74: Wu Zhen is invincible in the world (Part 1)

It's been two years since the White Lotus Sect's uprising began!

The White Lotus Sect's rebel army utilized the geographical advantage of Taiheng Mountain to launch attacks on both East Sheng Prefecture and Wuya Prefecture, achieving excellent results on both fronts.

In the forty-first year of Qianjing, which was a year ago, the White Lotus Sect completely took over East Sheng Prefecture. The reason for such an easy victory was that the various Families in East Sheng Prefecture had long colluded with the Taiheng Mountain bandits, directly selling out the garrisoned troops completely.

After this battle, the White Lotus Sect dominated one prefecture and six roads, occupying half of the Qian Country. Emperor Qianjing was powerless and could only watch the White Lotus Sect grow stronger day by day.

However, the so-called righteous army of the White Lotus Sect also caused much popular resentment. According to news from fleeing refugees, whenever the righteous army captured a city, they would often massacre it for three days, allowing their soldiers to plunder and kill at will. The city's inhabitants suffered heavy casualties and were displaced.

The Qian Country was weak, and the Families were fence-sitters. The entire country was beyond saving. Yet, the White Lotus Sect, claiming to act for the people, behaved without restraint, being harsh and cruel, and was not a good thing either.

The common people living in these areas were miserable. Some originally prosperous lands were now ruins everywhere. Many wealthy Young Masters with Family fortunes in East Sheng Prefecture were looking for a territory to escape the disaster.

The now peaceful Wuya Prefecture's capital city naturally became a good destination. Moreover, Wuya Prefecture was closer to Qian Jing, and more importantly, Wuya Prefecture had the Martial Alliance, with an Innate Realm Alliance Leader. This was the reason why the White Lotus Sect dared not make a move.

Numerous reasons combined, causing the population of the four Wei City surrounding the prefecture capital to almost explode.

This was both a good thing and not a good thing. More people meant more money and better business, but given the current situation, the situation was already precarious. The White Lotus Sect might prepare to act and take Wuya Prefecture at any moment!

The Families in the prefecture capital, however, had strange attitudes. Except for the Wu Family, who often jumped up and down, the remaining Families, the Chen Family and the Yue Family, maintained ambiguous attitudes. There were no signs of them relocating, nor any intention to assist the officials.

Chen Cuo was indecisive, his eyes filled with thought. He also couldn't fathom the intentions of these great Families.

“Brother Cuo, don't overthink it. When playing chess, you must have no regrets in battle. It's your turn!” Fan Wufeng said to Chen Cuo after placing a piece.

That was true. The choices of the Families were merely minor details. What he truly thought about was how to stably defend Wei City without participating in this great struggle of the era. West Guard City was just one of the four Wei City in Wuya Prefecture. Without occupying Wei City, it would be difficult to enter the prefecture capital.

The White Lotus Sect wanted to control the entire Wuya Prefecture, so of course, they would first swallow the four Wei City. But Chen Cuo's foundation was in the city, and he couldn't hand it over to the White Lotus Sect. As for assisting the Imperial Dynasty, Chen Cuo had no interest.

Although Yue Wudao's talk of destiny and other strange things was highly mysterious, this world was, after all, extraordinary, and he would rather believe it to be true.

After studying some Secret Manual on divination, and even Awakening one or two useful or useless talents, Chen Cuo observed the Qian Country's situation and realized that the Qian Country's fate was indeed exhausted. Otherwise, how could it be that despite the nation's full power, not a single Innate Expert was born?

Therefore, Chen Cuo had long decided to help neither side, and not just him, but also the Iron Eagle Gang. Since he wanted to do this, he naturally had the confidence.

Today was the fifth anniversary of the official establishment of the Iron Eagle Gang, and it was also a chess game he had long set up.

“Master is right! I'll go here.” A piece landed on the chessboard.

For a Jianghu force, five years was already a considerable amount of time. Heroes of the world were like carps crossing a river, their rise and fall were commonplace.

