No longer caring about restraint, Wu Xingyun glared at Li Daoqiang with murderous intent.
Facing the Heavenly Mountain Child Elder, who seemed ready to kill, Li Daoqiang still wore a gentle smile, as if completely unbothered.
He patiently began, "Elder Child, don't be impatient. Let me, the Chief, explain slowly."
Before Wu Xingyun could speak, he continued, "Strictly speaking, this Seven Treasure Ring isn't mine—it belongs to my wife. Her name is Wang Yuyan, the granddaughter of Senior Wu Yazi. Senior Wu Yazi has passed all his martial arts to Yuyan and appointed her as the third leader of the Carefree Sect."
Wu Xingyun's face shifted through several expressions, looking somewhat dazed and lost.
"So Wu Yazi is dead after all..."
She murmured softly, momentarily struck as if by a heavy blow, lost in thought.
Li Daoqiang wasn't in a hurry; he waited patiently.
After a dozen breaths, Wu Xingyun snapped back to reality, her face skeptical. "Chief Li isn't lying to me?"
"I never lie, and there's no need to deceive you," Li Daoqiang said calmly.
Wu Xingyun naturally didn't believe the first part, but at the last sentence, her proud heart felt a bit reluctant yet had to concede. Given Li Daoqiang's strength and the current situation, it indeed seemed unnecessary for him to lie to her.
She spoke gravely, "Then may I ask, Chief, who are the mother and grandmother of your wife, Wang Yuyan, as Wu Yazi's granddaughter?"
"Yuyan's mother is Li Qingluo, and her grandmother is Li Qiushui," Li Daoqiang revealed without concealment.
Seeing Wu Xingyun's face darken further, he added, "Yuyan, my mother-in-law, and her grandmother haven't seen each other for years, nor have they seen Senior Wu Yazi. It was only by chance that they reconnected, and then Senior Wu Yazi passed his martial arts and the position of Carefree Sect leader to Yuyan."
Wu Xingyun raised an eyebrow, lost in thought, as if something had occurred to her, her expression softening slightly.
But her wariness returned to its peak. She asked solemnly, "Then may I ask why Chief Li has come to see me?"
"My purpose here is simple. Now that the Carefree Sect's leader is my wife, it's time for the sect to reunite. I've come to bring Elder Child back into the Carefree Sect," Li Daoqiang said lightly, almost casually.
Wu Xingyun's face turned grim.
Ding Chunqiu and Duan Yanqing couldn't help but glance at Li Daoqiang, fully grasping his intent.
Ding Chunqiu's expression soured. If the Heavenly Mountain Child Elder joined the Black Dragon Stronghold, how could he fare well? But he dared not speak up, silently praying that his proud senior master would refuse, preferably to the death, and be struck down by Li Daoqiang.
No one paid attention to Ding Chunqiu's thoughts. Wu Xingyun's anger churned within her. Li Daoqiang's words were polite, but the real meaning was clear: he wanted to annex the Spirit Vulture Palace. In all her years, this was the first time she'd faced such coercion. Yes, coercion—backed by a supreme expert and the Carefree Sect leader. Given her current state, she found it hard to vent her fury.
Li Daoqiang watched Wu Xingyun stew in silence. He had to admit, seeing her delicate, childlike face fuming was rather endearing.
As for annexing the Spirit Vulture Palace, or even Wu Xingyun herself, his confidence grew. The reasons were simple, based on two things he'd just observed: first, Wu Xingyun's deep attachment to the Carefree Sect; second, as long as he didn't touch her sore spots, she could still bow her head. With these two points, proper handling would suffice.
"I've always been part of the Carefree Sect and never left, so where does 'return' come from?" Wu Xingyun suppressed her anger, speaking seriously.
"Elder Child is right; I misspoke." Li Daoqiang nodded, readily admitting his error.
He paused, then shifted the topic with a smile. "Perfect timing, then. Yuyan now wants to unite all the Carefree Sect's forces and elevate it. As an elder of the Carefree Sect, Elder Child surely wouldn't oppose that, would you?"
"You—"
Wu Xingyun couldn't hold back, glaring at Li Daoqiang.
Li Daoqiang didn't mind, smiling back as he enjoyed the adorable, gritted-teeth expression.
Wu Xingyun restrained herself repeatedly. After a few seconds, she let out a long breath and said flatly, "Enough, I won't waste words with Chief Li. What exactly do you want? Speak plainly."
"Elder Child is straightforward, and I've always been the same. Very well, I'll be direct."
Li Daoqiang's expression turned serious, his tone stern.
Wu Xingyun grew more solemn in response.
"Elder Child, the Carefree Sect under Yuyan has already joined my Black Dragon Stronghold. Yuyan is my wife, so what's hers is mine. The Carefree Sect is a powerful school that can greatly strengthen my stronghold. Now that I know you and the Spirit Vulture Palace exist outside the sect, of course I won't let that opportunity slip. So, Elder Child, do you understand?"
