1019: Chapter 1020: Nangong Yu Becomes the Alliance Hierarch 1019: Chapter 1020: Nangong Yu Becomes the Alliance Hierarch Qiu Long said coldly, “Instead of waiting to die, we might as well take the initiative and directly pledge allegiance to the Shangguan Family.

The Shangguan Family has always wanted to take over Jincheng but, because of the Hao League, they could only take half of the city’s market–they must be unwilling to settle for that.

If we pledge allegiance to the Shangguan Family, they will certainly support us in our fight against the Hao League.

With the support of the Shangguan Family, besides the Nangong Family, none of the others will be a problem.

After all, the other three of the four Gold Aristocratic Clans haven’t made any moves.”

“The question is, will the Shangguan Family wade into these troubled waters?” Qiu Qianren furrowed his brow and said, “You must have sensed it too, haven’t you?

We, as well as the other families, have all been used as pawns.

Yet, in this situation, we are not in control of our own fate.

They are not in control either.

This chess player is far too frightening.”

“We must try regardless; we have no way out.” Qiu Long said coldly, “If all else fails, we can still turn to those people!”

“No!” Qiu Qianren shook his head and said, “Those are madmen–we must absolutely not seek them out.

Without them, we might have to abandon everything, but at least we can survive.

But if we get involved with those people, our Qiu family will surely be doomed; not a single person will survive, mark my words.

We must never seek out that group of people–absolutely not!

I will go talk to the Shangguan Family.

We have to try.

If they don’t help, then we’ll withdraw.

We can’t let the chess player succeed.

Even if we have to give up, we must not let them win.”

“Dad, you’re too naive!” Qiu Long shook his head and said, “It seems age has worn away your sharpness.

Do you think the other families will let us off the hook if we, the Qiu Family, voluntarily give up?

They won’t!

They will tear us apart like ruthless wolves.

Have you forgotten the lesson of the Zhang Family?”

“I–” Qiu Qianren opened his mouth but then closed it again.

He suddenly realized his son was right.

His own son, Qiu Long, was indeed more outstanding than him.

“Long’er, listen to your father.

If in the end the Qiu family truly has no hope, you must survive at any cost!” Qiu Qianren said, “As long as you live, there is still hope for the Qiu family!”

…

At the same time, at the Nangong Family.

Nangong Yu was sitting there, drinking tea, not uttering a word.

Sitting below were representatives from dozens of families.

Some of their family patriarchs had been captured, so they could only send other representatives, but the goal was the same: they hoped the Nangong Family would lead the charge.

To launch an all-out attack on the Qiu family.

“Family Head of the Nangong Family, you too are victims.

It’s not that we want to go against the Qiu family, but they are not giving us a way out.

Even knowing they may have backers, if we do not act now, the Nangong Family might be exterminated as well.”

“That’s right, the Qiu family has gone mad.

Their actions are telling everyone that Jincheng only needs them.”

“Family Head of the Nangong, with just one command from you, we will all follow, sparing no expense to overturn the Qiu family!”

The people present were all incredibly agitated; though gathered, they still felt it insufficient, which is why they sought a leader.

And now, it was apparent that only the Nangong Family was qualified.

The Nangong Family, the Gold Aristocratic Clan of Jincheng.

Only with Nangong Yu leading could they qualify to confront the Qiu family.

After all, with the annexation of the Zhang Family, the Qiu family had become the fifth Gold Aristocratic Clan.

Nangong Yu continued to drink his tea.

His gaze seemed unfocused, clearly contemplating these matters.

In these two days, he had nearly been driven crazy by his wife.

Nagging every day, berating him for his incompetence every day.

However, he still couldn’t readily agree, because if anything went amiss, he feared that even the Nangong Family might be compromised.

“Nangong Family Head, are you still hesitating?

Without annihilating the Qiu Clan, how can we know who’s behind them?

I suspect a top Aristocratic Clan is supporting the Qiu Clan, aiming to destroy our Hao League,” someone said.

“That’s right, Nangong Family Head, if we are defeated one by one, it will be too late for regrets by then.

You remember Yan Peng, don’t you?

Yan Peng is the one you personally sent to prison.

Now that he is out, he went after you first.

Yet, he pointedly did not touch the Qiu Clan.

Isn’t this action clear enough?”

…

They had to persuade Nangong Yu to come out of seclusion today.

Without Nangong Yu, they could not possibly deal with the Qiu Clan.

Even if it meant kneeling here, for the sake of their Family Clan’s future, they were willing to cast aside their pride.

“Are you truly willing to give it your all?”

Nangong Yu finally spoke.

Determination flickered in his eyes.

Some decisions had to be made.

“We are willing!”

The crowd spoke in unison.

“Good.

In that case, I, Nangong Yu, will take the lead.

I am going to see who is behind the Qiu Clan and just how formidable they really are to commit such a terrifying act,” he said.

Nangong Yu’s expression was icy cold.

A terrifying aura suddenly erupted.

The air itself became frosty.

Those present shivered, suddenly regretting their decision.

Was it a good idea to cooperate with such a monster?

“Are you having regrets?”

Nangong Yu asked derisively.

“No!”

“How could we regret?

We will follow the Nangong Family Head’s lead!”

“Nangong Family Head is mighty!”

“Nangong Family is mighty!”

“Among the four major Gold Aristocratic Clans, the Nangong Family is the most likely to ascend to the Black Gold Aristocratic Clan status.

It is said that, aside from the Capital Prefecture, only the Northeast has four Black Gold Families.”

“Black Gold Family?

Perhaps it’s worth a try,” Nangong Yu mused with a smile.

The other three Gold Aristocratic Clans had been silent so far, likely choosing to wait and watch from the sidelines.

But was it really so enjoyable being a spectator?

“Since you all wish to join forces, let’s gather the experts from each Family Clan here.

With all our experts combined, we can make a stand, even against top-level masters, let alone the Qiu Clan,” declared Nangong Yu.

“Without enough masters, this plan won’t work.

The Qiu Clan sent masters that slipped past my Nangong Family’s experts without a trace; their strength, at the very least, must be at the level of Lin Qingteng.

The Qiu Clan now has, at the very least, four experts of Lin Qingteng’s caliber.

You understand, don’t you?

If we don’t put in our full effort, everyone will end up dead at the hands of the Qiu Clan, and there will be no talk of vengeance.”

In fact, some things were well known to all.

Every Aristocratic Clan hid one or two experts for emergency purposes, the so-called trump cards.

Once these trump cards were revealed, they were no longer mysterious.

But if they were kept hidden, they could keep others anxious and fearful.

This was the deterrent power of a trump card.

“Rest assured, Nangong Family Head, we will definitely give it our all,” the crowd roared unanimously.

“Don’t just talk a good game.

Let me say this before we proceed: if anyone dares to hold back, I will be the first to eradicate their Family Clan!” Nangong Yu stated coldly.

“How could we dare?

This matter concerns the rise and fall of our families; we would certainly not withhold anything.

When the time comes, the experts from dozens of our Family Clans will all gather here, awaiting the Nangong Family Head’s orders,” everyone hastily said.