Hunyuan Immortal Sect

Chapter 503 Putting Down the Poor and Praising the Proud
"Headmaster."

"Greetings, Senior Hong."

The group quickly stood up, bowed their heads to the sides, and paid their respects.

Hong Haoran was clearly in a good mood. Although he didn't smile, he was still quite amiable. He glanced at the group and went straight to the head seat to sit down.

"The Murong family colluded with the rebels of Nanhan County, endangering the safety of Xijiang County. Your swift response to our sect's call and dispatch of cultivators from various cities to participate in the battle demonstrates your loyalty to our sect and the Qianqing Sect. You have all contributed to eradicating this malignant tumor, the Murong family. Our sect will not treat you unfairly. If you need anything, just say the word."

Hong Haoran spoke in a kind and understanding tone. The reason he summoned the group after the battle was partly because he had finally achieved his long-cherished wish and successfully taken down the Murong family. He was in a great mood and wanted to show off his power and influence.

But more importantly, these sects may still be needed in the future. The Beast Taming Sect can't rest easy just by annexing the Murong family. The situation is so tense now that no one can say for sure when the rebels from the Southern Han Commandery will invade the Western Shu Commandery.

Although each sect has sent its own people to participate in this conscription of cultivators from various cities, if they are not given any extra benefits, they may not be so obedient if things change in the Western Frontier County in the future.

In particular, the various city sects served as cannon fodder in this battle, and many were killed or wounded.

Before the battle, the Beast Taming Sect made no promises of any benefits, and the various city sects dared not disobey the order out of fear.

However, fear alone is not enough; a combination of kindness and severity is needed to firmly bind the various city sects to the same boat as the Beast Taming Sect.

His personal reception of the group as the head of the Beast Taming Sect was a demonstration of his benevolent approach.

As for asking each sect to make a request for a return, that's just a polite way of putting it. He believes no one will dare to actually make any demands. He'll just give them some extra rewards later, and that'll be it.

“Senior, you are so magnanimous and wise. I dare to make a small request, and I hope you will grant it. I hope your sect can protect Yongning City and prevent other sects from encroaching upon it.” Feng Ziyi glanced at Jia Yun and Song Xian, and seeing that the two remained silent and motionless, he spoke up.

He had already decided to take this opportunity to make security requests, and since Hong Haoran said that, he could conveniently back down.

Upon hearing this, the hall fell silent, and the atmosphere suddenly became somewhat awkward.

Song Xian and Jia Yun both lowered their heads and looked down, only glancing at the movements out of the corner of their eyes.

Zhang Tianfang, who was serving Feng Ziyi, gave him a meaningful glance.

Hong Haoran sat upright in the main seat, his expression unchanged, but his gaze revealed a hint of deepness.

"That's only natural. If you obey the orders of our sect, we will naturally protect you. Does anyone have any other requests?"

"It is our clan's duty to obey your orders, eliminate the Murong family who colluded with the rebels, and remove this cancer from Xijiang County. Moreover, without your clan, our clan would not be where it is today. We and our clan have no other demands; we will obey your orders without question."

Song Xian immediately expressed his opinion. He had already sensed the dissatisfaction in Hong Haoran's calm tone. It was clear that what Hong Haoran had said earlier was just polite talk. He did not expect that Feng Ziyi would actually make a request, especially regarding this matter.

To outsiders, this request is perfectly reasonable and not at all excessive.

However, Hong Haoran might not see it that way, because he had tacitly approved the Mingyue Sect's attack on Yongning City.
Bringing this up in front of him now would be like reopening old wounds.

It's like a hypocrite being directly accused of being deceitful.

As a sect in a city under the jurisdiction of Xijiang County, Huayun Sect pays taxes to the Beast Taming Sect every year. Now, in response to the Beast Taming Sect's call, it has dispatched a thousand cultivators to help it annex all the resources of the Murong family.

Logically, there's no need to specifically mention that the Beast Taming Sect should provide them with protection.

The fact that this matter is being brought up now implies an accusation that the Beast Taming Sect previously condoned the Bright Moon Sect's attack on Yongning City.

It would be strange if Hong Haoran were happy to hear that.

"This junior has no other needs; I will obey your orders without question."

Jia Yun followed suit, stating that he had promised Feng Ziyi to ask the Beast Taming Sect for a security guarantee before coming.

But he wasn't stupid; seeing this, he naturally dared not bring it up again.

Besides, Hong Haoran has already said that this is only natural, and for him to repeat it would be too impractical.

"As I said, our sect will not treat you unfairly. I have decided to give you two second-tier resource territories each from Bianxi City, Tianshui City, and Yongning City. After you return, the sect's resident officials will discuss the handover with you."

Compared to what the Beast Taming Sect gained in this great battle, the two second-tier resource territories are not even a drop in the ocean, let alone worth mentioning.

The Beast Taming Sect already had considerable territory and resources in various cities. During the previous rebellion of the Yunxuan Sect, it seized the opportunity to annex a lot more. Now it is just taking out a small portion of the resources and territories it had previously annexed.

Even so, none of the three dared to object. Even if the Beast Taming Sect didn't give them anything, there was nothing they could do. Two second-tier resource territories were better than nothing!

"Thank you very much, Senior Hong."

“I have other matters to attend to. Zhang Tianfang, please entertain them well on behalf of our sect.”

Perhaps it was because Feng Ziyi's request made him unhappy that he was no longer willing to feign gentleness and compliance. After saying this, Hong Haoran got up and left.

"Respectfully seeing off Senior Hong." The three bowed and watched him depart until his figure disappeared. Only then did a smile reappear on Zhang Tianfang's face, and he invited the three to take their seats.

