Starting as the heir of a marquis's mansion, I gained access to a summoning system.

West of the city, the Six Doors branch.

Liu Ruyan sat behind her desk, flipping through a file. In her early thirties, she was beautiful. A hint of heroism emanated from her, making her a force to be reckoned with. The Six Doors' branch in Pingyang County was small—only about thirty people—but each one was a highly skilled and capable officer.

"Chief Constable." A constable walked in. "A new family named Meng has moved into Willow Lane in the west of the city. The house is quite large. I've investigated—they bought it a month ago. The owner is named Meng Xinghun, and his background is unknown."

Liu Ruyan put down the file, looked up at him, and said, "Mysterious origin? Just those four words?"

"I'm incompetent," the constable said, bowing his head. "This person can't be found in the household register. The source of the banknotes is also unknown. It seems like he just appeared out of thin air."

Liu Ruyan was silent for a moment: "Continue the investigation. Also, send someone to keep an eye on that house. But don't alert them."

"Yes."

After the constables left, Liu Ruyan stood up and walked to the window.

She was the highest-ranking official of the Six Doors in Pingyang County, and had seen many storms in the martial arts world. But the sudden appearance of a person of unknown origin and unfathomable cultivation in the Xi family home in the city made her instinctively uneasy.

Especially recently, the events in Qinghe City have caused quite a stir.

The Azure Dragon Society, the Blood Demon Sect, the Heavenly Mountain Sect, the Iron Sword Sect, and the Wanbao Trading Company—various forces were entangled together. In the end, the mine fell into the hands of the Zhenfu Division, and the Azure Dragon Society escaped unscathed, even obtaining 300,000 taels of gold.

Three hundred thousand taels of gold would be enough to stir up a storm in Pingyang County.

Liu Ruyan rubbed her temples.

The water in this pool is getting muddier and muddier.

In the north of the city, there was an inconspicuous house.

The courtyard gate was tightly shut. Thick curtains hung over the windows, letting in no light. Inside, seven or eight people sat around a long table. An oil lamp burned on the table, its dim light casting long shadows.

The leader was a middle-aged woman. She wore a plain-colored long dress and had a dignified face, looking like a lady from a wealthy family. But her eyes were as cold as knives, and she exuded a chilling aura.

Liu San Niang, leader of the Pingyang County branch of the White Lotus Sect. Early stage of the Innate Divine Meridian Realm.

"Everyone knows about the Qinghe City branch, right?" Liu Sanniang's voice was calm, but it carried a chill. "That good-for-nothing Sun Liangyu—not only did he lose the mine, but he also exposed his identity and was chased like a stray dog ​​by the Zhenfu Division. The sect is very dissatisfied with this matter."

"Master," an old man spoke, "Although Sun Liangyu is useless, the Qinghe City branch is still part of the sect. The Zhenfu Division killed our people—we can't just let it go."

"Of course we can't just let it go like this," Liu Sanniang sneered. "But not now. Lu Zhennan of the Zhenfu Division is not someone to be trifled with, and now there's the Qinglong Society as well. If we're going to make a move, we'll have to wait for the right opportunity."

"The Azure Dragon Society..." The old man frowned. "What exactly is the background of this organization? A single leader can kill countless corpses—its strength should not be underestimated."

Liu San Niang was silent for a moment: "I don't know yet. But the Azure Dragon Society has entered Pingyang County, and sooner or later they will clash with other forces. Let's not rush, let's wait and see."

She paused.

"Pass down the order: no one is allowed to go out and cause trouble during this period. In particular, do not clash with the Green Dragon Society—avoid them if you should, and give way if you should."

"Yes."

Liu San Niang glanced at the people present, a sinister glint in her eyes.

The White Lotus Sect had been operating in Pingyang County for many years and had deep roots. But she knew in her heart that the sect's power was being gradually eroded by the imperial court. The matter of the mine had already greatly displeased the sect's higher-ups. She couldn't afford to make any more mistakes.

As for the Azure Dragon Society—let them fight with other forces first. When both sides are exhausted, the White Lotus Sect can then step in to clean up the mess.

This is the safest approach.

Twenty miles outside the city lies Black Wind Village.

Several thick pine torches burned in the hall of righteous gathering. The flames flickered. A group of ragged men sat around a table—drinking wine from large bowls and eating large chunks of meat.

