Chapter 98: Chapter 96: All Are But Minor Paths

In the Linjiang Pavilion of Jiayue Restaurant.

Compared to the noisy affair over in Tingtai Pavilion where Zou Feng was, the banquet here was much quieter and more refined.

A glance around the room revealed mostly young disciples from the Heart Meeting Martial Arts Hall, the majority of whom were women.

Zhuang Sixuan was hosting, holding a farewell banquet for Yang Qianqian, who was about to participate in the Celestial Essence Sword Sect’s selection trials.

“Senior Sister Zhuang, are you sure you won’t reconsider and join me for the Celestial Essence Sword Sect’s selection trials?”

Yang Qianqian was full of confidence, practically certain she would pass the selection trials.

But she clearly still hoped that Zhuang Sixuan, with whom she had the best relationship at the Heart Meeting Martial Arts Hall, would join the Celestial Essence Sword Sect with her.

Hearing this, Zhuang Sixuan smiled and shook her head. “Haven’t I already told you? I’m a few years older than you, and I only achieved Middle Grade Entry back then, so I don’t meet the Celestial Essence Sword Sect’s requirements.”

“But I’ve heard some rumors recently. The Celestial Essence Sword Sect might lower their requirements for this selection. Middle Grade Entry might be enough to qualify.”

Yet Zhuang Sixuan remained unmoved. “Forget it. Even if Middle Grade Entry is enough, the Celestial Essence Sword Sect has a whole laundry list of fussy requirements for things like bone structure, comprehension, the quality of one’s Cultivation Skill, and so on. I really can’t be bothered with all that hassle.”

“Besides, since they have to cooperate with the Celestial Essence Sword Sect to eliminate the remnants of the Ten Directions Sect, I get the feeling those Elite Disciples from the Sword Sect don’t have it so easy. It’s probably because of the strict rules and fierce competition within the Sect…”

“I’m used to a more carefree life; I couldn’t stand being so restricted.”

“Besides, our Heart Meeting Martial Arts Hall’s Cultivation Skills aren’t bad either! It’s not like we won’t have a chance to advance to a High Grade in the future!”

Unexpectedly, hearing this last sentence, Yang Qianqian pursed her lips. “Senior Sister, you’re mistaken. If you don’t join a Sect like the Celestial Essence Sword Sect, everything you cultivate is a minor path!”

“Our Hall Master is powerful, yes, but at his age, he still hasn’t broken through to the Gang Qi Realm.”

“Even if he’s about to break through, what then? Reaching a High Grade is hopeless…”

These words made even Zhuang Sixuan a little displeased. “Qianqian, watch your words!”

“Even though you never formally became his disciple, the Hall Master still did you the great favor of teaching you his skills!”

Because Yang Qianqian’s goal from the very beginning was to join the Celestial Essence Sword Sect, she never formally took a master when she joined the Heart Meeting Martial Arts Hall.

But that wasn’t a big issue. The Yang Family was rich, and the Heart Meeting Martial Arts Hall was a business. As long as enough money was paid, it was fine.

Seeing that Zhuang Sixuan was angry, Yang Qianqian stuck out her tongue and switched to a wheedling tone. “Senior Sister, just come and try with me…”

As they continued to go back and forth on the topic, a disciple from the Heart Meeting Martial Arts Hall returned from relieving himself.

He sighed with emotion the moment he entered. “The private room across the way… sounds like the Black Flood Dragon Gang has a newly appointed Hall Master who just reached the Eighth Grade. Their banquet is incredibly lavish!”

“They’re drinking First Grade Royal Rice Wine, and there’s even Firefin Fish on the table… I’ve never even eaten that stuff…”

Hearing this, someone immediately chimed in, “Didn’t we hear the Black Flood Dragon Gang has been having a tough time lately? How can even a Hall Master afford such extravagance?”

“Yeah, what’s that Hall Master’s name again? Zou Feng… Huh… why does that sound a little familiar?”

