The Speedrun Begins with Choosing Hunter

Chapter 291: Chapter 288: Connections

Lingyue Temple got its name because its Founding Ancestor felt that Lingxiu Mountain had excellent feng shui.

So, he carved out a space on the mountain to build a Daoist Temple, naming it Lingyue Temple.

Even though this small mountain had little in common with the "great mountain" implied by its name.

At first, there was only a single Daoist Temple on Lingxiu Mountain. Later, as his disciples and their disciples proved capable, Lingyue Temple grew and expanded until the entire mountaintop was covered with temple buildings.

At the foot of Lingxiu Mountain, a small path led directly to Lingyue Temple at the summit.

Bai Yuan and the others arrived at the head of the path.

It was a winding flagstone path, but in some places, it was so badly damaged that it had turned back into a dirt road.

It was a wonder why the wealthy Lingyue Temple was unwilling to make a few repairs.

Soon, the group saw the mountain gate of Lingyue Temple.

Beyond the gate, the Spirit Official Hall was clearly visible, and behind it, they could faintly make out the curved eaves of the Three Pristine Hall.

Just as they were about to step through the mountain gate, a Daoist priest seemingly jumped out of nowhere.

"Sirs, what business brings you to my Lingyue Temple?"

The man’s Daoist Robe was simple and clean, giving him the air of a worldly transcendent.

They had come to Lingyue Temple to request troops, so they naturally had to be polite.

Yan Lei said, "I am Yan Lei of the Chuzhou Yan Family. I have come to visit the old temple master on the orders of my ancestor."

The Daoist priest’s eyebrows twitched slightly.

The Yan Family of Chuzhou was famous throughout Jiangnan; everyone knew of them.

"Gentlemen, I was ordered by the temple master to wait for you here. Please, follow me."

The Daoist priest chuckled and led them up the steps.

Seeing this, Yan Lei relaxed a little. The visiting card he had sent yesterday had clearly worked.

He hadn’t used Yan Shao’an’s status as Grand Protector for the visit, but rather the identity of the Yan Family.

Because in Jiangnan, the Yan Family’s name carried more weight than the Court’s.

Even if Lingyue Temple held a special status in Fenzhou, it would never dare to easily offend a family as powerful and prosperous as the Yan Family.

Before long, they reached the summit. Rows of elegant, rustic buildings appeared before them, resembling the fabled grotto of an Immortal. On a man-high, moss-covered boulder were inscribed the words "Lingyue Temple."

The Daoist priest led them into the Daoist Temple.

With a Daoist leading the way, their passage was naturally unimpeded.

Soon, they arrived at a small, exquisite courtyard.

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, footsteps were heard outside the door.

The footsteps grew closer, and a middle-aged Daoist with a refined and handsome face walked in.

"The temple master is in seclusion and cannot see anyone at the moment. He has ordered this humble Daoist to entertain you. I am Qingding. Greetings, gentlemen."

"Daoist Qingding, it is an honor."

Bai Yuan and the others also returned the bow.

It was expected that the master of Lingyue Temple would not appear in person. For no other reason than it would be beneath his station.

If Yan Shao’an himself had come, the old temple master would naturally have appeared. But since it was only the younger generation of the Yan Family, he would not lower himself to meet them.

Daoist Qingding’s talk of "seclusion" was merely an excuse.

Accustomed to the ways of the world, Yan Lei didn’t mind. He got straight to the point, "Daoist Qingding, my grandfather has ordered us to come here to request that your esteemed temple dispatch troops north to provide aid."

Daoist Qingding seemed to have already guessed their purpose.

He looked troubled. "Young Master Yan, it is not that Lingyue Temple is unwilling to help. The Daoist Sect is founded on quiet self-cultivation. Entangling ourselves in worldly karma would cause our cultivation to plummet. We are truly powerless to assist."

The smile on Yan Lei’s face faded a little, and he sneered inwardly.

’The Daoist Sect has caused plenty of bloodshed in Xuan Yang over the years, haven’t they?’

’It’s all just an excuse to not send troops.’

’The Daoist Sect meddles in worldly affairs no less frequently than the Confucian Family.’

Yan Lei continued to try and persuade him, but Daoist Qingding was like an unyielding stone, completely unmoved.

Yan Lei nearly talked himself hoarse.

Seeing that Lingyue Temple’s mind was made up, the group could only descend the mountain in dejection.

They had been rebuffed at their very first stop, and the group’s morale was low.

Li Huan was very worried about their prospects. "Brother Yan, it seems this journey will not be a smooth one."

Yan Lei sighed softly.

’As if I didn’t already know that?’

This was called a recruitment drive, but it had no real binding power. It all depended on the Yan Family’s reputation.

If the other party didn’t care for the Yan Family’s reputation, there was nothing they could do.

After all, a major power like Lingyue Temple would naturally be respectful to the Yan Family on the surface, but when it came to matters involving significant interests, they would never agree so easily.

Just like Daoist Qingding today.

After this recent setback, Yan Lei was also deeply worried about the rest of their journey.

If he couldn’t even persuade a single faction, he would have no way to report back to his grandfather.

He took a deep breath. "It’s fine. There are many great clans and sects in Jiangnan. We will find someone willing to send aid."

Li Huan could only nod in agreement.

But deep down, he wasn’t optimistic about their prospects.

According to their initial expectations, Lingyue Temple should have been the most likely to send troops. After all, Fenzhou was the weakest province, and Lingyue Temple was the weakest of all the factions they had chosen to approach.

But they never expected to be rebuffed even at the weakest of them, Lingyue Temple.

Although Yan Lei still appeared confident on the surface, he was incredibly anxious inside.

He had volunteered for this mission to Jiangnan in order to earn merit.

Although the Yan Family was a scholarly family with a long and storied history, the competition within the clan was no less fierce than in any other family.

