Chapter 544
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Chapter 544: Ancestor Peng?
Chu Kingdom, Zhang family
When Lin Jiang’s words stirred up a storm in various countries, Lin Jiang was visiting the Zhang family. The reason was that Zhang Baolin had been studying with Lin Jiang for a few months, making great progress in martial arts. So as a gesture of thanks, after a few invitations, Lin Jiang didn’t refuse.
The Zhang family was already a huge family with a thousand years of heritage. The descendants of the Zhang family had long surpassed a million. Their presence could be found in dozens of cities in the Chu Kingdom, but in the capital city, they held the main hall, being closest to the center of power.
The Zhang family had grand mansions in the capital city, and outside the city, their estates were scattered everywhere. When Lin Jiang attended the Zhang family’s banquet, it was held in one of these estates, creating a world of its own, like a kingdom within a kingdom.
"The Zhang family has over a million members, vast lands, numerous officials, countless students and followers, thousands of warriors, including fierce martial artists, and even a Martial Saint presiding over them. Do you ever feel scared at night when you go to sleep?"
Lin Jiang glanced at the troops training in the estate and said to Zhang Baolin that he didn’t know if Zhang Baolin ever felt scared, but he believed that the King of Chu Kingdom must be feeling intimidated.
"What you’re saying is true, that’s why Zhang family has to be strong."
Zhang Baolin’s face turned serious, Lin Jiang had never spoken to him like this before, but now he hit the nail on the head.
The Zhang family is the first noble family in the Chu Kingdom, prosperous for a thousand years, but also facing great risks. With their strength, can the king sleep at night?
The Zhang family has too many members and can’t retreat easily. If they back down, not only will they be at the mercy of others, but also their livelihoods will be at stake. It’s hard to give up the benefits they have gained, so the Zhang family can only grow stronger.
"Your ancestor Zhang Ran refused to establish his own kingdom. Perhaps I understand why, but unfortunately, you don’t."
Lin Jiang shook his head, now he somewhat understood Zhang Ran’s feelings. Being from a prestigious family brings glory but also immense pressure. If Lin Jiang were in the position of the Zhang family’s leader, he would have to break up the family, or even rebel directly. This dilemma forces the royal family of the Chu Kingdom to take action, doesn’t it?
There were only a few guests at the Zhang family’s banquet, about a dozen high-ranking members, accompanied by some exquisitely beautiful women. Lin Jiang knew exactly what the Zhang family was planning.
"Mr. Guigu lives alone in the Chu Kingdom without anyone to care for him. If you don’t mind, I can send my daughter to serve you."
"The women of the Zhang family in the Chu Kingdom are well-known for their talents in both literature and martial arts, and they are skilled in managing the household. They are quite devoted to pleasing you…"
Sure enough, as the drink flowed, the head of the Zhang family smiled at Lin Jiang and mentioned the numerous virtues of the Zhang family women. They are not only beautiful and well-mannered, but also excel in various skills, as they have been trained to meet the standards of a queen.
This made the Zhang family women in the Chu Kingdom very famous, many nobles wanted to marry them. People said that anyone who wanted to marry a Zhang family woman had to go from the Chu Kingdom all the way to the Qin Kingdom.
Lin Jiang looked at some Zhang family women. They were not shy at all, they flirted with Lin Jiang openly and confidently.
"Chu women are so affectionate, is it true?"
Lin Jiang sighed, the cultural atmosphere in the Chu Kingdom was outstanding, they were more tolerant and even the women were more open-minded.
However, Lin Jiang refused. He traveled alone to many countries and had made enemies. He was not afraid of anything alone, but bringing a family with him would be exposing a weakness to his enemies.
As for abandoning his wife and children in the end, Lin Jiang couldn’t do it. Relationships take time to develop.
·······
"The top master of the Chu Kingdom, Ancestor Peng?"
Shortly after the Zhang family banquet, there was internal unrest in the Chu Kingdom. While Lin Jiang was previously known as the number one Martial Saint in the world, now they were praising the top master of the Chu Kingdom, known as Ancestor Peng. The news conveniently pointed towards Lin Jiang, making it clear that someone was trying to use him to do the dirty work.
"Teacher, this Ancestor Peng is indeed the best in the Chu Kingdom, and he has been around for almost two hundred years. He also has a nickname, called Immortal Peng. It is said that he has become immortal and doesn’t age. Some people saw him two hundred years ago and he still looks young after two hundred years."
