Hunyuan Immortal Sect

Chapter 205: Fire and Water
"Zeng Rou? What does it have to do with her?" Jiang Feng asked coldly without raising his head.

"Senior Yang originally did not want to hand over these three industries to our sect. Our sect had no choice, so we found Fellow Daoist Zeng Rou. She is Senior Yang's concubine and has the say. Our sect asked her to help us acquire these three industries in exchange for 2,000 spirit stones per year." Song Xian knew that this person did not get along with Yang Jinzhang, so he tried his best to distance himself from Yang Jinzhang in his words and deeds.

“How many years have you been doing this?”

"Ten years, so far."

"From whom did you inherit these three properties?"

"Senior, this was originally the property of the Qingyuan Sect in Bianxia Town. Later, the Qingyuan Sect was besieged by the forces of independent cultivators, suffering heavy casualties and nearly being wiped out. They no longer had the manpower to complete this business, so our sect took it over."

"How many people are there in your sect?"

"When we first settled on Solitary Peak, our sect had only a dozen or so members. Now we have a hundred disciples."

"How did you convince Junior Brother Yang Jinzhang to come forward and resolve the conflict in Bianxia Town?"

Hearing this, Song Xian's heart skipped a beat, not out of surprise, but secretly happy.

Jiang Feng's first few questions were still within the normal scope of inquiring about the Beast Taming Sect's business situation, but these two questions were clearly out of the ordinary.

If he had not known about the tense relationship between Jiang Feng and Yang Jinzhang, he would never have guessed Jiang Feng's intention in asking these questions, but now, he could vaguely grasp a clue.

Why did Jiang Feng ask how many people there were in Hunyuan Sect and how he resolved the conflict in Bianxia Town? This had nothing to do with the cooperative industry with the Beastmaster Sect.

The reason for asking these questions is probably to test the strength of Hunyuan Sect.

Why investigate Hunyuan Sect? Hunyuan Sect's strength has nothing to do with taking over these three industries. After all, it has been under its control for ten years without any mistakes, which is enough to prove that Hunyuan Sect can handle this task well.

If he asked these questions because he was really investigating the Hunyuan Sect, then he had only one intention: he had set his sights on the Tianshan Sect and wanted to find a force that could replace it.

When Song Xian learned from Wen Yiren that Jiang Feng and Yang Jinzhang were at loggerheads, he began to wonder whether Jiang Feng would take action against the Tianshan Sect.

The relationship between Tianshan Sect and Yang Jinzhang is well known to everyone. They were a force cultivated by Yang Jinzhang and were Yang Jinzhang's white gloves for making money.

Nowadays, a new emperor appoints new ministers. Will the new emperor still use the old ministers of the Tianshan Sect? Even if the Tianshan Sect is willing to submit and draw a clear line with Yang Jinzhang, can Jiang Feng still use them with confidence?

The Tianshan Sect controls the Tianshan Mountains and occupies the key roads between the Muhe Grassland and Bianxi City. One can imagine how huge the benefits are.

If we want to eliminate the Tianshan Sect, we must have a force that can replace it.

Song Xian's thoughts raced, his heart surging with excitement. If the Hunyuan Sect could replace the Tianshan Sect, there would be no doubt that the sect's development would reach a new level.

On his way here, he had been thinking about this matter, how to test Jiang Feng's attitude towards Tianshan Sect, whether it was possible to bring the topic to Tianshan Sect during the conversation and persuade Jiang Feng to get rid of Tianshan Sect. Now the opportunity has finally come.

He tried to remain calm and replied without showing any emotion.

"How could this junior have the ability to invite Senior Yang? My wife's aunt is Senior Wen Yiren of the Luoyun Sect. At that time, the independent cultivators in Bianxia Town were rampant and besieged the newly settled migrating sect. At the same time, the Luoyun Sect was recruiting this junior and others to attack the Xinyue Sect in Humen City."

