77 - Divine Mastering Dragon System

Chapter 77: The Choice Zhu Cheng found himself in a predicament. He hadn't come up with a timely counter to Xiang Shi Yan, and after a few days of delay, he was cornered by her subsequent maneuvers, leaving him with no way out. He couldn't believe that the chaos currently engulfing the city wasn't a result of Xiang Shi Yan's machinations. Huaihai City, once peaceful and serene, had been thrown into turmoil since her arrival. The idea that she wasn't involved was something Zhu Cheng couldn't accept. Despite Xiang Shi Yan entering the city alone, there had to be someone in the shadows aiding her. Zhu Cheng even suspected she wielded more influence than he had imagined, given her ability to infiltrate the Zhu family residence. The women she had abducted were still untraceable, despite his agents searching the city for days. When Zhu Cheng first found Xiang Shi Yan, she was in an auction house called Songhe Hall, likely investigating the black market. Unfortunately, Songhe Hall's roots in Huaihai City were shallow with little connection to the black market. The city's powers were interwoven and complex; to operate successfully, one needed connections with the three major families, who privately controlled the underground auctions in Huaihai City. He speculated that she wouldn't glean useful information from Songhe Hall, yet remained uneasy and ordered a thorough investigation of it. Songhe Hall was a modest trading house that rose a century or two ago and somehow tied itself to the cultivation world. Over the past few decades, it expanded a bit but still paled compared to the centuries-old legacy of the great families. Surprisingly, Songhe Hall's foothold in Huaihai City was due to the open city gates during Zhu Cheng's grand wedding... In short, while there could be some collusion between Songhe Hall and Xiang Shi Yan, Zhu Cheng didn't believe it had the means to control the entire city from the shadows. Despite everything, Zhu Cheng felt fortunate—the unfounded rumors Xiang Shi Yan had spread were not truly terrifying. Rumors could be dispelled if addressed quickly, preventing troublemakers from exploiting the chaos. The disorganized rebellion of the cultivators wasn't a significant threat to the three families. Zhu Cheng's real concern was that the other two families might seize the opportunity that Xiang Shi Yan had unwittingly provided to carve away at the Zhu family. Reflecting on this, Zhu Cheng maintained an expressionless composure. He gazed thoughtfully from the shadowy recesses at the two men seated far down the vast stone table. A millennium ago, as the clan system began showing its cracks and regression, three friendly families banded together, creating a stable alliance to gain an edge against the vast sects competing for resources. Over generations, they built Huaihai City to draw in wandering cultivators. The city symbolized the new consolidated power. The first city lord to balance these three families' power crafted a large hexagonal stone table, assigning each family head a side. An additional side was reserved for external participants, though, over time, the families tacitly claimed these seats for themselves. As a result, the independent cultivators, who once enjoyed a brief period of governance, were pushed out by the united families. Currently, five men sat around the hexagonal table. Near the Bai Family Head, a stern-faced middle-aged man, was the youth seen at the banquet Zhu Cheng had hosted for the Xu family—that was Bai Jing Yi's eldest grandson. The Xu family was represented by its head, Xu Sha, and his eldest son. Only the seat beside Zhu Cheng remained vacant. The assembly prepared to usher in an “outsider” who hadn’t been invited in centuries. Inside the grand hall, tension hung heavy. Conversations had ceased; they'd already exhausted most topics. The atmosphere brimmed with a tautness, as if everyone held their breath. A guard at the door broke the silence, announcing a visitor. Instantly, the stagnant air began to stir. The people within exchanged glances, their gazes clashing like clashing swords and spears, creating a “noise” that forced both sides to back down slightly. Xiang Shi Yan entered naturally, skipping formalities with Zhu Cheng, who wordlessly bade her to take the vacant seat on his left. There was no tea, no idle chatter—only a simple, ancient stone table surrounded by silent conspirators. Xiang Shi Yan raised an eyebrow, shattering the silence with ease, “City Lord Zhu and esteemed Daoists, what matter do you wish to discuss with an outsider like me today?” These defections of students abandoning their roots often carried unjust disdain and superiority over those who upheld ancient traditions. Xu Sha chuckled coldly, responding with a sarcastic smirk, "Oh, indeed there is something." Glancing at the silent Zhu and Bai family heads, Xiang Shi Yan boldly continued, "Is it, perhaps, about the recent unrest in the city?" Xu Sha replied with intent, "The revered Yuehua Jun has not left the Zhu estate for ten whole days, yet seems well-informed." “A cultivator's disturbance is hardly subtle,” Xiang Shi Yan replied sharply. “I have been idle many days at the Zhu estate, but I can still hear the ruckus at the gates and see guards intercepting unauthorized sword flights. Do you truly think me deaf, blind, or unable to perceive the stench and chaos so near?” Xiang Shi Yan, not known for being personable, was surprisingly sharp. While usually calm with juniors and peers, she had no qualms dealing harshly with those in the higher echelons of the cultivation world, clearly exasperated with them. “Ha! Elder Xiang, stop denouncing us with hidden barbs! Before you came, didn't Huaihai City enjoy peace?” Xu Sha attempted to tie her to the Yu Cang Mountain elder position, using power disparities to pressure her into submission. Fearless, Xiang Shi Yan retorted, “If Xu Family has evidence, bring it forth and arrest me. But don't accuse blindly, making people think Huaihai City’s illustrious families can’t handle a few rebellious low-level cultivators on their own