Chapter 391 - Igniting The Fires of War (Part-1)

"So what we will do is pretty simple, just like Brother Ryuu told us a few days ago, I hope you remembered the story of how two groups were brought down to their knees by the third, he simply committed crimes and then made sure to frame the two groups slowly and surely turning into each other, and then the capitalize on the situation what Brother Ryuu had suggested is extremely easy for us they are already at each other's throat as such we would simply light the fire and fan the flames."

A rather eloquent cultivator finished his speech only for another to begin his, "What Brother Daoist said is true but at the time he also failed to mention how delicate the situation is, from a glance we can see two groups who are fighting against each other but at the same time we should not forget that they have been fighting for who knows when and as such they should be familiar with each other's tactics and as such it would be very easy for them to notice something amiss and I do not doubt that they might be already aware about us and it would not take much longer to add two and two make four and then we have to fight on both of them after all we are the third part that had encroached upon their lands and because of us they might form a temporary truce to deal with us."

Many nodded at that after all being cautious was an extremely good habit until one of them spoke aloud, "Hey has anyone seen brother Ryuu? After all we are following his suggestion so where is he?"

True-Spear grunted at that as he replied to them, "He volunteered to take my shift according to him, he was getting bored and wanted to stretch his legs but he should be back by now."

Severing Saber shook his head as he spoke, "Even after all possessing many good qualities Young Ryuu is too restless as well as lazy, always seeking for something that would either keep his attention or sleeping."

Chianyu frowned as he spoke, "Why do you refer to him as 'Young Ryuu' many of us might be younger than you fellow Daoist Brother but I do not think we are that much younger."

Severing Saber gave him a slight smile as he spoke, "Forgive me brother Chainyu and anyone who might be offended but Ryuu reminds me of my Great Grandchild he would reach his Hundred years soon he is very lazy until something catches his eyes, Ryuu reminds me of him."

Chianyu nodded at that as he cracked a small smile as he spoke, "The only difference is Ryuu is million years older.", Zywia almost choked on hearing that as even Frozen Ocean's brow twitched a bit.

Severing Saber nodded at that as he spoke, "Exactly brother Chianyu exactly as you say."

Whenever Ryuu's age was brought up Zywia had the sudden urge to hole up inside a room and cry at the unfairness of the world, even Frozen Ocean to a certain extent after all how many could claim they are an Mystic Immortal Emperor before their hundred years of age, Zywia still remembered how her parents had laughed upon hearing from her brother Cezary about Ryuu's strength thinking he was joking then it morphed into that of horror and finally resignation the only thing his parents would say was that even Pangu was less troublesome than Ryuu and how he was the only one in existence that had created such reality defying miracles, she had chalked it up as good luck but now she hoped that his luck would hold for many millennia to come, Frozen Ocean had a small chat with her and helped her realize that Ryuu might not be sleeping but because of the poison he was forced to rest often as such the duo decided to create as much distraction so that others might not learn about it.

"I am sorry everyone I was bit late.", Ryuu came to the clearing with a figure covered from head to toe in some form of cloth making everyone look at the person curiously.

"Brother Ryuu, if I may ask who is this person accompanying you?"

Ryuu gained sad frown on his face as he spoke, "Today when I took the shift on spying the second village or as I would designate its name as 'Beta', I came upon a startling discovery the Village 'Beta' are full of cannibals."

At that everyone's eyes widen especially those that who were not spirit beast and had taken humanoid shape, cannibalism was seen as a taboo to any cultivator who indulges in it, it was one of those many taboos for that affects ones karma badly and tarnishes it to the point no amount of good deeds and repenting can make them karma good.

True-Spear frowned as he spoke while leaning forward, "Brother Ryuu the person beside you did you rescue the person by your side?"

As Ryuu nodded at that but before he could speak, one of them suddenly spoke with alarm in his voice, "Brother Ryuu by doing so you would draw their attention to us, how could you be so careless?", many seemed to share his sentiment making Ryuu to sigh inwardly at that, 'Damn we cultivators are surely a rather selfish bunch.'

