355: Family Alliance

On the ice table in the Hanyue Valley Underground Palace lay a distribution map of the Central Plains noble families. Twenty-seven vermilion markers dotted the map, the most conspicuous being the Luoyang "Seven Great Families" and the Kaifeng "Su Family".

Jun Xiaoyao held a white jade chess piece between his fingers. The three characters "Beyond Heaven" were carved on the piece, which was hovering above the location of Kaifeng City.

"Zhao Gao, how are the recent movements of the Su Family progressing?" His voice, transmitted through the chill of the ice table, carried a hint of indifference, as if he were discussing the weather.

From the shadows, Zhao Gao bowed and presented a roll of secret intelligence report, the edges of which were still stained with a bit of wax—clearly just removed from its seal: "Reporting, Young Lord. The Su Family has united the remaining forces of the Seven Great Families of Luoyang and is holding a secret meeting at the 'Assembly of Sages Tower' in Kaifeng. It is said they plan to establish the 'Central Plains Alliance' to jointly resist our Beyond Heaven's medicinal herb business."

Jun Xiaoyao placed the white jade chess piece onto the marker for Kaifeng City. The piece struck the ice table, producing a crisp sound. "Resist?" He chuckled softly, picked up the report, and unfolded it. "Su Family Head Su Dingfang's 'Star Shattering Fist' just advanced to the Grandmaster Realm, and he dares to take the lead? Has he forgotten who helped him recover the silver escort stolen by mountain bandits last year?"

Zhao Gao lowered his head and replied, "Su Dingfang has the 'Haoran Academy' backing him. Headmaster Kong Qiuming is in the Mid-stage Terrestrial Immortal Realm, and is said to have a close relationship with the Imperial Family. Kong Qiuming personally attended and presided over the establishment of the Central Plains Alliance this time."

Jun Xiaoyao looked up, and Kong Qiuming's figure immediately appeared in the water mirror. The old man, dressed in a Confucian robe and holding a scroll, was speaking on the high platform of the Assembly of Sages Tower. His voice was gentle but carried undeniable authority: "...Beyond Heaven started with assassination, and its methods are sinister. If we allow them to monopolize medicinal herbs, our Central Plains Martial Forest will be in danger! The establishment of the Central Plains Alliance today is precisely to resist this villain..."

"Villain?" Jun Xiaoyao tossed the secret intelligence report back onto the table. The chill of the ice table caused the paper to instantly develop a layer of white frost. "Kong Qiuming teaches and educates people, yet I didn't expect him to resort to scolding like a shrew."

At this moment, a sudden commotion arose in the water mirror. Outside the Assembly of Sages Tower, a black-clothed The Net secret guard was being besieged by Su Family guards. Although the secret guard was already in the Grandmaster Realm, he was overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of the enemy. He was struck by a blade on the shoulder, and blood stained half of his lapel red.

"It's 'Mo' from the 'Shadow' Group." Zhao Gao recognized the token on the secret guard's waist. "He was responsible for monitoring the Assembly of Sages Tower. It seems he was discovered."

Jun Xiaoyao tapped his finger lightly on the ice table and instructed Zhao Gao, "Have Li Xunhuan make a trip to Kaifeng."

Outside the Assembly of Sages Tower in Kaifeng, Mo was surrounded by ten Su Family guards. His short blade had been knocked away, and he could only rely on his fists and feet, sustaining more and more injuries. Just as a guard's long blade was about to pierce his heart, a Flying Dagger broke through the air, accurately severing the handle of the long blade.

"Who?!" The guards turned back in shock and anger, only to see a man dressed in a loose white robe leaning against the corner of the wall. He was juggling a Flying Dagger in his hand and had a piece of straw dangling from the corner of his mouth. It was Li Xunhuan.

"Isn't it a bit unfair for so many of you to bully one person?" Li Xunhuan smiled and stood up straight. With his other hand, he pulled out a wine gourd and took a large gulp.

The leader of the Su Family guards recognized his Flying Dagger, and his face instantly changed: "It's Little Lis Flying Dagger Li Xunhuan! Are you also a member of Beyond Heaven?"

Li Xunhuan did not answer, merely shielding Mo behind him: "He is my friend. If you want to touch him, you have to ask this blade of mine first."

