Chapter 77: I Want All Thirteen Provinces

"Yueshan Sect?"

This unfamiliar name left Ye Tian somewhat puzzled.

Mei Yongning leaned over from beside him and whispered an explanation.

"The Yueshan Sect is a martial sect near Linshui City, not inside the city itself; it's quite strong, with two or three hundred disciples."

"..."

Ye Tian said nothing.

His eyes merely shimmered with thoughtful light.

Sect and gang differ by only one character, yet their meanings are worlds apart.

To think, since his reincarnation, he'd only ever encountered gangs—this was his first time hearing of a martial sect.

"What's that!"

Lei Yan couldn't hold back anymore.

Especially after noticing Ye Tian's gaze occasionally sweeping toward her, she immediately explained.

"I'm already the top outer disciple—I'll become an inner disciple of the Yueshan Sect soon."

She didn't want him to think she was useless.

Reaching this position in just a few years, beyond talent, proved Lei Yan herself was extremely hardworking.

"What good is being an inner disciple if you still don't even have a new set of clothes?"

Lei Yushan spoke dismissively.

Though the Yueshan Sect isn't weak, it's not inside Linshui City—far from the emperor's reach. Even if Lei Yan became an inner disciple, it wouldn't solve her problems.

"You're at an age where you'll marry eventually. I think Yù Gōngzǐ is perfect—if you marry him, you can just settle down and be a devoted wife and mother. Isn't that wonderful?"

Lei Yushan laid it all out plainly.

"I..."

"No need for that."

Lei Yan was about to say more.

But Ye Tian interrupted first.

"?"

What did he mean? Didn't he find her attractive?

Lei Yan's face paled as she looked at Ye Tian. Though she hated arranged lives, she'd held a decent impression of him—and he'd just said he'd forge her favorite weapon.

She'd even thought he liked her.

So she'd misread the signs?

"Nephew!"

Seeing Lei Yushan about to speak, Ye Tian smiled and raised a hand to stop him.

"That's not what I meant. If Miss Lei wishes to remain, even after marriage, there's no need to leave the Yueshan Sect. After all this effort to become top outer disciple, abandoning the chance to become an inner disciple would be a terrible waste."

"..."

Her heart surged like a rollercoaster—plummeting, then shooting upward in an instant.

Her pallor turned rosy.

"You really don't mind me wielding swords and blades?"

Since childhood, Lei Yan had loved martial hero tales—stories of swift justice and free-spirited swordplay—and dreamed of one day roaming the Jianghu with her sword.

"I'm a man of the Jianghu myself. Why would I mind?"

Ye Tian spoke naturally, his smile warm.

Watching Ye Tian like this, Lei Yan said nothing—but her cheeks grew even redder.

Yet in truth,

Ye Tian was already calculating whether he could use Lei Yan as a bridge to connect with the Yueshan Sect's influence.

The world was too vast.

Linshui City was merely one city in Hao Country; the Thirteen Provinces held no fewer than ten such kingdoms. Under these circumstances, Ye Tian had never imagined he'd spend his life trapped in Linshui City.

Preparing ground with other factions was essential.

"Hahaha!"

The scene made Lei Yushan burst into loud laughter.

"Good! Good! Wonderful! I never thought my words could bring about such a fine match—this is truly perfect!"

Overjoyed, Lei Yushan downed several cups of wine in succession.

"Since you're willing, why not set a wedding date now?"

Lei Yushan was truly desperate.

Lei Tang's condition worsened daily; settling matters early would ease his mind.

"What do you think, Miss Lei?"

Ye Tian glanced at Lei Yan first.

"I... I'll leave it to you."

The once bold and decisive Lei Yan now displayed the timidity of a shy maiden.

"..."

Recalling how fiercely Lei Yan had once argued and defied him, Lei Yushan was at a loss for words.

"Then how about this: we marry on the day I become Hall Master?"

Head Boss still wasn't enough—in Linshui City, only Hall Masters earned the right to sit at the main table.

"Good things come in pairs—this is good things coming in pairs!"

Hearing Ye Tian's intention to take the Hall Master's seat, Lei Yushan laughed even more happily.

Especially since Sēn Lǎo will soon step down—Lei Tang has no chance now, but Ye Tian's opportunity is great.

If they had a son-in-law who was a Black Water Gang Hall Master, would they still worry about the future?

,,,

The banquet drank was utterly delightful.

By the end, Lei Yushan could no longer stand, and it was Lei Yan who helped the drunken Ye Tian out the door.

"It's getting late; why not rest here for the night?"

Seeing Ye Tian stumbling as he walked, Lei Yan couldn't help but speak up.

"No need—I'm just a rough gang member; getting drunk is common. Go back first. If you really want to stay, there'll be plenty of chances later."

At the end, Ye Tian lifted his gaze and laughed at Lei Yan.

Then he left, supported by Mei Yongning.

She had wanted to step forward and help further, but since they weren't married, Lei Yan, bound by propriety, stopped in her tracks.

After walking a little farther.

Ye Tian's unsteady steps began to grow steady again.

"Did you notice anything?"

Mei Yongning wasn't surprised; with his brother's drinking capacity, he couldn't possibly be drunk from so little wine.

"When we left the mansion, I saw three suspicious people glancing this way—they must've been sent by Lei Tang. I suspect even the servants in Lei Yushan's household have been bought by Lei Tang."

"Excellent!"

Ye Tian smiled with satisfaction.

This was exactly the result he wanted—if Lei Tang didn't know, how could he be made anxious?

Lei Tang had already been very irritable lately; the more anxious he became, the more mistakes he'd make.

Though he understood his brother's chances, Mei Yongning couldn't help asking, thinking of Lei Yan.

"I thought my brother might have taken a liking to Lei Yan."

Though she didn't dress as gently as ordinary women, Lei Yan was indeed beautiful.

Yet Ye Tian's demeanor suggested he wasn't the least bit interested.

"So what if I was?"

Ye Tian said casually.

Should he go and be some honest man?

Ye Tian had not lacked indulgence—he'd once lived in luxury and debauchery.

Compared to women, Ye Tian cared more about his ambitions; having crossed over this lifetime with such a system, he would never stop for anyone.

Unifying the mountains and rivers was too distant.

So he'd start with Linshui City—of the Thirteen Provinces, Ye Tian didn't want just ninety-nine—he wanted them all.

"Arrange people to keep watch. Now, it's Lei Tang's turn to perform."

"Understood!"

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