Hesitation Turns Into Determination

In a rural area several kilometers away from Zhaoze Long Empire.

Tang Chen, in a black cloak, entered a traditional inn. A plain inn that had rickety furniture and no decoration. Six chairs were arranged in a line, facing one desk that separated customers and the owner with a tiny door on the left side.

There were two customers, old and sluggish. Their attire was rugged and plain, with a bit of mud on the corner or their feet. They were eating a vegetable soup.

The inn owner was a middle-aged man like a common villager. He was wiping the desk when Tang Chen entered.

"I wish we could climb the stairs," said Tang Chen.

The middle-aged man immediately stopped wiping and said, "Well, come here if you'd like to see it."

With a simple nod, Tang Chen followed the man.

They entered one door behind the desk, only to meet with a messy kitchen. Afterward, the middle-aged man coughed a few times in front of one iron door like a vault. Soon, the door bent and melted, transforming into a spatial tunnel. Sparing no more time, Tang Chen immediately entered the spatial tunnel.

A narrow and stuffy room greeted his senses. The smell of an earthy and dusty room permeated the air.

The room was quiet.

In his vision, several pots lined up, circling the room on two wooden shelves. A crystal light adhered to the ceiling and barely illuminated the room.

The room had eight chairs. Three tables were arranged in 3-2-3 chairs. Four people in the same appearance – black cloak and mask – already occupied their respective seats.

At a glance, this place was like a small, spooky dining room.

"We will climb," said Tang Chen.

"We will climb," replied one man in a black robe. This man was the only one standing beside Tang Chen.

Sitting at the chair pointed by the man, Tang Chen quickly organized his thoughts. He was at the middle table, with only two chairs.

'Five people. This is more than usual. And I still have the expansion's troops as the debt. What should I sacrifice to make them accept another request?' Tang Chen analyzed the participants in a split second.

"We will commence the meeting." The man who greeted Tang Chen spoke out. He stretched his hand outward, and a long parchment appeared out of nowhere.

One member stood up, saying, "I come here to deliver the quarterly report. During this time, the expenditure lowered, and it went as expected. We currently maintain and stabilize the condition first."

The man nodded, and one small part of the parchment lit up.

Another member raised his hand, saying, "I have climbed and reached what I wish. Thus, the payment shall be delivered right after this meeting."

"No need, you shall go now," as the man replied, the wall behind the member trembled. Immediately after, the member lowered his head, then entered the wall.

This meeting had one purpose: to report on their respective business. Some reports received further clarification. Thus, it took a long time to finish.

Then it went until all members had spoken except Tang Chen.

"What's your report?" asked the man in a flat tone.

"This is not something I supposedly report, but I am sure this is a matter of importance." Tang Chen spoke in one breath.

The man only stood with no sign of responding.

"It's related to an event occurring in Rocky Mountain. There's one man whom everyone calls Young Master. Sect Masters even submit to him." Tang Chen continued.

Some members turned their heads with interest toward Tang Chen.

"So?" the man asked.

Tang Chen quickly searched for an appropriate reason that the man could receive.

'Wait, my master has explained this bit! If my memory serves right, there was a selection for a resting place of that young master. Heh! I can use this.'

Thinking like this, Tang Chen spoke out. "This Young Master causes a silent uproar in formidable sects, competing to be his resting place. His existence is unnoticed, but it's strange for people to suddenly lower themselves before him."

"Boy, do you know what kind of place Rocky Mountain is?" With a cold tone, the man interrupted.

"I am merely reporting," Tang Chen cupped his fists.

"I'll make it clear. Know your place, and don't poke the nest!" said the man as he slightly released a strong intent. It exploded in Tang Chen's direction like a slithering snake pursuing its prey, full of vicious intent.

"Ugh!" Covering his face with his arms, Tang Chen's eyes shrunk in disbelief. Although he tried to stand on the ground firmly, the shockwave successfully pushed his feet a few inches.

"Truthfully, your position is low. The same goes for your contribution. Don't drag us into the fire." The man would scoff. "If it's not for your real identity, you won't be here."

A solemn atmosphere struck the members. They gulped while quietly watching Tang Chen from the side.

"But we'll take a proper measure just in case." As the man spoke, he gradually retracted the intent.

"I have a good plan about it." Striking the iron while it's hot, Tang Chen's spirit didn't falter and he immediately proposed an idea.

"Oh?" The man lifted one eyebrow in amusement.

