Inside the hall
"Lord Zhao, report on the situation since you arrived here!"
Qing Yun's voice was clear and cool, seemingly devoid of any emotional fluctuation, but she was also giving Lord Zhao and the others an excellent opportunity to prove themselves before the young master.
At Qing Yun's words, a refined-looking man holding a feather fan slowly stepped forward.
His movements were graceful and unhurried, revealing confidence and composure. He gently waved his feather fan, then said:
"My lady, five years ago, we received our lord's orders to come here ahead of time, put down roots, and develop our operations. Our lord gave us tremendous support, providing not only abundant resources but ample manpower as well.
"With our lord's support, we quickly established a foothold near the city center and gradually expanded our businesses.
"Today, our holdings span several sectors, chiefly restaurants, medical clinics, and various shops selling natural treasures."
The man paused briefly before continuing:
"Through five years of effort, we have achieved a modest measure of success in Ascension City and barely reached the ranks of its first-rate powers.
"Of course, none of this would have been possible without our lord's support and the efforts of my colleagues."
Finally, the man said respectfully:
"Over these five years, we have accumulated considerable resources and wealth, all ready for the young master's use at any time."
After hearing his report, Ying Ming Hao smiled in satisfaction and nodded, then said solemnly:
"Thank you for your hard work, Lord Zhao. These past five years, you have toiled without complaint and demonstrated outstanding ability. You have indeed lived up to our expectations.
"In recognition of your achievements, I award you one hundred thousand lower-grade spirit stones, your choice of any cultivation method you need, and one opportunity to cultivate in the Secret Realm!"
Zhao Jun dropped to one knee, his expression solemn. "Your subordinate thanks you for your great generosity, young master!"
The other three stewards all looked envious!
Then another steward stepped forward to report:
"Young master, thanks to our lord's great favor, we established ourselves in the southern district. Our main businesses include pleasure houses, docks, and transport. We now rank among Ascension City's second-rate powers..."
"Young master..."
"..."
The other three reports were somewhat less impressive. Not everyone possessed outstanding ability, though their progress was still quite respectable.
They had all entered the ranks of Ascension City's second-rate powers, occupying the southern, western, and eastern districts respectively!
"All of you have faithfully fulfilled your duties, and your contributions deserve recognition. I award each of you thirty thousand lower-grade spirit stones and your choice of one suitable cultivation method!"
This time, Ying Ming Hao's rewards were less lavish. Appropriate rewards required corresponding achievements, after all, but rewarding the middle and lower ranks was also indispensable!
"Qing Yun, afterward, reward every subordinate in our various operations who has made outstanding contributions over the past five years."
"As you command, young master."
Qing Yun understood. They had only just arrived, after all, and their understanding of everything remained confined to written reports.
The young master was hinting that she should reach into the middle and lower ranks and bestow favors, allowing her to quickly understand and take control of the overall situation.
Silence immediately settled over the hall.
In the end, Wang Yong broke the silence:
"Young master, regarding those traitors in the western district, should I simply..."
Ying Ming Hao sat upright in the seat of honor and pondered for a moment. He did not want the people he had brought to take action personally; doing so might invite unnecessary trouble.
If outsiders visiting the city wiped out a nearly first-rate local power without apparent cause, it would inevitably raise a storm, and the City Lord's Residence would certainly hold them accountable.
It might even affect his training at the Misty Sect!
If, however, local powers within Ascension City fought over territory or settled grudges through bloodshed, that would be an entirely different matter.
Such conflicts were normal. At most, they would cause a brief disturbance before calm quickly returned.
After a moment's consideration, Ying Ming Hao slowly turned toward Qing Yun and said gravely:
"Qing Yun, explain the circumstances to these four gentlemen."
Qing Yun casually took out four jade slips and sent them drifting toward the four stewards with a light push, then said calmly:
"Open them and take a look. The relevant information is recorded inside in detail."
"Five years ago, our lady established all your operations in advance of the young master's entry into the Misty Sect. Her aim was to ensure that even after leaving the lineage, he would still have forces at his disposal and would not need to worry about resources."
"Over the past few years, you were stationed separately, unaware of one another's identities. There may even have been friction between you.
"Only a month ago, when the young master was about to come to the Misty Sect for training, were you contacted and instructed to cooperate and follow all his arrangements. That was when you learned of one another's existence."
