Treatise Of A Failed Knight-Chapter 242: Eastern Sects

In the far eastern continent, there is currently a great celebration.

After several weeks of hardcore negotiations, the Freedom Fighters have finally decided to release the prisoners they captured.

Although there were initially five prisoners, the captors were sensible enough to preserve the lives of the most important members of the Eastern Sect.

Tian Yu: One of the Young Masters of the Heaven Pavilion Sect.

Ning Bing: One of the three great beauties in the entire Continent, a jade beauty many considered to be unparalleled in grace and innocence.

Zheng Yue: A Sect Leader of one of the major Sects in the land.

These three are important figures in the Eastern Sects, and their Continent had spent a great fortune to recover them.

Not only because they desire to preserve their secrets, but also due to deep affection.

For example, Ning Bing’s father is a Sect Leader, and also the head of the Eastern Sects Council. He spared no expense in saving his daughter and turned the entire eastern continent upside down to meet the demands of the captors.

Tian Yu is one of the two central heirs of the Blossoming Heaven Pavilion Sect and a direct disciple of the Sword Saint of the land.

Although his skill lies more in the blade than in politics and leadership, he is still a worthy contender for the position of Sect Leader. Even if he does not succeed, his strength is indispensable to the Eastern Sects, particularly the Blossoming Heaven Pavilion Sect.

Because of this, both the Sword Saint and current Sect Leader of his Sect interceded for him on numerous occasions.

The Council also recognized his potential, and although some benefits would come from abandoning him and clipping the wings of the Blossoming Heaven Pavilion Sect, these astute leaders had to look at the big picture.

They all had a common enemy: Kalakuta and his Freedom Fighters!

Thus, they could not afford any internal strife.

As for Zheng Yue, the Sect Leader of the Shattering Illusory Dreams Sect, he is undoubtedly the greatest in terms of illusory arrays and protective formations within the Eastern Sects.

This is actually why he personally went to the battle in order to ensure its success.

To think he would be captured too!

The reason behind this, which none of these people knew, is the special identity of the Knight responsible.

Javier Aditi... a Leviathan.

Illusions at such a level do not work on him due to his Aego Sight or Existential Resonance.

With his abundant number of Magivores, even those in Cadre 4, it is also no surprise that he could breach defensive arrays.

It was inevitable that Zheng Yue would lose.

And now—

"We are all gathered. Let’s begin the meeting."

—All the Sect Leaders of the Eastern Sects have come together amidst the heights of the continent-wide celebration.

In fact, this welcome festival thrown for the released prisoners is only a camouflage.

Their intention is to hide their meeting.

Thus, the 13 Sect Leaders all sit in a circle, before a grand table that has all kinds of delicacies prepared.

Unfortunately, everyone’s expression is grim.

No one even touches their meals.

Instead, they stare at their colleagues in the room—sizing them up with observant and wary gazes.

The truth is that while the Eastern Sects had many smaller nations called sects inhabiting the same continent, they are far from being truly united.

Unlike the Central Plains, where the Tribes gather under one major Tribe—the Great Northern Tribe—the Eastern Sects have independent bodies that are only loosely tied due to benefits.

This Sect Leader Council is the middle ground that lets all of them come together while setting aside their differences.

Still, even in this precarious situation, it is extremely difficult for some to forget.

To forgive.

After all, even the number of Sect Leaders at this table used to be a lot more. But through schemes, certain Sects fall or are absorbed into stronger Sects.

This creates a harsh climate where only the strong thrive and the weak are consumed.

In such a world, distrust is only natural.

If not for the external threat that is Kalakuta, most Sects would not have intervened in the retrieval of the three prisoners.

They would be too concerned by benefits.

Weakening the Blossoming Heaven Pavilion Sect by getting rid of Tian Yu... destabilizing and swallowing the Shattering Illusory Dream Sect by getting rid of Zheng Yue, the Sect Leader, and destabilizing the current Council Leader of this Sect Leader Council by eliminating his daughter...

These are all beneficial things to rival parties.

But they dare not do so now.

Not with their entire continent and seats of power at stake.

"This encounter showed us that these Freedom Fighters are not to be underestimated. It wasn’t a fluke that they managed to take down the Northern Empire and Central Plains." The Council Leader, dressed in an even more luxurious robe than everyone’s flashy attire, sighs very loudly.

"Indeed." Another Sect Leader speaks, rubbing his overflowing white beard. "I didn’t think they would be so strong. We’ve been severely weakened."

"I know you all suffered quite a loy to ensure my safe return. I will definitely repay this favor." Zheng Yue cups his fist towards his peers, a grateful smile on his face.

"Don’t mention it. I also want to thank everyone for their support in helping retrieve my son." This time, the Sect Leader of the Blossoming Heaven Pavilion Sect speaks up with a charming grin.

"No, no... I am most grateful. My precious daughter is back in my arms, after all." The Council Leader overshadows everyone with an enthusiastic roar of a laugh.

Anyone seeing this would think very highly of these people and praise their righteous nature.

