"What on earth are you all doing? What is going on here?"
Tian Yan and Tian Guang exposed each other's identities, leaving Tian Hu completely stunned. It was shocking enough that Tian Yan possessed such formidable martial skills, but to discover she was also Jingni, a first-class assassin of the Luo Network, was beyond comprehension. Jingni's reputation had spread far and wide in the martial world, and many noble officials had fallen at her hands—including numerous members of the Farmer Clan.
The same could be said for the infamous Yanri, whose notoriety surpassed even Jingni's. His hands, too, were stained with the blood of Farmer Clan disciples. While the Farmer Clan appeared impoverished on the surface, it harbored many members from aristocratic families.
Now it turned out that both of them were connected to the Farmer Clan. It was no wonder Tian Hu was so bewildered. Even Daniel Davis, observing the chaotic state of the Farmer Clan, found himself somewhat at a loss. The complex web of schemes was dizzying, a testament to the saying that those skilled in strategy often harbor dark hearts.
The chaos in the Farmer Clan stemmed primarily from the sheer number of factions involved, each with its own agenda. Add to that the personal ambitions of various individuals, and it was no surprise that even members of the imperial faction were engaging in infighting. Disorder was inevitable.
Among all the worlds Daniel Davis had encountered, the Qin-era realm did not boast the highest martial prowess, but it certainly exhibited the greatest intelligence. The strategists of the Warring States period would hardly be noteworthy here.
"The situation is simple, Second Uncle. I want to become the leader of the Farmer Clan," Tian Yan declared, ignoring Tian Hu's anger. After witnessing Daniel Davis's immense strength, she had come to understand that the anti-Qin forces had no chance of turning the tide.
Tian Yan was an exceptionally intelligent individual. Though she feared Daniel Davis's authority as National Master, she wasn't reckless enough to expose herself without a solid plan. Her ambitions, which her mother never possessed, were clear. If she had been born a man, her name might have stood alongside Ying Zheng, Han Fei, Lord Changping, and Yan Dan in this era.
In terms of talent and martial skill, Tian Yan was not unmatched—figures like Gai Nie and Wei Zhuang stood above her. But in ambition, she surpassed even Wei Zhuang.
Daniel Davis didn't mind Tian Yan's ambitions. Everyone had them. To gain her trust, he had even sparred with her, demonstrating a level of strength that left her in disbelief.
"You? Become the leader? Do you think the disciples of the Farmer Clan will obey you?" Tian Hu was incensed by her declaration. Naturally, he had his own designs on the leadership position.
"Why wouldn't they? The current leader of the Farmer Clan is a Luo Network assassin who wants to lead us into submission to the Luo Network. To stop him, Father and you perished together with him. In this moment of internal and external crisis for the Farmer Clan, who would oppose me becoming the leader?" Tian Yan's eyes shifted toward Sima Wanli, Tian Zhong, and Tian Mi.
"The eldest daughter succeeding as leader is the obvious choice. The Four Mountain Halls will support her unconditionally," Sima Wanli declared first.
"The Gonggong Hall will follow the eldest daughter," Tian Zhong added.
"Kuiwei Hall greets the eldest daughter," Tian Mi chimed in, ever adept at shifting allegiances.
"Second Uncle, do you see? If you're willing to pledge your loyalty, you can continue to serve as the leader of the Chiyou Hall," Tian Yan said with a confident smile.
"You—" Tian Hu nearly lashed out with his sword but restrained himself when Tian Meng intervened.
Though Tian Guang and Tian Meng had been ambushed and gravely injured, they were not yet dead.
"Let's go! We must return to the Farmer Clan and seek out the Six Elders," Tian Guang urged. He and Tian Meng realized how dire the situation was. If all three of them died here, the Farmer Clan would inevitably fall into Tian Yan's hands—and, by extension, into the empire's grasp.
Tian Hu's martial skill was formidable, but even he could not defeat Tian Ci, who now held the title of the Farmer Clan's strongest fighter. Tian Guang and Tian Meng might match Tian Yan, but they could not overcome the combined forces of their enemies.
Despite his simple-minded demeanor and large physique, Tian Ci possessed extraordinary talent in martial arts and wielded the fifth-ranked swords, Ganjiang and Moye.
"Do you think you can escape, Second Uncle?" Tian Yan taunted. At her words, Sima Wanli, Tian Zhong, and Tian Mi closed in.
"Tian Yan, do you know the consequences of your actions?" Tian Guang, unable to comprehend her betrayal, struggled to reconcile her strength with her decisions. He had always believed she would never turn against him.
"This is not your concern," Tian Yan replied, raising Jingni's sword and turning her gaze to Tian Hu. "Second Uncle, this is your last chance."
"If you think I'll submit to you, you're dreaming. Come, let's see if you can kill me."
As the situation teetered on the brink of eruption, a large group of figures emerged, holding torches and quickly surrounding Tian Yan's faction.
"Bone Demon, Mute Slave, you've arrived just in time," Tian Hu exclaimed, his mood brightening as he recognized the newcomers—disciples of the Farmer Clan, including his confidants from the Chiyou Hall, Bone Demon, and the Mute Slave, as well as Gonggong Hall's steward Jin.
Due to the butterfly effect of Daniel Davis's earlier actions, Dian Qing had died outright, and Mei Sanniang had joined the Mohist Clan instead of the Farmer Clan.
The sudden arrival of reinforcements made Sima Wanli, Tian Zhong, and Tian Mi visibly uneasy. These reinforcements did not include their own subordinates; they were primarily from the Chiyou Hall and Lishan Hall, with the exception of Gonggong Hall's steward Jin.
"Bone Demon, Mute Slave, Tian Yan is Jingni from the Luo Network," Tian Hu quickly explained, directing the disciples to tend to Tian Guang and Tian Meng.
As Bone Demon and Mute Slave led a group of Farmer Clan disciples away, Sima Wanli and Tian Zhong exchanged glances and immediately moved closer together.
"Second-in-command, I was forced before. My earlier words were not sincere," Tian Mi promptly shifted her stance as the situation changed.
Tian Yan, however, remained calm, as if the surrounding Farmer Clan disciples didn't exist.
"Steward Jin, can I trust you?" Tian Hu asked cautiously. Despite his confidence, he wasn't reckless—Jin was, after all, Tian Zhong's subordinate.
"Jin has always been loyal to the Farmer Clan," Jin replied.
"Good. From today, you are the head of Gonggong Hall."
Tian Hu's decision pleased Jin, but it also revealed his ambitions.
"So, Second Uncle, you want to be the leader too?" Tian Yan remarked.
"The leadership is better in my hands than in those of a traitor like you."
"Forgot to mention, Second Uncle, Steward Jin here is also a Luo Network assassin—one of the famed Killers of Tianzi."
"Do you think I'd believe you?" Tian Hu retorted, though his body language betrayed his suspicions.
Steward Jin sighed and removed his mask, revealing his true identity. The atmosphere grew tenser as truths unraveled, and schemes deepened.
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