Hunyuan Immortal Sect

Chapter 150: Soldiers coming to stop them
In Luofeng Valley, in the spacious and bright hall, Xu Quan strode in from outside with high spirits and a happy face. He sat down in the main seat and looked down at Chen Zhongwen.

"As you expected, the Rising Sun Sect launched a surprise attack on Qixia Mountain the night before yesterday. Fortunately, Qixia Mountain was well prepared, and our reinforcements arrived in time. The Rising Sun Sect was almost completely wiped out. The body of their leader, Mao Jie, is now hanging at the gate of Qixia Mountain. Only a few remnants of their soldiers escaped."

"The Rising Sun Sect is completely destroyed now, and the Qingyuan Sect has suffered a heavy blow. Should we seize this opportunity to seize back the resources and territories of the Yunfeng Trading Company?"

Chen Zhongwen remained expressionless, his eyes calm, and his voice as flat as water: "How many casualties were there in Qixia Mountain?"

"Eighteen people died and seven were seriously injured. Although the loss is not small, it is still acceptable compared to the Rising Sun Sect."

"If we want to recapture the territory of Yunfeng Trading Company, we must also eliminate the Qingyuan Sect before we can proceed."

"You mean the Ding family? Should we attack them?" Xu Quan pondered. "It's probably not worth it to attack the Ding family! The Ding family is as powerful as the Rising Sun Sect, and they only occupy one of the Yunfeng Trading Company's resource areas."

Chen Zhongwen said calmly, "The Rising Sun Sect will be annihilated in this battle, and the Ding family will surely be terrified. This is the perfect opportunity to alienate them. As long as the Ding family agrees to stop aiding the Qingyuan Sect, then we can take action against them."

Xu Quan suddenly realized, "The Ding family and the Qingyuan Sect both participated in the attack on Qixia Mountain. It seems that they have a very close relationship. Is it possible to alienate them?"

"The Hunyuan Sect didn't send anyone to Lingyun Mountain. The only ones who actually contributed to their coalition were the Qingyuan Sect, the Xuri Sect, and the Ding Family. Now that the Xuri Sect has been annihilated, only the Qingyuan Sect and the Ding Family remain in Lingyun Mountain. Originally an alliance of four families, now only two are contributing. How could the Ding Family accept this?"

"Then I'll leave this matter to you. If we can get the Ding family to remain neutral again, we'll be more confident in dealing with the Qingyuan Sect."

.........

In front of the majestic hall on Lingyun Mountain, Zhong Wenyuan was led into the hall by a Qingyuan Sect disciple. Inside, Qingyuan Sect's headmaster Hu Yingquan, Qingyuan Sect's elder Huang Qing, and Ding Family's patriarch Ding Wenxiang were already present.

"Fellow Daoist Zhong, why are you here? Where is Sect Leader Song? Isn't he coming?" Hu Yingquan's face darkened when he saw the person coming.

"Our sect has urgent matters that need to be handled by the master, and he is busy, so he sent me to participate in the coalition meeting. The master asked me to apologize again and again. I hope that Master Hu and Lord Ding can forgive me." Zhong Wenyuan bowed his head and saluted him, then turned around and saluted Ding Wenxiang.

"Master Song isn't trying to distance himself from us, is he? Could it be that after hearing the news of the Rising Sun Sect's defeat, he's afraid of the Loose Cultivator Alliance and wants to join them?"

Hu Yingquan snorted coldly. He was already very dissatisfied with Song Xian's two previous dissenters. He didn't expect that this time he was summoned, he didn't even show up and only sent an elder to deal with it.

Zhong Wenyuan humbly replied, "How could that be? Our four sects are all of the same blood. We rise and fall together. How could our sect have such intentions? Although our sect is small and weak, it is still a reputable and upright sect. How could we collude with those unjust and independent cultivators? Our sect leader is very clear about this. Before I came here, my sect leader repeatedly instructed me to apologize to Sect Leader Hu and Palace Master Ding. I was truly unable to leave due to important matters."

Hu Yingquan didn't want to be aggressive anymore and waved his hand: "Please sit down!"

