by Translator: Pokka; Author: 我本纯洁 (I Am Pure); Licensed From: Migu
"Alright. I'll do it right away. Wait for me," Gong Qinyin said in excitement and started leaving. As she arrived at the exit, she suddenly turned and said, "Thank you, Xiang Shaoyun."
After leaving those words, she left. Xiang Shaoyun rubbed his nose and sniffed at the lingering fragrance in the air as he thought to himself, This girl is not as fierce as I thought after all.
Prior to this, he had an impression that Gong Qinyin was a fierce tigress. But after their latest interaction, his opinion of her had improved considerably.
...
The Wen Clan was located at the eastern part of the city. Once a prestigious clan, they still maintained their glory from before. Their main estate was extremely expansive and luxurious.
After the clan leader, Wen Dongyou, returned to the estate, he immediately sent some people to monitor Xiang Shaoyun and Mo Mo at all times. Orders had been given to immediately kidnap Xiang Shaoyun the moment he left the restaurant.
Although Wen Hong did not agree with what Wen Dongyou did, he couldn't say anything since the latter was the clan leader. At this time, Wen Jinnuo went to see his father and said, "Father, why don't you let me deal with that fellow?"
"Stop messing around. This is important for us. We can't mess it up," Wen Dongyou said seriously.
"Father, I'm already an adult. It is about time I shoulder some of your burdens. You can send someone to assist me if you are worried. How hard can dealing with two outsiders be?" Wen Jinnuo persuaded.
Wen Dongyou gave it a thought and relented. "Fine. I will let you deal with this. Don't mess it up. Or else, I won't spare you."
"Thank you, father. I won't disappoint you!" Wen Jinnuo was overjoyed. He added, "Father, what do you think about Qinyin? I am thinking of taking her as my wife."
Wen Dongyou thought about it and said, "Are you playing around or are you serious with her?"
Wen Jinnuo hesitated for a bit and said, "If she is obedient, I will take her as my wife. If she refuses to be obedient, I will only play with her for a bit."
"Ok, noted," Wen Dongyou said.
When Wen Jinnuo saw that his father was not giving a clear answer, he grew somewhat dispirited and left.
...
The Gong Clan was based in the south of the city and was a clan that had only risen to prominence in the past 100 years. Their patriarch was an old King Realm cultivator who had gone on to train a couple of new King Realm cultivators. This caused the Gong Clan to rise to prominence in Cloud Margin City.
Unfortunately, the patriarch was currently in a bad condition, putting the Gong Clan into panic. Being someone from such a clan, Gong Qinyin had a background far stronger than the likes of Martial Hall Palace. Why would she join the Martial Hall Palace, then?
The reason for that was simple. She was not the daughter of the main wife and was only the daughter of a concubine. Coupled with the absence of her mother since young, she felt extremely lonely staying in her own clan, and she wasn't particularly well-liked in the clan either.
If it wasn't for the fact that the patriarch had noticed her cultivation talent, she would have been used as a tool for political marriage long ago. As for her appearance at the Martial Hall Palace, that was her own decision so as to leave the politics of the clan and to try to accomplish something by relying on herself.
Although the Gong Clan wasn't an extremely powerful clan, there was still a lot of politics in the clan, and it only exacerbated with their patriarch's current condition. Gong Qinyin did not have a favorable impression of her own clan, but due to the love the patriarch had shown her and the sense of responsibility she felt due to the blood coursing in her veins, she had to do her part in helping the clan as well.
After returning to the clan estate, she went straight to her father, Gong Lianda. Gong Lianda was a strict and dignified middle-aged man. He was a third-stage King Realm cultivator, and one of the contenders to be the next patriarch.
"Why are you looking for me?" Gong Lianda asked indifferently.
The Gong Clan had always been a clan that valued males over females. Because of that prejudice, despite Gong Qinyin's talent, Gong Lianda still couldn't avoid feeling indifferent about her.
Gong Qinyin was already used to it. Using the same indifferent expression, she answered, "I have a way to establish a connection between you and the Cloud Margin Forging Pavilion's elder."
"Are you sure you're not kidding me?" Gong Lianda questioned doubtfully.
Gong Qinyin went straight to the point and told her father what Xiang Shaoyun told her to say.
