In Emei, start by obtaining golden attributes.

Chapter 287 A gentleman deceives others with principles
After returning to the backyard with Yang Tie, Gu Shaoan took out some of the pills he had prepared in advance in front of Yang Yan and Zhou Zhiruo.

Most of them are medicines made from century-old ginseng and century-old Ganoderma lucidum.

With these medications to help regulate the body and clear the meridians, even if Yang Tie's internal energy level cannot be broken through, his physical condition can still be greatly improved.

There were also several bottles of antidote pills and some medicines used to test for toxins.

Compared to the betrothal gifts from outside, these pills that Gu Shaoan personally refined are far more valuable.

"It's so precious!"

Looking at the pills in front of him, Yang Tie couldn't help but speak.

Gu Shaoan smiled and said, "These items were all made by my own nephew. Whether they are valuable or not depends on the person who crafted them."

Then, Gu Shaoan changed the subject, saying, "Besides proposing marriage, there is another reason for my visit this time: to invite Uncle Yang to Emei."

"After the banquet, we will need to trouble Uncle Yang to discuss the wedding arrangements and even the banquet itself."

"If we have important guests who need to be entertained, we can arrange for people to pick them up and drop them off in advance, as well as arrange guest rooms in the mountains."

When it comes to Yang Yan's marriage, Yang Tie naturally wouldn't refuse.

However, the Yang Family Escort Agency has been established for so many years, with more than a dozen escorts and dozens of mouths to feed. As the person in charge of the agency, Yang Tie naturally cannot just leave whenever he wants.

Therefore, after discussing with Gu Shaoan and confirming the time for Yang Tie to set off for the Emei Sect, Yang Tie hurriedly left to arrange the affairs of the escort agency.

Thinking about returning to the Emei Sect tomorrow, Yang Yan couldn't help but say, "After we get back, we'll be hosting a grand banquet for everyone. Then our Emei Sect will become a first-class power. I'm really looking forward to it!"

Hearing what Yang Yan said, Zhou Zhiruo nodded at first, then a look of worry appeared on her face.

"I've only heard from my Uncle Juechen that hosting a banquet for all directions is never easy. I hope that this time, my Emei Sect's banquet for all directions will go more smoothly!"

However, before Gu Shaoan could respond, Zhao Shanhe, a bodyguard from Yang's Escort Agency, arrived in the backyard.

"Miss! Someone just left a box at the door. We picked it up and found a letter inside. It looks like it's for Young Master Gu."

"Thank you for your trouble, Uncle Zhao."

Yang Yan stood up, circulated her true energy to cover her hands, and accepted the letter.

After Zhao Shanhe left, Yang Yan handed the letter to Gu Shaoan.

Gu Shaoan received the letter while covering his palm with his own internal energy. Only after confirming by smell that the letter did he withdraw his internal energy.

"To Gu Shaoan personally."

After glancing at the words on the envelope, Gu Shaoan took out the paper inside and opened it. After his eyes swept over the few lines of small print, Gu Shaoan narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Whatever you ask for, it comes to pass?"

After a soft murmur, Gu Shaoan handed the letter to Yang Yan and Zhou Zhiruo.

"Let's see!"

Zhou Zhiruo took the letter and, together with Yang Yan, looked down at its contents.

According to the letter, five second-rate forces—Changlongduo, Jinshanpai, Yunshanzhai, Zhulinbang, and Tiematang—secretly formed an alliance.

Although it's only a few lines, the information it conveys is enough.

After a short while, Yang Yan frowned and said, "There are only seven second-rate forces among the eight parties invited to this banquet. Now, five of them have joined forces. What do these guys mean by this?"

This time, the Emei Sect expanded its influence from the original three prefectures to ten prefectures.

Furthermore, it spread outwards from the original three prefectures of Jiading, Yuzhou, and Xuzhou.

This also means that the remaining seven prefectures are now within the original spheres of influence of seven other second-rate powers.

The seven second-rate forces are Changlongduo, Gufengmen, Yunshanzhai, Jinshanpai, Zhulinbang, Tiematang, and Yuxiaomen.

In terms of overall strength, it is comparable to the Emei Sect in the past.

However, among the three forces such as Changlongduo, Jinshan Sect, and Yunshanzhai, there are martial artists whose internal energy cultivation has reached the level of Qi Condensation.

Moreover, although the leaders of the other factions were only at the level of returning to the innate realm, they were still formidable opponents.

If Abbess Miejue hadn't had the Heaven-Slaying Sword in the past, she might not have been a match for these people.

In response to Yang Yan's words, Gu Shaoan said nonchalantly, "Of course it's to make money for myself."

The Great Wei Kingdom is vast, yet even now, the number of top-tier powers within it can only be counted on two hands.

