Martial Arts: After ten years of sword-drawing, the Sword God must bow his head when he sees me

Chapter 109 Just an appearance
A few moments later, under the gaze of everyone, Zhang Sanniang, Yao Yue, Lian Xing and a group of Yihua Palace disciples entered the courtyard.

As everyone's eyes fell on Zhang Sanniang, Yao Yue and Lian Xing, who were in the lead, everyone present was stunned by their unearthly beauties.

Especially those disciples who had just entered the martial arts world, their eyes were dazed and they were unconsciously intoxicated by the beauty of the three people.

But facing these people around her, let alone those as arrogant as Yao Yue and Lian Xing, even Zhang Sanniang, who seemed gentle in her daily life, didn't even glance at these people.

Shen Tiannan knew about the relationship between Zhang Sanniang and Shen Pingan.

But Shen Tiannan didn't know that Shen Ping'an actually knew the two palace masters of Yihua Palace.

Therefore, when Shen Tiannan, who was sitting in the main seat, saw Zhang Sanniang and others entering the courtyard, he was stunned for a moment. When he came to his senses, Zhang Sanniang and others had already entered the front hall.

"Master Shen."

As Shen Tiannan approached, Zhang Sanniang greeted him politely.

Yao Yue and Lian Xing also put away some of their arrogance and took the initiative to speak.

In response to the greetings from the three people, Shen Tiannan also raised his hand to return the greeting.

Zhang Sanniang chuckled and said, "Congratulations to Patriarch Shen for becoming a top-tier power. This small Huandan was obtained by the Zhang family from Northern Shaolin Temple. I am giving it to you today as a gift. I hope Patriarch Shen will not despise it."

As she spoke, Zhang Sanniang took out a two-inch wooden box from her bosom.

"Xiao Huan Dan?"

After hearing what Zhang Sanniang said, not only the people in the yard outside, but even the few people standing by the main table couldn't help but look at the wooden box in Zhang Sanniang's hand.

Northern Shaolin's Xiaohuandan is world-famous.

After taking it, one's strength can be enhanced by ten years.

Even if it is kept in Northern Shaolin, it is extremely precious and will not be used unless necessary.

Shen Tiannan responded, "It is a great honor for the Shen family that Miss Zhang has come in person. Why would she bring such a valuable gift?"

Zhang Sanniang smiled and said, "Today is the day when the Shen family is hosting a banquet for all parties. Sanniang has come uninvited, so how can she come empty-handed?"

Just looking at the three people in front of him, Shen Tiannan was indeed a little troubled.

If only Zhang Sanniang came today, it would be fine. Shen Tiannan would have someone take Zhang Sanniang to the yard where Shen Pingan lived.

But the problem is that this time Yao Yue and Lian Xing are also traveling together.

The two women were both extraordinary in status and strength, and since they were women themselves, it was impossible for them to let the three women sit down directly like they did with Song Yuanqiao and the others.

Moreover, given the identities of the three of them, if they really sat at the main table, not to mention others, even Shen Tiannan himself probably wouldn't dare to speak casually.

After a brief pause, Shen Tiannan said, "You three are exhausted from the journey. How about I have someone take you to the other courtyard to rest for a while?"

As if she could see the concerns in Shen Tiannan's heart, Zhang Sanniang said with a smile: "Then I'll trouble Master Shen."

Yao Yue and Lian Xing came to Shen Ping'an this time on the pretext of entertaining people from all sides, so naturally they had no interest in getting along with people from other forces.

Seeing that none of the three had any objection, Shen Tiannan finally breathed a sigh of relief.

However, just when Shen Tiannan had just arranged for someone to take Zhang Sanniang, Yao Yue and others to the villa, another singing voice suddenly came into the front hall.

"Qin Mengyao, the Saintess of Cihang Jingzhai, has arrived with gifts!"

Hearing the words "Cihang Jingzhai", not only the other people in the front yard, but even Zhang Sanniang, Yaoyue, and Lianxing who were originally heading to the other courtyard stopped and turned to look towards the courtyard entrance.

As the three women's eyes fell on Qin Mengyao, who was leading the group and dressed in plain clothes with a sense of holiness, their brows all furrowed slightly at the same time.

After a few breaths, Yao Yue snorted coldly with disdain.

In the martial arts world, there are very few sects composed entirely of women.

There are even fewer sects that can be ranked among the top forces.

In the Ming Dynasty, there are only three top forces: Cihang Jingzhai, Yihua Palace, and Shenshui Palace.

But it is different from Yihua Palace and Shenshui Palace, which have a bad reputation.

Nan Cihang Jingzhai is considered to be excellent in both the Ming Dynasty and the Sui Dynasty.

Even though it is not as good as Wudang and Shaolin, it is still above the two top forces, Yihua Palace and Shenshui Palace.

Moreover, every forty years, Cihang Jingzhai would select a saintly woman to travel the world.

Every Saint Lady is a stunning beauty on the Hundred Flowers List, attracting countless people to fall in love with her and willingly bow down at her feet.

Over the past hundred years, many rising stars in the martial arts world have become famous because of their love for the disciples of Cihang Jingzhai.

As the Palace Master of Yihua Palace, Yao Yue has met people from Cihang Jingzhai several times in the martial arts world over the years.

But for some reason, Yao Yue always felt a sense of disgust towards the people of Cihang Jingzhai.

However, Yao Yue had not expected that this time the Shen family's banquet for people from all over the world would actually attract people from Cihang Jingzhai, and the saint herself would come.

Then, Yao Yue thought of Shen Pingan.

