Chapter 211: Suppression

At this moment, an elder of the Dongjiang Gang was visiting the Cangshan Sword Sect: "Sect Master Wu, our Gang Master has already led the gang's elite forces to Xiazhou. This time, Elder Shi of the Canglan Sect and his junior disciples are also accompanying him. Elder Shi is of second grade, and the other powerful figures of the Canglan Sect are all third grade."

For some reason, Wu Jianchen, the Sect Master of the Cangshan Sword Sect, felt restless and had little mood to entertain the other party. Hearing this, he casually asked, "Then what does Elder Zhou want with me?"

"This time, we will form a situation of overwhelming pressure, forcing the Tianxing Sword Sect to yield their interests," Elder Zhou said. "Essentially, the founding ceremony of the Tianxing Sword Sect last time was a similar situation. Under those circumstances back then, Shen Tang could only claim to produce only a small amount of high-grade flying swords, daring not to compete directly with your Sect. Now that their wings have hardened and they want to fight head-on, can't we suppress them once more?"

Wu Jianchen sighed: "I am only fourth grade. Back then, I was considered equal to Shen Tang, but now Shen Tang is already mid-stage third grade. What can I do?"

"Your Sect is not without backing," Elder Zhou lowered his voice. "The Tianxing Sword Sect offended someone in the Capital... That founding ceremony looked beautiful on the surface, but it can be seen that they actually had no external forces or friendly factions offering congratulations. Judging solely by Shen Tang and her group, they might be strong, but such a lone wolf is not worth fearing."

Wu Jianchen was extremely frustrated: "My superiors were extremely perfunctory about this matter, wasting so much tribute every year for nothing."

Elder Zhou: "..."

"I looked into it; it's because Lu Xingzhou has a favor owed by the Huanhua Sword Sect. Back then, Ye Wufeng killed Chu Qingchen, a direct disciple of the Huanhua Sword Sect. Lu Xingzhou killed Ye Wufeng, which was considered avenging Chu Qingchen. Although this favor isn't very direct, and even counts as destroying the Huanhua Sword Sect's own path to revenge, if the Huanhua Sword Sect were to act against Lu Xingzhou, they would be pointed at by the world's spines."

"Such a convoluted relationship..." Elder Zhou stopped halfway, feeling contempt in his heart.

You guys actually still need to ask about this news now; we knew long ago, and we guessed that perhaps you guys are unreliable and need to be dragged into the water.

Just as he was thinking this, a disciple outside the door rushed in frantically: "Sect Master, Sect Master! People from the Demon Suppression Bureau have arrived. They say someone from our Sect was caught robbing the roads outside Xiazhou, and they want the Sect Master to come and claim them."

Wu Jianchen was baffled: "Someone from our Sect? Robbing? Robbing whose road?"

"They said, they said they were robbing the Tianxing Sword Sect's goods and were caught on the spot by the Demon Suppression Bureau."

"Nonsense! How is that possible? What benefit would this bring us?"

Just as panic spread, Shen Tang's voice came from the sky: "Shen Tang of the Tianxing Sword Sect, accompanied by Guest Elder Lu Xingzhou, pays a visit to the mountain!"

The voice was not loud, yet it seemed to echo in everyone's ears, making their eardrums buzz.

Wu Jianchen was horrified: "With this strength, is she really mid-stage third grade?"

"What should we do, Sect Master?"

"What do you mean 'what should we do'? Invite them in, including the Demon Suppression Bureau."

Wu Jianchen was much calmer than the disciples. He knew that Shen Tang, under the bright daylight, would not come without declaring war. However, in his heart, he felt quite admiration for the audacity of this dog couple. Coming to a hostile sect, closing the mountain defense array, and trapping them like a turtle in a jar—they really weren't afraid of things going wrong.

Not to mention having the Demon Suppression Bureau present, who would dare to be certain the opponent wouldn't go mad, unless they themselves had absolute confidence that they could leave safely even if the opponent went mad. Anyway, he, Wu Jianchen, did not dare.

Not long after, Lu Xingzhou pushed Shen Tang into the hall.

Including Elder Zhou, everyone in the scene felt a thought of "a talented man and a beautiful woman." The man was handsome and distinguished, while the woman had an elegant temperament, her eyebrows and eyes like a painting, with inherent majesty.

