...
Chen Fan wasn't the only one sleepless tonight.
The Alchemy Sect.
This sect wasn't located on a mountaintop but had built a small city on a plain. Only its members lived within. Next to it was a larger city for visiting merchants to stay.
In a house within the small city.
An old man, with a grim expression, picked up a Communication Talisman and issued orders continuously.
"Once the rainy season in Riversouth has ended, Shadow Hall must head to Rivernorth to carry out the highest-level assassination attempt on Chen Fan, at any cost. His subordinates are also to be included."
"Commerce Hall, heed the order. Pressure the Rivernorth Chamber of Commerce to reject any Extraordinary Treasures from the Fan Sect. I want the Fan Sect's harvests from the rainy season to rot away in their warehouse."
"Alchemy Hall, heed the order. Send messages to friendly forces. After the rainy season ends, if the Fan Sect attempts to set foot in Riversouth, they must be stopped at the borders."
"Publicity Hall, heed the order. Spread word that any force that befriends or trades with the Fan Sect will be a mortal enemy of the Alchemy Sect."
"Formation Hall, heed the order..."
After issuing over a dozen orders in succession.
The old man leaned back in his chair, a flash of satisfaction in his eyes as he lowered his gaze to the Eerie-hide map on the table and muttered to himself, "Going against me? Just a Rivernorth force that rose during the rainy season. Why side against our Alchemy Sect? I'll destroy you before you know what hit you."
He was going to make Chen Fan apologize and kowtow at the Alchemy Sect.
Then he would invite all the forces to witness as he executed Chen Fan on the spot.
Let everyone see what happens to those who have offended the Alchemy Sect!
...
Rivernorth City was a lively place tonight.
Many of the forces, having returned from Nameless Mountain, stayed in the city for the night, with a shared plan to go and scavenge in Ping City tomorrow. Each had received orders from on high.
Basically, it was all the same message.
Observe. Do not interfere.
The name "Alchemy Sect" still carried enough weight.
"Father."
Qi Feng, holding a Communication Talisman, said anxiously, "Are we really not going to intervene? Given the Fan Sect's strength, if we join the fray, we could definitely destroy the Alchemy Sect."
"The Fan Sect's strength?"
A hoarse voice came from the other end of the line. "What strength does the Fan Sect have? They are powerful on their own turf, sure. But outside their territory? They won't even be able to take a hair off the Alchemy Sect before the Alchemy Sect slit their throat from behind."
"Strength isn't just about how powerful a force is on their own turf."
"It's more about how far their reach extends."
"The Fan Sect is still too young. They are unable to extend their reach. Unless..."
"Unless what?"
"Unless Sect Leader Chen is decisive enough to send his Night Watcher to the Alchemy Sect for a suicide attack. In that case, our King of Medicine Valley would absolutely be willing to join the Fan Sect in opposing the Alchemy Sect. He has to make the first move; then we can help him. Otherwise, we'd just be taking the hit for the Fan Sect."
"Father."
Qi Feng took a deep breath, his expression serious. "I had a very pleasant conversation with Sect Leader Chen today. He definitely has that kind of decisiveness. If we announce our support for him now, instead of waiting until he acts, wouldn't the returns for us be even greater?"
"Didn't you also say we should befriend the Fan Sect?"
After a long silence, the weary, elderly voice sounded again.
"Qi Feng."
"You must remember, for a force to last long enough, it's not about seizing the maximum return, but about securing a certain return while minimizing risk. As long as the force lasts long enough, it will grow strong along the way."
"In short, remember,"
"If the Fan Sect doesn't act, we cannot show any support. Only when the Fan Sect dares to go all out and fight desperately will our Valley raise the banner in their support."
With that.
The line cut off.
Qi Feng sat silently by the window, speechless. He was born into a high status; the Alchemy Sect Young Master had never bullied him like this. He had only heard that the Alchemy Sect Young Master enjoyed bullying the weak, but he had never had any conception of it. Not until today had he understood it.
...
"Qi Yue."
In a Rivernorth City inn, Gongyang Yue leaned against Rivernorth Old Demon and whispered, "Can the Fan Sect withstand the Alchemy Sect's revenge?"
"Hard to tell."
He shook his head gently. "It's hard for the Alchemy Sect to breach the Fan Sect head-on, but I'm afraid they'll play dirty."
"Can you save him? He respects you so much. Among all those people, he has only called you 'Senior.'"
She liked anyone who respected Rivernorth Old Demon.
"I can."
Qi Yue, the blue-robed man, paused before nodding. "As long as he is willing to leave with me tomorrow to reestablish himself somewhere else, he can escape this calamity. But..."
"But what?"
"But he probably won't be willing. It's not easy to build a force; no one is willing to abandon it like that."
...
Time passed bit by bit.
Two shichen quickly went by.
It was the middle of the night.
Crippled Monkey and the others had all woken up and stood at the cave entrance, ready to depart.
Chen Fan jumped down from the Imperial Dragon-horse Carriage and turned his gaze upon Wang Kui. "You stay and guard the base alone. This Token grants near-full temporary authority over most of the buildings. Do not allow anyone to intrude. Kill anyone who violates Sect territory."
"The rest, follow me."
Without the slightest delay.
Zhou Mo and the others entered the Imperial Dragon-horse Carriage one by one. There was a vast space inside, equivalent to half the abyss pit. It was more than enough to accommodate them.