Chapter 188

Chapter 188: Leader of the Divine Weapon Alliance

Uncertain of Tie Sha and Wen Hou’s exact strength, both Leng Cangqiong and Beichen Ming felt uneasy about only the three of them heading to Biko Island.

However, Lou Yun held immense confidence in Tie Sha and Wen Hou, smiling as he reassured the two, "Brothers, rest assured! I guarantee we’ll all return safely!"

Leng Cangqiong and Beichen Ming exchanged a glance. Beichen Ming subtly winked at Leng Cangqiong, signaling that he would find a solution and suggesting they drop the matter for now.

Though Leng Cangqiong didn’t know Beichen Ming well, he understood their difference: he himself was accustomed to solitude, disliked dealing with others, and had only himself to rely on for help. Beichen Ming, however, as a top-tier skilled weapon maker, had built an enterprise and surely commanded influence and subordinates.

Nodding, the two tacitly let the matter rest. Lou Yun then turned to Liu Feifan, "Sect Leader Liu, something has puzzled me. May I seek your advice?"

Liu Feifan smiled, "Young Master Lou, ‘advice’ is too formal. Ask whatever you wish. If I can speak on it, I will certainly tell you!"

"Good!" Lou Yun nodded, "But I am now the clan head of the Lou Family, no longer a young master!"

"Ah!" This startled Liu Feifan and the others. They hadn’t expected someone so young to already be a clan head. But upon reflection, it made sense; considering Lou Yun’s current connections and his own strength—likely the strongest in his family—he was more than qualified to lead.

Lou Yun smiled faintly, "Then I’ll be blunt. Since your Liu family is also one of the Nine Families, shouldn’t you possess an ancestral decree concerning my Lou family? Yet from your earlier words, it seems you differ from the other eight families. Have you abandoned your ancestral decree?"

Liu Feifan fell silent for a moment, "I anticipated this question. To be honest, yes, our Liu family has discarded that decree!"

"Oh?" Lou Yun frowned, visibly skeptical, "Why?"

Standing nearby, Liu Ruyan wore a bewildered expression and finally couldn’t hold back, "Grandfather, what are you talking about? What Nine Families? What ancestral decree about the Lou family? I’ve never heard you mention any of this!"

Lou Yun’s heart skipped a beat. So Liu Ruyan truly didn’t know!

Chang Xiang’s voice chimed in, "She likely doesn’t. Neither she nor her uncle before her possessed the unique energy barrier of the Nine Families’ descendants. The Liu family may genuinely have abandoned the decree their ancestors established!"

Hearing this, Lou Yun felt a pang of guilt for his earlier suspicion of Liu Ruyan.

Facing his granddaughter’s question, Liu Feifan offered a kind smile, "Ruyan, I didn’t tell you because those are ancient, irrelevant matters. They concern neither you nor me anymore. Knowing would only burden you. If you truly wish to know, I’ll tell you when we return home."

The affairs of the Nine Families involved too much, and with outsiders like Tie Sha, Wen Hou, Lei Nu, and Xu Yangteng present, Liu Feifan chose not to elaborate now. Though filled with questions, Liu Ruyan knew this wasn’t the time to press further. She suppressed her curiosity, resolving to ask in detail later.

After calming his granddaughter, Liu Feifan looked back at Lou Yun, "Clan Head Lou, our Liu family is indeed different from the other eight. We have truly abandoned that decree. As you can see, the other eight live incognito on Spirit Weapon Star, while we live openly, even founding the Spirit Weapon Sect, making our Liu family known to all. This proves we have sincerely cast off our former identity."

Lou Yun believed this. All Nine Family descendants he’d encountered so far hid in the shadows, living discreetly—only the Liu family showed no such caution.

Liu Feifan continued, "Clan Head Lou, I trust you know the history between our families. Since we have all come here, completely severed from the past, do we need to cling to old matters? Our Liu family believes in embracing a new life, one entirely free from the past!"

His words were veiled, but Lou Yun understood: "the past" referred to another world.

Liu Feifan’s view aligned with Lou Yun’s own thoughts. Though the Nine Families wronged the Lou family in that world, it was ancient history. Now on Spirit Weapon Star, why not live peacefully instead of dwelling on the past?

Generations had passed for all families, including the Lou family. Even the deepest grudges should fade with time.

If the other eight families weren’t still targeting the Lou family, seeking their extermination, Lou Yun wouldn’t want conflict.

