Apocalypse Gachapon Chapter 2028: Shifting the blame

"It was the Star-Eye Clan!"

The one speaking was Balodeli, the clan leader of the Huaitang Clan. The other eight clan leaders among the Eight Heads cast glances at him, their hearts understanding the situation. Naturally, as the Huaitang Clan and the Star-Eye Clan were sworn enemies, Balodeli would point the finger at them when trouble arose.

Three of the remaining seven families remained indifferent; if the true culprit couldn't be found swiftly, then pinning the blame on anyone would suffice. Designating the Star-Eye Clan as the scapegoat was also quite convenient, as they were a race on the brink of extinction anyway, making it a useful way to deal with 'waste'.

Moreover, choosing the Star-Eye Clan as the scapegoat offered an additional advantage: one of their clansmen had recently secured the first place in the Novice competition, acquiring numerous valuable items. Trimming some of their 'fat' would thus provide the people of Huo'er Star with tangible gains.

It was just that a few other families harbored some displeasure.

"Are you attempting to treat the people of Huo'er Star as fools?"

The speaker was Erku Chongken, clan leader of the Erku Dedexing. Their race's strength was considered quite formidable among the Eight Heads. Erku Chongken's son currently served as the commander of the First City Guard Army, responsible for the security of Dark Strip City. In this instance, if joint responsibility were to be enforced, the Erku Dedexing people would inevitably be implicated.

The more this was the case, the greater their concern compared to other races. If the Huo'er Star people perceived their efforts as mere pretense, the Erku Dedexing people would be the first targets of their wrath.

"What do you imply?" Balodeli questioned, visibly displeased. By accusing the Star-Eye Clan, his intention was quite evident: to use those detestable assassins as scapegoats. If everyone could tacitly agree, it would be acceptable. As allied races within the same city, was it necessary to object so directly over such a matter?

"I mean, you're treating the Huo'er Star people like fools, and you shouldn't drag the rest of us down with you!" Erku Chongken scoffed coldly. He addressed everyone, stating, "Gentlemen, consider this: who comprised the Huo'er Star team that arrived this time? It was Lilaiqiya, whose publicly known Furelai index surpassed seventy thousand. And his subordinates? They were the elite members of the Huo'er Star merchant convoy. Lilaiqiya's second-in-command, Furelai, exceeded sixty thousand, and the average strength of the remaining members was above thirty thousand. Are you claiming this team was taken down by the Star-Eye Clan, whose most powerful expert barely possesses a Furelai index above fifty thousand? And they accomplished this silently, eliminating everyone present? Isn't this treating the Huo'er Star people as fools? How else would you define treating them as fools? If, by chance, they unleash their fury upon us, can you withstand it?"

Erku Chongken offered no pretense of politeness, directly denouncing Balodeli's self-serving motives. The others listened, and indeed, the situation seemed to align with his assessment.

If the Star-Eye Clan were to mobilize their entire strength, they might not be entirely incapable of such a feat, but it certainly couldn't have been executed silently. There would have been clear indications of large-scale troop movements, and their key figures would have had to be deployed in full force.

However, as everyone was aware, on that very day, Cheng Liujin, the leader of the Star-Eye Clan's most formidable fighting force, the Golden Mask Warriors, along with several of his powerful subordinates and the chief training officer, Bashilu—whose personal combat power even surpassed Cheng Liujin's—were hosting a banquet at the city's most renowned restaurant. They were entertaining certain members of the Eight Heads, expressing their gratitude for their advocacy on behalf of the Star-Eye Clan in the recent incident involving the attack on the Cave Huo people's transport team.

The high-caliber experts the Star-Eye Clan could deploy were limited to the two clan leaders, Bashilu, Cheng Liujin, and a mere six or seven others. Two or three of these individuals had concrete alibis for their whereabouts. Therefore, how could the Star-Eye Clan possibly possess the capability to annihilate the Huo'er Star team, along with over a hundred high-priority heirs and guards from the Eight Heads? While their strength might not have been exceptional, it was equivalent to that of the Star-Eye Clan's Golden Warrior level.

"But as everyone knows, the Changxu Water Race maintains a perfect relationship with their Novice first-place achiever. Weren't the motives behind many recent assassinations in Dark Strip City speculated to be in place to shield the Changxu Water Race? If that's the case, then aiding the escape of the Changxu Water Race's slaves presents an obvious motive, does it not?"

Balodeli remained unwilling to concede, attempting to persuade everyone from another perspective.

"Does having a motive prove guilt? They would also require the means. Even if they harbored the intent, they wouldn't possess the audacity. Furthermore, Clan Leader Balodeli, I urge you to pay heed to the developments. Coinciding with the incident, the top-ranked Novice was seen at the spaceport, seeing off his companions while awaiting a ship. White Robe was present, bidding them farewell. Did they perpetrate this deed? Can they manifest multiple physical forms?"

These assertions were rather impolite, causing Balodeli's countenance to flush.

The allied families, who had recently benefited from the Star-Eye Clan's benevolence, chimed in, suggesting that if a scapegoat were to be sought, it should at least be a credible one, and the Star-Eye Clan clearly lacked the capacity for such an act.

"Very well, if you deem the Star-Eye Clan unsuitable, then who is? The Huo'er Star investigation team could arrive at any moment. How shall we provide an explanation then?"

Balodeli retreated into his chair, adopting an attitude of utter detachment, as if to say, "It's your problem now."

The others were left momentarily speechless by his question. They exchanged glances, seemingly without a viable solution.

"I believe I have a proposition."

Erku Chongken, who had consistently opposed Balodeli, suddenly interjected.

All eyes turned toward him, a collective feeling that this individual harbored a hidden agenda.

"In truth, one statement made by Clan Leader Balodeli earlier holds merit: the mysterious individual or faction responsible for the killings at the manor sought precisely those ten Changxu Water Race individuals. Previously, we all assumed the Changxu Water Race's close ties to the youth Ye Zhongming led us to suspect him, but he lacked the capability. Consequently... if someone possessed the ability to execute such an act, could they not also secure the allegiance of the Changxu Water Race?"

Upon hearing this, universal nods of contemplation followed.

"However, as you just articulated, desire is one thing; execution is another. Looking throughout Dark Strip City, apart from our eight lineages, it appears no other entity possesses such a capability, correct?"

Setting aside his animosity for the moment, Balodeli joined the analytical discussion.

The clan leader of Erku Dedexing gently tapped his finger upon the table and stated deliberately, "Who decreed that our search must be confined within the boundaries of Dark Strip City?"

A collective gasp echoed as the others were stunned, still failing to grasp Erku Chongken's subtle implication.

"The Changxu Water Race is not solely coveted by the Huo'er Star inhabitants; other entities also desire them. It is simply that few possess both the aptitude and the courage to contend with the Huo'er Star faction. This recent, silent elimination of an entire Huo'er Star team unequivocally demonstrates formidable power. And among the myriad cosmic races, who would possess the qualifications..."

"The Reina Star people!" exclaimed one clan leader with sudden excitement, only to be met with glances of derision from the others.

While the Reina Star people were indeed unafraid of the Huo'er Star faction, they were a paramount race; they would scarcely fixate upon the Changxu Water Race and would outright refuse such an endeavor. Moreover, even if the blame were laid at the feet of the Reina Star people, the Huo'er Star individuals would be impotent to retaliate against them, and their ensuing fury would inevitably fall upon Dark Strip City!

"The Changxu Water Race maintains a cordial relationship with Ye Zhongming. Ye Zhongming, in turn, is on good terms with White Robe. White Robe has a sworn brother named Jie Su, and Jie Su... is a member of the Su Race."