40: involved in the whirlpool

Xu Sanyan took the envelope, but instead of opening it immediately, he looked at General Bai Wuxia, "May I ask, Brother Bai, it seems that even under the Prince's command, not everything is harmonious?"

General Bai Wuxia nodded and said, "Of course. Where there are people, there are struggles. Moreover, this is a struggle for a high position; it's victory or death. The intensity of overt and covert struggles far exceeds what you and I can imagine."

Xu Sanyan nodded silently, then tore open the envelope and read it carefully.

The letter contained many things. First, there were congratulations, then praises, and finally a subtle expression of the desire to recruit him into his ranks.

The letter specifically stated that he was Prince Rui's designated heir and promised many benefits, including high office, generous salaries, and abundant gold and silver. However, it did not mention a single word about anything related to cultivation.

Xu Sanyan casually handed the letter to General Bai Wuxia, who, without being pretentious, took it and read it.

A moment later, General Bai Wuxia put away the letter. "Brother Xu, are you curious why the Eldest Young Master didn't try to tempt you with Cultivation Techniques?"

Xu Sanyan nodded; that was exactly what he meant.

General Bai Wuxia laughed, "Because everything related to cultivation, whether it's spiritual items, Medicinal Pills, Cultivation Techniques, or Spells, is all controlled by Prince Rui. The Eldest Young Master cannot freely dispose of them."

Heh...

Xu Sanyan sneered inwardly. Prince Rui keeping the most important things in his own hands was undoubtedly a precaution against his sons.

From ancient times, royal families have been known for their lack of familial affection, and Prince Rui was no exception; even a father had to guard against his sons.

General Bai Wuxia said, "When Brother Xu arrives in Xiang City, I'm sure invitations from various factions will come one after another. At that time, you must keep your eyes wide open."

Xu Sanyan cupped his hands and said, "Please enlighten me, Brother Bai."

"I wouldn't dare to enlighten you. Let me just briefly tell you that Xiang City can be divided into five major forces. The first, of course, is Prince Rui; there's nothing more to say about that. The second are the cultivators behind Prince Rui."

Xu Sanyan immediately became interested. "Brother Bai, please elaborate."

General Bai Wuxia slowly began, "From what I understand, there are three cultivators behind Prince Rui: two males and one female. Below these three, there are seven or eight Disciples. These individuals possess sinister methods, and you must never offend them."

Xu Sanyan nodded.

"The third is the Eldest Young Master Yang Xinyi, who is the heir designated by Prince Rui. Most of the officials are inclined towards the Eldest Young Master."

"The fourth is the Third Young Master Yang Xin You, who has been commanding troops outside for many years. Many of the generals and officers in the army were promoted by the Third Young Master himself, and he holds considerable prestige."

"As for the fifth... it's the Young Miss." General Bai Wuxia chuckled softly.

"A woman?" Xu Sanyan asked in surprise.

"Precisely. The Young Miss excels in both civil and martial arts, and she possesses great foresight, truly a remarkable talent. It's just a pity she was born a woman."

Xu Sanyan secretly noted this. These five forces, in essence, were Prince Rui's family, plus those few cultivators.

After General Bai Wuxia delivered the letter and conveyed the Eldest Young Master's intentions, he did not linger, rising to take his leave.

...

The morning of the day after tomorrow, Xu Sanyan and General Bai Wuxia, both on horseback, rode out of the city.

"Brother Bai, as the leader of a society, why is no one seeing you off?" Xu Sanyan joked.

"Isn't Brother Xu the same?"

"Hahahaha..."

The two looked at each other and laughed heartily, then mounted their horses and galloped towards the due south.

Xu Sanyan didn't care what would happen to the Guanshan Saber Society in the future. Big Yellow Tooth chose to stay in Taian City and live a peaceful life. The one who was most reluctant for him to leave was, ironically, the Chieftain's Wife.

Perhaps from now on, she would never again sleep with a Heavenly Human Realm Martial Artist.

