Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 214 Suppression
At this moment, an elder from the Dongjiang Gang was visiting the Cangshan Sword Sect: "Sect Leader Wu, our leader has led the elite of our gang to Xiazhou. Elder Shi from the Canglan Sect and his junior brothers are also with us. Elder Shi is a second-rank expert, and the other experts from the Canglan Sect are also third-rank experts."

For some reason, Wu Jianchen, the sect leader of the Cangshan Sword Sect, was somewhat restless and not in the mood to entertain the other party. Upon hearing this, he casually asked, "Then what brings Elder Zhou to see me?"

"This time, we will create an overwhelming situation, forcing the Heavenly Sword Sect to cede its interests," Elder Zhou said. "Essentially, the Heavenly Sword Sect's founding ceremony last time was a similar situation. Under those circumstances, Shen Tang could only claim to only produce a small number of high-grade flying swords, not daring to compete head-on with your sect. Now that they have grown strong and want to compete head-on, can't we put pressure on them again?"

Wu Jianchen sighed, "I'm only a fourth-grade. Back then, I was on par with Shen Tang, but now Shen Tang is already a mid-third-grade. What can I do?"

"Your sect isn't without backers." Elder Zhou lowered his voice: "The Heavenly Sword Sect offended the capital... The founding ceremony was well-organized on the surface, but it was clear that they didn't receive any congratulations from any friendly outside forces. Shen Tang and her group may be strong on their own, but they are not to be feared as they are isolated."

Wu Jianchen was extremely annoyed: "My superiors are extremely perfunctory about this matter, all those annual tributes have been wasted."

Elder Zhou: "..."

"I looked into it, and it's because Lu Xingzhou owes a favor to the Huanhua Sword Sect. Back then, Ye Wufeng killed Chu Qingchen, the direct disciple of the Huanhua Sword Sect, and Lu Xingzhou killed Ye Wufeng to avenge Chu Qingchen. Although this favor isn't very direct, and it even disrupts the Huanhua Sword Sect's own path to revenge, if the Huanhua Sword Sect does Lu Xingzhou any harm, they will be condemned by the world."

"This kind of convoluted relationship..." Elder Zhou said halfway through, his heart filled with disdain.

We already knew about this news and suspected you might be unreliable and needed to be dragged into it.

Just then, a disciple rushed in from outside the door: "Sect Master, Sect Master! People from the Demon Suppression Division have come and said that our sect members were captured while robbing people on the outskirts of Xia Prefecture. They want the Sect Master to go and retrieve them."

Wu Jianchen was baffled: "People from our sect? Robbers? Whose path are you robbing?"

"They said it was goods stolen from the Heavenly Sword Sect, and they were captured on the spot by the Demon Suppression Division."

"Nonsense! How could that be? What good would it do us?"

Amidst the chaos, Shen Tang's voice rang out from the sky: "Shen Tang of the Heavenly Sword Sect, accompanied by Guest Elder Lu Xingzhou, pays his respects!"

The sound wasn't loud, but it seemed to echo in everyone's ears, making their eardrums buzz.

Wu Jianchen was shocked: "Her strength is really only at the mid-stage of the third rank?"

"What should we do, Sect Master?"

"What do you mean, what should we do? Invite people in, including the Demon Suppression Division."

Wu Jianchen was much calmer than his disciples. He knew that Shen Tang wouldn't come to launch a surprise attack in broad daylight, and he actually admired the audacity of the two adulterers. Running to an enemy sect, with their protective formation closing, would be like trapping turtles in a jar; they really weren't afraid of trouble.

Let alone having the Demon Suppression Division around, who can be sure that their opponent won't go insane, unless they themselves are absolutely confident that they can leave safely even if their opponent goes insane? In any case, Wu Jianchen wouldn't dare.

Not long after, Lu Xingzhou pushed Shen Tang into the hall.

Including Elder Zhou, everyone in the room felt a sense of "a perfect match"—the man was handsome and dashing, and the woman had an elegant demeanor and beautiful features, yet exuded an air of authority.

Even the several members of the Demon Suppression Division following behind seemed to have been automatically turned into passersby, with everyone's attention drawn to the couple.

