Chapter 54: Using Power to Oppress! Opening the Door to a New World
Chapter 54: Chapter 54: Using Power to Oppress! Opening the Door to a New World
"Sect Leader Ye is right! Sect Leader Gongsun, your Iron Sword Sect is rich and powerful, and that’s none of our business. But you can’t just use your vast wealth to leave us no way to survive!"
"Exactly! How many people are there in Bazhou? How many promising young martial artists come of age each year? If they all run to your Iron Sword Sect, how are our other sects supposed to live?"
"Sect Leader Gongsun, you’ve gone too far! It’s one thing not to charge disciples for their training, but to pay them instead, and more and more at that! This is outrageous!"
The poor bastards ganged up on him, accusing the rich bastard Gongsun Yi of malicious competition that was cutting off the roots of their sects.
If he had faced this situation before, Gongsun Yi would have definitely backed down, maintained the refined demeanor of a graceful gentleman, and then fumed with impotent rage inwardly.
But now, he chose to face them head-on.
"Hmph! I’m spending my own money, not yours." Gongsun Yi snorted, mocking them in a snide tone. "No money? If you don’t have money, then don’t try to establish a sect. It’s just a disgrace!"
As soon as he said this, the noisy crowd fell deathly silent, only to erupt a moment later.
"Gongsun Yi! You’re arrogant!"
"Gongsun Yi! Is this a matter of money?"
Ye Canghai was overjoyed. He declared, "Fellow martial artists of Bazhou! Gongsun Yi is stubborn and unrepentant. I say that for every day the Iron Sword Sect exists, the integrity of the Tongzhou martial arts world is corrupted. Today, we shall destroy the Iron Sword Sect and restore order to the Jianghu!"
"Well said! A sect like this that corrupts the Jianghu shouldn’t exist! Destroy the Iron Sword Sect!"
"Gongsun Yi, you forced our hand!"
The sect leaders all echoed their support. After all, Ye Canghai had privately promised them before he came that once the Iron Sword Sect was destroyed, all the spoils would be divided equally among them.
"I’d like to see who dares!" Gongsun Yi whipped out the token Pei Shaoqing had given him and held it high. He scanned the crowd with a disdainful gaze and boomed, "My Iron Sword Sect works for the second young master of Marquis Wei Yuan’s Mansion! Anyone who makes a move is opposing the Marquis’s Mansion and the Court itself! It will be treated as treason!"
The crowd, which had just been clamoring, fell instantly silent.
The sect leaders stared at one another in dismay.
All eyes turned in unison to their leader, Ye Canghai.
Ye Canghai’s face was a mask of shock, and a storm raged in his heart. ’Dammit! Dammit! Dammit! When did the Iron Sword Sect get involved with Marquis Wei Yuan’s Mansion?’
’No wonder he was suddenly spending money like water to recruit talent, completely disregarding the risk of public outrage.’
"Master!" Jiang Yebai arrived just in time to see this, and while he was relieved, his feelings were also complicated.
He disdained the idea of being the Court’s lapdog, yet the name of Marquis Wei Yuan’s Mansion was enough to frighten these people into silence.
Gongsun Yi ignored him. At this moment, his heart was filled with exhilaration. A visible flush crept up his face as he roared, "Whoever wishes to commit treason, take one step forward!"
SHUFFLE SHUFFLE SHUFFLE. Everyone shuffled backward.
Only Ye Canghai was left standing in place.
"Does Sect Leader Ye wish to oppose the Marquis’s Mansion? Do you wish to oppose the second young master?" Gongsun Yi stepped forward and challenged him.
With all eyes on him, Ye Canghai’s face turned shades of green and white. He clenched his fists tightly, saying nothing.
His heart filled with humiliation, rage, and powerlessness.
’The Second Young Master Pei’s token represented his presence here, the presence of Marquis Wei Yuan’s Mansion. Even if I had a hundred times the courage, I wouldn’t dare disrespect them!’
’Besides, there are recent rumors in the Jianghu that Second Young Master Pei killed the Kaiyang Saint Heir of the Profound Yellow Sect. That’s a major accomplishment. Who would dare to provoke him at a time like this?’
Seeing Ye Canghai remain silent, Gongsun Yi’s eyes filled with scorn. He bellowed, "If you don’t have the guts, then get lost!"
"I never thought Sect Leader Gongsun would become a running dog for the Court. This is a disgrace to the Tongzhou martial arts world! I refuse to be associated with you!" Ye Canghai spat on the ground and turned. "We’re leaving!"
Although his words were forceful and righteous, everyone could see it was all bark and no bite. He had chickened out, just trying to do so with some semblance of dignity.
The disciples of the Celestial Sword Sect, who had been arrogant and smug just moments before, now hung their heads, feeling utterly humiliated.
"Sect Leader Gongsun, I have offended you today. I will visit another day with gifts to apologize. Farewell, farewell."
"Brother Gongsun, Sect Leader Ye invited me here just to join the crowd. My apologies. Farewell."