When he looked at Qin Mengyao and the others at Cihang Jingzhai, his dislike intensified. His gaze fell on Qin Mengyao, who was dressed in plain clothes but exuded a holy and elegant charm, and he could not help but say coldly, "All show!"

After these four simple words were spoken, Yao Yue withdrew her gaze and continued walking forward.

Listening to Yao Yue's comments, Zhang Sanniang, who was walking beside her, chuckled and said, "Palace Master Yao Yue's comments are quite pertinent."

However, in response to Zhang Sanniang's approval, Yao Yue let out a "tsk" sound through her slightly opened lips, her tone also filled with a bit of disdain, her arrogance evident.

As the three women moved forward one after another, Qin Mengyao, who had just stepped into the front yard, seemed to sense something and glanced in the direction the three women left.

A quarter of an hour later, as all the forces around Jiangnan Prefecture had arrived, Shen Tiannan, who was originally sitting in the main seat, slowly stood up.

Realizing that the next highlight was about to happen, everyone's eyes fell on Shen Tiannan.

Jiangnan Prefecture had not had any first-rank forces before, so the second-rank forces in Jiangnan Prefecture did not need to pay tribute.

Even the six first-class forces such as Baijianmen and Qianri Pavilion have many industries in Jiangnan Prefecture.

All the forces can be said to be well-fed.

But now, the Shen family is in charge of Jiangnan Prefecture. Within the Jiangnan Prefecture, hundreds of forces, big and small, almost have to rely on the Shen family for their survival.

Whether he can continue to make a lot of money in the future or have to tighten his belt depends entirely on how much money the Shen family will provide.

Under everyone's gaze, Shen Tiannan spoke, "I know what you are all concerned about, so without further ado, from today on, all forces within Jiangnan will only need to pay 50% of their monthly contributions to the Shen family."

Upon hearing the Shen family's request, all the forces present breathed a sigh of relief.

Fifty percent tax can be said to be the lowest in the world.

There are many forces present who are ruthless and have big appetites. They set a supply rate of 60% or even 70% for other third-grade forces within their sphere of influence.

Even if they allocate this part of the collected tax money to the Shen family every month, they can still get a lot.

But human hearts are always greedy.

After Shen Tiannan finished speaking, Lan Tianzong, the head of Qianri Pavilion in Jiaxing Prefecture, who was sitting at the main table, suddenly glanced at the front yard.

Then, an old man with white hair and simple clothes stood up and said with a bitter look on his face, "Master Shen, it is difficult for us to run our sect. I wonder if the Shen family's contribution can be reduced a little?
As soon as the old man's words came out, voices of agreement immediately rang out from all around.

They all want the Shen family to reduce the amount of money they provide again.

Moreover, his words imply that his family is in financial difficulty and cannot make ends meet.

Facing the words of those people outside the front hall, Shen Tiannan smiled and said, "Since my Shen family will take over the Jiangnan Mansion in the future, the affairs of Jiangnan Mansion will be my Shen family's affairs."

"If any of your sects encounter any problems, my Shen family will naturally not sit idly by."

As he spoke, Shen Tiannan looked at the white-haired old man who had spoken first and said, "If I am not mistaken, you should be the leader of the Songhe Sect, a third-rank faction in Shanyue City, Liu Songhe, nicknamed the Heart-Destroying Hand."

"It's me!" Liu Songhe responded with a bow.

Shen Tiannan said, "Unfortunately, the Shen family ran a lot of businesses in the capital, so they have some experience in business."

"Since Sect Master Liu's sect is not doing well, after today's banquet, I will arrange for someone from the Shen family to go to Songhe Sect to retrieve its sect account books. We will then investigate the problems encountered within Songhe Sect, and then my Shen family will help Songhe Sect resolve these issues."

"If Songhemen is truly struggling, how about I, Shen, reduce the Songhemen's contributions to 30% for the next year?"

After these words were spoken, Liu Songhe's heart sank and his expression became a little stiffer.

On weekdays, the Songhe Sect requires 70% of the money from other fourth-grade forces around it.

And there are many businesses inside the door.

It is no exaggeration to say that the past decade or so has been "extremely rich".

If someone from the Shen family went to Songhemen to check the account books, their current attempts to gain sympathy would be immediately exposed.

By then, if the Shen family is displeased, how will Songhemen deal with it?

As for making fake account books to deceive?
Do you really think the Shen family are fools?
As long as the Shen family members ask a few people in the mountains, they will still be able to clearly understand the situation in Songhe Gate.

It can be said that as long as the people from the Shen family go to Shanyue City, the situation of Songhe Gate will be revealed.

Therefore, in response to Shen Tiannan's words, Liu Songhe quickly put on a smile and said, "How can we trouble the Shen family with such a small matter of our Songhe Sect? I can handle it myself."

After saying that, Liu Songhe quickly sat back down, wanting to put the matter behind him.

But Liu Songhe wanted to turn the page, but Shen Tiannan didn't intend to give up.

"I have already said that I will arrange for the Shen family to go to Songhemen later. This is a notification, not a discussion with Sect Master Liu. Please clarify this with Sect Master Liu."

As he spoke, a sharp intent suddenly burst out from Shen Tiannan's body.

But it was fleeting.

But those who can sit inside and outside the front hall of the Shen family today are at least the leaders of third-grade forces, and their cultivation has at least reached the Nascent Soul Realm. How could they not feel the sword energy that just burst out from Shen Tiannan's body?

For a moment, not only the people outside the front hall, but also the other people in the front hall looked at Shen Tiannan with a bit of surprise in their hearts.

(End of this chapter)