"Your friend actually has some emperor-grade materials on hand? What a lucky fellow. No wonder he was able to attract the attention of a Cloud Margin Pavilion elder," said Gong Lianda with an astonished expression. He asked, "Are you sure he is willing to let us negotiate on behalf of him?"
Gong Qinyin nodded, "Our Gong Clan will only be negotiating on behalf of him, but he will still be the one keeping all the profit. He also intends to get the elder to help him with his conflict with the Wen Clan."
"He is trying to pit our Gong Clan against the Wen Clan!" Gong Lianda frowned.
"Well, it is your decision. Are you going to agree or not?" Gong Qinyin asked indifferently.
Gong Lianda paced around the room before finally making up his mind. "If we can establish a friendship with a Cloud Margin Pavilion elder, we will be able to put the Wen Clan in their place and might even be able to get some help for the patriarch. It is worth trying."
"So you agree?" Gong Qinyin asked.
"Although our Gong Clan is currently in a bad situation, it is during times like these that we need to do something. It will prove that we are still not a clan to be easily provoked," said Gong Lianda as he narrowed his eyes. He then added, "We should not delay. Let's go see your friend immediately. We will be escorting him to the Cloud Margin Forging Pavilion."
Thus, the two left for the Cloud Margin Restaurant with a group of people.
Chapter 178: Conflict
The Cloud Margin Restaurant was one of the businesses of the Cloud Margin Pavilion, and since even Cloud Margin City's governor was an elder of the Cloud Margin Pavilion, nobody was stupid enough to create trouble in the restaurant. Thus, Xiang Shaoyun and Mo Mo would be safe so long as they remained in the restaurant.
When Gong Qinyin and Gong Lianda appeared at the restaurant, Xiang Shaoyun came out of his room to greet them. He did not meet them with his real appearance. Rather, he had the human skin mask on. Hiding his identity would only save him from more trouble down the line.
"Greetings, Lord Lianda," Xiang Shaoyun greeted Gong Lianda respectfully.
Gong Lianda scanned both Xiang Shaoyun and Mo Mo, and when he saw their cultivation level, he started taking them lightly just like Wen Dongyou before. In a sense, it was a sin for a mere Transformation Realm cultivator to possess emperor-grade materials.
"Forget the pleasantries. Now, show me if you really have the top-quality goldsteel stone," said Gong Lianda.
"No problem." Xiang Shaoyun agreed and took out a several-catty-heavy top-quality goldsteel stone.
Gong Lianda studied the stone seriously for a bit as his eyes slowly started glowing. "This is really a top-quality goldsteel stone!"
"Consider this a gift from me for the occasion of our first meeting. Please accept it," offered Xiang Shaoyun tactfully.
Gong Lianda was instantly overjoyed. Although the Gong Clan was not a blacksmithing clan, obtaining an emperor-grade material was still a great harvest for them. After all, this stone was worth at least a few thousand low-grade spirit crystals, and it could even be used to forge emperor-grade weapons. It was an extremely rare material that he couldn’t say no to.
"How can I accept such a valuable gift?" Gong Lianda said, but his actions did not match his words at all as he had already stowed the stone away. After accepting the gift, Gong Lianda’s impression of Xiang Shaoyun became much more favorable.
"Let's not waste any more time, we should get going to the
Cloud Margin Forging Pavilion," Xiang Shaoyun suggested.
"Alright. Let's go. Let's see if the Wen Clan dares to stop us," said Gong Lianda with his chest puffed out.
Thus, the group walked out of the restaurant. But right after they left, the people from the Wen Clan appeared and blocked their way.
"Audacious, you dare block the path of this King?" Gong Lianda berated.
"Ah, so it's Uncle Gong. I am Wen Jinnuo. Wen Dongyou is my father," Wen Jinnuo stepped forth and introduced himself. He went straight to the point, "Uncle Gong, the two behind you are the people the Wen Clan is hunting. Please do not get involved in this."
Wen Jinnuo had not expected that Xiang Shaoyun would get help from the Gong Clan so quickly. He was certain Gong Qinyin played a role in that, and his resentment deepened at that realization.
Slut, when I'm done with this, I will definitely make you lie down before me, Wen Jinnuo said inwardly.
