Chapter 1975: Becoming a Puppet

Chapter 1975: Chapter 1975: Becoming a Puppet

"Boss, you really mean what you say, huh? The Chen Family won’t be chasing us, right?" Ghost said while driving, or rather "racing." He was worried the Chen Family might send someone after them. This was Yanjing, and if the Chen Family really dared to go all out, they could be in trouble.

"Relax, she won’t come after us. Plus, I’ve already planned the route, so they won’t catch up to us," Ye Shikai said calmly.

"Boss, how did the talk go?"

"How did it go? Not well, we parted on bad terms; otherwise, why would we leave in such a sorry state?" Ye Shikai laughed bitterly. Now, staying in Yanjing was no longer an option. He and Chen Yuxin were in all-out war, with no chance of turning back. They needed to get ready for what was coming.

"Nightmare has sent word that most Three Temples members have arrived at the East Sea. Boss, why doesn’t Jin Li handle this?" Ghost asked curiously.

"Jin Li can’t handle this, and right now he has no control over it. The matters between cultivation families are too complex. Families used to leverage and balance each other to prevent one from becoming too powerful. Now, Chen Yuxin is proactively disrupting that balance, which is against most families’ interests. But unfortunately, no one can stop her..." Ye Shikai understood the situation well, luckily they had found Zheng Li in advance and formed an alliance.

Back in the Kunlun Ruins, Zheng Li had facilitated the Huaxia family’s alliance and was even elected as the Alliance Hierarch, showing the weight of the Zheng Family among them. If Zheng Li conceded to the Chen Family, then truly no one would resist.

Ye Shikai wasn’t counting on Jin Li’s help, though if he could gain a bit of assistance, that would be the best.

"How long until we arrive?"

"If things go smoothly, we’ll reach the East Sea by evening," Ghost replied.

"No, we’re not headed to the East Sea yet," Ye Shikai waved his hand.

"Not going to the East Sea, then where are we headed?"

"To Chang’an," Ye Shikai said.

"Chang’an? We don’t have any people set up there. What are we going for?" Ghost questioned.

"To seek out the Li Family of Chang’an."

"The Li Family, huh. I’ve heard of them. Do you have some connection with them, Boss?"

"Not really, just had some dealings with them. We can’t even call it friendship. There aren’t many families in the north; besides Yanjing, there’s Chang’an. I need to visit the Li Family first," said Ye Shikai calmly. The Tang Family and the Gongsun Family were both his enemies, but he had collaborated with the Li Family twice, so their relationship was decent. He hoped the Li Family could join their alliance.

"Alright, let’s head there now. If we’re driving to Chang’an, it will only take a few hours."

"Alright, let’s go at once."

...............

The Li Family mansion.

"Boss, are you confident you can persuade them?"

"Hard to say, Li Changtian is no simple character. Previously, he dared to clash head-on with the Tang Family because these two families are arch enemies, destined opponents with no potential for reconciliation, so Li Changtian was willing to go all out. But the current situation is uncertain," Ye Shikai had some understanding of Li Changtian. Put nicely, he’s adaptable, always opting for the least risky option with the highest chance of winning. Put harshly, he’s a fence-sitter, swaying with the wind. He’s not really sure of the outcome.

"All in all, let’s give it a try."

"Mr. Ye, the young lady greets you," greeted Li Yueying, an "old acquaintance" of his who came to the door. She seemed to be in good spirits.

"Miss Li, it troubles you to greet me personally, much appreciated."

"Let’s go inside and talk."

"Alright."

Li Yueying dismissed the guards beside her, then suddenly grabbed his arm and took him to a corner when she saw no one was around.

"Why are you here?" Li Yueying whispered.

"To be honest, I’m here seeking an alliance," Ye Shikai didn’t hide.

"You’ve really come at the wrong time." Li Yueying replied with a bit of annoyance.

"Looks like the Chen Family got here before me." As expected, the Li Family had also received a "warning" from Chen Yuxin.

"My dad and the clan elders have been in constant debate. If you go in now, I can’t say what might happen."

"Debate is good, at least it shows there’s still a faction in the Li Family willing to fight. That’s already better than I expected," Ye Shikai wasn’t surprised, just hoping Li Changtian wasn’t a part of the Main Surrender Faction.

"You shouldn’t approach them now. I suggest you wait a bit. By evening, they should be done talking," Li Yueying advised.

"Where should I go now?"

"Come to my place."

Afternoon.

"Honestly, you shouldn’t have come," Li Yueying suddenly said in the living room, "If at this moment, the Li Family has already agreed to the Chen Family’s demands, then by coming here you’ve walked right into a trap. My dad would detain you immediately."

"The three great families of Chang’an, after the Kunlun Ruins battle, the Tang Family and the Gongsun Family suffered great losses. Not only did they fail to obtain any treasures, but they also lost numerous experts. Frankly, they got what was coming to them. Now, the power of the Li Family alone is greater than the other two combined. If even your Li Family considers surrendering, then Huaxia truly has no one left..."

"Are you saying that if we don’t resist, we lack integrity?"

"Think what you like, but there are countless people in the Li Family. For the family’s survival, Senior Li will make the right decision." Ye Shikai didn’t mean to belittle or blame; the Li Family had long roots in Chang’an with so many people relying on them. They couldn’t be as free and easy as Ye Shikai, who could fight anytime and fight until the end.

"If the Li Family chooses to resist, and resist to the very end, do you have a way to win?" Li Yueying asked, "The Chen Family is so powerful now. If resisting is a definite loss, then what’s the point in resisting?"

"To be honest, I don’t have a solution, nor am I confident," Ye Shikai said directly.

"So how do you plan to convince my dad and the clan elders? Relying solely on your words, without solid arguments, can you really persuade them?"

"Miss Li, if you were the Family Head of the Li Family, would you choose to resist or surrender?" Ye Shikai suddenly asked, catching Li Yueying off guard. In unguarded moments, one often reveals their true thoughts.

"I don’t want to be someone else’s puppet." After a long pause, Li Yueying finally said, and that was her answer.

"Would you still hold on to this belief if it came at the cost of your life?" Ye Shikai continued to ask.