Free Web NovelChapter 388: Chapter 304: Clearing the Path
White Mountain was not a peaceful place. Over the past two decades, the backbones of a few unlucky sects and Cultivation Clans had died during expeditions or in duels, whether due to accidents or their own greed.
A Foundation Establishment Cultivator was the pillar supporting a Cultivation Clan. Once they died, it was impossible to stop outsiders from coveting the clan’s territory. As a result, over the past two decades, territorial boundaries had been in constant flux.
The territories originally designated during the Great Zhou Academy’s enfeoffment had already undergone some minor adjustments. This was a natural evolution that the Far East Alliance was powerless to prevent. In fact, in recent years, the Dongming Sect’s territory and influence had expanded the fastest; their domain was already a fifth larger than when it was first established.
Only the Qingyuan Sect’s territory remained unchanged, as Fang Qingyuan had no interest in expansion, and other sects, in turn, did not dare to provoke them. However, considering the idea Fang Qingyuan was now proposing, it was no wonder Xiao Chuan’gong had misunderstood. After all, Xiao Chuan’gong himself was the one who most frequently engaged in such expansionist activities.
Hearing Fang Qingyuan’s assurance, Xiao Chuan’gong laughed heartily and said in a friendly tone:
"Sect Leader Fang, you’ve misunderstood me. Since you feel so strongly about this, the Alliance is willing to mediate on the Qingyuan Sect’s behalf. We can persuade those sects and Cultivation Clans to make way, allowing your esteemed sect to establish this trade route."
"Then I must trouble Alliance Leader Xiao. Once this is accomplished, the Qingyuan Sect will certainly show its gratitude."
"Think nothing of it. Come, come, Sect Leader Fang, let us continue our drinks."
.....
Upon returning from the Far East Alliance, Fang Qingyuan’s expression was grim. He could sense Xiao Chuan’gong’s perfunctory attitude. Despite Xiao Chuan’gong’s eloquent promises, who knew how much effort he would actually exert when it came time to act.
But there was nothing to be done about it. The Qingyuan Sect had never been close with the Dongming Sect; in fact, it wasn’t close with any sect. In the nearly two decades since its founding here, they hadn’t formed a genuine alliance with a single one.
Fang Qingyuan himself was largely to blame. He had lacked the foresight for such things, which in turn meant that Mao Cheng, his Vice Sect Leader, had naturally never considered this aspect when carrying out his duties.
Mere casual pleasantries were naturally insufficient to hold up at a critical moment like this.
Fang Qingyuan began to reflect. ’Was it because of the enfeoffment that the Qingyuan Sect seemed aloof and unapproachable? Or was it because I was so single-mindedly focused on my own cultivation that I paid little attention to the sect’s development?’
’But now, I’m still more than thirty years of cultivation away from Core Formation. During this time, getting the Qingyuan Sect’s affairs in order is the right thing to do.’
Back at the sect, Fang Qingyuan let his disciples go out and gather information for the preliminary work, while he himself waited in his Quiet Chamber for the Far East Alliance to send someone to liaise with him.
Five days later, the Far East Alliance dispatched an old acquaintance of the Qingyuan Sect, who arrived gracefully with a dozen or so Qi Cultivation Cultivators in tow.
This man was none other than Xiao Yangxu, the one who had come years ago to persuade Fang Qingyuan to join the Far East Alliance. Fang Qingyuan hadn’t seen him in some ten years.
Years had passed, and while Xiao Yangxu’s cultivation realm hadn’t progressed much, he had grown even more slickly diplomatic. Upon arriving at the Qingyuan Sect, he adopted a very humble posture. However, while he appeared diligent, the results of his efforts were far from outstanding.
....
"Patriarch Zhang, regarding the matter Sect Leader Fang just raised, I must trouble you for a definite answer. Is it a yes or a no? We need to make our plans."
In the Banquet Hall of the Fangshan Zhang Family, Fang Qingyuan, his attendants, and Xiao Yangxu’s group were all attending a banquet hosted by the Zhang Family.
However, unlike the joyful banquets held at other sects, the atmosphere here with the Zhang Family was not nearly as harmonious.
Fang Qingyuan watched coolly from the sidelines as Xiao Yangxu tried to persuade the Zhang Patriarch. ’From the moment the Far East Alliance sent Xiao Yangxu, I knew this trip wouldn’t go smoothly.’
’Although Xiao Yangxu is eloquent, his position within the Far East Alliance is hardly pivotal. For a major issue like this, involving the interests of an entire sect, I felt that even if Xiao Chuan’gong couldn’t come personally, he could have at least sent a high-level representative.’
’Some matters can’t be settled with words alone. In situations like this, you either use overwhelming power to suppress them or offer enormous wealth to buy them off. Only when both methods fail does it escalate to armed conflict.’
’But Xiao Yangxu is only using words. Up against a local power like the Zhang Family, a minor hegemon in their own right, they naturally won’t buy it.’
"Steward Xiao, my apologies. On a matter of such gravity, one that concerns the very prosperity of my family, I cannot make the decision alone. Please allow me to confer with our clan’s venerable elders. How about I give you an answer in a few days?"
Met with this gentle but firm refusal, Xiao Yangxu’s expression soured, and he said bluntly:
"Everyone knows your word is law in the Zhang Family. As the Patriarch, who would dare disobey you? Sect Leader Fang has shown great sincerity. Look at all these goods—is this not enough to persuade you to make a decision right now?"
Patriarch Zhang replied helplessly:
"It is not a matter of unwillingness, but true inability. Although I have the honor of being Patriarch, I cannot simply do as I please. Our Zhang Family also relies on this trade route to put food on the table. So many of our family’s disciples depend on it for their livelihood. We can’t just hand it over the moment you say you want it, can we?"
Xiao Yangxu could understand this reasoning, but his task on this trip was to act on Fang Qingyuan’s behalf. He had to pretend not to see the Zhang Family’s difficulties.
And so, the two continued to argue. But just then, Fang Qingyuan spoke up:
"Since this is a difficult matter for Patriarch Zhang, then let us wait. Though a few other powers lie between us, we can still be considered neighbors. We haven’t visited each other often in the past; we must make sure to interact more in the future."
At Fang Qingyuan’s words, Patriarch Zhang visibly relaxed. Seeing this, Xiao Yangxu stopped pressing the matter as well. After the banquet ended and their party had left, Xiao Yangxu asked:
