Getting up, Yan Zhaoge gradually began frowning, “Causing wave after wave of trouble like this, whilst creating trouble for us, they have also been unceasingly depleting their own strength. Before, we were in the open while they were in the dark, with them therefore possessive shocking destructive power. Currently, gradually coming out on the surface, their greatest advantage is actually gradually disappearing.”
As Yan Zhaoge pondered, Ah Hu said from the side, “Right, Young Master. Someone wants to see you.”
“Oh, who is it?” Yan Zhaoge asked, as Ah Hu replied with a smacking of his lips, “It’s the head of the Lian Family of that Lian Cheng and Lian Ying of earlier, come here to express his apologies.”
History's Strongest Senior Brother Chapter 232: Apology gift or present?
HSSB232: Apology gift or present?
“Head of the Lian Family?” Yan Zhaoge raised his brows slightly, and Ah Hu nodded in reply, “Yes, and that Lian Cheng was brought along as well.”
Yan Zhaoge thought for a moment, his face then turning a little strange, “They should have other motives.”
In the Great Western Desert, Lian Ying of the Lian Family had been instigated by martial practitioners of Black Nightmare Mountain to create a White Dragon Dread, attempting to do harm to Yan Zhaoge and the others.
Afterwards, Yan Zhaoge had not thought too much about this. After all, the primary culprit Yao Shan had already landed in his hands, and Lian Ying himself was already dead.
As Lian Ying’s words at that time might have negatively influenced Jun Luo’s reputation, as per Yan Zhaoge’s words, the Broad Creed Mountain martial practitioners had not spread word of what exactly had happened.
However, having nearly been harmed by Lian Ying with the White Dragon Dread, they naturally wouldn’t have any good feelings towards him.
Towards martial practitioners of the Lian Family, they definitely wouldn’t give them any good face.
In the Wind Domain, if it was said that they would still have to fight a little with the Sacred Sun Clan by the border of the Gan Region, with the Sand Region the longtime possession of Broad Creed Mountain, their control here was more or less the same as in the Five Regions of the Heaven Domain.
If Broad Creed Mountain lightly stomped its foot, it would be more than enough for the Sand Region to tremble.
Although it was just the dissatisfaction of the martial practitioners of Broad Creed Mountain stationed here in Suzhou City, the news very quickly spread back to the ancestral ground of the Lian Family, the Lian Family Fortress.
Having separated from Yan Zhaoge and the others in Suzhou City, not even having returned to the Lian Family Fortress, Lian Cheng had already been blocked by other members of his Family, and then swiftly brought back at rocket speed.
After hearing Lian Cheng’s narration, the members of the Lian Family all fell into a deep silence.
From a certain angle, it was Yao Shan who had wanted to assassinate Yan Zhaoge, therefore dragging Lian Ying in, with Lian Ying just an innocent person implicated by this incident. If not for Yao Shan’s assassination plan, Lian Ying would not have done such a deed, even having died.
However, from the other side, if Lian Ying himself had not been problematic, how would he have been made use of by Yao Shan? Why could Lian Ying become a dagger in Yao Shan’s hands and therefore an accomplice, while Jun Luo and Lian Cheng had not become Yao Shan’s chess pieces?
If one were to talk about innocence, Jun Luo and Lian Cheng were far more innocent than Lian Ying.
Especially when Yan Zhaoge’s group had even saved the three of them from a Black Nightmare Storm, with Lian Ying actually requiting kindness with enmity.
The Lord of the Lian Family Fortress made a swift and prompt decision, deciding to head to Suzhou City and meet with Yan Zhaoge to express his apologies as soon as he could.
In comparison to the Lian Family Fortress, the Howling Wind Sword Sect was already a mighty entity, and the distance between the Howling Wind Sword Sect and Broad Creed Mountain was only greater.
Let alone the fact that reason didn’t lie on the side of the Lian Family; even if it did, it also might not mean anything.
With the lofty position of the six great Sacred Grounds, it had never been as simple as merely speaking.
By comparison, Broad Creed Mountain and Turbid Wave Pavilion could be considered extremely easy to get along with. If it were the Sacred Sun Clan, the Heavenly Thunder Hall, Infinite Boundless Mountain or Jade Sea City, even if reason lay on their side, the opposite might be made out to be true.
