When Su Xin and his companions arrived at the Fee Family,two martial artists at the Divine Transformation Realm personally came to greet them,leaving Su Xin momentarily surprised.
The appearances of Fee Family's two martial artists,Fee Luo,known as the'Smiling Ghost,'and Fee Mo,the'Night Weeping God,'were not typical of the Central Plains.They resembled the exotic people from the Thirty-Six Western Regions,with deep-set eye sockets and prominent noses.
Seeing Su Xin's puzzled expression,Fee Luo smiled and said,"Lord Su,no need to be surprised.Our ancestors were indeed people from the Thirty-Six Western Regions.However,during the Eastern Jin period,they had already settled in Jiangnan Province."
Su Xin nodded and exchanged pleasantries before entering the Fee Family estate with them.He couldn't help but admire the family's ability to establish themselves in Jiangnan Province during a tumultuous time.
Back when the Eastern Jin Dynasty dominated the Central Plains,it was the darkest period for the Thirty-Six Western Regions.The entire region was repeatedly attacked by the Eastern Jin forces.
Oh,by the way,at that time,there were not just Thirty-Six Western Regions;more than thirty other countries were directly wiped out while the Eastern Jin forces were at it.
During that period,the people of the Central Plains generally looked down upon the exotic tribes of the Western Regions.They even considered them inferior races,not worthy of association.
For Fee Family to establish themselves in Jiangnan Province during that era was undoubtedly a testament to the hardships they endured.
Although things had improved significantly now,after the founding of the Great Zhou Dynasty,which had fought two battles with the Thirty-Six Western Regions,most of the attention was diverted towards the Eastern Jin and the Golden Horde.As a result,there was little concern for the Western Regions.
This allowed Fee Family to gradually recover,and some of their martial artists had even ventured into the Central Plains.For instance,the fourth-ranked on the Martial Ranking,the Fire Domain Demon God'Yan Naro,'had done so.
Once inside the mansion,Fee Luo immediately arranged a feast,evidently well-prepared.He also arranged some Western Region dancers to accompany the festivities,a sight rarely seen in the outside world.
After the meal,Su Xin directly asked,"Master of Fee Family,feel free to speak your mind about any matters you have."
Su Xin was planning to continue recruiting personnel from other prefectures,and he didn't have time to indulge in pleasantries with these two from the Fee Family.
Fee Luo and Fee Mo exchanged glances,and Fee Luo said,"Alright,I'll be straightforward with you,Lord Su.Here's the situation:our Fee Family originates from the Thirty-Six Western Regions,and the cultivation technique we practice requires specific elixirs as supplements.Moreover,the alchemy techniques we excel in differ from those in the Central Plains,and some of the required medicinal ingredients can only be found in the Thirty-Six Western Regions."
"But the expenditure of manpower and resources in obtaining these materials is too high.Additionally,the Thirty-Six Western Regions are chaotic.We had established a small faction there to procure medicinal ingredients,but it was wiped out within a few years.Therefore,we want to find a place in Jiangnan Province to cultivate these medicinal herbs."
"The environment in the Thirty-Six Western Regions is vastly different from Jiangnan Province,so we put a lot of effort into finding a suitable location.We found one,but it's not within the jurisdiction of any prefecture.It is controlled by a second-rate power called the Green Lotus Sect.When we approached them to purchase the land,they demanded a treasured armor and a mysterious-grade weapon passed down through generations of our Fee Family."
At this point,Fee Luo and Fee Mo's faces were filled with anger.The Green Lotus Sect was intentionally making things difficult for them.
Although the land was within the Green Lotus Sect's territory,it was essentially a wasteland and held no value.It could easily be bought with silver.
If the Green Lotus Sect wanted some cultivation resources,Fee Family would reluctantly provide them.But asking for their treasured armor and mysterious-grade weapon was too much.
Fee Luo bitterly smiled and continued,"So,Lord Su,I'm seeking your help.Help us obtain that land from the Green Lotus Sect.Of course,we won't let you help us for nothing."
"While our Fee Family's cultivation requires specific elixirs,these elixirs can also be absorbed by martial artists practicing other techniques.So,half of the herbs produced on that land,once refined into elixirs,will belong to you,Lord Su."
Su Xin thought for a moment and asked,"I recall that the Green Lotus Sect's strength seems to be inferior to that of your Fee Family.They have mediocre cultivation techniques and martial skills,and within their sect,there's only an old martial artist at the Divine Transformation Realm.With Fee Family's strength,swallowing them shouldn't be a problem.Why do you need my assistance?"
Fee Luo's face once again showed a bitter smile as he explained,"Lord Su,despite Fee Family settling in Jiangnan Province,we have no friendly relations with any influential sects.On the contrary,there is more disdain.If Fee Family were to go to war with the Green Lotus Sect,those martial forces allied with them would likely intervene.Fee Family would be isolated and without support."
