In the plaza of Cloudmarsh Sect, dozens of sect masters sat cross-legged, each wearing a different expression. The atmosphere was anything but relaxed.
After hearing Cloudmarsh Sect Master Kong Xian explain why he had invited them, several exchanged glances. None looked particularly at ease.
“An alliance?” The master of Great Sun Manor looked dubious. “We’ve all been neighbors here in Rongzhou for hundreds, even thousands of years. Why suddenly talk about forming an alliance?”
“It’s not even Heavenly Fire Cult asking to ally with us,” the palace master of Mirror Moon Palace agreed. “It’s Pleasure Sect from Nanzhou, and they sent some nameless brat here...”
Kong Xian chuckled. “Hardly nameless. Back at the Golden Core Competition, Ye Chenyan of Guiyi Sect crushed the competition. Even I heard about him all the way out here in Rongzhou.”
“But he belonged to Guiyi Sect back then. How did he wind up in Pleasure Sect, holding its sect master’s token?” The master of Astral Workshop tapped his fingers lightly against the table. “Who knows what he’s trying to accomplish by gathering factions around himself now?”
The valley master of Clearwind Valley took a sip of tea. “It’s only an alliance. It’s not as though anyone can force you or me to do anything. If they want an alliance, then fine.”
Opinions differed, and after exchanging a few words, it was clear everyone had their own calculations.
“Haha.” Kong Xian laughed. “I only helped make the introduction as a courtesy to Heavenly Fire Cult. As for what decision you make, that is naturally up to each of you.”
He looked toward the entrance to the plaza.
“They’re here.”
“Hmph!”
Someone gave a low snort and secretly sent a wave of pressure toward them.
Ye Chenyan merely raised his head, completely unaffected. He strolled leisurely over to the group, gave them a cupped-fist salute, then swept his gaze around the plaza.
“Well? Has everyone reached a decision?”
“The circumstances are unusual, and we’re somewhat pressed for time. If everyone could—”
“Arrogant!”
At last, someone could no longer hold himself back and sprang to his feet.
“If Heavenly Fire Cult wished to form an alliance with us, that would be one thing. But you’re nothing more than a junior, yet you dare act this arrogantly. Do you think Rongzhou has no one capable of standing against you?”
“Let me see whether you even have the ability to call yourself our ally!”
He flew down into the plaza and drew his weapon.
Chi Yantian immediately looked eager. “Want some help?”
“No.”
Ye Chenyan was already flying out to meet him.
With practiced ease, Yu Qingtang retreated to a safe distance, pulled out the snacks he had prepared in advance, and sat down cross-legged to watch.
Chi Yantian squatted beside him.
“Who do you think will win?”
Yu Qingtang gave him a sideways look. “What’s there to bet on? Bet on how many moves the fight lasts.”
“That man is still a Soul Transformation cultivator who’s been famous for years.” Chi Yantian folded his arms, deciding to give the man the respect he deserved. “Under a hundred moves.”
“Heh.” Yu Qingtang held up a finger. “I bet twenty.”
“Impossible—”
Before Chi Yantian could finish, the sect master came skidding across the ground.
Yu Qingtang watched him slide past.
“See?”
“Even faster than I guessed.”
After witnessing this sort of thing enough times, he had acquired the serene composure of a seasoned master.
Chi Yantian: “...”
He fell silent for a moment, then curled his lip.
“He went down way too easily. Did he just not train properly?”
The sect master sprawled miserably on the ground flew into a rage.
“You try taking one of his spear strikes!”
Chi Yantian looked disdainful. “It’s not like I haven’t fought him before.”
The sect master glanced sideways at him. “Did you win?”
Remembering the past, Chi Yantian rubbed his nose gloomily and answered with complete honesty.
“No.”
Sect Master: “...”
Chi Yantian even turned around to comfort him.
“So you didn’t embarrass yourself that badly.”
“You brought your sect master’s token, right? Hand it over. You challenged him, so accept the loss. Surely you’re not going to make us rob you ourselves?”
The man’s face turned sickly as he grudgingly raised the sect master’s token from inside his robes, still looking wary.
“You only want an alliance?”
Ye Chenyan tossed the Pleasure Sect token into the air. It caught the streak of light that flew from the other token, and Ye wasted no more words on him.
He turned toward the people above.
