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

"Targeting us? The Ice Emperor, the War Emperor, and myself?"

Surprise flickered briefly in the Thunder Emperor's eyes.

Deep down, he held little respect for those two, yet he'd poured vast resources and effort into tracking their locations.

Any hint of their position would prompt him to strike personally, sparing the Awakened Association further harm.

Now, Gong Bo's revelation suggested these two aimed straight for the trio of them?

"No, that's not quite right?"

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

"What!"

The Thunder Emperor's eyes widened sharply.

"Is that really so confusing?"

Gong Bo pressed on with a dark chuckle, "You can't seriously think that woman was clueless about our cultivation, can you? Would you buy that someone who's risen this high is some innocent flower?"

Silence gripped the Thunder Emperor.

In his thoughts, an image of the woman surfaced.

Along with memories of the three battling together.

Su Chan remained quiet by nature, yet she was a reliable ally he'd trust at his flank.

But Gong Bo claimed she'd been aware of the Su Family's schemes from the start.

After all, as part of the Su Family, how could she oppose her own kin in such circumstances?

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

Gong Bo let out a sigh. "Can't blame you. In your shoes, I'd doubt old allies plotting my downfall too. But rest assured, I'm telling the truth here.

The Su Family's initial scheme involved using the Beast Emperor to wipe you two out during this Beast Tide, then we'd finish off the battered Beast Emperor and step into your roles, seizing control of the Awakened Association.

That way, the Awakened Association would bow to the Su Family, and with the Elder Council in their grasp too, the whole of Yan Country would fall under their dominion. But..."

He let out a low laugh.

"But what exactly?"

"But knowing them as I do, they'd never spare Yu Jianqiao or me. We hold too many secrets, and even a whisper of them leaking could stir up some mess, though nothing catastrophic,

So, I'd wager 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 ends up as the Su Family's prize."

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

He couldn't reject how perfectly this scheme served the noble families' ambitions.

For years, tensions between the Awakened Association and the Elder Council had simmered openly. Without the Fierce Beasts as a common foe, outright war would have erupted long ago.

Thus, Gong Bo's claim of the Su Family scheming against them rang true in his ears.

Yet what about Su Chan?

Was she truly in the dark?

"A scheme this massive? Hard to imagine she stayed oblivious, unless you're set on believing that and figuring I'm just trying to drive a wedge between you and the Elder Council for some infighting. That's understandable enough."

Gong Bo spoke with steady calm.

He owned up to entertaining such an idea.

Post-clash with Chen Fan, his wounds ran deep. Absent some stroke of fortune, he'd never challenge the Elder Council again—might not even survive this encounter,

Unlike Yu Jianqiao, his hands were stained with far too many Awakener lives. If positions reversed, the Thunder Emperor would crave his destruction.

Fanning flames between the factions with mere talk seemed a solid play. More than that, he was convinced that woman hid depths. The Su Family's plot? She'd woven into it, likely as the key player.

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

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

"Understood. Remain put—no escaping. Without my say-so, you're staying right here."

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

"Whew..."

Gong Bo exhaled deeply in relief.

He conceded the immense pressure that man had exuded moments ago.

Even in top form, a straight fight against him would prove impossible to win.

When the Thunder Emperor materialized again, another figure awaited him.

It was Yu Jianqiao himself.

The man appeared to have been conscious for some time, showing no shock at the Thunder Emperor's arrival, his stare locked firmly.

That look, far from Gong Bo's defeatism, burned with raw challenge.

Evidently, he refused to yield.

Unyielding in defeat to Chen Fan, in his grievous injuries, in his power slashed to a mere fraction.

"I get what you're dying to know."

Before the Thunder Emperor uttered a word, he flashed a grin and declared, "Spot on—we were dispatched by the Elder Council to pursue him, and those Song Family folks? The Elder Council ordered us to slaughter them, pinning it on Chen Fan to ruin his name."

"Really now?"

The Thunder Emperor replied coolly, "But Gong Bo mentioned it was your call to butcher the Song Family, trading lives for your own gains."

"Did he spill the beans? Pathetic waste. Doesn't matter anymore though."

Yu Jianqiao shrugged without a care. "The Elder Council—or better said, the Su Family—tasked us not just with Chen Fan but with ousting you and the War Emperor too. Down the line, we'd claim the Thunder Emperor and War Emperor titles."

"And you swallowed that line?"

"Only a toddler buys such nonsense."

Yu Jianqiao scoffed, "It's all give and take exploitation. World runs on it, doesn't it? You scratch my back, I scratch yours. I'm busted up bad now, mending won't be easy, but your supplies could make it doable. So, what's the deal? Up for partnering?"

The Thunder Emperor stayed quiet.

A fierce impulse surged to smash the fool right there.

This scum equated him with the Elder Council? Team up with a slaughter-happy monster? Even cornered, he'd never stoop that low.

Yu Jianqiao brushed it off and went on, "Patch me up, and I'm your man. Fair trade. I've hated the Elder Council forever. Wiping them out hands the Awakened Association total rule over Yan Country. You'd reign supreme as Thunder Emperor! Untouchable! Doesn't that lure you in?"

The Thunder Emperor shook his head, deeming the man utterly deranged.

He'd split them apart to extract honest details.

Now, it was clear Gong Bo spoke no lies.

No surprise the mighty Awakened Association failed to hunt these two down.

Evidently, the Su Family had hidden them in secret—or rather, groomed them deliberately.

This news did jolt him somewhat, but only mildly. Years of tangling with the Elder Council meant their antics rarely shocked him anymore.

What truly disturbed him? Did the Ice Emperor know? Even join in?

If ignorant, perfect—the trio remained unbreakable allies.

If involved, how to confront it? Clashing with the Su Family or her? Nightmares he'd rather avoid.

"Only way forward is hashing it out with him."

The Thunder Emperor mused to himself with a sigh.

He intended to brief the War Emperor and devise a plan jointly.

"Hold up! Wait!"

Yu Jianqiao called out at the sight, "Consider my offer! Fix me, I'll pledge to you. Come on, wait!"