It was common for small Gang to be established for only a year or two before being annihilated. Therefore, the Iron Eagle Gang, having existed for five years, and being a powerful force, this day was definitely a joyous occasion.

For the Iron Eagle Gang, it was naturally a time for celebration!

“White Crane Martial Arts School's Perfected Person White Crane has arrived, bearing a gift: one White Crane Red Feather!”

“Wealth from all directions, welcoming guests and sending them off, Manager Zhao of Jinhua Pavilion has arrived, bearing a gift: a pair of Dragon Tiger Golden Eagles!”

“Rogue cultivator Nie Wuji has arrived, bearing a gift: one Acquired Secret Manual!”

“Jiannan Road's White Snow Mountain's Chief has arrived…”

“Longchuan Road's Lin Family's Second Young Master has arrived…”

Changshun Street, still at the former site of the Vajra Sect, a huge new pavilion had been erected, with carved beams and painted rafters, resplendent and magnificent.

At the top of the courtyard building, a gigantic iron eagle was cast on the roof, poised to fly!

Inside the Iron Eagle Gang at this moment, people from all walks of life gathered, full of joy and continuous clamor.

Lei Wen was busy entertaining the many guests. Ding Xiang and the others were also performing their respective duties, greeting the guests with smiles. Nowadays, the Iron Eagle Gang, which was Chen Cuo's business, spread throughout the country, naturally having close ties with many forces, including the White Lotus Sect, with whom he also had business dealings.

Many chambers of commerce, escort agencies, or small Families had become rich by relying on Chen Cuo's goods. When Chen Cuo deliberately revealed the news that the Iron Eagle Gang was celebrating its fifth anniversary, it caused a stir, and many forces rushed to attend.

Lei Wen was now the chief steward of the entire Iron Eagle Gang, equivalent to the former Inner Hall Master of the Vajra Sect. All matters of welcoming and sending off guests, and all expenses, were managed by him alone. Chen Cuo essentially gave him full authority.

Chen Cuo was currently playing chess with Fan Wufeng in the backyard, waiting for news.

Finally, Ding Xiang, with graceful lotus steps, came and sat beside Chen Cuo, saying, “The esteemed guest has arrived.”

“So, he finally came?”

At this moment, outside the grand assembly hall, a group of people slowly arrived. The leader handed over a large red invitation, his posture tall and his demeanor extraordinary.

He was dressed in a large red python robe, a four-clawed flying fish uniform, with an embroidered spring blade at his waist, and strode into the hall.

The announcement rang out: “Six Doors Deputy Commander Xie Tianhao, leading his chief constables, congratulates the Iron Eagle Gang on its new establishment celebration!”

“Hahaha, I came uninvited, and I hope Chief Chen of your esteemed Gang will not take offense.”

“Not at all, not at all, Your Excellency Xie, you overstate it. We are a small Gang, how dare we trouble Your Excellency Xie to personally grace us with your presence? It is truly an immense honor!” Lei Wen spoke humbly, with a light laugh, greeting the accompanying crowd.

Among the accompanying people were Xie Yiyun and Lin Qiu, who had left a slight impression on him.

After he invited the Deputy Commander of the Six Doors in the capital to sit down, the scene was immediately filled with many whispers.

“How did people from the government yamen also come? Does the Iron Eagle Gang have such great Face?”

“Don't you know yet?”

“Know what?”

One person deliberately showed a very exaggerated and surprised expression, seemingly disbelieving that the other's news was so delayed.

He said with a hint of showing off, “Chief Chen Cuo is already at the Perfection of the Acquired Realm. According to many disclosed reports, he is very likely to become an Innate Expert.”

“Such an Innate Expert can influence the direction of the entire war. Do you think the Imperial Dynasty will come to seek help?”

“Ah, then today's banquet is probably not simple. Should we leave first?”

“What's there to be afraid of? It's rare to see a good show!”

...

