YM778.TV Chapter 83: It’s Not Jiang Cheng Again, Is It?
The influence of Tongtian Sect in Liang Kingdom is all managed by the Tongtian Sect’s Liang Kingdom’s main helmsman based in the Capital.
Directly below the main helmsman, corresponding to Liang Kingdom’s state-level administrative regions, there are helmsmen.
One level down from the helmsmen, corresponding to Liang Kingdom’s county-level administrative regions, there are sub-helmsmen.
Since Wuyue City is a county-level city in Liang Kingdom, similar to a city below a province on Earth, the highest leader of Tongtian Sect in Wuyue is the sub-helmsman of Wuyue.
In the midst of Wu Mountain, at an inconspicuous spot on the mountain’s waist, there is a thatched cottage.
This thatched cottage is very simple, so much so that saying it has bare walls wouldn’t be an exaggeration.
Around the cottage there is a cleared patch of vegetable garden, but the soil fertility is mediocre, and even the green vegetables don’t grow well.
In front of the cottage, there is a stone platform constructed with flat stones, on which some lines are drawn straight horizontally and vertically. With nineteen lines across and nineteen lines down, anyone who understands the game could recognize that this is a Go game board.
“Peng Jun? Where are you? Come out!”
Lei Buxiao flew from a distance to the entrance of the thatched cottage and, as soon as he landed, started shouting, not caring at all about the tranquility of the place or the wishes of its owner.
“Lei Daoist friend, you’re here again. What is it this time? Haven’t had enough losing?”
The man named Peng Jun appeared from the cottage.
Unlike Lei Buxiao, who was wearing modern clothes like other cultivators, Peng Jun’s attire was exactly what the average person would imagine a cultivator should wear.
In fact, in the Immortal Sects, most cultivators still prefer to wear traditional clothing.
It’s just that in secular places like Liang Kingdom, the number of cultivators who insist on wearing traditional clothing is very few.
“Times are different now. I, Lei, had an epiphany the other day and my game has greatly improved. Cut the crap and bring out the Go pieces; I shall crush you utterly!”
Peng Jun smiled, not taking Lei Buxiao’s fierce words to heart.
Mainly because Lei Buxiao always talked big like this, but each time he would end up utterly defeated.
Even though Lei Buxiao was a novice in Go, Peng Jun would patiently play with him every time he came to challenge him.
This wasn’t because Peng Jun enjoyed bullying the weak, but because in all of Wuyue City, there were only five cultivators at the Core Formation Stage.
Cultivators in Core Formation typically had a higher age and seniority than those at the Foundation Establishment Stage, and they also held positions of greater authority.
Especially for Peng Jun, who served as the sub-helmsman of Tongtian Sect’s Wuyue branch, he was the highest leader of all of Tongtian Sect’s forces in Wuyue City.
Aside from Lei Buxiao, who was also at Core Formation, there was hardly anyone else he could communicate with on equal footing.
Lei Buxiao frequently came to play Go; it appeared that his situation must be similar.
Half an hour later.
Peng Jun: “Lei Daoist friend, it’s time to admit defeat. You have no chance of winning this game.”
Lei Buxiao: “We sword cultivators do not have the word ‘defeat’ in our path!”
Peng Jun, with a sheepish look: Over a game of Go, is that really necessary?
However, the relaxed atmosphere didn’t last long, as an unfamiliar Core Formation aura suddenly arrived at the location.
Cultivators at the Core Formation Stage all have strong perceptive abilities, naturally making them very alert to changes in their surrounding environment.
As soon as Peng Jun detected the unfamiliar aura, he immediately stood up with a serious expression on his face.
Lei Buxiao’s fingers flicked and the great game layout was instantly sent into disarray, pieces flying haphazardly.
“Ah, what a pity. The wind is too strong. I was about to beat you completely in this round.”
Peng Jun: …
“Daoist Peng, long time no see. I trust you’ve been well.”
Lanye’s voice arrived before he appeared.
Half a second later, Lanye descended from the sky, his clothes fluttering, exuding the presence of a master.
Upon landing, Lanye immediately furrowed his brows.
He hadn’t seen Lei Buxiao since he had been in seclusion for dozens of years.
“Lan Daoist friend?” Peng Jun said with slight surprise, then eased his expression and introduced, “Lan Daoist friend, this is Lei Buxiao Daoist friend from Wuyue Tianheng Sword Cultivation Academy, a disciple of Linlan Sect, who has only been in Wuyue for over a decade. Lei Daoist friend, this is a great figure from the Ming River Aquatic Tribe, Lan Daoist friend Lanye.”
Lei Buxiao and Lanye greeted each other with a clasped hands gesture, thus becoming acquainted.
Managing the relationship between Tongtian Sect’s power and the domestic powers within Liang Kingdom’s borders was indeed part of a helmsman’s responsibilities.