"After the war ended, I dared to ask Senior Wen to come forward and ask her to mediate the conflicts among the various parties in Bianxia Town and achieve peace."

"Senior Wen felt pity for me, and also remembered that the various sects in Bianxia Town had just fought for Luoyun Sect's conscription. With the belief that it's better to resolve a feud than to create one, he sought out Senior Yang."

"Senior Yang then sent Fellow Daoist Yang Yude and Fellow Daoist Chen Yunlong of the Tianshan Sect to gather all the forces in Bianxia Town and demand that they stop fighting each other."

"And they announced right away that if anyone dared to provoke a fight again, the Tianshan Sect would send people to wipe out and annex their territory without having to report it to Senior Yang."

"The Tianshan Sect is the strongest force in Bianxia Town, dominating Tianshan. No one dares to provoke them. Moreover, with Senior Yang's order, no one dares to cause trouble again."

Song Xian spoke slowly, his eyes slightly lowered, observing Jiang Feng's expression. The main purpose of his words was to tell Jiang Feng that the Tianshan Sect was Yang Jinzhang's private armed force and would obey Yang Jinzhang's personal orders completely.

Jiang Feng had a blank expression on his face, and only then did he finally look up at him, his eyes as sharp as a knife.

The room was deathly silent, and the atmosphere suddenly became very subtle. Song Xian lowered his head slightly. Being looked at like this, he felt uneasy, but Jiang Feng didn't say anything, and he didn't dare to ask.

"Go back!"

"Yes, junior, please take your leave."

Song Xian was a little disappointed. He wanted to take this opportunity to talk in depth about the Tianshan Sect, but he didn't expect him to directly order him to leave. He had no choice but to bow and leave.

"Master, what do you think of this person?" After the stone door of the room closed, the young man from the Beast Taming Sect asked.

"Of the four sects in Bianxia Town, the Hunyuan Sect is the most powerful. I've done some research. When they first arrived in Bianxia Town more than a decade ago, the Hunyuan Sect had only a dozen members, making it the smallest force in the town. But in just a dozen years, they've become the strongest force in Bianxia Town."

"From what I understand, Song Xian is quite capable and talented. His sect has grown and prospered mainly due to the sale of Jade Fragrance Pills, which are now even sold in the market in Xijiang County."

"He's a smart guy." Jiang Feng said calmly, "But smart people are often hard to control. Let's wait and see!"

.........

After leaving the hall, Song Xian left Qiyuan Mountain directly, and after meeting up with Zhang Ningyuan and Lu Yuan, he left on a flying magic weapon.

"Senior Brother Ning Yuan, Senior Brother Lu, please don't return to the mountain gate. Stay in Bianxi City. I have an important task for you."

The fiery red kite soared into the sky. Song Xian sat on it, looking at the mountains and rivers passing by under his feet. He seemed to have made some kind of decision, and his voice had an indescribable firmness.

Zhang Ningyuan and Lu Yuan looked at each other. After returning from Qiyuan Mountain, both of them felt that something was wrong with Song Xian.

Zhang Ningyuan asked what happened, but Song Xian did not answer. He just shook his head, then took out a flying magic weapon and sat on it. Then he stared blankly at the bottom, looking like he was worried about something.

"Just follow the master's orders." Lu Yuan replied.

Song Xian narrowed his eyes slightly and said, "You stay here and check who Jiang Feng brought with him when he took office this time, and who he has the closest relationship with."

"He has never served in Bianxi City before, and he is unfamiliar with the place. Furthermore, this is Yang Jinzhang's place of business for a long time, and all his disciples were promoted by him. He can't take on this position alone, and he always brings a few trusted confidants with him to help him handle affairs."

"Find out the details of these people, and then get close to them. Don't be afraid to spend more spirit stones, it doesn't matter how many spirit stones you spend. The most important thing is to establish a connection with the people close to Jiang Feng, and then arrange a meeting for me." "I need to talk to someone who has Jiang Feng's trust, can influence Jiang Feng's decision-making, and has a say in his words."

