Once I enter the pass, great Confucian scholars will surely debate the classics for me.

Rose Villa, Flower Viewing Pavilion, Viewing Platform.

Zhou Qingfeng said with a smile, "Making friends is of course possible. Having more friends means having more options."

Partridge Di held a wine jug in one hand and put the other on Zhou Qingfeng's shoulder, chatting and laughing as if he were talking to a younger brother: "Our Vision Sect likes to make friends with heroes like Mr. Jiang. Do you think we can do Vision Sect a small favor?"

Zhou Qingfeng glanced at the hand on his shoulder, still smiling on the surface, but secretly felt a sense of repulsion. With his current status and identity, who would dare to put their hand on his shoulder and talk to him like that, treating him like a subordinate?

But never mind, even a powerful dragon can't suppress a local snake, and besides, the Vision Church is indeed powerful.

Although the religion has only been developing for a little over a decade and may be severely lacking in high-level combat capabilities, it is clear to anyone with discerning eyes that Vision Church is following the path of recruiting ordinary people as believers.

No one knows exactly how many people secretly believe in Vision Church.

Of course, a loosely organized group of people can't amount to much, but with a visionary leader guiding them, the situation is completely different.

Taking Partridge Di as an example, he held military power, commanded a thousand soldiers, and had the support of the common people and hundreds of followers. He had a very sufficient source of soldiers and it was very easy for him to gain momentum.

This is a force to be reckoned with, but to say that the owner of Ravenburg is Partridge Di is pure bragging.

Partridge Di did have the strength to launch an armed uprising and seize Raven Fort, but it was definitely not as easy as he claimed. Otherwise, why would he be serving as a general under Cai Guozhong?

"What small favor is it? Tell me about it." Zhou Qingfeng subtly probed for information.

Partridge Di, holding a wine jug, laughed and said, "You replace Cai Guozhong, and I'll take command of the Hell Legion, how about it?"

Zhou Qingfeng was immediately struck by this absurdity and couldn't help but scoff, "Ha! Do you think I'm the Lord of Sword Tower City, Master Partridge? I have no authority to change the Legion Commander."

Partridge Di nodded slightly and said with a smile, "It's alright. You came from Sword Tower and were able to represent Sword Tower in secret negotiations with the resistance army, which proves that Mr. Jiang is very powerful and has influence in Sword Tower."

"Here's what we'll do. Since Sword Tower is considering splitting up its bets, you should go back and tell the Sword Tower City Lord to replace the incompetent Cai Guozhong and let me continue to lead the Hell Legion."

"Don't worry, I'll risk my life to attack the cities. I'll take care of repelling the allied forces of the northern cities, and I'll take over the unclaimed lands for your Sword Tower, as long as you provide logistical supplies."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qingfeng said, "That's great. Does Hall Master Partridge have any conditions?"

Partridge Di: "Of course! After I lead my army to conquer the unclaimed lands, I will grant titles and fiefs. Sword Tower must also recognize the legitimacy of our Vision Church and allow us to spread our doctrines and recruit followers within Sword Tower's sphere of influence."

Zhou Qingfeng stared intently at Partridge Di, trying to see if he was serious. When he realized Partridge Di wasn't joking, he was speechless.

What a weirdo! Couldn't they have asked for even more outrageous conditions?

Cai Guozhong only received a promise of a title and a fief. He didn't know about other places, but in Sword Tower, the value of a title was always very high. A title could only be conferred based on military merit, and even if a title was conferred, it was usually a nominal one, with very little territory to be granted.

On top of that, Partridge Di dared to make an outrageous demand: that Sword Tower recognize the legitimacy of the Vision Cult and allow it to spread its doctrines and recruit followers within its sphere of influence.

That would likely disrupt the existing power balance and stability, bringing a series of unpredictable problems to the Sword Tower.

Firstly, by widely recruiting believers, the Vision Church can rapidly expand its base, which will not only strengthen its ideological control over the people, but may also give it enough capital to influence or sway decision-making, and even challenge the authority of the city lord.

Secondly, as Vision Church rapidly grows and expands, it may seek more material and spiritual resources to support its activities, including land, funding, and human resources.

Third, if Vision Church is able to promote its doctrines within its controlled territories, this could alter the value formation process of the next generation and weaken the Tower of Swords' dominance.

Just think about it: the Tower of Swords would never recognize the legitimacy of Visionism, much less allow it to spread its doctrines and recruit followers without restraint.

Because the Vision Church is a religious sect that differs from other traditional folk sects, which are mostly formed by masters taking on disciples, imparting knowledge and resolving doubts, gradually forming a sect.

Sects are mostly bound by master-disciple or senior-sister relationships, accumulating strength generation after generation. Even if a sect is powerful, its influence is small, and the Sword Tower allows it to exist.

Non-traditional sects are religious sects, which are very dangerous because they control people's thoughts with faith and unite all followers with faith. They can easily gain power and also easily turn the tables.

The city lord of Sihai City was thus sidelined by the Incense Sect, one of the four major sects within the city.

With past examples already in sight, religious sects are absolutely forbidden within the territory of Sword Tower City. Any sect that appears is considered a heretical sect and will be eradicated. In particular, there are some religious sects that worship evil gods or mad gods, which cause great upheavals, destroying villages and towns one by one, and killing castles one by one. Even more exaggeratedly, some main cities can be wiped out overnight.

Zhou Qingfeng said, "Master Partridge is joking."

Partridge Di: "Do I look like I'm joking with you?"

Zhou Qingfeng: "It looks like a joke."

Partridge Di and Zhou Qingfeng stared at each other in silence, the atmosphere tense. If they couldn't cooperate, they would be enemies. And if they were enemies, no matter who they were, they had to get rid of them to avoid ruining their grand plan.

Zhou Qingfeng also realized that his situation was delicate, and if he was not careful, things might not end well today.

Suddenly, Partridge Di's murderous intent vanished, and he burst into laughter: "Haha, Mr. Jiang, you have a good eye for people. I was just joking with you, don't be nervous."

Zhou Qingfeng smiled at Partridge Di and said, "Although what Partridge Hall Master said just now was a joke, I took it to heart."

“Although Cai Guozhong is very important, he is not irreplaceable. Moreover, after a brief contact with him, I found that he is not as incompetent as he seems.”

"I think he is deliberately prolonging the war and enriching himself by holding onto his troops. The city lord must have been dissatisfied with him for a long time. After I return to the Sword Tower, I will definitely report to the city lord truthfully. Maybe it will work out."

Partridge Di narrowed his eyes, unsure whether this was Zhou Qingfeng's delaying tactic or his true intention. After a moment's consideration, he decided to play it safe: "Alright, then thank you for your kindness, Mr. Jiang. If you're not in a hurry to leave, why not stay a while and have some fun? Let me do my part as a host. We're going to spread our teachings and have a barbecue party and a drinking contest later. It'll be a lot of fun."

Zhou Qingfeng smiled and said, "Since Master Zhe has extended such a generous invitation, it would be impolite of me to refuse."

The two men's thoughts and decisions kept changing as the conversation went on. In just a few words, they had already tested and pulled back and forth many times. In the end, Partridge Di decided to spare Zhou Qingfeng's life.

Because Cai Guozhong will die soon, once Cai Guozhong is dead, I will be able to take over Ravenburg smoothly with the support of the army and the people, and subdue the Hell Legion. At that time, I will have enough bargaining chips.

Killing the other party at this moment would be disadvantageous.