NOVEL WEB Chapter 520 Xiao Family
Affairs of this world are never unchanging; even the best plans cannot withstand the passage of time.
Back when Yu Jiu established the Demon Cleansing Bureau to eliminate demons and suppress the Martial World, he never imagined it would end up like this after just three thousand years.
Han Zheng's strategy to strengthen the Jianghai Alliance is indeed very dangerous.
Currently, Qiu Tianzhi is a man of loyalty, and as long as he is around, the Jianghai Alliance will definitely stand by Han Zheng and not act recklessly.
But who can predict who the successor of the Jianghai Alliance will be in a few hundred years, and what the circumstances will be then?
However, none of this really concerns Han Zheng now; for him, it's enough to stabilize the situation in Southern Mountain and achieve his own accomplishments.
Qiu Tianzhi remained silent for a moment before speaking in a low voice, "Lord Han speaks so plainly, I believe he is not deceiving me. From now on, my Jianghai Alliance will follow Lord Han's arrangements!"
"Alliance Hierarch Qiu is magnanimous!"
Han Zheng smiled and said, "Then there is a matter I need to ask you to assist with next."
"What matter?"
"Accompany me on a visit to the Divine Spear Xiao Family."
Within the Southern Mountain's Five Families and Seven Sects, aside from the Great Compassion Temple and Jianghai Alliance, there are indeed three families that have not established a Magic Platform.
One is the battered Washing Sword Pavilion, and the other is the Refining Blade.
However, the former's Sect Leader is in league with Black Mountain Demon, drawing the Washing Sword Pavilion into near expulsion from the Five Families and Seven Sects.
The latter simply lacks the strength to compete, so they haven't even entered the relic.
Moreover, the Refining Blade was humiliated when Bu Tiange forcibly entered their sect, leading them to shut their doors and focus on refining artifacts.
As for the last one, it's the Divine Spear Xiao Family.
Though the Xiao Family acts with integrity, their relations with the Court have always been strained, hence Han Zheng seeks Qiu Tianzhi's assistance as a mediator.
"No problem, I have some rapport with Xiao Family's Family Head Xiao Chengjun, and can speak effectively."
Qiu Tianzhi readily agreed, and with Lian Sheng in tow, the two headed straight for the Xiao Family.
On the way, Han Zheng asked Qiu Tianzhi, "Alliance Hierarch Qiu, what kind of person is Xiao Chengjun, the Family Head of the Xiao Family? I need to consider the manner in which I should converse with him."
Qiu Tianzhi pondered for a moment before answering, "Xiao Chengjun, as you can expect from one born of the Xiao Family, is a standard martial artist—proud, aloof, stubborn, and inflexible.
Yet the Xiao Family has always had such a disposition, essentially as long as no one provokes me, I won't provoke anyone.
But if you dare to provoke me, I'll fight to the death to defeat you.
Nevertheless, the Xiao Family has good relations with the common folk in their sphere of influence, maintaining a positive reputation.
Lord Han, when interacting with Xiao Chengjun, just be truthful and avoid deceiving him; he detests those who employ flowery language."
Han Zheng nodded in agreement.
Just then, Yan Xuankong suddenly spoke up, "There's no need for all that nonsense; dealing with the Xiao Family is quite straightforward—you only need to surpass them in strength.
The Xiao Family is essentially a group of martial enthusiasts who solely believe in strength, never considering any grand principles.
Back when I could subdue the Xiao Family, it was because I made their then-ancestor kneel and concede with just three moves."
Yan Xuankong, though often indulging in boasting, was still credible enough for Han Zheng to believe the three-move claim.
Had Yan Xuankong not possessed such power, his arrogance would have led to an outcome similar to Ren Tianying's.
Han Zheng now realized that Ren Tianying's current actions somewhat resemble Yan Xuankong's past ways.
Only that Yan Xuankong had the strength; during his time, the Five Families and Seven Sects of Southern Mountain kept in line, not daring to rise.
Whereas Ren Tianying lacked the strength to suppress Southern Mountain's Martial World, resulting in today's chaos.
"You took just three moves? Then if it were Chen Zhenfu, one punch would suffice, right?"
Though Han Zheng believed him, he lightly jabbed with his words, leaving Yan Xuankong in reticent indignation.
