PDLP Chapter 49: The So-Called Alliance
Chapter 49: The So-Called Alliance
"Chongming Gate?"
He Yu frowned slightly; she had never had any contact with other sects in the vicinity.
Why did this powerful sect come knocking on our door?
She took the letter, opened it, and found it was an invitation.
"Senior sister, what does it say on it?" Daji asked curiously.
After reading it, He Yu replied:
"The Chongming Sect, Xiaoxi Sect, Changhe Sect, and Zhuwan Temple are forming an alliance and would like to invite us to join them."
"What do they mean by this?" Daji asked, puzzled.
He Yu stood up, took out a map from the drawer, spread it out, and drew a circle that included the four sects from before as well as the Qing Shi Sect.
"These five sects were established by independent cultivators after the Battle of Chishan, while the other sects were originally Qi Refining forces that moved here."
"They have a profound foundation; whether it's the number of cultivators, or the talismans, magical artifacts, cultivation techniques, and secret arts, they far surpass us."
"Therefore, this alliance is simply for mutual support and to resist other forces."
"Should we join?"
He Yu pondered for a moment and said:
"Let's go take a look first."
Judging from the invitation, the negotiation location is set in Pukou Fangshi. It seems that although everyone wants to form an alliance, they are still wary of each other.
…………
The next day.
He Yu arrived at the designated courtyard as agreed.
Just in case, He Yu also called Niu Er and others.
"You all stay outside and keep watch. If you hear any noise coming from inside the courtyard, rush in immediately," He Yu whispered in his ear.
Niu Er looked serious and said:
Don't worry.
Then, He Yu entered the house and saw three people already sitting there. They all looked at He Yu as she entered.
He Yu remained expressionless and cupped his hands in greeting:
"Qing Shimen, He Yu."
The male cultivator in the middle of the head seat stared intently at her and said in a deep voice:
"Isn't the head of the Qing Shi Sect a man? Why is there a woman here?"
He Yu smiled calmly and explained:
"The sect leader has gone into seclusion to break through to the next level. I will now act as the sect leader."
The old Taoist priest on the left, who looked to be in his sixties or seventies, stroked his white hair and said with a smile:
"I see. I am Zhao Zimo, the head of the Changhe Sect."
The old Taoist priest then pointed to the person opposite him and said:
"He is Chen Wenyuan, the leader of the Xiaoxi Sect."
"As for this one, he is Fellow Daoist Kang Qian of the Chongming Sect."
He Yu nodded, then found a seat and waited quietly for the last person to arrive.
After waiting for a while, the last person finally arrived.
"The Abbot of Zhuwan Temple, Li Cixi, greets the four fellow Daoists."
The person who entered the room was a female cultivator with the seventh level of Qi Refining, the same realm as Kang Qian, the head of the Chongming Sect.
Seeing that everyone had arrived, the old Taoist priest Zhao Ziming stood up and said with a smile:
"Haha, now that everyone is here, let's begin discussing the alliance."
Zhao Ziming exchanged a glance with Kangxi and Qianlong, who were seated at the head of the table, and then smiled and said:
"As you all probably know, among the many forces in Chishan, our five forces are the only newly established forces."
"Our foundation is shallow, our development is slow, and we are far inferior to other alchemy forces."
"Therefore, the reason we have gathered everyone here today is to discuss the alliance."
After speaking, Zhao Ziming looked at the other three, trying to discern a different emotion from their expressions.
However, Li Cixi remained seated, closing his eyes to rest, and paid no attention.
He Yu ignored it, but pondered to himself:
"This old Taoist priest has probably already made arrangements with the head of the Chongming Sect."
Finally, it was Chen Wenyuan, the leader of the Xiaoxi Sect, who spoke:
"What kind of alliance is this?"
"A defensive alliance, sharing resources."
Zhao Ziming stroked his beard, a fake smile on his face, and looked at He Yu, saying:
"For example, Qing Shimen."
"If I remember correctly, the beast-repelling powder that was all the rage in the market back then was developed by your sect leader, Fellow Daoist Li Wudao, wasn't it?"
"Among our five major sects, Qing Shi Sect is the weakest. If we form an alliance, we can provide protection. Qing Shi Sect only needs to provide the recipe for the Beast-Repelling Powder."
Upon hearing this, He Yu immediately understood the true purpose of this so-called alliance.
Zhao Ziming then looked at He Yu and asked with a smile:
"Fellow Daoist He, what do you think of this suggestion?"
He Yu no longer wanted to waste time here, so he cupped his hands and said:
"This matter is of great importance and I cannot make a decision on it. Please allow me to return and report to the sect leader before discussing it with everyone."
Having said that, he turned and left without hesitation.
No sooner had He Yu left than Li Cixi, who had been resting with his eyes closed, opened them and spoke:
"Since Fellow Daoist He has left, I will also take my leave. Please make yourselves at home."
Watching the two figures leave one after another, Kangxi and Qianlong's faces showed anger. They slammed their hands down, and the armrest shattered into pieces.
"Hmph! Two ungrateful bastards."
Zhao Ziming caught a glimpse of his burning anger and immediately smiled sweetly, saying:
"Fellow Daoist Kang, please don't be angry."
"Since Qing Shimen doesn't know what's good for him, we'll take it ourselves."
"The Qing Shi Sect's leader, Li Wu, is only at the sixth level of Qi Refining, and his sect has few disciples. He is certainly no match for you, Sect Leader Kang."
Kang Qian nodded with great satisfaction. He was at the seventh level of Qi Refining. He had relied on his own strength to kill several late-stage Qi Refining demonic beasts in the Battle of Chishan before he was granted permission to establish a sect.
"However, I have heard that Li Wu has close ties with the Zhao family, and two of his disciples are Zhao family members. If we attack Qing Shi Gate without authorization, I am afraid it will displease the Zhao family."
Zhao Ziming waved his hand and said:
"I have already investigated thoroughly. The Zhao family sent their disciples to join the Qing Shi Sect in order to obtain the Beast-Repelling Powder. As long as we obtain the Beast-Repelling Powder and share it with the Zhao family, they will not only not blame us, but may even support us."
"And me, Fellow Daoist Kang, aren't you somewhat connected to that young patriarch of the Liu family?"
After listening to Zhao Ziming's analysis, Kangxi and Qianlong pondered for a moment and then said in a deep voice:
"I'll talk about it after I go and ask to see the young patriarch of the Liu family."
…………
After Li Cixi left the house, he quickly caught up with He Yu.
"Fellow Daoist He, please wait."
He Yu turned to look at her, and asked in confusion:
"Fellow Daoist Li, is there something you need?"
Li Cixi's expression was solemn, and he said in a deep voice:
"Fellow Daoist He, the Chongming Sect harbors wolfish ambitions; the Qingshi Sect must be careful."
Upon hearing this, He Yu raised an eyebrow, indicating that the other party had also realized that this so-called alliance was a trap.
"Don't worry, Fellow Daoist Li, I will be very careful."
Li Cixi smiled and said:
"Also, please give my regards to Fellow Daoist Li Wu for me."
After saying this, she cupped her hands in greeting, turned around, and left.
Watching the other person's retreating figure, He Yu frowned slightly, pondering to herself:
"Does this person know the sect leader?"
She pondered for a moment, then shook her head and said in a deep voice:
"Let's go back first and discuss how to deal with Chongmingmen and the others."
With a sudden thought, He Yu casually mentioned that he had taken Niu Er and the others with him when he left.