Guo Qi nodded repeatedly, as if he’d been completely set free.
This trade run had been truly difficult for Guo Qi.
First, he’d run into Shen Bai, then members of the Chaotic Organization, and now the Grand Elder. He had even overheard a terrifying secret.
Each incident had frayed Guo Qi’s nerves.
Now that Shen Bai had finally let him go, he couldn’t be happier.
Then, Guo Qi watched Shen Bai and the Grand Elder leave before disappearing himself.
As for the trading post, the Grand Elder would naturally handle it. They didn’t need to worry about anything else.
...
Beast Village was vast, but it had one extremely eye-catching structure: a nine-story tower in the center of the village.
The nine-story building had become Beast Village’s most prominent landmark. Its resident was the most revered person in the entire village—the Clan Leader.
Of course, the Clan Leader wasn’t the only one in such a large tower. In fact, the upper echelon of Beast Village also handled their daily affairs inside.
This included members of the Conservative Faction as well as the Radical Faction.
Normally, they each did their own work and did not interfere with one another.
But recently, a problem had arisen.
For some unknown reason, the Clan Leader of Beast Village had suddenly begun to lean toward the Conservative Faction.
Because of this, the members of the Radical Faction were greatly distressed.
They increasingly felt wronged and believed that Beast Village’s future was shrouded in gloom.
Today, on the highest floor of the tower, an old man in purple robes was sitting at a table, drinking tea.
Beside the old man was another elder, but this one was dressed in yellow robes.
The purple-robed elder glanced at the one in yellow and said, "Second Elder, do you have any idea why the Grand Elder has suddenly summoned us?"
The Second Elder, dressed in yellow, shook his head. "I do not, but it might be related to some of the Clan Leader’s recent activities."
The Clan Leader set down his teacup. "True. Besides that, there’s nothing else it could be."
The Second Elder didn’t respond.
’Actually, I’m quite puzzled myself,’ he thought. ’The reason being the Clan Leader’s sudden shift in my favor.’
However, he didn’t voice this confusion. The Clan Leader’s actions had been so obvious that asking about them would only make him look foolish.
The Clan Leader watched the steam wafting from his cup and slightly loosened his grip. "They’re here."
As his voice fell, two figures walked in through the door.
The one in the lead was the Grand Elder. The other was an ordinary-looking young man.
Seeing this, the Second Elder frowned. "This is a high-level meeting. What are you doing bringing a common villager?"
The Clan Leader also fixed his gaze on Shen Bai, his brow furrowing in displeasure.
A Cyan Snake was coiled around the Grand Elder’s arm. He walked to a chair and sat down. "I just brought him along to pour you two some tea. It’s not as if I called this meeting for anything top secret."
Hearing this, the Clan Leader lowered his gaze. "Just say it. We’re all very busy. There’s no time to beat around the bush."
The Grand Elder stared at the Clan Leader for a moment. "Clan Leader, you weren’t like this before. You were impartial, even taking action to maintain the balance. But now, you’ve become biased."
The Clan Leader shook his head. "Time has a way of changing a person. It’s normal for one’s ideas to change quickly sometimes."
The Second Elder’s tone was heavy with sarcasm. "Did you come here just to complain?"
The two factions had been fighting for a long time; both sides had long since grown to despise each other.
Now that the Clan Leader was siding with him, the Second Elder naturally took the opportunity to press his advantage.
He was eager to see the Grand Elder’s frustrated expression.
The Clan Leader tapped the table. "State your purpose."
He didn’t want to continue on this topic, even seeming to want to wrap things up hastily.
Seeing this, the Grand Elder took a deep breath. "I came for an answer."
"On what?" the Clan Leader asked.
The Grand Elder pointed at the Second Elder. "I can concede. We can cut off all contact with the outside world. But we cannot cut off contact with the Refuge. That is Beast Village’s only way out. Complete isolation will only lead to death."
"As long as you agree to this, I have nothing more to say. The Radical Faction can be suppressed by the Conservative Faction. I don’t care."
The Second Elder sneered, "If we’re cutting off contact, that naturally includes the Refuge. Our survival isn’t easy. If something goes wrong because of our interactions with the Refuge, can you bear the responsibility?"
"It’s been so many years, and there has never been any danger." The Grand Elder opened his mouth, preparing to say more.
But before he could finish, the Clan Leader spoke again.
"The matter is decided. There is no room for argument."
"You may go back."
The Clan Leader’s expression was one of complete disinterest, as if he had no interest whatsoever in the Grand Elder’s proposal.
A conflicted look appeared on the Grand Elder’s face.
He knew the negotiations had failed, but he was still clinging to a sliver of hope.
Now, he was still preparing to continue speaking.
But before he could get the words out, the ordinary-looking young man beside him suddenly spoke.
"There’s nothing to say."
The simple sentence immediately drew the gazes of all three men.
The Clan Leader frowned. "This is not your place to speak. Seeing as you’re a confidant brought by the Grand Elder, I will pardon you this time. If it happens a second time, you will be slapped fifty times."
The Second Elder jeered, "Look at the person you brought. He doesn’t even know the most basic rules. How outrageous. No wonder the Clan Leader favors us."
The Grand Elder gave a wry smile.
He looked at Shen Bai and said, "Young friend, it seems we have no choice but to take the worst path."
He truly didn’t want this. He had watched this village grow with his own two hands.