Chapter 455: A Difficult Dilemma

"Pavilion Master Zhang, please speak your mind. If it is something I, Hai, can accomplish, I certainly will not refuse!"

Since Zhang Nuo had given him enough face earlier, Hai Wuqing could not possibly keep people at a distance; at the very least, he did not even know what the matter was yet, so he certainly could not shut the door on the conversation!

Cupping his hands toward Hai Wuqing, Zhang Nuo said slowly:

"Alliance Leader Hai, the reason I have come this time is mainly to discuss the matter of joining forces with you!"

The moment the words fell, a subtle change appeared on Hai Wuqing's face. Joining forces! Joining together to deal with whom? His thoughts turned rapidly; currently, the Giant Spirit Pavilion's greatest enemy was the Great Underworld Mansion. Could it be that Zhang Nuo wanted the Mo Tie Alliance to join the ranks of those dealing with the Great Underworld Mansion?

Just at this moment of hesitation from Hai Wuqing, Zhang Nuo understood his thoughts! He smiled lightly and continued:

"I presume Alliance Leader Hai also knows who I intend to deal with! However, please rest assured, Alliance Leader Hai! Once the deed is done, my Giant Spirit Pavilion will not take a single piece of spoils; all of it shall belong to the Mo Tie Alliance!"

The condition Zhang Nuo offered truly tempted Hai Wuqing, but what kind of power was the Great Underworld Mansion? In just over a hundred years, they had conquered three immortal mountains! Added to the 'Hongjun Immortal Mountain' they already possessed, there were a total of four immortal mountains. Such strength was something even his Mo Tie Alliance could not hope to reach!

The meat was a piece of fat, but one had to see if one had the life to eat it! If one lost their life just to eat meat, then it would be better to honestly sit at home and drink soup.

"The one you wish to deal with is the Great Underworld Mansion, is it not, Fellow Daoist?"

Although he had guessed the result in his heart, Hai Wuqing still wanted to confirm it!

"Correct!"

"As far as I know, the Great Underworld Mansion's power is not small! Even if our two sides join forces, I fear we are absolutely no match for them. Furthermore, the main reason my Mo Tie Alliance has been able to survive for so long on the Xianhuan Continent is that we do not participate in the power struggles of the continent! If this rule were broken, I fear..."

Hai Wuqing stroked his chin with one hand, his eyes narrowing, two cold glints piercing through the slits as he stared fixedly at Zhang Nuo! This matter was no small affair; if Zhang Nuo could not provide a good justification, he would never agree!

Hearing that Hai Wuqing's stance had loosened, Zhang Nuo felt a secret joy in his heart! As long as the other party did not shut the door completely, then the matter was entirely open for discussion!

"I presume Fellow Daoist Hai has also seen the ambition of the Great Underworld Mansion over these past few years! Not to mention anything else, just take their annexation of the other immortal mountains; if their power is allowed to develop, in another hundred years, more immortal mountains will surely fall into their hands. By that time, even if the Mo Tie Alliance wants to stay out of it, it will be impossible!"

Listening to Zhang Nuo's words, Hai Wuqing understood this logic, but while the Mo Tie Alliance appeared very strong on the surface, it was actually a place where dragons and snakes were mixed, and those with ulterior motives were everywhere! If he really had to gather manpower, he feared the number would not even reach one-third of the total! Moreover, the people of the Mo Tie Alliance were quite scattered, so gathering them together was easier said than done!

"Additionally! Alliance Leader Hai, I will not hide it from you: besides me coming to the Mo Tie Alliance in person, Elder Liu Qingshan of my pavilion has already gone to lobby the major powers! Apart from your alliance, several other sects will join this great battle! Although the strength of these sects cannot compare to the Mo Tie Alliance, they will have no problem pinning down the other three immortal mountains occupied by the Great Underworld Mansion! In this way, as long as our two sides join forces, attacking 'Hongjun Immortal Mountain' will be no problem at all!"

These last few sentences from Zhang Nuo were what truly tempted Hai Wuqing! Previously, he had thought Zhang Nuo only wanted the Mo Tie Alliance to join the fray; he had not expected the Giant Spirit Pavilion to have contacted other powers as well! In this way, a significant amount of pressure was diverted!

"Pavilion Master Zhang! This Mo Tie Alliance is not something I alone can decide! So please give me a few days; I will invite the Hall Masters of the major halls to discuss this further. How about that?"

From Hai Wuqing's dilemma to his current tacit consent, Zhang Nuo was already very satisfied!

"In that case! I shall await the good news! As I said before, after taking 'Hongjun Immortal Mountain', the Giant Spirit Pavilion will not touch a single blade of grass or tree on the mountain! It shall all belong to the Mo Tie Alliance. By that time, Alliance Leader Hai can move Mo Tie City onto the immortal mountain!"

Reaffirming the conditions he had offered, Zhang Nuo then left Hai Wuqing's residence with Ye Yuemiao! On the way back, the young girl kept looking at Zhang Nuo, as if she did not recognize him anymore. Was this still the greenhorn from back then? Today, his words actually carried such great persuasive power! Even Hai Wuqing, who kept saying he would not participate in power struggles, had been tempted!

The two returned to the teahouse. As soon as they entered, they saw Shen Yuanqiao sitting at a table with a bitter expression, sighing and groaning!

Suddenly discovering that Zhang Nuo and Ye Yuemiao had returned, he rushed to Zhang Nuo's side in a flash, baring his teeth in a smile, though that smile looked no better than crying!

"Pavilion Master Zhang! I was truly blind to not recognize you earlier! I beg you, as a great person, not to remember the faults of a small one! Please spare me this once! I guarantee I will never come to trouble Fairy Ye again!"

