These are not good words to hear.
Could it be that the Elder Council really wants to deal with Shi Tao and the others to appease the Revival Association?
"Director Xu, it was the Feng Country people who were at fault in the first place."
Shi Tao said solemnly.
"I’ve already said, I’m not calling to hear you say this. I’m calling to inform you that within half a day, you need to arrive in Baijiang City."
Director Xu’s tone was non-negotiable.
"If you think you have grievances, the elders will give you a satisfactory explanation once you get here, understood?"
Shi Tao remained silent.
He wasn’t a child.
Once you are on someone else’s turf, they call the shots.
"What, are you not convinced?"
Director Xu keenly sensed this and sneered, "Even if you’re not convinced, it won’t help. No one who goes against the Elder Council ever meets a good end. If you don’t believe it, you can try."
"Director Xu, that’s not what I meant, I..."
"Enough."
Director Xu interrupted again, "I’ve conveyed the message. If by tonight you’re not seen in Baijiang City, well, you’ve been warned. Whether you listen or not is your business."
With that, he hung up the phone.
The oppressive atmosphere in the room intensified, making it hard for anyone to breathe.
A sense of despair spread through the hearts of the few present.
They had initially thought they were only up against the Song Family and the Revival Association.
Even those two forces alone made them feel hopeless.
They hadn’t expected that the Elder Council would also issue an ultimatum.
What would be the consequences of offending the Elder Council? They might never find a place to settle in Yan Country again.
Yang Yi sat to the side, opening his mouth, unsure of what to say.
It was obvious that nothing good awaited Shi Tao and the others if they went.
Director Xu’s tone had shown no patience for proper communication.
But if they didn’t go, their end would likely be even worse.
"Brother Yang, you should go back for now. Thank you for risking so much to come see us." Shi Tao said with a smile.
"Brother Shi, I..."
Yang Yi stuttered a bit.
Shi Tao nodded, indicating he understood.
"Sigh, Brother Shi, I wish you all good luck."
Yang Yi stood up, taking a deep look at everyone. It was likely their last meeting.
After Yang Yi left, the few in the room looked at each other.
"President, what do we do?"
Someone asked, "Are we really going to listen to Director Xu and get to Baijiang City within half a day?"
"If we go, there won’t be a good outcome, right?"
Another person shrank back a bit.
It wasn’t just the Elder Council; the Song Family and the Revival Association were also in Baijiang City.
Perhaps, the Song Family and Revival Association people were waiting there now.
Would the Elder Council ignore the Revival Association’s words and listen to theirs?
Most likely, they would be condemned as soon as they arrived.
"We’re dead either way, so what difference does it make?"
Chang Fei snorted coldly,
"If we don’t go, we might die here with some dignity. If we go, who knows in which dark corner we’ll die."
"Exactly."
Shi Tao nodded slightly, "Since they want to come, let them. It’s just a few more people than expected."
He had grown indifferent to life and death.
Yet, thinking about the beast tide not far outside the city made him feel an indescribable sense of desolation.
They were still fighting among themselves, even with the looming beast tide.
"Yes, we’re dead either way, there’s nothing to fear. But, it was unexpected for the Elder Council to call. I think we should inform Chen Fan and Elder Wang to avoid them walking into a trap." Shen Si suggested.
"Alright, I’ll give him a call."
At the same time.
Baijiang City, Revival Association.
In the conference room, a group of golden-haired, blue-eyed Feng Country people sat.
Several black-haired, black-eyed figures were mixed in.
One of them was the former patriarch of the Song Family, Song Lianfeng.
The others were somewhat unfamiliar, but the identity of the leader was immediately recognizable when he spoke.
"President Kate,"
Director Xu slightly bowed, gently clasping the large hand of the tall white man before him, smiling obsequiously, "You heard the call just now. I’ve conveyed the Elder Council’s highest directive to those in the Jiangnan Martial Arts Association. They should be here within a few hours. By then, how to deal with them is up to you."
"No, Xu."
Kate did not seem too pleased but asked, "What if they don’t come? There’s an old saying in your Yan Country: ’Man is the knife, I am the fish.’ They aren’t fools; they know coming here won’t end well, so they might not come."
"Mr. Kate, even if they don’t come, it doesn’t matter."
Director Xu smiled slightly, confident in his control over the situation.
"I’ve warned them, if they don’t come, they’ll bear the consequences. If they truly don’t come, by tomorrow morning, the Elder Council will send people with you to Jiangnan City to capture them. The result will be the same."
"Hmm."
Kate nodded, "That sounds better."
"Ha ha ha."
Director Xu chuckled fawningly, "Rest assured, Mr. Kate, we’ve always prioritized the Revival Association’s matters. The five elders are highly attentive to this issue. We deeply regret Mr. Carl’s death, but we’ll make sure the Revival Association gets a satisfactory resolution."
The Feng Country people in the conference room nodded in agreement.
"Xu, there’s another matter."
Kate glanced at Song Lianfeng beside him, "Mr. Song mentioned a force targeting our Revival Association. They’ve been plotting for a long time and are responsible for the death of John from the Larsen Clan. I wonder if this is true."
The words made the Feng Country people tense again.
After Carl’s death, they didn’t intend to involve the Elder Council but hoped to extort the Song Family fiercely, perhaps even swallow it whole.
But Song Lianfeng’s arrival and his words had scared them.
They knew there were many who disliked them in secret.
If not for the Elder Council’s protection, they would have been eradicated long ago.
But now, someone was ignoring the Elder Council and targeting them. How could they not be alarmed?
"Utter nonsense!"
Director Xu glared at Song Lianfeng, his tone dripping with sarcasm, "Some people exaggerate for their own gain. Mr. Kate, members of the Revival Association, rest assured, there is absolutely no force in our Yan Country deliberately targeting you!"
"You can’t say that."
Song Lianfeng, who had remained silent, said quietly, "As far as I know, the Awakened Association has taken a dim view of the Revival Association for quite some time."
The Feng Country people turned pale with fear.
"Song Lianfeng, what do you mean? Are you trying to sow discord?" Director Xu roared.
The people behind him also glared angrily at Song Lianfeng.
Song Lianfeng wasn’t intimidated, staring back at them.
"If what I said wasn’t true, why are you so nervous?"
The Song Family was already at the brink of destruction.
They would deal with the consequences of his words after surviving this crisis.
"Nervous? Nervous about what?"
Director Xu squinted his eyes, "Song Lianfeng, as the former patriarch of the Song Family, you should know what can and cannot be said. I will report your words to the five elders."
"Go ahead."
With that, Song Lianfeng got up and walked out.
His goal had been achieved; there was no point in staying longer.