"Let him speak, brother Ryuu has done nothing without thinking so why doubt his actions and motives.", came Frost Flames stern voice, he looked to see his group as well as True-Spear nodding agreement but from the looks of it the glare from Zywia made him nod making him snicker inwardly.

Ryuu cleared his throat as he began, "I understand your concern Daoist Brother but unfortunately I cannot condone the death of one of our fellow cultivators, today I stumbled upon Chasing Winds on my way back who had been captured by them as such I rescued her."

Everyone's eyes widen as many of their fellow cultivators stood up while the female cultivators made their way to their fellow cultivator as Ryuu moved to the side to give space, "Are those savage cannibals responsible for her and what happened to others."

Ryuu nodded at that as he spoke in a somber tone, "I believe it is to be as such, trying to separate and scatter us like a person does to the bees in order to collect honey, that smell was the smoke and we made a mistake thinking it was some highly intelligent spirit beast but it turned out to be cannibalistic humans.", most of the cultivators eyes went cold upon hearing that, they had finally found the culprit behind the ghastly smell incident a target they are willing to make them pay via blood.

Chasing Winds looked at Ryuu her mind was a mess, the entire incident began when they decided to follow after Ryuu and Frozen Ocean she was so sure that she would be able to kill him easily, he had shown incredible skills but even the most strongest of beings could be taken out by being blindsided but never in all her years she would have thought that not only did she attacked such a horrifying creature but also she foolishly used her one use trump card she had to spend days and weeks trying to scrub the smell of off her and spend nightmarish days only to be captured by cannibals, she still remembered how Ryuu came to her rescue and saved her.

"Sister Chasing Winds you are alive, we all thought the worst please return with me back to our base, I was so worried for you thinking the only peer of mine with such interest in array dead I felt a bit hollow but now seeing you alive I can only praise the mercy of Heavens.", the face filled with worry and slight tears of relief on his face moved her really moved her no one has ever been concerned for her so much let alone her own victim she did not know if it was genuine, she did not know if Ryuu had purposefully let her into a trap for a moment she felt twinge of guilt as such she spoke in a rather hoarse voice, "Thank you brother Ryuu, I am in your debt."

Ryuu shook his hand as he spoke, "There is nothing for you to feel as such I only did so because you are my precious comrade.", Ryuu flashed her a bright smile as he channeled the power of friendship for the 'shonen' formula of friendship that he had learned in his previous life.

As Chasing Wind nodded at that Ryuu spoke with a determined look on his face, "Sister when you went missing we were so devastated that we all swore to avenge you can you tell me what happen."

Seeing the innocent look on his face she was taken aback she wanted scream to his face at the top of her lungs that it was because of 'Ryuu that they suffered such calamity because of him', but she could not after how he reacted what if he really did not do anything to cause them harm and if she were to accuse him the truth might come out and with that her death as such she tried to come up with a solution to her problems,

"If you are having problem then please do not speak sister there is no need to strain yourself but though I were to hazard a guess are this mongrels responsible for your plight?", Chasing Winds wanted to thank whoever had given the idea to Ryuu as she simply nodded in acknowledgement as Ryuu balled his fist as he spoke, "I thought as much do not worry sister we will make them repent for their heinous acts but now let us go home so that you may rest please follow me."

Chasing Winds did not know why but a tiny voice in her mind screamed at her to run and not to tangle with others but she squashed as a malicious smirk return to her face, 'Brother Ryuu your help is appreciated as such I will let you live for now.'

As the moved Ryuu's face morphed into a vicious smirk for a moment, 'I cannot allow my bait to die too early after all it would be bad investment.'

Back to present everyone praised Ryuu for being such a good Samaritan as he simply spoke with a gentle smile, "Please do not say something like that, you all are my good friends how can I be call myself a cultivator if I let you suffer.", Frozen Ocean excused herself as she left promptly it was difficult to stay stoic after seeing someone perfect the art of being praised and lauded as a great selfless hero after saving someone from their misfortune when the person being praised was the main cause of the said misfortune, as such she promptly moved far away from them where she could pass out of laughing a notion that a few amongst Ryuu's group seemed to share.