4: Chapter 4 The Situation

No matter how difficult it was, the Pei Family had no way out.

"As expected... the Old Ancestor's physical condition is indeed failing." Pei Tianlin's heart was heavy, and his brows were knitted together. His tightly clenched fists revealed the turmoil in his heart.

Thinking of all this, he understood that he needed to step up at this moment.

As time passed, Pei Tianlin's expression gradually softened, a hint of determination appearing in his eyes. He turned to Pei Tianrong beside him and said, "Big Brother, for this operation, I want my name to be on the list of ten."

Hearing this, Pei Tianrong did not answer immediately.

Operations of the Evil Suppression Bureau were no child's play; they had a staggering casualty rate. Only those in the Five Viscera Realm could ensure their own safety.

According to statistics, at least several Divine Strength Martial Artists died in every operation.

Especially with the current rampant spread of Demons, more than ten people died in each operation. On average, including the Evil Suppression Bureau itself, each faction lost at least two people.

The number two might not seem large, but for the three major families of Wuyang County, it was a significant loss.

After all, those who could participate in the operations were not ordinary people without the strength to truss a chicken; they were at least Divine Strength Martial Artists.

Every Divine Strength Martial Artist was the backbone of a clan, and there were no more than two hundred in the entire Wuyang County territory.

If divided among the three major families, the number was even smaller.

One could imagine how high the risks of the Evil Suppression Bureau's operations were.

Even though Pei Tianlin had reached Divine Power Perfection, he could not guarantee his own safety.

Pei Tianrong knew his second brother very well.

Although this second brother appeared somewhat reckless in his daily life, it was merely to deceive others.

In fact, Pei Tianlin had always been a man of careful thought beneath a rough exterior. Otherwise, Pei Tianrong would not have entrusted the Family's most important industries to him.

This time, Pei Tianlin had volunteered for the operation. It wasn't just about preserving his own life; it was to protect the Old Ancestor.

At a critical moment, he would even sacrifice his life for the Old Ancestor.

In such a case, Pei Tianlin's chances of survival were slim.

As an older brother, Pei Tianrong did not want Pei Tianlin to take this path. As the Clan Chief, however, what he needed to do was support Pei Tianlin's request.

After a moment of silence, Pei Tianrong said, "I agree to this, but you must come back alive."

"Hahaha, don't worry, Big Brother. My life is tough; no one can take it away," Pei Tianlin laughed loudly, his words full of easygoing confidence.

Pei Tianrong patted Pei Tianlin's shoulder. He knew all too well that these words were just to comfort him; everything was understood without being said.

Shortly after Pei Tianlin left, several Elders came one after another to volunteer for the battle.

Each of these Elders came with an attitude of disregarding their own lives.

Most of them were at the Late Stage of Divine Power or higher. Compared to previous participants, besides the Old Ancestor Pei Qingyun, these ten people represented half of the Pei Clan's foundation.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they were going all out.

After a moment's hesitation, Pei Tianrong agreed to everyone's requests.

If he weren't the Clan Chief and unable to lead from the front, he would have even wanted to sign up himself.

Although the Pei Clan had not yet fallen, it had reached a moment of life and death.

Once Pei Qingyun fell, the Pei Family would fall. Rather than letting that happen, it was better to stake everything on one throw.

As long as the Old Ancestor could return safely from this operation, they could secure another three months of safety.

While the Pei Clan members were risking their lives to join the battle...

...at the estate of the Wang Family, one of the three major families of Wuyang County, a heated discussion was taking place regarding the candidates for the operation.

As one of the three major families of Wuyang County, the Evil Suppression Bureau's requirements for them were the same: one Five Viscera Realm expert and ten Divine Strength Martial Artists.

The top-tier combat power of the three major families was roughly the same, each having only one Five Viscera Realm expert. However, in terms of Divine Strength Martial Artists, the Wang Family had a few more.

But the list of ten names still gave Wang Yang, the Clan Chief, a massive headache.

Especially since the casualty rate had skyrocketed in the last operation. This caused some clan members, who originally had some ambition, to give up on volunteering this time.

"What a headache! At a time like this, these old fellows are all afraid of death. But as soon as they hear there are benefits, they swarm forward. They really won't lift a finger without a reward," Wang Yang said angrily, seeing that no one volunteered.

He had long understood the character of his clansmen, but encountering this situation still filled him with resentment.

After a brief moment of anger, his emotions gradually calmed. Compared to his own clan's list for this operation, he was more concerned about the Pei Family's arrangements.

Before long, an old man with white hair, a wrinkled face, and wearing deep blue luxurious robes walked in from the courtyard.

Seeing Wang Yang, the old man bowed respectfully and said, "Master, I have already scouted the Pei Family's list in advance. According to the Evil Suppression Bureau, the Pei Family has not yet finalized their list."

"They haven't finalized the list yet! Usually by this time, that old fellow Pei Qingyun would have already arranged everything. It seems my perception last time was correct; that old guy's health has indeed run into trouble."

"This is an opportunity for the Wang Family! If it weren't for that old bag of bones refusing to die, the Pei Family would have been our clan's prey long ago."

"Master is brilliant and has planned ahead. I believe it won't be long before our clan can reach a higher level," the old man praised.

"You can't say that. The old fellow is at such an age; it was only a matter of time before problems arose. It's just that this day has come quite a bit sooner than I expected," Wang Yang shook his head slightly.

"The Li Family must have noticed this as well and will surely want a piece of the pie. If my Wang Family wants to take down the Pei Family in one go, we must be fast and act before the Li Family can react."

"What Master says is true. The Li Family has wild ambitions; we must be on guard," the old man echoed.

"Steward Liu, continue to investigate the matter of the Pei Family's list at the Evil Suppression Bureau. I will prepare the silver for the bribes. Additionally, keep an eye on the situation with the Li Family's list."

"Furthermore, get the latest intelligence on the Pei Family to me as soon as possible, especially that old thing Pei Qingyun's physical condition." After saying all this, Wang Yang took a deep breath.

In matters concerning the rise and fall of the clan, he had to be cautious.

If Pei Qingyun had not fallen and the Wang Family attacked en masse, even if they could swallow them, they would definitely suffer heavy losses.

At that point, he feared they would end up losing more than they gained.

After all, the Wang Family was not the sole power in Wuyang County. The Li Family was also watching like a tiger, having long coveted such a large piece of fat as the Pei Family.

"Yes, Master." Steward Liu understood and quickly left.

Shortly after Steward Liu left, Wang Yang summoned the Elders of the Wang Family for a discussion.