“Prefecture Chen Family, Chen Tian'ao has arrived…”

“Yue Family, Yue Buqun has arrived…”

“Longchuan Road, Qingfeng Stronghold's Xue Longhu has arrived, bearing a congratulatory couplet!”

“Ah, ah, ah! Isn't that a rebel force…” A young man exclaimed, but was immediately silenced by someone beside him covering his mouth.

“Shut up, do you want to die?!” He cautiously glanced at the newcomer and, seeing that the person hadn't noticed them, couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.

Yet, his heart was in his throat. How dare the White Lotus Sect rebels openly walk into Wuya Prefecture now?

Xie Tianhao immediately stood up, angrily drew his blade, intending to strike down the rebel.

Just as tensions were high, a clear laugh came from outside again. A young, beautiful woman, walking with unhurried steps, gently fanning herself, dressed as a man, followed by a large group of people.

“There's indeed excitement to be seen here. Father guessed correctly.”

The woman spoke softly, her voice as clear and bright as an oriole, extremely pleasant to the ear. The personal attendants behind her were all full of Qi and blood, and could be observed to be at the Acquired Realm of cultivation.

“Who is Your Excellency?”

Lei Wen, as the chief steward, was startled by this clearly extraordinary woman and immediately asked for her identity.

“Heh, I am merely an ordinary countrywoman from the countryside. I just saw the excitement here and came to ask for a cup of wine. May I ask, big brother, if you will permit it?”

“If that is truly the case, then there is no objection. However, I think Your Excellency is not here just for a cup of wine!” Lei Wen's tone remained unchanged, but he still said in a low voice.

Xie Tianhao roared, “Demoness, do you think I wouldn't recognize you just because you changed your aura? You are the White Lotus Sect's demoness Lu Dan'er, aren't you?”

“Hehehe, the Divine Eye Iron Constable truly lives up to his name as the Divine Eye. This humble girl is indeed Lu Dan'er of the White Lotus Sect. So, old sir, are you going to capture this humble girl?” Lu Dan'er's voice was melodious and captivating, causing the surrounding people to become restless and agitated.

“Martial Alliance, Young Master Han Yue of Han Yue has arrived ~ bearing a gift: one Innate Sword Talisman!”

“Wu Family, Wu Lin has arrived…”

“It's quite lively here. How come the host isn't coming out to manage the situation?” Han Yue finished delivering the gift list and invitation, then glared at Lei Wen.

If not for his business dealings with the Iron Eagle Gang, and his father telling him that Chen Cuo was not simple and to come and see for himself, Han Yue would not have been willing to come here at all.

Forces with Innate Experts, facing a struggle for the throne, whether the Imperial Dynasty won or the White Lotus Sect took over the world, they would remain safe and sound, living freely in the world. Perhaps the Families held this same mentality; there were no imperial dynasties that lasted ten thousand years, but there were Families that lasted ten thousand years.

“The Chief is naturally delighted by the arrival of all esteemed guests. However, I ask everyone to give my Iron Eagle Gang a little Face, and temporarily cease your disputes. Whether in Jianghu or the Imperial Court, this is my Iron Eagle Gang's hall, not a place for rivalry and conflict.”

Lei Wen stepped forward, smiling softly as he spoke to everyone.

“What exactly does Chief Chen mean? You rely on various rare treasures to amass wealth throughout the world, and now that rebels are rising everywhere, are you not afraid that your accumulated wealth will be destroyed in an instant? Or do you think you can resist the rebel army's thousands of soldiers and horses?”

“How much Face does the Iron Eagle Gang have? If this old man truly wants to capture this demoness here, does the Iron Eagle Gang really intend to obstruct me?”

Xie Tianhao let out a long shout, his powerful voice piercing through the entire pavilion, seemingly directed at Chen Cuo, who was hiding in the shadows.

Lu Dan'er chuckled charmingly and also said softly, “Old man, you are so aggressive. Chief Chen, a young hero, why not help my Holy Sect kill this person and together seek to conquer the world, rule a country, and accumulate wealth? Wouldn't that be good?”