Chapter Thirty-Five: The Gathering of Rival Powers

"Very well!" Qin Feng nodded, slipped the silver notes into his robe, and bid farewell to Qin Tianyun, Qin Zhongkai, Murong Wei, and each of the others in turn.

"Xiaofeng, remember to be cautious in all matters—strike with all your might, even when facing a rabbit," Qin Tianyun called out loudly as he, Qin Zhongkai, and Murong Wei walked Qin Feng to the gates of Tianyang City and watched his figure recede into the distance.

...

Within Xuanzhou City, ever since Ye Qinglong, the master of the Azure Dragon Sect, broke through to the Grandmaster realm, many factions had begun to marginalize the Black Tiger Gang. Now, the Black Tiger Gang’s power had shrunk back to their headquarters, waiting in silence for the showdown with the Azure Dragon Sect on the nineteenth of the ninth month.

A suffocating tension pervaded the entire Black Tiger Gang. Both Yan Heihu and Shi Tie, the gang’s leaders, were immersed in arduous cultivation, desperately seeking their own breakthrough to the Grandmaster level. Of the gang’s twelve hall masters, all save Liu Qing and Zhao Hu were similarly striving to increase their strength. Liu Qing and Zhao Hu, having suffered grievous wounds in an ambush by unknown martial artists while out on business, had only just escaped danger with their lives.

Meanwhile, the Azure Dragon Sect was festooned with lanterns and banners. Every day, numerous factions visited to offer their congratulations, including not a few of the city's top powers. Even the City Lord's Mansion, the Chen family, and the Zhao family—preeminent in Xuanzhou—had sent emissaries to the Azure Dragon Sect to extend their felicitations.

"Set out for the Azure Dragon Sect!"

On the nineteenth of the ninth month, Yan Heihu, resplendent in finery and armed with a long saber, led Shi Tie and the twelve hall masters toward the Azure Dragon Sect. Each of them clutched their weapons tightly, eyes blazing with murderous intent, cold fury emanating from the entire group.

Inside the Azure Dragon Sect, the scene was lively beyond compare. The city’s leading families—the Zhaos, the Chens, even the mighty guardians of the City Lord’s Mansion—had all personally come to attend the banquet. The heads and elders of prominent clans such as the Hans and the Wangs too set out, eager to offer congratulations and join the festivities. Even second-tier families and various other powers flocked to the Azure Dragon Sect, hoping to witness its newfound glory firsthand.

"Father, may I bring Yunyun with me?" Qi Qianqian, whose family had been granted the rare honor of attending the banquet, wished to invite Chen Yunyun to accompany her.

"Absolutely not!" her father replied sternly. "It is fortune enough for our family to attend—how can we bring outsiders? Remember, once we arrive at the Azure Dragon Sect, you are to remain by my side at all times. The leading figures of Xuanzhou will all be present, and the slightest misstep could spell disaster for our Qi family. But if we can forge even a single connection, our fortunes may soar."

Qi Tengyun spoke in a grave tone. This banquet was an occasion of great significance, and he intended to bring both his children to gain experience. Qi Qianqian stood aside, pouting in dissatisfaction, but she understood the gravity of the situation and did not press the matter.

"Master Qin?"

Yan Chonghu and Shi Tie, leading the twelve hall masters on their way to the Azure Dragon Sect, spotted four figures approaching from ahead. Their expressions changed slightly.

"Master Qin, did you not receive my message? Why have you returned?" Yan Chonghu hurried forward, cupping his fists respectfully before Qin Feng, awe in his voice.

"You chose to follow me. Now that you are in peril, how could I fail to return?" Qin Feng replied. "Lead the way. We shall go to the Azure Dragon Sect together."

His gaze swept the surroundings, noting the many hidden martial artists nearby—no doubt Azure Dragon Sect spies, set to watch over Yan Chonghu, Shi Tie, Liu Qing, Zhao Hu, and others.

