Chapter 151 -  Fear of an Apathetic Future

After knowing about the possibility of riches beyond the physical type, the interest and greed of every one were remoulded. The first thing that happened was the royal side distant themselves from the White Clan's elder, who made the bold statement of allowing the rogue cultivators to enter first.

It was something expected, while the profits of the temporary alliance were aligned then the relationship would be upheld. When the interests diverted, forgotten are the previous words and shared promises.

Then acting righteously again the royal side's leader offered his man to lead the people inside, claiming that they had experience in such situations. They would be able to deal with the dangers inside with ease. Although it did sway a small portion of the people. The majority of the people were not convinced and did not want to give up on the unique opportunities of the tomb.

In the end, the tomb held the hopes of riches, power, and knowledge. The rumours gave people enough hope to risk a fight and live a better life by taking this risk. With the first slash, coming from a solo cultivator killing a person from the White Clan's side the first fire of the explosive battle lit and the chaos ensued.

While going around, Aile also spread the underlying message that the royal and White Clan's side were walking treasure mines. Most people knew that they might not get something from the tomb.

The smarts one picked up on the nuance that should a fight start here, the defensive and offensive equipment of the royal and White Clan's side were treasures that were easier for the picking.

With so many people here, the risk of getting found out decreased, and the apprehension of an all-out war diminished. While the option of getting treasure from the tomb was still there, how could the people not know that obtaining something powerful from there would not be so easy? If it was, it would have already been swallowed by the White Clan. So the treasure in front of them from the White Clan and Royal side brought the deeply rooted greed of the solo cultivators. Along with the fact that they had been treated like dirt at one time or the other by the high-status people, the skirmish was far more emotional and deadly than Aile expected.

Ahhgh

Ahhh

Ah

Standing far away from all this, Aile and Hazel observed a bloody battle. Aile noticed the distant gaze of Hazel, and he knew that for a mostly kind person starting a massacre was something she could not accept.

He brought her to his embrace, making her face away from the battle as he said, "Sorry, this scale of destruction was not my intention... The hatred between the groups was so much that it got out of hand."

Hazel was in his embrace and after a while said, "I can see that this was not your intention, but tell me are you content with such a result."

Aile did not know how to respond, if not Hazel being here he was tempted to join the fray and weaken the royal side and White Clan even if it was by a little.

Aile loved Hazel and could not just let their relationship build on lies. "Hazel, they are our enemies and stand in front of a possible cure for my beloved."

"So... I am the cause of so much death."

Sigh, "No, I have enmity with them, even if you were not here, this would have been inevitable. If I can reduce the enemies' prowess, I will take that bet."

Hazel held Aile tighter one second and loosened her grip another. This repeated for a while until she asked, "Aile do you think we are worst then the Royals and White Clan. They at least show enough courtesy to each other... They do not kill each other at first sight, only hostile to the other cultivators... We are the reason for such an indiscriminate killing now..."

"I can't say... I only care about the people close to me, and they are standing in my way. As long as I can protect and save all of you and our futures, I do not mind any label or sin."

"Aile... I am not like this... I hate the unnecessary deaths of unrelated people. I have been like that since I remember... But now I cannot find it in myself to shun your action. Am I going to turn heartless like... Duke White... or my family... What would happen if this translates to our future, or I hurt Sara. I am scared..."

Aile took a small blade and tried to cut his hand, only to be stopped by Hazel immediately. Aile showed that she was not heartless by this and all he could do was hug her until she sorts out herself. While Hazel was worried that her empathy was diminishing a loud 'boom' was heard.

Finally, the battle was going to change pace. Originally the solo cultivators had the advantage of numbers, overpowering the royals and White Clan. However, now the retaliation of the nobles came. They showed why they had remained in power with their fewer numbers all this time. Using techniques and powerful arts, they started to attack the solo cultivators without holding back. While it did give them a quick boon, however, their indiscriminate killing brought the wrath of common people. Fighting without concern for their life the noble sides immediately started to get injured.

"Stop"

"Stop"

Two people floated temporarily, one was the leader of the White Clan's side, and the other was the leader of the Royal side. On their hand was a powerful art one that had a large area of effect. Should they use that, the side with the most number, the solo cultivators, would lose great numbers? The indirect threat of many deaths brought a stop to the fighting.

The leaders too, could not shoulder such action of losing the people's trust while the kingdom was at war. The further division of kingdom would allow the infiltration of Peona Kingdom's enticement into the heart of people. Therefore they could not do anything that could build huge resentment with the people in fear of what would happen to them once they return back.

With a humble tone and an eloquent speech, the leader of the royal side blamed the death of the people on spies of Peona Kingdom sowing discord and trying to create divisions. He requested everyone to make three lines first one for the royals the middle for the solo cultivators and the last for the White Clan. Each time one person from the royal side, 2 from the solo cultivators and 1 from the White Clan's side would enter the tomb.

With the concession of the noble side and advantage of solo cultivators entering the tomb for the expedition, the anger of most people appeased. They did not want to dance in the hand of the enemy kingdom, more importantly, the destructive art of the leaders scared everyone.

While everyone was sorting out how to organize their places in the line. Aile brought two people who were injured from the royal side. There builds similar to Hazel and Aile. Aile knocked them out and then collected their uniform. Using the Water, Air and Fire gathering ruin, he cleaned their clothes and dressed himself and Hazel into them. Then using dirt, water, and a red flower as hue created the illusion of participating in the battle. Covering both his and Hazel's face with dirt and blood(red coloured water) making each other unrecognizable.

Now they seemed like two royal group fighters. With their new disguise, they left to join the royal side.

Dirtied and smelling of blood and gore while their mind focused on their dead friends and threat from enemies, no one noticed the anomaly of their replaced comrades. Hazel and Aile had joined their ranks with ease. No one had the time or even the thought of questioning the people around them. Who could be brave enough to impersonate the members of the royal group?

Their focus was better utilized by concentrating it on the two groups of enemies. One group that had always stood in their way. The other more vicious and barbaric group, consisting of rift rafts that would do anything to gain a little benefit.

The result of the injures and death of their teammates was due to them. It was shameful reporting that their comrades were dead by these savages. The only thought on the mind of most of the people here was how they could avenge them. Although the deaths held little effect on their heart. However, seeing the low lives not only not get punished but were getting better treatment amplified their rage. All of this so that these useless people do not side with the opposing empire. Their evaluation of these people further reduced. Many vows were taken to deal with the dregs any opportunity they get, while they were inside the tomb.

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