Moreover, if not for Yan Zhaoge, Jun Luo would have died in Lian Ying’s hands. Other than Broad Creed Mountain’s side, the Lian Family also had to account for things to Elder Jun of the Howling Wind Sword Sect.
This caused the Lian Family Head to have the feeling of sitting in his home, with the feeling of disasters flying overhead everywhere, full of bitterness, yet having nowhere to express it.
But very quickly, he soon felt that if he acted appropriately, he might be able to turn danger into opportunity. Thus, he immediately brought Lian Cheng along, hurrying over to Suzhou City.
Yan Zhaoge did not refuse him, asking Ah Hu to invite him in.
Very quickly, he saw a rather authoritative-looking middle-aged man, bringing along a weak looking Lian Cheng, appear before his eyes.
“Before the Broad Creed Young Master, Lian Chongyi of the Lian Family Fortress pays his respects,” that middle-aged man first cupped his fists in greeting.
Smiling, Yan Zhaoge returned the greeting, “Fortress Lord Lian is polite.”
Lian Chongyi was the current strongest expert of the Lian Family, at the second level of the Martial Grandmaster realm, in the mid Spirit Vessel stage, already having condensed a spirit seed.
Arriving personally was a great show of his sincerity, but before Yan Zhaoge, he did not dare to be full of himself.
Let alone him, even if it was the Chief of the Howling Wind Sword Sect meeting Yan Zhaoge now, he could also not treat him in a casual manner.
Looking at Lian Chongyi, Yan Zhaoge nodded slightly.
In the current Extremities World, the martial practitioners of the six great Sacred Grounds were used to differentiating the various other powers as first-rate, second-rate, third-rate and even unranked.
Usually, those with Essence Spirit Martial Grandmasters were termed as first-rate powers, those with Spirit Vessel Martial Grandmasters were termed as second-rate powers, while those with Martial Scholars but no Martial Grandmasters were known as third-rate powers.
As for unranked powers, the martial practitioners of the six great Sacred Grounds generally didn’t keep them on their mind. An example was the Ye Family in which Ye Jing had been born.
Of course, there were the most of these powers, with them being as common as hairs on a cow as they populated every single corner of this world.
While powers like the Eastern Tang Kingdom and the Howling Wind Sword Sect were considered first-rate powers, with the King of the Eastern Tang Kingdom Zhao Shicheng at the fifth level of the Martial Grandmaster realm, a mid Essence Spirit stage expert, and the Chief of the Howling Wind Sword Sect at the sixth level of the Martial Grandmaster realm, an expert of the late Essence Spirit stage.
Those like the Lian Family Fortress, who had the mid Spirit Vessel Martial Grandmaster Lian Chongyi, were considered second-rate powers.
Generally speaking, the Acting Elders of Broad Creed Mountain stationed at second-rate powers did not have to be Martial Grandmasters. Broad Creed Mountain’s brand was already sufficient to protect their interests.
While Principal Elders that were stationed were usually decided by the strength of the various first-rate powers there.
For example, the Principal Elder of the Eastern Tang Kingdom, Yan Xu, as the First Seat Elder of the Eastern Tang Kingdom, had been at the fourth level of the Martial Grandmaster realm, with an early Essence Spirit stage cultivation base.
If Yan Xu had not
been beaten to the point of near death by Shi Tie back then, Yan Zhaoge would not have been able to take him down so easily.
And the current First Seat Elder of the Howling Wind Sword Sect, Broad Creed Mountain’s Principal Elder there was at the fifth level of the Martial Grandmaster realm, with a mid Essence Spirit stage cultivation base.
In respect for the autonomy of the first-rate powers, the Principal Elders stationed by Broad Creed Mountain at their lands would always have a slightly lower cultivation base than their strongest expert.
But because of Broad Creed Mountain’s advantage in its direct lineage martial arts, its Principal Elders were actually not at much of a disadvantage, able to sufficiently secure Broad Creed Mountain’s interests.
Of course, this referred only to the cultivation bases of individuals, not considering the advantages of the first-rate powers where they were based. The first-rate powers still usually held the initiative there.
