198: Are the higher-ups going to take action against the Peach Blossom Sect?

"Bang!"

Peng Jiayu kicked Zhu Zhiheng, who was beside her, to the ground, then smiled and cupped her hands toward Liu Xuan.

"I have long heard that Little Friend Liu is the number one Genius of Red Pine and is deeply valued by True Person Xiao. You certainly live up to your reputation!"

"To have comprehended Sword Intent at such a young age; I fear that even among the younger generation of our Heavenly Sword Sect, few can compare to you."

Liu Xuan returned the gesture calmly. "Old Ancestor, you flatter me. My meager talent is not worth comparing to the Disciples of the Upper Sect."

Although a Foundation Establishment Ancestor had appeared, Liu Xuan felt no concern. The reason he had such confidence, and why he had uncharacteristically killed someone, was because Old Ancestor Wang Qiao, who was at Peak Foundation Establishment, was right outside the hall.

After leaving White Crane Lake, his bodyguard Wang Qiao had been following him in secret, which Liu Xuan had discovered long ago thanks to his Eye of Delusion Breaking.

With a Peak Foundation Establishment bodyguard protecting him from the shadows, and True Person Xiao backing him up if anything went wrong, he had nothing to be afraid of!

If the other party didn't provoke him, that would be one thing, but if they were looking for trouble, he certainly wouldn't swallow his pride and indulge them.

"The Yongning Merchant Alliance is a branch of the Sect's Merchant Alliance and is an industry of the Xiao Family. If you are interested, Old Ancestor, you may go discuss it with my Grandmaster, True Person Xiao."

"A misunderstanding!"

"It was all a misunderstanding!"

Peng Jiayu glared fiercely at Zhu Zhiheng in the corner, then turned to look at Liu Xuan and explained with a smile:

"I have been in seclusion to Cultivate these past few days. Everything was done by this good-for-nothing Disciple on his own initiative. I hope Little Friend will not take offense!"

"Get over here and apologize to Little Friend!"

Zhu Zhiheng got up in a disheveled state, came to Peng Jiayu's side, and bowed respectfully to Liu Xuan. "I have offended you just now. Please forgive me, Fellow Daoist!"

He was not a fool; his Revered Master's behavior indicated that Liu Xuan's status was far more significant than he had imagined.

His loss of composure earlier was merely because he had been overwhelmed by the threat of death, but now that he had calmed down, he regained some of the bearing of an Upper Sect Disciple.

The two were putting on a double act, leaving Liu Xuan bewildered, unable to figure out what they were actually trying to do.

Was Peng Jiayu truly unaware of her Disciple's actions, or was everything instigated by her to test him?

What exactly did the Heavenly Sword Sect send them here to do? Why would True Person Xiao agree to let someone sent by the Upper Sect take charge of a county in the Red Pine territory?

Since a dignified Foundation Establishment Ancestor had softened her stance and apologized, and the other party was from the Upper Sect, Liu Xuan had no reason to continue making trouble, nor did he want to escalate things.

"No matter!"

"Since it is a misunderstanding, I have other matters to attend to, so I shall take my leave!"

Liu Xuan cupped his hands and prepared to leave with the young women, having no desire to engage in schemes or play games with them.

If these two behaved themselves, that would be fine, but if they had other intentions, he had plenty of ways to kill them.

...

After Liu Xuan left.

Zhu Zhiheng watched their departing figures. "Revered Master, are we really just letting them leave like this?"

"Bang!"

Peng Jiayu kicked him again and looked at him coldly. "Who gave you the nerve to act on your own initiative?"

"The Immortal Master sent me here to take charge because there is a major plan in motion. If you ruin it, I will cripple your Cultivation!"

Peng Jiayu was slightly plump with single eyelids and small eyes. When she flew into a rage, she was extremely fierce, causing Zhu Zhiheng to tremble in fear.

The Immortal Master she referred to was not True Person Xiao of the Red Pine Sect, but 'True Person Qingzhu' of Green Bamboo Peak in the Heavenly Sword Sect.

Peng Jiayu did not know exactly why the Immortal Master had sent her here, only that she was to manage and control this place well.

However, judging by the Immortal Master's serious attitude, there was definitely a major plan, and absolutely no mistakes could be made.

As far as she knew, True Person Qingzhu had spoken with True Person Xiao for a long time before they were finally allowed to come to Yongning, and it was estimated that a considerable price had been paid.

