Chapter 45: Ferocious Dragon Crossing the River

Zhu Yue’s face froze.

Obviously.

Jiang Yan looked down on the Zhu family, and on its people.

Zhu Ping took up the thread: “Senior Jiang speaks wisely—Qinghe does have a few decent gangs.”

In his view, Jiang Yan’s words held merit; though the Zhu family had roots in Qinghe, it was far from the top.

The Ghost Ming Sect was not something the Zhu family alone could handle.

Claiming all the credit is good, but one must have the ability to swallow it.

Rashly taking on everything would leave the Zhu family roasted on a fire, Suishi ready to fall into irrecoverable ruin.

“Senior Masters, in Qinghe, the strongest forces are the Blood Tiger Gang and the Heaven-Earth Alliance.”

Han Qin nodded:

“I’ve heard of these two gangs—they do possess real ability.”

The Blood Tiger Gang and the Heaven-Earth Alliance were not local Qinghe forces, but spanned several counties; he had even heard of them at Huaqing Sect.

He continued: “I’ve heard the Heaven-Earth Alliance once aided Senior Liu and Senior Kong. Why not pay them a visit first?”

“Sound reasoning.”

Zhu Yue nodded.

A moment ago, he’d been swept up in passion; now that he was clear-headed, he realized his earlier suggestion had been reckless.

He felt a quiet frustration inside.

Jiang Yan paused briefly, then nodded in agreement.

The Heaven-Earth Alliance was indeed a good choice.

Heaven-Earth Alliance, Qinghe Branch.

In the main hall.

Dao Xiong sat sprawled in a tiger-skin chair, eyeing the three Huaqing Sect disciples below:

“Three honored guests from afar—your presence truly brightens my humble abode.”

He shed his usual cruel demeanor, appearing remarkably generous.

Yet his warm hospitality masked inner grumbling.

“Have I really angered Huaqing Sect’s nest? In just one month, two waves of their people have come.”

He simply couldn’t muster interest.

The last battle had cost the Heaven-Earth Alliance dearly, and those two Huaqing disciples had simply walked away without offering a single compensation.

Thinking of it made Dao Xiong’s blood boil.

To even avoid feigning illness and refusing to meet them now was already good manners.

Han Qin bowed: “Brother Dao, your alliance previously aided Senior Kong and Senior Liu in slaying a powerful Ghost Ming Sect enemy. On behalf of our sect, I thank you.”

Dao Xiong returned the bow: “It was our duty.”

Zhu Yue frowned slightly.

He could already sense Dao Xiong’s indifference.

He had a suspicion.

Clearly, the losses had been too heavy, and now he refused to get involved in the Heaven-Earth Alliance’s conflict with the Ghost Ming Sect.

Han Qin also narrowed his eyes, but he wouldn’t let Dao Xiong off the hook.

Huaqing Sect’s matters must be handled—no excuses!

His voice grew firmer: “Brother Dao, this time we need your alliance to send men to hunt down the Ghost Ming Sect’s demons and eradicate them completely.

I’m certain your alliance’s contributions have been noted by Senior Jiang.”

Dao Xiong cursed inwardly.

These three Huaqing disciples clearly intended to use Jiang Lin’s name to pressure him.

“Even a few greenhorn brats dare threaten me!”

Yet his face remained courteous, wearing an embarrassed expression: “You three know—last time, many of my branch members died, and we haven’t recovered. Besides, this Qinghe branch was only established a few months ago—we simply lack the strength.”

“This—”

Han Qin was momentarily speechless.

Huaqing Sect was powerful, but as for these three of them, they couldn’t force the Heaven-Earth Alliance to act.

If things turned too ugly, they’d have no good excuse to return to the sect.

Moreover, Dao Xiong’s words made sense.

Dao Xiong spoke up at the right moment: “Three honored guests, the Blood Tiger Gang has operated in Qinghe for years and has many hands. Why not ask Brother Zeng to lend aid?”

Han Qin frowned slightly.

He saw clearly that Dao Xiong was trying to divert the trouble elsewhere.

Yet even knowing this, he had no better option for now.

Local snakes were hardest to deal with—every encounter met with soft rejections, like punching cotton: strength wasted, no purchase.

Zhu Yue sighed softly, thinking:

“Looks like we’ll have to turn to the Blood Tiger Gang.”

He assumed the Blood Tiger Gang couldn’t find any excuse to refuse.

Seeing the three Huaqing disciples show signs of retreating, Dao Xiong’s lips curled slightly.

“Still too green.”

He’d spent decades in the martial world—maneuvering with finesse came naturally.

If he couldn’t handle a few greenhorn boys, what right did he have to be a branch master?

Just as Dao Xiong prepared to find an excuse to end the meeting, Jiang Yan, who had remained silent until now, slowly stood.

In the stunned gazes of all, she floated forward and struck Dao Xiong with a palm.

Everything happened too suddenly.

Even Dao Xiong had no time to react.

CRACK!

A sharp sound.

The blue porcelain vase behind Dao Xiong exploded into thin shards, clattering to the floor.

Hiss!

Dao Xiong sucked in a sharp breath.

Remote strike on an object!

“Disciples of the Grand Sect truly differ from commoners—this technique requires profound cultivation, impossible for most.”

He knew he couldn’t do it.

And this Huaqing Sect girl, barely twenty, was already an Eighth-Rank martialist.

That was terrifying.

Dao Xiong felt his decades of training had been wasted.

Jiang Yan had demonstrated her power, then spoke calmly:

“If the Heaven-Earth Alliance agrees to assist, I can promise a spot for Qinghe in next year’s Huaqing Sect recruitment—age limit extended to thirty-five. Who earns it depends on their own ability.”

Hearing this,

Dao Xiong’s eyes lit up.

A Huaqing Sect disciple slot was extremely valuable.

Though offered only to Qinghe, the opportunity was far greater than before.

Previously, several counties had competed fiercely for a single slot.

Even if he didn’t go himself, reporting this to the Alliance Master would earn him considerable merit.

Dao Xiong laughed heartily: “Senior Jiang, you flatter me. Since this concerns the Ghost Ming Sect, we cannot refuse—not even if every man in the Qinghe branch dies, we’ll go.”

Jiang Yan nodded coolly:

“It’s settled. Farewell.”

Saying this, she turned and left, floating away like a celestial being.

Dealing with men like Dao Xiong required no logic—only overwhelming power to intimidate them, after which matters flowed smoothly.

A strong dragon doesn’t suppress local snakes.

That’s only because the dragon isn’t strong enough—Jiang Yan was a ferocious dragon crossing the river.

Han Qin let out a bitter laugh and followed after her.

He hadn’t expected this Jiang sister to wield such a thunderous tactic.

Zhu Yue lowered his gaze.

Jiang Yan’s display had truly exceeded his expectations—he found it difficult to conquer such a woman.

Elsewhere.

Li Rui walked toward the pharmacy.

“Just received my salary—I can buy a few more herbs.”

Elixirs were expensive, so he couldn’t afford them often; most times he used ordinary herbs for medicinal baths.

But when Li Rui neared the entrance of the Heaven-Earth Alliance...

【You have gained the focused attention of the sect's noble lady; achievement +10】

“What’s going on?”

He turned his head.

His gaze met Jiang Yan’s directly.

Bad—this felt ominous!

(End of chapter)