Seeking Aid and Seeking Peace
"How could Zhao Gu, a mere bandit cultivator at the Qi Refining Seventh Layer, amass such a vast fortune?"
Old Xiu's tone made Kang Dabao raise an eyebrow. Logically speaking, it was normal for the powerful families and noble clans of the surrounding counties to ignore bandits like Ghost Horse Owls, who were only somewhat famous.
As long as their own interests are not infringed upon, they have heard of small families being wiped out and have no reason to take it to heart.
Furthermore, with Zhao Gu's limited power, how could he possibly be described as having "such a vast fortune, wreaking havoc across several counties, with almost no one able to control him?"
This is a common trick used by poor pedants like Lao Xiu, who likes to imitate the way strategists talk.
They would start by making a startling statement to the host, using alarming words to put the host on their toes, and then secure a position as an honored guest.
Having weathered the storms of this turbid world, Sect Leader Kang Da thought he had seen through Old Xiu's clumsy methods, but seeing Old Xiu's confident demeanor, he couldn't believe it was false.
Kang Dabao was unsure for a moment, so he remained silent and let Lao Xiu continue speaking.
"Zhao Gu's biological father's surname is Shi, and his given name is Li. Sect Leader Kang has a wide circle of friends, so he should know that he is the current head of the Shi Household family in Shen County, and he should also know that he is the previous priestess of the Grass Witch Cult, right? Zhao Gu's Evil Granny was also Registered Disciple of Shi Li in his early years, and she was specially assigned to Zhao Gu."
"Hiss, you old man, where did you learn all these secrets from?" Kang Dabao suppressed his shock and continued to ask in a deep voice.
" Of Zhao Gu Ghost Horse Owls's annual profits, the lion's share goes to the Shi Household, a portion is given to the Grass Witch Cult, and the remainder ends up in Zhao Gu's hands, to be divided among his henchmen, big and small." Old Xiu didn't reply, continuing to speak to himself.
"So I've offended the Shi Household and the Grass Witch Cult?" Kang Dabao exclaimed inwardly. That old madman Chen Ye was almost insane from searching for Spirit Stone everywhere to Foundation Establishment, and I, Daoist Master, was actually stealing his Spirit Stone?!
If this is true, by the time the Shi Household and the Grass Witch Cult realize what's happening, none of the four families near Cold Crow Mountain will be left alive.
"If you're going to make fun of me, you should know the consequences." Kang Dabao's face hardened.
"Ji Wuwu is all alone. His entire clan perished at the hands of bandits five years ago. He came here to deliver a message and pledge allegiance only because Sect Leader Kang avenged the extermination of his family. He would never dare to lie."
Old Xiu's face showed neither sorrow nor joy, and he spoke of the hatred for the annihilation of his clan with great indifference.
After telling Ji Wuwu to wait for news, Kang Dabao couldn't sit still any longer. He called over his three junior brothers and they sat down together for an urgent discussion.
"It might not be untrue. For Lineage like the Shi Household, which comes from unorthodox backgrounds, it's perfectly normal for them to keep a group of Evil Cultivator and do some risk-free business."
Yuan Jin had spent a long time outside and had a wide network of connections, so he was somewhat familiar with the Lineage's way of doing things.
"Senior Brother Yuan is right. In the early years, Master also had dealings with Shi Li. Master said that he was cruel and eccentric, and he didn't have a good impression of him," Pei Yi added from the side.
"Based on the people on the surface, Shi Household Shi Li Qi Refinement Ninth Layer, and Shi Li two cousins are also at the Late Qi Refinement. There are about twenty other members of the Shi Household who are at the early or middle stage of Qi Refinement." Kang Dabao counted on his fingers, and Jiang Qing's eyes lit up.
"We can't even afford to offend the Shi Household, let alone the Grass Witch Cult. We'll have to go out and beg for help." Kang Dabao's face was full of worry. What kind of world is this! Where can we find a peaceful life?
"It would be best if Senior Brother Sect Leader could find a mediator to mediate; peace is the most important thing," Pei Yi suggested.
"That's natural." Kang Dabao gave Pei Yi an appreciative look. Chongming Sect who understood the importance of harmony, just like him.
