Chapter 113 - Black Clouds from the South (Part II) (Patreon)

“A Sect Tournament?” Old Fang muttered, shaking his head. “Three Feathers City isn’t a sect. Which disciples would even participate?”

“He can send whoever he wants to fight.” Grandmaster Miao chuckled. “That’s merely the name given to battles among lesser cultivators when major forces wish to dispute resources.”

Lucian interrupted the conversation.

“I may not fully understand how this Sect Tournament works, but the City Lord could simply refuse to participate and remain inside his castle.”

The most important piece of information Lucian had gained, in his view, concerned the Sword Vein and the fact that Core Formation experts could not freely fight within its presence. To him, the City Lord had found the perfect place to cultivate in peace, so there seemed little reason to entertain such a spectacle.

“He cannot refuse,” Grandmaster Miao said, shaking his head. “I do not know the customs of your homeland, but if he dares to violate the sect rules, the Ancient Golden Clan would rejoice while the sects unite to besiege the city.”

“In that case, he could simply threaten to destroy the Sword Vein,” Lucian said, attempting to gather more information about its value and significance.

Both Grandmaster Miao and Old Fang recoiled with incredulous expressions.

“Brat, there are easier ways to commit suicide,” Old Fang muttered with a wry smile.

“Kun Fei Xing is prideful, but not foolish,” Grandmaster Miao said, nodding slowly. “He was fortunate enough that a Sword Vein formed here after his arrival. Otherwise, his life would not have become so comfortable. Damaging it would be a death sentence.”

The three men fell silent for a moment, each occupied by their own thoughts. Then Lucian spoke again, bringing back the main topic. “I accept your proposal of alliance. Tell me your plans.”

Tapping the wooden table twice, Grandmaster Miao replied, “In exchange for our support, the first thing I need from you is for the people to stop blaming the Bo Merchant Chamber for the bloodbath.”

Lucian nodded in agreement.

“With that resolved, we require someone inside the Feathered Serpent Castle willing to support us.” Grandmaster Miao smiled faintly toward Lucian. “And I suspect there is someone in there who would very much like to speak with you.”

Remembering how Wei Zhang had probed him before and how he was connected to one of the Vice-Lords, Lucian replied, “Indeed. And by support, I presume you want to become one of the representatives in this tournament.”

“That much should be obvious.” Grandmaster Miao sneered. “Because of the wars and turmoil throughout the Empire, I doubt the Core Disciples of the Ancient Golden Clan will personally come here. Anyone smart enough would want to secure a place in the tournament.”

Lucian sensed there was a deeper reason behind Grandmaster Miao’s desire to participate, but he chose not to probe for now. Instead, he said, “You need a reasonable excuse to enter the Feathered Serpent Castle and guarantee your attendance.”

“Dealing with intelligent people is truly refreshing.” Grandmaster Miao nodded. “Yes. I can enter the castle myself, but you can be invited inside. That means you can request favors, while I would need to make promises to secure a spot.”

Lucian thought for a moment before nodding.

“I can do it,” he said. “Send me war prisoners, cultivation scrolls for every realm up to Foundation Establishment that you possess, as well as the necessary resources for my sewage plan.”

Slightly puzzled, Grandmaster Miao answered, “Very well.”

Inwardly, he made a note to investigate whether Lucian was attempting to establish a minor force, since cultivation scrolls would be unnecessary for someone at their level. Also, given that most of the scrolls outside of the ones stored in the sects' vaults were likely fragmented or low-level manuals, he could not understand why Lucian wanted them.

Seeing how easily Grandmaster Miao had accepted his demands, Lucian pressed further.

“Scrolls regarding formations, talismans, and alchemy would also be helpful.”

“The nerve!” Old Fang interrupted, coughing after inhaling smoke. “Who do you think you are to study the Heavenly Crafts?!”

“Fellow Daoist,” Grandmaster Miao said, interrupting Old Fang’s rambling. “You would need an actual master of those crafts willing to pass down their knowledge. We possess no texts concerning them.”

Lucian nodded before addressing what was, to him, the least important matter.

“Help me negotiate the release of Little Crab and Bai Xiaomeng.”

The moment he finished speaking, Grandmaster Miao pointed behind Lucian, and the stone door slowly shifted open. In the corridor outside, two servants carried the unconscious Little Crab between them, the small man wrapped in bandages.

“As a gesture of goodwill, I retrieved him from Prince Xuan this morning,” Grandmaster Miao said with a slight frown. “But as I already told you, that other servant of yours was investigating a taboo. There is nothing I can do regarding her.”

Listening to Little Crab’s breathing and heartbeat, Lucian confirmed that the man had internal injuries but would likely recover with time.

Then he stood up.

“I understand. I need someone to bring Wang Chen and a few people here. You can tell me more about the Feathered Serpent Castle later.”

“The servants will guide you,” Grandmaster Miao said, standing alongside Lucian. “As for the Feathered Serpent Castle, I will probe the situation further, though someone should contact you within the coming weeks.”

Humming lightly in acknowledgment, Lucian turned and left, following the servants.

Once he departed, the stone door closed again, and Grandmaster Miao sat back down. After a brief silence, he asked Old Fang, “What do you think?”

“Dangerous, dangerous, dangerous,” Old Fang muttered, shaking his head repeatedly. “I felt an immense pressure from his soul. I cannot read him at all, Miao Long.”

Sighing, Grandmaster Miao took another sip of tea. After thinking for a moment, he transmitted through a Qi line.

“Brother Bo, I apologize. I still need him for the time being.”

A sigh echoed back through the Qi line before Bo Qing answered.

“I expected as much. Don’t worry, I’m bored, not dead. Just don’t forget to speak with me occasionally and send me people to drink blood from every month. Also, those last girls weren't bad.”

Hearing the jesting tone, Grandmaster Miao smiled faintly and said, “Thank you for agreeing to my plan.”

Bo Qing laughed loudly.

“You must be joking, Brother Miao. This Merchant Chamber is as much mine as it is yours. Now that you have found a path to ascend beyond your current realm, how could I possibly refuse?”

Old Fang couldn’t hear their discussion regarding plans and ambitions. Besides, to him, the only thing that mattered was returning home and distancing himself from this entire mess.

Besides the arrival of the Ancient Golden Clan, what truly frightened him was Grandmaster Miao’s alliance with Lucian.

For some reason, deep within his soul, he felt it was an ominous sign.