Xu Yuanshuang, who was beside him, snatched the secret letter and read it attentively. Then, she passed it to Liu Hongmian, White Tiger, and Qihuan Dan Xiang.
After reading it, everyone had a strange look on their faces.
This was the first time the Palace Master of Tianji Palace had given an order since they entered the Jianghu gathering for Dragon Breath.
Suddenly, a bell-like laughter rang out. The laughter was cheerful at first, then a little sad. Everyone turned their heads and looked at Liu Hongmian, who was laughing so hard that tears were coming out of her eyes.
Ji Xuan looked at her silently. After a while, when the enchanting and charming woman calmed down, he said in a gentle tone,
"Hongmian is Wan Hua Lou's disciple. She knows the Wulin League the best."
"She's a former disciple."
Liu Hongmian corrected him. There was a faint smile on her face that was as bright as a peach blossom. She had regained her usual charm.
She pondered for a moment and said,
"Jian Province is known as the holy land of martial arts in the Jianghu because of the existence of the Wulin League.
"Since the founding of the country, it has been a huge force in Jian Province. In the past six hundred years, the Wulin League has maintained the order of Jian Province's Jianghu, giving Jian Province the soil for sects to prosper and grow.
"Today, the top sects in Jian Province's Jianghu are all subordinates of the Wulin League."
Liu Hongmian glanced at the people present and continued speaking.
"Among the subordinate forces of the Wulin League, there are nine sects that are the most powerful. They are Godly Fist Sect, Wan Hua Lou, Ink Pavilion, Qianji Sect, Shenxing Sect, Tie Yi Hall, Mount Yu, White Crane Temple, and Jian Province Chamber of Commerce.
"The ancestors of these forces either came from the Wulin League or established their own sects with the support of the Wulin League. For hundreds of years, they have been on the same side as the Wulin League.
"As for the small sects, I won't go into details."
Xu Yuanhuai said in a low voice, "Do these sects all have fourth-grade masters?"
Liu Hongmian nodded. "At least one."
Everyone was silent.
Aside from the Seven Constellations of the Azure Dragon, if they were alone, Martial Union would not even need to take action personally. The various sects under them would be more than enough to turn them into ashes.
Moreover, there were bound to be other masters in the affiliated gangs. As long as they had not reached the Transcendent Realm, taking turns to fight was an effective way to kill a Fourth Grade master.
"Tell us about the headquarters of the Wulin League," said the one-armed White Tiger. said.
Hearing this, everyone's gaze focused on Liu Hongmian, including the seven constellations of the Blue Dragon.
"Martial Union has a military town at the foot of War Hound Mountain. Martial Union claims to have 20,000 heavy cavalrymen, but in reality, they only have 8,000 cavalrymen at most, and no more than 4,000 heavy cavalrymen. The 20,000 soldiers were the direct troops of the old Alliance Master back then. Of course, they have been replaced countless times. "
Liu Hongmian recalled and said,
"Aside from the army, the number of experts within Martial Union is not easy to calculate. Even I cannot make an accurate judgment. "I think Cao Qingyang and the old League Master are the most important.
"Cao Qingyang is in the top five of the Top 100 List and is half a step away from Transcendent. If any one of us were to fight him alone, we'd be dead for sure.
"As for the old Alliance Master, although there are many who believe that his existence is a gimmick created by Martial Union, with our level, we naturally know that he truly exists.
"But the old League Master has never shown up for hundreds of years. I don't know why, but after seeing the Palace Master's superstition, I know the truth."
She stopped talking after introducing the situation of the Sword Province.
"We need more people," Ji Xuan calmly made a judgment. He looked at the secret agent from Yu State and said,
He looked at the spy and said, "Send a message to the East Sea Dragon Palace's Dongfang sisters and the two King Kongs. Tell them to come here as soon as possible."
…
It was a break today, so Xu Erlang rode a swift horse out of the city and arrived at Cloud Deer Academy in the outskirts of the capital in less than two hours.
He quickly climbed the mountain, passed through the academy, and came to the bamboo forest at the back of the mountain.
"Dean, Cijiu is here to see you."
Xu Xinnian bowed outside the bamboo building.
Light flashed under his feet, and he was brought into the bamboo building.
In the elegant and clean bamboo building, Zhao Shou sat alone by the table, sipping tea.
There was already a cup of steaming hot tea in front of him.
Xu Xinnian knew that it was prepared for him, and he also knew that it was Zhao Shou's attitude.