"There are many people in the Northern Land who claim to be immortals too."
"I haven’t been to the Northern Land, but the story of Ancestor Peng is true."
"Please tell me more."
"Yes, teacher, Ancestor Peng’s place is called Hidden Immortal Gorge, in the southernmost part of Chu Kingdom. He built his own city, obeyed the Chu Kingdom’s orders outwardly, but secretly did his own things. Hidden Immortal Gorge has been managed so well that no one can disturb it. Even when Chu Kingdom was at war with other countries, they tried to call him for help, but he always found excuses not to go. Dean Chu Tiange once visited Hidden Immortal Gorge, but he couldn’t defeat Ancestor Peng. Ancestor Peng is very famous in the Chu Kingdom. Before you came to Chu Kingdom, Ancestor Peng was the best there."
"What’s Ancestor Peng’s real name?"
"I don’t know. It’s been too long, no one remembers his real name. They only know him as Ancestor Peng or Immortal Peng."
"Haha, if there are immortals in the world, why don’t I go and find out for myself."
Lin Jiang laughed and thought he must be a cultivator. He decided to go and see whose disciple he was.
"Teacher, you can’t use others to do your dirty work."
"You all figured it out, can I, as your teacher, not see it?"
Lin Jiang smiled and thought that since his publications were widely spread around the world, Chu Kingdom would be the first to react. Thanks to the battle at Huangu Pass, the nobles of Chu Kingdom didn’t dare to confront Lin Jiang directly, so they stirred up trouble with Ancestor Peng.
They believed that among martial artists, there was always competition to be the best. Martial artists were passionate individuals, and upon hearing of someone stronger, they would seek to challenge them. Perhaps Ancestor Peng’s followers had similar thoughts, leading to a confrontation.
"Since the teacher is aware, why fall into the trap?"
"They thought it was a clever scheme, but I see them as mere jesters. Visiting Ancestor Peng isn’t falling into a trap, but rather sparking my interest."
"Um…"
Some disciples wondered if Lin Jiang was too prideful and dismissive of other Martial Saints.
Lin Jiang didn’t have such thoughts. He took his disciples out to explore the world, as staying home and only practicing martial arts was not enough.
Ancestor Peng’s Hidden Immortal Gorge is located at the southernmost tip of the Chu Kingdom, actually beyond Chu Kingdom’s control because a long stretch is covered in untouched forests where Chu Kingdom holds no power.
In this area, there are many tribal primitive people. Lin Jiang, with his Huaxia Language, already looks down on them, considering them barbarians and outsiders. Many newly appointed nobles without slaves often capture people here.
Xia Kingdom is too big, as well as Chu Kingdom. The current population cannot fill all the land, leaving vast areas sparsely populated. That’s why many people oppose Qin Kingdom’s expansion – conquering land without development plans seems pointless. They think it’s a trick by mid-level nobles seeking promotion through military achievements, at the expense of Qin Kingdom’s resources.
"This is the Hidden Immortal Gorge."
A month later, everyone stands on a hilltop. Zhang Baolin compares the map and confirms that the massive canyon stretching for miles ahead is indeed the Hidden Immortal Gorge.
Lin Jiang’s eyes glisten as he faintly sees signs of human presence within the canyon.
"This canyon is the perfect hiding place."
Lin Jiang praises, noting that this place, once untouched even by cultivators, impresses him with its terrain.
The group finds the entrance to the canyon and heads towards the center. Before long, they spot farmland and are swiftly surrounded by a group of soldiers.
"I am a messenger from the Chu Kingdom. Please come out, Peng family."
Zhang Baolin immediately showed the mark of the Chu Kingdom and said that to ensure a smooth journey, he took on a task. The apparent reason was to discuss tribute matters with the Peng family, as the Peng family was officially recognized as a subordinate of the Chu Kingdom.
Ancestor Peng lived in seclusion with not just one person but with many wives, children, and servants. In the entire valley, there were probably tens of thousands of people.
Lin Jiang and his group were taken to a building. Soon, someone came to see Zhang Baolin. Although the Peng family was deceiving behind the scenes, they still managed their façade well.
"No need to make it so complicated."
Lin Jiang, seeing Zhang Baolin still in a dispute with the Peng family’s people, became impatient and went straight into the Peng family’s inner courtyard.
