46 - A Sect Leader’s Ascension

With a faint moan, Zhang Shishi slowly opened his eyes, locking gazes with Qi Xiu's concerned, affectionate eyes. Despite his weakness, unable to even move a finger, a warm feeling surged within his heart. "Senior Brother Sect Leader..." he mustered all his strength to utter the words clearly, "That giant lizard... cough, cough... is everyone alright?" Before he could finish, a fit of violent coughing overtook him, cutting off his words. Qi Xiu, his eyes red with emotion, tucked the blankets around Zhang Shishi and smiled as he spoke, "The giant lizard has been slain by us, and everyone is fine. Fellow Daoist Yu found a representative from the 'Weapon Depot Workshop' to dismantle the materials from the lizard, and we even made a small profit! You've been unconscious for seven days, but everything is well in the sect, so there's no need to worry. Just focus on resting..." He comforted him like a child, feeding him medicine and staying by his side until Zhang Shishi, exhausted, drifted back to sleep. Watching Zhang Shishi slip into a peaceful slumber, the tenderness in Qi Xiu's expression gradually faded. His brows furrowed slightly as he quietly exited the makeshift tent. Outside, he immediately spotted Zhan Yuan, who was waiting for him, anxiously pacing back and forth. "You're here, what's the matter?" Qi Xiu asked, noting Zhan Yuan's urgency. Zhan Yuan stepped forward, greeted him, and said in a hurried whisper, "It's the same issue as before. The cultivators from the Chu family of Youmin are becoming increasingly outrageous. Taking advantage of the dissipating black fog, they are frequently invading our Black River territory to hunt spirit beasts. When I confronted them, they insisted this was originally Chu family land, and coming here as they please is their right. They even said that giving us a place to stay was already generous, and we should just stay put at Black River Peak and count our blessings." "Alas!" Qi Xiu sighed disconsolately, falling silent. Seven days ago, after paying a steep price to slay the 'Black River Lizard,' Yu Denuo had sourced a cultivator skilled in dismantling spirit beast materials from the 'Weapon Depot Workshop' to help extract carapace, venom sacs, and other parts from the lizard's corpse. Selling these brought in a small windfall. However, the news mysteriously reached the Chu cultivators from the west, prompting them to actively intrude into Black River, hunting spirit beasts for profit. The situation grew worse as some rogue cultivators joined in, even appearing near the breeding grounds, hoping to get in on the action. Seeing Qi Xiu's lack of a plan, Zhan Yuan grew more anxious, "If we let them come and go as they please now, they'll soon rob the breeding grounds of everything, we need to come up with a solution fast!" Qi Xiu's frown deepened, and he said helplessly, "If I had a solution, I would have told you already. We are weak and depend on others; it's... difficult!" The stark reality loomed before them, leaving them speechless as they stood silently outside the tent, staring blankly at the unchanging landscape of the vast, desolate black marsh in the distance. The overcast sky, dark clouds, and muddy ground made the boundary between heaven and earth almost imperceptible, their somber mood mirroring the gloomy scenery. "Perhaps we could join Wang Guan or Zhao Liande?" After a long silence, Zhan Yuan suddenly suggested, seemingly out of the blue. "Foolish!" Qi Xiu rebuked sharply, "If we betray the Southern Chu Sect, we'll lose even this refuge at Black River! Besides, it's ungrateful; never bring this up again!" He understood Zhan Yuan's thoughts. As someone responsible for general affairs, Zhan Yuan couldn't avoid interactions with the Chu family cultivators from 'Jiusan Workshop,' and enduring their petty provocations was inevitable, making such ideas understandable. Realizing his earlier words were too harsh, Qi Xiu softened his tone and gently advised, "Zhao Liande has no intention of protecting us, and Wang Guan lacks the ability to do so. Besides, one is over 150 years old and the other over 180. How long can they realistically shelter us? Black River is under the control of the Southern Chu Sect, and their leader, Chu Hongshang, is the first-generation Nascent Soul master, just over 800 years old. What does this mean? It means, barring any incidents, under the rule that prevents attacks for three generations according to sect law, with the average lifespan of Nascent Soul cultivators being two thousand years, even a powerful sect like Qiyun cannot touch the Southern Chu Sect for at least another 1,200 years. Their foundation is as solid as a mountain. Like caged birds, we have no choice but to live within their plans. The way the Chu family cultivators are treating us is due to their corrupted family values, likely not reflective of the sect's intentions. Otherwise, why else would they relocate us here from afar?" "But this can't go on. If resources within our sect's territory are