If she ruined things due to personal reasons, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Before coming to Yongning, she had gone to the Red Pine Sect to pay respects to True Person Xiao. True Person Xiao had said nothing, only mentioning that she should look after his grand-Disciple, Liu Xuan.

For a figure like True Person Xiao to discuss no official business but instead ask her to look after Liu Xuan was enough to prove how much he valued Liu Xuan.

If she offended Liu Xuan and True Person Xiao became enraged, killing her directly would be the least of it!

True Person Xiao was not as simple as he appeared on the surface. Not long ago, he had slaughtered half of the Li Family members, and even her Revered Master, True Person Qingzhu, who was at the Mid Golden Core Stage, had to handle him with caution, so she naturally dared not provoke him.

Before going into seclusion, she had clearly instructed Zhu Zhiheng to keep a low profile. She hadn't expected that this brat would dare to act recklessly as soon as he left the Sect, almost ruining her major plans!

"In the future, you are forbidden from provoking Liu Xuan, otherwise, do not blame me for disregarding our Revered Master-Disciple relationship!"

Peng Jiayu flicked her sleeve and disappeared after dropping these words. She did not strip Zhu Zhiheng of his authority, still letting him oversee the county's affairs.

Yongning was currently controlled by Liu Xuan; if they didn't provoke Liu Xuan, it would not be easy for her to complete True Person Qingzhu's mission.

Leaving everything to her eldest Disciple to handle meant that no matter which side caused trouble, there would be someone to take the blame...

Even if the Disciple couldn't bear the full blame, having a buffer was always good!

Zhu Zhiheng stood frozen in place, feeling very aggrieved!

It was clearly his Revered Master who had ordered him to control Yongning as quickly as possible at all costs, yet now she was telling him not to provoke Liu Xuan!

Liu Xuan controlled most of the families in Yongning; weren't these two things contradictory? How could he control Yongning without moving against Liu Xuan?

"Difficult! It is too difficult!"

...

Three days later.

Peach Garden of the Liu Mansion.

Peng Jiayu and Liu Xuan sat opposite each other. "Little Friend, taste this Green Bamboo Wine, unique to the Green Bamboo Peak of our Heavenly Sword Sect; it cannot be tasted in ordinary places."

A faint fragrance of green bamboo permeated the air, as if one were in a bamboo forest, and it was mixed with a hint of sharp Sword Intent; it was indeed a rare and fine wine.

Over the past two days, Peng Jiayu had visited the Liu Mansion repeatedly under the pretext of apologizing. One does not hit a smiling face, so Liu Xuan and she had become superficial friends.

"It is indeed good wine!" Liu Xuan tasted a mouthful and cupped his hands. "Many thanks for the wine, Old Ancestor!"

"Hey, now!"

Peng Jiayu waved her hand. "I have a special affinity with you, Little Friend, so there is no need to be so polite. How about this: from now on, I will call you Brother Liu, and you call me Brother Peng, how about that?"

"Very well!"

"I dare not refuse Brother Peng's kindness. I hope you will look after me in the future, Brother!"

Liu Xuan did have something he wanted to ask her, and he couldn't be bothered to care whether she had any ulterior motives.

After some hypocritical pleasantries, Liu Xuan took the opportunity to ask: "Brother, as a dignified Foundation Establishment Ancestor of the Heavenly Sword Sect, why have you come to such a remote place as Yongning? Could it be that something major is about to happen here?"

Liu Xuan was very curious; if he couldn't figure this out, he would always feel uneasy.

"This..."

Peng Jiayu looked troubled. "Actually, I am also confused; everything was ordered by the Immortal Master."

"However..."

She hesitated for a moment, then decided to tell the truth. "Although I am not clear about the Immortal Master's purpose, I have heard a rumor."

She pointed upward. "The top brass may be planning to move against the Peach Blossom Sect, and sending us here is a preparation in advance."

Liu Xuan was startled! He asked: "I have heard that the Peach Blossom Demon Lord is at the Late Nascent Soul Stage and has always been biased toward our Human Race, remaining unchanged for a thousand years. Surely that is not the case, is it?"

"Who knows? I don't believe it either, which is why I said it was just a rumor!"

Peng Jiayu looked indifferent and smiled. "These are all matters for the big shots; it has nothing to do with us. Drink, drink!"