The Sword God of the Universe
Chapter 349 - 349 349 Jing Family's Ordeal

Chapter 349: Chapter 349 Jing Family’s Ordeal Chapter 349: Chapter 349 Jing Family’s Ordeal Before the gates of the Jing Family Mansion stood more than twenty guards.

Normally, there would only be four guards stationed at the entrance, but now the presence of over twenty indicated the tense atmosphere.

Upon nearing the front gate of the mansion, Jing Yan, who wore a black cloak, was promptly spotted by the Jing Family Guards, who fixed him with a vigilant gaze.

“Halt, stranger!” the guard at the forefront, a Martial Artist of the Ninth Layer Heaven, demanded, staring intently at Jing Yan.

“I need to see the Jing Family Patriarch!” Jing Yan stated plainly.

“Hm?” Several of the strongest guards exchanged glances.

Gripping their weapons tightly, they showed no signs of relaxation, prepared for a fight at any moment.

“Who are you?” the leading guard demanded, emphasizing the question.

Given the current high-stakes situation, all the guards were extremely cautious and vigilant.

“You only need to report my visit, say that the Jing Family in Donglin City is in grave danger, and someone has come to offer assistance,” Jing Yan spoke after a moment’s contemplation.

With many prying eyes around, Jing Yan preferred not to reveal his identity to the guards quite yet.

“You wish to help our Jing Family?” a glimmer of hope flashed across the guard’s eyes, “Please wait here, I will immediately inform the Clan Leader.”

The guard turned and hastened into the mansion, not daring to delay.

In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the leading guard returned.

“Please follow me, the Clan Leader wishes to see you,” the guard told Jing Yan.

Jing Yan followed the guard into the Jing Family Mansion, heading for the Council Hall.

Outside the Council Hall, Clan Leader Jing Chengye and the Jing Family Elders had all assembled and stepped forward.

Clearly, they were curious to know who would offer help to the Jing Family at such a time.

With Donglin City’s situation apparent to any clear-sighted person, it was obvious the Jing Family was on the brink of collapse, not far from extinction.

Such was the prevalent undertone throughout the city.

In these circumstances, who would be willing to help the Jing Family?

Jing Chengye and the others focused their gaze upon the guard who approached, accompanied by a man in a wide-brimmed hat.

“Sir, you say you wish to assist the Jing Family, may I inquire as to who you are?” Jing Chengye asked, anxiety etched across his face as he looked at Jing Yan.

“Let’s talk inside; it’s inconvenient with all these onlookers,” Jing Yan replied directly to Jing Chengye.

Hearing Jing Yan’s voice, the expressions of Jing Chengye and the others subtly changed.

The voice was familiar.

Although it had been more than a year since they last saw Jing Yan, he had lived with the Jing Family for over a decade, so they were familiar with his voice.

Even though Jing Yan had altered his tone slightly, there was still a hint of familiarity they sensed.

“Sir, please step into the Council Hall,” Jing Chengye courteously invited Jing Yan inside.

After entering the Council Hall, Jing Yan removed the hat from his head.

Here, surrounded only by the Clan Leader, the Jing Family Elders, and some key personnel, confidentiality was assured.

“Jing Yan?” Jing Chengye and the others exclaimed in unison.

They had sensed something familiar in Jing Yan’s voice but didn’t immediately connect it to him because he had tried to alter it.

“Clan Leader, Elders,” Jing Yan greeted, bowing his hands toward everyone present.

“Jing Yan, why have you returned?

You must leave at once, get out of Donglin City,” Jing Chengye commanded with a firm tone, gesturing dismissively.

“Jing Yan, the Clan Leader is right; you shouldn’t have come back.

Now, go straight back to Lanqu County City,” Fourth Elder Jing Tianying also spoke with a grave expression.

“Jing Yan, did you receive some news and then return from Lanqu County City?

How did you learn about what’s happening here?” Eighth Elder Jing Qingzhu asked, her face full of confusion.

Being usually stationed in Lanqu County City and only recently back in Donglin City due to the unprecedented crisis facing the Jing Family, she, as an elder, naturally returned to aid her clan.

“Our Jing Family may not survive this ordeal unscathed.

However, there’s still hope for our Jing Family, and Jing Yan, you are that hope.

Jing Ziqi is also promising; you both would be safer in Lanqu County City.

You really shouldn’t have come back to Donglin City now.”

The Jing Family Elders spoke all at once.

Clearly, none of them wanted Jing Yan to stay in Donglin City.

The situation was too perilous; at any moment, the Zhao Family could launch a full-scale assault to wipe out the Jing Family, putting everyone in extreme danger, with only a fraction likely to survive.

Everyone recognized Jing Yan’s immense talent.

As long as he lived, there remained a chance for revenge.

Once Jing Yan became powerful enough, he could annihilate the Zhao Family and rebuild the Jing Family.

“Clan Leader, Elders, please hear me out first,” Jing Yan felt both touched and helpless amidst the clamor urging him to leave Donglin City immediately.

Most of these Jing Family elders truly had the clan’s best interests at heart.

They were genuinely concerned for Jing Yan’s wellbeing, hoping he would survive.

Although the Zhao Family was formidable, reaching into Dao Yi Academy to harm him wouldn’t be easy.

“Jing Yan, what do you want to say?

You probably don’t understand the severity of Donglin City’s peril.

The City Lord has been missing for over a month with no word; without his deterrence, the Zhao and Cai families are getting restless.

They’ve already started attacking the Jing Family within the city.

In the past month, our clan has suffered hundreds of casualties,” Jing Chengye said, his voice laden with despair.

“Clan Leader, since I’ve returned, I certainly won’t leave immediately.

Moreover, with me here, it won’t be easy for the Zhao Family to target the Jing Family,” Jing Yan spoke confidently.

While Jing Yan wasn’t sure of the full extent of the Zhao Family’s top fighters, he didn’t dare make any rash promises.

However, he was keenly aware of his own strength.

If the Zhao Family only had one or two Martial Artists in the Dao Spirit Realm, Jing Yan believed he and the Jing Family could hold their own.

“Jing Yan, I’ll be straight with you; our Jing Family is probably doomed this time.

Whether you stay or leave won’t change anything.

You being alive gives us hope.

If you were to perish as well, then our last hope would be gone.

I know you’re strong now, Elder Qingzhu has said so, and your prospects in Dao Yi Academy are boundless.

However, you’re still so young, with a short cultivation history.

No matter how strong you are, can you really stand up to a Dao Spirit Realm powerhouse?” Jing Chengye’s face showed deep resignation.

“Yes, and the Zhao Family isn’t limited to just one Dao Spirit Realm strong warrior.

Grandma San Ying of the Dao Spirit Realm is in cahoots with the Zhao Family.

Then there’s the damn Jing Chunyu, this traitor!

I wish I could kill him with my own hands!” Jing Tianying said angrily, especially when mentioning Jing Chunyu, his voice was filled with intense loathing.

The other elders also showed angry expressions.

“Jing Chunyu is dead,” Jing Yan said, his eyes narrowing slightly.