54 - A Sect Leader’s Ascension

In just a few months, He Yu had transformed significantly, and at the root of it all was his growing strength. After the battle with the Black River Lizard, he had comprehended a combat-related innate talent called Ice Spike Ground Thrust. He was also nearing a breakthrough to the fifth layer of Qi Refinement. Aside from Kan Lin, even Zhang Shishi could no longer provide him with guidance or advice on his cultivation, let alone Qi Xiu. "Perhaps bringing Yu Denuo into the fold might help curb He Yu's arrogance a bit?" Just as Qi Xiu was mulling over this, Zhan Yuan rushed back to report that people from the Qifu Alliance had arrived at Black River Market, formally proposing to open a shop there. "They came so quickly?" Only two days after Swyn Thai had left, the people from the Qifu Alliance showed up. It was hard for Qi Xiu not to see a connection. Things had become entirely chaotic, and from now on, his own voice might not even hold sway in the Black River Market. "They first approached Zhao Liangde, and Senior Zhao agreed. It seems there's no way to stop this!" Zhan Yuan's news left Qi Xiu feeling powerless. How could he have overlooked this? Zhao Liangde accepted bribes without discrimination, and just as he could be bought, so could the Qifu Alliance. It was like shooting himself in the foot. "I thought I outsmarted them, but it seems the retribution came faster than expected!" Qi Xiu lamented. By opening this door, even the most irrelevant sects from Baishan would soon find their way in. "Isn't this a good thing?" Zhan Yuan asked, puzzled. "The more people there are, the more prosperous the market becomes, right?" He couldn’t understand why the powerful Nan Chu Sect would be unwilling to associate with these Baishan rogue cultivators, something evident from Swyn Thai of the Shantou Sect. These people were not easy to deal with! On the contrary, while Qi Xiu could resist Swyn Thai, it was unwise to oppose someone with ties to Zhao Liangde and a major sect like the Qifu Alliance. A few days after coming to an agreement, Zhao Liangde sent someone to inform Qi Xiu that he would have to cede the main market property to the Qifu Alliance, who promised to build a larger one on the outskirts for the Chu Qin Sect as compensation. It was clear they intended to usurp their position, but Qi Xiu had no choice but to accept it. A short while later, Shantou Sect and some smaller sects from Baishan began trying all sorts of methods. Some resorted to bribing Zhao Liangde directly, while others went through Chu Youmin or Wang Guan, gradually establishing themselves. Each day saw a new sect move in, with the Black River Market filling with more newcomers than customers, giving an impression of twisted prosperity. Clearly, everyone saw potential in the Black River Market's future; otherwise, why would anyone bother coming to this stinking river? In the end, Qi Xiu managed to reach an agreement that only the Chu Qin Sect would operate the ghost market and inn, thus preserving a final bastion. "We can't continue like this!" Zhang Shishi roared during a sect assembly. "Senior Sect Leader, don’t forget that the Black River is Nan Chu Sect's territory. With Baishan forces flooding in, if we can't help Nan Chu stabilize the east, we lose our raison d'être, and disaster is impending!" Zhan Yuan couldn't bear how Zhang carried himself and argued back, "Senior Brother Zhang, don't forget that Chu Youmin is with Nan Chu Sect. If even he is introducing his Baishan connections, how can we be blamed for this alone?" His words only fueled Zhang Shishi’s anger, and the two squabbled, making Qi Xiu's head spin. "Enough! We are all brothers in the sect. Why must we always be at odds? You should know you're breaking my heart!" After finally calming them down, Qi Xiu had lost interest and dismissed everyone. Continuing like this would get them nowhere. Both Zhang Shishi and Zhan Yuan had valid points. Allowing things to develop this way would turn the Black River Market into a congregation for Baishan forces, beyond the control of the Nan Chu Sect, which wouldn’t be pleased. All it would take is a little push, and the Chu Qin Sect would be done for. Yet, with Chu Youmin acting as a shield, the Nan Chu Sect couldn't solely blame them. "Chu Youmin is unreliable, and his decisions don’t represent Nan Chu City. Didn't the Golden Core ancestor Chu Duo criticize him last time?" Pondering over this, Qi Xiu realized it would be prudent to visit Nan Chu City to consult Chu Duo for a definitive solution. He decided to act promptly, realizing that any delay could result in Chu Duo hearing about this first, potentially biasing his view. Qi Xiu stood up and went to see Zhao Liangde, planning