Hunyuan Immortal Sect

Chapter 386 Don't Bully the Young
A sumptuous feast had been prepared in the courtyard. As the melodious music of traditional Chinese string and wind instruments filled the air, the two picked up their wine glasses and began to drink and chat.

After a few rounds of drinks, Song Xian got to the point: "I heard that your clan intends to eliminate some rebellious sects as a warning to others. I wonder which forces in Bianxi City Master Xu plans to target? If there is anything that can be of our clan's use, please feel free to give the order."

Xu Yaoming remained calm: "To be honest, before I set off, the sect did mention this matter, asking me to reorganize the sect forces in Bianxi City. But I've been dealing with headquarters affairs these days and haven't decided how to reorganize yet. I'd like to hear Sect Leader Song's opinion. You've been in Bianxi City for a long time, so you must know these sects better than I do."

Song Xian smiled slightly: "Since Steward Xu has asked, then let me share my opinion. Currently, the largest remaining force in Bianxi City is the Yuyuan Sect, and the others are not worth worrying about. Moreover, the Yuyuan Sect has always been two-faced and hypocritical."

"I have dealt with Wang Xuan, the leader of the Jade Abyss Sect, many times. I know him well. He is a man who is only interested in profit, and he is a treacherous and cunning person who speaks sweet words but has a dagger in his heart."

"Master Xu may not know, but before your department arrived, the Yuyuan Sect convened a meeting with the Ding family of Bianxia Town, the Jiangliu Sect of Bianshang Town, the Qianfeng Sect of Xuanhuan Town, and the Huaxuan Sect of Jiangting Town. Although we do not know what they discussed, it is clear that the Yuyuan Sect has organizational power and influence."

"If Steward Xu wants to make an example of someone, then the chicken should be the Jade Abyss Sect. Otherwise, it probably won't have much of a deterrent effect."

"If we only eliminate some small forces, we won't be able to deter others. When the Yunxuan Sect or Luoyun Sect makes a comeback, they will still rebel. Only by targeting the largest forces will we make them fearful."

"This is my suggestion. Please think carefully about how to handle it, Master Xu."

Xu Yaoming still had a smile on his face: "What Sect Leader Song said makes sense. I will consider it carefully."

Song Xian took the wine pot and poured him a cup of wine: "Steward Xu, what do you think about the matter of the resources under the jurisdiction of Luoyun Sect that I mentioned before?"

"Sect Leader Song knows that this matter is not something I can decide."

"I understand, but I don't know if this matter has been reported."

Xu Yaoming picked up his wine glass and took a sip: "Not yet. I've been busy with headquarters affairs these past few days. I'm preparing to report on the remaining territories of the Luoyun Sect! This is a big matter, and I need to go back to the sect."

Song Xian naturally understood the implication behind these words; they were testing his sincerity. With a glance, he signaled to Hu Xiaobao, who understood and got up to leave. The next moment, two large stone boxes were pushed into the courtyard, filled with spirit stones, totaling 200,000 spirit stones.

Because the sect didn't have many high-grade spirit stones in reserve, and most of them were second-grade spirit stones, they couldn't fit them in their storage bags. In addition, they felt that this would have a greater visual impact than exchanging for twenty meager fifth-grade spirit stones, so they filled two large boxes and waited for Xu Yaoming to speak.

"Here are two hundred thousand spirit stones, a small token of my appreciation. I will send a spirit ship to deliver them to your residence later. If you find this troublesome, I can exchange them for higher-grade spirit stones. Our sect has been in Bianxi City for many years, and while I dare not boast of anything else, our reputation is beyond question. I am not a person who breaks his word. As long as Fellow Daoist Xu can make this happen, I will never go back on my promise."

Two hundred thousand spirit stones is not a small amount for anyone, and for a Foundation Establishment cultivator, it is definitely a huge sum of money.

The Hunyuan Sect currently has less than a million spirit stones left in its treasury. Acquiring two hundred thousand at once is not easy, but you can't catch a wolf without risking your cub.

If we can take over all the resource territories of the Falling Cloud Sect, then these 200,000 spirit stones will naturally be nothing.

Xu Yaoming finally revealed a knowing smile: "Your sect has always been a staunch supporter of our sect. Over the years, you have followed our sect in battles across the country, earning both merit and hard work. If I were in charge, I would definitely entrust the abandoned resource territories of the Luoyun Sect to your sect for management. Sect Leader Song, rest assured, I will do my best to speak well of your sect."

