Mountain-Edge City, Rearguard Commandery.
Commandery Commandery Cheng Xingba was a retired Fourth Grade official. His family, Cheng Family, was one of the top clans in Mountain-Edge City.
By the time Lu Sheng, Chen Ying, Ouyang Ningzhi, and Elder Wang arrived at the Manor, it was already evening.
The Rearguard Commandery had long received news of their arrival and was brightly lit. Manservants and servants lined up to welcome them.
Apart from them, a tall, rotund military official with a big belly stood at the door, waiting for them with his hand on the saber at his waist.
Seeing the arrival of Crimson Whale Sect's carriage, the big-bellied military official hurried forward.
"Sect Master Chen, External Head Lu, Elder Wang, and Internal Head Ouyang are here too," the man forced a smile. His expression was stiff, as if he didn't want to interact with them at all. But it made sense. Everyone in Crimson Whale Sect knew that they had stirred up trouble and were in deep trouble.
"You're too kind, Commandery Cheng. Are the esteemed guests here?" Chen Ying asked in a low voice. "Also, External Head Lu has already succeeded as our Sect Master. He's no longer External Head."
Cheng Xingba was stunned. He hurriedly forced a smile again and cupped his fists at Lu Sheng. "My apologies.
It's my oversight. Sect Master Lu is young and promising, with superb martial arts skills. It's only natural for him to succeed as Sect Master, "he hurriedly tried to salvage the situation." The esteemed guests are already here. We're just waiting for Crimson Whale Sect's guests. "
"Mm, let's go in then." Lu Sheng had sent people to spread the news of Crimson Whale Sect's intention to seek refuge through Mountain-Edge City's intelligence network. Most of the information was sent to the Intelligence Division.
Indeed, not long after, the Intelligence Division called for a small gathering at the Rearguard Commandery Manor and requested Crimson Whale Sect to attend.
They also invited a few other esteemed guests. They were all representatives of various factions.
The few of them entered the Manor. Chen Ying took the lead while Lu Sheng remained silent. This was what they had agreed on beforehand. Chen Ying would communicate in front while Lu Sheng listened from behind. It was a convenient buffer.
After entering the mansion, they passed through a corridor and arrived at a small pavilion in the side courtyard. They saw the representatives of various factions gathered together to drink tea and chat.
In the octagonal pavilion, a black curtain hung down. Only the side facing Lu Sheng and the others was lifted, revealing four people sitting inside.
Daoist Bai Feng was among them, and the other three were a man and two women.
Lu Sheng walked behind Chen Ying and they both stood outside the pavilion.
"Sect Master Lu, please take a seat." Taoist Bai Feng's tone was much gentler and more polite than before. Looking at Lu, he smiled and said, "Lu Gang's main force defeated Scarlet District's experts in a huge battle. I've had a feast for my eyes. "
Lu Sheng's eyes narrowed. Knowing that he couldn't hide it any longer, he reached out to stop Chen Ying who was about to speak. He gestured for the others to leave first, and waited until they were led away by the servants.
"Daoist Bai Feng sure is well-informed." He glanced at the empty seat in the pavilion and immediately understood. Without hesitation, he walked in and sat down.
"Our Crimson Whale Sect is very sincere. Since you've come personally, I'm sure you've made up your mind?" he asked in a low voice.
Aside from Bai Feng, the other people sitting in the pavilion were the three representatives from the various factions.
One was a fair and plump fatty who looked like a squire counsellor. He held a folding fan in his hand and wore a white hat on his head. In the middle of the hat was written a large 'Le' character. This person had a kind face, making people feel close to him at first glance.
The other two were a white-browed woman who wore a black crown and dressed like an ancient Confucian scholar.
The last was a beautiful woman with long hair cascading down her back and a green jade mask over her face.
The three had very different styles and left a deep impression on anyone who saw them.
"Let me introduce them," Taoist Bai Feng smiled and pointed to the fair and plump squire counsellor.
