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

February 1st, night.

The Qinglong Society's Yiyue Hall headquarters manor is located in the western suburbs of Pingyang County.

The council chamber was brightly lit.

Shangguan Jin Hong sat in the main seat, dressed in a black brocade robe, his face calm and composed, his hands resting on the armrests, his ten fingers long and strong.

Jing Wuming remained hidden in the shadow of the pillar, his left hand on his sword, like a shadow that did not breathe.

Below, Meng Xinghun, Han Tang, Lu Zhangke, and Hebi Weng sat on either side. The five leaders, Chen Jialuo, Daoist Wuchen, Zhao Banshan, Wen Tailai, and Tian Guinong, were also present.

The atmosphere was heavy.

"Master, something's happened." Meng Xinghun spoke first, pushing a secret report in front of Shangguan Jin Hong. "The Iron Sword Sect has already made its move."

Shangguan Jin Hong didn't bring the secret report; he only asked one question: "How was it moved?"

"It's not a full-scale attack, it's a gradual encroachment." Meng Xinghun's voice was low. "Five days ago, the hidden mole in Qingyan Town was taken out. Two brothers were killed, and the stronghold was burned down."

Qingyan Town, a small town on the northwestern border of Pingyang County, is the outpost of the Qinglong Society's Yiyue Hall extending towards Guangling Prefecture.

"Three days ago, another liaison post on the northwestern border was attacked—the other side dispatched five experts at the Divine Strength Realm. We lost four brothers, and only one managed to escape and return with the news."

Shangguan Jin Hong's eyebrows twitched slightly.

"The brothers who escaped said that the attackers were dressed in black and masked, and did not reveal their identities. But the way they attacked was entirely the Iron Sword Sect's swordsmanship." Meng Xinghun paused for a moment, "More importantly—the person in charge used the 'Nineteen Forms of Profound Iron,' which only inner disciples are qualified to practice."

"The Nineteen Forms of Xuan Tie". The signature sword technique of the inner disciples of the Iron Sword Sect, fierce and domineering, which outsiders cannot imitate.

"Iron Sword Sect." Han Tang coldly uttered three words.

"Dugu Yi is testing us." Shangguan Jin Hong finally spoke, his voice so calm it sent chills down one's spine. "He'll first attack the outer perimeter to see our reaction speed and troop deployment capabilities."

"Master, should we retaliate?" Lu Zhangke asked.

Shangguan Jin Hong did not answer directly, but asked instead, "Have the arrangements been made for the brothers' funerals?"

"It's arranged." Meng Xinghun nodded. "Each family will receive three hundred taels of silver as compensation, which will be delivered to their families. The injured brother is recovering and is not in mortal danger."

"Three hundred taels is not enough," Shangguan Jin Hong said calmly. "Increase it to five hundred taels. Also, write down the names of these brothers. When the Green Dragon Society has truly established itself, erect a monument for them."

Everyone in the hall felt a chill run down their spines.

"Master, the Iron Sword Sect is going too far." A cold glint flashed in Hebi Weng's eyes. "This subordinate is willing to lead men to Iron Sword Mountain and teach them a lesson."

"Teach him a lesson?" Shangguan Jin Hong glanced at him. "Dugu Yi is a Grandmaster, and you're going to teach him a lesson?"

The old man with the crane-pen pen was speechless.

Shangguan Jin Hong slowly stood up, put his hands behind his back, and swept his gaze across everyone present like a knife.

"Since the Iron Sword Sect dared to make a move, it means they were prepared." His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable sense of oppression. "However—even if they didn't make a move, I still intend to annihilate them."

Everyone in the hall was startled upon hearing this.

Shangguan Jin Hong walked to the hanging map of Guangling Prefecture, turned his back to the crowd, and spoke in a calm tone as if he were talking about a trivial matter:

"Since the Qinglong Society's Yiyue Hall entered Pingyang County, the Iron Sword Sect has been constantly hindering them, both openly and covertly. They have long wanted to remove the spies in Qingyan Town; and they have repeatedly intercepted the trade routes to the west."

He turned around, his gaze as sharp as a hawk's:

"In the martial world, there's no such thing as keeping to oneself. Since we've already formed an enmity, let's wipe them out completely and leave no future trouble. As long as the Iron Sword Sect is destroyed, we'll never be able to knock on the gates of Guangling Prefecture."

Before he finished speaking, an immense pressure suddenly erupted from Shangguan Jin Hong. The aura was like a mountain collapsing or a river overflowing, causing everyone in the hall to hold their breath. Tian Guinong, whose skill was slightly weaker, paled and instinctively took a half-step back. Jing Wuming, in the shadows, also slightly tilted his head—a rare reaction for him.