"Then thank you very much, Steward Xu. If Steward Xu ever needs anything in the future, our clan will do our utmost to fulfill it."

"Don't thank me yet. This is not something I can decide. At most, I can only offer some suggestions. If your sect wants to successfully take over the resources of those territories, you will need to obtain the support of some important people in my sect."

"To be honest, I have already sent my sect's elder, Lin Zixiang, to Xijiang County. However, I'm afraid he won't be able to get in touch with your sect's important figures. When Master Xu returns to the sect, please introduce him to them."

"Introductions are no problem, but empty words won't impress them."

“I understand. I will personally accompany you to Xijiang County. If we can take over the resource territory left by Luoyun Sect, our sect will spare no expense, even if it means selling everything we own.”

Xu Yaoming nodded: "It's good that Sect Leader Song is aware of this. When we arrive at the sect, I will say that the resource territory of Bianxi City has been taken over by your sect before the headquarters arrives. Considering that your sect is our most important ally, it is not appropriate to forcibly take it back from your sect."

"In addition, your sect has made great contributions and worked hard over the years, and you deserve to be rewarded. If your sect can grow stronger in Bianxi City, it will be beneficial to our sect. I suggest that our sect not compete with your sect for those resources and territories, so as not to damage our relationship and lose more for less."

"If a few more influential people speak up for your clan, the matter will be almost settled."

.........

The next day, at Qiyuan Mountain, in a spacious and bright hall, Song Xian entered from outside. Upon seeing Wang Xuan sitting below, he was slightly startled, but remained outwardly calm. He bowed to Xu Yaoming and asked, "Master Xu, what are your instructions?"

"Fellow Daoist Song has arrived, please have a seat." Xu Yaoming smiled and invited him to sit down.

"I have heard that there is some grudge between your sect and the Jade Abyss Sect. As the saying goes, it is better to resolve enmity than to let it fester. I have summoned you two here today to settle this past grievance. Regardless of who is right or wrong, from today onwards, let it all be wiped clean, and neither of you should cause trouble for the other. I wonder what you two think?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Xuan stood up, walked up to Song Xian, and bowed deeply, saying, "Sect Leader Song, I have offended you in the past, please forgive me."

Song Xian remained expressionless and didn't even glance at him.

Wang Xuan was somewhat embarrassed and could only look to Xu Yaoming for help, but Xu Yaoming also turned his gaze to the side.

The room was deathly silent; you could hear a pin drop. In this silence, the atmosphere gradually became more subtle.

Wang Xuan knew that if he did not receive Song Xian's forgiveness today, not only would his sect be unable to survive, but his own life would also be in danger. Feeling humiliated, his blood boiled, and his face turned red, he slowly knelt down: "Sect Leader Song, please forgive my sect for the offenses we committed in the past."

"Fellow Daoist Song, for my sake, let's wipe the slate clean of past grievances!" Xu Yaoming finally spoke up.

Song Xian was currently seeking his help, and seeing that Wang Xuan had gone to such lengths, he had no choice but to back down. Otherwise, he would offend Xu Yaoming, and the resources and territory under the jurisdiction of Luoyun Sect would certainly not be in his hands.

"Since Master Xu has spoken, how could I dare disobey? Today, our sect and the Jade Abyss Sect have no more grudges."

"Good, good, good." Xu Yaoming clapped his hands with a smile: "I have prepared a banquet. Today, the two of you have turned your lives around and are now on good terms. We should celebrate."

"My sect has other important matters to attend to, so I will not stay for the banquet. If Steward Xu has no further instructions, I will take my leave."

"Then please proceed, Sect Leader Song."

Song Xian strode away, leaving Wang Xuan kneeling there until he left, at which point he stood up, his face flushed with shame.

.........

A few days later, the two traveled together to Xijiang County.

Under Xu Yaoming's introduction, Song Xian met with several trusted confidants of the Beast Taming Sect's high-ranking members, offering them spirit stones or promising them profit-sharing arrangements, which earned their support.

Half a month later, the matter was finally settled. The Beast Taming Sect decided to hand over all the resource territories to the Hunyuan Sect, except for the spirit mine left behind by the Luoyun Sect.