After chatting for a while, a cultivator from the Beast Taming Sect arrived and said that the banquet was ready, so the group went to the banquet.

The three of them didn't leave the Beast Taming Sect until late at night.

"Senior Xu, as you know, Bianxi City is not a resource-rich place. Moreover, due to its proximity to Tianshan Mountain, the climate is unfavorable, and the area is sparsely populated, resulting in a small number of cultivators. In response to your sect's call, the various sects in Bianxi City have gathered two thousand cultivators to assist in the battle. Since the other sects are unable to provide the necessary support, our sect has mobilized almost all of its manpower, including 1,500 people from our sect."

"Nearly half of the cultivators in this city died in this battle, most of whom were disciples of our sect, including four Foundation Establishment cultivators."

"Our sect dares not claim any merit, but we have done our utmost. We hope that you, senior, will grant us this favor in consideration of our long-standing loyalty to our sect."

"We, your juniors and clansmen, are deeply grateful for your kindness and will follow your lead without hesitation, even in the face of danger."

Inside the spacious and bright hall of the Murong family's mountain gate, Song Xian stood with his head bowed, while Xu Xiansheng sat upright in front of him.

“I’ve heard about your performance in this battle, but I can’t make the decision on this matter. I can promise to put in a good word for you when the time is right. But the final decision rests with the sect leader. If you want to form your core within our sect, you can’t do it without the sect leader’s approval.” Xu Xiansheng said expressionlessly.

"Thank you, senior." Song Xian was not disappointed; on the contrary, he was secretly pleased.

He knew, of course, that relying solely on Xu Xiansheng was useless; Hong Haoran's permission was essential.

However, given his status, it wasn't easy for him to meet Hong Haoran alone, and he even had to put in a lot of effort to meet Xu Xiansheng.

Secondly, if they directly confronted Hong Haoran and made this request, there would be no room for maneuver if he refused.

He was not confident that he could persuade Hong Haoran, and since this matter was very important to him, he had to be very careful.

Logically speaking, Hong Haoran should not refuse his request, as it is not a bad thing for the Beast Taming Sect and is a simple favor.

Even if the Hunyuan Sect had two more Golden Core cultivators, it wouldn't threaten the Beast Taming Sect's position at all; on the contrary, it would become a great help to the Beast Taming Sect.

Although the Beast Taming Sect's annexation of the Murong family greatly increased their strength, there was also a small hidden danger: the overall strength of the Western Frontier County was weakened considerably.

In peacetime, without the threat of the Southern Han rebels, this would not be a problem at all. But now, with internal and external troubles, the Southern Han rebels could invade the Western Shu Commandery at any time.

Under these circumstances, it would be entirely beneficial for Xijiang County to have one more Golden Core cultivator who obeys the Beast Taming Sect's orders.

Song Xian's concern stemmed primarily from the relationship between Hong Haoran and Xu Zhuoxuan.

He had just fallen out with Xu Zhuoxuan, and their relationship was at a freezing point. If Xu Zhuoxuan were to say something bad about Hong Haoran in private, then things would be hard to say.

Therefore, it's best to have someone else discuss this matter.

Before coming to see Xu Xiansheng, he had already met with Jiang Feng and Wang Xuan, asking them to put in a good word for him in front of Hong Haoran.

With the consent of Xu Xiansheng, an elder of the Beast Taming Sect, Hong Haoran would be even more confident if he asked the opinions of those around him.

Having received the reply he wanted, Song Xian didn't linger and took his leave.

After leaving the hall, he was greeted by his disciple Su Rong, who was walking towards him with a beaming smile.

"Fellow Daoist Song, how is it? Has your master agreed?"

"Thank you for the introduction, Fellow Daoist Su."

“We’re old friends, this is nothing, no need for thanks. Since Fellow Daoist Song is here, and there’s nothing else, how about we have a few drinks?” Su Rong was very polite, with a warm and friendly smile on his face.

Back when they first met, he was incredibly arrogant and cold-hearted. Even after accepting Song Xian's spirit stones, he only agreed with a reluctant expression.

Now, Song Xian asked him to introduce him to Xu Xiansheng in private, and he readily agreed.

Even when Song Xian offered him spirit stones as usual, he refused, saying that they were friends and it was just a matter of friends helping each other.

The reason for this change is simply the human nature of belittling the weak and praising the strong.

When the two first met, Song Xian was down on his luck, like a stray dog. Not only was his cultivation mediocre, but he had also been driven out of Bianxi City by Luoyun Sect and was lost and didn't know where to go.

Now, not only is the Hunyuan Sect growing stronger, but his reputation is also growing, and his cultivation has reached the tenth level of Foundation Establishment, just one step away from the Golden Core stage.

That's how things are in this world. When you're weak and powerless, don't expect to get sympathy or support from others. You're already lucky if they don't even kick you.

When you are powerful, others will help you without expecting anything in return.

"I'm so sorry, but I have some matters to attend to at the sect today, so I can't stay any longer. I'll host another banquet for Fellow Daoist Su next time."

"Alright then! Since Fellow Daoist Song has important matters to attend to, I won't keep you any longer today." Su Rong agreed with a smile, and escorted him to the mountain gate, only returning after his figure had disappeared into the distance.

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PS: (Regarding the update issue, this is my problem. I don't know why, but I feel very tired whenever I sit in front of the computer.)
(Let me adjust, and try to resume daily updates next month.)
(As longtime readers know, the previous book was also quite lengthy.)
(Don't worry, this book will not be abandoned. I won't do that.)
(End of this chapter)