All of us are one

Chapter 87 Heroes Remain, Beauties Grow Old

Going to war with the Four Rivers Gang?

The hall masters listened to the conversation between the two with varying expressions.

As the first line of defense against the Great River Alliance in Jiangnan, the Four Rivers Gang is quite powerful, with two top experts, more than twenty first-class experts at the fourth level of the Condensing Qi Realm, and allies such as the Green Flag Society and the Chaos Sect.

If the three major forces join forces, the battle will at least be a stalemate, and the Great River Alliance may even be at a disadvantage.

Of course, the Great River Alliance is not without allies. They can ask Luhu Water Village or Qingfeng Temple for help, but the latter is quite far from the Great River Basin, so they can only send some top-notch experts to participate in the battle.

"War is out of the question," Jiang Zhi denied. "Our Great River Alliance and the Four Rivers Gang have been at peace for over twenty years. Unless we are absolutely certain of victory, I think none of you would want to start a war again."

"Since we're not going to war, what explanation does Hall Master Jiang want?" Hall Master Leng pressed.

"Pressuring the Four Rivers Gang to force them to relinquish some profits, such as reducing or exempting the commercial taxes of our Great River Alliance fleet," Jiang Zhi said calmly. "More than one of the hall masters do business with the Four Rivers Gang, so I imagine they would be happy to see the fleet's commercial taxes reduced or exempted."

"How can you be so sure that the Sihe Gang will accept our conditions? Aren't you afraid that the Sihe Gang will start a war?" Hall Master Leng asked again.

Jiang Yanming could clearly sense the hidden meaning in Leng Tangzhu's words when he overheard their conversation; it seemed as if they were specifically targeting Jiang Zhi.

"You all don't want war, and neither does the Four Rivers Gang. Even if we wanted to, our strength wouldn't allow it," Jiang Zhi said firmly.

"I think what Hall Master Jiang said makes a lot of sense. This method is worth a try," Song Yang, Hall Master of Huoyun Hall, agreed.

Huoyuntang is located near Sihe Gang and is the branch that does the most business with Sihe Gang. The tax reduction is a great benefit to Huoyuntang, which naturally tempts him.

"I have no objection. At worst, we can go to war with the Sihe Gang." Bai Sha Hall Master Yu Hailin said coldly.

Dozens of his disciples died in the Four Rivers Gang's territory due to the assassination attempt by Blood Rain, so he deserves some revenge.

Blood Rain can mobilize three top experts to assassinate him, so he's a tough opponent. He's also a hidden assassin organization, so he's not a good target for revenge. Therefore, the only option is to choose the Four Rivers Gang, with whom they have a long-standing feud.

No objections.

"agree."

None of the hall masters voiced any objection. If they succeeded in pressuring the Four Rivers Gang, they could also send a fleet to get a share of the spoils.

"Since everyone agrees, it's settled then." Jiang Zhi nodded slightly, then looked at everyone and said, "The young alliance leader will not stay in Shenwu Kingdom for long. After breaking through to the Qi and Blood Condensation Realm, he will return to the Four Kingdoms Alliance."

The hall masters remained silent upon hearing this, all agreeing that it was the best choice.

If Blood Rain can assassinate once, it's not impossible that it won't do it a second time. At that time, no one knows how many experts Blood Rain will send. It was a wise move for the young leader to leave Shenwu Kingdom. After returning, it would be best to persuade the leader to return to Shenwu Kingdom.

"Young Alliance Leader is returning to the Four Kingdoms Alliance. He may encounter danger on the way. I wonder which Hall Master is willing to escort him?" Jiang Zhi said, his gaze falling on Hall Master Leng, who was dressed in a magnificent red robe.

All the hall masters looked at Hall Master Leng without prior arrangement, and Jiang Yanming was no exception.

Undoubtedly, everyone here knows some gossip and believes that Master Leng will volunteer to go to the Four Kingdoms Alliance to meet the leader.

To everyone's surprise, Hall Master Leng did not respond. Instead, he sat there calmly, but his fair fingers gripped the armrest of the chair with unconscious force, even making a slight sound. Clearly, he was not at peace.

