Chapter 308: Enemies flock together
While Karsha was busy nurturing a rune to level up his attack power, somewhere in the human kingdom, seven people gathered around a table in a dimly lit room. The atmosphere was tense, and their faces were etched with seriousness, creating a gloomy ambience that permeated the room.
The flickering candlelight cast long shadows, adding to the sombre mood. The seven individuals, each with a distinct presence, sat in silence, their expressions grim. It was clear that whatever had brought them together was of utmost importance and weighed heavily on their minds.
The first to speak was someone Karsha knew all too well. "I called you all here because we have something—or rather, someone—in common. I hope I don’t need to spell out who this person is," Hugh Varon, Vance’s father, said, his voice cold and unyielding. His blue eyes betrayed a flicker of anger and concealed killing intent.
A petite lady with a fierce expression responded, her fists clenched tightly. "You called us here, so you must have a plan to deal with that brat. He’s taken out many of my experts from the Oakwood Great Family." Her tone was laced with a barely restrained desire for revenge.
Varon nodded, acknowledging her frustration. "Indeed. As you all know, my Varon family specializes in espionage and assassination. Dealing with him will be straightforward for us. My only concern is coordinating with the rest of you. I trust you understand that this operation will be led by my family."
The four out of the seven people present exchanged glances, their expressions darkening. It was clear they weren’t pleased with the idea of Varon’s family taking the lead.
The room fell silent as Hugh Varon’s words hung in the air. The four who were less than pleased with the proposal exchanged glances, their discontent palpable.
The petite lady, whose fists were still clenched, spoke up again. "We’re supposed to trust that your family will handle everything. But you’ve got to understand, our families have suffered too. Why should we just follow your lead without any say in the matter?"
A tall man with a stern face and a deep voice chimed in. "Yes, Varon, we’re here because we have a common enemy, but that doesn’t mean we should be sidelined. Our input and resources are just as valuable as yours. This isn’t some petty family feud where one group calls all the shots. So don’t for one thing you can act arrogant here."
Another person, a middle-aged man with an air of authority, nodded in agreement. "We’ve all lost people to this brat. We need a unified approach, not just your family’s strategy. You might be good at what you do, but this needs the combined expertise of all of us. I’m not keen on being relegated to a secondary role."
A woman with sharp features and a calculating gaze added, "And what guarantees do we have that your family’s methods won’t backfire? You’re talking about assassination and espionage, something that can easily backfire. If we’re not careful, this could end up causing more harm than good. We need a detailed plan, not just promises. So before you think yourself high and mighty, let me make some things clear to you. My Gupta is no pushover."
Hugh Varon’s expression remained icy, but the anger in his eyes grew sharper. "I understand your concerns. My family’s reputation is built on efficiency and results. However, if you need assurances, I’m willing to discuss terms. But make no mistake, this operation will be led by my family. We have the expertise and the resources to get this done."
The petite lady glared at Varon. "We’ll see. But don’t expect us to just fall in line. We’re here for results, not for being used as pawns in your game."
The tall man added, "If we’re to work together, we need to be clear on roles and responsibilities. We’re not here to play second fiddle to anyone."
Varon’s gaze swept over the group, assessing their dissatisfaction. "Very well. I’ll provide a detailed plan, and we can negotiate terms. But remember, the priority is to deal with Karsha. The sooner we put our differences aside and focus on that, the better."
As Hugh Varon continued, his voice grew more determined, outlining their plan. The two individuals beside him—one an elder from the Uzi Great Family and the other a mysterious figure—remained silent, having already acquiesced to Varon’s proposal.
"Right now, killing Karsha might not be the best move," Varon said. "He’s become a hot topic throughout the entire Kingdom after his display during the Blood Expedition. But that’s actually to our advantage. His recent actions have drawn a lot of attention, which makes it easier for us to set up a trap." Discover exclusive content at novelbuddy
The petite lady, still simmering with anger, leaned forward. "What’s the plan? You mentioned something about the Shilox Auction?"
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"Yes," Varon confirmed. "The Shilox Auction is our opportunity. It’s the perfect stage for us to make our move. With the chaos and high-profile attendees, it’ll be easier to set up a trap and frame him."
The tall man with a stern face raised an eyebrow. "And how exactly do you plan to frame him? We need specifics."
