In Emei, start by obtaining golden attributes.

Chapter 297 When it comes to seducing men, she's a professional.
After her gaze swept over Qin Mengyao and the others, Abbess Jueju secretly transmitted her true essence to Abbess Juechen.

"Senior Sister, didn't the Sect Leader write a letter declining Cihang Jingzhai's invitation to the banquet? Why did she still come? Did the letter not get delivered?"

In response to the question from the Abbess Juechen, she replied, "The letter should have been delivered, but the person still came uninvited. It seems that Cihang Jingzhai's purpose this time may not be so simple."

After thinking for a moment, Abbess Juechen began to circulate her true energy.

Abbess Miejue glanced at Abbess Juechen, and after their eyes met, they nodded imperceptibly.

Abbess Juechen asked, "What did the Sect Leader say?"

Juechen replied, "Today is a banquet hosted by our Emei Sect. Cihang Jingzhai came under the guise of congratulations. With so many people here, we shouldn't overreact. Let's see how things go first."

As the two were talking, people from Cihang Jingzhai approached.

Qin Mengyao bowed and said, "Qin Mengyao from Cihang Jingzhai, on the orders of my master, has come to congratulate the Emei Sect on its advancement."

As soon as the words were spoken, several disciples of Cihang Jingzhai, each holding a gift box, stepped forward, and one of them opened the gift boxes.

Besides several precious medicinal herbs that are a hundred years old, there is also a special longsword.

"This sword is called Haoyue. It was forged ten years ago by an elder of my Cihang Jingzhai using gold-plated material from the cold pool within Cihang Jingzhai. It can cut through iron like mud."

Abbess Miejue didn't look at the contents of the gift boxes, but calmly watched Qin Mengyao and the others.

After a few breaths, Abbess Miejue nodded and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Miss Qin, please."

"Thank you, Master."

Qin Mengyao bowed slightly and then stepped forward.

The table where Gu Shaoan and the others are currently sitting is a ten-person table.

Including Xu Changlong and the other seven, there was exactly one empty stool left.

After taking her seat, Qin Mengyao looked up at Gu Shaoan at just the right moment. Their eyes met, she nodded slightly, and then looked away.

Polite yet unfamiliar, even the smile on his lips carried a hint of politeness.

It was as if she were truly meeting Gu Shaoan for the first time.

If he hadn't been caught red-handed, or if he hadn't been unaware of Qin Mengyao's identity, Gu Shaoan probably wouldn't have thought much of it.

However, just as Gu Shaoan turned his head away, Qin Mengyao's gaze quietly returned out of the corner of her eye.

As Gu Shaoan looked back again, he happened to see Qin Mengyao look away.

This seemingly unintentional reaction, if it happened to an ordinary man, might not have made him fantasize, but it would have been enough to pique his curiosity.

Curiosity has always been the beginning of falling in love.

After his mind raced and he understood the deeper meaning behind Qin Mengyao's seemingly ordinary actions, Gu Shaoan couldn't help but sigh inwardly, "Her skill is truly extraordinary!"

Lin Xian'er is quite the professional.

Every smile and frown of hers can bring out her strengths to the fullest, captivating the heart.

Even though Lin Xian'er is a professional, her research on male psychology can only be based on her own exploration over the years.

But Cihang Jingzhai is different.

The entire sect has been researching the art of "seducing men" for hundreds of years.

They are definitely professionals.

After the elders and their disciples accepted the gifts, they led the other disciples of Cihang Jingzhai away.

Only Song Miyun remained standing behind Qin Mengyao.

However, judging from Song Miyun's age and clothing, she should be an elder of Cihang Jingzhai.

After glancing at Song Miyun, Abbess Miejue circulated her inner energy, and her deep and solemn voice instantly echoed throughout the Golden Roof Hall.

"Today, fellow practitioners from all over the seven prefectures of Jinzhou, Jinchuan, Jianping, Yuzhou, Tiannan, Beishan, and Baoshan have gathered at the Golden Summit of Mount Emei for this grand event. Our sect is deeply honored and grateful for your presence."

"From this day forward, the land of the Seven Prefectures shall be the refuge of Emei."

Her words, though lacking in intonation, carried a rock-solid firmness, clearly announcing the arrival of a new era.

"All gangs and forces that are willing to abide by their duties, protect the territory and its people, and uphold the code of chivalry are friendly neighbors of Emei."

"In the years to come, our Emei Sect hopes to work together with all of you as fellow practitioners."

"To help the common people, to deter the wicked, so that the people within the seven prefectures may have a place to live in peace, and the rivers and lakes may have a clear order, so that we may work together to achieve long-term peace."

The sound, like the morning bell of an ancient temple, resonated clearly in the ears of every guest.

As soon as he spoke, the surrounding guests responded with smiles.