“Next.”
It took only a few hours for them to successfully form alliances with every sect present.
The atmosphere was just... not especially friendly.
Kong Xian watched them with a beaming smile.
“Heroes truly do emerge from the younger generation. It seems old fellows like us have no choice but to admit our age.”
Ye Chenyan gave him a half smile.
“Sect Master, don’t you want to try me yourself?”
Kong Xian laughed and waved him off.
“Why bother?”
“Cloudmarsh Sect has stood in Rongzhou for many years. I know that although Heavenly Fire Cult acts decisively and occasionally does things no one else can understand, they always have their reasons.”
“For both cult leaders to send their holy son along with you is already a statement in itself. Naturally, I have no intention of obstructing you.”
Ye Chenyan pointed outside.
“Then what about the sect-protecting grand array?”
Kong Xian gave a wry smile.
“I was merely afraid you gentlemen might tear Cloudmarsh Sect’s entire mountain apart. We’re only a small sect, you know. Repairs cost spirit stones.”
“Since today’s business is finished, naturally we’ll put it away.”
He gave an order. A maid soon drifted away, and Cloudmarsh Sect’s sect-protecting grand array quietly faded from sight as the surrounding mist gradually dispersed.
The group politely declined Kong Xian’s invitation to stay for a meal and bid Cloudmarsh Sect farewell.
Only after they had left the sect did Ye Chenyan glance back.
“That sect master is stronger than the others.”
“Hm?” Chi Yantian looked back in confusion. “Is he? Aside from Heavenly Fire Cult, most sect masters of Rongzhou’s smaller sects are around Soul Transformation. Your strength far exceeds others at the same realm, so dealing with them isn’t difficult for you.”
“As for Sect Master Kong Xian...”
“He’s considered part of the younger generation. I don’t know exactly how strong he is. I only know he has an exceptionally good temper and almost never gets into conflicts with anyone.”
“The people he managed to invite here are all among the more reasonable ones.”
“The rest are the real hard nuts to crack.”
“So...” A hint of a smile appeared on Ye Chenyan’s face. “We’ll have to rob the rest?”
Yu Qingtang’s expression grew complicated.
“Why does he sound kind of happy about that?”
Ye Chenyan cleared his throat.
“Ahem. Not really.”
“It’s just that Rongzhou has so many sect masters. Surely one or two of them can put up a decent fight?”
Yu Qingtang: “...”
He was having way too much fun with this.
And so, they remained in Rongzhou for the time being, staying as guests of Heavenly Fire Cult.
During the day, they scoured Rongzhou for sects to recruit into the alliance. Along the way, they also sent word to Scholar Xiao, planning to head for Central Province together once he arrived to meet them.
About seven days later, the entrance to Dragon Roar Pavilion was littered with junior disciples, groans of “Ow...” rising from every direction.
Holding a transmission stone, Yu Qingtang gave Scholar Xiao directions.
“You want to meet up with us first? Sure. We’re not far from the Rongzhou border, at Dragon Roar Pavilion.”
“What are we doing here? Uh... visiting.”
“If you really insist, I suppose you could call it that.”
“You’d better hurry. If you’re too slow, we’ll already be at the next place.”
Yu Qingtang poked his head forward.
“This sect master probably won’t last much longer either.”
“You can see us?”
Yu Qingtang immediately stood and peered curiously toward the entrance.
“Where are you? Oh! Brother Xiao—!”
“Brother Yu—!”
Scholar Xiao approached from afar in blue robes, dressed every inch the scholar. When he smiled, he looked even more scholarly than usual.
“It’s been so long. How nostalgic...”
As he walked over, his gaze swept in astonishment across the junior disciples scattered over the ground.
“What unforgivable crime did Dragon Roar Pavilion commit? Have you come to dispense justice on Heaven’s behalf?”
“Nonsense!” One junior disciple struggled upright and glared at them through gritted teeth. “We haven’t done anything wrong! These people suddenly attacked our sect!”
“That’s not entirely fair.” Yu Qingtang guiltily rubbed his nose. “We did try diplomacy before resorting to force.”
Scholar Xiao looked utterly baffled.
“What exactly are you doing?”
Yu Qingtang answered honestly.
“Robbery, I guess.”
“Huh?”