The Yan Family was currently at its zenith, with new geniuses emerging one after another. Even though he was exceptionally talented and had been held in high regard since childhood, the pressure was still immense.

He had finally gotten the chance to personally accompany his grandfather on the northern campaign, and he didn’t want his first task to leave the impression of incompetence.

Yan Lei glanced at Li Huan and Bai Yuan beside him and sighed again.

Although Li Huan came from a noble background, the King of Qingzhou’s influence in Jiangnan was practically zero, so he was of little help.

’As for Bai Yuan... he’s just a fourth-grade official from Ling Province. In Jiangnan, he’d probably only count as a fifth-grade official. He has no real deterrent power.’

「Half an hour later.」

The group returned to the Yan Family’s residence.

After the failure at Lingyue Temple, their confidence was greatly diminished.

Yan Lei didn’t want to leave their first stop, Fenzhou, empty-handed, so he discussed with Li Huan and Bai Yuan the idea of targeting a weaker family, which would give them a better chance of success.

But while there were many families in Fenzhou, almost none of them could provide effective aid to the northern war effort.

This put Yan Lei in an even more difficult position.

As they were discussing, a member of the Yan Family ran in.

"Young Master, someone is at the gate asking to see you. They claim to be from the Cao Bang."

Hearing this, Yan Lei frowned.

’Cao Bang?’

As one of the top gangs in Jiangnan, Yan Lei naturally knew of the Cao Bang.

The Yan Family had had its share of dealings with the Cao Bang, but their relationship was average, mostly limited to business matters.

The Cao Bang controlled the Ten Thousand Miles Canal, and when passing through Chuzhou, they naturally needed the Yan Family’s assistance. In return, they sent the Yan Family many treasures every year.

The Yan Family took the money and turned a blind eye to the Cao Bang’s activities.

But as a first-rate family, the Yan Family looked down on Jianghu gangs like the Cao Bang from the bottom of their hearts, so the two sides weren’t particularly friendly.

’Why would the Cao Bang suddenly show up at our door?’

Yan Lei wondered.

But they were, after all, a major power in Xuan Yang that spanned several provinces. He had to at least meet them.

If he could win over the Cao Bang and get them to send troops north, it would be a great achievement.

The more Yan Lei thought about it, the more excited he became.

Although he looked down on the Cao Bang’s business, it didn’t mean he dared to underestimate their strength.

To be able to hold a firm grip on the Ten Thousand Miles Canal, the Cao Bang relied on having enough members who were good fighters.

If the Cao Bang was willing to go north to help, Yan Shao’an would surely be pleased.

He eagerly went to the courtyard gate and saw a dozen or so burly men in green robes standing there.

Although most of the Cao Bang were rough Jianghu men, rumor had it that their Gang Leader was a scholar.

Because of this, the higher-ups in the Cao Bang all liked to imitate their Gang Leader and wear green robes.

The green robes, which were supposed to be worn by scholars, looked somewhat out of place on these burly Jianghu men.

But the Cao Bang’s fists were hard enough that few dared to make fun of them for it.

Yan Lei smiled and cupped his fists. "Gentlemen, I have long heard of your great reputation."

The burly man in the lead saw Yan Lei and scratched his head.

"The boss said he’d be carrying a sword and look plain. This guy looks like a sissy. It can’t be him."

Hearing the man’s words, Yan Lei almost laughed out of anger.

He was a famously handsome man in Chuzhou, yet in this man’s mouth, he had become "like a sissy."

But thinking that he still needed to take this opportunity to win over the Cao Bang, he forcibly suppressed his anger.

Just as he was about to speak, he saw the burly man point behind him.

"Him! That must be him!"

Yan Lei turned his head in astonishment and saw Li Huan and Bai Yuan walking over.

’Don’t tell me the Qingzhou Royal Mansion also has connections with the Cao Bang?’

’On second thought, it’s not impossible.’

’After all, the King of Qingzhou is an incredibly capable person, and the Cao Bang’s network is extensive. It’s entirely possible they know each other.’

A flicker of hope ignited in Yan Lei’s heart once again.

Just then, the leading man bowed to Bai Yuan with a fawning expression. "Young Master Bai, our Vice Gang Leader invites you."

’Young... Master Bai?!’

Hearing the man’s words, Yan Lei stared at Bai Yuan in astonishment.

He never expected that the person the Cao Bang was looking for was Bai Yuan!

This was completely beyond his expectations.

The Yan Family had long since investigated Bai Yuan’s background. He was just a monstrously talented Lingzhou People, and his most significant connection was his master, the Grand General of the North.

’Though I did hear that Bai Yuan once went to Dingzhou with the Cao Bang...’

Bai Yuan was also a little surprised. He took a few steps forward.

The burly Cao Bang man chuckled. "Young Master Bai, our Master Qiu heard you came to Jiangnan. He took a fast boat from Chuzhou to Fenzhou this morning just to have a good drink with you."

Bai Yuan had a sudden realization.

As expected, it was Qiu Yang.

He had saved Qiu Yang’s life back when he was in Dingzhou.

Qiu Yang had sworn brotherhood with him back then, but Bai Yuan had never taken it too seriously.

After all, for an underworld boss like Qiu Yang, he probably had eighty, if not a hundred, sworn brothers. It wasn’t anything special.

He hadn’t expected Qiu Yang to personally rush to Fenzhou. This was a bit of a surprise to Bai Yuan.

Under the stunned gazes of Yan Lei and Li Huan, Bai Yuan spoke, "I too have missed Brother Qiu."

Yan Lei blinked.

’If I remember correctly, that Vice Leader Qiu should be over a hundred years old.’

’And Bai Yuan actually called him Brother Qiu...’

’This is simply heaven-defying!’