Slaying Demons: Starting with Upgrading my Calligraphy-Chapter 690 - 574: Liaodong Enters the Pass! Armed Mediation! (Part 2)

Lightly shaking his head, the Old Fox slowly closed his eyes. After a moment of silence, he said:

"Go back and tell Hu Huazi that I do not oppose what he wants to do, but he must weigh it carefully himself.

Additionally, when you return, convey to those old folks of Changsheng Mountain.

What Hu Huazi says is what I, Third Master Hu, say. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Whether it's right or wrong, they must heed my words.

If anyone dares to pretend to obey but act otherwise.

Liaodong can have five great families.

Or just one."

Third Master Hu's voice was not loud, but with those words, every living being within ten thousand miles of Changbai Mountain felt a shiver in their hearts.

Especially those ancient existences residing in deep mountain forests.

Third Master Hu's words served both as a reminder and a warning!

At least within the Liaodong Great Province, no one dared defy his authority.

Seeing that Third Master Hu, though not explicitly supporting the old man, indicated his non-opposition, Hu Tianzong immediately jumped off the kang and bowed deeply to the Old Fox in front of him:

"Thank you, Grandfather."

"Alright, alright, you rascal, playing this game with Grandfather. How long do you plan to stay this time?

If you have time, stay with Grandfather for a few more days. I've found an interesting place for us to visit if you're free."

The imposing aura that was just lightly displayed vanished in an instant. Facing Hu Tianzong, Third Master Hu appeared just like a plain old man, filled with endless doting affection for his little descendant.

"Can't do it, Dad wants me to return right after finishing the task. I'll have to visit you next time to accompany you, Grandfather," Hu Tianzong said with a helpless spread of his hands.

"Hmph! That little bastard Hu Huazi just knows how to boss you around. Wait until I come out from the mountain next time; I'll surely give him a good kick on his backside!"

Upon hearing that Hu Tianzong would leave immediately, Third Master Hu wore a face of displeasure but didn't want to trouble his little descendant.

So he just mentally accounted this to his rascal old man's account.

"Hehe, no problem, then Grandfather, I'll be off now." With a couple of chuckles, Hu Tianzong raised his collar, waved to Third Master Hu, and turned to leave the small courtyard deep in the mountains.

...

"Vice Sect Leader, something has happened."

On the Sect Master Peak, within the Sect Master Hall, Qi Xiu was discussing the internal affairs reform plan of the sect with the Yun Generation Elders.

In his view, not only the Shenxiao Sect, but all ancient sects and nobility in the Central Earth region have a fundamental structural issue.

That is, power is almost held by a small portion of the top tier of the sect aristocracy.

Though this method can enhance the development of the sect aristocracy, allowing commands to be transmitted quickly without any loss and ensuring the development does not become abnormal.

However, the drawbacks are equally apparent: the high concentration of power means that if those in power make a wrong judgment, they directly impact the entire organization's direction.

If they're correct, they move forward relentlessly.

If they're wrong, they cannot extricate themselves.

So Qi Xiu planned to imitate other structural systems, decentralize power to improve operational efficiency, and avoid irrevocable consequences due to the misjudgments of one or a few individuals.

However, the discussion had only just begun when a disciple from Tinglei Pavilion hurriedly arrived outside the hall, claiming to report an important matter.

"What has happened?"

Seeing the orange-red Dharma Axis gripped in the Tinglei Pavilion disciple's hand, Qi Xiu and the Yun Generation Elders' expressions froze.

"Reliable messages report that at Mao Time today, the five great families of Liaodong Great Province announced that due to the ongoing chaos within the frontier, leaving the people in misery, they will lead troops into the frontier on the fifteenth of this month.

To intervene militarily!"

"What?!"

Upon hearing this report from the Tinglei Pavilion disciple, Qi Xiu and the Yun Generation Elders' faces changed slightly.

The five great families of Liaodong Great Province are entering the frontier?

"It's lively now. Apart from Qin Long and the northwest, the entire Great Xuan Dynasty is in chaos.

Previously, Yang Du's Royalist Camp was divided into two river areas, occupying the most prosperous central region.

Later, Zhu Shanhe's Righteous Heavenly Army claimed to restore the mountains and rivers and establish a new emperor, dominating the south and frequently contacting overseas countries.

Now, even the five great families of Liaodong have entered the frontier; it seems that the Zhao Family, guarding Shangjing and Jiangnan, doesn't have many days left."

Gently stroking his long beard, Taoist Yun Yang slowly shook his head.

Perhaps young cultivators aren't quite clear, but the older generation knows very well what the entry of the five great families of Liaodong Great Province represents.

It signifies that the entire Great Xuan Dynasty will be thoroughly engulfed in war.