Originally, with his status, he was not qualified to be on equal footing with Zhao Shou.
Be it his cultivation or his identity as a teacher, Xu Cijiu should stand in front of Zhao Shou.
"Thank you, Dean."
Xu Xinnian bowed and sat down.
"I have two things to ask of you."
Zhao Shou put down his teacup and said gently, "Submit a report to the Academy, and make an appointment with Wang Zhenwen for tea in the afternoon."
Xu Xinnian's eyes flickered, and he hesitated for a moment. "Okay."
…
At the border of Jiang District.
The filly swung her ponytail and chewed on the concentrated feed in the wooden bucket.
The two stallions on both sides were drooling over the feed and tried to get a share. Every time this happened, the filly would swing her neck and hit the stallion on the head.
In front of the bonfire by the stream, Mu Nanzi was stir-frying wild vegetables in an iron pot, while Xu Qi'an was chopping up wild game caught in the forest.
Li Lingsu was squatting by the stream, washing the ingredients.
Miao Youfang was not working. He was practicing boxing not far away, and his body was drenched in sweat.
"After Copper Skin and Iron Bones is the fifth-grade Transforming Strength. The biggest feature of this realm is that you return from breathing to tempering your Qi and blood."
Xu Qi'an taught as he sliced the meat.
"However, it's different from tempering your Qi and blood in the Spirit Refinement realm. You need to use your heart to feel the rhythm of your body and control your strength perfectly."
Miao Youfang did not stop moving and replied loudly, "I can already control it."
Li Lingsu sneered and said, "You're still far from it."
"You're a Taoist priest, what do you know!" Miao Youfang scolded.
Li Lingsu ignored his vulgarities and said,
"Humans are born to be able to control their hands and feet and control their bodies, but this is the most superficial use of the body.
"Ordinary people can only unleash less than 10% or 20% of their physical strength. The best proof is that they can erupt with unparalleled strength in times of crisis.
"The essence of fifth-grade Transforming Strength is to control these uncontrollable forces. Am I right? Senior Xu? "
Xu Qi'an nodded and agreed with Li Lingsu's words.
He added, "This realm can't be achieved quickly, and it can't be piled up with resources. It depends on personal talent and enlightenment. The higher the grade, the more opportunities and enlightenment are needed. It's the same for all major systems.
"But the experience of the ancestors can help you avoid a lot of detours. I suggest that in addition to boxing, you should persist in meditation every day and temper your Vital Spirit."
Miao Youfang asked, "Why do I have to temper my Vital Spirit? Isn't it to temper my body? "
Xu Qi'an smiled and said, "Because the body is controlled by the brain. The better the brain is developed, the stronger the ability to control the body."
Miao Youfang seemed to understand but not really, while Li Lingsu was deep in thought.
…
In the prince's mansion.
Xu Erlang had lunch in the prince's mansion and was taken to the outer hall of the boudoir by Simu Wang.
Even though they were engaged, they were not married yet, so the fiancé was not allowed to enter the girl's boudoir.
The outer hall was luxuriously decorated with expensive lichens. There were all kinds of antiques and treasures on the antique shelves, and the walls were hung with famous calligraphy and paintings.
Wang Simu was extremely talented. She was both beautiful and intelligent. It was always pleasant to be around her.
Occasionally, she would throw a tantrum at her lover. Fortunately, Erlang was not the iron-willed man he used to be. He still knew how to coax her.
"When the Spring Sacrifice is over, Lingyue should be 19 years old."
Simu Wang asked with a smile.
Xu Erlang was thinking about something and nodded absent-mindedly.
"It's also the age to get married. Do you have an engagement?"
Simu Wang asked again.
In Daibun, the age for a woman to get married was usually 14 years old for commoners and 16 years old for officials and nobles.
She could not be older than 22 years old, otherwise she would be an old leftover woman.
Xu Erlang glanced at his 21 years old fiancée and said, "No rush. Let's wait a few more years."
Wang Simu nodded with a smile and added,
"After we're married, she'll be able to choose even more husbands."
Simu Wang's thoughts were very clear. In the future, when she married into the Xu family, she must marry Lingyue out.
Just being the mistress of the Xu family gave her a lot of pressure. If she let her sister, who liked to pretend to be weak and weak, interfere, her future position would be worrying.
Of course, Simu Wang was not someone who liked to fight. She got married for the sake of fighting in the house.
She just wanted to reduce the "threat" around her and try not to be controlled by others.
