Chapter 541: Chapter 26: Gathering (Part 2)
"It’s been some years since I last saw your master. I heard Granny Jin was injured by a backlash from her cultivation technique. Is she better now?"
"Thank you for your concern, Elder." Huang Fei bowed her head:
"My master is already fine."
"Junior Brother." The Celestial Spider Ascendant turned his head, looking at Baili Zhan:
"Granny Jin is one of the top experts of the Southern Border. Her Golden Silkworm Gu and Hundred Spirits Sword are admired even by our master."
"She has reached the Scattered Immortal Realm!"
"Oh!"
Baili Zhan’s face turned solemn:
"Please have a seat, Miss Huang."
"Thank you, Manor Master."
Huang Fei giggled softly, moving gracefully to sit at the newly arranged place, with two giants thumping to stand behind her, to her left and right.
"Peng Ran from Yingzhou Island, here to pay respects to Manor Master Baili!"
Before everyone in the hall could react, waves suddenly rose outside the hall, the water swirling wildly into the hall, gathering in the center to form a human figure.
It was none other than the cultivator Peng Ran from Yingzhou Island.
Behind him followed two men and two women.
Unlike the usual East Sea cultivators, their attire leaned more towards that of Central Plains cultivators, lacking that wildness.
"What an impressive Cangming Water Manipulation Technique, what an extraordinary Water Body Technique." Baili Zhan clapped lightly in praise:
"This technique probably stands on par with the Profound Celestial Daoist Cloud Wind Body Technique."
The Immortal Wind Cloud Body Technique can turn the physical body into an intangible breeze, ignoring physical attacks, just like the Water Technique.
Such profound techniques are only possessed by top-tier inheritances.
"The manor master overpraises."
Peng Ran cupped his hands:
"Greetings, Manor Master, and greetings, Elder Spider."
"Sit!"
Baili Zhan gestured with his hand:
"The presence of Young Master Peng here brings honor to the Three Sages Manor. Please have a seat."
Subsequently, several more individuals came to pay their respects, some were famous loose cultivators, others were scions of noble families.
The Three Sages Manor has now become a dominant power in Jinzhou Prefecture.
Baili Zhan is also the direct disciple of the Celestial Demon Spider Emperor, aiming to occupy several prefectures or even a whole continent is quite possible in the future.
He might even aspire to that imperial throne.
Those who come to pledge their allegiance might claim the top spot when the time comes, achieving the accomplishment of aiding a dragon to rise.
"Manor Master,"
one person in the hall spoke up:
"With Elder Spider, Miss Huang, and Mr. Song’s assistance, not to mention securing Jinzhou Prefecture, taking down Li Yingxuan would be a piece of cake."
"I congratulate the Manor Master in advance!"
"Congratulations to the Manor Master!"
The crowd below shouted in unison.
"Hahaha..."
Baili Zhan laughed heartily, looking upwards:
"To have the assistance of you all is a great fortune for me. However, Li Yingxuan is also no easy character and should not be underestimated."
"Indeed."
The Celestial Spider Ascendant squinted his eyes:
"I originally thought King Kang was tricky enough, but who would have thought his daughter, within just a few years of achieving the rank of Master, would be so formidable."
"I nearly fell into her trap!"
For someone who has been famous for over a century, he thought capturing Li Yingxuan would be a certainty, but she was unexpectedly a formidable opponent.
If not for Baili Zhan’s help, his life might have been in danger.
"Li Yingxuan has an extraordinary talent. It’s said that when she was born, the heavenly stars shone brightly, and she received an external secret inheritance from the Luofu Immortal Sect, making her strength indeed formidable." Song Youdao stroked his beard and spoke:
"However, with King Kang unable to look after himself, and such a vast area as Jinzhou Prefecture having only one person stationed, it is only a matter of time before we capture it."
"Moreover, Lord Nie has already made his move, and his sister, the Little Princess Li Shu, will not escape unscathed either!"
"Nie Hanzhi?" Baili Zhan sneered with narrowed eyes:
"That old fox is always good at adapting to circumstances. He’s forced into action this time and is unlikely to yield Zhaonan Prefecture."
When King Kang was strong, Lord Nie joined forces with Li Yingxuan to suppress the rebellion, deploying the army to attack the Three Sages Manor.
But now,
the Three Sages Manor is strong, with the ambition of receiving homage from all directions, he turned around and dared to make a move against Little Princess Li Shu.
Such duplicity is despised by many.
"There’s another person we shouldn’t ignore," Song Youdao spoke slowly:
"Fang Zheng from Gu’an County!"
"Hmm..." Baili Zhan nodded slowly:
"For a small Gu’an County to have deterred the Mad Predecessor, it truly surprises us all."
The Celestial Spider Ascendant licked his lips, adding:
"The old madman has considerable strength, even stronger than me. Few can restrain him if he chooses to escape."
"Fang Zheng..."
"This person was previously unknown, who would have thought he possessed such methods!"
"Manor Master."
Song Youdao stood up:
"My nephew Song Ji was likely killed by Fang Zheng, and there is also an old vendetta from my predecessor that cannot go unavenged!"
