"Outrageous, this Xiao Yunlong is truly too outrageous!"
A sect leader, burly and dignified, roared in anger, even slamming his hand on the table without regard for his image, indicating the extent of his fury.
"This Xiao Yunlong is indeed too lawless. Even if he is the Town North King, he shouldn't be so reckless, killing whoever he wants as if they were chickens!"
Another sect leader with a goatee also coldly exclaimed.
Of course, among those present, besides the few sect leaders who expressed righteous indignation, two or three chose silence. They kept their eyes down, their noses to their hearts, and offered no opinions, appearing to neither support nor oppose.
Beyond them, some sect leaders maintained a smile throughout.
An elder with white hair and beard gestured for quiet and then said, "Everyone, King Xiao Bei has indeed been killing people for the past six months, but if you investigate even slightly, you will know that all those he has killed recently deserved their fate!"
"For example, the Shang family in Jiangdong and the Deputy City Lord of Jiangdong, Liao Huachen, as well as several so-called bosses of the Jiangdong Pavilion. Which of these individuals were not wicked evildoers? And that includes Wang Kezheng, the Grand Commander of the Eastern Domain Army. Not to mention the numerous Fusang ronin warriors and the so-called Geek Island, a gathering of all sorts of people. Tell me, do these individuals deserve to die?"
As this elder sect leader finished speaking, the venue fell silent again. Even the three sect leaders who had just been angrily shouting chose to remain quiet.
Another sect leader smiled and said, "If I'm not mistaken, the people King Xiao Bei has killed this time should be the current Lord of Chuan City, Qi Dengxian. According to the intelligence we have, this Qi Dengxian, in his early years, colluded with the major families and forces in Chuan City to ascend to power, even secretly conspiring with the Qingcheng Sect, and once attempted to annihilate the Xiao family in Chuan City. Furthermore, Qi Dengxian has abused his power and committed atrocities over the years. Even if King Xiao Bei hadn't killed him, we would have intended to act against him!"
Having said this, this third-ranked sect leader coughed heavily and continued, "To be honest with everyone, the reason we have delayed recalling King Xiao Bei to the Northern Territory for so long is precisely to let him move around!"
"And why is that?" a sect leader who had been silent for a long time couldn't help but ask.
"Why?" This third sect leader smiled and then explained, "Because the current King Xiao Bei is like a fierce tiger, a tiger king that can charge recklessly. Of course, this may not be the most appropriate analogy. In fact, his current role is like a sword, an invincible divine sword. Many things are inconvenient for us to handle directly, and using him as this sword often yields the most direct results!"
Upon hearing his words, everyone else present suddenly understood. Those who had opposed exchanged glances, their expressions filled with unspoken meaning.
When they learned that Xiao Yunlong had survived the ambush in the capital and was still alive, some had proposed immediately welcoming Xiao Yunlong back to the capital or letting him return to the Northern Territory. However, almost all nine sect leaders of the Wentian Pavilion had opposed this, including the Grand Sect Leader and the Third Sect Leader, who had always supported and protected Xiao Yunlong.
At that time, everyone believed that even the three sect leaders who had always been on opposing sides and were involved with the Tian Ce Mansion thought that the Grand Sect Leader and the Third Sect Leader intended to abandon Xiao Yunlong. They had even secretly rejoiced and celebrated.
After all, everyone knew that Xiao Yunlong was the most promising and hopeful among the younger generation cultivated by their side. If even they had chosen to abandon him, it meant Xiao Yunlong had become a pawn.
However, only today did they realize that Xiao Yunlong was not abandoned, but rather treated as a sword in the hands of the Grand Sect Leader and the Third Sect Leader. This sword was not only helping them eliminate corruption and backwardness in the Dragon Country but was also honing itself.
It turned out that this was not a retreat or concession; sometimes, retreating was precisely for a more powerful leap forward!
Thinking of this, the burly and enraged sect leader frowned and said in a deep voice, "Setting aside the matter of who King Xiao Bei has killed for a moment, there's one thing: a sword always has two edges. Aren't you worried that one day this sharp sword might become uncontrollable, and what consequences would that have?"
"We'll deal with the future when it comes. At least for now, this sword is still within controllable limits!" the Third Sect Leader retorted noncommittally.
