460 - A Sect Leader’s Ascension

Chapter 460: The Debt of the Pill Alliance With the Qinchuling woodlands bordering their territory, meeting up with Chai Yi was relatively convenient. They chose a remote mountain at the border, an ideal spot since they had a clearly written agreement with no room for deceit. "The war is pressing, be quick with your words." Chai Yi, having hurried over, was not in a good mood. The continuous years of warfare were evident in his anxiety and torment, making him look older and exude a stronger scent of blood. The worry lines on his face were hard to conceal. "Heh, take it easy." For some reason, seeing him like this improved Qi Xiu's mood considerably. He even felt like teasing Chai Yi before candidly revealing the movements of the Lianshui Sect. He forgot that his own condition was nothing to boast about, finding solace in another’s misfortune. "Impossible!" Chai Yi initially couldn't believe it. "Old Man Shui would never leave Baishan. Why would he relocate his family? Giving up a position passed down through generations to become subordinate in the north?" "They are people from a major sect, inherently despising association with the likes of us. Going to be a subordinate? Hardly." Qi Xiu sneered, having said his piece, leaving it up to Chai Yi to believe or not, and promptly left. "Wait a minute!" Chai Yi was a wise man and quickly realized the matter could not be false. His eyes flickered with uncertainty. "You think we're doomed because Lianshui wants to leave? Hmph! Short-sighted, timid coward! Ignorant of immediate benefits. Fine, once they leave, watch as I take over Lianshui's land!" Qi Xiu hesitated slightly but did not retort. He maintained an air of confidence, elegantly soaring into the sky on his sword. Despite his departure, Chai Yi couldn't hold back and shouted, "Hey, if you're sincere about helping, at least stop smuggling to the south!" With the Hehuan Sect having the upper hand now, halting the smuggling would nullify the previously good relations with them. Besides, the Pill Alliance's long-standing credit purchases had left them indebted to various Chu-Qin clan families. Ignoring them was not an option, and should the Lingmu Alliance wipe them out, the Chu-Qin families might be in for a hard time. Too lazy to deal with Chai Yi, Qi Xiu could only hope Chai Yi would figure it out himself and flew straight back to his home on Siguo Mountain. At this moment, the Lingmu Alliance could not take the opportunity to annex Lianshui nor feared being exposed for leaking information. Gao and Pei, originally allies of the Wuxing Alliance, were now willing to abandon the other four families to lure Lianshui to Qiyun. With Chai Yi's insight, he didn't dare offend both Chu-Dou and Chu-Hongshan besides the Chu-Qin. It wasn’t due to Gao and Pei's greed but their understanding that even offending the Wuxing Alliance today could be smoothed over later, as demonstrated by Wan Tiangang. Despite deceiving Chu Shentong, they could still put on an honorable act, making promises that make everything seem as if nothing ever happened. Although Qi Xiu despised such people, he admitted the moral compass of renowned sects was superior to that of Baishan. If Nangong Mu had Baishan's approach, they would have exploited their advantage to the fullest. If Chu Duo or Chu Hongshang had Baishan’s ideology, he'd have been silenced long ago. If Wan Tiangang had Baishan's methods, the Manggu Yin-Yang Pearl would never have reached him, and so on. He understood this quite well. Years ago, Shui Junying secretly placed Qi Zhuang into the Soul Dispersal Coffin, intending to possess him. The Lianshui Alliance's Nascent Soul patriarch actively thwarted her plans and prevented her from retaliating against Qi Zhuang later, showing integrity. If it were someone like Chai Yi, Qi Zhuang wouldn't have escaped so easily. And what about the Chu-Qin sect? Setting aside past grievances over Qingxi Mountain, more recently, Nangong Yanran buried the remaining families of twenty-four scattered cultivator clans in Shandu's mine. The Ming family exterminated an entire island population in the sea. As for Qi Xiu himself? Besides stealing infants, he has concealed and sheltered the demonized Zhao Yao and the remaining soul of Qin Weiyu, which are serious offenses. Wan Tiangang made a valid point that the Baishan aborigines of the Lianshui Alliance, despite everything, maintained their moral face for thousands of years, a contrast to the Chu-Qin sect, now similar to a Baishan sect like Qiyun. It’s no wonder that true and false moralists don't hold the Chu-Qin in high regard. "In the past, focusing on survival was necessary, but perhaps with more room now, it’s time to slightly adjust our sect’s conduct?" Atop the cliff's great hall, the leaders of the Chu-Qin Alliance gathered. Qi Xiu sat high in the center, wearing a mask, deep in thought about this issue. In a world where righteousness held absolute power, noble gentlemen were always more advantageous than vile petty individuals. As such, the Chu-Qin Alliance could not remain bound merely to Baishan, especially in the north between Baishan and Qiyun, where a good reputation could be advantageous. "Ahem, Sect Leader?" Lost in contemplation, Qi Xiu was brought back by the voice of Gu Tiesheng, realizing all were waiting for him to speak. "Oh, yes, I've sustained some injuries on a recent trip to Jixia and plan to enter seclusion for at least four or five years. I've gathered everyone to set the agenda to prevent any disruptions while I'm away." Having avoided the numerous battles in Baishan in recent years, the Chu-Qin Alliance expanded rapidly, reaching new heights in manpower and finances, marking a second significant growth after founding the alliance. Naturally, this also brought its challenges. Gu Tan was on Haimen Island, Nangong Yanran in Qi Nan City, so the meeting was presided over by Mo Jianxin. The first agenda item was the issue