Xu Erlang hummed perfunctorily for a moment before saying, "Yes, yes, yes.
"I still have something to discuss with Wang Shoufu."
Simu Wang nodded and said softly,
"Father seems to be sick. He has been coughing for a while and he is always in a daze."
Xu Erlang was stunned and said with concern, "Have you seen the Warlock of the Celestial Commissioner?"
Simu Wang sighed.
"The Celestial Commissioner said that father is sick from overwork and worries too much. He needs to rest. In addition, he has caught a cold.
"In the past, when Wei Yuan was still around, he was full of fighting spirit. Now that Wei Yuan is dead, he no longer has a political rival, and his fighting spirit is gone.
"He could have shown his ambition, but who knew that disaster would come …"
Xu Erlang nodded with a heavy expression.
After leaving his fiancée's residence, he went to Wang Shoufu's study and knocked on the door.
After getting permission, he pushed the door open and entered.
Wang Shoufu was holding a steaming hot cup of tea and sitting behind the table. There was nothing in front of him and he seemed to be in a daze.
"Grand Secretary, the dean wants to see you."
Xu Cijiu went straight to the point.
Wang Shoufu stared at him for a moment and said, "There's nothing to see.
"There's nothing to see. I don't have the energy to deal with him, and I'm not interested either.
"The new emperor has ascended the throne and his Yunlu Academy wants to use this opportunity to return to the court. This will definitely cause unrest in the court and cause resistance from the civil officials. At this juncture, you should know what this means. "
Xu Erlang said in a deep voice, "The rebel army of Yunzhou is ready to go. If Yunlu Academy can return to the court, it will undoubtedly be a great help."
Wang Shoufu shook his head.
"What the court needs now is not the group of clean people from Yunlu Academy, but silver. Silver that can't be used up. Go tell Zhao Shou that if he can increase the national treasury by five million taels of silver, I will give up my position.
"Opposing the scholars of Cloud Deer Academy is the common understanding of the scholars in the world, and it's the common understanding of the civil officials. If we open up this mouth, do you think the group of civil officials will 'force' me to abdicate?
"Then, who will go to the disaster relief?"
Xu Erlang sighed, "I understand."
On the third day, he applied for leave and did not go to Hanlin Academy. Instead, he went to Yunlu Academy to 'report'.
"Although Wang Shoufu didn't see the dean, he submitted the report. However, he ignored His Majesty …"
Xu Erlang said.
"Forget it!"
Zhao Shou sighed and looked in the direction of the capital. "I've already done my best for Yongxing."
At that moment, Xu Erlang still didn't understand the meaning behind his words.
…
The moon was bright and the stars were sparse. The cold winds were fierce.
A flying boat shuttled through the clouds and slowly 'stopped' above the majestic city.
Dongfang Wanrong stood proudly at the bow of the boat, her beautiful hair and dress fluttering in the wind.
"Master, we've arrived at Yu Province."
…
In a small courtyard, Ji Xuan was entertaining the two Vajras, Du Nan and Du Fan.
"I wonder if the two of you have found the nine dragons' host?"
Ji Xuan looked at the Buddhist Vajra sitting at the head of the table and probed.
Du Nan shook his head slightly.
The Asura Vajra closed his eyes in silence.
Ji Xuan smiled and didn't say another word. He knew that his identity wasn't enough to make the two Vajras think highly of him.
Jingxin said, "Patron Ji Xuan, who is the ally you want us to wait for?"
Ji Xuan answered truthfully, "Someone from the Witchcraft Cult."
Du Nan opened his eyes and looked at him before closing them again. He didn't say anything.
The warrior monk, Jingyuan, frowned slightly. "When the time comes, how will the Dragon Breath be distributed?"
It was the decision of the Buddhist upper echelons to cooperate with Hidden Dragon City. He had no objections even if the Dragon Breath belonged to Hidden Dragon City.
However, the relationship between the Witchcraft Cult and the Buddhist sects hadn't reached that stage.
Ji Xuan was just about to speak when he suddenly turned his head to look outside the courtyard.
Jingxin, Jingyuan, and company did the same.
Moments later, there was a knock on the two dilapidated wooden doors of the small courtyard.
Liu Hongmian twisted her waist and went to open the door. The East Sea Dragon Palace's group, led by the Dongfang sisters, stood at the door.
Ji Xuan stood up and welcomed them with a smile. "Palatial Masters, please enter."