After the surroundings quieted down again, Abbess Miejue spoke again.

"There are two other matters to discuss at today's banquet."

"Firstly, regarding the tax revenue of the seven prefectures of Jinzhou, Jinchuan, Jianping, Yuzhou, Tiannan, Beishan and Baoshan after the promotion of my Emei Sect."

Upon hearing this, everyone present perked up their ears.

"Previously, the taxes paid by the various forces in Jiading Prefecture, Yuzhou Prefecture, and Xuzhou Prefecture were all 50%, which has remained unchanged for nearly a hundred years. Therefore, in the future, the taxes paid by the various forces in these seven prefectures will also be 50%, just like those paid by Jiading Prefecture and the other two prefectures."

"In addition, within each prefecture, our Emei Sect will decide whether to send disciples to establish outposts for garrisoning based on the specific circumstances. The specific regulations for governance will be determined later after our Emei Sect elders personally lead people to conduct on-site investigations."

The Emei Sect is a prestigious and orthodox sect, and it has always been based in the three prefectures including Jiading Prefecture.

Therefore, when they arrived, everyone guessed that the Emei Sect would not be excessive in terms of taxes.

Upon confirming the amount of tax from Abbess Miejue, all the forces, large and small, breathed a sigh of relief.

Looking across the entire martial arts world, apart from the Wudang Sect which pays 40% of the taxes, most other factions set their taxes at around 60%.

The Emei Sect only collects 50% of the taxes, which is considered generous in the martial arts world.

"Cough cough~"

Just then, Sun Jinhai, the leader of the Bamboo Forest Gang, coughed a few times.

Then, looking troubled, she said, "Master, isn't fifty percent a bit too high?"

Under everyone's gaze, Sun Jinhai stood up, glanced around, and then looked troubled.

"To be honest, Master, although there is only one second-rate force in Yuzhou Prefecture, the Bamboo Forest Gang, Yuzhou Prefecture is not as wealthy as other prefectures. The most valuable thing is the salt trade in Yuzhou Prefecture, but these businesses are all managed by the Tang Clan of Sichuan. The Bamboo Forest Gang can't get involved. At most, we can only do some transporting business."

"Moreover, the imperial army stationed in Yuzhou Prefecture is getting more and more greedy, demanding money from all sides, and the lion's share is going into the government's pockets." "In the past, my Bamboo Forest Gang had three thousand brothers, but over the years, my Bamboo Forest Gang has only a little over a thousand left, all of whom have families to support and are having a hard time."

"If we pay another 50% tax now, the remaining money probably won't be enough to cover the expenses of my Bamboo Forest Gang brothers."

With Sun Jinhai taking the lead, the four forces—Changlongduo, Jinshanpai, Yunshanzhai Tiematang, and others—speaked one after another, recounting their hardships.

The situation was roughly the same as what Sun Jinhai had described.

They all attributed the problem to issues within the imperial court.

At the main table, Abbess Miejue's face was ashen, her eyes deep and unwavering, like ancient ice.

At the next table, Abbess Juechen, Abbess Juejue, Zhou Zhiruo, and others sneered inwardly.

The martial arts world does not enter the imperial court; this is an ironclad rule known to all.

Sun Jinhai and others are now pushing all the burden onto the imperial army, and their meaning is crystal clear.

If the Emei Sect wants to collect this 50% tax, they must first resolve the issue of the government's exploitation of them; otherwise, it would be seen as the Emei Sect disregarding the lives of its fellow practitioners.

Today, one-third of the thirty prefectures and counties in Sichuan have been incorporated into the territory of the Emei Sect.

If the Emei Sect were to take over all the problems of the imperial court today, then in the future, wherever the government's power reaches in these ten prefectures, these messy accounts of bribery and expenses would likely snowball and weigh heavily on the Emei Sect.

If they refuse or insist on collecting taxes, the Emei Sect will be branded as unrighteous and abusive in front of the powerful forces of these seven prefectures.

This rhetoric, seemingly a show of weakness and complaint, is actually insidious and cunning, like a poisoned soft knife.

Yang Yan transmitted her voice, "Master, what do we do now?"

In response to Yang Yan's question, Abbess Juechen calmly picked up her teacup and said, "Don't worry, your senior brother and the sect leader have already made preparations."

Just as Abbess Juechen's voice reached Yang Yan's ears, Abbess Miejue suddenly sat down.

Seeing this, Gu Shaoan also took his seat with Abbess Miejue.

After picking up the teacup on the table and taking a sip of tea, Abbess Miejue spoke softly.

"So next, and this is the second thing I want to talk about."

After a pause, Abbess Miejue changed the subject, saying, "Of course, you can also make this your top priority."

After saying that, she slowly raised her right hand.

Zhao Jingxuan, who had been standing quietly to the side with her eyes lowered, was precisely triggered as if a pre-set mechanism had been activated.

