"Please come in."
The two entered Side Hall and took their seats as host and guest.
Maid served fragrant tea and then quietly withdrew.
Lan Yuexin picked up her teacup, took a small sip, put it down, and looked at Fang Han's face, her bright eyes filled with a hint of solemnity.
" Fang Han Yuexin, I have come here today without warning because I have a request."
Fang Han put down his teacup and met Lan Yuexin's gaze.
"Miss Yuexin, please speak."
Lan Yuexin paused for a moment, seemingly considering her words.
" The Hundred Treasures Pavilion wants to attach itself to the Azure Profound Sect."
Her voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear.
" Yuexin to ask you, young master, to act as her intermediary and speak well of her to the sect leader."
Fang Han paused slightly in his teacup, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
Hundred Treasures Pavilion is one of the top three merchant guilds in Qingyang Prefecture, with business covering all cities within the county and even having many channels outside the county.
In terms of power, although it is not as powerful as the Seven Sects, which have grandmasters in charge, it is by no means weaker than ordinary major forces.
Such forces have always sought to remain aloof and rarely choose to attach themselves to others.
"Miss Yuexin."
Fang Han put down his teacup and looked at Lan Yuexin's face.
" Hundred Treasures Pavilion has been operating in the county for many years and has a deep-rooted foundation. Why would it suddenly make this decision?"
Lan Yuexin lowered her eyes, her eyelashes casting faint shadows in the afternoon light.
"Young master, you are unaware of this."
She paused, her voice becoming more serious.
"After the Iron River Gang produced a grandmaster, it first destroyed the Iron Fist Sect, and now it has its sights set on several surrounding forces."
She raised her eyes and met Fang Han's gaze.
"Although my Hundred Treasures Pavilion is primarily engaged in business and has no direct conflict of interest with the Iron River Gang, the Iron River Gang is ambitious and its expansion is already underway. No one can guarantee that Hundred Treasures Pavilion won't be the next target."
Fang Han remained silent for a moment.
He had learned of the Iron River Gang's takeover of the Iron Fist Sect from Qui Lan a few days ago.
He just didn't expect the Iron River Gang to act so quickly, setting their sights on other forces again.
"So the Hundred Treasures Pavilion wants to rely on the Azure Profound Sect for protection?"
Fang Han asked.
"Exactly."
Lan Yuexin nodded, her voice sincere.
"Although my Hundred Treasures Pavilion has some resources, the gap between it and the Iron River Gang, which has a Grandmaster at its helm, is too great."
She paused, then continued.
"Instead of living in fear of being targeted, it's better to proactively find a backer."
Fang Han glanced at Lan Yuexin and couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for the Hundred Treasures Pavilion Master, whom he had never met.
The fact that the Hundred Treasures Pavilion Master was able to make the decision to align himself with the Iron River Gang when it was just beginning to show signs of expansion demonstrates a level of vigilance and courage that is not common among ordinary people.
"Miss Yuexin."
Fang Han picked up the teacup, took a small sip, and put it down.
"I can convey this matter to the sect leader, but I am not certain whether the sect leader will agree."
" Yuexin am deeply grateful that you are willing to convey my message."
Lan Yuexin bowed slightly, a genuine smile appearing in her bright eyes.
Fang Han stood up and straightened his robes.
" Yuexin, please wait here for a moment. I will go to the Sect Master's Hall now."
"Thank you for your trouble, young master."
Lan Yuexin also stood up and bowed to Fang Han.
Fang Han nodded slightly, then turned and walked out of the hall.
After leaving the courtyard, Fang Han walked along the bluestone path towards the mountain peak.
The afternoon sun filtered through the gaps in the branches and leaves of the ancient trees, casting dappled shadows on the mountain path.
The faint sound of bells could be heard in the distance, distant and lingering.
The majestic outline of the Sect Master's Hall soon came into view at the edge of the horizon.
The disciples guarding the palace gate bowed respectfully as Fang Han approached.
One of them quickly stepped inside to announce their arrival, and a moment later returned, turning to the side and gesturing with his hand.
"Senior Brother Fang, the Sect Master invites you in."
Fang Han nodded slightly and stepped into the hall.
The hall was brightly lit, filled with the fragrance of Sandalwood Incense. Chen Tianyuan sat upright in a large chair at the head of the table.
"Disciple Fang Han greets Sect Master."
Fang Han stepped forward and bowed.
"No need for formalities, please sit."
Chen Tianyuan gestured for Fang Han to sit down, his gaze lingering on Fang Han for a moment with a hint of inquiry.
"What brings you here today?"
Fang Han sat down in the chair and met Chen Tianyuan's gaze.
"Reporting to the Sect Master, this disciple has come today regarding the Hundred Treasures Pavilion."
" The Hundred Treasures Pavilion?"
Chen Tianyuan raised an eyebrow slightly.
" The Hundred Treasures Pavilion wishes to attach itself to our Azure Profound Sect and has sent a disciple to deliver a message."
Fang Han got straight to the point, repeating what Lan Yuexin had just said.
Chen Tianyuan listened quietly, picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and put it down.
Those gentle eyes revealed no emotion, but a thoughtful expression appeared on that refined face.
"The sect leader doesn't seem surprised by this?"