If we were to use "good looks" as the criterion for selecting the strongest sect in the county, they would likely be a shoo-in for first place.

Wu Jianchen finally spoke, breaking the silence: "I didn't know that Sect Master Shen has graced us with his presence. What brings you here?"

Shen Tang said calmly, "Your sect sent people to rob our goods. I have come here to demand an explanation."

“Impossible,” Wu Jianchen immediately said. “We didn’t do that.”

The Demon Suppression Division constable behind him, who seemed to be just a passerby, said coldly, "Sect Leader Wu, are you saying that our Demon Suppression Division has wronged you? Isn't Lu Wei your sect's hall master?"

Wu Jianchen exclaimed in shock, "Lu Wei is indeed a member of our sect, but we have never sent them to rob goods. What benefit would that bring us?"

"It's enough that they admit they're your people." The constable from the Demon Suppression Division said coldly, "Sect Leader Wu is also suspected of sending people to do evil. Currently, their confessions admit that it was done privately and has nothing to do with your sect. Otherwise, even Sect Leader Wu would have to be interrogated."

When did the Demon Suppression Division become so strict? When a disciple commits a crime, the sect leader is put on trial?
Wu Jianchen broke out in a cold sweat: "Where are Lu Wei and the others?"

"This group of people has been detained by the Demon Suppression Division. Considering it's their first offense and no serious consequences have occurred, Commander Wan's opinion is that Sect Leader Wu can bail them out and handle the matter according to the sect's rules. If Sect Leader Wu thinks we should just handle this officially, then we'll schedule an interrogation for another day. The message has been delivered; Sect Leader Wu can decide what to do."

The high-ranking members of the Cangshan Sword Sect exchanged glances, while Zhou Tang and his wife wore ambiguous smiles.

"What else can Sect Leader Wu say now?" Lu Xingzhou asked with a smile.

Wu Jianchen said awkwardly, "Lu Wei's actions are personal and do not represent the sect."

Lu Xingzhou said, "So, Sect Leader Wu, you mean that your sect has no intention of being our enemy?"

This question is malicious. If the answer is no, will Wu Jianchen still have the face to show up when the so-called joint pressure is put on?
If the answer is yes, does that mean this wasn't a "private act"? The Demon Suppression Bureau constables are still watching.

Wu Jianchen never imagined that a mere constable could put him in such a dilemma. He hesitated for a long time, unable to answer.

Seeing his silence, Shen Tang said calmly, "I understand what Sect Leader Wu means."

As the words were spoken, the flying sword was drawn. A brilliant purple light shone forth, and a terrifying pressure weighed on everyone's hearts.

"Shen Tang! You..." Before Wu Jianchen could finish speaking, a vast purple aura swept over him.

"Sect Master!" The surrounding high-ranking members rushed forward to help, and everyone worked together to block the purple aura.

With a loud "boom," everyone was thrown to the ground. Wu Jianchen, who was the first to be hit, spat out a mouthful of blood, only to be horrified to discover that the sword was not aimed at him at all.

The sword light changed direction as it reached them, breaking through everyone's defenses before heading straight for the main beam in the hall.

With a loud crash, the extremely sturdy beam snapped, and before the aftershocks subsided, terrifying energy spilled out and spread, causing the entire hall to tremble precariously.

Someone else was near Shen Tang and attacked her back as soon as she drew her sword, taking advantage of her limp.

Lu Xingzhou turned around and delivered a spinning kick, sending the man flying outside the hall.

Wu Jianchen finally understood that the couple's solo visit wasn't out of courage, but rather because they were simply not on the same level. If someone at the top of the rising star rankings gets repeatedly humiliated, how many other fourth-rank individuals could even compete with them? Similarly, someone at the third rank cannot be viewed as an ordinary third-rank individual.

Shen Tang might not be able to wipe out the Cangshan Sword Sect by himself, but leaving would be as easy as playing a game for him.

An elder from the Cangshan Sword Sect roared, "Shen Tang, are you going to fight us alone?"

