Published at 26th of July 2024 10:50 am

Chapter 2214 Coercive (2)

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Night had fallen. Yun Lintian emerged from his room, prepared for his visit to Qing Zong.

"I'll take you there, son," Yun Wuhan announced, having already anticipated his son's departure.

Yun Lintian raised no objections. While he wouldn't have brought Yun Ling along, he knew his father's protectiveness wouldn't allow him to refuse an escort.

As they left the residence, Yun Lintian's sharp eyes caught a glimpse of Yun Tianlong lurking in the shadows. It was clear the man had taken it upon himself to follow them, a silent guardian in case of unforeseen circumstances.

Yun Lintian remained silent. He had resolved to confront Qing Zong this very night, making it unequivocally clear to the Azure Royal Clan that the Yun Clan wasn't to be trifled with. It was also the opportune moment to reveal his intentions to his father and Yun Tianlong.

The Azure Spring Grove no longer appealed to Yun Lintian. With no further incentive to remain, he decided to expedite his departure for the Misty Cloud Palace as soon as possible.

Yun Lintian and Yun Wuhan didn't make any attempt to mask their auras as they approached Qing Zong's residence. Su Jian emerged promptly to greet them.

"An unexpected visit," Su Jian said with a smile. "Please, come in."

Yun Wuhan started to step back, but Yun Lintian placed a hand on his shoulder. "Stay with me, Dad."

Yun Wuhan was surprised and offered a small nod.

Su Jian's brow furrowed in confusion, though he held his tongue.

Following Su Jian's lead, Yun Lintian and Yun Wuhan found themselves in a spacious living room. Qing Zong occupied the seat at the head of the table, his expression serene as he sipped his tea.

"Welcome," Qing Zong greeted them with a smile. "Please, take a seat."

Su Jian assumed his usual position behind Qing Zong.

"Thank you, Your Highness," Yun Wuhan replied politely, guiding Yun Lintian to a chair.

"So, have you reached a decision?" Qing Zong inquired, personally pouring tea for his guests.

Before Yun Wuhan could respond, Yun Lintian spoke up, his voice a sharp contrast to the tranquil atmosphere. "If your desire is for a loyal steed to ferry you back to the royal court, perhaps indulging in a dream would be a more productive course of action."

The air in the room grew noticeably colder at Yun Lintian's words. Qing Zong's hand, reaching for a teacup, froze mid-air. Astonishment washed over his features, mirrored by everyone else present. Even Yun Tianlong, hidden in the shadows, wore a mask of utter bewilderment.

"Audacious!" Su Jian spat, his voice laced with frost as his aura erupted.

Yun Wuhan flinched, instinctively preparing to shield his son. However, Yun Lintian's calm gaze fell on Su Jian. "Silence," he commanded.

To everyone's utter disbelief, Su Jian's aura vanished like smoke. He found himself paralyzed, unable to move or access his divine energy. His eyes bulged in terror as they locked with Yun Lintian's.

Alarm flickered in Qing Zong's eyes. He opened his mouth to speak, but Yun Lintian cut him off.

"You should shut up as well," Yun Lintian instructed calmly. "Hear me out."

Qing Zong swallowed hard, uncertainty replacing his composure.

"I originally didn't want to have anything to do with you or the royal clan, but as a member of the Yun Clan, I couldn't just stay out and do nothing. If I'm correct, you've already prepared some means to coerce my father into agreement." Yun Lintian spoke, enunciating each word clearly.

A flicker of panic betrayed Qing Zong. Indeed, upon returning to his residence, he had investigated Cui Jinxiao's disappearance. Yun Lintian emerged as the prime suspect. It was his intention to exploit this situation to exert pressure on the Yun Clan.

"Consider yourself fortunate," Yun Lintian continued, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Had you attempted coercion initially, this conversation wouldn't be taking place."

Humiliation burned in Qing Zong's throat. He yearned to retort, but Su Jian's pleading gaze stopped him cold. It was evident that continuing this exchange would be unwise.

"Is that a threat?" Yun Lintian inquired, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Should I summon your other guardians?"

"Enough, young man." A frigid voice boomed. A middle-aged man materialized from the void, his presence made Yun Tianlong's heart sink. This newcomer exuded an aura that unmistakably belonged to a Lower God Realm cultivator, mirroring Yun Tianlong's own power.

Relief washed over Qing Zong as his confidence returned. The newcomer was Qing Cong, one of the Azure Guards, the most formidable warriors within the Azure Royal Clan. Though punished, Qing Zong remained royal blood, and the clan's protection remained assured.

Yun Lintian, however, didn't spare the newcomer a glance. With chilling calmness, he uttered, "Get down here."

To everyone's horror, Qing Cong, suspended in mid-air, was yanked down by an unseen force and slammed onto the floor with a resounding thud.

Terror replaced Qing Zong's newfound confidence. What sorcery was this?

Yun Wuhan gaped at his son, bewildered and disbelieving. Was this truly the young man he raised?

"A Middle God Realm cultivator?" Yun Tianlong muttered in stunned disbelief. No matter how much he strained to comprehend the situation, Yun Lintian's immense power defied logic.

Su Jian, paralyzed by fear, couldn't even form a coherent thought. Yun Lintian, once perceived as extraordinary, now rendered that word woefully inadequate.

"Now, answer my question clearly," Yun Lintian commanded. "Who holds the mantle of greatest power within your royal clan?"

Qing Zong gulped audibly, his bravado thoroughly shattered. "The Second Ancestor, I believe. Though his exact strength remains unknown to me."

Yun Lintian's gaze flickered to Qing Cong, who writhed on the floor in a pathetic attempt to rise. "And his realm?"

Qing Cong, his voice choked with terror, stammered, "High God Realm."

He braced himself for a reaction, for a flicker of fear in Yun Lintian's eyes. Yet, the young man remained utterly impassive. This chilling indifference spoke volumes. A High God wasn't enough.

A fresh wave of terror washed over Qing Zong. He wasn't wrong. He hadn't kicked an iron plate; he'd stumbled upon a diamond one!

Yun Lintian was surprised inwardly. He'd assumed the Azure Royal Clan's power would dwindle without Qing Shui. It appeared there were hidden talents remaining.

He met Qing Cong's gaze with indifference. "Can you transmit a message for me? I offer your clan two options. Firstly, cede the Azure Spring Grove permanently to my clan and depart this city. Secondly, face complete annihilation."

His voice hung in the air, sending a chill running down everyone's spine…

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