Chapter 250 -246: Tit for Tat

Outside White Cloud City, banners fluttered and the sound of drums shook the heavens.

An army of over ten thousand soldiers stood in formation before the city gates. A general’s banner fluttered in the wind, emblazoned with the name ‘Ouyang.’ The calligraphy was forceful and domineering, and the flag snapped audibly as it whipped through the air.

Beneath the central banner,

a middle-aged man in a fiery red robe sat on a grand preceptor’s chair, his frigid gaze fixed on the city walls ahead, his brow slightly furrowed. ‘I never expected to find such a formidable city in a backwater like this. The walls of White Cloud City are high and thick, their construction both logical and ingenious. There are even parts that I, this Grand General, can’t comprehend. Its defenses probably surpass even those of major cities like Sunset City and Azure Water City.’

“Grand General, what’s there to fear? The walls may be high, but they’re defended by a disorderly mob. With the strength of our army, we can just charge straight up. We’ll breach the city in three days at most!” a big-bearded officer beside him boomed, his tone full of pride, clearly confident in the strength of his men.

Ouyang Xu’s eyes glinted. He tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest of his wooden chair and mused for a moment before shaking his head. “To take White Cloud City, my personal troops would suffer at least one to two thousand casualties!”

These personal troops were his most trusted and loyal elites. Losing one or two thousand of them would be a painful blow to Ouyang Xu, as he only had about ten thousand in total.

“We cannot act rashly! It’s best if we can subdue them without a fight. Our envoy has already been dispatched. Let’s wait for their response!” Ouyang Xu turned his head to the Liu Family Head, Liu Liqun, who was beside him. “Liu Liqun, what do you think?”

After being driven out of the cave by Ye Xing and Gao Zhisong last time, the Liu Family Head, Liu Liqun, had found himself surrounded by the massive army. With the Innate Realm expert Ouyang Xu taking action personally, he was ultimately captured.

“Grand General, rest assured. With our army at their gates, the people inside must know they don’t have the strength to defend White Cloud City. If they want to live, they have to surrender and hand over the treasure,” the Liu Family Head, Liu Liqun, said with a cupped-fist salute.

“Mm, I hope they know what’s good for them! Otherwise—” A cold glint flashed in Ouyang Xu’s eyes, radiating an icy killing intent. It was clear that if White Cloud City did not surrender, he would order the assault. To obtain the Daluo Sect Treasure, what was a mere one or two thousand of his personal troops? He would throw in all ten thousand of his elites if he had to.

“Huh? Grand General, look! Someone’s coming up on the city wall!” an officer beside him suddenly exclaimed, pointing at the wall ahead.

Ouyang Xu and the others couldn’t help but look toward the gate tower.

They saw many Guards of White Cloud City stationed on the walls, each holding a weapon, their armor gleaming. A group of people appeared on the central gate tower, led by a very young man.

This young man’s gaze swept over the scene below the city, landing on Ouyang Xu, who sat beneath the banners before the gates.

“Haha, Grand General Ouyang, what an honor to have you grace us with your presence! This humble one was just in Secluded Cultivation. Please forgive me for the poor reception!” From the gate tower, Ye Xing cupped his fists and laughed heartily.

The two men, one on the tower and one below the gate, locked eyes.

“Since you know you’ve been impolite, why not invite this Grand General into the city for a short visit!” Ouyang Xu’s eyes narrowed slightly as he spoke in a cold voice.

“Hehe, if General Ouyang wishes to enter the city, I would be most welcoming! It would be White Cloud City’s honor.” Ye Xing smiled faintly, then sighed after a pause. “It’s just that my White Cloud City is small and its walls are low. With your vast army, I’m afraid we can’t accommodate so many men. How about this: let your soldiers make camp outside the city, and General Ouyang can enter by himself. This humble one will be sure to treat you with the utmost hospitality!”