It turned out that after Zhang Nuo followed Hai Wuqing away, this Hall Master of the Green Dragon Hall had not dared to leave the teahouse at all! A character whom even the Alliance Leader of the Mo Tie Alliance did not dare to slight, how could he dare to provoke him? Especially after discovering that the relationship between Zhang Nuo and Ye Yuemiao was quite unusual, it made him even more panicked! If Zhang Nuo were to pursue this matter, even with the Mo Tie Alliance as a big umbrella, his future days would not be easy!

Watching Shen Yuanqiao groveling before him, Zhang Nuo smiled faintly!

"Hall Master Shen! What happened before is in the past! I have no intention of making things difficult for you! However, please rest assured, you will not have the opportunity to harass Fairy Ye in the future!"

Hearing this, not only was Shen Yuanqiao startled, but even Ye Yuemiao looked at Zhang Nuo in confusion; it was very clear that his words had a hidden meaning!

However, Shen Yuanqiao did not dare to harbor designs on Ye Yuemiao anymore; as long as Zhang Nuo did not trouble him, that was enough! After saying a few more polite words, he ran off like a wisp of smoke!

When Zhang Nuo and Ye Yuemiao returned to the backyard of the teahouse, the young girl finally could not help but speak!

"Senior, what did you mean by your words just now?"

"Fairy Ye, please forgive my rudeness for not discussing it with you beforehand! I would like to invite you to join the Giant Spirit Pavilion; I wonder what you think?"

His gaze was full of sincerity; Zhang Nuo did not seem to be speaking falsely. After Ye Yuemiao pondered for a long time, she smiled faintly. Just as she was about to speak, she suddenly heard someone shouting loudly in the front hall of the teahouse:

"Where is Pavilion Master Zhang?"

Zhang Nuo was stunned upon hearing this! He had no acquaintances in Mo Tie City; who could be looking for him? Could it be that Hai Wuqing had made a decision so quickly? But upon second thought, that was unlikely! For such a major matter, there would certainly be no result without discussing it for a few days!

With a look of suspicion, Zhang Nuo arrived at the front hall and saw a gray-robed man, looking no more than forty years old, gazing around the teahouse with eyes full of anticipation!

Seeing Zhang Nuo walk out, the gray-robed man immediately came over to pay his respects!

"Does the Pavilion Master still recognize me?"

Zhang Nuo narrowed his eyes to look; he saw that this person looked very familiar, with a cultivation of only Nascent Soul Early-stage. Thinking carefully in his heart, he suddenly realized!

"So it is Fellow Daoist Shi! I have truly been impolite!"

This person was none other than Shi Buquan, whom Zhang Nuo had saved back at the First Immortal Mountain! At that time, Shi Buquan was being pursued by Gui Yibu and had nowhere to run, and it was Zhang Nuo who helped him out of the predicament! However, Zhang Nuo had not really wanted to help him at the time; he had only done so to kill Gui Yibu!

Now it seemed that this accidental encounter had actually done a good deed! Looking at the look of gratitude in Shi Buquan's eyes, this person was a man of character; he would never forget to repay a kindness, no matter how small.

"I have long heard of your great name, Fellow Daoist, but I had matters to attend to and could not visit Yulong Immortal Mountain in person! Today, I accidentally heard that Pavilion Master Zhang had come to Mo Tie City, so I came to see you immediately!"

After Zhang Nuo and Shi Buquan exchanged a few more polite words, he invited him into the backyard. During their detailed conversation, Zhang Nuo unexpectedly learned that this Shi Buquan was currently the Hall Master of the White Tiger Hall, one of the four major halls of the Mo Tie Alliance! In this way, it could truly be called a heaven-sent opportunity!

Earlier, when he left Hai Wuqing's residence, he had heard him say that he needed to find the key figures in the alliance to discuss the specific matters! And within the Mo Tie Alliance, the four major halls were the most important positions, so they naturally would not be left out! If Shi Buquan was willing to put in a good word for him, then the chances of success would be even greater!

"I did not expect that after a hundred years of not seeing you, Fellow Daoist Shi, you have actually become the Hall Master of the White Tiger Hall! This is truly a joyous and congratulatory occasion!"

"Pavilion Master Zhang, please do not mock me! Compared to you, Fellow Daoist, my small position as a Hall Master is insignificant! I wonder if Pavilion Master Zhang has any business coming to Mo Tie City? If there is anything you need my help with, just say the word!"

Zhang Nuo was waiting for these very words! Without hiding anything, he stated his purpose directly! Upon hearing this, a burst of great joy appeared on Shi Buquan's face! He slammed his fist heavily onto the table and said excitedly:

"Pavilion Master Zhang! Your arrival this time is truly like sending charcoal in snowy weather! As early as several years ago, the Great Underworld Mansion had been eyeing my Mo Tie Alliance covetously! However, there was a rule in the alliance not to participate in the power struggles on the continent! But if the situation continues to develop like this, the Great Underworld Mansion will definitely not let the Mo Tie Alliance go! He who strikes first gains the advantage; he who strikes later suffers!"

Shi Buquan was a man of character; he said whatever was on his mind and did not hide anything. It turned out that the Mo Tie Alliance had long had the intention of dealing with the Great Underworld Mansion! They just had not found a suitable excuse!

Zhang Nuo felt a sense of silence in his heart! Everything Hai Wuqing had shown earlier clearly indicated he wanted to catch the fox but did not want to get any of the stench on himself! It seemed his fuse had arrived at just the right time!

"So, Fellow Daoist Shi also strongly agrees with my idea?"

With a faint smile, Zhang Nuo intended to use Shi Buquan as a breakthrough point to cause a great stir among the leaders of the Mo Tie Alliance, and subsequently achieve the goal of getting them to send troops!