Day 190- 231 Moving forward into danger

Ye Yue rode the head Demon Beast as the pack followed along in a tight formation. Gu Yunlan rode one with Xia Yuning riding another. Liang Yu opted to run on foot since he was still in the midst of training his body more. The next breakdown of his body would be extremely painful or create an explosion.

She had 6 Demon Wolves with her. The strongest, the one with a scar very protective of her after she fought against them mentally to gain dominance. It was better than them all ending up with White Fang and the Azure Feather Clan.

A carriage containing just a group of guards at the 4th Heavenly Realm inside followed along. They were from the various family's that belonged to the Dark Moon Family. Most of them from the Daoling Family.

Popeye and the other Flame Birds flew up high in the sky. Most unable to see them from the ground but Liang Yu and Ye Yue knew where they were at all times. Liang Yu due to the Beast Manual and his Connection from his soul. Ye Yue because she could smell them.

"We will set camp here." Liang Yu ordered. The others getting to work to make a quick camp. The wolves shot off to hunt in the wilderness with Ye Yue for food as well as training. Xia Yuning in disguise sat on a log across from him. Gu Yunlan opting to sit right beside him. "Do you not care about rumors?"

"Nope, considering you are the head of the Dark Moon Family, who will say much?" Gu Yunlan gave him a coquettish look. "Since you are unattached, even better. Have something to gossip about when I get back. Defintely to distract from the growing war."

"Here I thought you only liked Ling Yu?" Xia Yuning said with a little scorn. The following days, Liang Yu was more normal and less provoking than before. An actual conversation could be had without him doing anything to tick her off. In fact, he was actually understanding of her situation overall. "I am sure the head of the Gu Family won't like this."

"Humph! That old fudey dudey will have no choice." Gu Yunlan looked a little troubled despite her words. "You should worry about your own situation though .. princess."

The soldiers paid no real attention to what was going between them. One, it was stupid to get involved in your boss's personal affairs, and two they couldn't hear jack since a sound rune was up to keep them from hearing anything.

"On to other business." Liang Yu relaxed a little after his Astral Sense didn't pick anything up in the area. The guards were on duty with a few others rotating between taking breaks. "Your father's forces are not strong enough to do a rebellion by themselves. At most, they have up to 10 9th Heavenly Realm Experts that people do not know about. Even with those seasoned veterans they have, it won't last long if they keep going head to head with the empire and against other forces."

"That old mule has plans that you cant' imagine most likely."

"Haa, even with the strength he possesses, the "emperor" controls the most in the country and its perspective on everyone. A regular old "demon" by all means." Liang Yu was just trying to implant into the girl's head that all was not as it seemed. Every now and then he would see a dim glow of gold surround her before vanishing. The more strength he obtained, the more he rembered what was taking place in the background in the series. 'The battles are not as crazy as before and a lot of casualties are taken away before anyone can take anything from the corpses.'

"Just try not to start trouble in the city. Bad enough you are going inside altogether." Xia Yuning said. She noticed Liang Yu was deep in thought more and more lately. It was not just in the compound that looked almost lost at times. "Are you scared?"

"Hmm, no." Liang Yu shook his head in dismay. "Not about the city, just decisions in place is all. So many pain in the asses need to be dealt with is all." Turning to Gu Yunlan, he wanted to make sure she was sure about returning. "You don't have to leave really."

"I need to stand with my family. If the fighting gets worse, it is better to die with them than be safe at the Dark Moon Family." Gu Yunlan leaned forward staring at his purple eyes. "Unless you want to marry me into your family that is?"

Liang Yu gave her a small smile. No way would he do something like that unless it was really needed. That was currently not the case. Making a Secret Alliance with them was good enough.

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City Gate-

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Liang Yu walked in front to enter the place. They were about to stop him when spotting Xia Yuning. The order from the North Lord's Mansion was clear to not obstruct her. But they just couldn't get why she would travel with someone who openly sided that her father was a traitor.

*Woosh!* The Demon Wolves disappeared into Ye Yue in an instant. The small internal space she was able to maintain thanks to Liang Yu was just enough to provide a place for them to rest. They instantly entered a state of hibernation to keep from causing problems every time.

Gu Yunlan had a few people meet up with her at the gate so she departed. But not without giving Liang Yu a letter. It was tucked away to be read for later in private.

"I need to train that technique more." Ye Yue said a little tired. The guards closed ranks around her and Liang Yu. "I want to head to an inn for now." The constant fighting had actually worn her out. but at least she was more in control of her emotions.

Xia Yuning came back after talking with the guards. Very aware nothing would have stop Liang Yu from entering the city. Why he was searching for unique metals, she had no real idea. But the chance to talk with her grandfather might change his viewpoint on matters. If the Dark Moon Family joined the North Lord's Mansion, it would be a force to be reckoned with due to all the experts in Liang Yu's group.

"Ahhh!" Liang Yu yawned feeling tired. Hopefully, Linlin would be able to keep her plans in motion. Currently, she was spreading the word that the North Lord's Mansion forces were getting ready to surrender. The small bit of confusion only served to disrupt the Imperial Armies against them. 'Hong Duan and Hong Guang had already turned against the "Emperor" fully after finding out some information and a nice donation from us. Considering the Envoy of the Emperor are a bunch of nutjobs that kill anyone on a whim most days, it was not to hard to get them to do so.'

