477 - A Sect Leader’s Ascension

Chapter 477: A Peace Agreement in One Day Since Nangong Meng announced the commencement of peace talks, the venue has been a cacophony of endless arguments. Though the two sides appear to have vast differences, the seasoned leaders of the Jiuxing Pavilion see that peace is inevitable. "Before the peace agreement is signed, I'll represent Jiuxing Pavilion to demand some safety assurances from both Lingmu Alliance and the Dan Alliance. When the time comes, just express your support." Nangong Yanran was absorbed in the debate between Chai Yi and Zhongxing Jun when she suddenly heard a transmission from Yan Nanxing. Her first instinct was to question his certainty about the success of the talks, but as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, she couldn’t focus her voice into a transmission, so she merely looked at him with puzzled eyes. "Zhongxing Jun controls Baishan and holds the initiative, while Chai Yi oversees the Wuxing Alliance. The more they engage in heated discussions here, the less likely they are to act violently." Yan Nanxing explained briefly, "Moreover, they wouldn't involve the Nangong family's ancestor merely as a stalling tactic." Nangong Yanran understood somewhat and realized Yan Nanxing's true intent. Quickly, she apologized, "I'm sorry, but I'm only in charge of administrative matters and have no authority to intervene in such affairs." She decisively declined, following Qi Xiu's instructions from before. "Oh." Yan Nanxing exchanged quick glances with other leaders, visibly disappointed, "That sly Qi!" he cursed under his breath, "In that case, how about we meet the Dan Alliance folks after the talks?" Greeting them was no issue, and retrieving the outstanding debt from the Dan Alliance sooner would be ideal, so Nangong Yanran nodded in agreement and refocused on the scene. "Chai Yi! Your Lingmu Alliance has committed numerous wrongdoings! Until you return my lands and compensate for the damages several times over, I will fight you to the death. One day, I shall eat your flesh and destroy your bones as vengeance for all the celestial and mortal lives lost for my Dan Alliance!" Regarding the substantive issues in the northern Baishan, land ownership was crucial. One tract was Dan Alliance territory swallowed up by Lingmu Lihuo, and another was south of Lihuo City, occupied by the Hehuan Sect. When Old Han Yan pointed at Chai Yi, cursing, his eyes fleetingly shifted to Zhongxing Jun. "Hmph! A tortoise hiding in its shell for ten years, does it dare bark here?" A Golden Core cultivator from the Lingmu Alliance quipped immediately. "You!" Struck where it hurt, Old Han Yan pointed, struggling for words. "Oh my, if you're so powerful, why are you here?" Zhongxing Jun smirked while examining his elegant fingers, mocking on behalf of the Dan Alliance. "Birds of a feather! Let's see who laughs last!" Chai Yi responded coldly. "Then let's call it off and fight later. I'm just worried you won't dare!" A Golden Core from Baishan Sword Sect glared at someone in the Ruijin Alliance camp. "I haven't avenged my junior sister yet, so why talk peace!" "Big talk!" the Ruijin Alliance cultivator he stared at sneered back. "There's no better time than now; shall we settle it here on the dueling field?" "What’s there to be afraid of!" Two Golden Cores released intense sword intent, ready for battle, the most confrontational of sword cultivators. While others managed, Nangong Yanran, one stage lower, was instantly suppressed by the Golden Core pressure. Violent sword intent threatened to overwhelm her, but in a flash, Nangong Meng calmly sent the impulsive duo flying into the arena stands with a gentle palm strike. They crashed and rolled over several rows before awkwardly halting. "Fighting here, do I not exist!? I'm eager to return to my mountain practice, so let's conclude this by sundown!" With genuine anger, Nangong Meng's temper quelled the noisy factions at the long table. Despite prior noise and aggression, it was now afternoon. As discussions progressed, with the sun still on the horizon, Chai Yi and Zhongxing Jun truly worked out a peace agreement. Showing up meant wanting peace over fighting. The arguments were mere ego battles, and Nangong Meng's pressure allowed both sides to relent without losing face. The swift agreement was primarily due to the Hehuan Sect's concessions. Zhongxing Jun returned lands south of Lihuo City, nearly half of Lihuo Alliance's massive territory, without charge, establishing room for negotiating interests. The final results saw Lihuo Alliance regaining all territories and Dan Alliance most of theirs, as occupying forces withdrew. For compensation, Lihuo conceded 10% of Qifu City's shares to the Hehuan Sect, despite relinquishing claims on plundered goods. The same 10% was conceded by the Lianshui Alliance to the Baishan Sword Sect and Illusion Sword Alliance to redeem lands taken from Ruijin and Houtu. In essence, except for several former Dan Alliance outposts at Lingmu's border, territories returned to pre-war status, with minor changes in Qifu City shares. A decade of futile battles ended acceptably for all! For Lingmu and Hehuan, gaining alliance dominance was their