The Guard Leader gritted his teeth and said, "Attack! The Central Plains Alliance has just been established. He'll be the perfect target to establish our might!"

The ten guards rushed forward again, blades and shadows intertwining into a net. Li Xunhuan, however, did not retreat but advanced. His figure moved through the blade light like a ghost. The Flying Daggers in his hands had been replaced by two chopsticks at some point. He used the chopsticks to deftly deflect the attacks, and every touch caused the guards' weapons to deviate from their target.

The crisp sound of "ding ding dang dang" was incessant. In just a moment, all ten guards' weapons were knocked away, leaving a red mark on each of their wrists.

"Do you still want to fight?" Li Xunhuan tossed the chopsticks back into the cloth pouch at his waist and pulled out a Flying Dagger again.

The guards retreated in panic. They had never seen such an uncanny movement technique. Although the opponent's movements were not fast, he always managed to evade their attacks in advance.

Li Xunhuan ignored them, helped Mo up, and turned to leave, his departing figure as unrestrained as the wind. Behind the second-floor window of the Assembly of Sages Tower, Su Dingfang and Kong Qiuming watched the scene, both wearing grim expressions.

"Headmaster Kong, this Li Xunhuan's Flying Dagger truly lives up to its reputation," Su Dingfang said gravely. "It seems Beyond Heaven's strength is greater than we anticipated."

Kong Qiuming closed the scroll in his hand, his gaze sinister: "What if they are strong? The Central Plains Alliance has thirty-seven Great Grandmasters and three Heavenly Human Realm experts. Are we still afraid of one Beyond Heaven?" He paused, then added, "Have the people from the 'Blood Shadow Hall' make a move. Don't leave any traces."

In front of the water mirror, Jun Xiaoyao saw everything clearly. He asked Zhao Gao, "Blood Shadow Hall? Wasn't that the assassin organization The Net scattered ten years ago? Why has it resurfaced?"

"Reporting, Young Lord. The remaining forces of the Blood Shadow Hall have pledged allegiance to the Su Family. The Hall Master, 'Blood Fiend,' is in the Late Grandmaster Realm and specializes in the 'Blood Shadow Art,' allowing him to merge into shadows and kill without a trace." Zhao Gao retrieved the data. "His 'Blood Shadow Needle' is poisoned with the venom of 'heart-rotting grass.' Victims' heart meridians will be corroded within three days, leading to death, and there is no known antidote."

Jun Xiaoyao tapped the name "Blood Fiend" with his fingertip. The summoning array on the ice table suddenly glowed faintly. The Spiritual Qi in the array core had risen to 80% due to recent resource accumulation. As the runes circulated, a palm shadow actually appeared.

[System Prompt: Detected sinister assassination method, triggering defensive summon.]

[Summonable Character: Xu Zhu]

[Origin: World of demi-gods and semi-devils]

[Realm: Late Heaven-Man Realm]

[Martial Skills: Beiming Divine Art (Perfection), Minor Formless Art (Major Achievement), Tianshan Six Yang Palms (Perfection)]

[Specialty: Profound Internal Energy, skilled in resolving strange poisons. Tianshan Six Yang Palms can neutralize Yin and cold techniques, and Beiming Divine Art can absorb others' Internal Energy.]

[Summon Cost: Spiritual Qi 75%]

The summoning array suddenly burst into a soft golden light. Runes blossomed like lotus flowers, and the figure of a young man dressed in a monk's robe slowly materialized. Xu Zhu clasped his hands together, his face showing compassion. It was none other than Xu Zhu, the Palace Master of Spirit Vulture Palace.

"This humble monk, Xu Zhu, greets the Young Lord." Xu Zhu's voice was gentle, carrying the peace of Buddhism.

[Character Panel: Xu Zhu]

[Status: Peaceful]

[Loyalty: 85%]

[Current Thought: Although the Spiritual Qi here is weak, there is an intention of compassion; perhaps the Dharma can be spread.]

Jun Xiaoyao nodded slightly: "The Blood Shadow Hall is using poisoned needles to harm people in Kaifeng. Make a trip there to help Li Xunhuan detoxify, and while you're at it..." He paused. "Let Blood Fiend know that people from Beyond Heaven are not to be trifled with."

