184 Chapter 183: Martial Arts Alliance (1/2)

At one of the more luxurious districts in Tushan City, featuring hotels for guests and tourists, a group of people had gathered.

Yin Jing Jing, Lu Li and the Ling sisters entered a hotel whose entrance seemed to be carved out of green jade. The color gave off an ethereal shine, no doubt to attract undecided tourists into booking a room within its lavish interior.

The four of them were then directed toward one of the biggest reception rooms, which had clearly been reserved for them. The room was already occupied, but the four of them entered naturally without drawing any ire.

This hotel, the Seven Valley Hotel, was actually a cover for the base for the Seven Valley Sects. All seven sects from the Seven Valleys usually gathered here, either for a brief sojourn in Tushan City, or for more…secretive purposes.

The four girls approached the center of the reception room, where an old man with red hair was guffawing boisterously as he spoke to Cloud Sky Mountain Sect's Wu Tuo. The moment the red-haired man spotted them, he leaned back in his chair and grinned.

”You girls are finally back! So how was it, at Nine-Tailed Fox Sect?”

”Brother Shi, I'll take my leave first. Don't hesitate to let me know if you need anything else.”

Wu Tuo stood up with a smile. Shi Jing Yun nodded and also rose to his feet to escort his friend to the lobby.

”All right. I won't keep you then. We'll continue discussing that matter next time. For now, we've no choice but to wait.”

”Understood. Stay on guard, bro.”

With a smile, Wu Tuo left Seven Valley Hotel. After watching him disappear into the busy street outside, Shi Jing Yun then returned to the reception room. Already the girls were making themselves feel at home, with a waitress serving them coffee and cakes.

”Uncle Shi, is that Cloud Sky Mountain's Wu Tuo?” Lu Li was ogling in the direction where Wu Tuo had disappeared in.

”That's right.” Shi Jing Yun beamed. ”Don't let his appearance deceive you. Back during the war between Cloud Sky Mountain and Dark Asura Sect, Wu Tuo's brother was killed by one of their masters. Wu Tuo personally broke into Dark Asura Sect without any support from Cloud Sky Mountain, defying his sect leader's orders, and murdered the Dark Asura Sect master responsible for his brother's death. While that master was still celebrating his victory, mind you.”

”Whoa…”

Lu Li and the others gaped at him.

”When Cloud Sky Mountain Sect Leader found out, he quickly gathered the strongest martial artists in his sect and headed straight for Dark Asura Sect. while he did so, Wu Tuo fought his way out of Dark Asura Sect, killing everybody who got in his way and massacring dozens…if not hundreds of Dark Asura Sect's men. Despite all the other masters of Dark Asura Sect mobilizing to hunt him, Wu Tuo succeeded in escaping and meeting up with Cloud Sky Mountain Sect Leader, and they fought their way out of the entrapment and returned safely to Cloud Sky Mountain.”

”That's amazing,” Ling Yu Mei said quietly.

Lu Li and Yin Jing Jing, despite having heard the story in the past, were still impressed and astonished. Yin Jing Jing, in particular, raised her voice in surprise.

”Eh? But he didn't look that fierce?”

”Ha ha ha ha!” Shi Jing Yun guffawed. ”Why would he? You're not his enemy. There's no reason for him to bare his fangs toward you.” as he quieted down, he smiled gently. ”Speaking of which, Jing Jing, I'm here to tell you something.”

Yin Jing Jing tensed up, already anticipating that. As if he hadn't noticed, Shi Jing Yun continued.

”Do you remember when you left Snow Valley Sect? You promised your father that you will obediently return to the valley and continue training your martial arts if you still have not become an inner sect disciple in Nine-Tailed Fox Sect after a year.”

When they heard that, the Ling sisters exchanged a glance, recalling what Elder Tie and Tang Qi Hong said when they scolded Yin Jing Jing earlier. They clearly reminded her of her status as an outer sect disciple.

Of course, they were wise enough not to say anything.

”You should have gone back a long time ago,” Lu Li said coolly and somewhat indifferently. ”You were doing fine when you were training in martial arts, but you just had to stop out of spite against your father and ran off to learn blacksmithing and Spirit Engraving. You even boasted that your talents are extraordinary and that you will be able to comprehend the mysteries of the Spirit Engraved Pillars. Now, even after a year, what exactly have you achieved? From what I can tell, you're just wasting your time.”

”Stop nagging!” Yin Jing Jing snapped. ”You're so annoying. Fine, I'm ready to go back to the valley once we've settled our business here. Are you happy now?”