But since several of the other eight families had surfaced, still intent on destroying the Lou family, Lou Yun couldn’t ignore it.

"Clan Head Lou, I’ve answered your question. Whether you believe me is up to you. My Liu family hopes for peace with yours. Even if we can’t be friends, at least let us not be enemies!"

Lou Yun studied Liu Feifan’s face, searching for sincerity. After a long pause, he finally nodded, "Very well. As long as your Liu family doesn’t provoke mine first, perhaps our families can indeed become friends, as you say."

Hearing this, Liu Feifan smiled, glancing meaningfully at his granddaughter before laughing heartily, "Clan Head Lou, I deeply admire your magnanimity and broad-mindedness!"

Only Lou Yun grasped the full weight of this. Whether in that other world or on Spirit Weapon Star, the other nine families wronged the Lou family first, the Liu family included. For Lou Yun to forgive them truly required exceptional character.

Liu Feifan stood up, "Well, I must thank Elder Beichen for inviting me to observe the forging conference. It broadened my horizons and settled a matter weighing on my mind. Thank you, Elder Beichen. Since you still have matters to attend to, I shan’t impose. Should the opportunity arise in the future, you are all welcome to visit me. Farewell!"

With a cupped-fist salute to the group, he led Liu Ruyan and his entourage away. As she left, Liu Ruyan stole one last glance at Lou Yun—and this time, she saw the familiar smile return to his face.

Watching Liu Feifan depart, Leng Cangqiong sent a mental message to Lou Yun, "As one of the Nine Families, he must know their affairs. Why didn’t you ask him for details about this Black Invitation? He might have useful information!"

Lou Yun appreciated the concern but replied mentally with a smile, "Liu Feifan said he would only share what he could. Though his Liu family no longer opposes mine, he remains part of the Nine Families. He won’t betray them. Remaining neutral is likely his limit."

Leng Cangqiong nodded, saying no more.

Once Liu Feifan’s group left Yao Lin Valley, Lou Yun turned to Lei Nu and Xu Yangteng, "Lei Nu, didn’t you say you had questions? Ask now. Actually, perhaps we should consider ourselves peers? I’ve been a rather unworthy master!"

Lei Nu shook his head vigorously, "Master, please don’t jest! Having acknowledged you as master, how could I treat you as an equal? That would be the crime of betraying one’s master and ancestors! I dare not!"

"Alright, alright!" Lou Yun quickly stopped him, "You win. What did you want to ask?"

Lei Nu proceeded to list all the difficulties he’d encountered in forging weapons over the years. Lou Yun listened attentively and offered solutions.

Beichen Ming listened with a smile until Lou Yun finished, then suggested, "Third brother, why not have your disciple and your friend go to Yulu Mountain Manor? Staying there should aid their Forging Skills."

Lei Nu and Xu Yangteng’s faces lit up with joy. Visiting Beichen Ming’s manor was an opportunity they could scarcely dream of!

Lou Yun hadn’t considered this, but Beichen Ming’s proposal made sense. He nodded repeatedly, "Since Second brother suggests it, if you two are willing, go ahead!"

Willing? They were overjoyed! Lei Nu excitedly moved to kneel, but Lou Yun stopped him, "You know I dislike such formalities. If you’re going, accompany Steward Dai to Yulu Mountain Manor."

Thus, Lei Nu and Xu Yangteng happily took their places behind Dai Rong.

Lou Yun briefly considered giving them the Azure Cloud Cauldron but hesitated. With only one cauldron, gifting it to either would be unfair. Better to keep it for now. Perhaps he could find another later and give one to each.

With them settled, Lou Yun prepared to leave for Biko Island. Beichen Ming, however, smiled, "Third brother, don’t rush off just yet. I have something important to tell you."

"What is it?" Lou Yun suddenly recalled Beichen Ming had intended to announce something to all the skilled weapon makers earlier but changed his mind. This must be it.

Beichen Ming glanced at Tie Sha and Wen Hou. Wen Hou understood immediately and smiled, "Lou Yun, we’ll wait for you at the valley entrance."

Lou Yun nodded apologetically.

Once they left, Beichen Ming beamed, "Third brother, besides the three identities I mentioned earlier, I have one more to bestow upon you!"

"What identity?" Lou Yun asked, puzzled.

"Leader of the Divine Weapon Alliance!"