Hunyuan Immortal Sect

Chapter 36 A Happy Marriage
Song Xian nodded and said, "According to what Fellow Daoist Dou said, this Senior Yang is extremely powerful in Bianxi City!"

"That's right, isn't it? I can't say anything else, but here in West City, there's almost nothing he can't do. Even the Luoyun Sect's headmaster has to show some courtesy to him when he sees him."

"The Beast Taming Sect has a large number of businesses in Bianxi City, and they are all controlled by Senior Yang. It is no exaggeration to say that if there is even a slight leak between his fingers, the broth that will flow out is enough to feed an entire faction."

"Anyone who offends him in Bianxi City is courting death. He doesn't even have to do it himself; all he needs to do is say a word and countless people will be willing to do his dirty work for him."

Song Xian pondered for a moment. "Fellow Daoist Dou, I'm still a little confused. I'd appreciate your guidance. Bian Shang and Bian Xia Towns were only recently annexed by the Qin State. Previously, they were located on the Muhe Grassland. As you've said, these Tianshan bandits are secretly supported by the Beast Taming Sect. How can the Muhe Grassland allow them to reign supreme without completely wiping them out?"

"Fellow Daoist Song only knows one side of the story. The Tianshan Mountains serve as a barrier between the Qin State and the Muhe Grassland. Previously, the Muhe Grassland was powerful, claiming to have occupied the Tianshan Mountains. In reality, this occupation was only in name only. They didn't actually manage the area seriously, let alone station a large number of troops. Therefore, this area used to be a lawless zone, full of all sorts of people. Tianshan bandits have long been entrenched here, and among them are Qin State cultivators as well as Muhe Grassland cultivators."

"I see. I have another question. These Tianshan bandits make their living by robbing passing merchant caravans. Now that you've all joined Senior Yang's gang, how do they survive if they don't leave the mountains to rob goods?"

"Didn't I just say that? The Tianshan Mountains also have many resource-rich territories. Besides, robbing caravans is just a sideline for them, or rather, a mission assigned to them by their superiors. Even we know that they make money through bilateral trade, so how could they not know that? Moreover, they occupy the land and rule over such a vital transportation fortress."

"Do you think that they are also involved in this business?"

Dou Lang said, "Of course. Otherwise, Fellow Daoist Song, do you think you can support them just by robbing the passing merchant caravans?"

"Besides, this bandit force has a close relationship with the Beast Taming Sect. Why can Senior Yang allow other independent cultivator caravans to pass freely in Tianyuan Territory with just a pass? He must have discussed it with them. The taxes we hand over to Senior Yang must include a share of the bandits."

"Before Senior Yang was transferred to Bianxi City to take charge, Tianshan was in chaos, with all kinds of good and bad people mixed together. However, after he arrived, he wiped out several forces with lightning speed."

"Few independent cultivator teams dared to use this trade route before. Firstly, there are so many mountains here that if they can avoid one, they can't avoid another, which makes everyone feel insecure."

"For a group of independent cultivators like us, even if we're robbed once, we'll be severely damaged. If we're robbed two or three times, we'll lose everything."

"Senior Yang first eliminated several small, entrenched factions, intimidating the others. He then supported the Tianshan bandits and either eliminated or annexed several other mountaintops."

"Later, the leader of the Tianshan bandits successfully broke through to the foundation-building stage. As a result, they naturally became the largest bandit gang here."

"Afterwards, Senior Yang reached some kind of tacit agreement with the Tianshan bandits by selling passes. This gave us independent cultivators room to trade, and this trade route became prosperous."

"Actually, this is also beneficial to the Tianshan bandits. With more caravans, they don't have to do anything and can get a certain amount of wealth from Senior Yang. Like before, no independent cultivator caravans dare to take the risk to do business. Where can they rob goods?"

.........

The two chatted for a long time. Song Xian asked about many details of the transaction. Dou Lang was also a very talkative person and told him everything he knew.

After the conversation, Song Xian suggested going to his caravan to see what items they had bought, and he agreed.

When the group arrived at the foot of the mountain, they saw twenty tall camels loaded with bags of items, most of which were related to monsters, such as monster fur, claws, heads, rhino horns, wings, etc. There were also some stone powder, wood, and oil that were not available in Bianxi City.

.........

After letting Dou Lang and his companions rest in the main hall, Song Xian called all the people from the Hunyuan Sect to his side and arranged for them to stand guard at night. Although Dou Lang seemed easy to talk to and seemed to have no ill intentions, one should still be on guard against him.

He couldn't sleep the whole night, firstly because he was worried, and secondly because he was thinking about the future development of the sect.

It started raining heavily outside at some point, accompanied by lightning, thunder and howling winds.

Song Xian's thoughts raced.

If he could get a pass from Yang Jinzhang of the Beast Taming Sect, it would seem that taking the sect's disciples on a business trip would be a good option. According to Dou Lang, a round trip from Bianxi City to Far East City on the Muhe Grassland would only take three to five months. If it's fast, it could even be done in just three months.