"This is Xiao Hongye, Squire Xiao."
He then pointed to the white-browed woman with the crown.
"This is Shangyang Jiuli from Shangyang Family."
Lastly, he pointed to the beautiful woman with the jade mask over her face.
"This is Miss Xu Feihong from Xu Family."
Lu Sheng's eyes narrowed. Apart from the fatty, the other two women were from Shangyang Family and Xu Family respectively.
He wasn't too familiar with these two families, but since they had introduced themselves using their families, they must be Noble Families. Moreover, any power who dared to wade into these muddy waters at this time must be extraordinary.
"Greetings to the three of you," he cupped his fists and said in a clear voice.
"We've all seen Sect Master Lu's battle with Scarlet District's Deputy District Mistress. You're indeed extraordinary. But I wonder which family you're originally from? "The fatty, Xiao Hongye, asked softly with a grin.
"I'm just a martial artist. My background is clean. Haven't you all checked it out by now?" Lu Sheng raised his brows.
"Sect Master Lu sure is straightforward," Xiao Hongye smiled. "He's just an ordinary person. How could he have risen so quickly if he didn't have any background? Of course, since Sect Master is unwilling to speak, then let's drop it. Let's talk about Crimson Whale Sect's ownership. Since all of you are seated here, of course we've laid out our conditions. We're all willing … "
"My Shangyang Family only wants seventy percent of the tributes and a permanent resident," Shangyang Jiuli interrupted Xiao Hongye coldly.
"My Xu Family wants ninety percent of the tributes, but we can guarantee the safety of the two trade routes to the Central Plains. But we can't be permanent, "Xu Feihong said gently.
Permanent meant that the Noble Families would send one person to guard the sect to deal with any possible trouble.
Xu Family wanted twenty percent more than Xiao Family, but in exchange, they would guarantee the safety of two trade routes to the Central Plains. In fact, the benefits were even greater than Shangyang Family's.
The so-called 'a certain percentage' referred to the ratio of resources and wealth that Crimson Whale Sect collected within its jurisdiction. The percentage referred to the portion that was handed over to the Noble Families.
Lu Sheng finally looked at the fatty, Xiao Hongye.
Xiao Hongye waved his hands. "We don't dare to compete with the two Noble Families. Don't look at me, don't look at me. Brother, you'd better talk to these two."
Lu Sheng narrowed his eyes. He had a feeling that this fatty wasn't as amiable as he appeared to be. He was probably the smiling tiger type.
Shangyang Family and Xu Family. Both of their representatives were women, but Shangyang Jiuli and Xu Feihong had completely different styles and attitudes.
"Speaking of which, I'm still rather unfamiliar with these two families. Can you introduce them to me?" Lu Sheng asked calmly after some thought.
"Sure, sure. This old Taoist knows a bit about them," Taoist Bai Feng smiled. "Sect Master Lu is young and promising. It's understandable that you don't know."
He looked at the two women. Seeing that they didn't respond or reject him, he smiled.
"Shangyang Family is one of the Nine Great Families of the Central Plains. It's powerful and has the nickname of Iron Painting and Silver Hook. It mainly deals with medicinal herbs, shipping, and banks. "
Shangyang Jiuli didn't even look at him. She closed her eyes, as if in meditation.
Taoist Bai Feng pointed at Xu Feihong.
"As for the Xu Family, they are the royalty of Ju Rong Nation. They are known as the Jade Talisman Noble Family. They are equally powerful. In terms of martial prowess, neither of them is weaker than the Zhen Family. In fact, they might even be stronger. So Sect Master Lu need not worry about that. "
Lu Sheng nodded.
"Many thanks, Division Head Bai Feng," he looked straight at Shangyang Jiuli.
"Dare I ask Miss Shangyang, if I choose Shangyang, how will the matter of Scarlet District be resolved?"
Shangyang Jiuli didn't even open her eyes. She said mildly, "Scarlet District's District Mistress is out. Ignore her for now. When she returns, I'll pay her a visit personally."