The leader was a one-eyed, burly man. His face was full of scars, and there was a hideous scar on his left cheek that ran diagonally from his brow to his chin.

Huo Tianlang, the leader of Black Wind Stronghold. Peak of the Acquired Divine Power Realm.

"Boss!" A henchman rushed in, panting. "We found out! That group that entered the city is from the Azure Dragon Society! The leader is Meng Xinghun—the ruthless man who killed ten thousand members of the Blood Demon Sect with a single sword strike!"

The hall fell silent instantly.

The wine bowl in Huo Tianlang's hand froze in mid-air. A hint of fear flashed in his single eye.

Ten Thousand Bones Withered – Early Stage of the Innate Profound Realm. Someone like that could wipe out his entire stronghold with a flick of a finger.

"What are the Azure Dragon Society doing in Pingyang County?" Huo Tianlang's voice was a little dry.

"I don't know. But I heard that the Azure Dragon Society bought a house in Willow Lane in the west of the city—it seems they intend to live there long-term."

Huo Tianlang remained silent for a long time before slamming the wine bowl down on the table.

"Pass down the order—no one is allowed to enter the city these days. Especially those shipments of goods, hold them back, don't send them out. We can't afford to mess with the Green Dragon Society. Stay far away."

"Yes."

Huo Tianlang leaned back in his chair, staring at the leaping flames with his one eye. His feelings were complicated.

He had been a bandit outside the city for several years—robbing passing merchants and plundering grain carts belonging to wealthy households. He had never been afraid of anyone. But the name of the Green Dragon Society sent chills down his spine.

Willow Lane, Meng Mansion.

The night is deep.

Meng Xinghun sat alone in the council chamber of the central courtyard. On the table lay a map of Pingyang County, covered with markings in red ink—

The Li family in the east of the city, the Wang family in the west, the Zhao family in the south, the Mad Saber Sect in the north, the Zhenyuan Weiyuan Escort Agency, the Wanbao Trading Company, the Iron Sword Sect, the Zhenfu Division, the Prefectural Governor's Office, the Six Doors, the White Lotus Sect branch, the Black Wind Stronghold...

He has already figured out about 70-80% of the power structure in Pingyang County.

Each of the three major families has a member at the early stage of the Divine Meridian Realm. Lei Potian of the Mad Blade Sect is at the mid-stage of the Divine Meridian Realm. Lu Zhennan of the Suppression Division is at the late stage of the Divine Meridian Realm. Liu Sanniang of the White Lotus Sect is at the early stage of the Divine Meridian Realm. These are the ones who need to be closely monitored.

Zhao Tieyi of the Iron Sword Sect is at the early stage of the Profound Gang Realm; Jin Buhuan of the Wanbao Trading Company is at the late stage of the Qi Sea Realm; the chief镖头 of the two major镖局 are at the peak of the Profound Gang Realm; and Liu Ruyan of the Six Doors is at the peak of the Profound Gang Realm—these are second-rate.

The Azure Dragon Society's strength is currently insufficient to directly compete with the top-tier organizations.

Therefore, the lord's strategy is correct—first establish a firm foothold in Pingyang County, without rushing to expand. Use Tianlan Stones to pave roads and do business with various forces. Gradually accumulate connections and resources. Once sufficient strength is achieved, then plan for further development.

Meng Xinghun rolled up the map and placed it on the table.

Moonlight streamed through the window, like water, onto the bluestone slabs in the courtyard. In the distance, the faint sound of the night watchman's clapper could be heard—it was the third watch of the night.

He stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the bright moon in the sky.

The lord is still in Qinghe City, continuing to serve as a minor officer. That fifteen-year-old boy is already secretly controlling everything. Outsiders only know that the Azure Dragon Society has an unfathomable leader, but they don't know that the leader is just a boy—who hasn't even completed the Blood Exchange Realm cultivation.

But Meng Xinghun knew.

From the moment he summoned him, he knew that this young man would one day stand at the very top of this continent. And these people were the ones paving the way for him.

The night breeze rustled through the locust trees in the courtyard.

Meng Xinghun closed the window, returned to the table, sat cross-legged, and closed his eyes to rest.

There are still many things to do tomorrow—go to Wanbao Trading Company to discuss business, go to Tiejianmen to investigate, go to Zhenfu Division to deliver a letter, and arrange for people to be placed as spies throughout the city.