Forces like the Long Dragon Rudder and the Valley Wind Sect used to monopolize the tax revenue within their territories when there were no first-rate forces there.

However, once the Emei Sect came to power, a portion of the tax revenue earned by forces like the Longlong Faction each year would have to be allocated to the Emei Sect.

Furthermore, as a first-rate force, the prefectures within the Changlongtu's sphere of influence will also need to act in accordance with the Emei Sect's regulations.

It can be said that the essence of the banquet was to make the various martial arts forces invited recognize their respective roles, and then to promulgate new rules and establish the tax payment system for each force to Emei.

In the martial arts world, conflicts easily arise between various factions whenever power and wealth are involved, let alone when they possess both.

Which underworld forces would willingly share their benefits with others?
Zhou Zhiruo frowned and said, "With your current reputation and strength, even if these forces join forces, they will not be able to gain any advantage. On the contrary, it may worsen the relationship with my Emei Sect. This would be more harmful than beneficial."

At this moment, Yang Yan frowned and said, "These forces couldn't possibly be unaware of something so simple."

A moment later, Yang Yan had a flash of inspiration and thought of the Wudang Sect.

“I once heard my master say that after Wudang became a top power, it originally intended to set the tax rate at 50% for the various Jianghu forces in the surrounding 20 prefectures, in the hope that everyone would be happy. However, when Wudang hosted a banquet for all the invited forces, they kept playing the victim, which forced Wudang to finally set the tax rate at 40%.

"It also shows that the Wudang Sect will not arbitrarily interfere in the actions of other Jianghu forces in other prefectures."

"Could it be that these guys are also planning to follow suit and try to force our Emei Sect to make concessions in this way?"

As soon as Yang Yan finished speaking, Zhou Zhiruo immediately understood what Yang Yan meant.

The Emei Sect is a prestigious and orthodox sect.

Since we are a reputable and righteous sect, we must be reasonable.

The phrase "a prestigious and righteous sect" is both the foundation and glory of the Emei Sect, but also a kind of shackle.

At this moment, Gu Shaoan spoke up: "According to the predictions of my master, Uncle Juechen, Uncle Juequan, and myself, the first thing the five sects, including Changlongduo, Jinshanpai, and Yunshanzhai, should do when hosting the banquet for all directions is to flatter us!"

"At the banquet, witnessed by all the sects, they will loudly praise the Emei Sect. They will praise our sect's long history, our adherence to the chivalrous way of helping the world and bringing peace to the people, and our profound sense of righteousness, etc."

Yang Yan said in a deep voice: "Praise is the right thing to do, but if it is done with ulterior motives, it becomes poison coated with sugar."

"When they elevate our Emei Sect to a high position, they start playing the victim. Then, when the Emei Sect, as is customary, announces new territorial divisions, tax rates, or codes of conduct, they immediately put on a different face and use righteousness to intimidate us." A gentleman deceives others with principles.

Among the various forces in the martial arts world, prestigious and righteous sects such as Wudang and Emei are considered gentlemen.

In terms of sheer force, forces like the Longlongduo could not possibly defeat the Emei Sect. But since force was not an option, they resorted to attacking the "heart," the "momentum," and the "reason," attempting to make the newly established Emei Sect, a first-rate force, feel burdened by its "righteous" identity, and even forced to compromise on substantive interests in order to maintain its superficial image of "justice."

The reasoning is not complicated.

Both Yang Yan and Zhou Zhiruo quickly realized the purpose and even the methods of action of the combined forces of Changlongduo and Gufengmen.

After speaking, Yang Yan looked at Gu Shaoan and asked, "Senior Brother, what do you and the Sect Leader think?"

In response to Yang Yan's question, Gu Shaoan calmly replied, "We'll deal with whatever comes our way. If necessary, we'll make an example of someone."

Upon hearing this, both Yang Yan and Zhou Zhiruo looked astonished.

Zhou Zhiruo asked softly, "Wouldn't this be too forceful?"

Given the two women's understanding of Gu Shaoan, the fact that he used the phrase "kill the chicken to scare the monkey" is enough to show that Gu Shaoan and Abbess Miejue planned to take drastic measures during the banquet, even to the point of destroying a sect.

If it is not handled properly, it will inevitably affect the reputation of the Emei Sect.

Gu Shaoan said, "There's one thing these people might be mistaken about."

“My Emei Sect is not the Wudang Sect, nor do we have the same concerns as Master Zhang.”

Zhang Sanfeng's strength and position were both too high.

With Zhang Sanfeng's presence, Wudang's status has risen accordingly.

It was forced to grow up to a top-tier power, on par with Shaolin.

Most importantly, when Wudang became a top power, Zhang Sanfeng was already close to 100 years old, and there was no successor in the Wudang sect.

Therefore, Zhang Sanfeng had to make many concessions for the sake of Wudang's foundation and his disciples and descendants.