"So,even though there are no longer restrictions on sect wars in Jiangnan Province,Fee Family still dare not take action.If we can simply protect ourselves,it would be a great relief."
Su Xin nodded,understanding the predicament Fee Family faced.
Suxin nodded,thinking that the life of the Fei family was indeed not easy.However,another idea emerged in Suxin's mind at this moment–perhaps he could bring the Fei family to his side?
Of course,this was just a temporary thought for Suxin.The Fei family was different from the Wen family;Wen's family had no way out and had to cooperate with Suxin.The Fei family,on the other hand,was cautious.They would never take risks with the future of their family.
Turning to the Chief Constable of Qingyang Mansion,Suxin said,"Tomorrow,go tell Qingping Sect to hand over that piece of land."
Addressing Fei Luo,Suxin added,"You don't need to give me those elixirs.Just hand them over to the Six Gates of Qingyang Mansion.Since they helped acquire the land,the elixirs should naturally go to them."
The Chief Constable of Qingyang Mansion was overjoyed and stood up,saying,"Thank you,sir,for your generosity."
Resources for cultivation were always welcome.As the Chief Constable of Jiangnan Dao,Suxin held the resources provided by the higher-ups.Although the Six Gates'rules prohibited corruption,Suxin wasn't naive enough to be completely upright.These cultivation resources needed to satisfy him and his trusted followers first,and only then would the rest be distributed below.Therefore,he didn't pay much attention to the elixirs provided by the Fei family.
The Fei brothers also expressed their gratitude and personally saw Suxin off to the mansion's exterior before returning.To show their appreciation,they even dispatched a steward from the Fei family to accompany Suxin and his party until they left the city.
"Old Huang,which provincial capital should we go to next?"Suxin asked.
As they walked,Huang Bingcheng took out a booklet and glanced at it,saying,"We should go to Nanwu Mansion."
"Alright,let's go straight to South City then.Those people recruited by Qingyang Mansion can report to Jiangnan Mansion directly,"Suxin said,walking towards South City while dismissing the Chief Constable of Qingyang Mansion.
He had picked these people from Qingyang Mansion,and their information needed to be updated.
However,at that moment,Suxin felt a chilling murderous intent approaching.In front of him were hundreds of people preparing to leave the city,and amidst the crowd,it was impossible for Suxin to discern who released the murderous intent.
Sensing the danger,Suxin immediately shouted,"Be careful!"
However,the person in the crowd who harbored the murderous intent had already attacked.Three black-clothed figures with straw hats walked out swiftly,devoid of any aura.They wielded three pitch-black longswords,thrusting directly at Suxin.
Li Huai was the first to rush forward.In an instant,he reached one of the black-clothed figures,and his sword,the Wandering Dragon,emitted a thunderous roar.The Unorthodox Sword Technique unfolded,delivering a total of thirty-six rapid strikes.
However,the longsword pierced the black-clothed person's body,producing only crisp sounds of metal clashing.It barely managed to stop the assailant for a moment.
Li Huai's expression changed abruptly.The physique of the black-clothed person was even stronger than that of a Shaolin monk who had cultivated the Golden Bell technique.Li Huai's sword couldn't even pierce through the opponent's skin.
At that moment,the black-clothed person seemed to slow down,and the pitch-black sword reversed.A single strike sent Li Huai flying,the tremendous force making it difficult for him to withstand.
Seeing this,Zhao Yiming rushed forward with dual swords to assist Li Huai,engaging in a joint effort to barely hold back the black-clothed person.
Meanwhile,Liu Hao and the Chief Constable of Qingyang Mansion also sensed the danger and immediately confronted another black-clothed person.They,too,found the situation challenging.
The last black-clothed person,with no one stopping them,directly approached Suxin.
The steward from the Fei family,who had been sent to escort Suxin out of the city,realized the gravity of the situation and hurriedly rolled and crawled back to the Fei family to report.
It wasn't that he didn't want to help,but his own strength was only at the pinnacle of the acquired stage.If he rushed in,he would undoubtedly be killed instantly.It was better to inform the family head as quickly as possible.
The Fei family's plan had been going smoothly until now.Suxin had agreed to their request without much difficulty.However,now that Suxin and his party were attacked right after leaving the Fei family,would Suxin suspect the Fei family's involvement?
If this incident led to Suxin venting his anger on the Fei family,it would be a disastrous situation for them.
Facing the last approaching black-clothed person,Suxin remained expressionless.When the person came close,Suxin finally made a move.
With a grasp of his hand,five mighty sword energies swept out invisibly–the formless and unseen sword energies from the innate body-breaking sword technique!