Peng Jun was no stranger to being approached by local powers and faced Lanye, who seemed to have come looking for trouble, with ease and experience.
No matter what Lanye intended to do, it was always right to offer courteous hospitality first.
With a wave of Peng Jun’s hand, out of his storage bag, a set of exquisite tables, chairs, and tea service flew out.
“Lei Daoist friend, Lan Daoist friend, please have a seat. Try the Spiritual Tea grown by our Tongtian Sect.”
Lei Buxiao nonchalantly took a seat, but Lanye didn’t give face and stood still.
“Brother Peng, forgive my rudeness, but someone has undermined the foundations of my Aquatic Tribe, leaving Lanye restless night and day. Such fine tea, I, Lanye, am not in the mood to drink.”
Undermined the foundation of the Aquatic Tribe?
Sensing a whiff of serious business, Lei Buxiao’s eyes lit up immediately, and he pricked up his ears.
Wuyue City is part of Liang Kingdom’s territory, within the sphere of influence of the Tongtian Sect.
The Linlan Sect, which Lei Buxiao represents, has weak influence here. Although it has two academies, it’s hard to shake the Tongtian Sect’s status.
But there’s also a benefit to this.
That is, if there’s trouble in Wuyue, hey, it has nothing to do with Lei Buxiao.
Even if the sky in Wuyue were to fall, it would be Peng Jun and the Tongtian Sect who’d have to deal with it.
Lei Buxiao would just mind his own business, watch the show, and cheer them on.
If the Tongtian Sect couldn’t handle it, then all the better!
He’d grab his belongings and scram in a heartbeat, leaving this territory for Linlan Sect!
Let yours truly, Old Lei, mix in as a minor sect leader for once.
Peng Jun, upon hearing Lanye’s words, exclaimed loudly in astonishment, “Oh?! Someone dares to target the Aquatic Tribe and ruin the deep friendship between our two tribes? Brother Lanye, please inform me quickly. Whoever dares to disrupt peace, I, Peng Jun, assure you, the Tongtian Sect will not let it slide!”
Lanye’s face looked much better after hearing Peng Jun’s assurance.
The “Peace Regulation” that had caused various tribes to cease hostilities was initiated by the Immortal Sects and strictly adhered to first and foremost by themselves.
This regulation had been maintained for thousands of years, and indeed there was no reason to believe that the Immortal Sects would go against their own principle and systematically target the river and lake inhabitants of the Aquatic Tribe.
Lanye sat down, pulling up a chair, and poured out everything he had seen and heard, along with the news he got from people like Ruolin.
In the end, Lanye presented the evidence—a Reusable Fluorescent Version of Animal Encouragement Talisman.
“This? Is this the thing intended to exterminate your Aquatic Tribe?” asked Peng Jun.
“Indeed.”
“But it is only a first-tier talisman?”
Peng Jun’s implication was clear: your vast Aquatic Tribe can’t deal with a first-tier talisman?
Lanye’s face turned livid, and he argued defensively: “This talisman is extremely malicious, targeting only the most promising young members of our tribe to capture and kill! It’s utterly lawless!”
Lei Buxiao had been watching the show all along without a word, thinking to himself: What’s so malicious about a Fishing Talisman? You haven’t seen truly vicious talismans!
Most cultivators have some understanding of the art of the talisman, but to really get to the bottom of things, you must consult a professional Talisman Master.
Peng Jun summoned Lu Wang with a communication talisman.
Lu Wang said, “This isn’t my business. The Reusable Talismans are President Yu’s responsibility.”
Peng Jun called on Yu Hui with another communication talisman.
Yu Hui said, “This has nothing to do with me. We only handled the reliability verification and assembly. This kind of talisman was sold in Task Hall.”
Peng Jun called upon Sun Decai with yet another communication talisman.
Sun Decai said, “It’s not related to us either. Task Hall is only responsible for the sale of talismans. For specific effects of the talisman, one should seek an analysis from the relevant professionals.”
All eyes turned to Lu Wang.
Lu Wang said innocently: “There’s nothing wrong with this talisman. It’s just for fishing. How can encouraging fish to strive be wrong?”
Upon hearing this, Lanye was almost ready to flip the table.
Strive, strive, all you know is striving!
All the fish in the river are going to strive themselves to death!
Peng Jun’s head was spinning, and he waved his hands saying, “Okay, okay, I see that you’re all intentionally avoiding a clear explanation. President Lu, just tell me directly, who drew this talisman? Call him over to explain things clearly to Elder Lanye.”
Lu Wang carefully said, “The talisman master, Elder Lei, is quite familiar with.”
Lei Buxiao was startled; since the beginning, he had this strange, familiar feeling. As if he had seen this scene before with his own eyes.
“It can’t be Jiang Cheng again, can it!?”
Everyone hurriedly nodded in agreement.
Peng Jun: ?
Wait, who exactly is Jiang Cheng?
Why do you all know Jiang Cheng?