She was still bristling after the harsh reprimand and bitter reminder from both Tang Qi Hong and Elder Tie. Therefore, she had already resolved to leave Nine-Tailed Fox Sect even before Lu Li or Shi Jing Yun said anything. At least there she would be spoiled, pampered and treated like the princess she was. Nobody would be able to scold her (except her Dad, clearly, which was what led to her running away in the first place).

”Speaking of which, how did it go?” Shi Jing Yun seemed to be a good mood. He smiled at Ling Yu Mei and Ling Yu Xuan. ”Did an elder from Nine-Tailed Fox Sect agree to forge Spirit Artifacts for the both of you?”

”Yeah.” Both Ling Sisters nodded. Shi Jing Yun sighed and shook his head, his smile fading as he shot a glare in Lu Li's direction.

”Good. I was worried at first, because Lu Li had to go and insult the current future sect leader and offend him. Good thing he wasn't a petty or small-minded person, or he would have kicked all of you out of the city.”

”I was only speaking the truth,” Lu Li said coldly. Shi Jing Yun looked as if he wanted to slap her, but he controlled his temper.

”I believe Lu Li,” Yin Jing Jing quickly put in. ”Men are not to be trusted.” She glanced at the Ling Sisters. ”They're always…lusting after women.”

”So you don't trust me?” Shi Jing Yun raised an eyebrow. Yin Jing Jing quickly shook her head and hands.

”No, no! Uncle Shi is different! You're not like other men!”

”…”

Shi Jing Yun didn't know if he should be offended or flattered. He decided not to respond. Yin Jing Jing wasn't aware of his conflicting emotions, and she continued.

”But that Fei Wu! I know he's planning something! He seduced Senior Tang! Of course he will have his sights on the Ling Sisters!”

Ling Yu Mei and Ling Yu Xuan glanced at each other, exasperated, but they were too exhausted to correct the rampaging Yin Jing Jing. Furthermore, their senior, Lu Li, was nodding in agreement, and they did not dare to speak up against her.

Shi Jing Yun, on the other hand, had given up on convincing the two bitches. He sighed and waved his hand dismissive.

”You don't have to worry about him. You won't be staying at Nine-Tailed Fox Sect for long anyway.” He then stroked his chin as he pondered over something, and then nodded. ”Try your best not to get involved with the members of Nine-Tailed Fox Sect. Jing Jing, I also advise you to leave Nine-Tailed Fox Sect as soon as possible. Xiao Mei and Xiao Xuan, once you get your Spirit Artifacts, I'll arrange for you to immediately leave Tushan City.”

Or…you could, you know, take the delivery option. Nine-Tailed Fox Sect provided delivery services, after all. Either Shi Jing Yun was unaware of that option, or he had reason to believe that we wouldn't be able to offer it in the future.

Clearly it was the latter, for all four girls were stunned by his statement. They stared at him in astonishment, as if expecting him to elaborate.

Shi Jing Yun's bitter smile faded away completely and he turned grim. ”Nine-Tailed Fox Sect is in deep trouble this time.”

”What's going on?” Lu Li demanded with a frown.

”That's…” Shi Jing Yun hesitated for a moment, before he finally came to a decision. Sighing, he shook his head. ”The Martial Arts Alliance…you know about them, right? They are the greatest authority of martial arts sects in the Great Zhou Empire. All the orthodox sects are governed by them. We are united in our goal to fight demonic sects.”

”Yeah, but Nine-Tailed Fox Sect is part of the Martial Arts Alliance, isn't it?” Ling Yu Xuan pointed out, still puzzled.

”Officially, yes.” Shi Jing Yun nodded. ”But because of their…status as the biggest provider of Spirit Artifacts and supplying both the Martial Arts Alliance and the Imperial Guard with Spirit Armaments, they have been largely granted unparalleled autonomy and freedom. They are virtually an independent sect when compared to even the other seven major sects.”

”I find it hard to believe that the Martial Arts Alliance will just grant them so much autonomy because of that. If anything, I'm surprised they didn't subjugate Nine-Tailed Fox Sect and split it among the other sects.”

Ling Yu Mei just said something terrifying. What the hell?! You were going to subjugate Nine-Tailed Fox Sect because we supplied you with weapons? Wasn't that basically biting the hand that fed you? What stupid logic was that?

”Yes. The Martial Arts Alliance wants to rein them in…to disband the Nine-Tailed Fox Sect and spread its resources all over the Alliance. They are afraid that the Nine-Tailed Fox Sect will monopolize all of the Spirit Weapons and Spirit Armaments industry, or that the Nine-Tailed Fox Sect would become too powerful and leave the Martial Arts Alliance. They can't afford to let that happen.”

”Why would the Nine-Tailed Fox Sect leave the Martial Arts Alliance?” Lu Li asked. ”They can't possibly fight all the other orthodox sects and demonic sects on their own.”