"I ask the Manor Master to lend Brother Song a helping hand to eliminate this foe. Once accomplished, the Song Family will surely offer generous gifts."
"Sigh!" Baili Zhan waved his hand:
"We’ve known each other for many years; there’s no need to be so formal."
"However... Fang Zheng himself is one thing, but Gu’an County has a large number of private soldiers and possesses military strategy arrays. Even the Mad Daoist couldn’t escape. If we’re to take revenge, we should carefully consider."
The Mad Daoist perished there; going might not yield a good outcome either.
Gu’an County is akin to a tough bone, and now does not appear to be the opportune moment to take action against it.
Drawing in the Song Family is also in his interest.
Moreover, there is a strong possibility his own second brother perished at Fang Zheng’s hands, but attacking Gu’an County is merely asking for trouble.
"Manor Master."
Song Youdao stepped forward, saying:
"Inside Gu’an County, killing Fang Zheng isn’t easy, but what if he leaves Gu’an County?"
A cold laugh:
"Just a mere Flawless Martial Artist!"
"Hmm."
Baili Zhan raised an eyebrow:
"Brother Song, can you get him out of Gu’an County?"
"That might not be easy." Someone shook their head:
"I’ve investigated this man named Fang. He is calm and composed, or perhaps cowardly and avoiding trouble; even twice when King Kang summoned him, he didn’t dispatch troops but preferred to spend more to find a workaround, and he himself has been holed up in Gu’an County for years."
"Unless something urgent and unavoidable arises, he won’t come out."
"Not necessarily." One person said:
"Fang Zheng married a daughter from the Ling Family. If something happens to the Ling Family, he might take action."
"The Ling Family?"
"The Ling Family split long ago, with part joining the Pure Yang Palace; they’re not easy to provoke either. Furthermore, Fang Zheng is cold-hearted, so even if something happens to the Ling Family, he might not be willing to act, especially at this time."
"..."
The crowd whispered among themselves, causing chaos for a moment.
"Enough!"
Baili Zhan’s voice sank:
"Silence!"
The scene before him was nothing like the council meeting he imagined, with everyone bickering like street thugs.
This made the ambitious Baili Zhan secretly angry.
Next time,
he mustn’t let this many people come!
"Brother Song."
Taking a deep breath to suppress his agitation, Baili Zhan turned his head:
"You likely have a plan by now, don’t you?"
"The Manor Master has a keen eye." Song Youdao cupped his hands:
"I know where Fang Zheng’s son is now. Using him as bait might just hook Fang Zheng."
"Oh!"
Baili Zhan’s eyes lit up:
"If we can capture Fang Zheng and take control of Gu’an County, it would be like driving a nail into Zhaonan Prefecture."
"An excellent move!"
"Indeed." The Celestial Spider Ascendant stroked his chin:
"Fang Zheng himself doesn’t matter, but if we can take control of his private soldiers, they would be as effective as a Master."
"Junior Brother."
He spoke seriously:
"Since there’s nothing to do, why don’t I take a trip?"
"Senior Brother!" Baili Zhan was greatly pleased:
"With your intervention, it’s bound to be foolproof, but Gu’an County is far in Zhaonan Prefecture—do be careful."
"No worries!" The Celestial Spider Ascendant waved his hand:
"It’s just a matter of a few hours!"
With a Master’s ability to fly and travel, the speed of a journey far exceeds that of ordinary people; from Northern Sea to Cangwu is but a breeze.
"Then I await Senior Brother’s good news!"
Baili Zhan stood up and solemnly saluted.
"Manor Master." Several people stepped forward in the crowd:
"We are willing to go too!"
Baili Zhan nodded, his gaze pausing on one person, who was True Master Iron Flute Immortal’s favored disciple.
*
*
*
"During this time, look after the family. I’ll be back as soon as possible."
In front of the Fang Mansion.
Fang Zheng held Linghu Qiuchan’s hand and softly instructed:
"I’ve already told Yang Meng: if a strong enemy attacks, protecting the Fang Mansion is the priority; nothing will happen."
"And Qiaoyun..."
"Ahem!"
Ling Shan lightly coughed twice, interrupting his instructions, and coldly said:
"Isn’t that enough?"
"..." Fang Zheng turned back, sighed softly:
"Fellow Daoist Ling, being alone and unattached, you might find it hard to understand how I feel right now."
Ling Shan’s face twitched slightly.
Is this a joke about Ling having no wife or children?
"Oh well!"
Fang Zheng sighed:
"Let’s go."
The journey ahead is long; he couldn’t bring too many people, and Yang Meng, being responsible for guarding Gu’an County, couldn’t leave either.
Only Lu Zhi brought along thirty-six riders on the journey.
"Swish!"
With a wave of his hand, a flag appeared in Fang Zheng’s palm, and with a gentle flick, gusts arose in the field.
Wind and Cloud Banner!
The strong wind swept over the group, instantly turning into a gentle breeze, slightly enhancing their efforts.
Speed could increase by around thirty percent.
"Go!"
A low shout, and the group of riders galloped away into the distance.
At this time, Fang Zheng had just broken through, his realm yet to stabilize, and should be resting, but with news of Fang Heng,
he had no choice but to take a trip.
