Xia Wuyang didn’t spell it out, but the Yue Family Siblings, Yue Yulong and Yue Yufeng, naturally understood his unspoken meaning. They both looked embarrassed.
After hesitating for a moment, Yue Yufeng spoke up. "We weren’t originally planning to make a move. We knew the gap in strength between us and Zhao Tianxiong was too great. But a month ago, while exploring an ancient tomb, we unexpectedly found several Spirit Talismans."
"According to ancient texts, if these Spirit Talismans are used properly, they could even kill a legendary True Monarch, let alone a First Grade Grandmaster. And since we happened to discover that the Cao Bang was in a state of chaos, that’s why... that’s why... we acted so rashly."
Xia Wuyang was stunned. ’So that was the reason.’ No wonder they’d decided to seek revenge.
’In the end, they were just too young. They overestimated their own strength, and they overestimated the power of the Spirit Talismans.’
’Spirit Talismans were certainly powerful, but their effectiveness depended on who was using them. Yue Yulong and Yue Yufeng were only at Fourth Grade Perfection; the gap between them and Zhao Tianxiong was simply too vast.’
’They would have been detected by Zhao Tianxiong before they could even get close. He would have struck immediately, leaving them no chance to even use the Spirit Talismans.’
After questioning them further, he learned that his guess had not been wrong.
Although the siblings had managed to sneak into the Cao Bang Headquarter and get close to Zhao Tianxiong’s location, before they could find him, he took them both down with a single punch each from behind. He even snatched the Spirit Talismans.
Looking at the two, their faces full of self-blame and resentment, Xia Wuyang said in a grave tone, "Seeking revenge isn’t wrong, but you were too hasty and reckless. Zhao Tianxiong is the Vice Gang Leader of the Cao Bang. Besides being a First Grade Perfect Grandmaster himself, he is surrounded by a sea of Guards. You are merely Martial Masters at Fourth Grade Perfection. You couldn’t even get close to him, let alone ambush him with Spirit Talismans."
"If I hadn’t happened to hear about this, you would both be dead. And with you dead, who would be left to avenge the Yue Family’s blood feud?"
Yue Yufeng bit her lip, remaining silent, while Yue Yulong’s face turned pale.
"We... we couldn’t wait any longer. For decades, every single day has been agony. We’ve had to watch our enemy live free and in luxury, while we could only hide in the shadows like rats, secretly cultivating to grow stronger. Senior, can you possibly understand what that feels like?"
Yue Yulong couldn’t help but speak, now realizing that he and his sister had been far too reckless. He was filled with regret.
Xia Wuyang nodded. "I understand. If I were your age, I doubt I could have endured it either."
’If I had known the truth decades ago—that my mother’s ’death from illness’ was a lie and the real reason I was deposed—I’m not sure I could have endured it either.’
’I probably would have slipped up long ago, and Emperor Xia would have had me killed before my Golden Finger even had a chance to activate.’
’Even now, knowing the truth of what happened back then, I still find it unbearable. The hatred in my heart is a raging fire, threatening to erupt at any moment.’
’My own actions have grown more ruthless recently for this very reason.’
That was why he understood the siblings’ feelings, and why he understood their hatred.
Looking at the two siblings, Xia Wuyang said in a grave voice, "So... I will help you eliminate all of your enemies!"
The two siblings froze, staring at Xia Wuyang in astonishment.
Xia Wuyang walked to the entrance of the hall, gazing out at White Jade City, which was faintly visible through the rainy night. "There is more than one way to get revenge. Your enemies aren’t limited to just Zhao Tianxiong. There are many others connected to him, as well as some of the Courtiers and experts who served under the Third Prince back then. They are all your enemies."
"If you want to get your revenge and wipe out every last one of your enemies, you need more than just personal strength. You also need a sufficiently powerful organization behind you. Do you want to possess all of that?"
"This..." Yue Yulong and Yue Yufeng were stunned, staring at Xia Wuyang in astonishment.
Xia Wuyang spoke, enunciating each word. "Take control of the Cao Bang. Make this Gang, one of the most prominent in the land, work for you. Then, you can crush Zhao Tianxiong and the villains behind him with ease. You can expand the Cao Bang, constantly growing stronger, until you can slaughter every last enemy involved in what happened back then, sparing no one."
Yue Yulong’s breathing quickened, and Yue Yufeng was visibly stirred.
’The idea was too bold, too astounding.’
’Control the Cao Bang? It was one of the most famous Gangs in all of Fallen Dragon Land, a behemoth that countless Princes and Princesses schemed to win over. They were just two Martial Artists of the Middle Three Grades. How could they possibly be capable of controlling the Cao Bang? It was a complete fantasy!’
"Senior... why are you willing to help us this much? Who are you, and what do you want? Besides, we aren’t strong enough," Yue Yufeng asked, her guard still up.
’This girl is sharp. Just as expected of Yue Zhan’s daughter.’
Xia Wuyang smiled slightly and spoke candidly. "It is not yet convenient for me to reveal who I am. But rest assured, if General Yue were watching from the afterlife, he would support you. As for what I want... the Cao Bang’s wealth, intelligence network, and transportation channels will be of great use to my future plans. Helping you is also helping myself. Don’t worry about your strength; you will have assistance."
As he spoke, he looked toward Yue Yulong. "You are the eldest son of the Yue Family and were taught by General Yue himself since childhood. Your understanding of Military Strategy and Tactics should be solid. Yue Yufeng is quick-witted and decisive, adept at improvising and handling complex situations. All you lack is an opportunity and some outside help. Later, you can leverage the Cao Bang’s wealth and influence to constantly grow stronger. That is how you will complete your revenge and obtain the resources and power you need."
The words were barely out of his mouth when he suddenly raised his hand and pointed into the air.
From the shadows in a corner of the hall, a figure in black let out a muffled grunt and collapsed, a crossbow arrow clattering from their hand.
Apparently, a tracking expert from the Cao Bang had stealthily arrived while they were talking. The expert had been lurking nearby, hoping to overhear their plans and was even prepared to attack.
Xia Wuyang said nonchalantly, "It seems Zhao Tianxiong moves quickly. Since we’ve been discovered, there’s no need to wait. Rest and recover a while longer, and then we’ll go to the Cao Bang and settle things."
He looked at the Yue Family Siblings. "In a little while, will you dare to accompany me to the Cao Bang Headquarter again? This time, we will not only kill Zhao Tianxiong, but we will also seize control of the entire Cao Bang."
Yue Yulong and Yue Yufeng exchanged a look, and each saw a resolute flame burning in the other’s eyes.
"We dare!"
The two siblings replied in unison, without the slightest hesitation.
Xia Wuyang smiled and nodded. "Good. After tonight, the Cao Bang will belong to the Yue family."
After letting Yue Yulong recuperate a while longer to stabilize his injuries, Xia Wuyang flicked his sleeve. A gentle surge of Qi Blood lifted the siblings, carrying them out of the ruined temple and into the torrential downpour.
The rain intensified. The waters of the White Dragon River continued to rise, crashing against the banks with a deep roar.
Tonight, this thousand-year-old city was destined to be sleepless.

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