Chapter 176 - 175: Mutual Scheming
Soon, members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard put official documents in front of each major faction’s representative.
At this point,
all the faction representatives frowned, sensing something was off. When they saw the series of articles in the document about the reconstruction of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, their expressions changed.
After a moment of silence,
an Elder from the Lingxi Sword Sect put down the document on the table, cupped his fists and said, "Sixth Young Master, I can understand that we all need to contribute funds for rebuilding the Embroidered Uniform Guard. But as for these terms about unconditionally cooperating with their inspection rights and reclaiming control over trade routes, I don’t quite understand—what do these have to do with resisting the Demon Dao together?"
Mo Beiyan gave a slight smile and said, "It’s just a formality, everyone. Don’t worry. This stuff is just to show Canglan City. After all, without these powers, we can’t prove the Embroidered Uniform Guard can replace the Martial Arts Alliance, can we?"
"Well..."
A faction representative cupped his fists and said, "Sixth Young Master, it’s just that these articles may need some revisions. Powers over trade routes and inspection are too much for us. We can’t make decisions on our own. How about we return and discuss with our sect elders first?"
Mo Beiyan shook his head and said, "I’m afraid not. Gentlemen, you didn’t want the Martial Arts Alliance, and I agreed. It was you who proposed rebuilding the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Now you object to this and that. Are you deliberately making things difficult for me?"
"Sixth Young Master, don’t misunderstand..."
"This matter is open to discussion. We just think..."
"..."
The smile on Mo Beiyan’s face faded, and he slapped the table, speaking loudly: "Enough! Since you refuse to sign this declaration, the Martial Arts Conference ends here. I’ll head straight to the Beidou Sect Sub-Branch—you go ahead and establish your Martial Arts Alliance!"
With that,
Mo Beiyan swept his sleeves and left.
The faction representatives immediately panicked,
and everyone scrambled to their feet to block Mo Beiyan.
Mo Beiyan looked at the crowd of representatives and said coldly, "Either you sign, or you establish the Martial Arts Alliance yourselves. You choose. I don’t have time to waste with you all—I need to report back to Canglan City!"
Amidst a moment of silence,
each faction representative’s face turned ashen,
They realized they’d been had by this seemingly harmless Sixth Young Master.
His intent from the very beginning was to rebuild the Embroidered Uniform Guard and reclaim the series of powers they once wielded—inspection, trade routes, all of it. The so-called Martial Arts Alliance was nothing but a scare tactic,
But even knowing it now was useless,
since the words were already spoken,
This Sixth Young Master was clearly forcing them by authority. If they refused, it gave the Beidou Sect Sub-Branch every excuse to interfere in Pingyang Prefecture.
They couldn’t even confirm this young master’s influence with the Beidou Pingyang Sub-Branch—if it really came to establishing the Martial Arts Alliance, they’d be in deep trouble.
Crushing them with authority,
This Sixth Young Master’s plan from the very start was to use his position to pressure them,
In the martial world, everyone cares about face,
It was they who’d proposed rebuilding the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and now going back on their word was a slap to the face—for both the Sixth Young Master and for the Beidou Bang!
After some back-and-forth,
all the major factions’ representatives gloomily signed the joint declaration, each looking as if they’d swallowed black soot.
Once the declaration was signed,
the Martial Arts Conference was officially over,
Mo Beiyan even feigned hospitality, inviting everyone to stay in Pingyang City a few more days. But who had the mood? They all excused themselves and left.
In an instant,
the villa bustled with people leaving in droves.
Gu Zhan and Mo Beiyan stood side by side at a pavilion window, silently watching the major factions depart.
Mo Beiyan chuckled, "Don’t be fooled by those furious faces—it’s all for show. Deep down, they know what’s going on.
I’ve been in Pingyang Prefecture for years, and they’ve always tiptoed around me, worried I’d make a move. Honestly, my position is awkward—though I’m Canglan City’s Sixth Young Master, everyone knows I’m destined for nowhere, so none of them want to get too close.
But now, this joint declaration actually puts them at ease. From now on, my so-called ’Sixth Young Master’ status loses all its pressure with this paper—next time I try to use it, it won’t count for much. Even if the Beidou Pingyang Sub-Branch tries to support me, they’ll use this agreement as a reason to keep the Sub-Branch out of things—unless someone kills me, that is."
Gu Zhan smiled faintly and said, "So, outwardly they’re mad, but really they think they’ve made a good deal. After all, rebuilding the Embroidered Uniform Guard means nothing to their powers of supervision—it’s just a title. In the end, strength is what matters."
"Exactly," Mo Beiyan nodded. "They’ll never take the Embroidered Uniform Guard seriously. To be honest, if I didn’t believe you, Brother Gu, could cleave through the Pingyang Martial World with a single stroke, I wouldn’t think the Guard could stir up much either."
Gu Zhan said slowly, "The Yundong Celestial Sword Alliance dominates Yunzhou—tell me, is the power really in the Alliance, or in Qi Baiyu?"
Mo Beiyan thought for a moment and replied, "Qi Baiyu, of course. If he couldn’t defeat a Grandmaster, the Alliance would never have such a reputation."
"Canglan Daoist Martial World recognizes Beidou Bang as the overlord—or is it the Dragon King?" Gu Zhan pressed.
"Hmm..." Mo Beiyan pondered briefly and said, "Dragon King."
Gu Zhan nodded, "So it doesn’t matter whether the Embroidered Uniform Guard is strong—the key is that I’m strong enough!"
...
All across Pingyang City, delegations from the major factions were streaming out as they departed.
In the caravan of the Lingyang Gu Family,
Gu Rou slipped into Gu Shanyun’s carriage and, seeing her father as relaxed as ever, asked in surprise, "Dad, are you playing face-changing? You were just fuming a moment ago, now why are you all smiles?"
Gu Shanyun smiled and said, "It’s all the same. Just now, those folk from the various sects were all putting on an act for the Sixth Young Master’s sake."
"What do you mean?" Gu Rou asked, puzzled.
Gu Shanyun smiled, "Five years ago, Dragon King sent the Sixth Young Master to Pingyang Prefecture for one obvious reason—to make Pingyang his power base. But he’s been here for five years without making a move. That kept all the sects uneasy.
But now it’s fine. After five years of plotting, all he’s done is set up a useless Embroidered Uniform Guard. Everyone’s relieved!"
"But," Gu Rou asked dubiously, "what about the inspection powers..."
Gu Shanyun laughed, "The Astronomical Bureau still formally holds inspection power over the world, but is there any Astronomical Bureau in Yunxi Land? The Sixth Young Master’s right is just empty talk. Who in Pingyang Martial World takes the Embroidered Uniform Guard seriously?"
Gu Rou suddenly realized, "You’re all so devious—bullying the Sixth Young Master and Cousin Gu Zhan just because they’re young and naïve!"
Gu Shanyun paused, letting her cynical remark about scheming slide, and hurriedly asked, "You found out about Gu Zhan’s background?"
"He didn’t even bother to hide it—was easy to check," Gu Rou replied. "He’s from Linjiang City, his father is Gu Shanjiang, the eldest uncle who fled during the chaos years ago. Dad, Gu Zhan really is my cousin!"