"Master Qin!"

"Master Qin, you should not have returned. Allow me to escort you from the city at once," Yan Chonghu said with difficulty, clenching his jaw.

"That will not be necessary. Though the Azure Dragon Sect is formidable, it is not certain we cannot withstand them," Qin Feng replied gravely. His current strength—capable of wielding eight thousand pounds of force—meant that ordinary city guardians were no match for him. It was only regrettable that his battle with Jiang Jinghong had left his wolf-tooth mace destroyed, and he was now without a suitable weapon.

"Master Qin, have you broken through to the Grandmaster realm?" Yan Chonghu, briefly startled, looked at Qin Feng with hope and delight in his eyes, and Shi Tie’s gaze was likewise filled with anticipation.

"No," Qin Feng replied, shaking his head. "I still have a long way to go before reaching the Grandmaster realm." He had only just advanced to the level of internal strength; the Grandmaster realm remained a distant goal.

"Master Qin, although your strength is formidable, you have not yet broken through. Why risk your life for nothing?" Yan Chonghu sighed.

The hope and joy faded from Shi Tie’s eyes, replaced by a grim determination to face death.

"I will not leave. Let us go to the Azure Dragon Sect," Qin Feng said, patting Yan Chonghu and Shi Tie on the shoulder.

"Please, Master Qin," Yan Chonghu said respectfully, seeing the resolve in Qin Feng’s expression and knowing he could not be swayed.

"Inform the sect master—the third-in-command of the Black Tiger Gang has returned."

The spies monitoring Yan Chonghu and Shi Tie hastily sent word to the Azure Dragon Sect.

...

"He truly lives up to his reputation as the scourge of the Axe Gang, the Li family, and the Shen family—daring to return even when faced with certain doom," Ye Qinglong remarked coolly. He was a burly man, turning two iron balls in his left hand, his tone sharp and cold. "How are the preparations for the banquet?"

Ye Qinglong looked down at Hall Master Qiu, his very presence exuding overwhelming authority.

"Sect Master, the banquet is ready. The City Lord, Zhao family, and Chen family are already on their way," Hall Master Qiu replied with a smile. With the sect master’s advancement to the rank of guardian, the Azure Dragon Sect had become a top power in Xuanzhou. As one of the sect’s eighteen hall masters, Qiu now found himself courted by many factions. Martial artists who once matched him now bowed and scraped, eager to curry favor.

"Has the old bastard from the Bai Li family arrived? What about Liu Wu the Swift Blade?" Ye Qinglong asked further. The Bai Li clan head and Liu Wu were old enemies of the Azure Dragon Sect, much like the Black Tiger Gang. Now that he had become a guardian-level expert, it was time to settle old scores.

"Sect Master, with your breakthrough, your power dominates Xuanzhou. Many factions have openly or covertly aided us, sealing off the Bai Li family, Liu Wu, and the Black Tiger Gang. They have no choice but to come and meet their end," Hall Master Qiu replied, eyes flashing with murderous intent and cold laughter. The feuds between these parties and the Azure Dragon Sect ran deep, each bearing blood grudges.

"Excellent! Make a note of the families who have helped us, and see they are rewarded in due course," Ye Qinglong said, nodding. Now that he had attained the guardian level, only the Zhao family, the Chen family, and the City Lord’s Mansion could stand as his equals in Xuanzhou.

...

"Sect Master Ye greets the City Lord and the two venerable seniors," Ye Qinglong said as the banquet was about to begin, personally welcoming Yun Qing, Zhao Hong, and Chen Haicheng—three formidable guardian-level experts.

"Congratulations, Sect Master Ye, on your breakthrough. With your ascension, Xuanzhou gains yet another guardian—a most auspicious occasion!" Yun Qing declared, waving his hand as his attendants presented their gifts.

"Congratulations, Sect Master Ye, on your achievement. Please accept this humble token," Zhao Hong added with a hearty laugh.