A Small Matter Blown Into a Big Matter
Most of the raindrops from last night were nowhere to be seen on the leaves. If the tree bark wasn’t still a tad damp, nobody would think there was heavy downpour last night.
Strolling in the small yard out the back of the inn, Song Chi said, “Zi Li worried for nothing. Had he known you were here, he would not have worried about Fiends’ Genesis running rampant.”
As a man who believed in observing customs, Song Chi visited Bai Zhiqing first upon arriving in Hangzhou. In addition, he implied who he saw as his closest ally among all the other important people at the inn.
Considering how capable Song Chi was among the young generation of the Seven Champion White Princes, it was no surprise that, like the other elders, Bai Zhiqing evaluated Song Chi positively. Bai Zhiqing wasn’t fond of interacting with outsiders, especially the next generation of the Seven Champion White Princes. Song Chi was an exception as he and Bai Yumo were rather close; he was one of the few people whom Bai Yumo trusted outside of her immediate family. Bai Yumo was practically Bai Zhiqing’s life. Song Chi, therefore, knew that she was his ticket to an alliance with Bai Clan even if Bai Clan preferred to stand alone.
Walking beside Song Chi, Bai Zhiqing wagged his hand as he replied, “No, no. I didn’t even see Jiang Chen or Shang Bieshi. Hai Yecha almost subdued me. Had Mount Daluo not intervened, I probably wouldn’t be able to speak to you now.”
Song Chi smiled, but his thoughts contradicted it.
Fiends’ Genesis’ rampage had yet to be resolved, but Jiang Chen’s defeat reduced the level of their threat drastically. Those who had a fast-moving news network and perceptive eyes would realise that the turmoil wouldn’t last much longer. The truly astute would be looking at the future developments already.
Due to Fiends’ Genesis’ actions, Emperor Yuansheng was forced to rekindle his friendship with the Seven Champion White Princes and strengthen it. As a result, Luo Ming’s act of forfeiting autonomy and privileges no longer served his intended purpose. Emperor Yuansheng wouldn’t kick away the ladder after he finished climbing, meaning that he couldn’t attack the six for another two to three years, which would be prime time for the six to strengthen themselves. If the six couldn’t convince Emperor Yuansheng to lower his vigilance against them in that time frame, then an eventual fight or truce was inevitable. Among the White Princes, some had already decided which path they preferred. Regardless of whether it was peace or war, the coming two to three years they had were critical.
Song Chi was aware that his clan hadn’t determined their course yet. Conflict wouldn’t serve them, or any of the other five for that matter, positively. The most ideal scenario for the White Princes was to maintain their status quo – controlling a military unit of their own, collecting their own taxes and being in a strategic location to the capital. In essence, reaping what their predecessors sowed for the last century. As long as they could enjoy those perks, no matter how rocky it was in the martial world, nobody could drag them off their thrones. Having said that, it was wishful thinking.
The Seven Champion White Princes always had a part in the fight for the throne. It was an inexorable fact; if somebody wanted to climb the steps, somebody had to give way. Emperor Yuansheng even wanted them to take the initiative to get off stage.
Song Chi appreciated the value of having allies. For that reason, he made as many friends as possible whilst minimising enemies. As such, he hesitated once Mount Daluo was part of the picture again.
Thanks to the letter that Hong Jiu and Master Qi sent to the capital, Hong Jiu saved Northern Wondrous Warrior Manor. In and of itself, the merit wasn’t a huge accomplishment. Howbeit, Emperor Yuansheng could give infinite weight to the accomplishment in order to hold back the rewards he granted the White Princes. At least, that would’ve been Song Chi’s approach if he was in Emperor Yuansheng’s shoes.
Mount Daluo would move closer to the centre of power once the dust settled, and they would quickly become the main attraction of the martial world after that. In turn, the three offices overseeing the martial world would dip into gloomy times.
Shaolin stuck to their own small world. Wudang lacked young disciples who’d go out and spread their name. Mount Daluo was practically in obscurity if it weren’t for Lian Zhuiyue. That being said, since he went around duelling and rarely stayed in one spot, he was off the radar for the most part.
Emperor Yuansheng discussed with Lian Zhuiyue how Mount Daluo and the imperial court would work together going forward when they met in Nanjiang. That went to show that Emperor Yuansheng wanted the aid of Mount Daluo, and it was easy to see why. In the event that the Seven Champion White Princes were plucked, there’d be a power vacuum in Jiangnan’s martial community. Therefore, somebody would have to pick up the mantle the seven left behind. Ideally, the sect that replaced them would be a supporter of the imperial court. Mount Daluo had been on friendly terms with the imperial court since the dynasty’s founding, and the former didn’t desire glory or material wealth. What sword could beat a sword that only wanted to serve? If Mount Daluo wasn’t so valuable, Song Chi couldn’t see how Emperor Yuansheng justified promoting Ming Feizhen to Hanlin Academician and conferring him the rank of Duke.
Although Hong Jiu’s achievement this time came by way of coincidence, it carved open a path for Mount Daluo to enter the fray. It was pretty much a given that Emperor Yuansheng would be generously rewarding Mount Daluo. Thus, Song Chi needed to figure out what attitude to adopt toward Mount Daluo.
Mount Daluo was about to go on an upward trajectory. Emperor Yuansheng would undoubtedly entrust big tasks to them. Many members of the imperial court had yet to recognise these facts. Even if they realised, they wouldn’t have any place directly striking up a friendship with Mount Daluo unless they wanted Emperor Yuansheng to suspect them of dubious intentions. So, what benefits did someone without the capacity of an imperial court council official stand to gain from befriending Mount Daluo?
Song Clan’s approach had always been to make friends as a means of expanding. Song Chi didn’t have some unforgivable grudge with Mount Daluo. Among all the clashes they had, they could all be easily resolved if he just paid them a visit to apologise in person. The only problem was… befriending Mount Daluo meant befriending Ming Feizhen, Mount Daluo’s future patriarch. Considering even someone of Hong Jiu’s standing was at Ming Feizhen’s beck and call, there was no detour around Ming Feizhen. Song Chi had a dilemma: his brother’s interests and his clan’s interests didn’t mesh. Thankfully, Ming Feizhen and Shen Yiren were clean, so there was still hope.
There’s still time to consider our path. Let’s just play it by ear. Whatever. Let’s talk to Shen Yiren before contemplating which way to go.