Chapter 577 - 193: All Parties Gather, The Day of the Finals
The disciples of the Xuanzhen Sect came from all over Jintai Prefecture, and some had even traveled from other prefectures to seek tutelage.
However, a considerable number of these disciples were natives of Jintai Prefecture, with many hailing from the various local families. As such, they were quite familiar with the Hong, Su, and Lin Families—the three great families of Jintai Prefecture.
...
The secondary platform was also a scene of lively activity.
The patriarchs of the three great families were all pivotal figures in Jintai Prefecture and were on friendly terms with many of the Xuanzhen Sect’s elders.
Upon meeting, they warmly clasped their hands in greeting and exchanged pleasantries, their words filled with courtesy.
These elders from the Xuanzhen Sect, conscious of belonging to a major sect, had previously treated the families’ grand elders with courtesy. Ultimately, however, they maintained a certain distance and didn’t afford them too much respect.
But their attitude toward the patriarchs of the three great families was entirely different.
Each of the patriarchs of the three great families was a Pill Realm expert of unfathomably powerful strength. Moreover, they controlled the economic lifelines of Jintai Prefecture from behind the scenes, so their status was naturally extraordinary.
Thus, the Xuanzhen Sect elders treated them with a more genuine courtesy and warmth, their conversations clearly showing an intent to foster good relations.
Si Jiawen sat alone on a chair at the edge of the secondary platform, her posture straight and proud in her simple white robes.
She paid no mind to the pleasantries being exchanged between the elders and the patriarchs of the three great families. Her gaze drifted past the boisterous crowd, landing on the familiar figure in the center of the square. She stared, lost in thought, her long, slender fingers unconsciously stroking the cuff of her sleeve. It was impossible to know what was on her mind.
Just then, several Xuanzhen Sect stewards walked up, carrying an exquisite Grandmaster’s Chair made of pear wood. They placed it firmly in the very center of the secondary platform, a spot slightly in front of the seats of the three family patriarchs.
This sudden action startled everyone on the secondary platform. They all turned to look, secretly wondering, ’Could it be that someone even more distinguished is about to arrive?’
After all, in a major sect like the Xuanzhen Sect, the arrangement of seating was always a matter of great importance. The more respected one’s status, the more one cared about such rules.
For example, when the grand elders of the three great families had previously come to observe the Fushan tournament, they were allowed to sit on the secondary platform, but their seats had always been at the very edge.
Today, the patriarchs of the three great families had come in person. They had first gone to greet the Sect Leader of the Xuanzhen Sect, Cao Zhen, and upon their return, they were arranged to sit in the center of the secondary platform. This treatment already demonstrated the high regard in which the Xuanzhen Sect held them.
Yet now, another chair had been added to the center of the platform. Based on its position, it signified an even more revered status than that of the three patriarchs. How could this not be astonishing?
Si Jiawen also raised an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise in her eyes. She mused inwardly, ’Such an ostentatious display... could the Prefectural Magistrate of Jintai Prefecture be gracing us with his presence?’
Soon, the answer was revealed.
Chief Elder Ouyang Jingxuan himself was seen accompanying a graceful woman, guiding her as she walked slowly onto the secondary platform.
The woman wore a long, light purple dress that accentuated her exquisite figure. Her face was covered by a thin, light veil, revealing only a pair of autumn-water eyes that sparkled with every glance, lending her an air of mystery.
She walked to the pear wood Grandmaster’s Chair, gave a slight nod of thanks, and then sat down with composure.
At the same time, the Peak Masters on the high platform all looked over in unison. They smiled and nodded gently at the woman, clearly indicating they were already acquainted.
The woman also smiled and gave a gentle nod in return. Beneath her veil, her eyes seemed to glow, and with every glance, she exuded a charm that could make one’s heart flutter.
Si Jiawen’s eyes fell upon the special emblem embroidered on the hem of the woman’s dress, and she immediately understood. ’So, someone from Yanyu Pavilion has arrived.’
Yanyu Pavilion held a rather unique position in Jintai Prefecture.
It did not belong to any family, nor was it subservient to any sect; it was a vast intelligence organization.
The Yanyu Pavilion in Jintai Prefecture was merely one of its many branches spread throughout the entire state of Jizhou, its reach far greater than anyone could imagine.
However, Yanyu Pavilion had always conducted itself discreetly in Jintai Prefecture, adhering strictly to a principle of neutrality. It never interfered in the conflicts between local powers, engaging only in the business of buying and selling information.
If one wanted to acquire any secret information, Yanyu Pavilion was undoubtedly the best channel, but its fees were exorbitant—far beyond what an ordinary person could afford.
Si Jiawen rarely had any dealings with Yanyu Pavilion herself, but she still knew a fair amount about this unique organization.
At this point, the patriarchs of the three great families had also risen to their feet. They clasped their hands in greeting to the woman from Yanyu Pavilion and began to chat with her amiably. It seemed they all knew each other, and their relationship appeared to be quite good.
On the high platform.
Peak Master Lingxi, Bai Bing, let her gaze sweep coolly over the woman from Yanyu Pavilion before shifting her focus away, her cold eyes coming to rest on Yang Jing in the center of Fushan Square.
Her exquisitely beautiful, cold face showed little emotion, yet deep within her eyes, a faint glimmer of anticipation had quietly emerged.