Chapter 319 - 179: The Wushan Conclusion (Part 2)
Of course, a loss was a loss. He had nothing more to say.
But if Golden Spring Temple and Luoyun Manor could force the Government Office to concede, he wouldn’t mind fanning the flames.
"Hahaha..."
Hearing the words of Lu Canghai and Monk Xuanbei, Chen Sheng suddenly laughed, his voice filled with undisguised mockery and disdain.
"What’s so funny?"
Lu Canghai’s brow furrowed, his expression displeased.
"An explanation? What kind of explanation do you want? In the arena, it was agreed by the Government Office and the six major sects that the outcome, whether life or death, is to be accepted. Instead of reflecting on how your disciples are so weak they’re practically useless, you’re here demanding an explanation.
How truly ridiculous!"
"Today, I’ll lay it out for you plainly. There is no explanation to be had. I do, however, have a Treasure Saber in my hand. You can either accept your loss, or we can settle this with blades!"
Chen Sheng snorted coldly, not backing down an inch even when facing three Mystic Realm experts.
Seeing this, Xiao Jingheng, who was standing to the side, immediately took a Signal Arrow from his robes and fired it without hesitation.
SWISH!
A Cloud-Piercing Arrow, its sound shaking Wushan Mountain.
In just a moment, the rumbling thunder of hooves suddenly echoed from all around.
Everyone turned to look and saw that the area around the Wushan Yuan Ore mine had, at some unknown point, been surrounded by over a thousand fully armored soldiers, radiating a heavy, murderous aura.
"The allocation of shares for the Wushan Yuan Ore was established by the six major sects and the Government Office and has been maintained for nearly a hundred years. What, you can’t afford to play anymore today?"
A cold laugh suddenly rang out.
Everyone looked up at the sound and saw a towering, armored man riding a unique, scale-covered warhorse. He held a jet-black long spear and was riding out from the military formation.
His gaze swept over the crowd with disdain.
It was none other than the commander of the Military Preparation Army, General Ning’an, Li Qianzhou.
"What is the meaning of this, Government Office? Are you trying to force the people to rebel?"
Lu Canghai’s brows were tightly knitted, his eyes filled with a frigid chill.
Looking at the surrounding soldiers, he understood that this was definitely not a spur-of-the-moment decision, but a premeditated plan.
The Government Office had been certain all along that Chen Sheng would overwhelm the competition today!
Beside him, Monk Xuanbei and Iron Sword Sect’s Sect Leader Lu Qingsong also had grim expressions.
"Everyone, please hear this humble Daoist out."
Seeing that a great battle was about to erupt, Qingfeng Temple’s Elder Liang Jingxing hurried forward to smooth things over. With a solemn expression, he looked at Lu Canghai and the others and said:
"Manor Master Lu, Sect Leader Lu, Master Xuanbei, if this humble Daoist may speak fairly, the rules of the Wushan battle were set long ago. It is only natural to accept one’s losses. When your three sects held the shares, none of the other sects had any objections.
If you three sects are unwilling to abide by the rules, then Qingfeng Temple will not stand idly by."
Listening to Liang Jingxing’s so-called ’fair words’...
Monk Xuanbei and the others were so angry they could have coughed up blood.
’When our three sects held the shares, we were never this tyrannical! Even if the other sects’ disciples were inferior, they could at least get a small share of the Elemental Crystals. But this time, our three sects got absolutely nothing from the Wushan battle!’
’Qingfeng Temple lost this time, too.’
’But Chen Sheng made them a promise before the battle, so Qingfeng Temple will at least get a cut.’
At this moment, they finally understood Chen Sheng’s intentions.
’He clearly anticipated this and deliberately won over Qingfeng Temple.’
’Otherwise, if Qingfeng Temple had also come away with nothing...’
’...they would surely be on our side right now.’
"The Ning’an Wang Clan will not stand idly by, either."
Seeing this, Wangqingshan also stepped forward.
’Now I understand the purpose of Chen Sheng’s previous deal.’ he thought.
’With the lure of a twenty-percent larger share than before, he not only got ten drops of Earth Core Spirit Milk from my Wang Family but also maneuvered the Ning’an Wang Clan into taking a side. But things have already come to this. Even though I see his intentions, there’s nothing I can do. I can’t possibly speak up for Luoyun Manor and the Iron Sword Sect. The six major sects might seem united, but in reality, our internal strife never ceases. The Wushan shares are now set. As they decline, we will rise. The well-established Golden Spring Temple might be able to hold on, but the Iron Sword Sect and Luoyun Manor will definitely take a huge hit. In the next ten years, the Ning’an Wang Clan is certain to grow stronger, its power surpassing that of the Iron Sword Sect and Luoyun Manor.’