"I'll go to Fish Mountain to see if I can persuade the Lord Shan, and then I'll go to the Ming Household to inquire. Second, you go to Hemu Dao later to pay your respects to Uncle Black Shoes. Third, you write to the He Household family; they have many members, so it would be good if a few could come. Junior Brother Pei, you also need to inform the Ye, Lu, and Xue families that the fat has all been consumed by everyone, and the trouble isn't coming towards our family." Kang Dabao then made these arrangements.
The three went their separate ways, leaving Jiang Qing to look after the house, and only reunited at the Chongming Sect half a month later.
There were three of them when they went, and one more person came back.
"Uncle Black Shoes has been away from the sect for half a year, and we don't know when he will return. I asked his nephew who was in charge of Hemu Dao to go and see Chen Ye. Chen Ye said that Ghost Horse Owls used to offer 120 Spirit Stone every year. As long as we agree to make up the difference, this matter will only be limited to the Shi Household and the Grass Witch Cult. No one else will get involved."
"The eldest brother of the He Household just went to pay a visit to the elder of the He Household, and he's not home. He Degong is in seclusion, and there's no one to manage the main affairs. Aunt He Household can't make decisions; she can only entertain guests with tea. As for those in charge of the branch houses, they have all sorts of opinions, but none of them are willing to help."
"The Ye Household and the Lu Household have already made a promise to obey our orders. Xue Hu has not expressed his opinion, but he has heard from others that they were related to the Shi Household family by marriage six generations ago, so they probably intend to make amends with them."
"Fellow Cultivators Association Xie Liusheng said that Lord Shan took Brother Qin to Ding Prefecture, where it is said that a Foundation Establishment spiritual object has been born, and it may be possible to exchange for it."
"Second Master Ming has gone on a journey. The elders of the Ming Household only said that they would go to the Grass Witch Cult and negotiate with the Shi Household."
Well, Kang Dabao felt a chill in his heart. After listening for so long, he realized that the four brothers had foolishly spent half a month running around in vain, and hadn't managed to bring in a single strong ally.
Okay, okay, although Kang Dabao, who always likes to plan for the worst, had already considered this scenario beforehand.
But this time, Sect Leader Kang Da truly experienced the bitter taste of "poverty causing relatives to leave."
Regardless of whether the situations of the other families are true or false, the response from Hemu Dao is undoubtedly correct. Over the years, Daoist Black Shoes has been absolutely sincere in his gratitude for their protection.
Kang Dabao could only curse his bad luck inwardly once more. He quickly cleared his mind of these chaotic thoughts and then began to make arrangements:
Regardless of whether Chen Ye's words are true or false, we should agree to his conditions. We might as well make up 150 yuan from 120 yuan. At worst, we can split it among the four families later. We'll just give it to him.
Third, go and tell Xue Hu that if we're going to try to salvage the situation, we need to involve everyone. It's a collective effort; there's no way his family can escape unscathed. If the Xue Household has anything to say, we'll join forces with the other two families to slaughter Xue Household first.
As Kang Dabao finished speaking, his small eyes widened, and a fierce look appeared on his face.
Aside from Jiang Qing, who also thought it was worth a fight, Pei Yi and Yuan Jin didn't object to Kang Dabao's idea.
Seeking peace is a good idea; it's best to avoid war if possible.
Chongming Sect was lucky in the previous battles, escaping injury or death in several fierce engagements, but who can guarantee that he will be so lucky every time?
Moreover, this time the opponent is truly formidable; Shi Li alone, this old cultivator, is enough to give Sect Leader Kang Da a headache.
Not to mention that the Shi Household Lineage is also a lineage of cultivators with a clear lineage. The Rogue Cultivator skills of the cultivators in the Shi family are definitely much stronger than those of the rogue cultivators who were easily defeated by our side in recent times and who did not even have a decent magic Law Artifact.
No matter how powerful Jiang Qing's flying sword was, it had no right to refute Kang Dabao.
After hearing the latter's arrangement, Jiang Qing arrived at Zither Leaf Forest in just half a day. He then relayed Kang Dabao's instructions to Xue Hu with his flying sword, without missing a single word.
Xue Hu trembled as he looked at the flying sword, not daring to utter a single word, only nodding in response with his body hunched over.
After Jiang Qing left, Xue Hu closed the door and went back to think about it for a long time. In the end, he still didn't dare to disregard what Jiang Qing's flying sword had said, so he immediately sent a close relative to contact the Shi Household.
"Ha, do you really think my family has any influence in front of the Shi Household?"
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