Chapter 152: Prioritizing Harmony, Advancing Through Retreat
Elder Jing hesitated, “This…”
He turned to Zhao Xuanding, “Brother Zhao, what are your thoughts?”
Zhao Xuanding said seriously, “This is an internal matter of Shennong Village. I shouldn’t interfere. However, I’ve heard many disturbing things about the Hanyang Gang along the way.”
Li Yan said, “Elder Jing, you were once a renowned martial artist. You understand that desperate times call for desperate measures. Even the great Emperor Taizong of the Sheng Dynasty resorted to… unconventional methods to secure his throne. Did that diminish his legacy?”
“In the early days of the Hanyang Gang, it was inevitable that some undesirable elements would join our ranks. And in the jianghu, conflicts are unavoidable, sometimes requiring… drastic measures. But my master is establishing order and discipline within the gang. That’s why we need your help, Elder Jing.”
“My master sent me here to invite you to join the Hanyang River Alliance, to work with him in bringing peace and stability to the Ba Mountains and the Hanyang River region, protecting the people.”
Elder Jing hesitated, “This…”
Jing Zhenliang said, “Father, what are you waiting for? The Hanyang Gang is offering us a sincere alliance. This is a great opportunity for our Shennong Village to prosper.”
Gong Muhong and Daoist Chuan said simultaneously, “Elder Jing…”
If Shennong Village allied with the Hanyang Gang, the other eight villages would be conquered one by one, and the entire Ba Mountains region would fall under their control.
They were about to protest when a voice suddenly chuckled, “This young man makes a valid point.”
Gong Muhong and Daoist Chuan turned around in surprise… It was Shi Chongyun.
Elder Jing, Zhao Xuanding, and the others also looked at the young man in the blue Daoist robe.
Having come with Gong Muhong and Daoist Chuan, his sudden support for Li Yan was unexpected.
Shi Hao stepped forward, “This young man is right. Not only should Shennong Village join the Hanyang River Alliance, but Mount Nangong, Wudang Monastery, Azure Dragon City, Goupan Village, Heshou Village, and all the others should join as well.
“The Ba Mountains and the Hanyang River are interconnected. Without the mountains, the river is vulnerable. Without the river, the mountains are isolated. Forming an alliance is beneficial for everyone. And rumors in the jianghu are often unreliable. Having heard this young man’s words, I believe Gang Leader Huang has been misunderstood.
“He is a righteous man, dedicated to protecting the people. The Nine Villages joining the Hanyang River Alliance is a win-win situation. The situation is clear, Elder Jing. You should accept their offer without hesitation.”
Gong Muhong and Daoist Chuan were stunned. They hadn’t expected Shi Hao to support the Hanyang Gang.
Hong Ou, Cui Ling, Zi Shao, and Lan Tan also exchanged puzzled glances. If they were going to join the Hanyang River Alliance, why had they gone through all this trouble?
Du Yuejiao and Xu Xiaoyan were equally confused.
Elder Jing hesitated, “But…”
Shi Hao looked at him and smiled, then turned and looked around, “There’s just one thing.”
His voice, although not loud, carried clearly, everyone listening intently.
Even more people from Shennong Village had gathered outside.
Shi Hao said loudly, “Elder Jing is a renowned and respected figure in the jianghu. Even the Hanyang Gang has come to seek his leadership. Therefore, we, Wudang Monastery, Mount Nangong, Azure Dragon City, Wu Village, and the others, at Gang Leader Huang’s request, will join the Hanyang River Alliance, with Elder Jing as our leader, uniting the martial world of the Ba Mountains and the Hanyang River…”
The Shennong Village members cheered, hearing that their leader would be the alliance’s leader.
Gong Muhong and Daoist Chuan, initially confused, then, catching Shi Hao’s eye, suddenly understood.
They both stepped forward and bowed, “Congratulations, Elder Jing, on becoming the leader of the Hanyang River Alliance.”
Li Yan exclaimed, “Wait!”
Shi Hao approached Li Yan and said loudly, “Since your master recognizes Elder Jing’s wisdom and prestige, he surely has no objections to him leading the alliance. Please inform your master and have him come here tomorrow evening to formalize the alliance and pay his respects to Leader Jing.”
Li Yan shouted, “The alliance hasn’t been formed yet! The leadership is still under discussion!”
Shi Hao glared at him, “Since your master respects Elder Jing, why shouldn’t he be the leader? Or were you lying? Does your master not actually respect him?”
The Shennong Village members erupted in angry shouts.
