Chapter 54: Using Power to Oppress! Opening the Door to a New World (Seeking Monthly Votes)

"Sect Leader Ye is right! Sect Leader Gongsun, your Iron Sword Sect may be wealthy and powerful, and we can't control that, but you can't rely on your abundant wealth to leave us no way to survive."

"Exactly! How many people are there in Bazhou? And how many youngsters of the right age to learn martial arts are there each year? They all run to your Iron Sword Sect; how are our other sects supposed to live?"

"Sect Leader Gongsun, you've gone too far! It's one thing not to charge disciples for taking them in to teach them, but you actually pay them instead, and the amount keeps increasing! This is simply outrageous!"

The poor wretches rose up in unison to attack him, accusing Gongsun Yi, that rich dog, of engaging in malicious competition and cutting off the roots of every sect.

If he had encountered this situation in the past, Gongsun Yi would certainly have conceded, displaying the refined demeanor of a graceful gentleman while seething with impotent rage inside.

But now, he chose to stand his ground.

"Hmph! I'm spending my own money, not yours." Gongsun Yi let out a cold snort and mocked them with biting sarcasm: "No money? If you don't have money, then don't try to open a sect and take in disciples; it's embarrassing!"

Once these words were spoken, the noisy crowd first fell into a deathly silence, but then instantly exploded.

"Gongsun Yi! You are arrogant!"

"Gongsun Yi! Is this a matter of money?"

Ye Canghai was overjoyed and said, "Fellow martial arts peers of Bazhou, Gongsun Yi is stubborn and refuses to repent. I believe that as long as the Iron Sword Sect exists, the atmosphere of the Tongzhou martial arts world will be corrupted. Today, let us destroy the Iron Sword Sect to rectify the atmosphere of the Jiang Hu!"

"Well said! A sect that corrupts the Jiang Hu atmosphere shouldn't exist. Destroy the Iron Sword Sect!"

"Gongsun Yi, you forced us to do this!"

The sect leaders responded one after another; after all, before Ye Canghai had arrived, he had privately promised that once the Iron Sword Sect was destroyed, all the spoils would be divided equally among them.

"Let's see who dares!" Gongsun Yi took out the token Pei Shaoqing had given him, held it high, scanned the circle with a disdainful gaze, and shouted, "My Iron Sword Sect works for the Second Young Master of the Weiyuan Marquis Mansion. Whoever dares to act rashly is opposing the Marquis Mansion and opposing the Imperial Court—it will be treated as treason!"

The crowd that had been clamoring just a moment ago fell into instant silence.

The group of sect leaders looked at each other in dismay.

They all turned their heads in unison to look at their leader, Ye Canghai.

Ye Canghai's face was full of shock, and his heart was surging with turbulent waves. Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! When did the Iron Sword Sect get involved with the Weiyuan Marquis Mansion?

No wonder they could suddenly recruit talent by throwing money around without any regard for the risk of provoking public anger.

"Master!" Jiang Yebai arrived just in time to see this scene; while he felt relieved, his mood was also complex.

He disdained being a lackey of the Imperial Court, yet the mere name of the Weiyuan Marquis Mansion was enough to scare these people into silence.

Gongsun Yi ignored him. At this moment, he felt incredibly gratified, his face visibly flushed, and he roared, "Whoever wants to commit treason, take a step forward!"

*Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh*, everyone retreated.

Only Ye Canghai was left standing in place.

"Does Sect Leader Ye wish to oppose the Marquis Mansion? Wish to oppose the Second Young Master?" Gongsun Yi stepped forward to question him.

With everyone staring at him, Ye Canghai's face turned pale and green, his fists clenched tightly, and he remained silent.

His heart was filled with humiliation, anger, and powerlessness.

The token of the Second Young Master Pei represented his personal presence and the presence of the Weiyuan Marquis Mansion; even if he had a hundred guts, he wouldn't dare to show disrespect to the Weiyuan Marquis Mansion!

Moreover, there were rumors in the martial arts world recently that the Second Young Master Pei had killed the Saint Son Kaiyang of the Xuanhuang Sect. This was a great achievement; who would dare to provoke him at such a critical moment?

Seeing that Ye Canghai remained silent for a long time, Gongsun Yi showed a look of mockery and shouted angrily, "If you don't dare, then get lost!"

"I never thought Sect Leader Gongsun would actually become a running dog for the Imperial Court. This is simply a disgrace to our Tongzhou martial arts world! I disdain to associate with you!" Ye Canghai spat on the ground, turned back, and said, "Let's go!"

Although he said this with a resounding and righteous tone, everyone could see that he was clearly putting on a brave front—he had chickened out, just doing so in a way that saved face.

The Heaven Sword Sect disciples, who had been arrogant and triumphant just moments ago, hung their heads in dejection, all feeling that they had lost face.

"Sect Leader Gongsun, I have offended you today. I will bring gifts to apologize another day. Farewell, farewell."

"Brother Gongsun, it was Sect Leader Ye who invited me to join in the fun. I am truly sorry. Farewell."

"Sect Leader Gongsun, the Second Young Master Pei killed the Saint Son Kaiyang and is famous throughout the world. My Bashan Sect has long admired him. I have offended you today, please forgive me, please forgive me."