"Sect Leader Gongsun, Second Young Master Pei’s fame spread far and wide after he killed the Kaiyang Saint Heir. My Ba Mountain Sect has long admired him. We have offended you today. Please forgive us, please forgive us."
The other sect leaders, one after another, apologized profusely to Gongsun Yi with fawning expressions before quickly leaving with their disciples, looking utterly dejected.
Instantly, the disciples of the Iron Sword Sect were all beaming with joy. The pressure was gone, and they felt a sense of vindication.
"HAHAHAHA! HAHAHAHAHAHA!"
Watching the rabble flee in disarray, Gongsun Yi threw his image to the wind, his face red and neck bulging as he laughed uproariously at the sky.
At the same time, he felt an urge to cry.
’Master, can you see this from the heavens?’
’There’s hope for the revival of my Iron Sword Sect!’
After today’s events, he was more determined than ever to cling to Pei Shaoqing’s coattails at all costs.
.........
「Tongzhou, Jing’an Guard Hundred Households.」
While Zhao Zilan was out making tea, Ye Hanshuang finally had a moment alone with Pei Shaoqing. Unable to hold back, she asked in a cold voice, "Big Brother, are you going to marry that little girl?"
"I’m just taking her as a concubine." Pei Shaoqing knew she was jealous and said gently, "Taking her is also a way to bind myself more closely to the Iron Sword Sect and make Gongsun Yi serve me with peace of mind. Besides, I am a man, and there are certain normal needs that a woman must help me resolve."
"What needs?" Ye Hanshuang, who had absolutely no knowledge of such matters, was confused, her expression blank.
Her dissatisfaction grew, and she said icily, "Big Brother, am I not a woman? We’ve depended on each other since we were children, gone through life and death together. Why would you rather let another woman help you instead of me?"
She felt that she and her big brother were incredibly close and there was nothing they couldn’t talk about. But he clearly needed a woman’s help, yet he didn’t tell her, choosing an outsider instead. This deeply saddened her, who had grown up with him.
"You really can’t help with this," Pei Shaoqing said.
"I can learn!" Ye Hanshuang was unusually talkative today. She said stubbornly, "Have that little girl teach me. I’m sure I can learn it after watching just once."
His sworn sister—with her cold, beautiful face, tall figure, full breasts, and plump hips—kneeling before him, bowing her head in submission...
Thinking of that image, Pei Shaoqing suddenly had a flash of inspiration. He drew in a sharp breath. "Are you sure?"
"Mhm!" Ye Hanshuang nodded seriously.
Just then, Zhao Zilan walked in with graceful steps, carrying a teapot. "Young Master, the tea is ready."
"Close the door," Pei Shaoqing ordered.
"Ah?" Although Zhao Zilan didn’t understand why they had to close the door in broad daylight, she did as she was told.
She closed the door and walked to Pei Shaoqing’s side. Just as she placed the tea on the table, he pulled her into his lap. She let out an involuntary cry, "Young Master!"
"Kneel," Pei Shaoqing said, stroking her head.
The already experienced Zhao Zilan understood his meaning in an instant. Her pretty face flushed red. Still sitting in his lap, she glanced timidly at Ye Hanshuang. "Sister Ye is still here."
"Don’t mind her. Just pretend she doesn’t exist," Pei Shaoqing said in a calm tone.
Zhao Zilan’s face turned beet red. ’How could I possibly pretend a living person right next to me doesn’t exist?’
Her gaze was shy and reproachful. "Young Master~"
"Be obedient." A hint of displeasure appeared on Pei Shaoqing’s face.
Zhao Zilan didn’t dare to disobey him. She could only sigh softly and, with a blushing face, slide down to kneel before him.
Ye Hanshuang watched with a cold expression, her sword in her arms. Her gaze shifted from initial curiosity, to confusion, and then to utter shock.
She had never seen anything like this before, had never even heard of it. She didn’t understand what was happening, but she instinctively felt a sense of shame, her face flushing crimson and hot.
But even more mortified was Zhao Zilan, who kept her eyes squeezed shut, burying her head in the sand, not daring to open them.
However, Ye Hanshuang, ever the eager learner, simply squatted down next to Pei Shaoqing, her eyes glued to Zhao Zilan.
She was so close that Zhao Zilan could even feel her breath on her face. The blush spread to the base of her neck, and her delicate body trembled slightly.
Suddenly, Ye Hanshuang’s voice sounded by her ear.
"You, get up."
Hearing this, Zhao Zilan opened her eyes and looked up at Ye Hanshuang, her face a picture of blank confusion.
"Move. Let me try." When Ye Hanshuang saw she wasn’t moving, she frowned and spoke in a cold tone.
’It didn’t seem that difficult.’
’I’ve learned it just by watching.’
This time, it was Zhao Zilan’s turn to stare with wide, shocked eyes.
Pei Shaoqing also swallowed hard.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK! A knock suddenly sounded at the door. Song Youcai’s voice came from outside, "Sir, is it convenient for me to come in? The County Government Office has transferred a case to us."
’Perfect timing.’ Pei Shaoqing sighed in resignation and gestured for the two women to get up. "Come in."