Lu Yuan immediately responded: "Okay, I will do my best to do it."

Seeing Song Xian's expression, he knew that the matter was serious. Since the establishment of Hunyuan Sect, every decision made by Song Xian was well-reasoned. The sect could develop to this day thanks to his series of wise and correct decisions. He had long admired Song Xian in his heart, so he immediately expressed his opinion without even asking anything.

Zhang Ningyuan couldn't hide his thoughts: "Master, what happened? What did you talk about with Jiang Feng in Qiyuan Mountain?"

"I think Jiang Feng might take action against the Tianshan Sect."

Both of them were shocked. Zhang Ningyuan asked in surprise, "Attacking the Tianshan Sect? Did he say that?"

"No, but I can see that he has this idea." General Song Xian recounted the information he had obtained from Wen Yiren and the conversation with Jiang Feng.

"If I were Jiang Feng, I might also take action against the Tianshan Sect. After all, the Tianshan Sect and Yang Jinzhang have a very close relationship. Yang Jinzhang can support the Tianshan Sect to control the trade between Muhe Grassland and Bianxi City. Of course, he can also support a force to replace the Tianshan Sect."

Lu Yuan's expression was solemn: "Master, do you want to replace the Tianshan Sect?"

Song Xian said, "If our sect can enter the Tianshan Mountains and control this important road, the future development of the sect will be limitless. But now I am not sure whether Jiang Feng really wants to do this. I just think that he has this intention, but he may not have made up his mind. Even if he has made up his mind, he may not choose us to replace the Tianshan Sect."

"So we need someone who can speak with Jiang Feng and speak for us. If Jiang Feng can't make up his mind, we can help him make up his mind and push us forward."

"Jiang Feng has just arrived and it is impossible for him to trust the disciples here. He will only listen to the opinions of his trusted confidants."

"Go to the market to find Junior Brother Zichen, and have him ask the head of the Beast Taming Pavilion in Qingfengfang to find out who Jiang Feng brought with him, and then find a way to get close to them."

"I'm going to Luoyun Sect and ask Xiao Ling for some information."

After the discussion, the three of them split into two groups, and Lu Yuan and Zhang Ningyuan went to the market town.

.........

Song Xian came to Luoyun Sect and was led to a hall. Just as he sat down, he heard footsteps outside. Xiao Ling walked in, holding Su Zhirou's hand, chatting and laughing. The two seemed to be having a good chat.

"Master Song, I've returned Sister Zhirou to you." Xiao Ling said with a smile.

Su Zhirou pulled out her arm and walked quickly to Song Xian's side.

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Xiao, for taking care of my wife." Song Xian pulled out an exquisite wooden box. "This is a butterfly hairpin made from the wings of a Jade Butterfly, a demon beast. I saw it while strolling around the market. It's not a valuable item, but it's exquisite and small. This is just a small gift, not a token of respect. I hope Fellow Daoist Xiao won't despise it."

Xiao Ling teased with a half-smile, "Hairpins are usually a token of love given by a man to a woman. Isn't Sect Leader Song afraid that Sister Zhirou will get jealous and angry?"

"My wife is a virtuous person. Moreover, Xiao Daoyou is a great benefactor to my wife and me. How could she be angry with you?"

"Master Song is really good at coaxing people. No wonder Sister Zhirou was so bewildered by your love potion and is so infatuated with you. Since Sister Zhirou is not angry, I will accept it."

"Just accept it! You talk so much and are so sharp-tongued. I wonder who will marry you in the future." Su Zhirou hit back.

"Fellow Daoist Xiao, I went to see Senior Jiang from the Beast Taming Sect today, and saw a disciple beside him. He had delicate eyebrows and eyes, red lips and white teeth, and looked very young. He had the cultivation level of the eighth level of Qi Refining. I wonder who this person is?" Song Xian asked.

