Chapter 197: Chapter 197: What? A group of what?

Inside Duke's Mansion, Olivia and Michael sat quietly opposite each other.The chessboard between them was newly set, but this time it was chaotic, and neither had made a move for a long time, just staring at the board in deep thought.

"Tap, tap, tap..."

Footsteps hurriedly approached.

It was Johnson Kenneth, Michael's only son. Upon entering, he saw the two sitting opposite each other at the chessboard, just like when they first played chess. But as he drew closer, Kenneth's eyebrows knitted together in a line.

Something felt different as he approached.

For some reason, he sensed a confrontational aura surrounding his father and Olivia Blackwood, along with a faint murderous intent. Was it because the plot to kill Joseph by his children had been exposed, leading to the current situation?

This thought had just flashed through Kenneth's mind when he shook his head.

He knew well that his father was one of the rare good people in the world, deeply caring about his children and very generous towards Blackwood. With his father's character, he would never hold a grudge against Olivia over this.

Taking a deep breath, Kenneth moved forward, bowing to Michael and ignoring Olivia's presence.

His lips curled into a smile as he announced, "Father, there's been a change!"

Seeing that his father was still focused on the chessboard, Kenneth continued to report the good news, his smile growing wider, "Great news, there are rumors that the nine major powers obtained a treasure from The Oracle Chamber that can locate the Blackwood bloodline. "

"But for some reason, their energy locators have malfunctioned, and they can no longer trace the whereabouts of the Blackwoods."

At this statement,

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Michael, who had just picked up a chess piece, paused mid-air, and the white piece fell onto the board, making a clear sound in the snowy day.

Kenneth glanced at the white piece, then at his father's slightly stunned expression, his smile broadening.

"And there's even bigger good news!"

"Our relatives must have been prepared early."

He glanced at the composed Olivia, a flash of admiration in his eyes, "There's intelligence that on the way to Blackwood from Williams, there's a Competent aura. Some have even found the bodies of the Williams people who fell from the sky."

"Sword King Lucas's sword qi rainbow appeared, zombies filled the sky, and even Azure Cloud Pavilion's Jason is supporting Blackwood!"

Looking again.

His father had picked up the fallen white piece, clutching it tightly in his hand, his expression returning to its usual calmness.

Kenneth slightly furrowed his brow, finally sensing something amiss. According to his memory, his father should be jumping with joy at this time...

But he dared not ponder further, continuing to report the intelligence.

"At Golden Forest, news has also come that the giant red-crowned tree within the Blackwood clan has appeared. Along with it, the long-lost divine beggar's heritage, his golden source barrier formation, and various Blackwood traps have trapped Abbot David."

"Some have seen Blackwood's old grandmother outside the trap, but inside, the battle rages fiercely, and Golden Forest has even been leveled to the ground. My child estimates that once Luna enters, it will be the time of Abbot David's death!"

As the report concluded.

Silence lingered for a long time, until Michael finally spoke, his tone slightly grim, "What about the other seven major powers?"

"That's the strange part."

Kenneth frowned, "My intelligence says that our relative Nathan was outside Azure Cloud Pavilion, and after Sword King arrived, they left together. That was also when the major powers were besieging Blackwood. The nine major powers were also assembled at that time, confident in their siege."

"But the moment Abbot David and Donald were in trouble, those seven major powers disappeared at the same time, as if by agreement."

Saying this.

Kenneth's expression grew serious, "Father, could this be... another plot of theirs?"

Michael remained silent.

Now it was Olivia who became interested, she smiled and asked, "Them? You're not talking about The Oracle Chamber, are you?"

"This..."

Kenneth hesitated until Michael nodded, then he replied, "Yes, The Oracle Chamber is the most mysterious force in our Cloudview County. For hundreds of thousands of years, they have been trying to destroy Cloudview County. The great calamity of Cloudview County was also caused by them."

"Of course, The Oracle Chamber's target is not just our Cloudview County. After the dynasty was established, they tried every means to destroy the dynasty, and the reasons are still unknown."

At this point.

Kenneth's eyes flashed, "In fact, the troubles that Blackwood has encountered, The Oracle Chamber is the culprit. But now, with Blackwood and I, Johnson, forming an alliance through marriage, the crisis in Blackwood has been resolved. We, the Johnsons, will definitely help our relatives eliminate such schemers who plot in the shadows!"

"They think they are clever, but they didn't expect Blackwood to be one step ahead, probably beating their chests in frustration and rage right now."

"Self-inflicted..."

As soon as he finished speaking.

"Have you said enough?"

Kenneth's words were cut off by Michael, whose expression was grim, even crushing the white piece in his hand.

"Father..."

Kenneth wanted to say more but received a stern 'get out' from Michael, and he quickly retreated.

As he left.

Kenneth murmured, "Did I say too much? Why was father acting so strangely just now?"

Then.

He shook his head and smiled, "Well, now that the dust has settled and Blackwood is safe, next, our Duke's Mansion can gradually persuade the major forces. Cloudview County will once again be united, impervious to external threats."

...

As Kenneth departed.

Olivia looked at Michael with interest, teasing, "My lord, it seems I have underestimated you. Even your own son doesn't know what kind of person you really are."

"My son is dull, he is very much like the ancestors of our Johnson family."

Michael shook his head and sighed, "He is content with the status quo, his greatest hope is that Cloudview County can remain peaceful forever. But in my view, that is extremely foolish. Human ambition only grows larger. If, thirteen thousand years ago, our Duke's Mansion had taken the opportunity to break Azure Cloud Pavilion one by one, we could have completely controlled Cloudview County by now."

"Instead of now, where all the major forces love to compete. Especially you Blackwoods, your ambition is even greater, wanting to become the new sky of Cloudview County, to lead this era? Too sharp."

Olivia smiled without saying a word.

Michael curiously looked up and asked, "How did you Blackwoods do it? The Oracle Chamber uses sorcery, and Stephen from Azure Cloud Pavilion has been with The Oracle Chamber for two hundred years. He wouldn't betray The Oracle Chamber for Blackwood, especially since The Oracle Chamber promised him a breakthrough to Competent, an offer no one can resist. And you Blackwoods can't offer him anything."

"And the seven major forces, how could they back down? You Blackwoods hold half of Azure Cloud's fortune, to become the new ruler of Cloudview County, they would risk annihilation to try!"

Upon hearing this.

Olivia's expression was peculiar, and her words made Michael crush another white piece.

"My lord, do you also believe in such elusive things as fortune?"

"I told you long ago, it was we who pushed the major sects to besiege today, we are the chess players."

"Years ago, my people from Dawn had already spread the word, telling everyone that Blackwood would replace the former Azure Cloud Pavilion to become the new ruler of Cloudview County. Everywhere people said, this era belongs to us Blackwoods."

"The effect was very good, people always respect the strong, over the years, our enemies in Blackwood have become fewer, and our friends have increased. Unfortunately, the Competent sects are proud and arrogant, I have sent people to negotiate many times, but they neither want to ally with us nor oppose us."

"Including... Blackwood controlling half of Cloudview County's fortune!"

Michael furrowed his brow.

He realized, Blackwood's ambition was even greater than he had imagined!

But he was still puzzled, "Rumors spoken enough times become truth, even if The Oracle Chamber explains it's useless. Aren't you Blackwoods afraid of trapping yourselves?"

"To dispel rumors, you just need one person with enough prestige."

"Even, on this day, to block all enemies for us Blackwoods."

"Just so, my Blackwoods have such people."

Michael was stunned, "What? A group of what?"