For this matter, Song Xian spent a total of nearly 700,000 spirit stones, and even gave up 20% of the profits from Tianshan Market and the gambling den. But with this result, it was all worth it. He had already done the math. Using the Hunyuan Sect's management methods, the spirit fields, spirit gardens, spirit pools, and mineral resources left over from the Luoyun Sect alone could generate 400,000 to 500,000 spirit stones in revenue each year. After deducting taxes and the promised dividends to Xu Yaoming, he could earn at least 200,000 to 300,000 spirit stones annually.

This doesn't even include the hidden benefits brought by the spiritual veins, the share of profits from various markets, and the taxes that other sects also have to pay him.

The tax system in the entire Qin Kingdom is fixed. For example, if a first-grade low-level spirit field under the Luoyun Sect is taxed by the Beast Taming Sect, the tax will be 300 spirit stones; if it is a first-grade mid-level spirit field, the tax will be 800 spirit stones; and if it is a high-grade spirit field, the tax will be 1,600 spirit stones.

Regardless of the annual yield of the spirit fields, the tax it collects is fixed. Even if you harvest nothing, it will still collect the same amount of spirit stones.

If you can't produce the funds, the Beast Taming Sect will take your spirit fields to pay off the debt and sell them to other forces in Bianxi City.

In addition to paying the spirit stones for the purchase of the spirit fields, the acquired forces still have to pay taxes to the Beast Taming Sect.

In addition, half of the taxes collected by Luoyun Sect from other forces in Bianxi City must be handed over to Yushou Sect.

For example, the resources under the jurisdiction of the Jade Abyss Sect, such as a low-grade spirit field, require a tax of three hundred spirit stones to be paid to the Falling Cloud Sect.

The Luoyun Sect, on the other hand, needs to hand over 150 spirit stones to the Beast Taming Sect.

Previously, when Hunyuan Sect was in Bianxia Town, it did not pay taxes to Luoyun Sect because Bianxia Town had special characteristics. Although it was under the jurisdiction of Bianxi City, it was not under the jurisdiction of Luoyun Sect.

After Song Xian conquered Tianshan, he still had to pay taxes to the Beast Taming Sect for the resources of the occupied territories.

Now that the Beast Taming Sect has handed over the resource territory of the Falling Cloud Sect to the Hunyuan Sect, it is not just about the benefits brought by the resource territory, but also a tacit recognition that the Hunyuan Sect has succeeded the Falling Cloud Sect as the leading sect in Bianxi City.

.........

As night fell, the bright moon hung high in the sky, and countless stars rained down.

Song Xian and Xu Yaoming sat facing each other, constantly exchanging toasts.

"Manager Xu, thank you so much this time. Let me offer you another toast."

Xu Yaoming downed the wine in his cup in one gulp: "No need to be polite, this is what your sect deserves. I merely acted as a go-between and played a minor role. If we don't reward such loyal members as your sect, how can we motivate others? The sect's leadership also hopes that after you take over the Luoyun Sect's territory, you can quickly grow stronger, so that if the Yunxuan Sect falls into chaos in the future, you can lend a helping hand."

"Rest assured, Master Xu, as long as your clan gives the order, our clan will do anything, even at the cost of our lives."

"The loyalty of your clan is evident to everyone in Xijiang County, and no one will doubt it."

"By the way, Steward Xu, what should we do with those sects and forces in Bianxi City? If there is anything our sect can do to help, please don't hesitate to give the order."

Xu Yaoming gently stroked his chin: "I've thought about this carefully these past few days. The various forces in Bianxi City are too chaotic and disorganized, making it difficult to manage, especially in Bian Shang Town and Bian Xia Town, where there are too many independent cultivators. I think that in the future, Bianxi City will only need a few larger, more established sects."

"For example, the Yuyuan Sect, the Qianfeng Sect, and the Huaxuan Sect. The Bian Shang Town retains the Jiangliu Sect, and the Bian Xia Town retains the Ding Family."

Upon hearing these five names, Song Xian knew that these five sects must have collectively provided Xu Yaoming with a considerable amount of benefits recently.

"Many sects in Bianxia Town and Bianshang Town migrated from other places. They are protected by the laws of the Qianqing Sect. Should we also wipe out all these sects?"

"The Qianqing Sect only protects their mountain gate, not their resources and territories outside. Let them stay holed up in their mountain gate for the rest of their lives if they want!"

