98: Chapter 98 The Bai Family's Naïveness

Once inside the carriage, Pei Tianlin reported the matter.

Pei Tianlin marveled, "Old Ancestor, this move is truly brilliant. Every power in Jinhe County knows the news of our Pei family transporting grain. However, what exactly does the Bai family mean by looking for the Old Ancestor at this time?"

Pei Qingyun smiled, "What they mean isn't important.

Right now, every major clan and bandit force in Jinhe County is likely plotting for this batch of grain from my Pei family. The Bai family, however, is doing the opposite by explaining the danger to us. This is undoubtedly a signal of goodwill."

"I must say, this move by the Bai family is somewhat unexpected. People in Jinhe County say Clan Head Bai Qihua only reached the Five Viscera Realm through sheer luck. In my view, that's not entirely true. Based on this move alone, Bai Qihua is no simple character."

Pei Tianlin asked, "Then, will the Old Ancestor see him or not?"

Pei Qingyun laughed, "I'll see him, of course. I'm also quite curious about the Bai family's goal."

With those words from Pei Qingyun, Pei Tianlin immediately made arrangements with the guard captain.

Before long, the guard captain brought the news to Clan Head Bai Qihua.

"The Old Ancestor has agreed to meet you. Come with me."

Hearing this, Clan Head Bai Qihua's heart instantly settled. Although he was confident Pei Qingyun would see him, as long as it wasn't an established fact, variables could still arise.

The speed of a merchant caravan naturally couldn't compare to an individual on horseback. In less than fifteen minutes, the three of them caught up.

At that moment, Pei Qingyun stepped outside the carriage.

Although the interior of the carriage wasn't small, he didn't like discussing matters with strangers in such a private space.

The entire caravan escort team consisted mostly of middle-aged and young men. At Pei Qingyun's age, no normal person would have him participate in an escort.

Therefore, as soon as Pei Qingyun appeared, the two from the Bai family noticed this white-haired old man.

"This should be the Ancestor of the Pei family, Pei Qingyun," Clan Head Bai Qihua thought to himself.

Rumor had it that Pei Qingyun was already over eighty years old, yet his blood and qi had not yet withered.

As a rising star, he had always been curious about this old man who could maintain his vigor despite being in his eighties.

However, since he broke through to the Five Viscera Realm, Pei Qingyun had rarely left Wuyang County, so he had never had the chance to meet him.

Seeing him now, Clan Head Bai Qihua had a different impression. If he had to describe him in four words, it would be 'simple and unadorned.'

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him an ordinary old man.

But it was precisely because of this that he felt even more incredible.

A Five-Viscera Martial Artist can restrain their blood and qi, but they cannot achieve perfection. Yet Pei Qingyun had not only done it, but he had also done it to the point where even he couldn't detect anything.

Before he could investigate further, Pei Qingyun's gaze swept over.

Clan Head Bai Qihua stopped hesitating and guided his horse closer to Pei Qingyun's carriage.

Only when they were less than ten feet apart did Clan Head Bai Qihua speak up to offer a greeting.

Pei Qingyun returned the courtesy, and the two began to chat.

As soon as Pei Qingyun spoke, he went straight to the point, "What is Clan Head Bai's intention in coming to see me?"

Clan Head Bai Qihua hadn't expected Pei Qingyun to be so direct. He paused and said, "I have come to seek cooperation with the Pei family."

Pei Qingyun looked at Clan Head Bai Qihua with interest and asked, "What kind of cooperation?"

Clan Head Bai Qihua said with a serious expression, "I want to join forces with the Pei family to deal with the Liu Family together."

Pei Qingyun's tone was flat, "Clan Head Bai, surely you must be joking. Your Bai family isn't even a Great Clan. Why would you think my Pei family would cooperate with you to deal with the Liu Family? There isn't half a benefit in this for the Pei family. If you cannot give a reasonable explanation, I can only assume you are triffling with me."

"People who trifle with me often don't meet good ends."

Saying this, Pei Qingyun gave Clan Head Bai Qihua a dangerous look.

Feeling Pei Qingyun's gaze, Clan Head Bai Qihua instinctively felt a chill and his body shivered involuntarily.

However, Clan Head Bai Qihua dismissed it as a mere illusion. He explained seriously, "Perhaps Ancestor Pei does not know yet, but the news of your Pei family's grain transport has already spread throughout Jinhe County. According to the intelligence I received, the two Great Clans of Jinhe County, the Ma Family and the Liu Family, have already decided to make a move on your Pei family's grain tonight."

"If your Pei family cooperates with my Bai family, my Bai family will naturally help your Pei family's caravan overcome tonight's crisis."

Pei Qingyun said thoughtfully, "Stated that way, it seems to make some sense. But why should my Pei family believe your words? What if your Bai family is using me?"

"Taking a step back, even if what you say is true... It's not that I look down on your Bai family, but with your family's meager strength, why do you think you can help my Pei family? As far as I know, both families seem to have two Five-Viscera Martial Artists, and their number of Divine Strength Martial Artists far exceeds your Bai family's by several times. Even if the two families don't join forces, your Bai family would find it difficult to even act as a distraction against just one of them."

Facing Pei Qingyun's doubts, Clan Head Bai Qihua was well-prepared. He said slowly, "If it were just my Bai family, we naturally couldn't do it. Besides our two families, I have another ally: Black Wind Stronghold."

Pei Qingyun's expression turned serious as he re-evaluated Clan Head Bai Qihua. He said, "Clan Head Bai, you are very bold, even daring to collude with Black Wind Stronghold. Aren't you afraid someone will publicize this?"

Clan Head Bai Qihua gave a cold laugh, his words carrying a hint of irony, "As long as there is no concrete evidence, the Prefectural Magistrate's office won't move against my Bai family. Besides, in this Jinhe County, many strongholds are supported by the three Great Clans. Compared to them, what does my Bai family's cooperation with Black Wind Stronghold amount to?"

Hearing Clan Head Bai Qihua say this, Pei Qingyun understood instantly. The terrain of Wuyang County was not conducive to the formation of bandit forces. The three Great Clans there hadn't developed in that direction.

From this perspective, the three Great Clans of Wuyang County were relatively conscientious. But Jinhe County was different; its many mountains and complex terrain resulted in numerous and diverse stronghold forces.

To ensure their own interests, the three Great Clans of Jinhe County naturally reached their hands into the stronghold forces.

In comparison, the Bai family seemed as pure as a little white flower.

Seeing Pei Qingyun's dark face and silence, Clan Head Bai Qihua thought he was hesitating.

He added, "Ancestor Pei might not know this yet, but the Chuyun Stronghold that attacked your caravan just now is supported by the Liu Family."

Unfortunately, Clan Head Bai Qihua had misinterpreted him; Pei Qingyun was actually blooming with joy inside.

From beginning to end, he had orchestrated all of this.

Looking at the situation, the effect seemed quite good.

With two third-rate Great Clans making a move, the deterrent effect should be about enough.

Looking at Clan Head Bai Qihua again, Pei Qingyun found him somewhat more agreeable. However, having to keep acting like this made him feel a bit tired.

In fact, he was thinking about whether to show a bit of his hand or to just let Clan Head Bai Qihua leave like this.