"You're clearly quibbling. We cannot let him continue to stay in the Southern Border, otherwise, the Southern Border will surely fall into chaos!" the burly Second Sect Leader said coldly.
The Grand Sect Leader with white hair and beard smiled and said, "If you don't let him stay in the Southern Border, then where do you want him to go? Do you want him to return to the Northern Territory, or welcome him back to the capital and officially confer upon him the title of General of the Heavenly Strategy?"
The Second Sect Leader was immediately rendered speechless, unable to refute.
Indeed, this was a dead end for them. No matter what they did, it would be disadvantageous.
It was not acceptable for Xiao Yunlong to remain in the Southern Border, nor was it acceptable for him to return to the Northern Territory, and even less so to welcome him back to the capital.
"Fine, let Xiao Yunlong continue to stay in the Southern Border, but on one condition: if he truly kills innocent civilians, then do not blame me for being merciless!"
After a moment of deliberation, the Second Sect Leader could only choose the outcome most beneficial to him.
Allowing him to remain in the Southern Border, although it might lead to changes in the situation there, was preferable to letting Xiao Yunlong return to the Northern Territory. With Xiao Yunlong's personal skills and capabilities, he would undoubtedly regain control of the Northern Territory, and then they would have to account for this to the Northern Sect Leader.
After all, the Northern Sect Leader, that "Northeastern Tiger," had exerted immense effort to stabilize the situation in the Northern Territory. With a few more years and proper consolidation, he could gain complete control.
And welcoming Xiao Yunlong back to the capital was absolutely out of the question!
The Third Sect Leader also said in a deep voice, "If Xiao Yunlong truly kills innocent civilians, you don't need to say anything. I will be the first to apprehend him. However, from now on, if anyone present dares to use underhanded tactics against him, do not blame me for being impolite!"
The burly Second Sect Leader took a sip of his teacup, completely ignoring the Third Sect Leader's words.
The entire conference room fell into an awkward silence again. Finally, the Grand Sect Leader with a head full of silver hair waved his hand and said with a slight smile, "Let's put aside the matter of King Xiao Bei for now and return to today's agenda. Let's discuss the situation of the countries in the Northern Desert."
However, at this moment, no one spoke up and remained silent. Seeing this, the Grand Sect Leader said, "Then let's take a break. Given the current situation in the Northern Territory, immediately summon that Northeastern Tiger to the capital. We need to hear his report on matters concerning the Northern Territory and his current strategic deployment!"
After this was said, the Second Sect Leader and two younger sect leaders immediately rose and left.
Only after descending from the pavilion and getting into a stretched luxury car, which then slowly drove out of the compound, did the Second Sect Leader, seated in the main position inside the car, say, "Pass a message to the Northeastern Tiger. Tell him to secretly come and see me once he arrives in the capital!"
"Yes!" the young sect leader on the left nodded.
The Second Sect Leader then said coldly, "Furthermore, that brat Xiao Yunlong cannot be allowed to continue like this. Otherwise, as this sword gets sharper and sharper, it might one day be placed around our necks!"
"Then, Second Sect Leader, what should we do next?" the young sect leader on the right asked.
"What to do? Do I need to teach you that?"
The Second Sect Leader let out a sudden cold reprimand, "Last time, outside the capital, if it weren't for your arrogance and underestimation of the opponent, how would we have ended up in this passive situation today?"
The young sect leader on the right could only explain in a low voice, "Second Sect Leader, it's not that we were arrogant. In the situation at that time, that fellow named Xiao was coming to the capital, and all our top experts were being closely watched by the Third Sect Leader's people, making it impossible to act without them noticing. We could only send Grandmasters, so..."
"Stop talking. Listen, we cannot use our people again this time, not a single one. The Third Sect Leader has been watching us more closely lately. We absolutely cannot leave any evidence, otherwise, the consequences would be unimaginable!" the Second Sect Leader snorted.
"If we can't use our people, then what other options do we have?" the two younger sect leaders asked in unison.
The Second Sect Leader did not answer immediately. Instead, he turned to look out the window, then sighed deeply, and finally said, "It seems I have to make a trip to the Western Regions myself."
Upon hearing this, the two young sect leaders exchanged glances and immediately understood.