475 - A Sect Leader’s Ascension

### Chapter 475: How to Repay Debts The families of Nine Stars Pavilion were quite transparent about the reason for their visit to Qi Xiu: they wanted to participate in the peace talks. Their concerns were understandable. As the locals of Nine Stars Pavilion, they were worried about the third-generation head of Lingliang Sect, which they were fiercely protecting. They feared that any unforeseen event or a deviation from the right path could lead to the Lingliang Sect losing its protection under the three-generation feudal system. Not many dared to venture into the perilous Awakened Lion Valley, and Nine Stars Pavilion's significance had diminished. However, the territory of Lingliang Sect was too critical to lose. If this connecting link between the nine families fell, it would sever them into three isolated parts, leaving them vulnerable to being swallowed one by one once the three-generation protection elapsed. Their involvement in the peace talks was driven by a fear of the major sects forming a secret pact that would sell them out, ensuring their downfall after three generations, as once threatened by Chai Yi, whose words still weighed heavily on their minds. “We're not exactly qualified to mediate at such high-level talks, are we?” Their straightforward attitude left Qi Xiu a bit puzzled. “At most, you could be observers, witnesses perhaps.” “Do you have a way?” To his surprise, their expectations were low. Yan Nanxing and others were even pleased, “Being there will suffice.” “Uh…” He hadn't expected their demands to be so modest. If the Five Elements Alliance and Hehuan Sect truly reconciled, it would essentially be a monumental peace agreement affecting the entire White Mountain region. Surely, the Chu Qin Sect and the families of Nine Stars Pavilion would be entitled to participate in some capacity. Moreover, Chai Yi owed him a favor for intelligence sharing, and the Chu Qin Alliance was a major creditor of the Dan Alliance. It shouldn't be too difficult to arrange. “Well… I'll see what I can do…” Pretending to ponder, he assured them. Yan Nanxing chuckled, “I knew you'd have a way, right?” Feeling the eyes of several sect leaders on him, Qi Xiu shook his head with a wry smile, not refuting their assumption. “I told you! This is just a trivial matter for Sect Master Qi!” Yan Nanxing laughed, instantly lightening the mood in the hall. Despite the leaders being adept at maintaining their composure, Qi Xiu could still sense their shared relief, prompting him to ask, “With the luxury of three-generation protection, why the haste to get involved?” “Well, sticking our heads in the sand and staying completely detached from the world isn't ideal either.” Having achieved their goal, they offered ambiguous responses about their motivations, sidestepped further questions, took a tour around the meditation mountains and towns, and then took their leave. “It seems there’s trouble with the third-generation head of Lingliang Sect,” Qi Xiu observed their departing figures with a smirk. If the third-generation leader of Lingliang Sect failed to make a breakthrough, the days of peace and quiet could last only another hundred years or so. His fall would mark the onset of crisis for Nine Stars Pavilion. “Are we really going to engage in the peace negotiations?” Mo Jianxin, unaware of what the sect master was contemplating, asked with a grave expression. “We should have our say on the matters concerning White Mountain. What are you worried about, Brother Mo?” In stark contrast, Nangong Yanran was excited upon hearing the Chu Qin Sect’s potential involvement in such significant affairs, considering it an honor and eager to participate herself. “Aren’t we sitting on the fence? Wouldn't things become awkward?” Mo Jianxin voiced his concerns, “Over the years, we've been doing business with the Li Fire Alliance while continuously supplying resources to the Dan Alliance. If someone with an agenda exposes this at the meeting, it would be hard to extricate ourselves. Not only could the sect master lose face, but it’d also put Senior Gu Rong in a difficult position.” “Your concerns are valid. We’ve benefitted but appearances may seem inappropriate; hence, I won’t be attending personally.” Qi Xiu had long prepared for such issues. “Yanran, you’ll attend on my behalf.” “Really!?” Nangong Yanran beamed with joy immediately. “Of course.” Qi Xiu reassured her kindly, “Your status and cultivation level are just right to represent Chu Qin. Simply observe and refrain from making comments. Since you hail from the Nangong family, those Golden Core elders will likely not target you unnecessarily. This is a crucial matter, and I trust you’ll handle it well.” “Yes, I understand!” Nangong Yanran, completely at ease, was delighted to be assigned with the task and promptly retreated to prepare for the journey. As she left, Qi Xiu's voice reached her ear, “Remember, if anyone from the Dan Alliance inquires about debt repayment post your confrontation with Changfeng, firmly insist on our stance. Not a single spirit stone less!” “Understood!” Her thoughts aligned with this, so she cheerfully responded with a wink and left the room. “Is