516 - A Sect Leader’s Ascension

# Chapter 516: Guests from the Jiang Family The visitors to Si Guo Mountain had grown in number. Representatives from He Huan Sect, Ling Mu Alliance, Dan Alliance, Li Huo Alliance, and even emissaries from Bi Hu Gate had arrived one after another. In the grand hall atop the cliff, seeing Nangong Yanran, who had shed her usual haughty demeanor, warmly escorting a female cultivator from the Ling Mu Alliance all the way to the mountain gate, Gu Tan smirked inwardly. Just as Qi Xiu had said, Chu Qin, caught in the midst of the alliance struggle, was like a "cracked egg," attracting swarms of flies. Some genuinely wanted to help, while others sought to balance the internal factions within Chu Qin and incite further discord. Ideally, a complete breakdown into warfare would suit their plans. The emissaries they sent were telling—men were typically dispatched for those supporting Gu Tan or remaining neutral, while women led the way for those backing Nangong Yanran. The persistent enemy, Ling Mu Alliance, sent a female cultivator, making their intentions clear. The number of cultivators and ordinary populace affiliated with Chu Qin Alliance vastly outnumbered the Chu Qin disciples. Yet, Qi Xiu managed to unify the old Luo family territories due to the disunity of its people, exploiting their internal conflicts. Now, with Chu Qin fractured from within, the reluctant dependents gathered around Gu Tan, finding confidence in opposing Nangong Yanran; their current leverage was apparent, though this excluded the Nangong family. Ling Mu Alliance’s support of the weaker Nangong Yanran might aim to provoke her into acting first, plunging Chu Qin into internal conflict for their benefit. Gu Tan assessed that the situation hadn’t escalated to that point yet. Day after day, Nangong Yanran engages in heated disputes in the Chu Qin Alliance congress, employing intimidation and appeasement as needed, or occasionally seeking aid from her family. This reflects her character and understanding. The Nangong family, unwilling to provoke Qi Xiu at this critical moment, refrained from offering any support, allowing Gu Tan's emergence to lend strength to the dependent families, giving them confidence to oppose her. Thus, she was essentially busy doing nothing. "The sect leader is still alive; external enemies would hesitate to act overtly. But if he died..." Each time Gu Tan considered this, his heart sank into despair. Qi Xiu’s importance might only be truly realized posthumously. Despite his strategic cunning, Gu Tan lacked confidence in safeguarding Chu Qin completely. As Nangong Yanran escorted the Ling Mu Alliance female cultivator away, she returned trailing behind a Jindan female cultivator, wagging her tail, and their laughter echoed from afar. "Jiang Mingling? The Jiang family supports her too?" Seeing the newcomer deepened Gu Tan's gloom. "In the future, when my family settles in Bi Hu Palace, we’ll be neighbors, so we ought to visit often." The visitor from the Jiang family, Jiang Mingling, had previously attended Qi Xiu’s centennial celebration, although she was only at the Foundation Establishment level then. She was Jiang Mingrong’s cousin, slightly older, likely under a hundred and fifty years, with the famed beauty characteristic of the Jiang family, appearing even more youthful than Nangong Yanran. Had Nangong Yanran not broken off her engagement, she’d have called her aunt in terms of pedigree, though such norms hold little meaning for cultivators. On a smooth path, Mingling’s prospects vastly outshone the unfortunate pair of Jiang Mingrong and Jiang Yan. Due to a tacit understanding between Qi Yun and Bai Shan, Jiang Huan nominally remained in Qi Yun Sect, overseeing Bi Hu Palace. Rumor had it she would be the future head of Jiang family’s new sect, underscoring her family's high expectations and esteem. Nearly all other Jiang family cultivators accompanied Jiang Huan to the Feng Shui domain for battles; Mingling lacked the stature to guard Bi Hu Palace, presently managed by Lu Kong of Lu Yunfeng. Such an important figure wouldn't visit just for trivialities. After the pleasantries, she candidly said, "I initially intended to meet Qi Xiu in Qi Nan City, but your family inexplicably refused to let me in. Bizarre! Tell me, did he approach your family for help, deliberately avoiding mine?” As she spoke, Nangong Yanran realized this wasn’t a straightforward endorsement but carried an implicit accusation. The presumed joy and flattery quickly soured in her heart, "What standing does my family have? How we conduct affairs is none of your concern!" However, she maintained her composure, smiling brightly, "I honestly don’t know about Sect Leader Uncle’s