Even the few people from the Demon Suppression Bureau following behind them seemed to be automatically turned into background extras; everyone's gaze was tightly sucked in by this couple.

If one were to judge the strongest sect in the commandery based on "good looks," then they seemed to be firmly in first place.

Wu Jianchen finally spoke to break the silence: "I wonder what brings Sect Master Shen here in person? What is your noble purpose?"

Shen Tang said indifferently: "Your Sect sent people to rob our goods. I have come to demand an explanation."

"Impossible," Wu Jianchen immediately said. "We have not done this."

The Constable from the Demon Suppression Bureau behind him, who seemed like a passerby, said coldly: "Does Sect Master Wu want to say that we, the Demon Suppression Bureau, are framing you? Is Lu Wei not a Hall Master of your Sect?"

Wu Jianchen said in horror: "Lu Wei is indeed a person of our Sect, but we never sent them to rob goods. What benefit would this bring us?"

"Just admit they are your people," the Constable from the Demon Suppression Bureau said coldly. "Sect Master Wu is also suspected of sending people to do evil. Currently, their confession admits it was a private act, unrelated to your Sect; otherwise, even Sect Master Wu would have to face trial."

Since when has the Demon Suppression Bureau been so strict? If subordinates commit crimes, the Sect Master faces trial?

Wu Jianchen broke out in a cold sweat: "Then where are Lu Wei and the others?"

"This group of people is detained by the Demon Suppression Bureau. Considering it is a first offense and no serious consequences have occurred, Commander Wan's intention is that Sect Master Wu can post bail to claim them and handle it according to your Sect's laws. If Sect Master Wu thinks we should handle it officially, then we will choose a day for the trial. The message has been delivered; Sect Master Wu, handle it yourself."

The high-level members of the Cangshan Sword Sect looked at each other, while the couple of Zhou and Tang smiled faintly.

"Now, what does Sect Master Wu have to say?" Lu Xingzhou asked with a smile.

Wu Jianchen said awkwardly: "Lu Wei's personal behavior does not represent the Sect."

Lu Xingzhou said: "So, does Sect Master Wu mean that your Sect has no intention of making an enemy of us?"

This question was subtly malicious. If the answer was "no," then regarding the subsequent so-called joint pressure, would Wu Jianchen still have the face to appear?

If the answer was "yes," would that mean this time it wasn't a "private act"? The Constable from the Demon Suppression Bureau was still watching from the side.

Wu Jianchen had never thought that a mere Constable could put him in a dilemma. The words were stuck in his mouth for a long time, and he couldn't answer for a while.

Seeing his silent appearance, Shen Tang said indifferently: "I understand what Sect Master Wu means."

As the words fell, a flying sword unsheathed. Purple light flared intensely, and terrifying pressure pressed down on everyone's hearts.

"Shen Tang! You..." Wu Jianchen hadn't even finished speaking when the vast purple qi crashed down.

"Sect Master!" The high-level members around quickly rushed forward to rescue him, and everyone joined forces to block the purple qi.

With a "Boom" of a huge sound, everyone scattered and fell. Wu Jianchen, who was the first to be hit, spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, but he was horrified to discover that this sword strike was not aimed at him at all.

The sword light turned direction right in front of them, smashed through everyone's defense, and then rushed straight for the main beam of the hall.

With a "Boom," the main beam, which had been reinforced to be extremely solid, snapped. The residual waves did not cease; terrifying energy spilled out and spread, shaking the entire hall so that it seemed ready to collapse.

Another person was near Shen Tang; the moment Shen Tang drew her sword, he urgently attacked Shen Tang's back, taking advantage of her limp.

Lu Xingzhou turned around with a spinning kick and kicked the person flying out of the hall with one foot.

Wu Jianchen finally understood that this couple coming alone was not about audacity, but that they simply were not people of the same level. Some people on the Rising Stars List were being beaten up in rotation, and how many others of the same fourth grade could play with them? Similarly, if someone is third grade, you cannot treat them as an ordinary third grade.

Shen Tang might not have the strength to destroy the Cangshan Sword Sect single-handedly, but leaving was as easy as playing.

An elder of the Cangshan Sword Sect shouted angrily: "Shen Tang, do you intend to start a war with us alone?"