this wise?” Watching Nangong Yanran leave, Mo Jianxin felt increasingly uncertain about Qi Xiu’s intentions. “Shouldn't you inform Sect Master Yan first? They might be surprised by your absence…” “Ha, the families of Nine Stars Pavilion aren’t without their motives. I’m concerned they might suddenly propose something, forcing me to show support. Better to mind our own business, especially now that I’m pressed for time in my own cultivation.” Waving off the trivial matters, Qi Xiu's demeanor turned serious, “If the peace talks succeed, Chu Qin will face a potentially precarious problem: the enormous debt owed by the Dan Alliance. Do they intend to repay, and if so, how?” Alone with Mo Jianxin, who had followed him for years, it was clear that this issue was his true concern. “Indeed, watching that figure accumulate year after year has been anxiety-ridden. With nearly two million third-tier spirit stones at stake, anything could happen.” Despite playing both sides, Qi Xiu’s true allegiance leaned towards the Dan Alliance. To maintain balance within White Mountain, Chu Qin Alliance wholeheartedly fulfilled their ‘transshipment’ needs. It was akin to gambling; if Dan Alliance were wiped out by Chai Yi, they’d have to accept losing their entire investment. Yet, if the peace talks panned out, reclaiming those spirit stones would be the rightful reward. Mo Jianxin, responsible for the alliance’s agreements, presented the accounts diligently, “Since we transferred Misty Town shares into the treasury shortly before White Mountain's civil conflict erupted, marketplace revenues soared, alongside a tier-three flying shuttle and miscellaneous gains, resulting in nearly fifty thousand tier-three profit on paper.” “However, these are just figures; upkeep for Danqing Mountain's protective arrays alone burned through staggering amounts of spirit stones, including our fifty thousand. Initially, we charged only transshipment fees with no interest, but it became unsustainable. Hence, we stopped transporting spirit stones. The Dan Alliance, desperate, offered to pay interest on borrowed amounts. Over the years, interest escalated, turning fifty thousand principal into nearly eighty thousand, plus another twenty thousand in other goods’ credit. As of now, they owe us a total of around one hundred eighty thousand tier-three stones across the alliance members.” “Moreover, there’s a private debt from Chu Qin of thirty-three thousand, seventeen thousand to the Qi family in the Empty Curve Mountain, ten thousand to the Gan family in Pear Mountain, eight thousand to the Xiong family in Northern Fierce Mountain, five thousand to the She family in Yuanhe Mountain, and the White Sand Gang in Nanlong—add it all up, and it's another eighty thousand tier-three spread across various members!” “Dan Alliance owes a total of this one hundred eighty thousand to Chu Qin’s families, not counting what they owe others. Unlike the southern sword sects—Illusion Sword Alliance and White Mountain Sword Sect—despite their large debts to Southern Chu and Black River Pavilion, they leveraged their regional dominance to continue operations and looting, making repayment far easier than Dan Alliance could hope for.” Listening to Mo Jianxin’s detailed accounting, Qi Xiu massaged his temples, bemused, “We’d be stripping Danqing Mountain to the bare ground.” “It’s not that simple, though.” Mo Jianxin expressed his concerns, “Firstly, the substantial thirty thousand interest stands out. Secondly, the continual rise in material costs due to warfare has led us to overprice both our exported and resold goods, whether it be in public or private transactions. This isn’t just market fluctuation; it was exploitative since Dan Alliance had no alternatives. Thirdly, other than from Chu Qin sect and alliance, individual affiliates often diluted or skimped on quality. Despite their dire circumstances, Dan Alliance had no choice but to comply all these years, but their discontent is inevitable. Post-negotiation, they might dispute this debt.” “Uh…” Mo Jianxin hesitated, “Perhaps if we renegotiate to forgive a portion of the debt, it would greatly improve relations with them.” Matters of commerce were usually overseen by Nangong Yanran, who was adept at managing finances but often overlooked future pitfalls due to her focus on immediate gains. Qi Xiu was well aware of this but disinclined to rectify it. The further removed he was from an individual, the less he engaged, especially avoiding entangling in mundane affairs that would disrupt cultivation. "I'll handle the negotiations myself when the time comes," Qi Xiu decided. "Neither you nor Yanran should show any signs of concession for now. This approach will not only set the tone for future discussions but also serve as a safeguard against the Dan Alliance attempting to find a replacement within our Chu Qin Alliance who might align with them instead of me." Upon making this decision, as soon as Mo Jianxin departed from the cave residence, the door closed tightly once more. On his path to enlightenment, Qi Xiu couldn't afford to squander even a moment, fully aware that another bout of hectic activity would soon be upon him. (To be continued) ---