The next day morning, Mark and his companions resumed their journey. Unlike what they expected, there was no sort of ambush happened from the Wuji sect despite its patriarch making an announcement.
Eventually, the group crossed the border and entered the Leon Empire. Because of the crest on the horse carriages, no one stopped them including the soldiers at the border check post.
The appearances of the griffin and the giant albatross made it only more difficult for anyone to question them either. Of course, the news of their appearance will reach the imperial palace very soon.
Just like that, two more days passed away.
Somewhere in the wilderness of Leon Empire;
The two bicorn carriages were striding side by side in a vast desert with a giant albatross and a Griffin following them from above.
While the albatross was alone and didn't have any rider, the Griffin, on the other hand, was accompanied by a 15-year-old girl.
Sliding the window to the left, Song Yue took a glance at the sky and commented, "You are a bit harsh on the girl. There's no need to alienate her this way, you know."
Mark patted her hand as he answered, "I'm not alienating her. I'm just using her to keep an eye on our surroundings."
"You wouldn't let her travel with us. You wouldn't let her sleep in the same space as everyone. You wouldn't let her eat with us. Heck, you don't even let us talk with her." Song Yue wasn't impressed by his actions toward the teenager. She further added, "You don't need to purposely make things harder for her."
In response, Mark slowly reached out to the window and closed it before replying to her, "If I had to be honest with you, I don't trust her. You saw her. She was acting a lot crazier and too stubborn. What if she attacks you? It's not like she is my friend or any relative that I would blindly believe that she doesn't have any other nefarious intentions."
"Please, don't give justification. You don't trust anyone whether they act crazy or not." Song Yue expressed that it was just in his nature to suspect others, to which Mark countered immediately, "I trust you. In fact, other than you, it's hard for me to trust anyone else."
"Well, that's…" Song Yue felt speechless for a second as her fiancé indirectly told her how special she is to him with a straight face. She couldn't help but blush and look away, "thanks." She mumbled.
Mark let out a grin as he put his arm over her shoulder. She placed her head on his chest and snuggled herself into his arms.
Looking at the two love birds, Song Yun had mixed feelings. One, it is his daughter that someone is hugging in front of him. He was a little bit angry but is helpless to do anything.
At the same time, he was happy that his daughter found the love of her life. He heard how devastated she was when her ex-fiance broke up with her, not to mention the fact that his son-in-law is a man of whom he can be proud at any given day.
Since he wasn't supposed to react to anything, Song Yun just closed his eyes to take rest and stay as if he was invisible.
Time passed away without any incidents;
Around 2 in the afternoon, the bicorn carriages finally crossed the desert and enter the Kunlun mountain range, which is ruled by three major sects (Kunlun, Wuji, and Shaolin).
Mark expected an attack here, considering the place is also home ground to the Wuji sect. If everything goes as he wants, he would have a perfect reason to wipe out everyone from the Wuji sect, loot their treasure and give a firm but an indirect warning to the other forces on the continent.
All he needs some justification to do it. Rather than appearing like a selfish person, he would want to be a vengeful person instead.
Unfortunately for him, the Kunlun sect was overly concerned about their dear guest and decided to send another Grand elder along with a couple of elders to pick them up on the way and escort them safely to Mt. Ku, the highest peak of the mountain range.
As a result, the rest of the journey throughout the mountainous area also ended up smoothly.
Because of these cautious elders of the Kunlun sect who pestered Mark until he agrees with their request, Mark had to continue his travel even after sunset. Those people don't want to give any opportunity for the Wuji sect to plan an assassination in darkness.
Fortunately, the Bicorns and the other mounts could see in the dark. Hence, traveling in the darkness didn't pose any problem.
By midnight, Mark reached the Kunlun sect and was directly escorted to the Patriarch's residence to take a rest for the night.
Dong Fang and Zi Ling didn't follow him there as they were no longer part of his group. Not to mention, they had their own respective homes to go to and have some sleep.
It goes without saying that Xie Mei also tagged along. Now that she is also a guest, Mark didn't have the right to order her to not sleep in the same space as he and Song Yue. As a result, she ended up sleeping under the same roof, just a couple of rooms away from both of their rooms.
The next day, around 9 in the morning, Mark and Lan Ju had an audience with two grand elders and the acting Patriarch of the sect as the real boss of this place was in a Close Door Cultivation for the moment.
Lan Ju stayed as a spectator, letting his master do all the talk and whatever deal he wanted to make. He was just there to protect Mark and put mental pressure on the clients.
After an exchange of pleasantries, the acting Patriarch and a Supreme realm expert, Ding Tai told Mark that he was informed about his deal with Zi Ling and would like to hear what he wants.
In response, Mark asked a simple question. "Do you all have the power to make decisions on behalf of the sect regardless of your Patriarch's absence?"
Acting Patriarch Ding Tai nodded firmly, "Yes."
"Alright, then." Mark leaned to the table and placed his arms on it with a serious look as he said, "here's the deal. I'm going to wage a war against the Wuji sect. I and my forces will take care of them.
Before that, I need some high-quality information on the Wuji sect like their top techniques known by their upper echelons, hidden experts, any defensive formation, etc…
Then, I need your sect's help to conjure a large-scale barrier around their mountain so that the disciples cannot escape by any means.
In return, Mt. Wu, the leftover disciples of the Wuji sect, and every weapon of platinum and below grade will be yours. Of course, you will also be a friend of Genesis Weapon store, Western Moon kingdom, and Eastern Sun kingdom. That is the deal I offer for your assistance.
Oh, I forgot to mention one more thing. A coachman of mine had accidentally acquired the elemental spirit of light, which I believe belonged to your sect. However, he wasn't interested to join your sect. So, his freedom is also added in this deal."
Everyone: "..."
The whole room was filled with silence for a while.