Scholar Xiao looked even more shocked. His mouth opened, clearly unwilling to believe they were the sort of people who would do such a thing. Out of trust in them, he asked one more question.
“Then... what are you robbing them of?”
Yu Qingtang said, “An alliance.”
Scholar Xiao’s eyes practically radiated confusion.
“Basically, his master told him to form alliances with all the sects in Rongzhou because they’ll be useful later.” Yu Qingtang spread his hands. “We don’t know why either. Senior Tianji Zi said it, so he must have his reasons.”
“Oh—” Scholar Xiao immediately understood. “Heavenly secrets must not be divulged, only hinted at. In that case, yes, robbery is clearly necessary.”
“Then...”
Before he could finish, Chi Yantian came charging out of the sect master’s residence.
“Hey! No need to keep fighting! I found the sect master’s token!”
A female cultivator rushed after him, grief and indignation written all over her face.
“Master! Your disciple failed to protect the sect master’s token!”
The sect master, who was barely hanging on against Ye Chenyan, closed his eyes desolately.
“Heaven means to destroy my Dragon Roar Pavilion!”
“Master—!”
“My disciple—!”
Ye Chenyan took the sect master’s token and sent a streak of radiance from it into the Pleasure Sect token. Then he watched the master and disciple cling to each other and weep with a faintly amused smile.
Yu Qingtang reminded him, “You’ve already formed the alliance. Hurry up and give their sect master’s token back! Look, they’re practically crying themselves to death!”
“This is pretty entertaining.” Ye Chenyan tossed the token idly in one hand, amusement flashing through his eyes. “I want to watch them cry a little longer.”
Yu Qingtang: “...”
“Don’t glare at me.”
Knowing when enough was enough, Ye Chenyan casually tossed the token back into the sect master’s arms.
The crying stopped instantly.
The sect master stared at him in shock.
“W-what is the meaning of this?!”
“I told you. We’re forming an alliance.” Ye Chenyan waved the Pleasure Sect token, his eyes curving with his smile. “From now on, we’re allies. After that...”
The sect master repeated nervously, “After that?”
“After that, do whatever you want. Everything stays the same as before.”
Ye Chenyan lowered his hand.
“We’re leaving.”
He turned to go, then suddenly turned back.
The sect master instantly went on full alert.
“What now?!”
“Your disciples really can’t take a beating. Make them train more, especially their fundamentals.” Ye Chenyan spoke with the solemn concern of an elder offering heartfelt guidance. “Take a look later. Especially those three with bruises all over their backs. They definitely slack off during training.”
Sect Master: “...”
“No need to thank me. We’re going.”
Ye Chenyan hoisted his spear onto his shoulder and headed down the mountain.
Yu Qingtang watched him with a complicated expression.
Ye Chenyan winked at him.
“What?”
“Nothing.” Yu Qingtang sighed with feeling. “I’m just glad I didn’t meet you back then. Otherwise I definitely would’ve ended up covered in bruises too.”
“You’re different,” Ye Chenyan declared as though it were self-evident. “You’re the Great General of Finding Time to Slack Off and Enjoy Life. You have special permission to be lazy.”
Scholar Xiao couldn’t help looking between the two of them a few more times.
“You really form the alliance and then just leave?”
“Scholar Xiao, you finally made it.”
Chi Yantian casually threw an arm around his shoulders and tossed him a chessboard.
“Here. The chessboard you wanted. Now you can return it to your Senior Sister.”
Scholar Xiao’s eyes immediately curved into crescents.
“Many thanks, many thanks! Now I can finally go back without worrying about her nagging me.”
“In that case...” Ye Chenyan checked their direction. “Let’s go. Central Province.”
“Huh?” Scholar Xiao was caught completely off guard. “We’re leaving right now?”
“Of course.” Chi Yantian grabbed him and dragged him along. “What are you still dawdling for?”
“Oh, come on! I’ve been traveling nonstop all this way. At least let me admire a little of Rongzhou’s local scenery...”
Scholar Xiao suddenly realized something.
“Wait. You aren’t planning to go around Central Province forming alliances too, are you?”
Ye Chenyan beamed.
“Of course.”
“We’ll start with your Four Books Academy.”
Scholar Xiao: “...”
Author’s Note:
Scholar Xiao: “Teacher, would you believe me if I said I was forced into this?”
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