Seeing that Chen Tianyuan's expression was normal, Fang Han couldn't help but ask.
"After the Iron River Gang absorbed the Iron Fist Sect, I had a guess about how other major forces would react."
Chen Tianyuan in his chair, his voice calm.
"Although Hundred Treasures Pavilion is a chamber of commerce, it is still a powerful force, so it is understandable that they have such concerns."
He paused, his gaze falling on Fang Han's face.
What are your thoughts on this matter?
Fang Han remained silent for a moment.
"I have some connections with Lan Yuexin of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, so it would be unfair for me to give my opinion."
"It's alright."
Chen Tianyuan waved his hand.
"I've already considered this matter; just tell me your opinion."
Fang Han pondered for a moment before slowly speaking.
"Although Hundred Treasures Pavilion is a chamber of commerce, it is no weaker than a major power."
He paused, then continued.
"More importantly, Hundred Treasures Pavilion is based on commerce, and its business extends throughout the prefecture and beyond. In terms of earning power, there are only a handful of forces in the entire Qingyang Prefecture that can rival it."
"If the Hundred Treasures Pavilion could attach itself to my Azure Profound Sect, it would undoubtedly be a great benefit to the sect."
Chen Tianyuan nodded slightly, without saying a word.
Fang Han continued.
"Conversely, if the sect refuses to submit to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, given the Hundred Treasures Pavilion's current situation, it will inevitably turn to other forces."
He paused, his voice becoming more serious.
"Given the resources and wealth of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, the other six sects probably won't refuse."
Chen Tianyuan picked up the teacup, took a small sip, and put it down.
What you said is largely in line with what I thought.
His voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable certainty.
"I agree to the matter of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion becoming affiliated with me."
Fang Han was slightly taken aback, not expecting the sect leader to agree so decisively.
Chen Tianyuan continued.
"However, the specific details still need to be discussed with the Pavilion Master of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion in person at the sect."
He paused, his gaze falling on Fang Han.
"Please convey my words to Lan Yuexin."
"Yes, disciple understands."
Fang Han stood up and bowed in response.
Chen Tianyuan nodded slightly and said nothing more.
Fang Han bowed respectfully, then turned and left the Sect Master's Hall.
Stepping out of the palace gates, the afternoon sun greeted me, bathing the distant mountains in a warm golden light.
Fang Han walked down the mountain along the bluestone path, and the weight that had been hanging over his heart finally lifted.
The sect leader's agreement to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion's allegiance was both expected and unexpected.
As expected, this is because Hundred Treasures Pavilion's resources and wealth are indeed worth winning over.
It was unexpected because he hadn't expected the sect leader to agree so readily, without the slightest hesitation.
When they returned to the No. 35 Annex, Lan Yuexin was sitting in the Side Hall drinking tea.
Hearing footsteps, she looked up, her bright eyes filled with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation.
" Fang Han, what did the Sect Master say?"
Fang Han sat down in the chair, picked up the teacup and took a small sip before slowly speaking.
"The sect leader has agreed."
Lan Yuexin paused slightly in her teacup, and her bright eyes suddenly lit up.
"The sect leader also said that the specific details need to be discussed by the Pavilion Master of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion in person at the sect."
Fang Han added.
"That's natural."
Lan Yuexin put down her teacup, stood up, and bowed respectfully to Fang Han.
" Fang Han Han's Yuexin will be forever etched in my heart."
"Miss Yuexin, there's no need for that."
Fang Han stood up and offered a slight gesture of support.
"I'm merely relaying the message; the final decision rests with the sect leader."
Lan Yuexin straightened up and shook her head.
"If Fang Han hadn't been willing to relay the message, the Sect Master might not have agreed so readily."
She paused, then continued.
" Yuexin will remember this favor."
Fang Han did not refuse again, but simply nodded slightly.
"What are Miss Yuexin's plans next?"
" Yuexin must return immediately and send a message to her father."
Lan Yuexin said.
"Young master, Yuexin takes her leave."
"I send you."
Fang Han escorted Lan Yuexin to the courtyard gate.
Lan Yuexin turned around, her bright eyes lingering on Fang Han's face for a moment, a smile spreading across her lips.
"Take care, young master."
"Miss Yuexin too."
Fang Han cupped his hands in greeting.
Lan Yuexin nodded slightly, then turned and walked out of the courtyard.
The light blue skirt swayed gently in the afternoon breeze, and the hairpin trembled slightly, making a soft tinkling sound.
The slender figure walked further and further away, soon disappearing around the bend in the mountain path outside the moon gate.
Fang Han stood with his hands behind his back in front of the courtyard gate, gazing in that direction, and remained silent for a moment.
The fact that Hundred Treasures Pavilion is affiliated with the Azure Profound Sect is a good thing for the Azure Profound Sect, and also a good thing for Baibaoge itself.
With the Hundred Treasures Pavilion's financial resources and distribution channels, it will undoubtedly be much easier for him to purchase any rare and precious materials he needs in the future.
He turned around, crossed the courtyard, and walked towards the Cultivation Ground in the backyard.
Behind me, the bamboo forest rustled in the autumn wind, and a few yellowed bamboo leaves swirled and fell, spreading a thin layer on the ground.