Chapter 477 - 446: Invitation to Join the Alliance

Chapter 477: Chapter 446: Invitation to Join the Alliance

"What are they here for?"

Chen Che was baffled. ’Are they here for revenge? Besides these two, is there anyone else?’

Hu Yao raised a hand, a formal invitation card appearing in his palm. "They are currently waiting respectfully outside the Market. This is their card, requesting an audience. As far as I can tell, it’s just the two of them, but I don’t know if anyone is hiding in the shadows."

"That is a bit strange."

Chen Che stroked his chin.

After killing Lu Wanli, he had naturally been on guard against potential retaliation, so he had meticulously researched the Hong Alliance again.

Although the Hong Alliance was called the Golden Core Alliance, it was, in fact, a very loose organization. It had few precedents for large-scale external conflicts or wars. Even its members were extremely scattered, and no one publicly identified themselves as a member of the Hong Alliance.

Its sole purpose was for members within the alliance to communicate and exchange resources, or to team up for expeditions, such as hunting Demon Beasts.

The only prohibition within the alliance was that members were forbidden from attacking each other during joint activities; violators could be hunted down by any other member.

Strictly speaking, it was more like a large-scale exchange meet.

Chen Che opened the invitation card.

"What does the card say?" Hu Yao leaned in.

"Nothing of substance. Besides requesting a meeting, it’s about offering an apology."

"An apology? We killed their Vice Alliance Leader, and they’re here to apologize?"

"It’s about Zhao Shifeng."

Chen Che casually handed the card over.

Hu Yao glanced at it. The contents were more or less as Chen Che had described. Aside from some flattery, the key point was that they were bringing Zhao Shifeng to offer reparations. "So, should we see them or not?"

"We’ll see them!"

Chen Che sneered. "Here in Jinyun Valley, what do I have to fear from him? This is a perfect chance to see what tricks he has up his sleeve."

After all, the man was the leader of the Hong Alliance, a veteran Golden Core Eighth Layer Cultivator. It wouldn’t be wise to keep him waiting for too long.

A few breaths later, Chen Che arrived at the Market.

At that moment, all the Cultivators coming and going in the Market were watching the two visitors warily.

Standing in front was a vigorous, burly old man. Had he not been revealing his aura, there would have been no way to tell he was a Golden Core True Master. Behind him stood a middle-aged man with a full head of silver hair, wearing a mask and carrying a Sword Box on his back.

Many people recognized the latter as the Golden Core Cultivator wanted by Jinyun Valley.

Some Cultivators even hurried off to the administrative office to report the sighting.

"Please forgive me for this presumptuous visit, Valley Master Chen."

Seeing Chen Che approach, the old man immediately stepped forward with a beaming smile, clasping his fists in greeting.

Zhao Yunchen, leader of the Hong Alliance.

"Not at all. Your visit, Alliance Leader Zhao, brings honor to Jinyun Valley."

Chen Che walked forward a few steps to greet him.

At the same time, his Divine Sense had already silently swept over Jinyun Valley for tens of thousands of yards, confirming that only these two Golden Core Cultivators from the Hong Alliance had come.

Although it was the first time the two had met, they acted with such harmony they seemed like old friends who had known each other for years.

"Greetings, Valley Master."

Zhao Shifeng, who wore the mask, also stepped forward at this time and gave a slight bow.

However, Chen Che was not so cordial toward this Golden Core Cultivator who had once trespassed in Jinyun Valley, merely giving him a casual nod.

"This is no place to talk. Please, come into the Valley so we can speak properly."

"Very well."

With that, under the astonished and suspicious gazes of the crowd, Chen Che led the two of them into the Valley.

Along the way, Zhao Shifeng followed behind the two men, the turbulent sea of emotions in his heart a stark contrast to his calm expression. Ten years ago, before he’d left to travel, his only memory of Jinyun Valley was that it was the territory of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

He never imagined that upon his return, not only had Jinyun Valley leaped to become a Golden Core Influence, but its Valley Master had also made a tremendous name for himself.

What he couldn’t wrap his head around, most of all, was that he was now being led here to apologize.

"Alliance Leader Zhao, you’ve brought Zhao Shifeng here to apologize? Surely you know that not long ago, your alliance’s Vice Alliance Leader, Lu Wanli, attacked me. Aren’t you afraid that Jinyun Valley will detain you both?"

Chen Che poured a cup of hot tea for each of them and asked, getting straight to the point.

"...Well,"

The corner of Zhao Yunchen’s mouth twitched. This was far too blunt.

It rendered the speech he had prepared somewhat useless.

"Honest people don’t speak in riddles. Since you’re here, there’s no need to be secretive."

Chen Che picked up his Spirit Tea, took a small sip, and spoke slowly.

"Fellow Daoist Chen speaks truly."

Zhao Yunchen, a man of deep cunning, smiled and nodded. "It is said that it is better to resolve enmity than to prolong it. My son acted foolishly and didn’t know his limits. By trespassing in Jinyun Valley, he broke a taboo. I hope Valley Master Chen can be magnanimous."

