The Lingquan Sect, established for only about ten years, turned to ash in a great fire. Over two hundred disciples scattered like monkeys when the tree falls, due to the deaths of the Sect Master and Elders.
Perhaps they would join other sects, perhaps they would live ordinary lives, but the scene of Jun Changxiao killing would be forever remembered in their hearts, becoming an indelible memory of terror.
In the wilderness.
The green-scarved brother knelt before a grave, clenching his fists tightly. “Sect Master, Elders, this disciple will one day avenge you and the Lingquan Sect!”
Standing up, shouldering his luggage, he resolutely headed east, where there was a colossal entity named—the Shengquan Sect.
“Jun Changxiao!”
The green-scarved brother’s voice echoed out. “My name is Dai Lü, you’d better remember it clearly!”
Of course, he only dared shout this out in the deserted mountain forests.
…
“Big news, big news!”
“A great fire broke out at the Lingquan Sect yesterday. The entire sect turned to ash, and all the disciples have fled!”
In Yaoyang City, as dawn was just breaking, a martial artist shouted throughout the streets.
This news spread like wildfire, instantly sweeping through streets large and small, through every household, even into every corner.
The martial artists in the city’s first reaction was—this early in the morning, what kind of joke is this?
When people successively went to Lingquan Mountain and saw the sect reduced to ruins, they firmly believed and confirmed that the Lingquan Sect, which had lorded over others for many years, was truly gone…
“My goodness, who has such audacity to dare burn down the Lingquan Sect!”
“Where are Sect Master Wei and Elder Wei!”
“I heard from disciples who escaped down the mountain that the Lingquan Sect’s Sect Master and Elders were all killed. This sect is completely removed from the jianghu!”
“Who killed them?”
“You probably won’t believe this, but the one who killed the Wei brothers was the Tiegu Sect Leader!”
“Tiegu Sect? Isn’t that a ninth-rate sect? How would they have the strength to destroy the Lingquan Sect? Did they hire some expert!”
“They didn’t hire any expert—it was just him alone!”
“Damn, a ninth-rate sect’s leader is that awesome?”
“The Lingquan Sect and Tiegu Sect had a conflict in Qingyang City. I thought the Tiegu Sect would cease to exist. Never imagined it would be the Lingquan Sect that got destroyed instead!”
“The Lingquan Sect’s backing is the Shengquan Sect. If they find out about this, they’ll definitely go to the Tiegu Sect to hold them accountable!”
“Not just the Shengquan Sect—the Hundred Sects Alliance won’t spare the Tiegu Sect either. After all, there’s a rule that allied sects cannot commit sect annihilation!”
Yaoyang City was now thoroughly shaken.
Whether martial artists or ordinary people, everyone was heatedly discussing the Lingquan Sect’s destruction and the Tiegu Sect Leader.
…
The news quickly spread through various cities in Qingyang Commandery.
The Long Blade Gate, Tiger Roar Sect, and other sects successively received news of the Lingquan Sect’s destruction. For a time, everyone was in an uproar.
What kind of joke was this?
The Lingquan Sect was actually destroyed by the Tiegu Sect?
When more news arrived, told vividly and in detail, they had to accept this fact!
Qingyang City, City Lord’s Manor.
City Lord Xie also learned the news. Standing with hands behind his back in the study, he said, “First leading disciples to win the sect tournament championship, then destroying the Lingquan Sect. Sect Leader Jun, you truly are someone who does great things.”
“However…”
He shook his head. “Although the Shengquan Sect doesn’t acknowledge the Lingquan Sect, the four Wei brothers were ultimately once their disciples. By killing them, you’ve essentially provoked a fifth-rate sect.”
“Report.”
A guard walked in and cupped his hands. “The Hundred Sects Alliance Leader requests an audience.”
“Heh.”
City Lord Xie said, “He arrived quite quickly.”
Rubbing his temples, he said, “Show him to the reception hall.”
“Yes.”
…
Reception Hall.
A middle-aged man whose walk was vigorous strode in and cupped his hands. “City Lord Xie, we haven’t seen each other in many years. I’ve missed you greatly.”
City Lord Xie gestured for him to sit. “Alliance Leader Qin, did you come this time for the Tiegu Sect?”
“That’s right.”
Alliance Leader Qin said indignantly, “The Tiegu Sect is a member of the Hundred Sects Alliance, yet committed sect annihilation—this is truly intolerable by heaven’s law. This Qin has come hoping the City Lord can…”
City Lord Xie interrupted. “Though the Tiegu Sect is a member of the Hundred Sects Alliance, it’s also within Qingyang City’s territory. This City Lord doesn’t care which faction you represent—you cannot touch them. Otherwise, you would be making an enemy of Qingyang City’s three million six hundred thousand citizens.”