Full of confidence, Tang Chen unhurriedly said, "With many forces supporting him, he never reveals his power. And..."

-------

This world is called Moderate Gale World. Despite numerous forces that have been battling for ages, there is not a sole ruler.

The power is divided into four parts based on wind direction. The ruler of each territory is called the Four Winds. If they claim themselves as the second strongest, no one would dare to claim the first!

A few hours later after Tang Chen entered the secret meeting. On a large arena at a particular peak in the Rocky Mountain area, sixteen lined up, dressed in different colors of robes. They all had an old yet fierce visage, accentuated by hazy brilliance that enshrouded their body if one were to focus one's vision.

Their face was gloomy. No one spoke anything.

The sixteen figures in the line were representatives of the major forces with deep heritage. All of them had a branch within the Rocky Mountain, and in their respective place, they were the lord of the land, with no one dared to act haughtily before them.

At the other end, there were three figures on their respective flying swords in the sky. One of them was Su Shun!

Landing in front of the line of these several figures, Su Shun lowered her head. Her rage had gone, replaced by a reserved manner. Next to her were two older men with long white beards and wide sleeves.

"It's an honor to have one of the Four Winds." The several figures clasped their hands. "We greet Alliance Leader Huang."

Alliance Leader Huang was one of the two elders that came with Su Shun. His name was Huang Yue, one of the Four Winds that control Martial Alliance in the south!

"Explain what has happened at your successor peak." Huang Yue spoke. He had an ordinary appearance with an azure zither on his back, hiding the grand aura that could burst at any time.

"My successor tried to make up and fix the mistakes in the welcoming banquet. She did it in priv—"

"Get to the point." Huang Yue interrupted.

"Yes," Su Shun would grit her teeth, speaking with difficulty by the pressure of the present prominent figures. "However, this junior would ask seniors to go easy on me."

"Tang Chen—"

As Su Shun let this name out, the present figures emitted killing intent and hatred.

Boom!

The intents surged like an endless waterfall and blasted the surroundings, causing the arena to quake like thunder lashing out at everything.

"That name again!" One of the figures snorted.

"Did you not take care of it? Can you even be worthy of being Young Master's host?!" The other exuded a hostile aura.

Then one figure, an older woman in a white silk robe embroiled by an icy blue phoenix, came forward. With a calm demeanor, she cupped her fist, saying, "I think we should re-roll. Lest we will reduce Young Master's dissatisfaction."

"Phoenix Empress, elaborate." As Huang Yue said so, the others gradually retracted the killing intents to themselves and looked at the older woman.

Phoenix Empress was the leader of the Sacred Yin Sect. This sect was also known as a sect full of beauty so she had a feud with Su Shun.

Knowing that Su Shun became the Young Master's host was like pouring fuel to fire. Phoenix Empress didn't want this to happen! So this is a good chance to take her down.

"I'm honored, senior," said the old woman, Phoenix Empress, with a nod.

She turned to face the representatives. "I am worried if I can't explain it well here. How about visiting the peak directly? It will be more straightforward."

She smiled and then looked at Su Shun. "Sect Master Su won't mind if we come to your successor peak, will you? Just the front area."

The corner of Su Shun's mouth twitched as she forced herself to smile, giving an awkward approval.

'Old empress wants to put all the blame on my sect then snatch the opportunity to be Young Master's host. But I can't refute it easily. Especially after my sect has done two mistakes!' Su Shun could not come up with a better solution.

She looked at the other representatives, who also had their own plans.

'In the end, we can't run away from our mistakes. I can't guess what the old empress is up to, but visiting successor peak..' The wreck and messy scene with lavenders scattered on the ground flashed within Su Shun's memory.

["One person is identified as a mess?"]

However, this Young Master's words still rang in Su Shun's ears which caused her to hesitate to bash Tang Chen at that time. As a sect master, Su Shun's act shouldered the sect's name.

To even got enraged by a mere emperor of a considerably tiny empire...If the word spread that she's a bully, wouldn't she lose her face?

That's why she only inflicted severe poison on Tang Chen instead of finishing him off.

The lousy premonition that suddenly struck her sense was about to come true. With the representatives discussing this, she knew the Misty Flowery Palace was on the end of the rope.

'Either way, it's true that I let Tang Chen rides Young Master. Ancestor, forgive me for being inadequate. I promise I will uphold the sect's pride till the end of my breath!' An unwavering determination lit up inside her heart.

With the same bitter smile, Su Shun replied, "It's a good idea."