Qiyun Road was as bustling as ever.
However, this liveliness was limited to the common folk. The upper echelons and elite gentry of Qiyun Road remained silent—an unnerving, frightening calm.
Perhaps it's because the Qin Clan's Royal Family hasn't made a clear statent yet?
Regardless, while the pressure from the Golden Summit Yang Family fell first and foremost on the Qin Clan's Royal Family, the other major clans were inevitably going to be affected as well. The attitude displayed by the Yang Family was simply too tyrannical.
Commoners might be able to stand tall and loudly curse the Yang Family, but those with significant status and influence could not afford to do the sa. In the end, it all ca down to one thing: profit.
There's a saying that when a whale falls, ten thousand creatures thrive. The fall of a single whale can sustain countless forms of life for decades. Qiyun Road was on the brink of chaos, and in these turbulent tis, the Qin Clan's Royal Family was like that falling whale. While it was trailed by a vortex of crises, it also represented an imnse opportunity.
Chaotic tis create heroes. And when there are no heroes, even a scoundrel can make a na for himself.
The Golden Summit Yang Family was simply too powerful. Who could possibly stand against their eighty thousand Personal Guards? At this point, who would brave the overwhelming tide to stand with the Qin Clan's Royal Family and face a common enemy? For so-called integrity? For the dignity and honor of being a resident of Qiyun Road?
To put it bluntly, compared to one's own interests and opportunities, those things were worthless.
In this ti of crisis, no clan could remain neutral; they all had to choose a side. Would they choose the Qin Clan's Royal Family, whose house was on the verge of collapse? Or would they choose the Golden Summit Yang Family, who was marching with eighty thousand troops, their army about to descend upon the city? For many, this was not a difficult choice.
At first, everyone adopted a wait-and-see approach. But after the Yin Family took the lead, the other powers no longer hesitated, jumping out one after another to openly declare their allegiance.
Choosing sides was one thing, but there was no shortage of those who, like the Yin Family, decided to kick the Qin Clan while they were down. They offered a pledge of fealty to the Golden Summit Yang Family, hoping to climb higher by stepping on the heads of the Qin Royal Family.
"My Huang Family urges Qin Lie to imdiately issue a public apology and satisfy all of the Yang Family's demands!"
"Qin Lie, you old bastard! You've controlled Qiyun Road for so many years, it's ti for you to step aside! Don't drag all the people of Qiyun Road down with you!"
"Qin Lie, disarm and surrender!"
As the saying goes, the law cannot punish the masses. These statents fell like massive boulders into the already turbulent waters of Qiyun Road, stirring up monstrous waves. They also caused public opinion to polarize. Besides the large faction that denounced these families as spineless, irresponsible turncoats, a new voice gradually began to erge, one that echoed the families' sentints.
The general consensus was that since Qin Lie had made the mistake, if he had any sense of responsibility, he should step forward, admit his error, and kowtow to the Golden Summit Yang Family for forgiveness, satisfying their every demand. The problem had to be minimized, made to disappear. In short, the entire population of Qiyun Road should not have to bear the punishnt alongside him.
Their argunts were firm and forceful. Viewed from a different angle, their words did indeed seem to hold a asure of truth. Consequently, this line of thinking spread like a plague throughout the city, expanding at an incredible rate.
Certain opportunists took advantage of this public sentint, gathering a crowd and marching through the city, heading straight for the Qin Family estate.
Amidst this situation, a dissenting voice exploded across the public forum like a clap of dry thunder.
"My Di Family stands with Old King Qin, now and always! We, the people of Qiyun Road, will never bow to tyrants who use their strength to bully the weak! We will raise our warblades and fight to defend our dignity!"
This ssage was delivered personally, on cara, by Di An, who had just assud the position of Di Family Head. His words were resolute, his expression firm. Unsurprisingly, this declaration instantly thrust Di An into the eye of the storm.
For a ti, so admired him and so praised him, but the majority of reactions consisted of endless, bottomless vitriol. They claid that if the Di Family was so eager to die, they should march on the Lingjin River themselves instead of turning Qiyun Road into a battlefield and dragging its people down with them.
Even as they were instantly subrged in a torrent of criticism and abuse, the Di Family stood firm under the pressure, remaining steadfast.
「anwhile, at the Li Family estate」
After so discussion, and with Li Changqing's firm insistence, the Li Family prepared to issue a statent. They would urge Qin Lie to lay down his arms and not drag the millions of people in Qiyun Road into his personal conflict.
Li Bairan, the Patriarch of the Li Family, furrowed his brow deeply.
On a personal level, this is a disgraceful act. A portion of Qiyun Road's populace will surely condemn us as spineless. But looking at the bigger picture, from the standpoint of self-interest, kicking the Qin Clan while they're down will not only ensure our own survival but also maximize our potential gains.
However, just as Li Bairan was about to make the final decision, Li Si, who had been away from ho for several days, rushed back in a panic.
"Sisi?" Li Changqing frowned. Because of his sister, the Li Family had been utterly disgraced. But thanks to her connection to the Nine Gates Admiral, he dared not lash out.
Li Si ignored him, turning to Li Bairan. "Grandfather, what are your plans?"
Everyone present knew exactly what she was asking. Li Si had naturally rushed back today specifically for this matter.
"What other plans could there be? To denounce Qin Lie, of course!" Li Changqing declared with unwavering conviction.
Li Bairan gave a slight nod.
"No!" Li Si vetoed the idea at once. With a look of contempt for their lack of backbone, she said solemnly, "I know what you're all thinking, but you've chosen the wrong side!"
"Hah!" Li Changqing scoffed. "What, Sisi, did you rush all the way back here just to stop us? In this family, what right do you have to speak on its affairs?"
Ultimately, he still held a grudge against Li Si for ruining his potential match with Qin Qiu, although it now seed that not getting too close to the Qin Family had been a wise move.
"Sisi, you shouldn't get involved in this. We've already made up our minds," Li Bairan said, making the final decision.
"The Zhennan Prince will not stand idly by," Li Si stated. "If you don't want to die, then go right ahead and side with the Golden Summit Yang Family!"
The room fell silent.
Li Si continued, "Yang Tianli has vowed to perform a blood sacrifice with Qin Qiu. Do any of you know who she really is?" She paused for effect. "She is the Zhennan Prince's woman!"
Li Changqing was rendered speechless.
Li Bairan froze.
"The Golden Summit Yang Family and their paltry eighty thousand Personal Guards? Compared to the Zhennan Prince, who commands eight hundred thousand troops, they're nothing but a joke!" Li Si scoffed.
GULP.
Everyone in the room swallowed hard, especially Li Changqing. He had been fixated on Qin Qiu, obsessing over her even recently.
And now he found out...
I've been coveting the Zhennan Prince's woman all this ti?
"Now, do you still want to side with the Golden Summit Yang Family?" Li Si challenged.
Li Changqing's gaze darted away as he fell silent.
Subsequently, the Li Family publicly announced their full support for the Qin Family. They condemned the Golden Summit Yang Family for using their power to bully others, relying on their Personal Guards to oppress the entire populace of Qiyun Road, and declared that they would ultimately et a grim end.
Given the Li Family's standing in Qiyun Road, this statent was like a shot of adrenaline. Although it drew a great deal of condemnation, it also boosted the confidence of many.
The situation in Qiyun Road was gradually becoming clearer. All eyes were now on the Golden Summit Yang Family. The common speculation was that everything would be settled once and for all on the day of Yang Jin's funeral.
In other words, there were two days left.
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