Zhao Jun and the other three exchanged glances, their expressions somewhat awkward.
The four belonged to different powers. Ascension City was neither large nor small, but as they vigorously expanded their influence within the same city, some friction and conflict had been inevitable.
However, that was all in the past. Now they were all on the same side.
They all answered to the young master, so naturally they had to unite and do everything they could to sweep away the obstacles in his path!
"Our lady originally established five powers. As for the four of you, there is no need for me to say more."
"The fifth, stationed in the western district, is the Sima Lineage. They have made quite a name for themselves in recent years. I imagine you have heard of them!"
"After attaching themselves to Song Bojian, a True Disciple of the Misty Sect, a year ago, they began acknowledging our summons while refusing our orders! By now, they have openly broken away from the Ying Clan's authority altogether."
"Not only that, but the Sima Family has also slaughtered almost all the hundreds of loyal followers our lady assigned to them who refused to join their rebellion.
"They seized the vast resources and wealth accumulated over these years and have already grown into a first-rate power!"
As she finished, Wang Yong and the other guards stared coldly at Zhao Jun and his three companions.
Sweat dripped down their faces, whether from the heat or from nervous fear.
A series of thuds sounded as Zhao Jun and the others fell to both knees, their heads bowed so low they nearly touched their chests.
"We beg your forgiveness, young master! That such traitors should arise among us is a heinous crime!"
"Give us your orders, young master! We will spare no effort, unleashing the force to topple mountains and overturn seas to smash their nest and destroy their den! Not a single enemy will escape..."
In the western district, a vast, secluded estate was filled with lavish decorations!
In its innermost gilded hall, important members of the Sima Lineage crowded both inside and out, some seated and others standing!
A light rain began to fall from the pitch-black night sky. Moisture filled the air, as though an indescribable oppression and heaviness hung within it.
The dim lamplight intermittently illuminated their solemn faces!
As soon as the figure in the seat of honor spoke, a low, hoarse voice rang out.
"All of you hold positions of authority within the lineage, great or small, and are pillars of our clan. Now that we have gathered, speak freely. What sound strategies do you have for our present situation?!"
The Great Elder, seated first on the left side of the hall, asked with a grave expression:
"Patriarch, what has True Disciple Song said? Will the Song Family send support?!"
Before an answer came, the red-haired Second Elder beside him, whose entire bearing radiated volatility, said dismissively:
"What is there to fear? Our Sima Family is now one of Ascension City's foremost powers. Talented youngsters emerge in abundance, and our clan elders with profound strength are beyond counting. The Ying Clan is far away.
"Without help from local powers, dreaming of wiping us out by merely sending a few men is nothing but a fool's fantasy!"
"With the Pear Blossom Mountain-Splitting Axe in my hands, I'll kill whoever comes! Send one, and I'll kill one; send a pair, and I'll kill both! None of them will return alive!"
He burst into hearty laughter, lending everyone inside and outside the hall a little more courage. Many voiced their agreement!
"Exactly, exactly! Why should we fear them? Everything we have achieved today is thanks to our own formidable strength!"
"If they dare attack, I'll be the first to charge forward and kill them..."
There were also quite a few quick-witted people whose eyes kept darting about, seemingly already planning to pack their valuables as soon as the meeting ended and be ready to grease their soles and flee at any moment...
The Sima Family's patriarch and several elders watched their clamoring clansmen, their expressions shifting uncertainly!
Half a month ago, he had already sent someone to request aid from True Disciple Song. Over the past two years, after all, they had offered him countless cultivation resources, spirit stones, natural treasures, and more.
Now that they faced annihilation, Song Bojian naturally had no reason to stand idly by. He had already replied:
The Song Family had dispatched a clan elder leading a group of formidable experts to support them. They had arrived at the estate the day before yesterday and were being attended to with fine food, drink, and beautiful women!
Song Bojian himself was in the Misty Sect, not too far away. Traveling at full speed aboard a flying boat, he could arrive in less than an hour.
He did not believe the Sima Family could be wiped out in so little time!
As soon as the Sima Family sent a distress signal, he would immediately gather the Heaven's Chosen of the Sima Lineage who had entered the Misty Sect, along with their friends, relatives, and various subordinates, and rush to their aid...
At this thought, the Sima patriarch felt somewhat reassured.
Before you continue