Although Xu Zhu disliked fighting and killing, he bowed and replied, "This humble monk obeys." He turned and stepped into the teleportation array. When his figure appeared in the Kaifeng Inn, Li Xunhuan was using Internal Energy to help Mo expel the poison. Mo's face had turned black, clearly indicating severe poisoning.

"Patron Li, allow this humble monk to try." Xu Zhu stepped forward and pressed his palms against Mo's back. The warmth of the Tianshan Six Yang Palms slowly infused him. The toxins inside Mo retreated as if encountering their nemesis, and his complexion visibly returned to a healthy ruddy color.

"Thank you, Great Master!" Li Xunhuan said with surprise.

Xu Zhu shook his head: "It was a minor effort. The toxins of the Blood Shadow Needle are Yin and cold; they require Yang Internal Energy to neutralize. Patron Li, if you encounter Blood Fiend, remember to be careful."

Just then, a black shadow flashed past the inn window—it was Blood Fiend. He had intended to launch a sneak attack while Li Xunhuan was unprepared, but he was startled by Xu Zhu's Internal Energy fluctuations and immediately turned to flee.

"Where are you running to!" Xu Zhu shouted softly. The Beiming Divine Art activated, and a suction force emanated from his palm, forcibly pulling Blood Fiend's body back.

Blood Fiend was both shocked and enraged. He turned and shot out dozens of Blood Shadow Needles. The needles glowed green, indicating extreme toxicity. Xu Zhu, however, remained calm. He deployed the Tianshan Six Yang Palms; the palm shadows blossomed like lotus flowers, blocking all the poisoned needles. The needles, upon touching the palm wind, instantly turned to ashes.

"Impossible!" Blood Fiend's eyes widened. His Blood Shadow Needles had never failed before.

Xu Zhu gave him no chance to react. He clasped his palms together, and a soft yet irresistible force surged out of Blood Fiend's body—the Beiming Divine Art had begun absorbing his Internal Energy! Blood Fiend screamed miserably. The Blood Shadow Art Internal Energy within him drained away like a tide. In just a moment, he plummeted from the Late Grandmaster Realm to the Innate Realm, collapsing weakly onto the ground.

"Good and evil eventually receive their retribution." Xu Zhu withdrew his hands and looked at Blood Fiend, whose face was ashen. "You have poisoned countless people. Today is your just punishment."

Li Xunhuan stepped forward and used a rope to tie up Blood Fiend: "Thank you for your help, Great Master. This old ghost will be handed over to The Net's people for disposal."

In front of the water mirror, Jun Xiaoyao watched the retreating figure of Blood Fiend being escorted away and told Zhao Gao, "Copy down the evidence of Blood Fiend's crimes and send it to all the great families in the Central Plains. I want them to know that cooperating with the Su Family is like asking a tiger for its hide."

"Understood." Zhao Gao accepted the order and departed, and the underground palace returned to silence.

Jun Xiaoyao watched the Spiritual Qi slowly rising in the summoning array, his gaze profound. The establishment of the Central Plains Alliance meant that Beyond Heaven's medicinal herb business in the Central Plains would face obstacles, but this was not necessarily a bad thing—as long as this Alliance was broken, Beyond Heaven could completely control the Central Plains medicinal herb market.

Xu Zhu's addition not only compensated for Beyond Heaven's weakness in detoxification but his Beiming Divine Art was also the nemesis of Yin and poisonous Cultivation Techniques, making him perfectly suited to deal with assassin organizations like the Blood Shadow Hall. And Li Xunhuan's Flying Dagger remained the sharpest spear, capable of piercing through any conspiracy.

The moonlight outside Hanyue Valley shone through the ice window, casting mottled shadows on the ground. Jun Xiaoyao picked up the white jade chess piece and slowly moved it across the Central Plains map, finally placing it on the location of Luoyang City.

The core of the Central Plains Alliance was the Su Family, but its Foundation lay in the remaining forces of the Seven Great Families of Luoyang. To dismantle the Alliance, they had to start with Luoyang.

The Spiritual Qi of the summoning array had recovered to 80%. As the runes flickered, it seemed to be anticipating the next summon. Jun Xiaoyao knew that the Central Plains War belonging to Beyond Heaven had just begun.

And all he had to do was sit deep within this underground palace, watching the chess pieces fall one by one until the entire Central Plains was incorporated into Beyond Heaven's territory.