The other sect leaders all showed fawning expressions as they apologized to Gongsun Yi one after another, then quickly left in disgrace with their disciples.

In an instant, the disciples of the Iron Sword Sect were all beaming with joy, their pressure gone, feeling a sense of triumph.

"Hahahaha! Hahahahahaha!"

Watching the petty scoundrels flee in a panic, Gongsun Yi ignored his image, his face red and neck thick as he laughed toward the sky.

At the same time, he had an urge to cry.

Master, can you see this from heaven?

My Iron Sword Sect has hope for revival!

After today's events, he became even more determined to cling to Pei Shaoqing's thigh at any cost.

…………………………

Tongzhou, Jing'an Guard Hundred-Household Office.

Taking advantage of Zhao Zhilan going out to brew tea, Ye Hanshuang was finally able to be alone with Pei Shaoqing, and unable to hold it in, she asked coldly, "Big Brother, are you going to marry that little girl?"

"It's just taking a concubine." Pei Shaoqing knew she must be jealous and said in a gentle voice, "Taking her is also to bind myself more deeply with the Iron Sword Sect and let Gongsun Yi serve me with peace of mind. Besides, as a man, I naturally have some normal needs that require a woman to help me solve."

"What needs?" Ye Hanshuang, who had absolutely no relevant knowledge, was puzzled and showed a blank expression.

Immediately, she became even more dissatisfied and said coldly, "Big Brother, am I not a woman? We have depended on each other for survival since we were young and have been through life and death together. Why would you rather let another woman help you than let me?"

She felt that she and her Big Brother were inseparable and there was nothing they couldn't talk about, but her Big Brother clearly needed a woman's help yet didn't tell her, instead finding an outsider, which made her, who had grown up with him, very sad.

"You really can't do this one," Pei Shaoqing said.

"I can learn!" Ye Hanshuang was unusually talkative today and said stubbornly, "You let that little girl teach me; I'm sure I can learn it after watching once."

The adopted sister with a cold and beautiful face, a tall figure, and a voluptuous body kneeling before him, submissive and obedient...

Thinking of that scene, Pei Shaoqing had a sudden flash of inspiration and gasped, "Are you sure?"

"Mm!" Ye Hanshuang nodded seriously.

Just at this moment, Zhao Zhilan walked in with a teapot, her lotus steps light, "Young Master, the tea is ready."

"Close the door," Pei Shaoqing ordered.

"Ah?" Although Zhao Zhilan didn't understand why he wanted to close the door in broad daylight, she obeyed and did as she was told.

She closed the door well and walked to Pei Shaoqing's side; just as she placed the tea on the table, she was pulled into his embrace by Pei Shaoqing, and she subconsciously exclaimed, "Young Master!"

"Kneel." Pei Shaoqing stroked her head.

Already experienced, Zhao Zhilan understood his meaning in a second, her pretty face blushing as she sat in his lap and looked timidly at Ye Hanshuang, "Sister Ye is still here."

"You don't need to worry about her; just act as if she doesn't exist," Pei Shaoqing said in a calm tone.

Zhao Zhilan was red-faced; with such a large living person right there, how could she act as if the other party didn't exist?

Her eyes were shy and resentful, "Young Master~"

"Be obedient." Pei Shaoqing's face showed displeasure.

Zhao Zhilan dared not disobey him, so she could only sigh faintly, blush, and go down to kneel before him.

Ye Hanshuang held her sword and watched coldly from the sidelines, her expression shifting from initial curiosity to confusion, and then to shock.

_? → ⊙ω⊙ → =()!

She had never seen such a thing, nor had she even heard of it, and she did not understand what was being done, but instinctively she felt shy, her face turning crimson and burning hot.

And even more ashamed than her was Zhao Zhilan, who kept her eyes shut in self-deception, not daring to open them at all.

As for the eager-to-learn Ye Hanshuang, she simply squatted down beside Pei Shaoqing and stared fixedly at Zhao Zhilan.

The distance was so close that Zhao Zhilan could even feel her breath hitting her face; even the base of her neck had turned red, and her delicate body was trembling slightly.

Suddenly, Ye Hanshuang's voice came to her ears.

"Get up."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhilan opened her eyes, tilted her head back, and looked at Ye Hanshuang with a face full of confusion and bewilderment.

"Move aside, let me try," Ye Hanshuang said coldly, her brows furrowing when she saw the other still wouldn't budge.

She felt that this wasn't difficult at all.

She had learned it just by looking once.

Now it was Zhao Zhilan's turn to be shocked, her eyes widening.

Pei Shaoqing also swallowed a mouthful of saliva.

"Knock, knock, knock!" A knocking sound suddenly rang out, and Song Youcai said from outside the door: "Sir, is it convenient for me to come in? The County Government has transferred a case to us."

"You've come at a real time," Pei Shaoqing sighed helplessly and signaled for the two to stand up: "Come in."

Recommend a book, "Great Song Literary Giant"; it is written very solidly, the author is an experienced veteran, and those interested in historical literature can take a look. Finally, begging for monthly tickets! Begging for monthly tickets! Begging for monthly tickets! Begging for follow-up reading, please ozz

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(End of this chapter)