Sword Among Us

A group of people lay in ambush in the forest outside the ancient tomb. They were dressed in tight-fitting black clothes, and their faces were covered. However, from their curvaceous and exquisite figures, it was clear that they were all women.

The masked women in black who were at the front of the group stuck close to each other. They kept a close watch over the dozen people from Life Ending Hall from behind the bushes with their bright big eyes.

In a while, they lowered their voices and discussed something…

“Coral, have you thought things through? This time, we’re up against Life Ending Hall. They’re even more difficult to handle compared to Purple Sun Sect.”

The women looked at one person with incredible seriousness, and the speaker’s tone was very stern.

“We did not dare to act rashly when Purple Sun Sect went after your life. We were worried that more of our sisters will die to save you. Right now, even though the matter with Purple Sun Sect hasn’t ended yet, you’re thinking of provoking Life Ending Hall. Girl, are you insane?”

“That’s why I asked you to come over in disguise.”

The woman being stared at by the others was Red Coral, who had left the ancient tomb for less than a day. She had a white messenger pigeon in her hands. When she heard the others’ concerns, she answered very calmly before she released the messenger pigeon. Even though she felt hurt when Happy took the jade slit ring from her, she knew that he had saved her, and she owed him a favor.

She had contributed a lot to Black Rose Clan, but these good friends of hers who usually obeyed her orders and relied on her for everything did not dare to provoke Purple Sun Sect, even though logically speaking, they should have, and even though she had asked them to help her. However, in their place, a stranger had helped her.

This made Red Coral, who usually liked relying on her rationale and calculations to handle every single matter, to feel slightly touched and like she was being cared for, which she had not felt for a long time.

“You’re being too carefree,” a person beside her commented with a frown. “You must understand that quite a number of our people have died because of the tribute stealing quest. Right now, we need our members to protect and defend the tributes we have in the stronghold. But look at you, not only did you drag us here, you even brought our big sister, who is supposed to serve as a garrison in the stronghold. Big sister, aren’t you going to rein her in?”

Black Rose, who had not said a single word since the beginning, only cast a deep glance at Red Coral. When she saw the she still had that indifferent look on her face, she said, “I believe in Red Coral. She must have her reasons for doing this.”

“But Life Ending Hall isn’t like any other organization!”

“Big sister, you pamper Coral too much. I heard that Vice Hall Master Light and Dark is the leader of the team. If we bring about Life Ending Hall’s anger on ourselves, all our hard work will be for nothing!”

The Black Rose Clan members stood by their point of view and tried to make Black Rose see reason.

“I told you a long time ago that those tributes are useless. The developers will not be stupid enough to let loose so many items that will affect the entire game. Before the emperor’s birthday arrives, they are like ticking time bombs. If you don’t want to be crushed to pieces by those things, it’s better to let go of them beforehand,” Red Coral voiced her stance, which she firmly believed in.

“What a load of bull!”

“That’s right. All the people in the game are fighting for it right now! Are we supposed to give up on them because you said so? What if this is an event organized by World of Martial Arts?”

“Then there is no need to continue playing this game. If you insist on staying, I will be the first to delete my character and quit!” Red Coral answered in a very firm and straightforward manner, causing the Black Rose Clan members around her to collectively shut up.

Red Coral’s firm and decisive delivery of her stance finally allowed her to show her confidence as the military advisor of Black Rose Clan!

The members who had collectively stood against her thought that they had pressured her too much and had led her to say words that showed her fiercely adhering to her own moral code. Their faces turned pale, and they did not dare to speak anymore.

Red Coral was still very important to Black Rose Clan!

If Black Rose was the clan’s core and spiritual leader, then Red Coral was the clan’s strategist and administrator.

There was no doubt about her plans and her intelligence being the top in Black Rose Clan, aside from this quest she had come up with.

Even though Red Coral was very much against the members of Black Rose Clan being involved in the tribute stealing quest, she was helpless against the general trend. Many of her sisters had been dragged into the mix. Hence, even though she was opposed to it, she still provided the battle plans during critical moments and those that minimized danger and picked specific targets.

This was why Black Rose Clan had been able to continue and did not fall to ruin.

If Black Rose left, the clan’s division could happen, but if Red Coral left, the clan was bound to fall to ruin.

This was why no one dared to speak up once her tone became firm.

“Alright, Coral, let’s set aside the quest first,” Black Rose said to ease the tense atmosphere. She asked earnestly and sincerely, “Do you really think that there is a need for us to take the risk to save the person in the ancient tomb? As long as you think that there is a need for that, as your leader, I will definitely support your decision, even if it’s wrong.”

“Big sis, trust me. If you truly want Black Rose to succeed in World of Martial Arts, then our clan must get a powerful ally on our side!

“The game has not been launched for a long time, and he is still alone. Also, you should know Light and Dark’s abilities. Do you really think that it’s worth it to get one person on our side at the risk of going up against all of Life Ending Hall?” Black Rose looked into Red Coral’s eyes.

Red Coral did not shy away or avoid her gaze. She stared right back at her and said in an unperturbed manner, “It’s precisely because he is alone that we have the chance to draw him to our side. As for whether it is worth it or not, we will know in the future…”

Black Rose could see the insistence and determination in Red Coral’s eyes. This was very similar to the look she had many times in the past, and Black Rose always remembered seeing it. She felt sentimental and nodded firmly.

“I’ll support you!”

Black Rose’s answer set the operation in stone. The people who opposed the idea around her no longer said anything.

This was how Black Rose Clan operated.

Before the operation, they could voice different opinions and even argue against each other, but once the decision was made, everyone had to carry out their tasks carefully and meticulously.

When Black Rose finished speaking, a white messenger pigeon quietly appeared in the forest. It flapped its wings and flew into Red Coral’s extended palm.

All the people surrounded her and looked at it with interest.

They knew that it was a reply from the person in the ancient tomb!

Red Coral did not hide it either. She unfolded the letter, and astonishment filled her expression. Soft cries of surprise rose from around her soon after.

Red Coral’s message to the person in the ancient tomb had included details such as the general situation of Life Ending Hall’s operation, their numbers, their leader’s abilities, the background of Life Ending Hall, and the situation outside the ancient tomb. She also told him that she was willing to work together with him and launch a pincer attack so that they could create a chance for him to escape.

However, even though they had taken the initiative to send a letter telling him, who was surrounded in the ancient tomb, that they were willing to send him reinforcements, their offer had been tactfully refused.

The contents of the letter were very simple: [Don’t take the risk, I can handle it.]

“He doesn’t need our help? What’s going on?”

Black Rose frowned as she pondered over his answer, and she could not help but take off the veil from her face. An extremely exquisite, elegant, and beautiful face appeared before the women. She turned to stare at Red Coral with her bright and enchanting eyes, which shone with a heroic spark.

Red Coral’s expression showed that she knew this would happen. She folded the letter and said a single sentence to the women who had astounded and puzzled expressions, “Mission complete.”