But underneath these facades are their true thoughts—most of which is in direct contrast with the sentiment they are openly displaying.

For one, Zheng Yue’s heart is bleeding at the moment because he is now indebted to these people.

Once this crisis is over, he will have to pay them back for their assistance and suffer some great loss to appease them.

He does not want this to happen.

Thus, it is actually his wish that bad things also happen to his peers so that the scales can be balanced.

In fact, if some of them can be killed in the coming crisis, he would greatly benefit.

The other two who displayed gratitude also have their own sinister overtures. But it’s not as if those they are scheming against are pure of heart either.

In the end, none of these people are truly innocent or righteous.

"We should focus more on how to deal with these Freedom Fighters. They become stronger and stronger with every passing moment. At first, we helped them from the shadows as a way to weaken the Northern Empire in order to tame it over and safely plunder the resources in their No Man’s Land, but they have gotten out of hand."

"Indeed. To think they can now control Demonic Beasts to this extent. I thought only our Beast Taming array was capable of such a feat. Do you suppose they also—?"

"No, this is different from the Beast Taming Array. Remember that we need a lot of time and resources to construct one. This is why we planned to take over the Northern Empire before safely exploring No Man’s Land with our array. If we did it any other way, attention would be drawn to us, and construction would be halted before it was complete."

"So if it isn’t the Beast Taming array, what is it?" They ask without a way of knowing the answer.

After tons of deliberation, the group finally moves on from identifying the source of this mysterious power and instead how to stop it.

"We have to find a way to remove those Demonic Beasts from the equation—at least for now. Taking down their leader, Kalakuta is the best choice we can make."

"Indeed."

"I heard them discuss before releasing us. They are preparing for another large-scale invasion, and we are their target."

"My daughter said the same."

"My son as well."

"Their army is undoubtedly coming. If they attack us as we are now, we are likely to lose. We need time to recoup our losses and recover our strength."

"I agree. But the way I see it, unless we give in to their demands of abolishing our governmental structure, there is no way to stop them. That man, Kalakuta, is too stubborn. He is unwilling to see the bigger picture and compromise."

"There’s no helping it. Why don’t we make them believe that this will indeed be our choice. We can safely scheme while putting up pretenses."

"Oh? I was thinking of the same thing!"

"But how do we execute it?"

"We can set up an official dissolution and invite Kalakuta as a witness to the ceremony. Since he will be coming as a guest, he won’t be allowed to come with his army." Zheng Yue makes a cruel smile before continuing. "All we have to do is trap him and the small number of allies with him in a formation."

"Oh, great idea!"

"That could actually work!"

"We can use illusory aspects, with all other kinds of effects to ensure a guaranteed success!" 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

All the Sect Leaders grow more and more pleased with this idea. Although they recognize that this is Zheng Yue’s way of gaining renown in their midst as well as in The Eastern Sects as a whole, this is still an excellent plan that will bring many benefits to everyone present.

As such, no one can refuse it.

’Even though he just went through crushing defeat and was likely tortured by the enemy, he still hasn’t lost his scheming mind...’ The Council Leader stares at Zheng Yue and makes a wry smile.

This should be expected from the Sect Leaders of the current Eastern Sects. There is a reason their Sects haven’t yet been swallowed.

"You can leave the illusory aspect of the formation in my hands." Zheng Yue smiles, placing a hand on his chest.

"A body replacement will attend the ceremony in my stead while I help set up the Illusory Array in the background. Once that scoundrel, Kalakuta, is inside... it will be game over!"

"Hehe... Well said, Senior Brother."

"We will be counting on you."

"We won’t forget your contribution to the cause."

Zheng Yue’s admittance of taking responsibility for the array is actually good news for these Sect Leaders.

Not only does it mean he will sort out a majority of the expenses, he will also be in charge of most labor associated with the formation’s construction while personally manning the illusory array component.

Lastly, by taking responsibility for this task Zheng Yue will take on all the blame in case this plan fails.

He will be the perfect scapegoat.

’He’s trying to do this as a way to get out of the debt he owes us, but he shouldn’t think it will be this easy...’

’What a big risk he is taking! I also thought about this idea, but I kept my mouth shut for a reason. Such a fool.’

’Hehe! It’s only right that you are useful after everything we spent on you.’

Many Sect Leaders have thought like these in their scheming minds while looking at the oblivious Zheng Yue.

Even the Council Leader is pleased.

’You are being too impatient Zheng Yue, but I am in no rush to correct you. Hehe... it looks like I actually overestimated your scheming abilities...’

The group sits together and discusses the details. Only after what felt like a whole day did they finally conclude the plan.

They each go their separate ways, promising to reconvene once the time is ripe.

Kalakuta and his Freedom Fighters might have the upper hand now, but even they have no idea of what is coming.

The end is near.

"Hehe..." A certain hooded voice echoes amidst the city, their gaze resting on the many celebrations and loud festivities.

A wide grin forms on their darkened face.

"... So this is the Eastern Sects."