"Whoosh!" The sword light returned to its sheath. Shen Tang sat quietly in her wheelchair and said indifferently: "I only know that if people do not offend me, I will not offend them; if people offend me, I will repay them a hundredfold. The Tianxing Sword Sect is not the Demon Suppression Bureau; we do not care about whether there is evidence that Sect Master Wu dispatched your subordinates. You robbed our goods, so I destroyed your hall. If there is a next time, this flying sword will not be aimed at the beam. Take care of yourselves!"

Wu Jianchen calmed his chaotic qi and blood, then looked at the Constable from the Demon Suppression Bureau: "The Demon Suppression Bureau just watches as others attack the door like this?"

The Constable from the Demon Suppression Bureau rolled his eyes: "No one was injured; I can't do anything about it. First, you robbed other people's goods; naturally, you should have the determination to be retaliated against."

So the existence of the Constable from the Demon Suppression Bureau is used like this? She can break into the mountain and destroy the hall, but we cannot kill her?

Wu Jianchen spat out another mouthful of blood. He wanted to say something but was left with a belly full of curses, unable to say a single word.

Lu Xingzhou, however, smiled and spoke at this moment: "Sect Master Wu, logically, I also feel that you robbing our goods seems strange. Who exactly hopes our goods are robbed, and who exactly hopes we clash with your Sect?"

Wu Jianchen's heart skipped a beat, and he subconsciously looked at Elder Zhou by the side of the hall.

Lu Xingzhou instantly sidestepped, lashing out with a claw toward Elder Zhou's shoulder: "Sect Leader Wu, is this person not from your sect?"

Wu Jianchen said, "He is a guest of the Dongjiang Gang."

Elder Zhou was also of the Fourth Rank; seeing Lu Xingzhou close in to grab him, he was about to dodge when a whip-leg kick struck his lower abdomen.

Elder Zhou spat out a mouthful of blood with a "Pfft," his heart filled with shock.

How could the gap be so vast?

Lu Xingzhou grabbed Elder Zhou by the scruff, hoisted him up, and threw him into the center of the main hall: "Sect Leader Wu, there is still a connection between us and the Huanhua Sword Sect. I advise you not to be used as a pawn. Hand this person over to you for proper interrogation; as for the rest, we can discuss it privately later. Farewell."

The dog couple directly turned and left with the Constables of the Town Demon Bureau; countless people of the Cangshan Sword Sect surrounded the outside, yet not a single one dared to block them, watching helplessly as Lu Xingzhou pushed the wheelchair, parting the crowd like a wave, and strode away.

Not long after they left, the main hall crashed down with a boom, filling the ground with dust and smoke.

Wu Jianchen and the others emerged from the ruins, their faces covered in soot, and grabbed Elder Zhou by the throat: "Speak! Did Lu Wei and the others listen to your instigation and provocation!"

Elder Zhou's eyes bulged, and he struggled to say, "N-not me... it... it was the Gang Leader..."

"Bang!" Wu Jianchen flung him to the ground, his chest heaving with rage: "Whether I should clash with Shen Tang is my own consideration! What do you mean by designing to drag me into this! The friendship between my Cangshan Sword Sect and your Dongjiang Gang ends here!"

Elder Zhou, trembling with lingering fear, touched his throat, thinking inwardly that this was clearly fear of Shen Tang, yet he only dared to vent his anger on me.

However, the conduct of the Tianxing Sword Sect has already differed greatly from when the Li Sect was first established.

Back then, establishing authority was merely for self-preservation, to show they were not easy to bully, but this time they possessed a powerful aggressiveness.

They clearly knew the Cangshan Sword Sect was merely the victim of a setup, that the ambush was not orchestrated by Wu Jianchen, yet they still came to the door to destroy the main hall, carrying a very strong meaning of warning the world.

They robbed her cargo, or rather, failed to even succeed in robbing it, yet they had to suffer such retribution; if one offended them even more severely, who would dare to act rashly?

And while the Cangshan Sword Sect appeared to lose face, it might actually be the least injured in this campaign; as long as they do not get involved further, they can likely remain at peace, which is actually Lu Xingzhou doing a favor for the Huanhua Sword Sect.

To strike someone and yet give face... this is the spirit that exists only in top-tier powerful sects.

What the Tianxing Sword Sect wants to do this time is not simply to establish authority, but to suppress a thousand miles and achieve regional hegemony... just as those First-Rank sects do.

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PS: Continuing to ask for monthly votes~

(End of this chapter)