The council chamber was silent; no one spoke.

"It seems everyone is too busy to get away," Jiang Zhi suddenly said, offering a rather flimsy reason.

Then, Jiang Zhi looked at Jiang Yanming and said, "I can't leave the main hall, but I will send Deputy Hall Master Ling Heng, Helmsman Leng Tong, and Wang Chen to escort the young alliance leader back to the Four Kingdoms Alliance."

"Thank you for your trouble, Hall Master Jiang." Jiang Yanming nodded slightly, feeling puzzled by Hall Master Leng's choice.

If Master Leng truly loves my father, why wouldn't he take this excellent opportunity to visit the Four Kingdoms Alliance?

"I have finished making my proposal. If any of you have any suggestions, please feel free to speak," Jiang Zhi said.

The hall masters remained silent. Each branch hall was used to being independent and managing its own territory. Why would they discuss their own affairs in a place like the council hall?

Jiang Zhi waited for a moment, and seeing that no one had spoken, he stood up and announced, "Since no one has spoken, this meeting is now officially adjourned."

The hall masters stood up and bowed to Jiang Yanming.

Seeing this, Jiang Yanming naturally stood up to return the greeting.

Afterwards, all the hall masters left the council hall, leaving only Jiang Yanming and Jiang Zhi standing in front of their chairs watching the departing figures of the hall masters.

"Are you curious why Hall Master Leng is unwilling to escort you back to the Four Kingdoms Alliance?" Jiang Zhi suddenly asked.

"I am somewhat curious," Jiang Yanming nodded.

"If nothing unexpected happens, Hall Master Leng should have already met Leng Tong," Jiang Zhi said calmly.

"What is the relationship between Leng Tong and Hall Master Leng?" Jiang Yanming asked.

"Leng Tong is Leng Tangzhu's nephew," Jiang Zhi replied.

"And then?" Jiang Yanming asked.

"There's only one possibility that Hall Master Leng is unwilling to protect you back to the Four Kingdoms Alliance," Jiang Zhi sighed softly. "The hero remains, but the beauty has grown old."

Jiang Yanming remained silent upon hearing this; the meaning of his words was not difficult to understand.

Senior Liang lived for over two hundred years, yet his appearance remained that of a man in his sixties or seventies, with a rosy complexion like that of an ordinary person.

Jiang Yi, the father, is above the average top expert in the Ling family. He is an invincible existence at the same level as Senior Liang. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, his lifespan of three hundred years is not a problem. And what about the top experts at the peak of the fourth level of the Condensation Realm?

If Jiang Yanming remembered correctly, the top experts in the fourth stage of the Condensing Qi realm, as long as they do not break through to become the ultimate masters, have a lifespan that is only slightly longer than that of ordinary people, living to be around eighty or ninety years old, with a small number living to be over a hundred.

The head of the Leng Hall was mature and beautiful, and looked to be only in her thirties, but Jiang Yanming was certain that she was at least forty years old, and possibly even fifty.

The hero remains, but the beauty has aged.

Clearly, Master Leng learned from his nephew Leng Tong that his father, Jiang Yi, still looked young, while she, despite her excellent maintenance, could not hide the fact that her beauty was fading.

"I've already tried to help her; it was her own choice." Jiang Zhi seemed to have fulfilled a wish, and headed towards the council hall door. "Let's go see your aunt and cousin."

As Jiang Yanming watched Jiang Zhi's retreating figure, he had a feeling that the other man was hiding something from him, or perhaps he had wronged him or his father in some way.

Jiang Zhi took a few steps, but not hearing Jiang Yanming's footsteps, he stopped, turned around, and called out, "A-Ming?"

"We're here." Jiang Yanming followed after hearing this.

"After you've met your aunt and cousin, I'll take you to see the Xuan Shui Visualization Method of our Great River Alliance," Jiang Zhi advised. "Understanding the profound meaning of the visualization method is not easy; it can't be done in a day or two, so don't rush it."

"Oh," Jiang Yanming replied softly, and then left the council hall.