Evergreen Immortal-Chapter 45: The Overpowering Dragon Crossing the River

Zhu Yue’s expression stiffened.

It was obvious, Jiang Yan looked down not only on the Zhu family, but on everyone within it.

Zhu Ping quickly smoothed things over: “What Young miss Jiang said is reasonable. There are indeed a few solid factions here in Qinghe.”

In his view, Jiang Yan wasn’t wrong. Though the Zhu family had some footing in Qinghe, they were far from being number one.

The Ghost Nether Sect wasn’t something a single household could handle.

It was tempting to monopolize the credit but only if you had the strength to back it up.

Grabbing everything recklessly would only place the Zhu family directly in the line of fire, potentially leading to total ruin.

“Honored guests,” Zhu Ping said, “in Qinghe, the most powerful groups are the Blood Tiger Gang and the Heaven-Earth Alliance.”

Han Qin nodded.

“I’ve heard of both. They do have some strength.”

The Blood Tiger Gang and Heaven-Earth Alliance weren’t local forces but spanned several counties, he’d even heard of them back in Splendid Purity Sect.

He added, “I heard the Heaven-Earth Alliance even helped Senior Brother Liu and Senior Brother Kong recently. Why don’t we pay them a visit first?”

“Sounds good,” Zhu Yue agreed.

It had been a moment of hot-blooded impulse earlier. Now that he’d calmed down, he realized his suggestion had been too rash.

He inwardly sighed with frustration.

Jiang Yan considered it for a moment, then nodded as well.

The Heaven-Earth Alliance was indeed a solid option.

Heaven-Earth Alliance, Qinghe Branch.

In the main hall.

Dao Xiong lounged in a tiger-skin chair, legs spread wide and imposing, eyeing the three Splendid Purity Sect disciples seated below.

“Three distinguished guests from afar, what an honor.”

He wore a hearty, hospitable expression, completely different from his usual ruthless demeanor.

But inwardly, he was already muttering:

“Did we stir up Splendid Purity Sect’s hornet’s nest or what? Two waves in a single month?”

He felt nothing but annoyance.

The last battle had cost the Heaven-Earth Alliance dearly, while those two Splendid Purity Sect disciples had simply walked away without leaving so much as a thank-you.

The memory still made Dao Xiong’s blood boil.

That he was even meeting with this new trio instead of pretending to be sick showed considerable restraint.

Han Qin cupped his fists. “Branch Master Dao, the alliance’s aid in helping Senior Brothers Kong and Liu deal with the Ghost Nether Sect was invaluable. I offer my thanks on behalf of the sect.”

Dao Xiong replied politely, also cupping his fists. “It was our duty.” ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm

Zhu Yue frowned faintly.

He could already sense Dao Xiong’s perfunctory attitude.

He had a guess in mind. Clearly, the Heaven-Earth Alliance had suffered too much last time and had no desire to get further entangled in any mess involving the Ghost Nether Sect.

Han Qin narrowed his eyes as well, but he wasn’t about to let Dao Xiong slip away with excuses.

When Splendid Purity Sect gave orders, they got followed whether they liked it or not.

His tone grew firmer. “Branch Master Dao, we’ll need the alliance to send personnel to assist in rooting out the remnants of the Ghost Nether Sect. Elder Jiang is watching closely.”

Dao Xiong cursed silently.

“Trying to intimidate me with Jiang Linxian’s name, huh? You little brats think that’s enough to scare me?”

Still, he maintained a polite expression, looking slightly troubled.

“Young masters, as you know, we suffered great losses last time. The Qinghe branch hasn’t recovered yet, and it was only recently established to begin with. I’m afraid we simply lack the strength.”

“This...”

Even Han Qin was momentarily at a loss for words.

Splendid Purity Sect was powerful, but they couldn’t just force people to act.

If things got ugly, they wouldn’t be able to explain it to the sect elders either.

And truth be told, Dao Xiong had a point.

He spoke again at just the right moment. “Why not ask the Blood Tiger Gang? They’ve been rooted in Qinghe for years and have plenty of manpower. Master Zeng might be able to help.”

Han Qin frowned.

It was obvious Dao Xiong was trying to deflect responsibility.

But even knowing that, they had no better option for the moment.

That was the difficulty of dealing with entrenched local forces, they deflected and dodged, and all your strength just hit empty air like punching cotton.

Zhu Yue sighed quietly to himself.

“Looks like we’ll have to go to the Blood Tiger Gang.”

They wouldn’t be able to dodge it.

Dao Xiong noticed the three disciples were ready to give up and a small smirk played across his lips.

“Still too green.”

He’d been in the jianghu for decades, dancing through politics came as naturally to him as breathing.

If he couldn’t handle three younglings, what kind of branch master would he be?

Just as he was preparing to wrap things up, someone finally made a move.

Jiang Yan, who had remained silent the whole time, slowly stood up.

Under everyone’s stunned gaze, she gracefully raised a hand and struck!

It happened too fast for anyone to react.

Boom!

With a sharp crack, the porcelain vase behind Dao Xiong shattered into shards, clinking and scattering across the floor.

Hiss—!

Dao Xiong sucked in a cold breath.

A strike from afar!

“So this is the difference between a true elite disciple and some backwater thug. Without profound cultivation, that wouldn’t even be possible.”

He knew he couldn’t do it.

And this girl didn’t even look twenty, yet she was already an eighth-grade martial artist!

Dao Xiong suddenly felt all his years of training had been wasted.

Only after showing her strength did Jiang Yan speak, voice calm and clear:

“If the Heaven-Earth Alliance is willing to assist, I can promise one slot for Qinghe in next year’s Splendid Purity Sect entrance selection. Age cap extended to thirty-five. Whether you get in will depend on your abilities.”

Dao Xiong’s eyes lit up.

A single Splendid Purity Sect spot, utterly priceless.

Even though it was open to all of Qinghe, the odds were far better than usual.

Before, several counties had to compete for a single place.

Even if he didn’t take it, just passing this news up the chain would earn him serious credit.

Dao Xiong burst into laughter. “Master Jiang jests! If this concerns the Ghost Nether Sect, then we’re duty-bound to help. Even if the whole branch dies, we’ll still step forward.”

Jiang Yan gave a faint nod.

“Then it’s settled. We’ll take our leave.”

With that, she turned and floated out, as ethereal as an immortal.

When dealing with men like Dao Xiong, reasoning didn’t work.

Only absolute strength could make things smooth.

They say a mighty dragon can’t suppress local snakes...

But that’s only if the dragon isn’t strong enough.

Jiang Yan was a dragon crossing the river, unstoppable.

Han Qin gave a bitter laugh and followed.

He hadn’t expected such decisiveness from Junior Sister Jiang.

Zhu Yue lowered his gaze.

Jiang Yan’s actions had completely surprised him.

To win the heart of such a woman... would be no easy task.

Elsewhere, Li Rui was walking toward the apothecary.

“Just got paid again... I can finally buy a few more medicinal herbs.”

Pills were expensive, impossible to take regularly.

Most of the time, he could only afford common herbs for medicinal baths.

But as he neared the Heaven-Earth Alliance compound—

[You have received focused attention from a noble daughter of the sect — Achievement +10]

“Huh? What the hell?”

He turned his head.

And his eyes met Jiang Yan’s.

Crap.

A very bad feeling came over him!