Who could compare with that monster?
The trio raced forward, arriving at the Xiao Family by day's end.
Though named Divine Spear Manor, the Xiao Family compound resembled a fortress with its robust architecture, even featuring walls and a moat.
Even if Southern Mountain falls into chaos, it would take significant effort to breach the Xiao Family's fortress.
Upon delivering their cards, Han Zheng and his companions were met with strange looks from the Xiao Family members as they stepped inside.
The Xiao Family's reaction was understandable, given that everyone knew of their poor relations with the Court, thus preventing any Court-associated visit for decades.
If not for Qiu Tianzhi's presence, Han Zheng might not have been allowed entry.
Within the Xiao Family's main hall, a stern middle-aged man in blue robes sat at the head.
Upon seeing Han Zheng and his entourage enter, he forced a smile towards Qiu Tianzhi, "Alliance Hierarch Qiu, long time no see. Why are you mingling with those from the Demon Cleansing Bureau?"
Han Zheng raised an eyebrow; evidently, the Xiao Family's resentment towards the Court ran deep.
Standing right in front of him, the opponent directly referred to his association in such a crude way.
Qiu Tianzhi clasped his hands, "Family Head Xiao, this is the current Patrol Envoy of the Demon Cleansing Bureau, Grand Steward of Jing'an Guard, Han Zheng. He's originally from our Southern Mountain; you'd recognize him. Today, he's here to settle Southern Mountain's turmoil."
Xiao Chengjun looked at Han Zheng and sneered, "Settle the Southern Mountain turmoil? Who's responsible for Southern Mountain's chaos now? Isn't it Ren Tianying?"
"Family Head Xiao, you misunderstand; while Ren Tianying is the chief culprit, did he also instigate the Smell Fragrance Sect? And the Great Sect Leaders who established Magic Platforms to worship evil forces for power, was that also forced by Ren Tianying?"
Han Zheng sneered, "Ren Tianying made foolish mistakes deserving criticism and penalty, but not everything should be pinned on him."
Xiao Chengjun slammed the table, speaking coldly, "So, is Lord Han here to accuse my Xiao Family?"
Qiu Tianzhi silently cursed; how did these two end up bickering? Han Zheng seemed quite reasonable and courteous!
"Family Head Xiao, don't be angry; Lord Han truly intends to discuss official matters concerning Southern Mountain's grand plan."
"What grand plan? My Xiao Family has never desired dealings with these Court hounds!"
Xiao Chengjun waved dismissively, disdainfully continuing, "The Great Zhou Court is thoroughly corrupt, with all faults tracing back to the Ji Family ancestors! Back then, my Xiao ancestors saw through this; hence they refused to join their ranks!
I have no interest in dealing with these Court hounds, nor do we have anything to discuss. Today's visit owes to you, Alliance Hierarch Qiu, otherwise, I wouldn't even bother meeting you!
Guards, show them out!"
Xiao Chengjun then motioned for their removal.
"Family Head Xiao, will you really disregard the entire Xiao Family and even Southern Mountain's welfare for an impulsive decision? If you don't wish to speak with me, surely you trust the Great Compassion Temple and Jianghai Alliance, right?"
Once inside, Han Zheng realized the feud between the Xiao Family and the Court was too deep-seated for reconciliation, hindering communication.
Luckily, he'd brought Qiu Tianzhi and Lian Sheng along.
Qiu Tianzhi sighed, recounting the events to Xiao Chengjun.
Beside him, Lian Sheng spoke, "I am Lian Sheng, disciple of Zen Master Pu Du. I swear upon my life that Lord Han's words are indeed true."
Upon hearing them, Xiao Chengjun's expression wavered, showing signs of conflict.
"The Xiao Family preserves an ancestral divination disk capable of gauging fortune. When I retrieved the relic items to test with it, even fortune and misfortune were indiscernible; a crack even appeared on the disk, proving its ominous nature."
Xiao Chengjun calmed down, even feeling a pang of fear.
He had been tempted by the relic's power as well, given most Xiao members are martial enthusiasts craving strength-enhancing treasures.
But when the ancestral divination disk failed to measure fortune, Xiao Chengjun felt uncertain, deciding to hold back and observe others' aftermath with Magic Platforms.
Now it seemed his caution had been justified.