"I wonder if Master Xu intends to send troops to your sect to eliminate these sects, or to conscript sects like the Jade Abyss Sect on the spot?"

"They're just small fry. Why would we need to call upon our sect to send troops? I plan to let the Jade Abyss Sect and other sects deal with them. This will also give them a chance to redeem themselves. Letting these traitors who have defected to the Cloud Profound Sect kill each other will not only have a deterrent effect but also cause them to lose trust in each other."

Song Xian raised his wine cup: "If Master Xu does not mind, my sect is willing to lead the five sects of Yuyuan Sect to wipe out other forces."

Xu Yaoming assumed that he was eyeing the resources and territories of those forces: "Why should your sect bother with such a trivial matter? Let them handle it! Your sect has already taken over the resources and territories of the Luoyun Sect, so why bother with those scattered pieces of land?"

The main reason Xu Yaoming didn't want Hunyuan Sect to participate was that he wanted to use other sects to check Hunyuan Sect, which was also one of the reasons why he left Yuyuan Sect behind.

The Hunyuan Sect currently has four Foundation Establishment cultivators and has taken over the original resource territory of the Luoyun Sect. It's only a matter of time before it grows stronger.

If it is not checked and balanced, it may become another Falling Cloud Sect in the future, even though the Hunyuan Sect has performed well before and is quite obedient to the sect.

But a person's ambition will grow as their status increases, and the same is true for sects.

Therefore, he spared the Jade Abyss Sect, which had a grudge against the Hunyuan Sect, and planned to have the Jade Abyss Sect take the lead in eliminating the rogue cultivators in Bianxi City and expanding his own territory.

Even if the Jade Abyss Sect takes over the resources and territories of all the scattered cultivator forces in Bianxi City, its power will not surpass that of the Hunyuan Sect. The gap between the two will still be huge. This way, there is no need to worry about the Jade Abyss Sect taking the lead, and it can also play a role in restraining the Hunyuan Sect.

Originally, he did not intend to suggest that the sect hand over all the resources and territories left by the Luoyun Sect to the Hunyuan Sect. He only wanted to give them the first-tier territories as a reward, and keep the second-tier resources for himself, so as to prevent the Hunyuan Sect from becoming too powerful and eventually becoming uncontrollable.

However, Song Xian offered to give him spirit stones equivalent to the sect's tax revenue, which made him change his mind; this was no small sum.

He earns at least 100,000 spirit stones every year. If the sect takes over the second-tier territory, he can use his position to gain some, but it will be far less than the taxes that Hunyuan Sect pays to the sect.

Furthermore, if he refuses, he will definitely offend the Hunyuan Sect, which will be detrimental to his future work in Bianxi City.

Moreover, Song Xian has some connections within the sect, and Hunyuan Sect will surely go to great lengths for this matter. Even if he makes such a suggestion, the sect may not ultimately adopt it. Therefore, he chooses to go with the flow and do a favor.

"I had no such intention. How the resources and territory of Bianxi City are allocated is naturally up to Director Xu. How could I dare to make a private decision? I am only worried that these sects might not put in the effort and cause problems. If all those independent cultivators were to flee to Xijiang County and seek refuge with the Luoyun Sect or the Yunxuan Sect, wouldn't that just increase their power?"

Song Xian's eagerness to take the lead was, of course, based on his own considerations. The Hunyuan Sect was in dire need of manpower at the moment, and recruiting rogue cultivators could not solve the immediate problem. With this excuse, he could legitimately absorb those rogue cultivator forces into the sect.

"Since Fellow Daoist Song insists, then so be it! Your sect will take the lead in this matter, but there is one thing I must make clear first. The Jade Abyss Sect and several other sects have now abandoned the darkness and embraced the light, so your sect cannot use this opportunity to settle personal scores and retaliate."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yaoming stopped objecting, but offered a suggestion: to him, purging the scattered cultivator forces in Bianxi City was a trivial matter that anyone could handle.

He didn't want to strain his relationship with Hunyuanzong over this matter. Although he guessed that Song Xian's enthusiasm must have another reason, he didn't press for details.

"Don't worry, Master Xu, I am not such a petty person and would never seek revenge against the Jade Abyss Sect for personal reasons."

The two drank and chatted until late at night before parting ways.

(End of this chapter)