Meng Xinghun's pupils constricted sharply, his heart filled with shock: "This aura... mid-stage Grandmaster! When did the Hall Master break through?"

Lu Zhangke and Hebi Weng exchanged a glance, both seeing fear and elation in each other's eyes. They were shocked that Shangguan Jin Hong had quietly entered the mid-stage of the Grandmaster realm, and delighted that their chances of winning this battle had greatly increased.

Shangguan Jin Hong seemed intent on intimidating everyone, slowly releasing his oppressive aura for three breaths before finally concealing it. His face remained calm, as if it were merely a fleeting glimpse of his power, rather than a deliberate display.

"Dugu Yi is a proud and arrogant man, but he is cautious in his actions." He spoke again, his tone calm. "He first moved the periphery to test us and create an opportunity—once we overreact and reveal a weakness, he will strike with lightning speed."

"Then what should we do?" Meng Xinghun asked.

Shangguan Jin Hong turned around, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, and slowly uttered four words:

"Strike first and eliminate the threat at its root."

"Does the Hall Master mean... to launch a preemptive attack on the Iron Sword Sect?" Meng Xinghun's expression changed slightly.

"The Iron Sword Sect believes we are not yet firmly established in Pingyang County and dare not act rashly." Shangguan Jin Hong stood with his hands behind his back. "But we are determined to act. And we will act decisively. In this battle, we must not only win, but also make all forces in Guangling Prefecture see clearly—the only consequence of provoking the Azure Dragon Society is death."

"But..." Chen Jialuo hesitated for a moment.

Shangguan Jin Hong raised her hand to interrupt him: "No need to say more. I have already made up my mind about this matter."

He paused, then continued, "The plan is this: Tomorrow night, I will personally lead the team to attack the Iron Sword Sect's headquarters. Dugu Yi is my responsibility, the rest are yours. Remember, once Dugu Yi is dead, no one in the Iron Sword Sect is to be spared. Slaughter them all to prevent future troubles."

"Master, the Iron Sword Sect's main headquarters has a protective formation, and there are hundreds of disciples..." Meng Xinghun reminded him.

"I have my own way of breaking the mountain-protecting formation." A cold glint flashed in Shangguan Jin Hong's eyes. "As for those disciples, you can hold them off. But none of the Iron Sword Sect's elders or inner disciples can be spared. If you don't cut the weeds at the root, they'll grow back in the spring."

"yes!"

"Han Tang," Shangguan Jin Hong called out.

"Yes," the gray-robed old man replied silently.

"Take twenty elite soldiers, climb up the cliff from the back of the mountain, and infiltrate the inner courtyard of the Iron Sword Sect. The core of the mountain-protecting formation is in the inner courtyard's scripture pavilion. Find it and destroy it."

"clear."

"Lu Zhangke and Hebi Weng, you two will follow me in the frontal attack, each leading fifty brothers. Remember, do not linger in battle; your objective is to assist Han Tang in breaking through the formation. Once the formation is broken, charge in with all your might. If you encounter any resistance, kill them without mercy."

"Yes, sir!"

"Meng Xinghun, you and the rest of the brothers will meet us at the foot of the mountain. If any escape, leave no one alive."

Meng Xinghun nodded.

"Chen Jialuo, Daoist Wuchen, Zhao Banshan, Wen Tailai, and Tian Guinong, the five of you will stay and guard Pingyang County. Prevent the Iron Sword Sect from having any other backup plans, and also guard against anyone from Guangling Prefecture taking advantage of the situation."

The five captains responded in unison.

Shangguan Jin Hong scanned the crowd, his voice not loud, but like a heavy hammer striking a drum:

"In this battle, victory is the only option; defeat is not an option. If the Iron Sword Sect cannot be defeated, the gates of Guangling Prefecture will never be opened to us."

Remember this—it wasn't the Iron Sword Sect that attacked first, and we retaliated; from today onward, the Azure Dragon Society will tell the entire martial world that whoever blocks our path, we will destroy their sect.

"Kill! Slaughter them all!"

The people in the hall shouted in unison, their killing intent palpable.

Shangguan Jin Hong stood with his hands behind his back in front of the map. The candlelight illuminated his cold and stern face. Although he had restrained his aura as a mid-stage Grandmaster, he still made everyone present feel an invisible pressure.

He gazed at the location of Iron Sword Mountain on the map, his eyes deep and unfathomable, muttering to himself. Only Jing Wuming vaguely heard the words:

"Dugu Yi, I've decided to take your life."