in such a way? Do you think they can stop us from killing you and forbidding Huifang from leaving the Clan? You dare to be so bold as to walk into our territory and declare that we aren’t important enough to know anything about this?”

Death threats already? Well, at least it can’t get much worse.

At that moment, the doors to the chamber were thrown open and a squad of guards rushed into the room. Sage was ready to defend himself, but they just walked right past him like he wasn’t even there. The lead guard cupped one fist with a palm and dropped to a knee, “Elders! Xuelong has been poisoned!”