She swiftly and silently took two steps forward, and before she knew it, she had produced three dark blue booklets of varying thicknesses, which she respectfully and steadily placed on the table in front of Abbess Miejue.

Abbess Miejue did not utter a single superfluous word.

After glancing at the three booklets on the table, he flicked his long sleeves, as if an invisible current was swirling around them, and the three booklets were precisely lifted up by a pair of invisible hands, then mercilessly flung away.

They landed in front of Xu Changlong, the leader of the Longlong Helmsman; Sun Jinhai, the head of the Jinshan Sect; and Liu Ruofeng, the master of Yunshan Studio.

Looking down at the booklet in front of them, Xu Changlong and the other two frowned, seemingly puzzled.

After glancing at the Abbess Miejue, who was sipping tea with her eyes lowered, Xu Changlong and the other two exchanged glances, and then picked up books and began to read.

On the first few pages, their gazes were filled with scrutiny and doubt.

But as the pages turned, the rustling sound of the paper rubbing together became exceptionally clear in the deathly silence. Xu Changlong's lips, which usually held a gentle smile, suddenly tightened, as if they were being tightly bound by an invisible thread.

His knuckles, which were straining as he held the booklet, turned bluish-white from the force he was applying.

Sun Jinhai's wide eyes widened even more, and a fine layer of sweat instantly appeared on his oily forehead.

Liu Ruofeng, who had been calm before, trembled slightly after learning the contents of the booklet.

He suddenly raised his head, his gaze no longer feigning indifference and helplessness, but instead flashing with a sharp, horrified light as he stared intently at Abbess Miejue in the main seat.

The three volumes were filled with densely packed numbers and entries, all representing the taxes paid by various shops in their respective prefectures.

Interspersed among them were some shady businesses they were involved in.

This even includes the shady things their disciples have done in various prefectures and cities over the years.

The air around the main table was almost frozen solid. Sun Jinhai, Xu Changlong, and Liu Ruofeng, who had been echoing each other's complaints about the "difficulties," all remained silent.

The remaining leaders of the Iron Horse Hall and other factions looked at the booklets in the hands of the three men with puzzled expressions, as if they were trying to guess the contents of the booklets.

A few breaths later, Abbess Miejue's voice rang out again.

The voice remained calm, yet it was like icicles shattering in winter, carrying a chilling coldness capable of freezing the soul.

"Although our Emei Sect was not as established as some of the older forces in the martial arts world, it is known to everyone in the martial arts world. How does Emei stand out in the world?"

"The righteous sects stand in complete opposition to evil; wherever their swords point, demons and monsters have nowhere to hide."

Her gaze swept over Xu Changlong, Sun Jinhai, and Liu Ruofeng, whose expressions had changed drastically and who were sitting on pins and needles, and finally swept over all those present. Every word she uttered was like a heavy boulder hitting the ground.

"Although your three forces have not entered the demonic path, you have managed to build a respectable reputation in the martial arts world."

“But I never expected that the prefectures under your three jurisdictions would be engaged in such despicable acts of forcing women into prostitution and exploiting the villagers.”

After those words were spoken, those around Sun Jinhai and his companions, upon glancing at the booklets in their hands, began to understand what was going on.

For a moment, the surrounding gazes shifted as they focused on Sun Jinhai and Xu Changlong.

It could be disdain, mockery, or ridicule.

At this moment, the voice of Extinction rang out again: "In the past, you were adjacent to Emei, but not under the jurisdiction of Emei. Even if this humble nun knew this, it would be inappropriate for her to overstep her bounds and meddle in other people's business."

The next moment, Abbess Miejue's voice suddenly rose a notch, each word clear and resounding throughout every corner of the Golden Dome Square.

“But things are different now. Yuzhou Prefecture, Jinchuan Prefecture, and Baoshan Prefecture have all been incorporated into the territory of my Emei Sect! Since you three forces are here, I have no choice but to intervene in your actions.”

As the last few words were spoken, the entire Golden Dome Square fell silent, and thousands of people held their breath in suspense.

Abbess Miejue's eyes, as cold as an abyss, fixed on Xu Changlong and the other two once more.

Zhou Zhiruo glanced at the booklets in Xu Changlong's and the other two's hands and asked telepathically, "Uncle Juechen, where did those three booklets come from?"

In response to Zhou Zhiruo's question, Abbess Juechen chuckled and then explained as she spread her true essence: "As early as when Shao'an's internal energy entered the stage of Condensing Yuan and Forming Gang, he and the sect leader had already foreseen their actions when they held the banquet today."

Yang Yan suddenly realized, "So from that time on, the sect leader and senior brother had already planned to make an example of someone?"

Abbess Juechen nodded slightly: "Not bad!"

　I'll try to finish the next chapter around midnight!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)