High Martial Arts: Invincible Starts from Basic Archery Chapter 797 - 619 Do You Really Think She’s a White Lotus?_2

"Targeting us? Myself, the Ice Emperor, and the War Emperor?"

A flicker of astonishment appeared in the Thunder Emperor's gaze.

Deep down, he held little respect for those two individuals, going so far as to deploy vast numbers of personnel and assets just to track down their locations.

The moment any intelligence came in, he intended to step in himself to stop the Awakened Association from enduring further casualties.

But now, hearing Gong Bo declare that those two's final aim was aimed squarely at the trio of them?

"No, that's not quite right?"

A peculiar grin twisted across Gong Bo's features. "We're not after that lady—only you and the War Emperor."

"What?!"

The Thunder Emperor's eyes widened in shock.

"Is that really so confusing?"

Gong Bo pressed on with a wicked chuckle, "You can't seriously think that woman was clueless about grooming us, can you? Would you honestly claim a woman who's risen this high is some spotless white lotus?"

The Thunder Emperor grew quiet.

Within his thoughts, the image of a certain woman emerged.

Along with memories of the three battling together as one.

Su Chan—she kept few words, yet she was absolutely a reliable ally he could turn his back to without fear.

However, Gong Bo claimed that the Su Family's schemes had been clear to her from the start.

After all, she belonged to the Su Family. In a bind like this, how could she possibly oppose her own kin?

"Looks like you're clinging to a sliver of optimism still."

Gong Bo let out a sigh. "Can't blame you. If I stood in your shoes, I'd struggle to accept that longtime allies plotted my downfall too. Still, I can assure you with full certainty—it's the absolute truth."

The Su Family's initial scheme involved leveraging the Beast Emperor to wipe out you two amid this Beast Tide, followed by us finishing off the injured Beast Emperor and stepping into your roles as leaders of the Awakened Association.

That approach would place the Awakened Association firmly in the Su Family's grasp, and since the Elder Council was already theirs to command, the whole of Yan Country would end up dominated by the Su Family. Yet...

He gave a low laugh.

"Yet what?"

"Yet, knowing them as I do, they'd never allow Yu Jianqiao or me to keep breathing. We hold far too many secrets, and even if a whisper got out, it might not spark massive chaos, but it sure wouldn't sit well with anyone.

Thus, I figure once we've handled the Beast Emperor, they'll turn on us next. At that point, whether it's the Elder Council or the Awakened Association, all of Yan Country will bow to the Su Family's rule."

Upon absorbing these words, the Thunder Emperor's expression shifted dramatically.

He had to concede that such a strategy fit perfectly with the ambitions of those aristocratic clans.

Through the passing years, tensions between the Awakened Association and the Elder Council had bubbled to the surface. Without the common foe of the Fierce Beasts pressing in, the two factions would have clashed fiercely ages ago.

Therefore, Gong Bo's assertion that the Su Family schemed to remove them rang true in his ears.

But what about Su Chan?

Was she in on it?

"A scheme of this scale—she couldn't possibly be oblivious, unless you're set on assuming she was in the dark and that I'm just trying to drive a wedge between you and the Elder Council to ignite a war. That's understandable enough."

Gong Bo stated with composure.

He owned up to harboring such intentions.

Following his clash with Chen Fan, his injuries ran deep. Absent some stroke of fortune, he'd never get another shot at confronting the Elder Council—hell, he might not even escape this place with his life.

Unlike Yu Jianqiao, his hands were stained with the blood of countless Awakeners. In the Thunder Emperor's position, he'd crave to rip him limb from limb as well.

Hence, fanning flames of discord between the groups through mere talk wasn't a terrible notion. Above all, he genuinely suspected that woman was no innocent soul. She had to be involved in the Su Family's plot, likely serving as its key player.

By tipping them off early, he could complicate the Su Family's scheme or derail it entirely.

The ideal result? Watching the Su Family crumble to dust. Should that come to pass, he'd meet his end satisfied.

"Understood. Remain right here—no notions of escape. You go nowhere without my say-so."

With those words from the Thunder Emperor, his form vanished instantly from view.

"Whew..."

Gong Bo exhaled deeply, tension easing from his body.

He couldn't deny it—the aura from that man earlier had been utterly suffocating.

Even in his prime condition, besting him in an outright duel seemed unlikely.

The Thunder Emperor materialized once more, facing a figure planted squarely in his path.

It turned out to be Yu Jianqiao himself.

The man appeared to have roused some time prior, showing no shock at the Thunder Emperor's arrival, his stare locked straight ahead.

That look, in stark contrast to Gong Bo's defeatism, burned with raw rebellion.

Evidently, his spirit remained unbroken.

Unbroken despite his defeat at Chen Fan's hands, leaving him gravely hurt and his power dwindled to under a tenth of its former might.

"I can guess your question already."

Before the Thunder Emperor uttered a word, he flashed a smirk and declared, "Correct—we were dispatched by the Elder Council to pursue him, and regarding the Song Family members, the Elder Council ordered us to eliminate them, framing Chen Fan to ruin his name."

"Really now?"

The Thunder Emperor replied coolly, "Then why does Gong Bo claim it was your choice alone to slaughter the Song Family folk, trading lives to amplify your own strength?"

"He spilled the beans, huh? Such a shame. Though it hardly matters at this juncture."

Yu Jianqiao gave a casual shrug. "The Elder Council—or better said, the Su Family—tasked us not just with handling Chen Fan, but with supplanting you and the War Emperor too. Down the line, the titles of Thunder Emperor and War Emperor would belong to us."

"And you buy into their promises?"

"Only a toddler would swallow that."

Yu Jianqiao scoffed, "It's pure give-and-take exploitation. Isn't that the way of things? You leverage me, I leverage you. I'm battered bad now, mending will prove challenging, yet with your aid in resources, it ought to be manageable. What do you say? Up for a partnership?"

The Thunder Emperor held his tongue.

A fierce impulse surged within him to crush the man on the spot.

Did this scum figure him for some Elder Council puppet? Team up with a monster drenched in slaughter? Even cornered to his last thread, he'd refuse such a thing.

Yu Jianqiao paid it no heed and went on, "You mend my injuries, I pledge loyalty to you. A square deal. I've hated the Elder Council for ages. Taking them out would elevate the Awakened Association to supreme rule over Yan Country. You'd reign as the ultimate Thunder Emperor! Unrivaled! Doesn't that allure you?"

The Thunder Emperor shook his head, convinced the fellow had lost his mind entirely.

He'd split them apart precisely to extract honest details.

From this, it was clear Gong Bo spoke no falsehoods.

Little wonder the mighty Awakened Association failed to pinpoint these two's hiding spots.

In truth, the Su Family had concealed them in secret—or put more aptly, nurtured them like prized assets.

Learning all this did leave him somewhat taken aback, though only mildly. Years of tangling with the Elder Council meant their schemes rarely shocked him true anymore.

Yet what truly disturbed him was whether the Ice Emperor had any inkling—or worse, involvement.

If she remained ignorant, that'd be ideal; their trio could stay unbreakable allies.

Should she be entangled, how would he confront it? Clashing with the Su Family or with her—neither nightmare did he wish to live.

"I'll have to confer with him on this."

The Thunder Emperor mused to himself with a heavy breath.

He resolved to brief the War Emperor and devise a counterplan jointly.

"Wait! Hold on!"

Noticing his intent, Yu Jianqiao yelled, "Consider my offer! Patch me up, and I'll follow your lead. Wait, wait!"