matters. Perhaps I can inquire with my family for you?” "Very well." Jiang Mingling pouted, suddenly turning to ask Nangong Yanran, "With Qi Xiu absent, could you lead Chu Qin?" "Of course." Nangong Yanran puffed out her chest, confidently replying. Jiang Mingling smiled meaningfully, "I meant Chu Qin Alliance." Clearly, she was teasing! Nangong Yanran felt displeased, "Alliance matters must still heed us, the Chu Qin Sect." She sternly restrained her anger, asking, "What business do you have with Sect Leader Uncle? Perhaps I can assist." Jiang Mingling thought briefly, then shook her head, "Forget it, this concerns only Qi Xiu. Come with me to Qi Nan City." "Alright." Nangong Yanran had no choice but to agree. Jiang Mingling, in haste, swiftly departed Si Guo Mountain, taking Nangong Yanran directly to Qi Nan. On her flying sword, Jiang Mingling suddenly chuckled, "I hear my family’s former attendant now works for you?" Nangong Yanran paused, then remembered that Gu Tan once served Jiang Mingrong. Indeed, he could be called a family helper; this woman just insulted both individuals with a single sentence, seemingly lingering over past grievances. The longstanding grudge between Chu Qin Sect and the Jiang family had its roots: first, Qin Siyao's infidelity towards Jiang Mingrong, and later, Nangong Yanran’s broken engagement with Jiang Yan, followed by her marriage to Qin Changfeng. Though trivial-seeming, these incidents were quite unpleasant. Jiang Yan later allied with demonic cultivators, wreaking havoc, increasing pressure on the Jiang family within Qi Yun. This led to Jiang Yunfeng, cultivated over millennia, being handed to Lanli. Although this was partly due to Jiang Huan’s nearing life span and the lack of a Nascent Soul successor, Jiang Yan’s actions certainly exacerbated matters. "Why did Jiang Yan turn rogue and seek out demonic cultivation? It was Nangong Yanran’s annulled engagement that triggered him!" Some in the Jiang family prone to blaming would argue. Fully aware of such sentiments, Nangong Yanran found less respect for Jiang Mingling, engaging superficially. Upon returning home, she sought out a senior Jindan elder who had explored Bi Hu’s secret territory. "No one gets to meet him, Direct Order from Senior Nangong Meng." The elder flatly refused. "Senior Nangong Meng?" Jiang Mingling persisted, citing her family's name, "Could you kindly allow me a meeting? Mingling has a matter to discuss." "So adept is your Jiang family at challenging us at Bi Hu that you surely need not beg!" said the elder bluntly, flicking his sleeve, "Please leave!" He made no courtesy effort, outright dismissing her. Jiang Mingling turned blue with anger yet couldn’t lash out in Nangong's territory, leaving subdued. Nangong Yanran inwardly reveled, following to say, “Senior, it’s not that I wish to lead you astray, but our sect leader hardly oversees matters these days. In the end, even if you meet him, he’d delegate to me. What exactly do you need?” "Alright, but you must keep it confidential." Left with no choice, Jiang Mingling found a secure spot and disclosed her purpose for visiting Qi Xiu. With Qi Yun Sect Master Lu Yunzi’s support, the Jiang family’s prospect of opening their sect post-war was stable, ensuring safety for three generations, although limiting expansion opportunities. They intended to seize this decade to preemptively annex Lian Shui Sect's half territory gained by Bi Hu Gate. Unwilling to stain their righteous reputation while desiring both name and profit, they came seeking Qi Xiu for the dirty tasks. “Qi Fu City is governed by Shuang Chu, Ling Mu, Li Huo, Illusion Sword Sect, Bai Shan Sword Sect, and He Huan Sect, while Lian Shui City is Bi Hu Gate's. With Bi Hu Palace now directly under Qi Yun, my family bustled about, yet gained no foothold. Bi Hu Gate’s audacity amazes—our brief backing netted them fortunes surpassing their master…” After Jiang Mingling finished explaining, “This…” Nangong Yanran instantly recoiled. Bi Hu Gate, minus the fleeing Wan Xuan, had four Jindan cultivators, and after acquiring territories like Lian Shui City, their power surged. This involvement would risk Chu Qin cultivators' lives, even if possible, “I can't decide on this.” She blushed. "Lian Shui Sect left, and the remaining factions within Lian Shui Alliance barely respect Bi Hu Gate. The difficulty is less than you think." Jiang Mingling suggested, “I originally wanted to avoid that helper, being on equal footing feels off. If you can’t decide, I suppose I’ll have to approach him.” "No! Wait." Nangong Yanran panicked, pacing before decisively saying, “Stay a few days in Qi Nan City; I’ll attempt to arrange a meeting with our sect leader.” (To be continued)