to take a Beast Hall cargo ship back to visit Nan Chu City. With Chu Zhuangyuan having made it clear she wouldn’t involve herself with Chu Qin Sect matters, despite Qi Xiu being unable to forget her charming demeanor, he couldn’t risk troubling her again. He had to adhere to Nan Chu Sect's protocols and request an audience with the executive cultivator overseeing this region as a small sect leader. “You folks certainly like to cause trouble.” Qi Xiu hadn’t seen Chu Duo, but after recounting his situation, a foundation-building executive gave him an impatient look. "Please calm your anger, Sir Executive," Qi Xiu said as he knelt down rather dramatically, and confessed with trepidation, "The Black River is so harsh; our sect members still rely on the Qiyun Clan for shelter, and business depends on the Zhao family of Beast Hall. We’re at their mercy, really!" He never mentioned that he proposed the market himself, subtly shifting blame onto Wang Guan and Zhao Liangde, as Nan Chu Sect had no leverage over the Qiyun Clan or the Beast Hall. “Enough, enough. Aren’t you a Daoist cultivator? Kneeling at a whim like this—where’s your dignity? Truly, I’m tired of you lower-rank sects. Your troubles since settling in the south have encumbered my Chu Clan significantly! You in the east are not as troublesome; the western ones even engage in internal strife, disgraceful!” The foundation-building executive continued grumbling, but his words suggested there were others more troublesome, giving Qi Xiu some hidden relief. If the sky is falling, others shoulder it first, right? “Wait here, I’ll confer with my master for instructions.” The foundation-building executive left abruptly, returning shortly with an elderly man and pointing him out, “This is Chu Youguang, appointed by the Nan Chu Sect to oversee your market. From now on, everything there requires his approval. I’d like to see anyone defy a Chu family member!” “Uh?” Qi Xiu hadn't expected to bring back a new overseer, effectively renaming the market under Chu's stewardship. He felt a swirl of emotions, though outwardly he maintained composure, obediently accepting and exiting together with the elder. Chu Youguang was nearly at the peak of Qi Refinement, a breath away from Foundation Establishment, and though elderly, was not one to be trifled with. “You’ve put me in a bind,” he grumbled, with his weathered face scrunched as he flung his sleeves. Clearly, the unknown responsibility was unwelcome. He shared the "you" prefix with Chu Youmin and showed his disdain for lower-rank cultivators quite openly. Qi Xiu carefully flattered and deferred all the way back to Black River, accommodating the elder as if dealing with a deity. Even Chu Youguang softened somewhat, no longer entirely dismissive of Qi Xiu. A pragmatic man, he didn’t even pause at Black River Peak but went straight to the market, causing chaos. As a direct line of the Chu family from the Nan Chu Sect, he deferred to no one, expelling not just the Shantou Sect but also many other small Baishan sects that had set up shop. This stirred up a hornet’s nest; many sects incurred losses and couldn't easily accept this. They stormed Zhao Liangde and Chu Youmin, demanding refunds and returns, forcing Zhao Liangde to mediate personally. To his dismay, Chu Youguang dismissed him entirely, telling him, “Any issues, take it up with Ancestor Chu Duo,” leaving Zhao Liangde, who often basks in respect, storming off in anger, while Chu Youmin opted not to show up to avoid embarrassment. "I heard they were forced to refund both money and land. I bet they utterly despise Chu Youguang now," Zhan Yuan snickered as he leaned in to Qi Xiu. "Who would've thought the Chu family had someone so brazen?" Qi Xiu chuckled. This commotion had significantly eased the burden on the Chu Qin Sect. Let the hatred be directed at Chu Youguang; anyone challenging a direct Chu family member would have to seek the reclusive elders in Baishan's heights. "From now on, let's focus on managing our own little piece of land, especially the ghost market and inn! As for Yu Denuo, after thinking it over, he's reliable with a good disposition. With He Yu approaching the fifth layer of Qi Refinement, Zhang Shishi can barely manage him, and we can’t rely on Kan Lin, being an outsider. Bringing Yu Denuo into the sect allows him to guide He Yu’s cultivation, and manage the ghost market internally, giving us peace of mind." Qi Xiu decisively brought up Yu Denuo as a prospective sect member, reassured by the old man's integrity. The first recruit from the south for Chu Qin Sect likely posed no issue. “Understood!” Zhan Yuan was delighted; he got along well with Yu Denuo, who, once part of the sect, could help him rival Zhang Shishi.