Ten days later, the two entered the territory of Xiang Province. General Bai Wuxia pointed to a distant city and said, "That's Wanglong County. Cross here and continue a hundred li south, and you'll reach Xiang City."

Xu Sanyan nodded. The journey so far had been smooth. After all, both of them were Heavenly Human Realm Martial Artists, so even if they encountered any danger, they could handle it.

"It's getting late. Let's stay here tonight. If we leave early tomorrow, we should be able to enter Xiang City before dark."

Xu Sanyan had no objections, so he spurred his horse towards Wanglong County.

General Bai Wuxia walked behind, looking at Xu Sanyan's back, and suddenly said, "I presume Brother Xu will be very busy tonight. You must choose carefully. Sometimes, once you're branded with a certain faction's label, you can never tear it off."

Xu Sanyan smiled and turned his head, "Brother Bai, rest assured, I understand."

General Bai Wuxia's meaning was that within Wanglong County, there were definitely people from other factions waiting for Xu Sanyan, wanting to win him over.

If he chose another faction, he would directly offend the Eldest Young Master.

Xu Sanyan was already mentally prepared for this and understood the principle, but he didn't care. He only looked at who offered the highest price and whose conditions were more appealing to him.

This was the difference between him and General Bai Wuxia.

General Bai Wuxia reaching the Heavenly Human Realm likely meant his path of cultivation had reached its end, while Xu Sanyan had only just begun.

General Bai Wuxia, once he chose a certain faction, could never change it; they would rise and fall together.

But if Xu Sanyan were to achieve a Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment, the situation would be vastly different; he could establish his own faction at any time.

According to General Bai Wuxia, Prince Rui and the cultivators behind him were on equal terms, a cooperative relationship, not a superior-subordinate one.

If Xu Sanyan achieved a Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment, he would also have the confidence to speak with them on equal terms.

He believed that day wouldn't be far off.

Inside Wanglong County, as Xu Sanyan and his companion had just stepped through the city gate, a few people nearby were comparing General Bai Wuxia's portrait, then turned and disappeared into the crowd.

Xu Sanyan's eyes slightly lowered. He knew these were scouts from a certain faction, specifically waiting for him here.

General Bai Wuxia smiled and cupped his hands at Xu Sanyan, "Brother Xu, let's stay separately, lest I disturb your good fortune."

Xu Sanyan returned the smile. This General Bai Wuxia was a remarkable person; he never asked too many questions about things that weren't his business, and he would surely live a long life.

So, Xu Sanyan found a tavern by himself, ordered a superior room to clean himself up, and then sat in the lobby downstairs to eat, listening to the casual conversations of other diners.

Not long after, a young man entered the tavern and walked directly to Xu Sanyan's table, sitting down opposite him. He said nothing, just quietly watched him eat.

Xu Sanyan glanced at the man. He was dressed in fine clothes, had a proper appearance, and a polite smile on his lips. There was a certain military bearing about him. He guessed he was someone from the Third Young Master's side.

"Waiter, bring a pot of good tea." Xu Sanyan beckoned.

"Coming right up!"

Soon, the tea arrived. Xu Sanyan poured himself a cup and tasted it. The tea was decent, but it was still far inferior to General Bai Wuxia's private stash.

The young man opposite him was about to lose his composure; the smile on his face also became a bit stiff. Finally, he spoke, "Brother Xu is truly composed. Aren't you curious who I am?"

Xu Sanyan gently blew away the foam, shaking his head with a light chuckle, "Heh heh, you came to find me, not the other way around. Is it important to me who you are?"

"Hahahaha... Excellent, excellent."

The young man suddenly burst into laughter. "Brother Xu's Martial Dao talent is not only exceptional, but his temperament is also extraordinary."

"So, what did you come to find me for?" Xu Sanyan had no patience for his nonsense.

The young man's expression became serious. "My name is Yang Xinli. I am the full brother of my Third Brother, Yang Xin You. My Third Brother is busy with military affairs and cannot get away, so he specifically instructed me to bring you some gifts."

Xu Sanyan raised an eyebrow and re-examined the young man. This Prince Rui certainly had many children; so many sons?