Chapter 115: The Palace of Yanfu

Liu Junhuai said, “Indeed, now is not the time for a full-scale confrontation. Once we act, it must be with overwhelming force and deterrence. This Master Ren is a wise man!”

Xiao Qingtian smiled and said, “That old fellow usually seems like a kind-hearted man, but his ruthlessness and decisiveness rival yours. He even takes pride in concealing his true strength. The saying ‘playing the fool to catch the tiger’ perfectly describes him.

“He should not be underestimated, yet he is upright and honorable. There’s no need to deliberately praise him. The reason I’m emphasizing him to you is that he will be the first leader of the Sect Alliance. He has been cautious his entire life in dealing with the Bloodshed Alliance, and only now, in his old age, has he revealed his fangs.”

Liu Junhuai smiled as well. “I must make his acquaintance then. He truly deserves our respect.”

Xiao Qingtian asked about Liu Junhuai’s plans to visit the Yanfu Palace. “When do you intend to go? Do you want me to assign more people to assist you? Also, Shen Bingwen of the Shen family is a disciple of Elder Cheng Kelei. Could he be leaking information about Cheng to Yanfu Palace?”

Liu Junhuai thought for a moment and said, “I don’t think so. Cheng was quite greedy about the Shen family during the trip to Pingdu City. Shen Bingwen has already turned against him and won’t return to Yanfu Palace. Even if Yanfu Palace knows, what then? They might just prepare more reinforcements. I have enough manpower already, but Uncle Xiao, please brief me on Yanfu Palace’s situation.”

Xiao Qingtian nodded. “The head of Yanfu Palace is Qin Shengqiu, a late Golden Core cultivator. Though his realm isn’t very high, he possesses a secret divine sense attack technique. It is rumored he used this ambush technique to kill an early Nascent Soul cultivator. He has three deputy palace masters: one late Golden Core and two mid-stage Golden Core, all still in the palace.”

“Below the deputies are seven elders, including Cheng Kelei, mostly late Foundation Establishment and early Golden Core. Now only one early Golden Core remains, and this person, along with Deputy Palace Master Li Chengyi, is on that list of twelve.”

Liu Junhuai said, “Thank you for the guidance, Uncle Xiao. With this information, I’m more confident. I’ll head back to prepare now. Uncle Wu should stay at the Tianji Sect—this is when you need people the most.”

Xiao Qingtian said, “Wan Ren should accompany you to Yanfu Palace. In critical moments, he can represent the Sect Alliance and speak on its behalf, which might save a lot of trouble.”

After bidding farewell to Xiao Qingtian and leaving the Tianji Sect, Liu Junhuai found a safe place to enter the Wanxiang Tower, pulling Mo Sitong out and returning with her to the chaotic space.

They discussed Yanfu Palace’s current situation in detail. Bian Yanshan said, “This trip to Yanfu Palace differs greatly from the one to Pingdu City. No need for diplomacy—if words fail, just fight. Since Yanfu Palace dispatched over twenty cultivators to ambush you, they should be prepared for their clan’s destruction. Besides, many of their people are entangled with the Bloodshed Alliance. Our expedition is thoroughly justified. Once Yanfu Palace is wiped out, we can form our sect and join the Sect Alliance. Even if the Meteorfall Mansion tries to intervene, they will be cautious.”

Fang Keyin added, “Cutting the Gordian knot quickly. Try not to let a single one escape, especially the twelve on the list. If possible, don’t kill them—keeping them alive to use during the Sect Alliance assembly will be more beneficial. Yao Han and I will hold the rear guard this time. Let Yao Han appear more often; his help will be crucial for building the sect.”

Liu Junhuai said, “Brother-in-law and Brother Shaoyuan, be ready. You all will take part this time. Also, everyone must identify their weaknesses from this battle—be it cultivation methods, weapons, or techniques. I will try my best to meet your needs.”

Fang Keyin laughed, “Junhuai wants to comprehensively improve our fighters’ abilities. Don’t hold back, everyone. Once the sect is established, there will be more people and fewer chances like this!”

Everyone understood Fang Keyin’s joke—Liu Junhuai was about to distribute treasures.

Together with nine others, Liu Junhuai entered the Cloud-Piercing Shuttle and headed east.

Yanfu Palace lies at the easternmost edge of Fengling Kingdom, on Misty Peak, a sea island adjacent to the Yunluo Mountains. The palace is built along the mountain’s contours.

At the shuttle’s helm, Mo Sitong approached Liu Junhuai and said, “The old steward told me that if you intend to establish a sect this time, the Wanxiang Tower will activate mission rewards. They will be available once the sect is founded.”

Liu Junhuai smiled brightly. “It’s been a long time since a mission opened. Last time I got the Seven Kill Finger. I wonder if there’s anything good this time?”

Seeing Liu Junhuai’s joyful expression, Mo Sitong smiled. “Let’s complete the mission first. Always thinking about treasure—don’t you have enough already?”

Liu Junhuai laughed silently, relishing the anticipation of a great surprise.