When he was talking with Jiang Feng in the room of the main hall of Qiyuan Mountain, there was a disciple standing beside him. In this kind of private conversation, the people who can participate are basically the confidants of one party. Jiang Feng was a newcomer and it was unlikely that he would allow an unfamiliar disciple to stand aside and listen, so it was likely that this person was Jiang Feng's confidant brought from the gate of the Beast Taming Sect.

"The young man at the eighth level of Qi Refining, I think it might be Senior Jiang Feng's disciple Xu Hao!"

"Xu Hao." Song Xian nodded. "How much do you know about this person, Fellow Daoist Xiao?"

"Why? Sect Leader Song is so interested in this person?"

"A new emperor appoints new ministers. Now that Senior Yang has left and Senior Jiang has arrived, I wonder what his plans will be. Our sect has taken over several of the Beastmaster Sect's businesses, and Senior Jiang hasn't said a word. Will they stick to the old rules? Will there be new ones, or will they just cancel them altogether? I'd like to contact this Fellow Daoist Xu Hao to get a feel for what he's up to."

"With your current financial resources, do you still care about those industries? Even if the Beastmaster Sect takes them all back, it won't be a big deal!" Xiao Ling obviously didn't believe what he said.

"That's true, but Bianxia Town was previously under the jurisdiction of Senior Yang. Now that Senior Jiang is here, I wonder what changes will happen. It would be a good idea to get to know the people around Senior Jiang and get some information or say a few good words for our sect when it's convenient. I wonder if Fellow Daoist Xiao knows Fellow Daoist Xu Hao and can introduce him to me."

"I've only heard about it, I've never even seen this person in person."

Song Xian did not ask any more questions. The two chatted for a few more words, and then the couple left Luoyun Sect.

…………

At night, the moon was bright and the stars were shining. In the brightly lit hall, Zhang Ningyuan sat at the desk and chatted with a middle-aged man dressed in the clothes of the Beast Taming Sect.

"Master, Immortal Master Xu Hao is here." A young woman outside spoke.

"Brother Zhang, please wait a moment. I will go to meet Junior Brother Xu." After the middle-aged man said this, he immediately stood up and walked out. When he reached the gate of the mansion, he saw Xu Hao walking slowly towards him. He immediately walked quickly to greet him with a smile on his face.

"Junior Brother Xu, it is a great honor for us to have such a distinguished guest here. I apologize for not welcoming you."

"Brother Wang, you don't have to be polite. I really had important matters to attend to the last two times and couldn't keep the appointment. You know, Master just arrived here and is very busy with many things. I really can't spare the time." Xu Hao bowed in return without any expression.

He had just arrived in Bianxi City and was not familiar with the disciples here. He had only met Senior Brother Wang Yue a few times, because the other party was the disciple in charge of the travel of spirit beasts, but the two of them really did not have much of a friendship. Unexpectedly, the other party had invited him to banquets again and again in the past few days.

After he declined twice, he was invited again yesterday. It was really hard to refuse. After all, they were all disciples of the sect stationed in the western city, and the other party was also a leader. They met each other every day. He was a newcomer and it was not good for him to be too arrogant because of his master's status, so he agreed to the invitation.

The reason why Wang Yue invited so enthusiastically was, of course, because of Zhang Ningyuan's request.

Zhang Ningyuan met Wang Yue, a disciple of Qiyuan Mountain who was in charge of the travel of spiritual beasts, through the Bian Qingfengfang Beast Taming Pavilion. After presenting him with a top-grade magic weapon, Wang Yue immediately agreed to introduce Xu Hao to him, which was why he invited him again and again.

He had originally intended to win over the newly appointed disciple, and now that he had received benefits from Zhang Ningyuan, he worked even harder.

"Understood. Junior Brother Xu, you've already done me a great favor by coming here today. Please come in."

(End of this chapter)