Chapter 367 - 199: Joy Turns to Sorrow! Reactions from All Sides

Chapter 367: Chapter 199: Joy Turns to Sorrow! Reactions from All Sides

Luoyun Manor, Council Hall.

The light within the hall was dim. The curling smoke of sandalwood failed to dispel the oppressive atmosphere, thick with conspiracy and calculation.

Manor Master Lu Canghai occupied the head seat. To his left sat Monk Xuanbei, First Seat of Prajna Hall at Golden Spring Temple, while Lu Qingsong, Sect Leader of the Iron Sword Sect, was seated to his right.

The three men wore varied expressions, their minds whirring with unspoken thoughts.

Monk Xuanbei rolled his Buddhist Beads between his fingers. His face was a mask of benevolence, but a well-hidden shrewdness and chill lurked in the depths of his eyes.

A hint of barely perceptible urgency and anticipation was etched on Lu Canghai’s brow as his fingers drummed unconsciously on the armrest of his chair.

As for Lu Qingsong, his brow was slightly furrowed and his gaze lowered, as if deep in consideration.

"Lu, regarding what I just proposed... what are your thoughts?"

Lu Canghai leaned forward slightly, breaking the silence, his gaze locked on Lu Qingsong.

It was only now, face to face with Lu Qingsong, that Lu Canghai realized he had been misled by Monk Xuanbei’s vague relay of the message.

The Iron Sword Sect had never explicitly agreed to participate in pressuring the Government Office.

But now, with things already set in motion, he had no choice but to lobby him in person.

Everything was in place; they were only waiting for confirmed news of Chen Sheng’s death from the Yunze Waters.

Once it was confirmed, it would be time for their three factions to join forces—and even compel the other top powers of Ning’an Prefecture—to collectively challenge the Government Office.

They would force the Government Office to halt its ongoing purge of the waterways and seize the opportunity to redraw the lines of interest in the Wushan Yuan Ore.

But whether this plan could succeed hinged on the Iron Sword Sect’s attitude.

Lu Qingsong fell into a long, thoughtful silence before finally speaking, his tone carrying his usual caution.

"Manor Master Lu, this matter... is quite sudden, and its implications are far-reaching. I must consider it carefully, and I’ll also need to consult with the elders of my sect."

In truth, Lu Qingsong had his reservations.

Before coming here, he knew that Luoyun Manor and Golden Spring Temple harbored a deep animosity toward Chen Sheng, but he never expected they would actually dare to collude with the Cyan Flood Dragon Alliance to lay such a deadly trap.

He would, of course, be pleased if Chen Sheng were to die.

Years ago, the man had stormed the gates of the Iron Sword Sect, and later, he had caused them to return empty-handed from the struggle for Wushan Mountain. The old grievance was not easily forgotten.

However, Chen Sheng was no ordinary man.

He was backed by the increasingly powerful Jingwu Bureau, and even the Nie Family of Yunzhou.

’If the Government Office becomes enraged and launches a thunderous counterattack, could the Iron Sword Sect truly remain unscathed when the storm hits?’

Openly antagonizing the Government Office was by no means a wise move.

That was precisely why he had refused Monk Xuanbei’s proposal earlier.

After all, the enmity between the Iron Sword Sect and Chen Sheng had not yet reached the point of a life-or-death struggle.

Besides, even if the Iron Sword Sect didn’t make a move...

...weren’t Luoyun Manor and Golden Spring Temple still there to do the job?

He had his own calculations in this matter.

"Lu, what is there to hesitate about?"

Lu Canghai chuckled, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes. Instead, it carried a frosty edge.

"That brat Chen Sheng first insulted your sect and later stole the prize of Wushan Mountain from you. He has targeted you at every turn, showing no mercy. This is a rare opportunity. As long as our three factions are of one mind...

...and then use that momentum to force the Ning’an Wang Clan, the Danxia Sect, and Qingfeng Temple to take a side, even the Government Office will have to yield. We might even get a chance to redivide the profits of the Wushan Yuan Ore.

This is... a win-win situation."

Lu Qingsong remained silent, his fingertips slowly tracing the rim of his teacup as if weighing the risks against the rewards.

Seeing this, Monk Xuanbei recited a Buddhist mantra and chimed in at the opportune moment, his tone now even more sincere.

"Amitabha Buddha. Donor Lu, if you still have concerns, how about this? My Golden Spring Temple and Luoyun Manor will take the lead. Your sect need only second our motion and voice your support at the critical moment.

This way, your sect can reap the benefits without drawing too much attention. What do you say?"

A glint appeared in Lu Qingsong’s eyes upon hearing this.

’If those two factions take the brunt of it while the Iron Sword Sect just cheers them on from the sidelines, the risk would be significantly lower.’

’Even if the Government Office decided to settle scores later, they would be the ones to bear the brunt of it.’

With this in mind, Lu Qingsong put on a show of careful thought for a moment before finally nodding.

"Since Master Xuanbei and Manor Master Lu have been so forthcoming, it would seem ungrateful of me to refuse any longer. Very well. As long as the news from Yunze is confirmed... the Iron Sword Sect is willing to follow your lead and offer our assistance."

"Excellent! Lu, you are as decisive as I’d hoped!"

Lu Canghai visibly relaxed, and his smile became a bit more genuine. He raised his cup in a gesture of a toast.

"Now, we just wait for the east wind!"

"Lu."

Lu Qingsong did not raise his cup, instead offering a word of caution.

"From my observation, Chen Sheng is a meticulous planner with extraordinary methods. He is by no means an easy target. And with the Nie Family behind him, he absolutely cannot be underestimated."

He remained deeply wary of being directly involved in a plot to assassinate Chen Sheng.

After all, their enmity had not yet escalated to a kill-or-be-killed situation.

More importantly, he understood a certain principle all too well.

It is often said that the tree that stands tallest in the forest is the first to be toppled by the wind.

But if that tree has already grown to touch the heavens, anyone who tries to topple it must first consider whether they will be the ones uprooted instead.

"Amitabha Buddha."

Monk Xuanbei gave a serene smile, as if everything was already under his control.

"How could I not be aware of the Nie Family? However, the marriage alliance is not yet finalized. As it stands, the boy is merely a junior with ’potential.’ If he were to perish, that ’potential’ would naturally vanish into thin air.

The Nie Family is one of the great Noble Families; they value profit above all else. After weighing the pros and cons, it’s unlikely they would truly go to bat for a dead man. Besides, it’s not as if we are without backing ourselves."

"The Master speaks wisely."

Lu Canghai’s tone was as sharp and final as hammered steel, filled with grim resolve.

"That boy’s talent is terrifying, and he acts without restraint. If we don’t eliminate him now, I fear that once he is fully fledged, we will never get another chance to make a move!"

Lu Qingsong nodded slightly but then raised another concern.

"One more thing. Are Golden Spring Temple and Luoyun Manor truly happy to see the Cyan Flood Dragon Alliance and the Blood River Sect establish a foothold in Ning’an? The resources of Ning’an Prefecture are limited. It’s already a tight squeeze for the six of us to share.