Varon’s lips curled into a thin smile. "My family has already started working on several contingencies. We’re planning to use the auction as a cover for a series of orchestrated incidents that will make Karsha look like the mastermind behind a major scandal. We’ll plant evidence and manipulate events so that everyone, including the royal family, believes he’s a threat to the Kingdom."
The middle-aged man with the authoritative air nodded thoughtfully. "That sounds promising. But what if he suspects something? Karsha is not someone to underestimate."
"True," Varon admitted. "But that’s why we need to ensure everything is airtight. We’ll create multiple layers of deception. The evidence will be overwhelming, and by the time he figures it out, it will be too late. The key is timing and precision."
The calculating woman spoke up again. "And what about the four families here? What roles will we play?"
"Each of your families will be responsible for different aspects of the plan," Varon explained. "Right now, the best approach is to ensure there is no way out for him. We have already placed people in the shadows making sure he won’t have a chance to escape."
As Hugh Varon laid out the plan, scepticism grew among the assembled families. The Uzi Great Family elder, who had been quiet until now, finally spoke up. "Placing people in the shadows is one thing, but what about the details? How exactly are we ensuring he won’t have a chance to escape?"
Varon’s gaze swept over the group. "We’ve set up a network of spies and enforcers in strategic locations. They’re monitoring his movements and controlling potential escape routes. But that’s only part of it."
The petite lady leaned forward, her eyes narrowing. "And what if he has allies or a hidden escape plan? We need to be thorough."
Varon’s lips twitched slightly. "Our approach involves more than just surveillance. We’re also targeting those close to Karsha. By capturing his trusted allies and associates, we’ll force him to come out of hiding. He won’t have a choice but to confront us if his people are in danger."
The tall man with a stern face raised an eyebrow. "You’re talking about involving innocent people close to him. This sounds risky."
Hugh Varon’s smile widened, carrying a chilling edge. "The people he killed were also innocent," he said, his tone dark and foreboding. "Why should we be any different? Once Karsha is dead, we’ll release those we’ve captured. It’s just a precaution, really. I’m confident it won’t even come to that."
He leaned back in his chair, the satisfaction in his expression unmistakable. "When the Varon family makes a plan, it never fails. Our history speaks for itself. Instead of doubting, I suggest you accept our approach and let us handle this."
The room’s atmosphere shifted, a mix of reluctant acceptance and unspoken grudges hanging in the air. The four individuals, though still skeptical, knew the reputation of the Varon family well. The fear and respect they commanded were hard to ignore.
The petite lady from the Oakwood Great Family shot a steely glance at Varon. "We’ll see if your plan holds up. We’re still watching closely, and any missteps will not be tolerated."
The tall man, his gaze hard and calculating, added, "We’ll cooperate with your plan for now, but let me make one thing clear: if this fails, we’ll be holding you responsible. We have no intention of being part of a failed scheme."
The middle-aged man nodded in agreement. "We’re committed to the auction preparations. But keep in mind, that we expect results, not excuses. If you’ve underestimated Karsha or if anything goes wrong, there will be consequences."
Hugh’s smile grew colder. "Understood. We’re all on the same page then. I assure you, that this plan will be executed flawlessly. I look forward to our success and the downfall of Karsha."
The man from the Oakwood Great Family, his evil smile now fully visible, concluded, "Since your family managed to wipe out an entire Great Family, I suppose it’s only fitting that we give this a chance. We’ll prepare for the auction. Just ensure this plot works as planned. Otherwise…"
His voice trailed off, but the unspoken threat was clear. They don’t trust each other, but to kill just a Grandmaster stage cultivator, they are plotting and scheming even considering using innocent people to get what they wanted.
This is the lowest a person can go, but these seven have even gone to the lowest low. Karsha is their target but involving his loved ones is akin to touching his reverse scale. And doing that is just called disaster on themselves. After a few more exchanges, they each broke a talisman and vanished from the room.
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Back inside the subspace, Karsha’s smile grew wider as the rune began to glow brightly. A few hours later, a system message finally appeared.
< Ding! Congratulations, you have successfully awakened the Fire Elemental rune of the technique: Sader’s Ice Strike >
"Finally," Karsha said with a grin, "let’s see what I’ve achieved."