"They are the distant relatives of the Gong Clan. How can we let you take them as you wish? You better move aside, or you will have to bear the consequences," Gong Lianda said loudly.
He had brought a large group of people with him. Thus, he did not fear the Wen Clan. This was a bet he had to make. So long as he could establish a friendship with the elder of the Cloud Margin Forging Pavilion, everything would be better.
"Are you sure? Is the Wen Clan nothing for the Gong Clan now?" Wen Jinnuo questioned as he was starting to feel displeased.
"I do respect the Wen Clan, but that does not mean I will let you take my distant relative," Gong Lianda answered. He added, "Move aside or don't blame me for what happens next."
A middle-aged man stepped up beside Wen Jinnuo and said, "Gong Lianda, you are still not the patriarch of the Gong Clan. You should be careful of what you say."
This person was a King Realm elder of the Wen Clan. Although his strength was not comparable to Gong Lianda's, he wasn't much weaker than him either. More importantly, the overall strength of the Wen Clan was above the Gong Clan, and that coupled with the Gong Clan patriarch's current bad condition served as a booster to the Wen Clan's confidence.
"Looks like you are very confident we will not retaliate. Fine, do you want to fight right here?" Gong Lianda said unyieldingly.
"Your Gong Clan will pay the price for this! Go, seize the two from them!" Wen Jinnuo was getting impatient and gave the command to attack.
"Those who come at us will be killed without mercy!" Gong Lianda shouted with a murderous expression.
"Let's see what you are made of, Gong Lianda," shouted the Wen Clan elder before he charged Gong Lianda with his sword in hand. His goal was clear—to restrain Gong Lianda. So long as he accomplished that, the other Gong Clan people here would not pose a threat.
"You are courting death!" Gong Lianda shouted and charged forth as well.
Right this moment, a King Realm cultivator suddenly appeared from a different direction and sneak attacked Gong Lianda. It was the Wen Clan's other King Realm cultivator. He had been hiding near them all along, waiting for a perfect chance to make a move.
Gong Lianda reacted decently: he quickly swung his weapon to block the two attacks that had suddenly arrived. He was able to temporarily protect himself, but as a result, he got himself surrounded by the two Kings.
The group that came with Gong Lianda also started fighting the Wen Clan people, creating a scene right in front of the restaurant that caused the pedestrians to scatter. Of course, some of the braver ones stayed nearby to watch everything unfold.
Xiang Shaoyun did not expect things to go this way at all. He thought that the Wen Clan would retreat for now instead of creating a scene right in the city. Unfortunately, things had escalated way out of his expectations.
But since the situation had already developed this way, there was no point fretting over it. He should just focus on getting over this hurdle first. In any case, he still had some plans in place. At this time, two people managed to break through the Gong Clan's defensive line and charged straight toward Xiang Shaoyun.
"Young master, be careful!" Mo Mo had been standing guard beside Xiang Shaoyun all along. When she saw the attackers, she quickly stood before him and counterattacked.
She was an early eighth-stage Transformation Realm cultivator, and so long as she did not meet those at the peak Transformation Realm or beyond, she feared nobody. She quickly beat back the two Wen Clan members then joined the Gong Clan people in their battle against the Wen Clan people.
However, the Wen Clan's overall strength was stronger than the Gong Clan's. In the midst of the battle, a Transformation Realm expert with a strength similar to Mo Mo's suddenly broke through the Gong Clan's defensive line and charged straight toward Gong Qinyin.
Gong Qinyin's cultivation speed had always been fast, but she was after all still an eighth-stage Astral Realm cultivator. Even so, for people her age, it was an outstanding cultivation level. But against an eighth-stage Transformation Realm expert, she was completely helpless. Just as she was about to be captured, Xiang Shaoyun noiselessly appeared before her, and his fist shot forth like a rumbling lightning bolt.
Lightning Bolt Fist!
Lightning energy surged out violently, turning his entire arm purple, giving him an incredibly imposing look. Then, the eighth-stage Transformation Realm cultivator's attack meant for Gong Qinyin connected with Xiang Shaoyun's fist.
Bang!
"AHHHH!"
First, a rumbling explosion had rung out. Then, a miserable wail had filled the air. Someone had been injured in that exchange.
