For the next two days, the city was was still the same. But behind the scenes, many people could feel the surging undercurrent. Like a storm was ready to hit them.
It was the same for the 4 clans of Black Swan City, except it was much stronger.
During those times, the activities of the 4 clans quiet down. Their people doesn't appear much in public eyes, like avoiding people intentionally.
The high ranking people of the clans rarely appear in public eyes, even to those Clan members.
-------
Two days later, like he was told, Li Fei arrived at the abandoned place.
Like usual, he did what he had to do to meet the person.
That was to make a rhythmic chirping sound.
And like always, The other person appeared behind him with a gust of wind.
As he knew, the other person went straight to the point as soon as he arrived.
Nan Yuan said. "You have the amount?"
"Yes." Li Fei replied. As he said that, he reached into his pocket and took a out a big money pouch.
Then, he gave it to Nan Yuan.
Without a word, Nan Yuan took the pouch and put it inside his pocket.
"5 days from now, 6 pm. Swan Neck ridge." Nan Yuan gave the information he collected.
"5 days from now... Swan Neck Ridge.. early nighttime." Li Fei repeated the words murmuring. His eyes lit up as he repeated the words.
'That's the day of Swan Lantern Festival!!.. How could I missed that?' The sudden realization hit him.
"Okey then, I am leaving." Nan Yuan turned around and tried to leave after giving the information.
But before he could do that, Li Fei hurriedly called out. "Wait.." His hand reached out like trying to stop him.
Nan Yuan turned his head slightly and asked in a cold voice. "What?"
Li Fei could feel the questioning tone and the threat in it. He was basically saying you can't stop me even if you want to.
Gulp..
Li Fei hurriedly clarified. "Its nothing. It just... just.. I just want to know if I can join you guys. Because I know there must be a group of people working with you. So, I want to join you."
Hearing that, Nan Yuan was surprised. He turned around and said. "Join us?"
"Why?" He asked.
"Because I don't want to stuck here forever. And I know you guys will eventually leave this place." Li Fei explained and gave his reason.
Until to that point, Nan Yuan and his brothers never thought of leaving Black Swan City. They were just some beggars and now they are living the life of a content person.
But after hearing Li Fei's words, something lit up inside him. Like a person wanting to know more about the world, wanting to travel around the world and explore.
After a moment of silent, Nan Yuan looked at Li Fei deeply and replied. "We will consider it. I will tell if you are suitable or not. Later."
With that, Nan Yuan left the place, leaving Li Fei alone without a clear answer. He didn't tell him when will he contact him and how they will consider him.
Sigh.....
Li Fei sighed a bit. Then, he also left the place. Heading straight back to his clan.
----
As soon as he reached his clan, he called a meeting and explained what he got.
When the core members heard the information, their faces showed a look of realization.
Like yeah, how could they not considered it. The Swan Lantern Festival is the perfect cover.
The city will be in chaos the whole day. So leaving the city without anyone's attention will be too easy.
Now, they got what they want. The Li clan also started planning their part of the plan.
----
The next few days went as usual.
For the Li clan, it was the same. Except they saw unfamiliar people started appearing in front their residence.
People with new faces started setting up stalls before their gate. Not just one or two, but a whole lot more. Like rows of stall.
They continued to manage their stall even when none of the people came to buy from them.
From that, the Li can knew the other 3 clans were keeping a close eye on them.
Unfortunately for the Lin, Jin and Meng clan, their efforts were futile. The Li clan had already expected those kind of moves, so before long, the people participating in the mission have long gone from their clan.
Somewhere, they were waiting for the plan to start.
On the corner of the city, there was a small inn surrounded by small group of ordinary homes.
Inside one of the room, 5 men were discussing something, sitting in a circle.
As they were talking, the door to their room opened and a young man entered. It was the Li clan's group. The young man was Li Fei.
After entering the room, he closed the door behind him.
"Fei'er, how was it? Anything new?" Li Fang asked his son, the moment he entered the room. The other 4 men also had the same question.
Li Fei didn't make them wait for long, he said. "Like we expected, they made their moves. There were eyes everywhere outside the clan."
"Good thing we expected it. If not, it will be difficult for us to leave the clan and carry out the plan." One of them said. And hearing that, the others nodded —agreeing to his words.
"Okey, now we all know the situation. I just want to say that you guys should know the value of this mission. This will decide the future of our clan. If we succeed, we might be more prosperous than before. But if we loss,.....you all know the price." Li Fang explained the weight of the mission they are doing, his tone carried the heaviness in his voice.
The other nodded with grave expression. They all knew the risk they are taking. One mistake and everything they planned will fall to the ground.
"Okey, let's rest for today. Tomorrow, we will leave the city before sunrise." After seeing the faces of his clan member, Li Fang told them to rest.
And they just did that.
That night, Li Fei could not sleep. He lay there on the floor with the other sleeping besides him.
"Fei'er.." As he lay there, he heard his father's voice.
"Yes, dad." He responded.
"Can't sleep?"
"Um..."
"What are you thinking about?" Li Fang asked softly.
"I.. I was just thinking, what kind of person they are sending as our city lord. And was just wondering if it's worth the risk we are taking, without knowing what kind of person he is." Li Fei said.
"Don't worry about it. I already asked about to someone I know from the government office. He said the person coming is a man of word, a righteous man." LinFang told what he knew to his son.
"Righteous man...." Li Fei murmured, wondering if it's even true.
Knowing what he was thinking, Li Fang expressed his thought. "If not? Why would they send someone strong to a remote city with barely any resources."
What he said made sense. And Li Fei also knew that. "Maybe."
"Okey, go to sleep. Otherwise, you will get tired tomorrow." Saying that, Li Fang stopped talking and went to sleep.
Li Fei stayed there lying awake for a while, but he eventually fell asleep.
-----
The next day, before sunrise, the Li clan group left the city.
As soon as the sun came up, the city was filled with the sound of firecrackers and laughter of children. Every door and every windows were decorated with red and yellow colour lanterns, representing and happiness. When the nighttime come, those Lanterns will be lit. Figures of swan were hanging at every house.
Every streets were filled with people going around buying things. Even beggars were eating a full meal.
The day passed with busy people and sound of laughter. The atmosphere was refreshing. Indicating the early spring season of the year.
But that was not the same for the Meng, Lin and Jin clans.
Instead of celebrating, they were preparing for something else.
That evening, inside an unknown room, the Meng, Lin and Jin people were discussing for the last time.
All of them were dressed in black with their faces covered.
3 rows of people stood inside the big room, consisting of 30 people overall. Before them stood their clan leader, with Jin Mo in the middle.
The 3 leader were also dressed in black but their faces were not covered.
Jin Mo asked to the other 2 clan leaders. "They are still inside their residence?"
The other nodded.
"Are you guys sure?" He asked again.
"We are." Both of them gave a firm answer.
Judging from the conversation, it was clear that Jin Mo was the leader of the group. His arrogant and commanding tone showed it.
Looking at the situation, it was unlikely that he did that without a reason. There's a reason for that. He was already at the 6 Level Body Refinement Realm, same as the ancestors of the 4 clans.
But just that won't gave him the power to be so arrogant that he can command the other 2 clan leaders. That's because the ancestor of Jin clan also broke through to Level 7 Body Refinement Realm, leaving behind the mid level and entering the high level of the realm.
Standing in the middle with a proud demeanor, Jin Mo gave his last command before the mission. "Now, the time has come. Like instructed, leave through the secret door."
After he said that, all of them left the room and headed towards a remote part of the city wall.