However, in every region, Broad Creed Mountain had First Seat Elders specifically sitting over the area. Other than conflicts in which other Sacred Grounds crossed the border and a conflict arose, it also guaranteed that as long as Broad Creed Mountain was willing, they would be able to suppress any uprisings there.
However, whether it was the First Seat Elder of the East Heaven Region, Elder Qin, or the First Seat Elder of the Wind Domain’s Sand Region, they were all Martial Grandmaster experts of the Essence Talisman stage.
Yan Zhaoge currently only had the authority of a First Seat Elder, while the official First Seat Elders of Broad Creed Mountain at least had cultivation bases of the seventh level of the Martial Grandmaster realm, as Martial Grandmaster experts of the Essence Talisman stage.
Lian Chongyi said, “It was unfortunate for my family, having produced such an unfilial descendant, bringing trouble to Young Master Yan and other fellow practitioners of Broad Creed Mountain. This Lian truly feels plagued by this, therefore having specifically come here bearing gifts of apology, hoping that you will forgive us.”
Saying thus, he retrieved an item, placing it before Yan Zhaoge.
Yan Zhaoge understood with a single glance, “Indeed, it’s not for gifts of apology-he’s come bearing presents.”
History's Strongest Senior Brother Chapter 233: This bro is a good guy
HSSB233: This bro is a good guy
Lian Chongyi’s so-called apology gift was some jade-green substance stored inside a container.
The substance was thick, resembling an emerald as it reflected Yan Zhaoge’s features.
Seeing it, Yan Zhaoge recognised it as Jade Spring Condensed Essence.
Within the territory controlled by the Lian Family Fortress, there was a Jade Sand Spring, famed for its spring water that rather beneficial to martial practitioners.
Broad Creed Mountain had a Jade Spring Acting Elder stationed there, and was given a certain amount of the spring water every year.
However, as compared to the Jade Sand Spring Water, the Jade Spring Condensed Essence produced by the spring was far more valuable.
It was only that the Jade Spring Condensed Essence was extremely rare. Whether it was the Lian Family Fortress or Broad Creed Mountain, they could only get a bit of it every year. Other than them, only the Howling Wind Sword Sect still had a share. Other powers wouldn’t dare to even think about it.
While the Jade Spring Condensed Essence Lian Chongyi was intending to give Yan Zhaoge now seemed only like a cup’s worth, it was actually equivalent to a whole year’s worth of production from the spring!
In other words, the amount of Jade Spring Condensed Essence that the entire Broad Creed Mountain gained every year was also less than the amount before Yan Zhaoge now.
Naturally, this wasn’t due to the Lian Family Fortress having concealed and falsified the amount of Jade Spring Condensed Essence produced by the spring. Instead, this gift had been painfully accumulated by them over the years. Just this bit of Jade Spring Condensed Essence-it wouldn’t be wrong to say that its value rivalled a city’s.
Looking at Yan Zhaoge, Lian Chongyi smiled, “Because this matter happened so suddenly, and I truly rushed over here hurriedly, I could only prepare this meagre gift. Young Master Yan is used to seeing various strange and unique treasures; please accept its unworthiness. Returning this time, this Lian will make preparations once more, very quickly sending them over to Young Master Yan.”
If the gift Jade Spring Condensed Essence could be seen as the Lian Family Fortress expressing sincerity in their apology, the latter part of Lian Chongyi’s words undeniably revealed his true intentions.
While he was coming to express his apologies, he also hoped to use this as a chance to strike up a connection with Yan Zhaoge.
While Yan Zhaoge might not be staying in the Sand Region for too long, if news of the Lian Family Fortress being on friendly relations with the Broad Creed Young Master spread, it would already be greatly beneficial to the Lian Family.
Other than that, Yan Zhaoge also gleaned some other things from his words.
“Young Master, the only good things the Lian Family have are the Jade Spring Condensed Essence and the Jade Sand Spring Water. He wants to prepare a substantial gift once more-what can he prepare?” Ah Hu silently sent Yan Zhaoge a sound transmission via aura-qi from the side, “Can he still obtain even more Jade Spring Condensed Essence? But couldn’t he have brought it all in one go then?”
Yan Zhaoge answered leisurely, “The Lian Family does not have other good things left, but some people do ah. Do you still remember the information I asked you to find before we came to the Sand Region?”