Alliance Leader Qin’s face immediately darkened. “City Lord Xie, are you protecting the Tiegu Sect?”
City Lord Xie’s fingers lightly tapped on the table. “Don’t misunderstand. What Xie is protecting isn’t the Tiegu Sect, but Qingyang City’s citizens.”
“Good!”
Alliance Leader Qin said, “Since that’s the case, let’s go by Qingyang City’s city regulations. Your city’s citizen Jun Changxiao killed the Wei brothers and over thirty disciples. What punishment does the law dictate?”
“Not guilty.”
City Lord Xie said lightly.
“Bang!”
Alliance Leader Qin slapped the table and said angrily, “City Lord Xie, you won’t let our Hundred Sects Alliance interfere and won’t punish Jun Changxiao either. This favoritism is too obvious!”
“Bang!”
City Lord Xie also slapped the table once, stood up, and shouted, “The Lingquan Sect hired assassins from the Drizzling Rain Tower and entered Qingyang City’s territory without permission. I just want to ask, who the hell gave them that audacity!”
Very fierce, very forceful!
“Drizzling Rain Tower assassins?” Alliance Leader Qin was dumbfounded, clearly unaware of the inside story.
City Lord Xie said coldly, “Between the Lingquan Sect and Tiegu Sect was merely a small conflict. Wei Yixi harbored a grudge. First he colluded with mountain bandits, then hired assassins—all despicable methods that jianghu people despise. Their destruction was self-invited.”
“…”
Alliance Leader Qin fell silent.
He knew that since Xie Guangkun said this, he must have evidence.
“Alliance Leader Qin.”
City Lord Xie said lightly, “If Jun Changxiao had done something utterly unconscionable, you wouldn’t need to come hold him accountable—this City Lord would have taken action long ago.”
Alliance Leader Qin calmed down, his tone softening. “How about this—please have City Lord Xie summon Jun Changxiao. In my capacity as Alliance Leader, I’d like to talk with him.”
Xie Guangkun said, “Since the Tiegu Sect is a member of your alliance, as Alliance Leader you naturally can talk with him. Let’s make the location the Star Moon Tower.”
Alliance Leader Qin understood that this guy was afraid he would act rashly, deliberately setting the location on his own turf, so he compromised. “Please inform Sect Leader Jun—in three days, we’ll meet at the Star Moon Tower.”
Saying this, he stood and cupped his hands. “I take my leave.”
“I won’t see you out!” Xie Guangkun said.
After Alliance Leader Qin left, he sat down for a sip of tea and shook his head. “Sect Leader Jun, for your sake, this City Lord nearly fell out with the Hundred Sects Alliance.”
“City Lord Xie, you can’t put it that way.” Jun Changxiao walked out from behind the screen, smiling. “You and I are cooperating—it’s win-win.”
Saying this, he placed two Low-grade Healing Pills on the table.
Turns out this guy had been in the study all along. The matter of destroying the Lingquan Sect, as well as Wei Yixi’s actions, were also told to Xie Guangkun by him.
Jun Changxiao had calculated that the Hundred Sects Alliance would come to hold him accountable, so he thought of countermeasures in advance, using two Healing Pills as the price to have City Lord Xie help suppress the matter.
Destroying a sect was a major event.
Jun Changxiao knew the importance of handling the aftermath. Otherwise, how could he continue mixing in the Xingyun Continent full of flashing blades and swords, deception and intrigue?
Xie Guangkun picked up a Healing Pill. “Sect Leader Jun, does this pill truly have the function of rapidly recovering from injuries?”
Jun Changxiao said, “Would Jun have any need to deceive City Lord Xie?”
Xie Guangkun met his gaze and laughed heartily. “Well said. You and I are cooperating—it’s win-win.”
Jun Changxiao stood up. “The sect still has matters. This Seat will take his leave first.”
“Don’t forget—in three days, the Star Moon Tower.” Xie Guangkun said.
“This Seat will come to the appointment.” As Jun Changxiao spoke, he had already walked out of the hall, then climbed over the wall to leave the City Lord’s Manor.
Xie Guangkun brought the pill to his nose and sniffed lightly, murmuring, “Destroyed the Lingquan Sect and knew to come find me to help suppress it. This kid is truly not simple.”