The Anarchic Consort
chapter-733

Seeing how anxious the servant was, Zhuge Yun assumed that Ni Hu had acted on his rage and sent someone for revenge. Without being stopped by his injuries, he immediately picked up his Exorcist Sword and told Lady Zhuge, “Mother, I will let you arrange Brother Wei’s exit from the city. I need to go and hold off Ni Hu!”

“Alright.” Madam Zhuge replied calmly and was about to order someone to bring Helian Wei Wei and Baili Jia Jue out when…

Helian Wei Wei smiled faintly as she stopped her and spoke politely, “Madam, the servant had not spoken yet, Ni Hu might not be here.”

Helian Wei Wei’s reminder was not without reason. Not anyone could withstand an attack from the Third Prince. Even if Ni Hu wanted to seek revenge, he would have to mend his injuries first.

She also understood that someone like Ni Hu would seek help from his family first if he faced any problems.

Ni Hu was spoiled and used to doing whatever he wants without second thoughts.

However, the Ni family was different. They needed to keep up their appearance of being rightful and just. They would not send people to ambush the Zhuge family right before the contest.

If they wished to take anyone out, they would only do so during the contest. Then, it would seem consistent with their upright image.

Helian Wei Wei’s analysis was right, the breathless servant finally found an opportunity to speak. He took a sidestep and blocked Zhuge Yun as he spoke between heavy breathes, “Young master, it’s not anyone from the Ni…Ni family.”

“Not them? Then, why are you in such a hurry?” Zhuge Yun stopped in his tracks as he scrunched his thick eyebrows.

The servant finally calmed his breathing and uttered slowly, “The rules and regulations of the contest are out. They’re out, but there is a problem!”

“What’s the problem?” Zhuge Yun felt his heart dip as he grasped the servant’s arm abruptly. Any discerning person could see that the Zhuge family could not afford any more turmoil. If the contest rules were unfavorable, it would only make things worse.

The servant took a deep breath, and said, “There’s no real problem, it’s just that entering the catacombs is no light matter. In order to protect everyone’s safety, a few families had a discussion and decided that each family must send at least three contestants and a servant, so that there’s enough support along the journey.”

“A few families decided this over a discussion?” Zhuge Yun’s angular yet slightly childish face fell, saying, “Which families made the decision? I didn’t receive any news at all!”

The servant was silent and dropped his head awkwardly. He knew that his young master was angry as the matter should have been discussed among the families. However, the decision was made without including his young master. It was obvious that since the last incident, the Ni family had started to ally with the other two families to ostracize the Zhuge family.

“I understand now.” Zhuge Yun’s expression was bitter yet determined.

The servant could not bring himself to look at his expression, as he called out softly. “Young master.”

“It’s alright.” Zhuge Yun smiled, the color of his eyes was as dark as ink as he uttered, “From the very start, I had expected these things to happen. The Ni family always use such underhanded methods. I simply didn’t expect it to happen so soon, or them to manipulate the regulations.”

Helian Wei Wei understood most of the situation by now. The Ni family had begun using their underhanded tactics.

Their move was actually very smart, and was almost inconspicuous.

Apart from the head of the four influential families, no one else would know how the rules and regulations were fixed.

Everyone in Exorcist City would assume that it was a fair contest.

However, the Zhuge family’s power had started to decline since the last generation. Besides Zhuge Yun, no one else in the family was actually skilled in exorcism now.

Requiring three contestants in the contest was a direct challenge to the Zhuge family.

Zhuge Yun was destined to fail anyway even if he was the only contestant.

However, the Ni family evidently did not want to achieve victory easily, as they wanted to crush the Zhuge family completely by forcing them to abstain. Only then, they could show how great they were and clear their name from any suspicious associations.

Madam Zhuge thought about the exact same thing and her face paled instantly as she said, “The Ni family, how could they go so far!”

“Mother!” Zhuge Yun held his mother with his uninjured right hand. His clean face showed great determination and passion as he said, “Don’t worry, no matter how ridiculous they are, I will strive for our Zhuge family!”

Madam Zhuge touched her beloved son’s cheeks and said, “Yun’er, you have carried the responsibilities of the Zhuge family for so many years. I know how mature you are, but it’s different this time. You can’t win just by working hard. I believe that if you have five more years, you would be able to handle everything, but now… The Zhuge family has come to this point, where the young ones are too young, while the old ones are too old. The regulations require at least three contestants. You are the head of the Zhuge family, so you must compete. However, who else would join you? Who would be willing to sacrifice their child?” Madam Zhuge held back her painful tears, her magnanimity was evident as she continued, “The human heart is made of flesh. Everyone knows that entering the catacombs is very difficult. Retrieving the Sarira is daunting enough, but I’m afraid that some may lose their lives. Other than you, everyone else in the Zhuge family only just learned how to summon reapers. These skills may be adequate to perform normal exorcisms, but it would be impossible for them to survive in the catacombs.”

“Mother…” Of course, Zhuge Yun understood that his mother had painted the whole picture of what he was facing here, but should he just give up like that? Should he just watch the Ni family’s scheme succeed? Not only are they denying him a chance to fulfill his father’s dying wish, but should he also be disqualified from participating in the contest?

Zhuge Yun’s eyes reddened as he thought further. Even though he had a steady demeanor, he was only about 15 years old. Devastated, tears began to spill from his eyes.

He punched the wooden table so violently that his knuckles were abraded, and his voice was slightly rough as he said, “This is all my fault. If my father was here, they would never dare to treat us this way! Let’s…” Zhuge Yun’s voice was pained as he said this, “Let’s give up.”

Madam Zhuge was heartbroken to see her child like that. She took a deep breath and was about to open her mouth when…

Suddenly, a clear voice echoed from beside her. It was relaxed and cheerful, but strangely calming to the heart, “If Young Master Yun is short of people, would you consider letting us join?”