They arrived at Yanfu Palace in the afternoon. Standing before the mountain gate, Liu Junhuai said to the guards, “Summon your palace lord and tell him Liu Junhuai is here. I’ll give you half an incense stick’s time to prepare. Otherwise, I’ll break in!”

The guards, taken aback by Liu Junhuai’s brazen demand, dared not delay and hurriedly closed the gate, rushing to the inner hall.

Palace Lord Qin Shengqiu was convening with his subordinates in the council chamber. After several layers of disciples relayed the message, he received Liu Junhuai’s demand after dozens of breaths.

Upon grasping Liu Junhuai’s intent, the chamber erupted into uproar.

Seeing the disciples filled with righteous indignation, Qin Shengqiu pressed down with both hands to calm them and said, “Liu Junhuai’s arrival is clearly ill-intentioned. He must harbor resentment over Yanfu Palace’s deployment to Pingdu City. Elder Li, you’re in charge of the Shen family matter. What is the exact situation?”

Deputy Palace Master Li Chengyi bowed and reported, “Master, Yanfu Palace sent a total of twenty-three disciples to Pingdu City, excluding Cheng Kelei and Shen Bingwen. Except for the last thirteen, the others perished. Now, those thirteen, along with Cheng Kelei and Shen Bingwen, have fled elsewhere to avoid conflict. I only received this message from Elder Cheng yesterday and have yet to report to you.”

Qin Shengqiu said proudly, “Those who killed my people and then sent troops to Yanfu Palace to accuse us—Liu Junhuai must have been intoxicated by his small fame from the Pingdu battle. I think we should teach him a harsh lesson, so he understands that this deep pool of cultivation cannot be survived by youthful arrogance alone.”

Mid-stage Golden Core Deputy Palace Master Fang Shangxi said, “Master, please reconsider! Liu Junhuai’s visit to the Shen family was retaliation for matricide. Yanfu Palace has no grudge against him. Elder Cheng’s deployment of over twenty disciples to stop him was already a breach of etiquette. More seriously, the Bloodshed Alliance joined Shen’s reinforcements, which has invited a joint attack from the Sect Alliance. This places Yanfu Palace in an awkward position. If we repay resentment with resentment, we may provoke the Sect Alliance!”

Li Chengyi retorted angrily, “Deputy Fang, your words are wrong! Yanfu Palace sent troops to Pingdu City because Shen family members harmed our disciples—we were standing up for them, not forcibly intervening. The Bloodshed Alliance’s involvement was Shen family’s doing, unrelated to Yanfu Palace! Liu Junhuai has insulted Yanfu Palace’s doorstep. If we don’t teach him a lesson, should we bow and apologize?”

Fang Shangxi shot back, “Deputy Li, I did not want to say this in front of the Master, but in this crisis, I must. Can you guarantee Elder Cheng has no ties to the Bloodshed Alliance? You and Cheng Kelei have been secretive acquaintances; surely you know more. Why hasn’t he returned to the palace so long after the Pingdu battle? You shamelessly claim he fled elsewhere. If he has no relation to the Bloodshed Alliance, why hide? The Sect Alliance targets members of the Bloodshed Alliance. Which of Shen’s reinforcements is not from that faction? Master Qin, you focus on cultivation and rarely manage palace affairs. Deputy Li, have you consulted the palace before repeatedly sending disciples to Pingdu City? You have brought such disaster upon us and remain oblivious. I truly do not understand your thoughts!”

Fang Shangxi’s words sparked murmurs among the assembly. These were things they dared not speak openly before. Every word struck the heart of the matter. As an observer, Fang Shangxi’s insight was clear. Li Chengyi thought his actions were covert, but those living together daily noticed every anomaly, more or less.

Li Chengyi was stunned that Fang Shangxi spoke so openly. He wanted to refute but found no excuse.

Qin Shengqiu frowned deeply. Fang Shangxi’s words alarmed him. He had indeed been obsessed with cultivation, neglecting palace affairs. If Elder Cheng was truly linked to the Bloodshed Alliance, Yanfu Palace would be in serious trouble. Yet Liu Junhuai’s arrogant words enraged him. Moreover, many palace disciples had already died because of the Shen family. This grievance was impossible to swallow.

The late Golden Core Deputy Palace Master Wan Xingyun spoke, “Master, how about this? Liu Junhuai is indeed overbearing. As head of Yanfu Palace, you should not meet him personally. Instead, I and the two deputies will go to meet him. Yanfu Palace cannot be barged into at will—there must be a proper host and guest protocol. He must hear the words of the host. After sending him away, we can discuss further.”

Qin Shengqiu considered and agreed. Having three deputies meet Liu Junhuai would show respect and remove his pretext for conflict.

Seeing the Master nod, Wan Xingyun signaled the others, and the three headed to the mountain gate.

By then, the half incense stick time Liu Junhuai granted was nearly up. His side was ready to storm in, but a dozen or so figures emerged from the main hall.

Liu Junhuai felt displeased. It seemed more negotiation was needed before they could break into Yanfu Palace.