Way of the Knights

Chapter 402 - Leaked

Chapter 402

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Today, Raven just woke up from a night's rest. After eating a simple meal and taking a short bath, he was headed towards Albert's room in order to inform him that he's ready to open up the secret passage anytime soon. 

The truth is, if he wanted to, he could've opened the secret realm yesterday and would still have enough energy afterwards but he decided against it. Even then, Raul himself would've probably reject that conjecture as he needed to inform the rest of the clan about this. 

No matter how much the father and son wanted looked forward to opening up the secret realm, they had the responsibility to inform their clan about it since it was their ancestor's will. 

Which is why after their initial talk, Raul decided to summon all the Elders of the Highlander Clan to a meeting since they all needed to participate in the opening anyway, as it is one of the requirements. 

"Good morning Brother. Have you rested well?" Albert greeted as soon as Raven came in. 

Raven simply nodded to him as he sat down in the nearby table. He caught Albert's face just now and he couldn't help but feel like there was something weighing off of his mind. Raven raised his brow and asked:

"Is there something wrong?" He asked as he saw Albert's despondent face. 

A sigh of frustration escaped through Albert's lips as he said: "There is. A huge one at that…" 

Raven frowned and asked: "What is it?" 

"News about the opening of the secret realm was released to the masses." Albert helplessly sighed, causing Raven to frown. 

"That's not good." Raven murmured, "Do you guys have any idea who leaked it?" 

Albert shook his head in frustration as he said: "It was an oversight from us. It's extremely embarrassing actually."

"During the meeting last night, when me and my father was explaining your discoveries, perhaps we were too eager and enthusiastic. My father originally asked everyone in the clan to not utter a word about this news by swearing a Heavenly Oath. But what's funny is that, we forgot about the servants." Albert smiled helplessly. 

Raven similarly sighed but didn't blame them. Albert didn't have to continue his words since Raven could already tell what happened. 

The servant went ahead and spread the news about the secret realm. Since the servant wasn't included in the Heavenly Oath, aside from the wrath of the Highlander Clan, he won't have any issues. Of course, the Highlander Clan could easily deal with a servant, but the situation escalated a little too quickly.

"That bastard sent news to pretty much every single Elder in the Martial Emperor Sect. Even the Sect Master himself was alarmed." Albert gnashed his teeth as he recalled the matter. "God knows how much I want to break every single bone of that bastard because of this but I can't. That fucker rendered a huge service to the sect by leaking this secret to them, thus he's now protected. The Sect Master himself issued a decree that should any harm be done to that servant, then our clan would be heavily punished." 

Albert gripped his fist tightly in rage, Raven could almost see him huffing steam due to how mad he is. 

Raven could sympathize with Albert. He had to commend the servant for being extremely cunning. Just with this alone, he pretty much rendered the whole Highlander Clan helpless against him. What's worse is that, since the sect knew about it, their clan are being pressured by all sides and while also being jeered at by the crowd. 

And the Highlander Clan could do nothing but to swallow this grievance. 

"Where's the City Lord right now?" Raven asked. 

"With the clan elders…" Albert answered. "They're probably deciding on whether to open the secret realm or not." 

After he said this, Albert's body drooped down as he sat exhausted on his chair. Seeing him in this state, Raven could only sigh since he knew just how much pressure Albert and his clan are enduring right now. It couldn't be helped, the might of the Martial Emperor Sect is just too terrifying. Now that this matter had blown out of proportion, the Highlander Clan is walking on a very thin ice right now. 

The room was silent for bit, Raven knew that he didn't have much say about this matters. In the end, whether the clan decides to open up the secret realm or not, he's bound to go with the flow. 

Not long after, Raul entered the room. Just from looking at his face, Raven could tell that he was very stressed about this whole situation. It was as if he aged for about ten years over night, his complexion wasn't too good. Even his dignified aura was replaced by gloominess and faint killing intent. 

"You two. Follow me." Raul commanded in a strict voice. Albert and Raven looked at each other before nodding and following him. 

As soon as they exited the room, some people entered Albert's room and went towards the bookshelf. This act didn't need words to explain, what it signified was very clear as well. 

As they walked through the tall and wide halls of the City Lord's Palace, Albert and Raven could feel the solemnness in the atmosphere. Raul didn't say a word, he just asked them to follow him and the three of them eventually reached outside. 

They then made way towards a wide open space. As soon as they arrived, Raven was surprised to see a large amount of people present in there. 

Every single one of them are wearing some sort of a uniform. At this point, Raven didn't need any further confirmations. It was clear that these people are from the Martial Emperor Sect. 

Raven could feel multitudes of auras congregating in front of them. Without a doubt, none of these people are easy to deal with. 

"Greetings City Lord!"

"Greetings Elder Raul!" 

Raul was welcomed by the greetings of everyone present, but Raul seemingly not heard any of it. He coldly snorted and made way towards the rest of his clan with large strides, Albert and Raven was following him from behind. 

As Raul was about to join the rest of his clan, some people suddenly descended and blocked his way. 

This group consisted of four people, three old guys and a young man with an ethereal face and a graceful bearing. This youth then smiled and said: "You finally came. Are the preparations ready?" 

Raven briefly glanced at Raul's face. He could tell that Raul wanted to smash this youth's face until no recognizes him anymore but couldn't. Instead, an indifferent expression surface on his face as he replied:

"Not yet Sect Master. I implore everyone to wait for a bit more time while we finish our preparations." 

'So he's the Sect Master.' Raven murmured inwardly. He briefly inspected the handsome youth in front of him and thought: 'He's an old monster, he's just using some sort of technique to appear young. I'm afraid that this guy is a bit over five thousand years old. His potential is a bit mediocre, early stage of Knight Emperor Realm for a period of five thousand years. He's probably looking for lucky encounters to raise his cultivation.'

It was a good thing that Raven didn't say this out loud, else he would've provoked the ire of this old monster in youth's clothing. The subject about his appearance and his talents are considered as a taboo topic to him. It was unknown how many people he killed just because they provoked him. 

'Brother, do you see the guy who leaked the news anywhere?' Raven sent via voice transmission to Albert. 

'Its that Old Tool behind them.' Albert replied. 

Raven's eyes unknowingly landed on the old guy who's wearing the same uniform as the rest of disciples, his eyes narrowed for a bit but no one saw it. He just followed behind Raul and his faced show nothing but indifference. 

"Is that so?" He youth raised a brow and continued: "Well, you always know where to find me if you need some help." 

After saying that, the sect master and his escorts no longer blocked their way and allowed them to proceed. As they group crossed paths, Raven saw how the servant's expression changed from a subservient one into a mocking one when he looked at Raul and Albert. He even heard him sneer as they went past them, causing Albert to grip his fists tightly until they turn white. 

Coldness emerged from Raven's eyes. He thought about some things for a bit before a cold sneer hung on his lips. Very quickly, his expression turned indifferent as they now approached the rest of the Highlander Clan. 

Raul briefly looked at his clan members before releasing a defeated sigh. He then said: "I hope all of us could remember today's humiliation. Learn from it and always keep in mind to remain cautious."

"Today, we are forced to suffer this grievance. If we are fated for it, then It doesn't matter if they covet our inheritance, everything will fall onto our hands in the end. Make sure to play by the rules and do your best to seek great opportunities in this secret realm."

"We hear and obey, Grand Elder!"

Raul then faced Raven as said: "I'll be troubling you then, Little Friend Raven."