Gong Muhong, his hands clasped behind him, nodded and said, “Indeed, with Elder Jing as our leader, everyone will be at ease, both the Nine Villages and the Hanyang Gang. An excellent choice!”
Daoist Chuan smiled, “It seems we’ve misunderstood the Hanyang Gang. We didn’t expect them to recommend Elder Jing as the alliance leader. Such a righteous act is truly admirable.”
Li Yan said angrily, “That’s not true!”
Xu Xiaoyan’s voice rang out, “What’s not true? Are you saying Elder Jing isn’t worthy of being our leader?”
Li Yan shouted, “Stop twisting my words!”
Shi Hao bowed to Elder Jing, “With everyone’s support, please lead the Nine Villages and the Hanyang River factions, Elder Jing, and become our leader.”
Elder Jing hesitated, “This…”
Li Yan snorted and turned to Elder Jing, “My master’s invitation was a gesture of goodwill. Our Hanyang Gang controls the Hanyang River and has countless allies. My master’s influence is vast. He offered you this alliance out of respect. Please consider it carefully, Elder Jing, and don’t jeopardize the future of Shennong Village. A wrong decision could lead to your destruction.”
Shi Hao sneered, “Firstly, you exaggerate your influence. Even the upper Hanyang River isn’t entirely under your control. You only control the Dan River, the Nan River, and a few sections of the upper Hanyang River.
“Secondly, are you threatening Elder Jing and Shennong Village? Even if Elder Jing is willing to tolerate such disrespect, we are not!”
The Shennong Village members, hearing Li Yan’s arrogance, shouted their disapproval.
Li Yan, a skilled negotiator, now flustered and angered by this young Daoist’s words, glared at him, “Who are you?!”
Shi Hao, his hands behind his back, his voice cold, replied, “Who I am is irrelevant. What matters is justice. Your Hanyang Gang’s actions are an abomination! How dare you threaten the Nine Villages! Do you really think there are no heroes in the Ba Mountains?!”
Li Yan’s face was red with anger, but he knew this young man was deliberately provoking him and the Shennong Village members. If he lost his temper, he might not leave this place alive.
A cough interrupted them. Elder Jing spoke.
He chuckled, “I’m sure the young man didn’t mean it that way. Everyone, calm down. Peace and harmony are valued above all else in the jianghu.”
Jing Zhenliang quickly added, “Indeed, peace and harmony are paramount.”
Gong Muhong and Daoist Chuan frowned, unsure of Elder Jing’s intentions.
Shi Hao, however, seemed to have anticipated this. He smiled and turned to Elder Jing, “Since Elder Jing has spoken, I’ll overlook this young man’s insolence.” He emphasized the word “insolence.”
He used the Sacred Heart Clear Mirror Technique to subtly amplify his words, making them resonate within their minds.
He turned and said loudly, “Elder Jing is a kind and forgiving man. Despite this young man’s disrespect, he still prioritizes peace and harmony, choosing to… endure this humiliation…”
He emphasized the words “endure this humiliation,” and more and more Shennong Village members glared at Li Yan.
Shi Hao said, “But I, Shi Chongyun, will not tolerate such insolence. I will defend the honor of the Nine Villages.”
Even Li Yan couldn’t contain his anger now. He sneered, “You? You’ll defend our honor?”
“Indeed. I would like to see what skills the disciple of Gang Leader Huang possesses,” Shi Hao said, turning to him, his voice filled with disdain, “But I won’t bully you. Three moves. If I can’t defeat you within three moves, I’ll abandon my sword and leave the jianghu forever.”
Such arrogance enraged Li Yan, “Very well! Let’s see what you can do!”
He was older and, with the Hanyang Gang’s recent rise to power, accustomed to respect and deference wherever he went.
He hadn’t expected to be so humiliated by this young man.
If he refused this challenge, he would lose face.
The war of words had suddenly escalated into a real duel.
The crowd erupted, while Gong Muhong and Daoist Chuan were worried.
They didn’t understand why Shi Hao, having already gained the upper hand verbally, would risk a duel.
Then, a thought struck them: Is he trying to kill Li Yan and eliminate any chance of Shennong Village siding with the Hanyang Gang?
They began to understand his intentions… Elder Jing was old and weak, his fighting spirit long gone, hesitant and indecisive, unwilling to be absorbed by the Hanyang Gang, but also afraid to oppose them.
He was stalling, hoping to avoid making a decision.
But the Nine Villages couldn’t afford to wait.
Only by killing the Hanyang Gang’s envoy could they force Shennong Village’s hand.
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