of common folk subjects. Since the Chu-Qin took control, many attached families were official or scattered cultivation families, limiting recruitment from other sects. Several large-scale relocations and exchanges ensued, moving unaffiliated common folk into Chu-Qin territory. Some migrated to the unclaimed regions, managed by the Chu-Qin in Shandu. After the battle at Siguo Mountain, families who earned merits were rewarded with land in Shandu, leading to issues with different clan subjects amidst an influx of refugee cultivators and common folks needing reassignment. "Besides Chu-Qin, only our Baisha Gang is an official sect. Since the Gan Family Sisters married over, they brought with them some spirit herb cultivation methods from the Spirit Herb Pavilion. Last time, we were allocated some from the Spirit Herb Mountain, but I'm worried about the manpower. What do you think?" While speaking, Sha Nuo kept a stealthy glance at Qi Xiu, unsure about openly competing for resources with the Chu-Qin Sect. "Mm." Qi Xiu contemplated briefly. Sha Nuo had often run confidential errands for him, deserving some rewards in return. Acknowledging with a nasal hum showed his consent, leaving the detailed negotiations to Yu Qing'er, the steward of subjects. "The immigrant group in the north includes some surnamed Qi, so can I too?" Seizing the opportunity, Qi Bingyan and others began making requests, which Qi Xiu unhesitatingly approved. Being land-rich but people-poor, the Chu-Qin sect's tradition of valuing 'native children,' emphasized quality over quantity, posed no immediate conflicts. The second matter was about the spiritual stones and wealth. The alliance's public coffers were reportedly booming with nearly a million third-tier stones, yet half of this was owed by the Pill Alliance. This figure only accounted for public accounts. The Chu-Qin’s own internal accounts, along with the frequently trading Qijia of Kongqu Mountain, similarly amounted to around fifty thousand, while miscellaneous other households had debts. Altogether, the Pill Alliance had amassed an astonishing debt of 1.3 million spirit stones over the years! "What about the Pill Alliance's end?" Qi Bingyan wore a worried expression, greedy for the handsome profit promised by the Pill Alliance but fearing it would all be for nothing. "Proceed as usual, there's no need to worry." He couldn't be bothered explaining the situation's nuances to the subordinates, offering reassurance instead. "You mean to say, the Pill Alliance won't fall?" A young house leader in the rear, impetuous, pressed further. "I mean to say, nobody can dare to duck out of debt to the Chu-Qin Alliance!" A fierce glare silenced the young man, while the others, relieved, showered the leader with flattery, some even loudly cheering him. For a moment, the hall was buzzing with chatter. "Enough, move on to the next agenda!" Tiring of the sycophantic subordinates, Qi Xiu waved for quiet, yearning for some peace. "The matter of passing down martial teachings, as agreed upon when the alliance was formed..." This time, Xiong Shisi, the highest-ranking among the subordinates, raised the issue himself. The reputation of Qi Xiu as the 'teaching physician’ was well-known, and everyone envied the Chu-Qin's high success rate in trained individuals. Many families joined the alliance precisely for this benefit, as the advancement of their generation's path was critical for the longevity and prosperity of their lineage. "Sigh!" Qi Xiu, sighing in resignation, acknowledged the necessity of this arduous task. "Alright, I'll postpone my seclusion till after the New Year. Gather your people and send them to Siguo Mountain by then!" Once more, they cheered in unison, flattering without pause. "Each family may select a batch first. Mind you, talent isn't a concern, but I have no interest in teaching those of poor character," Qi Xiu added, ensuring everyone noted his stipulations. Addressing various minor issues, Qi Xiu abruptly shifted his tone, "The Chu-Qin Alliance was established not long ago, but flaws are already apparent, primarily the improper conduct of families! Remember, as the heir of the Qiyun Taoist tradition, the Chu-Qin sect stands as a rightful member of the orthodox path. Many vile deeds must not persist!" His tone turned stern, imbued with the [Hum-and-Ha Mantra], resonating the beams and columns with a humming vibration, silencing everyone instantly. "For instance," he pointed at Xiong Shisi, "your Beilie Mountain Xiong family's auction house set up in Sigufang conducts business unscrupulously, manipulating prices and deceiving customers, severely tarnishing the market’s reputation. Xiong Shisi, you should thoroughly investigate and rectify this within three days!" "Uh... alright, yes." Xiong Shisi hadn’t anticipated being called out, awkwardly acknowledging the rebuke. "And the She family!" Qi Xiu pointed at She Yishan, "What's the matter with those missing scattered cultivators in your Yuanhe Mountain domain? Did you murder them for wealth?" "No, not at all." She Yishan's face went pale instantly as he frantically shook his head in denial. "I don't believe you at all. Don't let me hear of such things again!" Qi Xiu grabbed a nearby tea cup and flung it at She Yishan, showering him with tea leaves and making him look utterly embarrassed. He then turned to Qi Bingyan, "Though the Pill Alliance owes your family a lot, every transaction must be genuine..." On and on, he lambasted each family's hidden misdeeds until he finally ran out of steam. "A bunch of miscreants who stray from the righteous path. I'll find an outsider who is fiercely just to discipline you properly! Now get out!" With that single command, everyone scurried out as if granted a pardon, trying their best not to linger. "What's gotten the old man so riled up? He's taking it out on us!" Once distant, small groups formed, cautiously speculating about the leader’s true intentions. (To be continued)