Fengshan lay in northwestern Fengzhou. Beyond its mountain range lay Western Rong.
As a frontier region, Fengzhou was thick with Jianghu sects. Foremost among them was the Fengshan Sect, passed down through generations of the Duan Household. Outsiders collectively called the Northwest Jianghu powers headed by the Fengshan Sect the "Fengshan Society," and Duan Yuechou was its current chief.
Although it ranked second in all Great Qian, the Fengshan Society was less famous than Snow Eagle Ridge. In terms of history and heritage, however, both it and Six Harmonies Hall were old-established names in the Southern Region's Jianghu.
Snow Eagle Ridge, by contrast, had been founded by Wei Wuyi after the war and was only a few decades old. Dragoncloud Valley had originally been a sword-forging sect. Its proximity to Dragonbone Shoal had allowed it to establish connections in Misty-Wave City after the war, whereupon it had soared to prominence.
As for the Jing Prefecture Gang, Jiangzhou Gang, and Blood Rain Tower, all three had been built up by their current leaders. The Jiangzhou Gang, for instance, had crumbled the moment Xu Guanfu died and been struck from the Seven Martial Dao Heroes.
Deep winter had arrived, blanketing the Northwest plains in snow. Escort agencies and merchant caravans traveling the roads had dwindled sharply, but plenty of Jianghu figures could be seen riding swiftly toward Beacon Mountain with disciples in tow.
In northern Tongshan County stood a roadside teahouse offering travelers a temporary place to rest.
Xie Jinhuan lifted its worn windproof curtain with the Heavenly Gang Mace and glanced inside. Several groups were already seated around tables, conferring in low voices.
"Now that Wei Wuyi's gone ashore, Sect Leader Duan ought to take charge of the Jianghu. I reckon this ancestral ceremony is meant to send everyone a message..."