The situation of the Emei Sect is completely different from that of the Wudang Sect.

The Emei Sect has only recently been promoted to a first-class power. Moreover, within the Emei Sect, Abbess Miejue, Juechen, Juejue, Zhou Zhiruo, and Yang Yan have all reached the level of Qi Condensation and Yuan Formation in terms of internal energy cultivation.

With their innate talents reaching unparalleled levels, not to mention Zhou Zhiruo and Yang Yan, even Abbess Miejue, Juechen, and Juejue are certain to reach the Condensing Yuan Formation Realm in the future.

Not to mention there's Gu Shaoan, a top-tier expert who's only in his early twenties.

There is absolutely no situation where there is no successor.

At this point, if the Emei Sect wants to use moral blackmail, it first needs to see if they are willing to do so.

At this point, Gu Shaoan paused and then chuckled softly: "As for being assertive, didn't my master and the others, as well as my Emei Sect, always act assertively?"

"There's no reason why the Emei Sect could be so assertive when it was weak, but has become timid and hesitant now that it's stronger."

"As long as we can gain the upper hand, what does it matter if we act a bit more aggressively during this banquet?"

"At worst, we'll just make the powerful image of my master and the Emei Sect even more deeply ingrained in people's minds, and also let other forces in the martial arts world know that although the Emei Sect is a prestigious and righteous sect, it is not a doormat."

The truth always lies in the hands of the strong.

If the Emei Sect is in the wrong and you take advantage of me, I won't say anything.

But if the Emei Sect is in the right and you still want to take advantage of me, then we'll have to have a go.

The Emei Sect is a prestigious and righteous sect, but it is not a turtle sect.

That makes sense, that makes sense.

First pay respects, then proceed on the road.

If reasoning fails, then preach the Way.

Swordsmanship, strength, dominance—the force used in striking all carries the word "way."

Yang Yan nodded and said, "That's true. If we're strong enough to be bullied, what about all the hard work my senior brother, sect leader, and master have put in all these years?"

Zhou Zhiruo nodded slightly: "Just like my junior brother said, 'If you strike hard enough, you'll avoid a hundred.' If you don't go all out at the crucial moment, you'll be in trouble later. If you just let it slide, the remaining forces will act insincerely and make things even more difficult."

Knowing that Gu Shaoan and Abbess Miejue had already made a decision, the group was no longer worried about the matter.

Gu Shaoan turned his head away and focused his attention on the envelope.

Without a doubt, Gu Shaoan knew that the letter must have come from the Sun family behind Sun Baifa.

"Sure enough, there's a difference between having news and not having news."

The next day.

At dawn, with Yang Tie watching them leave, Gu Shaoan and the other two turned and went out of the city gate.

The three of them hadn't finished their business when they arrived, so they were inevitably in a bit of a rush as they traveled.

Now that the important business was finished, it would take the three of them at most half a month to travel from Baijiang Prefecture back to the Emei Sect using their lightness skills. Therefore, their return journey would not be as rushed as before.

A few days later, in Jinzhou Prefecture, which was only a few hundred miles away from Xuzhou Prefecture.

Just before the city gates closed, Gu Shaoan and his two companions successfully passed through the gates and entered Jinzhou Prefecture.

As night fell, the city was far from quiet; instead, it was bustling with activity as lanterns and colorful lights lit up along the streets.

The lights of various colors reflect each other, outlining the contours of the eaves and brackets, and illuminating the bluestone path with dazzling light.

Amidst the bustling sounds of people—the shouts of vendors, the laughter of children, and the soft melodies of string and wind instruments—mixed with the aromas of food and the subtle scents of flowers and perfumes, a vibrant and prosperous evening scene unfolded in Jinzhou Prefecture. This contrasted sharply with the somber atmosphere of the镖局 (escort agency) in Baijiang Prefecture.

Gu Shaoan was still wearing his old blue robe, while Yang Yan and Zhou Zhiruo were still dressed in elegant long dresses.

On their way back, the three of them did not wear straw hats to cover their faces as before. Their appearance and unique temperament naturally made them the most eye-catching presence in the crowd.

When passersby looked at the three of them, their eyes lit up.

Seeing the weapons in the hands of Gu Shaoan and his two companions, no one dared to approach and strike up a conversation.

After entering the city, Gu Shaoan and his two companions did not rush to find an inn to stay at. Instead, they slowed down their pace, feeling the vitality of the city and admiring the brightly lit streets.

Just then, the bustling crowd ahead seemed to be parted by an invisible force, and a strange and eye-catching noise came from ahead.

Four slender women, moving with the lightness of clouds, steadily carried a uniquely styled bamboo sedan chair, heading straight towards Gu Shaoan and his companions along the center of the long street.

(End of this chapter)