Zhong Wenyuan sat down as he was told.

"Everyone knows the whole story of the battle at Qixia Mountain. The Rising Sun Sect suffered heavy casualties and can no longer send personnel to garrison the Allied Forces Headquarters. I invited you two here today to discuss this matter. The Loose Cultivator Alliance could attack us at any time, and the Allied Forces Headquarters is currently short-staffed. Palace Master Ding and I both hope that the Hunyuan Sect can send reinforcements. Fellow Daoist Zhong, since you are here on behalf of Sect Master Song, please express your stance!"

Zhong Wenyuan showed an embarrassment. "You two Daoists are aware of our sect's situation. Our sect leader has discussed this several times before. It's not that we're unwilling, but we simply can't spare the manpower. Furthermore, our sect previously proposed a temporary subsidy plan, and Leader Hu agreed. Why are you bringing this up again today?"

Hu Yingquan stared at him intently, his gaze as sharp as a torch. "The situation has changed. The Rising Sun Sect has suffered heavy losses, and the coalition forces are seriously short of manpower. If your sect truly wishes to stand with us against the independent cultivators, you should send personnel to help us."

These words were already very serious, and Hu Yingquan's hidden meaning was very clear. If Hunyuan Sect did not send people to Lingyun Mountain, it would mean that it wanted to draw a clear line with the coalition forces.

It can be seen from this that the defeat of the Xu Ri Sect had a great impact on the Qing Yuan Sect.

Hu Yingquan was really anxious, otherwise he would not have forced Hunyuan Sect so disregarding his dignity.

"I cannot make the decision. I will report this matter to the head of our sect after I return, and then I will give you a reply." After a moment of silence, Zhong Wenyuan slowly replied. With his status, it was not appropriate for him to confront Hu Yingquan head-on, so he had to deal with it first.

"Well, tell Sect Leader Song that I want to know your sect's clear stance within seven days."

During the conversation between the two, Ding Wenxiang had a solemn expression and remained silent. The Rising Sun Sect launched a war without declaration, and Hu Yingquan forced the Ding family members stationed in Lingyun Mountain to fight without discussing it with him, which made him very unhappy.

But now that things have come to this, the Rising Sun Sect was almost destroyed in one battle, and he was at a loss for words.

However, in this case, the defense forces of Lingyun Mountain are only left with him and Qingyuan Sect. If the alliance of loose cultivators takes advantage of the situation to attack, it will inevitably lead to heavy casualties among their own defending disciples.

Unless Hunyuan Sect is also willing to send fifteen people to make up for the losses of Xu Ri Sect, but this is almost impossible.

There are only a dozen people in Hunyuan Sect. How could they all be sent to Lingyun Mountain? Besides, they have already paid the spirit stone subsidy before.

Hu Yingquan intended to use his strong position to force him, so he couldn't say anything.

Just by looking at how seriously Hunyuan Sect takes this matter, you can tell the outcome. Song Xian didn't even come to participate in the meeting and only sent an elder. With this attitude, can we still expect them to comply?

…………

At night, everything is silent.

At Guzi Peak, after Zhong Wenyuan came back from the meeting, he went straight to Song Xian's mansion, and the two discussed countermeasures in the room.

"Mao Jie is dead? His body is still hanging in Qixia Mountain?" After hearing the news brought back by Zhong Wenyuan, Song Xian felt a complicated feeling. He couldn't tell whether he was sad because of the grief of the rabbit's death or he was glad that he didn't get involved in this mess.

"The Rising Sun Sect mobilized almost every last one of their forces in this battle, but only a few escaped and have now returned to their mountain gate. Hu Yingquan has forced us to give him an answer within seven days."

"He's hell-bent on dragging us down with him. Under the current circumstances, the Qingyuan Sect is outwardly strong but inwardly weak. With the Rising Sun Sect's crushing defeat, the Loose Cultivator Alliance's next target will be him. They might attack him soon, and we can't get involved in this mess. Hurry and recruit lone cultivators! The situation in Bianxia Town is already out of control, and we must strengthen our own forces."