With a "whoosh," the sword returned to its sheath. Shen Tang sat calmly in his wheelchair and said indifferently, "I only know that I will not offend others unless they offend me, and if they do, I will repay them a hundredfold. The Heavenly Sword Sect is not the Demon Suppression Division, so we don't need to worry about whether there is evidence that Sect Master Wu sent his men. You robbed our goods, so I destroyed your main hall. If there is a next time, this flying sword will not be aimed at the roof beams. You'd better watch yourselves!"

Wu Jianchen calmed his chaotic qi and looked at the constables of the Demon Suppression Division: "Is the Demon Suppression Division just going to stand by and watch others come to our door like this?"

The constable from the Demon Suppression Division rolled his eyes: "No one was hurt, so it's none of my business. If you rob someone else's goods first, you should be prepared for retaliation."

So this is how the Demon Suppression Division constables are used? She can storm mountains and destroy palaces, but we can't kill her?
Wu Jianchen spat out another mouthful of blood. He wanted to say something, but all he could do was curse and couldn't utter a single word.

At this moment, Lu Xingzhou spoke up with a smile: "Sect Leader Wu, logically speaking, I also find it strange that you would rob our goods. Who exactly wants our goods to be robbed, and who wants us to clash with your sect?"

Wu Jianchen's heart skipped a beat, and he subconsciously looked at Elder Zhou by the side of the hall.

Lu Xingzhou immediately dodged and grabbed Elder Zhou's shoulder with one claw: "Sect Master Wu, this person is not from your sect?"

Wu Jianchen said, "These are guests from the Dongjiang Gang."

Elder Zhou was also a fourth-rank official. When he saw Lu Xingzhou rushing towards him and was about to dodge, a whip kick had already struck him in the abdomen.

Elder Zhou coughed up a mouthful of blood, horrified.

Why is there such a big gap?

Lu Xingzhou grabbed Elder Zhou and threw him into the center of the hall: "Sect Leader Wu, we have a history with the Huanhua Sword Sect. I advise you not to be used as a pawn. This man is to be handed over to Sect Leader Wu for proper interrogation. We can discuss the rest privately. Farewell."

The adulterous couple turned and left with the Demon Suppression Bureau constables. Countless people from the Cangshan Sword Sect surrounded them, but no one dared to stop them. They could only watch helplessly as Lu Xingzhou pushed his wheelchair through the crowd like waves and drove away.

Not far away, the main hall collapsed with a loud crash, leaving the ground covered in dust.

Wu Jianchen and the others emerged from the ruins, covered in dust and dirt, and grabbed Elder Zhou by the neck: "Tell me, did Lu Wei and the others listen to your instigation and encouragement?"

Elder Zhou's eyes bulged as he struggled to speak, "No, it wasn't me... it was... it was the gang leader..."

"Bang!" Wu Jianchen shoved him to the ground, his chest heaving with rage: "Whether I want to go against Shen Tang is my own business! What do you mean by trying to drag me into this?! The friendship between my Cangshan Sword Sect and your Dongjiang Gang is over!"

Elder Zhou touched his throat with lingering fear, thinking to himself, "You're clearly afraid of Shen Tang, but you only dare to vent your anger on me."

However, the way the Tianxing Sword Sect operates now is quite different from when it was first established.

Back then, establishing authority was just for self-preservation, to show that they were not easy to mess with, but this time it has a strong aggressiveness.

They knew perfectly well that the Cangshan Sword Sect had been tricked and that Wu Jianchen was not the mastermind behind the robbery, yet they still went to their doorstep and destroyed the main hall, conveying a strong sense of warning to the world.

They tried to rob her goods, but failed, and they already suffered this kind of retaliation. What if they offended someone even more severely? Who would dare to make a move then?

While the Cangshan Sword Sect may seem to have lost face, it might actually be the one that suffers the least damage in this battle. As long as it doesn't get involved again, it can probably live in peace. This is actually Lu Xingzhou giving face to the Huanhua Sword Sect.

Hitting someone is actually giving them face... This is the kind of magnanimity that only exists among top-tier powerful sects.

What the Heavenly Sword Sect wants to do this time is not simply to establish its authority, but to suppress the entire region and establish local hegemony... just like what those top-tier sects do.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

P.S.: Still asking for monthly votes~
(End of this chapter)