"Our Sect Leader is not present, but before leaving, he instructed that the Danxia Sect stands on the side of justice."
The elder from the Danxia Sect, who was at the Profound Gang Realm, also chimed in his support.
Taking a deep breath and seeing everyone’s united front, Monk Xuanbei pondered for a moment before changing his tune:
"Donors, you are all making a mountain out of a molehill. This humble monk naturally understands the rules of the Wushan battle. Golden Spring Temple has no intention of violating the agreement. This humble monk simply wants Donor Chen to give my martial-nephew Shanxin an explanation."
"That’s right. The same goes for Luoyun Manor."
Seeing Monk Xuanbei back down, Lu Canghai, though unwilling, reacted quickly.
’If we turn hostile at a time like this, it won’t benefit us in the slightest. The Danxia Sect, the Ning’an Wang Clan, and Qingfeng Temple now share the same interests. The Government Office even mobilized two Mystic Realm experts. Add the one stationed inside the Wushan Yuan Ore mine, and that makes three. If we have a falling out now, not only will we fail to protect our interests, we’ll lose all face as well.’
Lu Qingsong remained silent, but his silence was an admission.
"Oh, so that’s how it is. And here I was, thinking the Three Sects had an issue with the share allocation. Never mind. Since I am a kind-hearted man, the Government Office can, out of consideration, offer some assistance regarding the injuries of Shanxin, Lu Xuanzhou, and the others.
After you three return, you can write a formal petition detailing the reasons. After the Jingwu Bureau reviews and approves it, they will provide appropriate support."
Chen Sheng smiled nonchalantly.
As if he had really given them an explanation.
But these words made the faces of Monk Xuanbei, Lu Canghai, and the others flush bright red.
’Are our three sects really short on a few miserable Healing Elixirs?’
’This Chen Sheng is clearly humiliating us!’
’This is blatant, undisguised humiliation.’
Liang Jingxing glanced at Chen Sheng, raising an eyebrow. He hadn’t expected Chen Sheng to not only defeat them but also crush their spirits. Still, on the surface, he had indeed provided an explanation. Liang Jingxing cleared his throat and looked at Lu Canghai and the others:
"Fellow Daoists, what are your thoughts?"
"There’s no need to trouble the Government Office. The Iron Sword Sect accepts its loss."
Lu Qingsong broke the deadlock. He gave Chen Sheng a deep, long look, then ordered his disciples to carry the unconscious Li Xuance and turned to leave with a cold face, without the slightest hesitation.
’The Government Office and the other major sects have made their stance clear. This conflict can’t escalate any further. Staying here any longer will only lead to more humiliation.’
"Amitabha Buddha."
Monk Xuanbei lightly fiddled with his Buddhist Beads, his face grim, having lost its usual compassionate smile:
"This humble monk observes that Donor Chen already shows signs of succumbing to a Heart Demon. I urge Donor Chen to conduct himself well, lest he live to regret it in the future."
This statement was a blatant threat from Golden Spring Temple.
Chen Sheng understood the monk’s underlying meaning, but he wasn’t angry. He just smiled.
"I hear that the Buddhist Dharma of Golden Spring Temple is adept at dispelling Heart Demons. If I truly show signs of succumbing to a demon, I will be sure to personally visit Golden Spring Temple to have it exorcised."
Monk Xuanbei snorted coldly, grabbed Monk Fazang and Shanxin, and leaped into the air, turning into a streak of light that vanished over the distant horizon.
Lu Canghai didn’t offer any more harsh words, but the killing intent in his eyes was nearly impossible to conceal. With a cold expression, he led his disciples away.
"Captain Chen, my thanks for this."
After the people from the Iron Sword Sect had left, Liang Jingxing cupped his fists toward Chen Sheng in thanks.
’Although our share from this year’s Wushan battle is much less than before, it’s an acceptable outcome for Qingfeng Temple, especially compared to what Golden Spring Temple and the Iron Sword Sect are getting. And that’s one reason why I sided with the Government Office. Of course, the bigger reason is that I know the rules of the Wushan battle, once set, won’t be easily changed. On the surface, it was a joint decision between the six sects and the government, but in reality, it’s all about the games played by the powers behind the scenes. Things can’t be allowed to descend into chaos. As the unofficial leading sect of Ning’an Prefecture, Qingfeng Temple must do its best to maintain this order.’
"Elder Liang, you are too kind."
Chen Sheng cupped his fists in return.
’The reason I gave Qingfeng Temple a share was to win them over,’ he thought. ’If I couldn’t make them lean toward the Government Office, I at least had to ensure their neutrality. Otherwise, it would be bad for the Government Office if all the major sects united against it. Thankfully, while today had its twists and turns, everything still went according to plan.’
————