true prize. Hehuan's minimal losses, after starkly capturing and then yielding Lihuo lands, were nothing if maintaining them required blood. Gaining 10% Qifu shares cost nothing. With territories regained, Dan, Houtu, Ruijin, and Lihuo had no grievances. Though the Lianshui lost shares, they were most keen for peace to restore their tattered ranks. “If there are no objections, sign your names.” Nangong Meng earnestly reviewed the agreement, passing it for others to read. In a better mood, she quipped, “Baishan peace is a good deed, sparing countless lives.” “Thank you, Senior.” “Haha, indeed.” Replies were half-hearted, unsure if fatigue or contention remained. The pact was not final; peace today might not last. “Ahem, Senior Nangong, if I may.” Yan Nanxing seized the chance to propose mutual non-aggression agreements between the Jiuxing group and bordering Lingmu and Dan Alliances. Old Han Yan agreed readily while Chai Yi resisted formalizing it, settling on a verbal accord—symbolic, yet it offered some security, respecting appearances. Leaders like Chai Yi, Zhongxing Jun, and nine others signed, with Nangong Meng as a mediator, followed by witnesses Gan Buping and Yan Nanxing. As the sole Foundation Establishment, Nangong Yanran left her name on this crucial document. Thus, the nine baishan sects, except the absent Zhaixing Pavilion, returned to peace—for now, as only they had remained non-hostile. Inter-faction peace notwithstanding, personal vendettas persisted. Several death duels were scheduled soon, attracting more bloodthirsty onlookers to the Black River Dao Palace. “Great! Well done!” Nangong Meng distributed agreement copies to each faction then promptly vanished, likely returning to mountain cultivation. Instantly, the faction leaders split into two alliances, sharply defined, departing sequentially. Old Han Yan intended to leave with Zhongxing Jun but was jovially detained by Jiuxing and Nangong Yanran, their strained faces hinting at their misgivings over owed debts. “Congratulations, Sect Master Han, for reclaiming your lands!” Yan Nanxing led in congratulating, but Old Han Yan sighed, "Such a boon from Hehuan, how will we repay it?" "If Baishan prospers, your sect's alchemy will restore it in a few years," a Jiuxing leader chimed in. Old Han Yan shook his head. “Reconstruction alone is a daunting endeavor.” “What’s daunting? We’ve supported each other these decades; rebuilding is minor. Request us freely,” Yan Nanxing said earnestly. “Ahem, sure, we’ll bother you all then.” Still playing dumb, Old Han Yan as Nangong Yanran grew increasingly irritated. “The agreement’s set, Sect Master Han, when will you visit us at Mount Siguo? We at Chuqin eagerly await.” “Sure, sure. You’re Nangong’s daughter-in-law at Chuqin, aren’t you?” Old Han Yan asked, smiling. “Yes.” Though she was reluctant, Nangong Yanran still managed a shallow bow, barely bending her knees. "Hmph!" Instantly, someone behind Old Han Yan voiced dissatisfaction. "Is this the kind of disrespectful behavior that disciples from a Divine Transformation family exhibit?" The tone was condescending, as if scolding a child. Nangong Yanran saw that the speaker was Ying Bo, a guest elder of the Dan Alliance. He was a burly middle-aged man exuding a murderous aura from head to toe. "Respect has to be earned. You're all Golden Core seniors; there's no need to play dumb in front of a junior like me!" Since they were in Black River Pavilion, her family's territory, she had no reason to back down and met the challenge head-on. "Alright, alright. I won't argue with a girl. Send that Qi Xiu to Danqing Mountain to discuss things with me later!" Ying Bo waved dismissively, as if he was about to stride off with the others. Yannan Xing grew anxious. What was the Dan Alliance up to? In a flash, he blocked Ying Bo's path. "Not so fast!" He fixed his gaze on Old Han Yan. "Sect Master Han, about our debt, could we at least discuss a resolution?" "Oh, was it about the debt? Haha, it slipped my mind for a moment," Old Han Yan replied, feigning ignorance before bowing to the crowd. "Our Dan Alliance has been trading in Baishan for thousands of years; we understand the principle of repaying debts. Once we're done reclaiming our territories, let's find a time to discuss this properly, shall we?" "Please, bear with us, bear with us." He bowed repeatedly while inching away, leaving the crowd no choice but to let them depart since they couldn't act violently in Black River Pavilion. "Damned scoundrels!" Watching their retreating figures, Nangong Yanran cursed under her breath. Yannan Xing and others felt equally frustrated. However, unlike the massive debt owed to Chuqin, their own family debts were trivial. Knowing Qi Xiu bore the brunt of the sky falling elicited a twisted sense of relief, and they dispersed with understanding smiles. "I refuse to believe they would dare to renege!” Fuming, Nangong Yanran marched toward Chuqin's small shop in the market, only to bump into Han Ping, the most disliked figure according to Qi Xiu. "You?" She was unsure of his intentions. "Master Nangong..." Han Ping smiled enigmatically. "Is there a quiet place where we could have a private conversation?" (To be continued)