territory, needing an outsider to divert blame.” Xu Sha frowned, and his son, unable to contain his indignation, glared at Xiang Shi Yan. “You! A guest should not insult the hosts repeatedly!” “If you truly regard me as a guest, then treat me with courtesy. How did Huaihai City welcome me? When Zhu Mansion lost some items, I voluntarily offered to help and was met with suspicion and unjust confinement. The city's disorder, let's be frank, is due to poor governance. For days, you failed to curb the chaos. I came here hoping to restore peace, only to find upon sitting down that you, Master Xu, suspect me of masterminding the turmoil.” Xiang Shi Yan's stern reprimand concluded with a faintly arched brow. "Isn't this ‘courtesy returned with courtesy?’" Xu Sha's eldest son, choked by her words, was left speechless, his face flushed with frustration. Just as he was about to retort, his father, uncharacteristically diplomatic, intervened. Surprised, the son looked at his usually volatile parent, who now wore an unaccustomed placid expression, admitting, "Indeed, it was my misstep. Yuehua Jun, please do not take offense. I let my concern for the city cloud my judgment." Zhu Cheng chimed in apologetically, “I kept you at the residence partly to ensure my daughters’ safety with your help, and partly to prevent the infiltrating creature from harming you. I hadn’t meant to give you the wrong impression.” Inwardly, Zhu Cheng lamented. In the past, the unified strength of Huaihai City, bolstered by independent cultivators, was formidable enough that even the Tai Xu Sect avoided conflict. Since the Zhu family's decline, the city's balance shifted, and the allied Xu and Bai families had begun eying them greedily, leaving no room for unity. Now, increasingly erratic independent cultivators were frequently upending the established order, challenging the three families' authority. Zhu Cheng discreetly glanced at the Bai Family Head, Bai Jing Yi, who had remained silent the entire time. As the strongest of the three families, instead of aiding in stabilizing the city, the Bai family had taken advantage of the Zhu family's weakening position. Ever since Bai Jing Yi’s brother, Bai Jing Huan, secured a position as the right-hand man to the Tai Xu Sect’s new leader, the Bai family had shown signs of aligning with them... Listening to their hollow apologies, Xiang Shi Yan responded with a courteous yet unyielding smile, "If that’s the case, please share the issues at hand." She silently pondered: When Zhu Cheng previously mentioned the family matters, neither the Xu nor Bai families reacted much. Likely, Zhu Cheng had preemptively sought their support when stuck without options. Unfortunately for him, seeking aid only after matters worsened might lead to reluctance in the Xu and Bai families’ willingness to help. Bai Jing Yi finally spoke up, "Recently, there have been rumors suggesting that demons have infiltrated Huaihai City's black market. Although we've organized investigation teams to thoroughly scour the city, we've found no traces of such beings. Unfortunately, it seems some in the ranks of rogue cultivators harbor ill intentions, stirring up trouble from the shadows. No matter what we say, it seems they refuse to believe us." He continued, "We hope Elder Xiang can step forward to clarify the facts, preventing those looking to disrupt the city's peace from exploiting the situation." Xiang Shi Yan's renowned reputation wasn't solely built on her talent and beauty. In times past, during frequent conflicts with the demons, she had earned a distinguished record, and it had only been half a year since a demon had sought revenge against her. In the cultivation world, "Xiang Shi Yan" and the demon race were mutually exclusive entities. "Is the Bai Family Head suggesting I use my reputation to cover for the city's demons?" she queried sharply. "Yuehua Jun, that's a misunderstanding," Bai Jing Yi countered. "This is a serious matter, and it won’t harm your reputation. It’s hardly a sacrifice." Xiang Shi Yan scoffed, "No harm to my reputation? Does the Bai Family Head think I care about public opinion? If I attest there are no demons and the city's cultivators believe this, or grow complacent only to get hurt by a demon, then what?" Bai Jing Yi paused, a cold glint in his narrowed eyes, "What are you implying, Elder Xiang? There couldn’t possibly be demons in Huaihai City." The threat was palpable, almost making Xiang Shi Yan laugh. She glanced around, realizing the actions and words of those present reminded her she was the Mountain Guardian Elder of Yu Cang Mountain, a player at this table. "What are you suggesting?" She retorted. "If the Zhu family’s theft wasn’t the work of demons, then where did the demon scales I found come from?" Suddenly, Xiang Shi Yan realized these individuals were fully aware of her involvement in the matter, likely relishing in their cleverness at having uncovered her hand. "The residence holds many spirit beasts; perhaps you mistook the origin," Zhu Cheng intervened tactfully, offering Xiang Shi Yan a way out while extending an olive branch. "I've thought a lot lately. There's definitely someone sowing chaos in secret. Perhaps Yun'er should accompany you after all..." Xiang Shi Yan was somewhat surprised by Zhu Cheng's willingness to relent at this moment. Retreating before the other families was akin to undermining his own position, not a wise decision for the Zhu family. Now, Xiang Shi Yan faced a choice. She could walk away now, having achieved her goal without dragging Yu Cang Mountain into the fray, leading Zhu Yun and Zhu Yu to safety. Or, she could continue engaging with the three great families, potentially gaining nothing and unnecessarily dragging her sect into the ensuing turmoil. Author's Note: I finally caught up... For some reason, I've been inexplicably busy this week, to the point of exhaustion. Also, I've managed to draw a little phoenix. Honestly, if she hadn't appeared, some people might have ended up being labeled as the collective figure of all Latlan women... 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