If you have a lot of capital, you can even earn thousands of spirit stones in one trip.

The next morning, he came to the main hall. Dou Lang and others were all sleeping in their clothes, with mats casually spread on the floor.

Several people were also very alert. When they heard the footsteps, they immediately stood up.

"Excuse me for disturbing you, fellow Daoists. How was your sleep last night? Did you sleep well?" Dou Lang smiled and said, "Very well. Thank you for letting us stay here. It rained heavily last night. If you hadn't taken us in, we would definitely be in a terrible state now."

"Yesterday, you said there would be heavy rain. I never thought it would happen just as you predicted. There were really lightning and thunder, and torrential rain. You are truly a master of foresight."

"How can this be called a brilliant divination? I've been running this trade route for thirty years. If I can't even read this little celestial phenomenon, then I've wasted decades here."

"The rain hasn't stopped yet. Fellow Daoist, please stay here for a while. It won't be too late to leave after the rain stops. I'll have someone cook some noodles for you."

"Thank you for your kindness, Master Song. We are sorry to have disturbed you all night. Master Song, there is no need to rush. We will leave now. The rain has subsided and will stop soon."

"Why are you in such a hurry? What's the harm in staying a little longer?"

"No, we are in a hurry to get to Bianxi City to sell this batch of goods as soon as possible."

"In that case, I won't force you to stay any longer. I'll escort you fellow Taoists down the mountain."

Song Xian and Dou Lang walked down the mountain while chatting.

"Fellow Daoist Dou, if you pass by our place on your way to the Muhe Grassland next time, please let us know if you need any help. If you have any other caravan friends, you can also tell them that we welcome them to rest here. Apart from anything else, if you need food and water, we can provide them."

"Master Song, we appreciate your kindness. We will definitely come and visit you next time we pass by. Goodbye."

Dou Lang and others turned over and sat on the camels, leading the team towards the east and soon disappeared from sight.

"What breed of camel is this? Why is it so tall? Senior Brother Ningyuan, next time you go out, ask around and find out how much one costs. Our sect can buy a few for convenience when traveling." Song Xian said as he watched them go away.

Zhang Ningyuan smiled and replied, "Master, do you really want to go to the Muhe Grassland to trade like them?"

"Why not? Our sect has no resources and no industry. We can't just sit here and eat up all the wealth."

Zhong Wenyuan said, "The Sect Master and Dou Lang got along very well. It would have been fine if we had asked him to come and stay the next time he passed by the sect, but why did we ask him to tell his friends from the other caravans to come as well? Isn't that asking for trouble? What if those wandering caravans of cultivators flocked to our mountain gate to rest every time they passed by? Wouldn't our sect become just an inn? And our safety wouldn't be guaranteed."

Song Xian smiled and said, "Brother Zhong, you're worrying too much. These caravans are all serious businessmen. Who would go out of their way to fight and kill others? Besides, our sect is protected by the laws of the Qianqing Sect, and this is in our mountain gate. How dare they act recklessly? To be honest, I'm not worried about not having many people come, I'm worried about no one coming!"

Zhong Wenyuan asked doubtfully, "What do you mean, Master?"

"With so many people coming and going, firstly, it helps us understand the situation in West City and Muhe Grassland. If Dou Lang and the others hadn't stopped here to take shelter from the rain, how would we have known so much? Secondly, it helps us build good relationships with people, which may be helpful to the sect in the future."

"Master, you are wise." Zhang Ningyuan echoed.

Song Xian turned around and glanced at him: "Why does this sound so much like Zichen? I thought it was him! This kind of flattery can't spread. It must be stopped in time, otherwise I'll almost forget my own last name."

Zhong Wenyuan smiled, and Zhang Ningyuan also smiled and said, "These are all sincere words, and there is absolutely no flattery in them. I really think it would be great to get to know more of these caravans."

The three of them returned to the mountaintop hall. Song Xian gathered everyone and announced, "Senior Brothers Zhong, Ning Yuan, and I will be traveling to Bianxi City for a while. Firstly, we will visit the various sects in Bianxia Town, as well as Senior Yang from the Luoyun Sect and the Beast Taming Sect, and secondly, we will buy two sets of Spirit Gathering Array Flags."

"I will not be here for the time being. Everyone, please follow the tasks assigned yesterday. If you have any questions, please consult with Senior Brother Zixiang immediately."

"Everyone knows what Fellow Daoist Dou said yesterday. There are Red Dragon bandits hiding in the Tianshan Mountains, less than two hundred miles away from us. Everyone must be careful if they go out. Don't mess with them. We can't afford to offend them."

"Also, according to Fellow Daoist Dou, our Guzi Mountain is a frequent stopover for visiting chambers of commerce, as our sect is adjacent to the largest lake within a thousand miles. Their camel caravans often come here to drink water and rest."

"If there are more caravans coming here, you must not neglect them. Invite them to rest here, and if they need noodles, you can provide them with them."

"We are new here, so we need to make friends."

(End of this chapter)