Chapter 70

The Iron Flag Sect has always controlled the waterway traffic from Yunzhou to Jingzhou, dominating several counties in southwestern Yunzhou. Due to their wealth and power, they have never taken the "Changkong Sword Sect," which dominates Yunzhou, very seriously.

The "Changkong Sword Sect," the largest and most powerful entity in Yunzhou, acts with excessive tyranny. For any sect that does not submit to them, they are quick to resort to violence. The various sects in Yunzhou's martial world outwardly show respect and fear, but privately they all view the Changkong Sword Sect as a mortal enemy.

The "Iron Flag Sect" is the sect most dissatisfied with the "Changkong Sword Sect." If it weren't for the three sect leaders all reaching the peak of the Earth Element Realm, along with their wealth and the employment of many experts, and the covert support of other major sects, it would be uncertain whether the Iron Flag Sect could maintain its secure position. Recently, the head of the sect, Yang Xingxiong, has made a breakthrough and successfully advanced to the innate realm. The Iron Flag Sect, which has always been unwilling to remain under the Changkong Sword Sect, naturally has greater ambitions. Their major goal now is to annex the medium and small neutral forces within Yunzhou, enhancing their own strength. The Yuan Mountain Escort Agency, run by Fang Yuanshan, is on the list of targets for the Iron Flag Sect.

Lin Zhengduan has always held an awkward position within the Iron Flag Sect. With the relationship he has with Fang Yuanshan, if he can succeed, it would certainly advance his position within the sect. However, he did not expect that his carefully planned scheme would be met with a significant setback due to Fang Yuanshan's stubbornness.

Lin Zhengduan's determined attitude made Fang Yuanshan feel annoyed. Although the other party is his senior fellow disciple, they have not communicated for nearly thirty years. He did not expect that their meeting a few days ago would bring such a significant matter.

Fang Yuanshan took a deep breath and said calmly, "Thank you, Senior Brother, for coming all this way. I didn't expect that after so many years, our brief meeting would bring me such a great benefit—"

"Since you know it's a benefit, why have you been hesitant these past few days?"

Fang Yuanshan sighed and said, "It's not that I am unwilling, but the Yuan Mountain Escort Agency is the result of my many years of hard work, and I am reluctant to hand it over to others..."

"Ah, Junior Brother, you are being shortsighted—Our Deputy Sect Leader has already made it clear that if the Yuan Mountain Escort Agency joins the Iron Flag Sect, you will still be the head of the agency. The Iron Flag Sect is expanding its influence and is not familiar with the escort business. If Junior Brother joins the 'Iron Flag Sect,' the entire escort business will rely on your expertise... With the 'Iron Flag Sect' as your backing, your reputation will surely rise to prominence in the martial world..."

"Senior Brother, you are joking. I am shallow and inexperienced, and I can't even manage a small escort agency. How could I have the ambition to become prominent in the martial world? Even if the Iron Flag Sect leader has the intention to promote me, my abilities would surely disappoint the sect leader..."

"Junior Brother, you—"

"Senior Brother, please don't be hasty. Allow me some time to think—"

"Very well, very well—" Lin Zhengduan said with a forced smile, but his eyes revealed a look of disgust, secretly cursing Fang Yuanshan as a sly old fox. Fang Yuanshan, knowing the strength of the Iron Flag Sect, neither dared to refuse nor was willing to agree, dragging things out for several days... This time, he used some pretext to come to this mountain temple to mediate some dispute, clearly to avoid the situation. But the Iron Flag Sect has already made its move. No matter how much Fang Yuanshan delays, does he think the Iron Flag Sect will give up?

Four days ago, he had already come to the Yuan Mountain Escort Agency. Fang Yuanshan did not dare to refuse him face-to-face but kept avoiding him. This time, he used some dispute as an excuse to run up the mountain. Lin Zhengduan, pressing him step by step, followed him up the mountain. Especially when he heard that this invitation seemed to involve the Changkong Sword Sect, as a second-tier expert of the Iron Flag Sect, he naturally paid extra attention to the main rival of the Iron Flag Sect. Even if the recruitment of the Yuan Mountain Escort Agency was not successful, if he could obtain some intelligence about the Changkong Sword Sect, it would still be a great achievement.

As for this Qingyun Temple...

A minor rural temple, opposing the Changkong Sword Sect, is like a mantis trying to stop a chariot. What is there to pay attention to?

The Changkong Sword Sect, dealing with such a minor sect, probably just wants to train their disciples, so they only sent a few elite disciples... But is there another purpose behind this training? The worst-case scenario is that the Changkong Sword Sect has decided to launch another purge of the sects within Yunzhou... If that is the case, the first to be targeted would certainly be the Iron Flag Sect...