"Yes, I will leave the mountain gate tomorrow to find the right person."

"By the way, have you asked Hu Yingquan about Casar's situation?"

"He said Kasar had important matters to attend to and was not currently in the Qingyuan Sect. He didn't reveal anything else. Seven days later, if someone from the Qingyuan Sect comes to ask about it, what should we say?"

"When the enemy comes, we will fight him; when the water comes, we will block it with earth. The Qingyuan Sect is now in a difficult situation, so don't worry about it. If someone comes to ask, just say I'm not here." While the two men were discussing countermeasures, a secret conversation was also taking place at the Ding family's mountain gate, hundreds of miles away.

Ding Wenxiang walked quickly into the hall, which was as brightly lit as day. He looked up and down at Chen Zhongwen, who was sitting at the front, with a serious look filled with doubt and vigilance.

"Master Ding, nice to meet you. I hope you don't mind my disturbing you so late at night." Chen Zhongwen met his gaze and stood up and bowed.

"Friend Daoist Chen, you are so brave! Luo Fenggu just fought with us in the Rising Sun Sect a few days ago, yet you dare to come to our sect alone today? Aren't you afraid that I will capture you?"

Chen Zhongwen said calmly, "Even when two armies are fighting, envoys are not killed. Besides, there is no grudge between you and me. Although your sect assisted the Qingyuan Sect in attacking the Yunfeng Trading Company, it has nothing to do with us."

"Similarly, our sending of people to support Qixia Mountain has nothing to do with your sect. We have never had any unpleasantness with your sect. It's just that your sect is in the alliance formed by Qingyuan Sect, while we are in the Loose Cultivator Alliance, so our positions are opposite."

"But sometimes, enemies can be friends, depending on the situation."

Ding Wenxiang sneered, "You're truly a gifted debater. As the second-in-command of Luofeng Valley, you're not visiting me late at night just to say these irrelevant things, are you? No need to beat around the bush. Just say what you want to say!"

"Let's be frank. We plan to unite with several other independent cultivator forces to attack the Qingyuan Sect."

Ding Wenxiang's eyes narrowed. He didn't expect the other party to make his purpose clear as soon as he opened his mouth. This was beyond his expectations.

Of course, he had long suspected that this person was here to persuade them, but he had never imagined that he would actually reveal the Loose Cultivator Alliance's next intentions and movements, which caught him off guard. "What do you mean, fellow Daoist? Are you trying to persuade our sect to assist you?"

"I've already said that we have no grudge against your sect. In fact, we're not even on the same side. The original intention of the Loose Cultivator Alliance was to deal with the Qingyuan Sect, not to target your sect. So let's be honest!"

"We have decided to attack the Qingyuan Sect. The time and place are clear, and everything is ready."

"But we do not wish to be enemies with your sect, so our leader ordered me to come here in the hope that your sect will not interfere in our fight with the Qingyuan Sect."

Ding Wenxiang looked at him expressionlessly, but actually his heart was already in turmoil. In the past few days, he had been considering whether to withdraw from the alliance. After all, the Rising Sun Sect had sunk, and only he and the Qingyuan Sect were left in the alliance.

In this situation, if we fight a real fight with the alliance of loose cultivators, the losses will definitely be huge.

The Ding family's only resource area outside of the country is a mine that originally belonged to the Yunfeng Trading Company. It would not be worth it if they sacrificed the lives of more than ten or twenty disciples for such a place.

Chen Zhongwen's words touched the heart of the matter. He himself felt that he had no major hatred with the Loose Cultivator Alliance, but was just tied to a boat by the Qingyuan Sect and couldn't get off.

If you can jump off the boat and land safely, it would be a good choice, but you must not show weakness at this time.

"Our sect and the Qingyuan Sect are allies. If you attack the Qingyuan Sect, you're actually attacking our sect, and you're expecting us to stay out of it. Fellow Daoist Chen, don't you think this is ridiculous? Just like when Qixia Mountain was attacked a few days ago, didn't your Luofeng Valley provide timely support?"

