Chapter 92: Three of the Four Subdued
Although they had once been deeply betrayed by the faction they had pledged allegiance to, the reality of the situation made Bai He realize that if they didn't find a sufficiently powerful backer, their Four Clans would never be able to rise again under the suppression of Spirit Hall.
Therefore, Ye Cheng, who was currently alone and in the preliminary stages of establishing his own forces, was undoubtedly an excellent backer. After all, if they joined now, they would be considered founding subordinates.
What's more, Niu Gao strongly recommended him, and Bai He still trusted his good friend of many years. Since Niu Gao was so intent on having the other three clans join White Cloud City as well, it was clear that joining was a choice they would absolutely not regret.
Thus, Bai He didn't hesitate. Disregarding the presence of the younger generation, he immediately moved to emulate Niu Gao, preparing to bow his head in obeisance and call out, "My Lord."
Fortunately, Ye Cheng ultimately saved him some face. As Bai He was about to bow, Ye Cheng helped him up. He then adopted a courteous and humble demeanor, expressing that the Agility Clan's addition was truly like adding wings to a tiger for White Cloud City, and so on. His words, both explicit and implicit, greatly honored Bai He. This made Bai He's aged face blossom into a smile, and he repeatedly called it excessive praise.
At this point, Ye Cheng had already subdued two of the Single Attribute Four Clans.
The process was very smooth, unlike Tang San in the original work who had to go through several twists and turns. After all, the conditions Ye Cheng offered were very generous. Coupled with his formidable strength, the benefits of joining such a person were self-evident. Few would refuse.
Not long after the Agility Clan pledged their allegiance, someone at the door reported that another clan had arrived.
The newcomers were the Destruction Clan.
After Bai He and Niu Gao exchanged glances, worry appeared in both their eyes. They knew their old friend's temper. If he were to lose his temper and offend the City Lord during the recruitment attempt, then…
"No, I must go and notify him first." Thinking of the potential consequences, Bai He couldn't sit still and quickly rose to head outside.
A moment later, an elder, followed by two young men, strode in. Their familiar demeanor, as if they were in their own home, showed they had been here many times before.
Ye Cheng, seated in the main seat, cast his gaze upon the elder the moment he stepped into the Grand Hall.
The elder was slender, his build somewhat similar to Bai He's, but he was a head taller. His hair wasn't snow-white like Bai He's; instead, it was jet black. His complexion was ruddy, but his expression was somewhat gloomy. His sharp, hawk-like eyes gave off a chilling aura.
Bai He, who had gone out earlier, was now walking beside him, whispering something. Clearly, this was Yang Wudi, the clan leader of the Destruction Clan.
"City Lord, let me introduce you. This is Yang Wudi, the clan leader of the Destruction Clan," Niu Gao quickly rose to introduce the newcomer to Ye Cheng.
"Old Goat, I suppose I don't need to say much about this person's identity, do I?" Niu Gao turned to Yang Wudi, intensely signaling him with his eyes. He wanted him to be extremely careful and not unleash his usual foul temper here. If he angered this man, the consequences would be unimaginable!
Unexpectedly, when the originally gloomy Yang Wudi saw Ye Cheng, the frigid expression on his face melted like ice, and he even, unprecedentedly, revealed a benevolent smile. He said, "In Your Excellency's presence, I naturally recognize you."
His overly benevolent behavior, on the contrary, left his old friends Bai He and Niu Gao bewildered. Logically, knowing that Ye Cheng was here to recruit them, given Yang Wudi's character, even if he respected Ye Cheng's strength and wouldn't do anything disrespectful, he shouldn't be acting *this* benevolently, right?
Could this fellow in front of them be an imposter?
Bai He and Niu Gao even began to doubt Yang Wudi's authenticity.
In truth, the reason Yang Wudi behaved so benevolently was primarily due to the previous future video, where Ye Cheng violently beat Tang Hao and severed one of his arms and a leg. In his eyes, that was immensely satisfying.
As for that fellow Tang Hao, Yang Wudi's loathing for him even surpassed his disdain for the Clear Sky Sect. The fundamental reason for all their current suffering lay in that man falling in love with a soul beast, then accidentally killing the Pontiff of Spirit Hall, which ultimately led to that great calamity!
Especially according to the revelations in the future video, in the years after Tang Hao was expelled from his sect, he had simply degenerated.
He preyed on the small and bullied the weak.
This made the proud and upright Yang Wudi, who disdained bullying the weak, look down on that man from the bottom of his heart!
Therefore, for Ye Cheng, this benefactor who had helped him vent his resentment—even if it was just something from the future that hadn't happened yet—Yang Wudi still had a very favorable impression of him.
Moreover, and most importantly, Ye Cheng's strength was undeniable. Even if Yang Wudi's character was unyielding and opinionated, he wasn't a fool. He wouldn't foolishly seek death by provoking someone he knew would surely kill him.
Furthermore, on the way here, Bai He had already told him about the conditions Ye Cheng offered and the fact that both of them had already joined, advising him to consider it carefully.
Yang Wudi was indeed contemplating it on the way over, which was why his expression had seemed so gloomy. In reality, he was merely thinking and weighing the pros and cons.
By the time he saw Ye Cheng, he had already made his choice: to join White Cloud City!
Ye Cheng, who had originally expected to go through some twists and turns to subdue the Destruction Clan, was also slightly surprised to see Yang Wudi bow in submission so easily. But on second thought, his own strength was on full display. How could these people dare to have any objections? It was perfectly normal for it to go this smoothly.
At this point, three of the Four Clans had been subdued.
Ye Cheng's task here was a complete success. As for the remaining Strength Clan, he wasn't particularly keen on subduing them. After all, this clan's forging skills were of no use to him. Moreover, their clan leader was fiercely loyal to Tang Hao, making their subjugation a thankless and arduous task. But considering the feelings of the other three clans, he ultimately decided to wait.
If he could subdue the Strength Clan as smoothly as he did the others, Ye Cheng wouldn't mind having a few more subordinates. After all, White Cloud City was newly established and in need of people.
Not long after the members of the Destruction Clan arrived, the members of the Strength Clan finally showed up, fashionably late.
Before the person even arrived, a booming voice preceded them.
"Hahaha, Old Rhinoceros, I've brought my people to freeload off you again!"
Hearing this, Niu Gao said with a wry smile, "That Old Ape..."
Bai He and Yang Wudi had similar expressions. It was evident from their mutual use of nicknames that the clan leaders of these four clans shared an excellent relationship.
(end of chapter)