Though the Liaodong Great Province is just one province, due to the special nature of the Great Yi's Daoist inheritance, the power contained within the five great families of Liaodong is undoubtedly a terrifying force capable of reversing the current situation.

"It's bad."

And just as the various Yun Generation Elders were all discussing, Qi Xiu, standing at the forefront, uttered softly.

"What's the matter, Vice Sect Leader?"

Upon hearing Qi Xiu's mutter, Taoist Yun Yang, who was closest to him, furrowed his brow and asked.

"I must trouble all of you to return to the peak temporarily. The entry of the Five Great Families of Liaodong is no trivial matter. I need to discuss this with the Acting Sect Leader."

After a slight pause, Qi Xiu clasped his hands and asked the Yun Generation Elders to disperse first, while he quickly made his way to the Dharma Lecture Cliff to find Dongfang Xiong.

"Hu Tianzong? I've heard of him, the prospective heir of the Tianshan Sect. It's rumored that he was personally delivered by the Third Master Hu of the Hu Family at birth, and has been following Third Master Hu since childhood.

He is celebrated as the most talented member since the founding of the Hu Family.

How did you end up entangled with him?"

When it came to Hu Tianzong, Dongfang Xiong had a deep impression.

After all, there were only a few Dao Experts in the current world qualified to break through to Primordial Spirit True Honor, among which Hu Tianzong was said to have the best chance.

Not only was he personally protected and taught by Third Master Hu, but his father was also the current leader of the Tianshan Sect. Hu Tianzong himself was the most gifted individual in the Hu Family's history.

With such traits, it's challenging for him not to reach Primordial Spirit True Honor.

Qi Xiu then recounted the sequence of events when he joined forces with Hu Tianzong to defeat the woman wielding a sword in the Southern Ming Wasteland, brought her back to Shenxiao Sect, and requested Hu Tianzong to keep it a secret.

"I see. If that's the case, indeed, you owe a heavy karmic debt to him from before.

If this karmic debt is not repaid, it might adversely affect your cultivation in the future.

Nevertheless, Hu Tianzong might not necessarily come looking for you.

Liaodong and Dianchuan, one in the north and the other in the south, requires him to almost traverse the entire Great Xuan to find you.

And distant water cannot quench present thirst; in my opinion, the probability of him coming is not high."

"I'm not afraid he'll come seeking repayment of this favor. I just feel that with the entry of the Five Great Families of Liaodong, the entire realm within the Great Xuan will turn into a battlefield.

In doing so, it seems to expedite some events that will unfold sooner."

With a slight frown, Qi Xiu began to speak slowly.

He wasn't worried about Hu Tianzong seeking him to repay the favor; after all, he has many ways to repay favors and doesn't feel troubled.

His concern arose immediately after hearing that the Hu Family led the group in. A foreboding premonition emerged in his heart.

The origin of this foreboding was precisely from the Human Path Merit...

"A warning from the Human Path Merit? If so, it needs to be taken seriously.

Does your premonition have any concrete content?"

The Human Path Merit warning also made Dongfang Xiong show a hint of seriousness.

"No, it's just a very vague premonition, not a shred of concrete content..."

Shaking his head, Qi Xiu had attempted to trace the source of this premonition, but the heavenly secrets today are in chaos.

Some masters skilled in calculations cannot see the heavenly secrets clearly.

Let alone the fact that it's just a very vague premonition.

"Two days ago, I faintly felt a surge of inspiration, likely transmitted from Qingchen.

He and I are blood relatives born from the same mother. Although this surge of inspiration suddenly arrived, it hinted at an air of relaxation and relief.

It seems the crisis on his end has already been resolved, and he should be returning soon.

Let's raise our vigilance first; at least we can still prepare in advance.

Everything will be determined once Qingchen returns."

Hearing Dongfang Xiong say that Sect Master Dongfang Qing may have escaped predicament, Qi Xiu felt a surge of joy.

Unexpectedly, the old monk's efficiency was quite high; it's only been a short while.

The forthcoming calamity is likely an unprecedented disaster that even Primordial Spirit True Honors need to face with serious consideration.

As long as the Sect Master can return safely, there's still room for maneuvering.

And right after Qi Xiu and Dongfang Xiong finished discussing everything and left the Dharma Lecture Cliff, a secret letter had already traversed an endless distance to arrive before him.

On the frosty envelope of the secret letter, two lines of bold characters were written in dragon-and-phoenix script.

[To My Old Friend Qi Xiu]

[Personally Sent by Hu Tianzong]

Seeing this letter that crossed the entire Great Xuan Dynasty, Qi Xiu smiled helplessly and gently sighed:

"Indeed, what's destined to come cannot be avoided."

...