Yang Qianqian’s hand, holding her wine cup, trembled slightly.

’Zou Feng? Hall Master? Eighth Grade!?’

These keywords, strung together, instantly unsettled her.

After reaching the Eighth Grade, Yang Qianqian had once again stopped taking Zou Feng seriously. But now, learning that he had also broken through to the Eighth Grade, she could no longer ignore him.

’His promotion speed is just too fast!’

’How long has it been since he left the Yang Mansion? How did he suddenly reach the Eighth Grade?’

Zhuang Sixuan was also quite surprised, but she soon couldn’t help but tease, “Qianqian, didn’t you declare that he wouldn’t last long? How is it that the current situation is the complete opposite of what you said?”

“So you see, you shouldn’t be so absolute about things. We Entering Grade Martial Artists who haven’t joined a Major Sect aren’t necessarily without any chance at all.”

She was clearly taking this opportunity to refute Yang Qianqian’s earlier point that there was no future without joining a Sect.

Yang Qianqian snorted coldly. “Hmph, he’s just enjoying a moment in the spotlight. He cultivated an Evil Skill; who knows how many problems his body already has. It might be a celebratory banquet today, but it could very well be a funeral banquet tomorrow.”

“…Perhaps. But for someone who started as a mere Household Slave to have achieved what he has now, don’t you think that’s already a success?”

Yang Qianqian immediately shook her head. “Only those who have the last laugh can be considered successful!”

“I am walking on a wide, smooth, official road where I can see the path ahead clearly. He is on a winding, narrow path where he could fall into a ditch at any moment. Senior Sister, do you really think he and I are comparable?”

Zhuang Sixuan finally realized that she and Yang Qianqian were on different paths and could no longer see eye to eye. She could only raise her cup, down the wine in one gulp, and say listlessly, “That’s enough. Let’s call it a night!”

In fact, Yang Qianqian was right. She and Zou Feng were indeed not comparable.

After all, with Zou Feng’s current strength, he could defeat her with one hand tied behind his back.

After the banquet ended, Zou Feng first returned to the Dragon Gate Boat and sparred with Bian Yixia for a while.

After a short rest, seeing it was about time, he headed to the Guangfa Gambling House alone.

「At dusk, on the same attic terrace as last time.」

When Zou Feng was led up by a Maid, Chen Jingsheng and Wang Xingjian had already been waiting for a long time.

After greeting them one by one, Zou Feng was about to sit down, but he suddenly noticed that Chen Jingsheng seemed different from before.

As if sensing Zou Feng’s confusion, Chen Jingsheng gave a faint smile, then stood up, began Cultivating, and exhaled.

The breath he exhaled visibly formed a Qi Arrow, punching a clean, round hole through the circular table in front of him.

’Inner Qi Release… and with such focused, undispersed power…’

Chen Jingsheng had, shockingly, already reached the Seventh Grade Realm.

But while Zou Feng was surprised, he wasn’t actually that shocked.

After all, during the last encirclement of the Ten Directions Sect’s stronghold in Meihua Lane, the strength Chen Jingsheng had displayed had already made him look at the man in a new light.

At the time, Zou Feng had concluded that among all the people he had met in the Black Flood Dragon Gang, besides Sixth Young Master Song Sixing, Chen Jingsheng was the most likely to break through to the Seventh Grade at any moment.

And it seemed that Chen Jingsheng hadn’t just broken through. Like him, he had probably broken through a long time ago but had kept it a secret.

Next, Wang Xingjian also stood up at the right moment and said, “Worthy Brother, in truth, Master Chen broke through to the Seventh Grade several months ago!”

’So, Chen Jingsheng was already at the Seventh Grade Realm before I even joined the Black Flood Dragon Gang.’

“Congratulations, Master Chen. But why…?”

Chen Jingsheng said, “Because it was unnecessary. In fact, there are advantages to keeping it a secret. Sit!”

