CH 72 - 1000 Year Family

Guangyang Prefecture.

The Evil Suppression Department.

Jiang Qin had returned.

Lu Wenxuan asked, "How did it go?"

"He disagrees," Jiang Qin shook his head slightly, though a cold light flashed in his eyes. "However, the rumors in the martial arts world aren't true. This person isn't at the Marrow Cleansing Stage; he's already entered the Minor Grandmaster Stage of Organ Refining."

"That's why I didn't act against him. A junior master at the Organ Refining stage, and a pure warrior at that, could serve as a thorn in Taishan Dao's side. The various sects and families would not tolerate Gu Family Village dominating Taishan Dao. But if the owner of Gu Family Village is a junior grandmaster, then it's a different story."

Jiang Qin continued, a cold smile creeping across his face. "Such a strong man, even an ordinary Yuling Realm warrior, might not be his match. In all of Guangyang Prefecture, how many Yuling Realm warriors can compare?"

Lu Wenxuan's eyes narrowed slightly. "A junior master of Organ Refining?"

He hadn't expected that a place as insignificant as Baishidao could produce a master at the Organ Refining stage. Let alone Baishidao—Taishan Dao, with its rich martial traditions and many sects, hadn't seen a minor grandmaster emerge in years. Yet here was one from Baishidao.

"Among the seventy-two sects in Guangyang Prefecture, Taishan Sect ranks in the top ten. It was previously controlled by Qingyang Sect, but now that they've been destroyed, Taishan Dao nominally belongs to Gu Family Village. In this situation, the other sects in the martial world will certainly not sit back and do nothing."

Lu Wenxuan continued after a pause, "You did the right thing. A junior grandmaster is not weak; in Guangyang Prefecture, he counts as a top expert. Let the sects fight among themselves. Our Evil Suppression Department will sit on the sidelines. The most pressing task is to find the whereabouts of the evil spirit. Once we suppress it, all other problems will naturally be resolved."

With a wave of his hand, Lu Wenxuan dismissed Jiang Qin's concerns about the martial world, choosing to focus on the department's main mission. "When two tigers fight, one will be injured. No matter who wins or loses, it only benefits us."

Gu Family Village.

A few days after Jiang Qin left, another guest arrived.

"My name is Zhuo Feng. It's an honor to meet you, Master Gu."

In the main hall of Gu Family Village, a tall and handsome young man in white stood with a faint smile on his face. Gu Qingfeng's calm eyes scrutinized him, instantly recalling information about the Zhuo family—a thousand-year-old family from Guangyang Prefecture with a foundation far surpassing that of the Qingyang Sect.

Zhuo Feng appeared to be much younger than he seemed. His aura was obscure, but Gu Qingfeng could sense a lifetime of vicissitudes in him, along with a faint trace of something dark.

He's a warlock, Gu Qingfeng thought, and no less formidable than Qingyang Patriarch.

Setting his thoughts aside, Gu Qingfeng spoke calmly, "May I ask what position you hold in the Zhuo family?"

Zhuo Feng responded with a smile, "I am an elder of the Zhuo family."

"So, it's Elder Zhuo," Gu Qingfeng nodded. "Gu Family Village has no ties to the Zhuo family. May I ask what brings you here today?"

Zhuo Feng maintained his calm demeanor, the smile never leaving his face. "I've heard that Master Gu destroyed the Qingyang Sect, and your fame has spread across Guangyang Prefecture. I have long been eager to meet you, and today I find that the rumors are indeed true."

Zhuo Feng's tone shifted slightly, becoming more serious. "I came first to offer my congratulations on your fame, and second, to ask what you think of the current situation in Taishan Dao."

Gu Qingfeng narrowed his eyes as he took a sip of tea. "I'm not sure what Elder Zhuo means."

"Then allow me to speak plainly," Zhuo Feng replied, dropping the formalities. "I came to ask if Master Gu has any intention of taking control of Taishan Dao."

"And if I do?" Gu Qingfeng asked.

Zhuo Feng continued, "If you truly desire to take charge of Taishan Dao, the Zhuo family will offer our blessings. But Taishan Dao is a complex place with many forces vying for control. Though you have the ability to take charge, the fact remains that you are a warrior, not a sorcerer."

He paused to gauge Gu Qingfeng's reaction, but seeing no change in his expression, he pressed on. "I heard that the Evil Suppression Bureau visited your village not long ago. I believe you're aware of the difference between sorcerers and warriors."

"My Zhuo family began as a martial family; we do not look down on warriors. But the world as it is now respects sorcerers above all. Taishan Dao is different from Baishidao. Among the seventy-two sects of Guangyang Prefecture, Taishan Dao ranks in the top ten."

"If you intend to take over Taishan Dao, you must be prepared to face the sects and families that hold influence there. Unlike the Qingyang Sect, which was only a few hundred years old, some of these clans have endured for over a thousand years, with foundations and powerful warriors that far surpass those of Qingyang."

Zhuo Feng explained the situation calmly, but Gu Qingfeng's expression remained indifferent. Many of these points had already been raised by Jiang Qin, so he wasn't surprised.

Once Zhuo Feng finished speaking, Gu Qingfeng replied bluntly, "There's no need for pleasantries. The Zhuo family, being a thousand-year-old clan, likely has its own designs on Taishan Dao. Elder Zhuo, you didn't come all this way just to offer advice. What is your true purpose? Speak plainly."

Zhuo Feng was momentarily taken aback, then he smiled and admitted, "Yes, my Zhuo family does have interests in Taishan Dao. After all, it's one of the top ten regions in Guangyang Prefecture, with extraordinary resources."

"As for my visit, I came to gauge Master Gu's intentions regarding Taishan Dao. If you have no desire to fight for control, the Zhuo family will send our forces to compete for it. However, since you were the one to destroy Qingyang Sect, the Zhuo family is willing to offer some compensation."