Stepping into a manor, Liang Yu was suprised by the lack of high-level guards.

Xia Yuning ran to her grandfather and gave the old man a hug. By the looks of things, he was quite happy to see she was ok. Kind eyes like a doting grandfather did not take away from the overall regal demeanor of the old man. His clothing was pretty nice with the upturned coat. The long beard just looked like a fighting hazard to Liang Yu though.

"It is good you are well." Xia Xun reluctantly let go of the hug. "But who is this young man?" Despite hearing the rumors and receiving the letter in advance, Liang Yu looked nothing like a teenager to him. 'That foolish son of mine stated he started training the Metal Seed Technique from the academy, but his attainment is a lot higher than it should be. It takes at least 30 years to see a change in one's physical stature.'

"He is.. a friend of convenience." Xia Yuning forced out. "Also the Patriarch of the Dark Moon Family." The moment she said that the air turned tense. "Grandpa..."

"It is best you leave the room." Xia Xun said sternly. "I need to talk with him privately. Make sure no one disturbs us during this time. Reluctantly, Xia Yuning left the room.

"What will it take to have the North Guardian Lord Mansion surrender?" Liang Yu proposed to the City Lord. "Not like you all are winning. Just getting people killed. But if you are gonna sacrifice so many troops, at least focus on a single target." The temperature in the dropped significantly. He was ready to battle but not like Liang Yu was not prepared for that. "I have faced one much stronger than you and lived, I will kill you if I must."

"Bold claim young man." Xia Xun's eyes started to emit qi from his entire body.

"Nothing bold about it." Liang Yu sent his qi out attacking the old man. "Tell me what you know about the Heaven-Reaching Towers of God and the imposter emperor."

"Strength through elixirs is nothing!" Xia Xun shouted back. He tried to counteract the force but was not strong enough. His feet sliding in the floor a little breaking the top of itA smack of the hand full of qi disrupted the force. "Not bad!"

*Fwip!* A punch faster than the old man could see socked him across the face. A tremor passing through his old bones with a violent lightning qi. Sparks erupting from his pores and eyes.

"To soft, it seems!" Liang Yu pushed his body harder along with his Flame Martial qi. His fist alight in flames ash he grabbed the old man by the back of the neck and repeatedly slammed his knees into the head. "You brought this on yourself!"

Xia Xun didn't take the attacks idly. His arms bulged as they turned a little with scales. Slamming them down the clawed fist went directly into Liang Yu's ribcage.

*Woom!* A pulse from the Metal Seed pushed back against the arms before they made direct contact. The full force dispersed but not completely stopped.

"Raah!" Liang Yu leaned back then whipped his head forward. Firing the Dragon Shout point-blank. The qi carried Xian Xun off his feet slamming him into the wall behind him. "Oops..." The back of his neck, the small hairs relaxed. 'Stupid Dragon King! What the hell did you do to me?!'

The old man was no fool and knew Dragon qi when he felt it. But everyone knew Liang Yu was a Flame Martial Artist.

As tensions rose there, other activity went on back at the Dark Moon Compound and its outer walls.

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Did the Empire get wind?-

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A detachment of soldiers had arrived at the gates of the very large city. With the expansion from a few of the families relocating due to the Rebels, North Lord's Mansion, the Dark moon Family took some extra forces.

Who were put to work immediately of course. A reinforced wall with patrols around the clock. The food situation was really good since methods to safely extract harmful demon beast meat were rapidly used. A good ratio of vegetables and different milk methods helped overall as well.

A General of the Empire found out about this and wanted to get resupplied as well as take advantage of things. But they were denied from entering the city and told they would have to pay for supplies the same as anyone else. No i.o.u's would be taken.

"Damn them!" The general cursed. "How dare they act so arrogant!"

"It is best we leave sir, the Commandant was very clear about causing trouble here." A soldier voiced his concern. Nearby, several others looked on intently. Sleeper agents that move up inside the army ready to act in the interest of the Dark Moon Family at a moment's notice. 'Why so many idiots get to lead, I will never understand.'

"Humph!" The general drew his sword and delivered a strike to the soldier. All in the name of impudence. "What!?"

*Ding!* It was blocked by an arrow launched from the wall. The accurate shot stopped the sword strike enough the soldier moved away without a scratch. All around several soldiers readily pulled out weapons. Some looking around amongst each other as they communicate secretly.

"General, Wang Lin.." the soldier's hands lit up in flames as he revealed his cultivation to be higher than what was let on. He was at the 7th Heavenly Layer but contained the might of someone at the 8th. "..treachery from those above is not permitted."

"You dare seek to rebel?"

"Not at all. But the outside of the gate is still Dark Moon territory for a1/4 of a mile at that. The rules here are clear." The sleeper agent said. He and cohorts cut the general down on the spot. Throughout the army, several members who were marked for war crimes were cut down. "Send word to the Commandant immediately, he must be informed!"

An agent took off at extreme speed.