Chen Zhongwen said calmly, "The Qingyuan Sect's wolfish ambitions are well known to everyone. They will never be satisfied with just Yunfeng Trading Company. This forces us to form an alliance."

"Under the threat of the Qingyuan Sect, we and Qixia Mountain are in a life-and-death relationship. If Qixia Mountain is captured by the Xuri Sect, we will be the next in line, so we have no choice but to rush to their aid."

"But your sect is different from the Qingyuan Sect. You are a legitimate sect protected by the laws of the Qianqing Sect. No one dares to attack or occupy your mountain gate directly. No matter what happens, you still have a way out."

"Just like the Xu Ri Sect, their attack on Qixia Mountain failed and they were almost destroyed, with only a few people escaping. Now they have returned to the mountain gate. As long as they don't cause trouble in the future and guard the mountain gate tightly, they can still continue."

"The situation in Bianxia Town has become clear. Your plan to rely on the Qingyuan Sect and follow it to plunder the resources and territories of other factions has been ruined with the demise of the Xuri Sect."

"The Qingyuan Sect can barely protect itself, let alone annihilate us. They might not even be able to defend the Yunfeng Trading Company's resource territories they plundered."

"Your family only has one ore mine outside. Why bother letting the Qingyuan Sect get involved and fight us to the death?"

"Before I came here, the headmaster asked me to bring a message to you, fellow Daoist. As long as your family doesn't interfere in the fight between us and the Qingyuan Sect, we promise not to attack your family. From now on, we will continue to keep to ourselves as before."

"But if your mansion insists on intervening and aiding the Qingyuan Sect in dealing with us, then we will have no choice but to fight back. We will then prioritize attacking your mansion, not only to recapture the ore mine under your name, but also to ambush your sect's personnel who are out."

Hearing this, Ding Wenxiang could no longer control his emotions. Although he tried his best to restrain himself, the muscles at the corners of his eyes trembled slightly unconsciously.

No matter what, he was the headmaster of a famous and upright sect. How could he surrender in front of a small leader of a scattered cultivator force? He narrowed his eyes and stared at the newcomer, intending to overwhelm him with his momentum. His voice was low, and he uttered each word through his teeth.

"Fellow Daoist Chen, are you threatening me?"

Chen Zhongwen's gaze was as calm as a lake. "How dare I? I'm merely relaying the headmaster's words. Mansion Master Ding just said that your mansion and the Qingyuan Sect are allies, and attacking the Qingyuan Sect is the same as attacking your mansion. But your mansion isn't the only one in the alliance; the Hunyuan Sect is also a part of it. With all due respect, Sect Master Song knows how to balance matters better than Mansion Master Ding does."

Hearing this, Ding Wenxiang immediately recalled the recent actions of Hunyuan Sect and woke up from his dream.

No wonder Hunyuan Sect only sent one elder to attend today's meeting. It turned out that Hunyuan Sect had been playing both sides, dealing with Qingyuan Sect on the one hand, and making peace with the independent cultivator forces on the other.

"Could it be that you have already reached an agreement with Hunyuan Sect, and Sect Leader Song has agreed not to help Qingyuan Sect?"

"Otherwise, why didn't the Hunyuan Sect send troops to Lingyun Mountain? Now, your mansion is the only one standing firmly on the side of the Qingyuan Sect. Does Palace Master Ding still insist on standing by the Qingyuan Sect?"

Ding Wenxiang was silent for a long time before he spoke, his words no longer as aggressive as before: "What conditions did you offer the Hunyuan Sect?"

"There are no conditions. The Hunyuan Sect simply agreed to keep both sides separate. We will not attack the Hunyuan Sect, and they will not assist the Qingyuan Sect against us. That's all."

After saying this, Chen Zhongwen stood up. He knew that Ding Wenxiang would not be able to express his opinion immediately. Having said that, he had said what he needed to say.

"I have delivered my message. If Lord Ding does not intend to capture me and offer me to the Qingyuan Sect for merit, then I will take my leave. If your family intends to disassociate itself from the Qingyuan Sect, please do so as soon as possible! Because soon, we will launch an attack on the Qingyuan Sect."

(End of this chapter)