The moment Ye Xing finished speaking, many of the Great River Gang Squad Leaders beside him grew anxious. “Gang Leader, you can’t! That Ouyang Xu is an Innate Realm expert! If we let him into the city, the consequences will be unimaginable!”

“It’s fine, I have my own plans!” Ye Xing waved his hand dismissively. “I’m just afraid he doesn’t have the guts to enter!” he added lightly.

「Below the city gate.」

Ouyang Xu’s eyes glinted, narrowing slightly. “You really dare to let me enter the city?” he asked, somewhat surprised.

“Why wouldn’t I dare? You are most welcome!” Ye Xing replied from the gate tower, his voice calm and confident, betraying no hint of emotion.

Now, it was Ouyang Xu’s turn to be unable to read the situation.

“What is that kid trying to do? What do you all think?” Ouyang Xu asked the men beside him.

“Hehe, General, there’s no need to worry. The boy is just bluffing,” the Liu Family Head, Liu Liqun, said with a laugh. “With the General’s strength as an Innate Realm expert, if you enter the city, you can capture him directly and force him to hand over the treasure!”

“Mm!” Ouyang Xu nodded slightly and mused, “That boy’s strength is impressive, close to someone on the Wind and Cloud List. However, if I were to go all out, I am at least sixty percent confident I could capture him.”

“General, you mustn’t!” several officers beside him hastily interjected. “If you enter the city alone, you might be ambushed!”

“Surely you jest. The Grand General is an Innate Realm expert; he can move freely even amidst an army of thousands.” Liu Liqun’s eyes darted about. “Even if you can’t capture the boy, with the General’s power, breaking out would be effortless.”

The strength of an Innate Realm Martial Artist was immense. Their True Essence could leave their body to form a Protective Gang Qi, granting them Attack Power and survival capabilities far beyond what a Postnatal Martial Artist could compare to.

Ouyang Xu’s eyes glinted as he tapped his fingers rhythmically on the armrest of his wooden chair, deep in thought.

“Master, this old one feels you should not take the risk. That boy has many tricks up his sleeve; we must be careful. We only need to attack the city with our army. When the city falls, with the army for cover, capturing that boy will be as easy as flipping one’s hand. Why risk entering the city alone!”

At this moment, a gray-robed elder stepped forward and spoke.

“Mm! That boy is cunning and full of schemes. This Grand General has no need to pay him any mind. I just need to crush him head-on!” Ouyang Xu nodded, his frigid gaze turning to Ye Xing on the gate tower. He shouted coldly, “Boy, this Grand General can’t be bothered to waste words with you! Hand over the treasure at once, or I’ll slaughter everyone in your city!”

“Hand over the treasure at once, or I’ll slaughter everyone in your city!” “Hand over the treasure at once, or I’ll slaughter everyone in your city!”

“Hand over the treasure at once, or I’ll slaughter everyone in your city!”

Empowered by Ouyang Xu’s dense True Essence, his voice rolled like thunder, echoing between heaven and earth.

On the city walls, the expressions of everyone from White Cloud Manor changed.

A cold gleam flashed through Ye Xing’s eyes before he quickly suppressed it. With a panicked look on his face, he said, “General, calm your anger, please! We can discuss this. Handing over the treasure isn’t out of the question. It’s just that this humble one didn’t come by this treasure easily; I should at least get a slice of the pie. How about we split it thirty-seventy?”

“Thirty-seventy?” Ouyang Xu’s brow furrowed. “That’s too much!” he said coldly.

“Thirty-seventy is too much? Then how about ten-ninety?”

“Ten-ninety! Hmm, acceptable!”

“Excellent! General Ouyang, you’re such a good person! You don’t want thirty-seventy, you want ten-ninety. Then it’s settled. A ten-ninety split: you get ten percent, and I get ninety!” A slight curve appeared on Ye Xing’s lips as he gave a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

Ouyang Xu was just about to nod when his expression suddenly changed, turning ashen. A murderous light erupted in his eyes as he roared, “Boy, you dare to mock me!”

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