Zou Feng knew they were finally getting to the real business. Although he was curious, he couldn’t help but feel a little uneasy.

He was now a little worried that Chen Jingsheng might be planning a rebellion to seize the position of Gang Leader of the Black Flood Dragon Gang.

After all, Gang Leader Deng Guangxin had yet to return, and while Vice Gang Leader Xiang Kang had recovered from his previous injuries, he was showing more and more signs of being unable to control the situation.

Currently, the one truly keeping things stable in the Black Flood Dragon Gang was actually Bian Yixia.

And if Chen Jingsheng wanted to seize power, he would inevitably have to clash with Bian Yixia.

’If that happens, I’ll be caught in the middle, and it will be very uncomfortable…’

“All of you, leave us!”

Chen Jingsheng waved his hand, dismissing all the surrounding Maids.

This even included the Maid skilled in musical instruments whom he often kept by his side.

After all the Maids had left, just as Chen Jingsheng was about to speak, he suddenly noticed that Wang Xingjian was still holding that White Fox and showed no intention of letting it go off to play.

So, he frowned and shot Wang Xingjian a look.

Wang Xingjian gave an embarrassed smile and said, “Hall Master, it can’t understand us…”

Chen Jingsheng said nothing, simply continuing to stare at him.

This time, Wang Xingjian didn’t dare say another word. He put down the White Fox, tossed a large piece of meat into a corner, and coaxed it away.

Only then did Chen Jingsheng clear his throat again and take out something from his robes—a metal sphere about the size of a goose egg.

This metal ball was clearly no ordinary object. Gazing at it closely, one could distinctly feel a mysterious aura faintly emanating from within.

There was no need to ask. This thing was definitely a Magical Artifact, and a very High Grade one at that—the kind that logically shouldn’t appear in Yuan Guang County.

Chen Jingsheng had obviously obtained this item by chance, which was why he had earlier called it a great opportunity.

’But the question is, since he already obtained this opportunity, why is he showing it to me?’

Wang Xingjian had clearly seen this Magical Artifact before, so he didn’t lean in for a closer look. Instead, he said to Zou Feng, “Worthy Brother, you should be able to tell that this item is extraordinary, right?”

Zou Feng nodded. “This item… what kind of Magical Artifact is it, and what does it do?”

Hearing this question, Chen Jingsheng and Wang Xingjian both shook their heads in unison.

“We don’t know!”

“You don’t know?” Zou Feng was taken aback.

Wang Xingjian gave a bitter smile. “That’s right. Although the Hall Master and I obtained this item by a stroke of luck, it turns out it needs a corresponding key to be opened!”

“And the key… is not in our hands…”

Next, Wang Xingjian finally explained the whole story.

It turned out that a year ago, Chen Jingsheng and Wang Xingjian, along with several other brothers from the gang, had gone to a location on Qifeng Mountain outside Yuan Guang City to wipe out a group of bandits.

They didn’t go to eliminate the bandits out of a sudden desire to serve the people, but because this group of bandits had been foolish enough to intercept a shipment of goods the Black Flood Dragon Gang was transporting through the mountain roads.

Among those goods was something an Elder from the Danxin Alliance urgently needed.

At the time, the Black Flood Dragon Gang and the Danxin Alliance were on relatively good terms, so the Elder, anxious to retrieve his goods, also brought his own men to participate in the extermination.

The operation itself was naturally without suspense. Although the bandits’ stronghold was difficult to attack, their defenses were useless against the two bandits Chen Jingsheng had bribed beforehand to act as inside agents.

With this internal and external cooperation, they took the stronghold in one fell swoop.

However, some of the bandits fought to the death, unleashing a Burst of combat power that exceeded expectations, causing the Black Flood Dragon Gang to suffer considerable losses as well.

Even the men brought by the Danxin Alliance Elder suffered several casualties.

Fortunately, the results were gratifying. Not only did they successfully recover the goods, but they also discovered a treasure vault belonging to the bandits.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep