Chapter 469 – Someone Is Not Convinced

Elder Brother Si of the Weapon Forging Sect chuckled and said: “The Big Dipper Sect is indeed an extremely unfamiliar sect, but don’t be anxious. Second Brother has always been steady and meticulous in handling matters—how could there possibly be any mistake? Perhaps he’s taken a liking to that fine young man and wants to recruit him as a son-in-law to marry into the family.”

Everyone burst into laughter upon hearing this. “That would be wonderful. Little Yu is clearly a grown-up now—she should have gotten married long ago and focused on managing Spring Rebirth Valley properly.”

Valley Master Nie gave a bitter smile and said: “I’d be more than happy, and Little Yu is a thousand times willing as well. But Young Hero Ren seems to keep a certain distance—he never brings up the matter himself. In fact, if it weren’t for the situation with the Incense-Spreading Sect, he would’ve left long ago.”

“Then why are you still sticking to someone’s cold butt? Why agree to let him enter the Incense-Spreading Sect?” Asked Third Brother Zuo, even more puzzled.

Elder Brother Si, however, spoke with deeper meaning: “Siqing, why don’t you let your Second Brother explain the situation himself? Who knows, maybe there’s something he needs from the lad and has no choice but to go along with it.”

Valley Master Nie seemed to have long anticipated this conversation. He didn’t rush to explain but instead calmly took out a porcelain vial from his robes and casually handed it to Elder Brother Si, saying: “Big Brother, take a look at this Blood-Replenishing Pill.”

“Blood-Replenishing Pill??” Elder Brother Si was clearly surprised. He glanced back at a short man whose eyes gleamed with shrewdness, then took the porcelain bottle.

Removing the cap, Elder Brother Si poured out a reddish-brown pill. He examined it closely from all angles and laughed. “Isn’t this just the usual Blood-Replenishing Pill produced by Spring Rebirth Valley? It’s just a size smaller. Don’t tell me Spring Rebirth Valley is planning to cut corners?”

Valley Master Nie smiled and replied: “Big Brother jests. With a thousand-year reputation behind Spring Rebirth Valley, how could I dare to be careless?”

The youngest among them, Old Sixth Ying, walked over, took the pill from Elder Brother Si’s hand, scrutinized it for a moment, and then popped it into his mouth before closing his eyes to savor the effects.

After a while, he opened his eyes in astonishment and said: “Second Brother Nie, you really know how to hide good stuff! I’ve always suffered from weak qi and blood, and I’ve taken quite a few of your Valley’s Blood-Replenishing Pills, but none of them worked as well as this one! How could you keep such a fine item hidden away? Why didn’t you share it with us earlier?”

As he spoke, he reached out to snatch the porcelain vial from Elder Brother Si’s hand.

But Valley Master Nie was quick. With a sharp movement, he seized the vial back and tucked it into his robe, smiling as he said, “What you’ve got is a deficiency of essence and blood. You’d be better off reading less of that Jade Maiden Heart Sutra—it’d be more effective than swallowing Blood-Replenishing Pills.”

Old Sixth Ying gave a lewd chuckle. “Aren’t I just taking joy while I’m still young? Once I’m your age, it’ll be all heart and no strength anyway!”

Elder Brother Si ignored Elder Ying’s banter. Fixing his gaze on Valley Master Nie, he asked seriously: “Second Brother, what exactly is going on here?”

Seeing the curious stares from the other brothers of the Yuli Alliance, Valley Master Nie recounted the entire matter from beginning to end. Of course, he was careful to follow Zhang Xiaohua’s instructions, applying some creative brushwork—he described Zhang Xiaohua’s teaching of internal energy cultivation methods to Spring Rebirth Valley as merely his reading through their ancient texts and rediscovering a long-lost pill refining technique.

“What!?” Everyone was shocked. Zuo Siqing said, “Don’t tell me this Ren Xiaoyao is heaven-sent to be Spring Rebirth Valley’s ideal son-in-law? Your Little Yu reads those same old texts every day and never found anything, and this lad, after just a few days, manages to uncover a lost technique? Hey, Big Brother Yakong, and you too, Younger Brother Fuhu, Younger Brother Zhenxuan, Younger Brother Zhezhu—shouldn’t you all let this Ren fellow spend a little time at your Fuhu Horse Farm, Weapon Forging Sect, or Zhuying Horse Farm? Who knows, maybe he’ll help you find some long-lost cultivation arts too!”

Si Yakeng smiled and said, “I’ve already had that thought. It’s just my Weapon Forging Sect doesn’t have a clever and charming girl like your Little Yu who can tie that young man’s heart down.”

Valley Master Nie could only give a wry smile. “It’s all luck, just luck. Brothers, don’t read too much into it. Spring Rebirth Valley might’ve gained a lost method, but who benefits first if not our Yuli Alliance? Right—Old Sixth Ying, once the Sui Gold Pill is successfully refined, I’ll personally deliver a vial to you. I guarantee it’ll stir your heart and steady your will—unyielding as steel!”

“Really?” Ying Zhezhu’s eyes welled up with emotion. He stepped forward and grasped Valley Master Nie’s hands tightly. “Brother, you’re family!”

Then he asked: “Second Brother, I bet you used quite a few of those pills back in the day, eh?”

“Get lost.” Valley Master Nie gave him a firm shove.

Si Yakong mused thoughtfully, “Second Brother, from the way you’re talking, it sounds like you even let him refine pills inside your valley?”

“Sigh, that’s right, Big Brother,” Valley Master Nie said with rising emotion. “You wouldn’t believe it—this young man is truly remarkable. Or perhaps it’s that his Big Dipper Sect is extraordinary. He doesn’t seem to be someone who specializes in alchemy, yet he has an astounding talent for it. Take note, Big Brother—talent. When he first started refining, I could tell he wasn’t even used to handling the cauldron. That pill you just saw—he refined it.”

“What!?” The crowd was once again shocked. Ying Zhezhu was even more incredulous. “That Blood-Replenishing Pill just now seemed far more effective than the ones I’ve had before. And the pills you’ve always given me were personally refined by your own hand. Don’t tell me…”

Everyone understood. Indeed, with such a genius-level alchemist, that would be a dream come true for Spring Rebirth Valley. What’s more, this person had rendered Spring Rebirth Valley a great service—and if the Valley wished to bring him in as a son-in-law, surely any condition could be agreed to.

“But the most important thing…” Valley Master Nie continued, “After observing him for the past few months, I’ve seen clearly—this lad is exceptionally shrewd. He’s not one of those hot-blooded chivalrous types who throw caution to the wind. He’s the sort who knows how to protect himself. So…”

“So, you’re sending him into the Incense-Spreading Sect for tempering—if he happens to catch their attention, he might even become a disciple of the sect. And then you’ll marry Little Yu to him?”

“Hahaha! Second Brother Nie really knows how to play his cards!”

Valley Master Nie was speechless. He’d gathered these Yuli Alliance brothers specifically to explain the situation regarding Zhang Xiaohua’s entry into the Incense-Spreading Sect—after all, if anything went wrong and the sect came down hard, the entire alliance could end up implicated. Yet before he’d even spoken, these brothers had already twisted his intentions into something else.

Originally, Valley Master Nie had wanted to clarify matters. But when he saw how they reacted, a thought stirred in his heart: since even his own sworn brothers believed this, then surely so would the people of the martial world—and even the Incense-Spreading Sect itself. Why bother making unnecessary explanations?

Even if Zhang Xiaohua’s true intentions were made known, Spring Rebirth Valley still couldn’t simply wash its hands of the matter. Rather than that, it was better to keep everyone in the dark. If any misstep occurred in the future, as long as he appeared utterly unaware, the Incense-Spreading Sect might not necessarily hold them accountable.

And if he kept all this hidden, how would Zhang Xiaohua express his gratitude?

The bright smile of his daughter suddenly flashed across Valley Master Nie’s mind.

After the group had chatted for some time, Elder Brother Si Yakeng of the Artifact Forging Sect asked: “Second Brother, has there been any movement from the Soaring Dragon Sword Manor?”

Valley Master Nie turned to glance at a quiet, unremarkable middle-aged man who hadn’t spoken for a long while and said, “The Soaring Dragon Mountain Range is quite close to Soaring Dragon Sword Manor, so I left that matter in Fifth Brother’s hands. After all, if people from Spring Rebirth Valley suddenly showed up there, it would be quite conspicuous and easily draw their attention.”

Ma Fuhu of the Fuhu Horse Farm replied calmly: “Ever since Second Brother explained the matter to me, I’ve kept a close watch on Soaring Dragon Sword Manor’s activity. On the surface, everything appears the same as usual. But after a more careful analysis, there are indeed some subtle differences. Their Second Young Master has been going out more frequently lately, and always heading north. He departs in great haste, taking along many carriages, yet when he returns, it’s always just personnel, with no carriages in tow.”

“Have you been able to find out where they’ve been going?” Elder Brother Si asked.

Ma Fuhu shook his head and said: “Second Brother warned me to proceed cautiously. Without concrete evidence that they pose a threat to the Yuli Alliance, we must not act rashly. So I didn’t send anyone to investigate their route along the way.”

“Big Brother, our last opponent had immense power—Spring Rebirth Valley nearly suffered greatly. Even Soaring Dragon Sword Manor was involved, so it’s likely we’re not dealing with any ordinary faction. If it’s nothing urgent, we’d best remain on guard.”

“Mhm, that’s all we can do for now,” Elder Brother Si nodded. “If they don’t make a move, and we can’t pinpoint their whereabouts, there’s not much we can do either.”

Then he added: “Fifth Brother, you’ll need to keep a close eye on Soaring Dragon Sword Manor. Don’t miss anything important.”

Ma Fuhu nodded in acknowledgment.

Si Yakong then turned to Zhenxuan and asked: “I heard that Lu Meng challenged Ren Xiaoyao to a test of strength back when they were at Spring Rebirth Valley?”

Zhenxuan was caught off guard for a moment, then smiled. “Yes? Even Big Brother heard about that? Lu Meng’s always been the kind who refuses to accept anyone else’s superiority—he even constantly competes with his own senior brother. But after returning from Spring Rebirth Valley, he’s been endlessly praising Ren Xiaoyao. Not only did he say the man’s martial arts are superb, but even his strength ranks among the very best in the entire jianghu. And then there’s his chivalrous heart and broad-minded nature—he practically described Ren Xiaoyao as a peerless man under heaven.”

Si Yakong sneered. “Of course. If Ren Xiaoyao gritted his teeth and pressed harder, wouldn’t Lu Meng have no choice but to hand over your sect’s artifact forging techniques on a silver platter?”

Zhenxuan offered a sheepish smile. “Big Brother, how can you say that? Isn’t Nephew Ren the future son-in-law of Huichun Valley? He’s no outsider. Besides, I already put Lu Meng under house confinement for several days. Even his senior brother wanted to come this time, but I stopped him. I didn’t want them embarrassing us any further!”

Si Yakeng burst out laughing. “Why would I meddle in your Artifact Forging Sect’s affairs? It’s just that when my own disciple heard your men had lost face, he felt indignant and now wants to challenge Ren Xiaoyao to a contest of strength himself!”

“What!?” Everyone present was shocked. Their eyes all turned in unison toward the short man standing behind Si Yakeng.

Valley Master Nie gave a bitter smile. He’d completely forgotten about this matter. He had overlooked the fact that people like Xu Zhuang and Lu Meng from the Artifact Forging Sect, and Tong Ba from the Weapon Forging Sect, were all men of exceptional physical strength and in the prime of life, their qi and blood vigorous. How could they possibly resist the urge to seek out someone stronger than themselves for a contest?

Especially Tong Ba of the Weapon Forging Sect—he had always been considered the strongest man in the Yuli Alliance. Even Lu Meng was no match for him. And now, with someone appearing in Spring Rebirth Valley who was said to surpass Lu Meng in strength, how could Tong Ba possibly sit still?

Valley Master Nie had focused so much on Zhang Xiaohua’s talent in alchemy that he had completely neglected his strength and martial prowess.