Facing the thunderous strike of the first major power in Yunzhou, the Iron Flag Sect alone would find it difficult to resist. If the Iron Flag Sect really engages in a bloody battle with the Changkong Sword Sect, would he be able to remain unscathed?

Lin Zhengduan was conflicted and felt a sense of fear about his future...

Looking at the crowd gathered around the acrobats not far from the building, Lin Zhengduan saw a few children in blue Taoist robes and felt irritable, secretly hating them. It's all because of you, this minor sect, that you provoke the Changkong Sword Sect. If you really provoke the Changkong Sword Sect to the point of clearing out the opposition in Yunzhou, my life won't be easy either. A moment of malice arose, and he sneered, "This Qingyun Temple is truly overestimating itself. Even the Iron Flag Sect gives the Changkong Sword Sect some respect. This minor Taoist temple dares to provoke such a giant and still doesn't know to back down. The disciples are so indulged and playful, it's truly absurd and laughable..."

Fang Yuanshan suddenly pulled himself together and also focused his gaze on the disciples of the Qingyun Temple, saying calmly, "The disciples of the Qingyun Temple mainly take in orphans and poor children from nearby towns. They have always been well-liked by the people and have the support of the government... The few major disciples are not well-known and have always been peaceful. How could they offend the Changkong Sword Sect? If the misunderstanding between the two is not significant, I am willing to mediate and help resolve the issue. Would Senior Brother be willing to assist me?"

"I... hehe, my position is awkward. If I step forward, it might worsen the misunderstanding between the two... Fang Yuanshan, you sly old fox, you want me to step forward, but you don't have good intentions. Whether the Changkong Sword Sect or the Qingyun Temple wins, if I step forward, the Changkong Sword Sect will likely target the Iron Flag Sect. If that causes a conflict between the two major sects, you, Fang Yuanshan, will be able to stay out of it and shift the blame. Spit, Fang Yuanshan, do you think I'm an idiot..."

"Besides, the Changkong Sword Sect is so powerful. Why should Junior Brother offend them for a minor sect?"

"Minor? Hehe..." Fang Yuanshan lightly laughed, took a deep breath, and sighed, "Senior Brother, the Qingyun Temple... is not that simple..."

**********

It was 10 a.m., the most comfortable time of the day.

Little Uncle Ye Qingxuan said he was going to practice, and no one knew where he had gone.

Xiao Yunfeng had also disappeared.

Yun Yong and Yun Cong were on duty today and were ordered to clean the statues...

The remaining four people were all playful and fond of excitement.

So, Yun Ming and Yun Xuan, along with Yun Zhong and Yun Zheng, went out of the Qingyun Temple and wandered around the bustling market, having a great time.

"I can't take it anymore, I'm hungry..." Yun Zhong clutched his stomach and complained.

"Clod, all you think about is eating!" Yun Xuan said disdainfully.

"I didn't eat breakfast this morning..."

"Please! Three steamed buns and two bowls of porridge, and you call that not eating?"

"That was the early breakfast at six. It's ten now..." Yun Zhong pouted, his voice getting softer and softer as he rubbed his stomach.

Yun Zheng couldn't stand it anymore and said, "Ignore him. He eats five big meals and snacks all day. It's already a big improvement that he can last until ten. I didn't eat enough this morning either. The last two steamed buns were eaten by this glutton. Let's take a break and go get some dumplings..."

"Great—"

"You fatso, you have some friends..."

Yun Ming, who was always a yes-man, had no opinion; Yun Zheng clearly sided with the fatso; Yun Xuan, who originally wanted to go to the candy shop, had to reluctantly follow the group.

"Boss, four bowls of dumplings..."

"Five bowls!"

Everyone shot Yun Zhong a glare that could kill, and Yun Zhong shrank back, saying unhappily, "Alright, four bowls of dumplings... and one extra bowl of noodle soup—" The last sentence was almost squeezed out, emphasizing his determination.

Everyone rolled their eyes. Fine, let's tolerate this glutton. A bowl of soup doesn't cost anything.

"Alright—four bowls of dumplings, plus one bowl of noodle soup—"

The dumpling vendor called out and quickly prepared the dumplings, then brought a large bowl of noodle soup first, "I bet you young gentlemen are thirsty. Have a bowl of noodle soup to moisten your throats..."

"Thanks..."

Yun Zhong didn't wait for the soup to be placed on the table, grabbed it, and drank it down in one go...

"Oh, you must be a reincarnated hungry ghost. How embarrassing..." Yun Xuan said, pouting. Yun Ming stuck out his tongue beside her.

"Hey, Yun Zheng, look at your brother. Aren't you embarrassed... Ah, Yun Zheng, Yun Zheng... Skinny Monkey!! What are you doing?"

Seeing that Yun Xuan had been calling Yun Zheng for a long time with no response, everyone turned to see what he was doing.

They saw Yun Zheng with a serious expression, curiously looking outside...

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