Ah Hu realised, “Elder Hong of the Howling Wind Sword Sect?”
Yan Zhaoge smiled, “That’s right.”
The current Howling Wind Sword Sect was also nearing the period of leadership succession. The old Chief, due to his great age, had recently decided to pass down his position to the next generation.
Of the experts of the next generation of the Howling Wind Sword Sect, the most outstanding person was actually Yan Di’s old friend, Jun Luo’s father Elder Jun.
His cultivation base was the highest, and at the same time he was extremely good friends with Yan Di.
It was only that Elder Jun had no wish to succeed the position, having openly said long ago that he would not do so. Therefore, the competition had spread between two other Elders.
An Elder Hong, and an Elder Bai. The two were similarly matched, leaving it hard for the old Chief to make a choice.
As the two looked for backers, the most important backer was undoubtedly Broad Creed Mountain.
As Yan Zhaoge knew, on this matter, whether it was Broad Creed Mountain’s First Seat Elder in the Sand Region or Principal Elder at the Howling Wind Sword Sect, both maintained a neutral stance.
This was because it wasn’t as complicated a situation as in the Eastern Tang previously-both Elder Hong and Elder Bai were supporters of Broad Creed Mountain.
Whether it was cultivation base or ability to handle matters, it was hard to find a clear victor of the two. Therefore, Broad Creed Mountain had also maintained neutrality here.
To Broad Creed Mountain, whoever gained control of the Howling Wind Sword Sect was not important. As long as he leaned towards Broad Creed Mountain, not allowing any other powers to take root in their territory, that would be fine.
Otherwise, Broad Creed Mountain wouldn’t interfere in the internal affairs of its subordinate powers lightly.
And Elder Hong and Elder Bai also didn’t dare to mess around too much. Otherwise, it would be equivalent to forcing Elder Jun out to clean up the mess for them.
In such a situation, the Yan Zhaoge who suddenly came to the Sand Region and the territory of the Howling Wind Sword Sect instantly caused the eyes of both sides to light up.
Earlier, Yan Zhaoge had not stayed for too long, very quickly heading over to the Great Western Desert, with Elder Hong and Elder Bai not having any time to meet with him properly.
Afterwards, with the assassination case, a tense air had enveloped the entire Sand Region, as the internal conflict of the Howling Wind Sword Sect had also temporarily eased.
The Lian Family Fortress was subordinate to the Howling Wind Sword Sect, being a second-rate power close to Elder Hong. Coming over this time, other than apologising for his family, finding a way to quell the possibly existing anger within the hearts of Yan Zhaoge and the other Broad Creed Mountain martial practitioners, he actually also had the intention of helping Elder Hong to pave a path.
Because of his father, out of the entire Howling Wind Sword Sect, Yan Zhaoge was naturally most familiar with Elder Jun.
However, with Elder Jun not getting himself involved in the matter, Yan Zhaoge did not care about the competition between Elder Hong and Elder Bai for the successor’s position.
On this matter, Yan Zhaoge held the same attitude as the Sand Region’s First Seat Elder and others.
Elder Hong and Lian Chongyi were now attempting to make use of this opportunity to get in contact with Yan Zhaoge, for if Yan Zhaoge’s attitude changed, it might possibly change the situation entirely!
Not mentioning the Yan Di behind him, even Yan Zhaoge himself was incomparable to normal people in the weight of his words.
Let alone the Principal Elder of the Howling Wind Sword Sect, even the First Seat Elder of the Sand Region would give Yan Zhaoge face should he choose to weigh in on this matter.
Not just on Yan Zhaoge’s side, with Lian Ying having nearly killed Jun Luo, on Elder Jun’s side, Lian Chongyi would also take the initiative to express his apologies there, trying to change an unbeneficial situation into a beneficial one.
Elder Jun himself was not a competitor, and also usually maintained a neutral stance. Whether he and Elder Hong successfully drew Elder Jun over this time or he was instead enraged at Elder Hong due to his daughter facing danger, they both had the possibility of changing the delicate balance of this situation, causing Lian Chongyi to have to take great care in it.
“So that’s to say…”Ah Hu blinked, “He’s now trying to curry favour with and bribe Young Master?”
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