"I’m sure Valley Master Chen has heard of the Hong Alliance’s rules. What Lu Wanli did was a personal matter and does not represent the Hong Alliance."

"Of course, I don’t come with empty words. This is a token of our apology."

Zhao Yunchen cleared his throat, opened a Jade Box covered in runes, and slowly pushed it in front of Chen Che.

"I heard that Valley Master Chen has been collecting some Ores recently. I surmised you might be planning to forge a Magical Artifact. I have a small private collection and thought I would offer something. It is but a humble gift, a small token of my sincerity."

"This is..."

Chen Che glanced at the Jade Box, his expression shifting.

How could this be considered a ’humble gift’?

Inside the box lay three fist-sized rocks, shimmering with a crystalline luster, like fragments of stars.

This was Meteorite Iron!

A Tier Four Middle-Grade Ore.

This material wasn’t just difficult to find; it originated from iron-stone left behind by stars falling from the heavens. Tempered by celestial fire, it contained no impurities and was characterized by its hardness and extreme weight.

A single fist-sized piece of Meteorite Iron was worth at least a million Spirit Stones, but the most crucial aspect was that it was priceless but had no market. Those who obtained it would almost always hoard it, rarely bringing it out.

And here were three pieces.

It was a testament to the man’s immense generosity.

"Father..."

Zhao Shifeng’s face changed in horror the moment he saw the stones.

Clearly, he also knew their value. But Zhao Yunchen shot him a glare, and he could only swallow his words.

"When a child makes a mistake, it is natural for his father to step in. Even if Valley Master Chen won’t grant this old man some face, I hope that in light of the value of this Meteorite Iron, you can be lenient and let him off the hook."

Zhao Yunchen wore a warm smile, and his tone carried a hint of pleading.

"This is too valuable... Alliance Leader Zhao, your intentions go beyond this, don’t they? Let me guess, does this also have something to do with Lu Wanli?"

This veteran Golden Core Cultivator was as cunning as he was old, his schemes laid with extreme precision. Unable to fathom his true intentions, Chen Che decided to ask him directly.

"Valley Master Chen is indeed forthright. I wish to invite you to become the Vice Alliance Leader of the Hong Alliance."

"Me!?"

"Correct."

Zhao Yunchen nodded slightly. "The Hong Alliance has existed for over three hundred years. It has always been a neutral and even inconspicuous organization. The only restriction on its members is that they are not allowed to kill each other during group activities."

"This position would not place any particular restrictions on you, Valley Master Chen..."

Zhao Yunchen explained slowly, his demeanor calm and composed.

Indeed. The title of Vice Alliance Leader was extremely tempting for an ordinary Golden Core Cultivator. It was equivalent to being a co-owner of the exchange meet, which brought many conveniences.

Aside from being elected by the other members, a Vice Alliance Leader could also be nominated by the Alliance Leader.

Therefore, he was quite confident that Chen Che would accept, especially with the addition of the Meteorite Iron.

"Thank you for your generous offer, Alliance Leader Zhao, but I am too young to take on such a responsibility."

Chen Che slowly shook his head.

Zhao Yunchen’s smile froze.

He had never imagined that such a price would fail to move the man. Beside them, Zhao Shifeng couldn’t help but furrow his brows. However, Zhao Yunchen reacted quickly and didn’t press the matter further.

Instead, he smoothly changed the subject. "Since Valley Master Chen is unwilling, I won’t insist. We’ll just consider it the Hong Alliance’s loss. However, regarding my son’s trespass into Jinyun Valley..."

"About that matter..."

Chen Che paused in thought, then decisively picked up one piece of Meteorite Iron from the Jade Box. "Let this settle the score. I will notify those in the Valley to cancel the warrant. Are you satisfied with this, Alliance Leader Zhao?"

"Satisfied."

Zhao Yunchen replied with a smile, then turned to scold Zhao Shifeng. "Aren’t you going to thank Valley Master Chen for his magnanimity? In the future, don’t do something as foolish as trespassing in another’s Cave Mansion again. If you ran into someone less reasonable, you’d deserve to be killed!"

After being reprimanded, Zhao Shifeng, though reluctant, could only hold his nose and pour tea to apologize.

"Thank you for your magnanimity, Valley Master Chen."

Since Chen Che had already accepted the gift, he naturally wouldn’t pursue the matter further and accepted the cup of tea.

Seeing this, Zhao Yunchen’s smile grew even wider.

The two chatted cordially for about an hour before Zhao Yunchen finally took his leave with Zhao Shifeng.

Watching them go, Chen Che nodded slightly.

This Alliance Leader Zhao was truly as cunning as he was old, incredibly smooth, and handled matters with great tact. When one approach failed, he never brought it up a second time. Once their business was concluded, he left promptly, not overstaying his welcome and becoming a nuisance.

’The Hong Alliance, a Vice Alliance Leader?’

Toying with his teacup, Chen Che clicked his tongue before downing the Spirit Tea in one gulp.