exploited at will by others, it will never end!" Zhan Yuan argued with a pained expression, "When the 'Black-Hearted Lotus' matures, and they come to harvest, do we stop them or not? If the 'Xiangpu Pigfish' become big and fat, and they come to catch and eat them, do we stop them or not?" "That... shouldn't happen. Our enterprise here is in cooperation with the Beast Taming Sect." Qi Xiu hesitated to refute. Zhan Yuan quickly countered, "Dare I ask, knowing the character of the Chu family cultivators, can you be sure?" "Hmm..." Qi Xiu thought carefully and realized that indeed, the conduct of the Chu family cultivators, as observed over these months, offered no guarantees. "In that case... we must devise a strategy to at least prevent things from getting too extreme. However, what can we do?" Qi Xiu began pondering deeply, pinching his chin. Suddenly, a petite silhouette in a yellow palace dress flashed in Qi Xiu's mind. "Her?" he muttered to himself. "Could it help?" Once the thought emerged, it refused to be suppressed. "She said at the time that I could seek her if I had any problems, though it was likely just a polite remark. Nonetheless... even if she can't help much, visiting her under the pretext of the year's end to maintain a good relationship with a Foundation Establishment cultivator is beneficial. The only awkwardness would be if she doesn't remember me at all. But honestly, I have no face left to lose. Like when I first boarded that giant shuttle to the south, being mocked wouldn't harm me." Qi Xiu wrestled internally, his expression shifting between uncertainty and resolve. After much thought, he made up his mind and instructed Zhan Yuan, "I have a preliminary plan for this issue; you don't need to worry about it for now. Most beasts nearby have been cleared out, and Shishi has awakened. Staying here isn't conducive to his recovery, so prepare to return to the mountain tomorrow." "Understood." Zhan Yuan, having an innate confidence in Qi Xiu, asked no further questions and went to make arrangements. The next day, the entire Southern Chu Sect mobilized, employing a relay method to transport Zhang Shishi back to the mountain gate. The area around the breeding site had been cleared, so there was little need for further immediate action. Any more efforts would wait until the following year when pigfish fry were to be introduced. For now, periodic patrols would suffice. Peace returned to Black River Peak, even as Chu family cultivators and some audacious rogue cultivators continued to roam the Black River unchecked. Qi Xiu ordered his sect to avoid involvement, treating the intrusions as if unseen. Once Zhang Shishi gradually improved and could stand and walk, Qi Xiu immediately called him and Zhan Yuan into the sect leader's inner chamber for an important discussion. "I've decided to make a trip to 'Southern Chu City' soon," Qi Xiu said directly, his demeanor serious. "Southern Chu City is extremely distant from here, and I'm planning to travel via connections through Zhao Liande. No one, not even sect disciples, should be informed of this. Understood?" Seeing both Zhang Shishi and Zhan Yuan agree, Qi Xiu continued, "The end of the year is approaching, and the immigrant group should be near. Zhan Yuan, prepare to welcome them and assist with any difficulties they have, as their seven-month migration must have been arduous. I've spoken with Wang Guan, who will temporarily host most of them, while Qin Ji selects a dozen or so trustworthy families to reside at Black River Peak." Zhan Yuan affirmed the plan, and Qi Xiu turned to Zhang Shishi, "By the year's end, if I haven't returned, take charge and consult with Zhan Yuan and Yu Denuo to prepare and deliver New Year's gifts to the Wang family of 'Weapon Depot Workshop,' the Chu family of 'Jiusan Workshop,' and the Zhao family of 'Beast Taming Sect.' Show no neglect to any of them." Zhang Shishi, his face still pale, replied with apparent disdain, "The customs in the southern regions are truly deplorable. It's one thing for the Zhao family, but Wang Guan is a Qiyun cultivator, and the Chu family also hails from Qiyun. Yet they all partake in these practices, showing no sect integrity at all." Qi Xiu, amused by Zhang Shishi's naive outlook, offered earnest advice: "Shishi, matters cannot be perceived so simply. In these aspects, you should learn from Zhan Yuan. Although the ins and outs of dealings seem simple, there are numerous intricacies involved. A slight misstep could sow the seeds of trouble." Zhang Shishi could only begrudgingly accept this counsel, although inwardly resenting the unsolicited reprimand. Especially as he caught a fleeting hint of smugness in Zhan Yuan's glance, which stirred some uncomfortable thoughts. Their eyes briefly clashed like lightning before they both subtly turned away, masking any further reaction. Unaware of the undercurrents between them, Qi Xiu continued making arrangements before setting off to the 'Beast Taming Sect' to seek an audience with Zhao Liande. (To be continued)