Lu Sheng's heart skipped a beat at her words.
He looked at Xu Feihong on the other side.
Just by looking at her eyes, Xu Feihong could tell that she was a beautiful girl. Dressed in a long pink robe, she sat in the pavilion as if her entire body was buried in the wide, soft, and exquisite robe. Her jade-like arms were faintly discernible.
Seeing Lu Sheng look at her, she smiled.
"Peace is the most precious thing in the world. This servant can personally make peace with Scarlet District as well."
Lu Sheng nodded and pondered for a moment. In the end, he turned to Shangyang Jiuli and said softly.
"Looks like I'll have to trouble Miss Jiuli with this matter."
His declaration meant that he had chosen Shangyang Family.
Xu Feihong's expression did not change. She merely nodded slightly at the others and smiled at Lu Sheng. Then, she stood up and walked out slowly.
Only then did Shangyang Jiuli open her eyes. She looked at Lu Sheng with some surprise.
Her attitude wasn't exactly good. In fact, she had been rather careless when she came out to recruit Crimson Whale Sect. In reality, the benefits she offered were far less than what Xu Family offered. Xu Family even offered to not send anyone to supervise the sect. This meant that no one would interfere with the sect's management.
Even so, Lu Sheng still chose her.
She had thought that she was just here for a stroll.
"Ho ho ho ho! Congratulations to the two of you. Crimson Whale Sect is the Number One Sect in the Northern Lands. Shangyang Family is also one of the Nine Great Families of the Central Plains. Their strength is extraordinary. This union will surely ensure the stability of the Northern Lands, "Xiao Hongye laughed eerily, covering her mouth with her folding fan.
"Mm, you're not bad," Shangyang Jiuli looked at Lu Sheng approvingly. She had only intended to relax on this trip. She had no intention of completing any missions. Who would've thought that she would actually complete one for free?
"Miss Jiuli, when will you settle the matter with Scarlet District?" Lu Sheng asked directly, not bothering with pleasantries. He had only won the right to choose between the Noble Families after displaying his strength. Otherwise, according to what Senior Apprentice Brother Hong Mingzi had told him, Crimson Whale Sect would have had no choice at all. They could only wait for Shangyang Family and Xu Family to compete, and then passively accept Shangyang Family as their master.
"That's simple. Tonight will do." Shangyang Jiuli was swift and decisive. She found Lu Sheng pleasing to the eye. Moreover, she had always been impatient with such mundane matters. Hence, she always had the attitude of settling matters as soon as possible.
"Many thanks, Miss Jiuli!" Lu Sheng cupped his fists solemnly.
"Since all of you have confirmed it, why don't we have a banquet in the Rearguard Commandery Manor?" Xiao Hongye suggested. "What a coincidence that all of us decision-makers in the Northern Lands are here. This is a rare opportunity," his plump face was all smiles.
"I'm not free," Shangyang Jiuli rejected him without another word. She stood up and tossed a stone tablet to Lu Sheng. "This is my Shangyang Family's communication tablet. Burn it with fire and it will send out a signal. I'll be able to sense it within a thousand li."
Lu Sheng caught the stone tablet and flipped through it carefully.
On the white stone tablet in the shape of a trapezoid, a chapter in an unknown language was clearly written. Judging from the vigorous and vigorous strokes, it should have been written by an expert.
"I'm going to Scarlet District first!" Shangyang Jiuli turned around. Without waiting for a reply, she leapt lightly and disappeared from the pavilion in the blink of an eye.
Just as Lu Sheng's gaze shifted away from the stone tablet, he could no longer see Shangyang Jiuli.
"Sect Master Lu is indeed extraordinary," the moment Shangyang Jiuli left, Xiao Hongye smiled and said to Lu Sheng. "To think that you've made the best choice for Crimson Whale Sect without even knowing anything."
"Oh? Why would Squire Xiao say that? "Lu Sheng raised his brows.
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