Chapter 179: Tao Ran's Arrival
Xiang Shaoyun was not the one injured in the exchange. It was the eighth-stage Transformation Realm cultivator. That person's cultivation level might be higher, but Xiang Shaoyun's combat power was no weaker than his. More importantly, Xiang Shaoyun's innate purple lightning was terrifyingly destructive. An ordinary person would not be able to withstand it.
Xiang Shaoyun did not want a prolonged battle. That was why he used the innate purple lightning right from the start. After crippling his opponent's arm, he took the chance and followed up with a punch to his opponent’s stomach.
Bang!
The eighth-stage Transformation Realm cultivator was fully wrapped in a layer of energy barrier, but Xiang Shaoyun's punch was too powerful. His energy barrier was instantly shattered, and he was sent flying while coughing blood. If that person was even slightly weaker, that punch of Xiang Shaoyun's would have been enough to take his life.
Wen Jinnuo had been standing behind waiting for an opportunity to capture Xiang Shaoyun during the chaos, but when he saw how vicious Xiang Shaoyun was, he shivered, "How is that kid so strong?"
He had heard from his father that Xiang Shaoyun was merely a second-stage Transformation Realm cultivator, a similar level of cultivation to him. But the combat prowess Xiang Shaoyun displayed just now was definitely not at the level of a second-stage Transformation Realm cultivator.
With what he just witnessed, he would believe it even if someone told him Xiang Shaoyun was actually a peak Transformation Realm cultivator. Standing right behind Xiang Shaoyun, Gong Qinyin was able to feel clearly just how powerful he was. Inwardly, she cried out in astonishment, He has already reached the Transformation Realm!
Xiang Shaoyun had been able to battle Transformation Realm cultivators ever since he was at the Astral Realm. Now that he was a Transformation Realm cultivator himself, his combat power became even more impressive. Gong Qinyin was in great shock over what she saw.
One ought to know that before this, Xiang Shaoyun used to run from her to avoid being beaten up. But he had grown rapidly and eventually surpassed her, to the point she now felt she would never catch up to him. The realization caused her to feel disheartened. All along, she had been confident in her talent in cultivation. But now, she realized that she had merely been a frog in a well.
I want to get strong as well! Gong Qinyin vowed to herself before she raised her sword and joine
d the battle.
The battle did not last long as the city enforcers arrived soon after.
"Everyone, stop now or die!" a loud voice rang out in the air.
A group of people mounted on tigers appeared. The leader of the group was a middle-aged man with a clear kingly aura around him. This was an enforcement squad of Cloud Margin City, led by the commander of the squad who was also a Skysoar Realm cultivator.
Their appearance caused the Gong Clan and Wen Clan to quickly break off from the fight. Even Gong Lianda and the two Kings from the Wen Clan did not dare to fight in their presence and returned to their respective groups as well.
"Creating trouble in the city is prohibited. All of you have the nerves to start a battle here? Are you challenging the city hall and the Cloud Margin Pavilion?" the middle-aged man berated as he glared at the two groups. He could see that the two groups were decently sized clans in the city, but even so, he showed no mercy when berating them.
"Lord, I am an outer disciple of the pavilion, Wen Jinnuo. They have stolen something belonging to the Wen Clan. We are only here to take back what's ours. But for some reason, the Gong Clan stepped out to prevent us from doing that. Please uphold justice, lord," Wen Jinnuo was no fool and immediately thought of an excuse to shift the blame.
"Bullshit. You people are the ones trying to rob something belonging to my distant relative. And now, you are trying to take the moral high ground?" Gong Lianda shouted furiously.
"He has on him the forging material we had lost. Otherwise, why would we have bothered making such a scene? Lord, please uphold justice for us!" Wen Jinnuo lied calmly.
"At such a young age, you are already a massive liar. Wen Dongyou sure has an excellent son," Gong Lianda sneered.
"Enough. This commander will investigate the truth of this. Now, I need your leaders to come with me to the city hall. As for the others, leave right now!" the middle-aged man interrupted their argument.
It was at this moment that a new group of people arrived in haste. Everyone looked over and saw that the newcomers were the people from the Cloud Margin Forging Pavilion, and even their elder, Tao Ran, had arrived as well.