Li Daoqiang looked at Wu Xingyun openly, without any pretense. He was ambitious, wanting the Carefree Sect to join the Black Dragon Stronghold. He had the intent and the strength to back it.
Ding Chunqiu and Duan Yanqing felt an overwhelming, domineering pressure that forced them to lower their heads instinctively.
Wu Xingyun was momentarily stunned, staring straight at Li Daoqiang. Strangely, her anger subsided. With his supreme strength and status as the Carefree Sect leader, he had every right to do this. The thought flashed through her mind as she sank into contemplation.
Li Daoqiang could see that Wu Xingyun's resistance had softened. He remained patient, waiting. He also felt more assured about his earlier decision to have Wang Yuyan accept Wu Yazi's legacy and become the Carefree Sect leader. Sufficient strength combined with legitimacy was the only way to make someone as stubborn, proud, and unafraid of death as Wu Xingyun yield. Neither could be lacking.
After dozens of breaths, Wu Xingyun looked up at Li Daoqiang and spoke with utmost gravity, "If what Chief Li says is true, then the Carefree Sect leader's orders, along with your strength, mean I must comply."
A frank statement. Li Daoqiang smiled, gesturing for her to continue.
"But, Chief Li, you must agree to a few conditions," Wu Xingyun said firmly.
"Elder Child, please speak." Li Daoqiang wasn't surprised; it would be strange if she had no conditions.
"First, no matter what, the Carefree Sect must always exist and develop freely—you must not suppress it. Within the Black Dragon Stronghold, it must maintain independence, obeying only the leader and you, with no one else commanding them." Wu Xingyun's tone was forceful, though inwardly she felt a bit helpless. Since the Carefree Sect had already joined the stronghold, this was her only option. Otherwise, she would never let it fully integrate.
Li Daoqiang pondered for a moment. "The Carefree Sect can retain some independence within the stronghold. You can rest assured on that, Elder Child. With Yuyan and you here, protecting the sect's interests is simple. However, as part of my stronghold, it must follow our rules and cooperate with our development."
He wasn't opposed to this. As a great man once said, factions within a party are inevitable. In any organization, cliques form. The Black Dragon Stronghold had long seen small groups emerge. A major group like the Carefree Sect having some privileges was fine—it was only natural given its strength. That was the stronghold's foundation: power rules. And he could keep it in check.
Wu Xingyun nodded and continued, "Second, my Spirit Vulture Palace must still exist. I won't stay in the Black Dragon Stronghold permanently."
Li Daoqiang's mind stirred. She wanted the Spirit Vulture Palace to retain some independence, almost like a semi-autonomous branch. After a few seconds of silence, he said in a slightly heavier tone, "Agreed. But the Spirit Vulture Palace must publicly declare its allegiance to my stronghold, acting as a branch in the Heavenly Mountains. To some extent, it must also follow my stronghold's rules."
Hearing his agreement, Wu Xingyun felt a slight sinking in her heart. His tone suggested he wouldn't yield further.
She nodded slightly in acceptance. Then, her childlike face twisted with ferocity as she spat out, "Third, and last: after I lead the Spirit Vulture Palace into the stronghold, expel Li Qiushui from the Carefree Sect and never let her return."
Li Daoqiang chuckled inwardly. Her obsession ran deep. Frowning slightly, he shook his head. "Elder Child, regardless, Li Qiushui is Yuyan's grandmother. I can't disregard that."
"No. It's her or me—one of us must go."
Wu Xingyun insisted stubbornly. Then, as if struck by a thought, she laughed twice and reminded him, "Chief Li, Li Qiushui is now the Imperial Consort of Western Xia. I can join the Black Dragon Stronghold; she never will."
Li Daoqiang understood she was hinting at her greater value to him compared to Li Qiushui.
"Elder Child, expelling Li Qiushui from the Carefree Sect is impossible, and Yuyan wouldn't do it. But I can promise you this: if you and Li Qiushui clash, the Black Dragon Stronghold will never side with her. Nor will I let you come to harm," Li Daoqiang declared firmly.
Wu Xingyun frowned, somewhat dissatisfied, but realized this was likely his limit. And with him ensuring her safety while not aiding Li Qiushui, it meant she could kill Li Qiushui, but not the reverse. That thought eased her mind and even brought a hint of satisfaction.
"Fine. Chief, don't forget what you've promised."
Wu Xingyun said solemnly.
"Naturally." Li Daoqiang replied openly.
Wu Xingyun paused, as if adjusting her mindset. After a few seconds, she gave a slight bow. "Wu Xingyun greets the Chief."
"Haha, excellent! With Elder Child joining my stronghold, it's like a tiger gaining wings." Li Daoqiang laughed heartily, not stinting on praise.
Nearby, Ding Chunqiu kept his head low, his face dark. That damned senior master had joined the Black Dragon Stronghold so easily. Beside him, Duan Yanqing felt equally heavy-hearted. The stronghold's power was growing, and Li Daoqiang was becoming harder to deal with.
(Chapter 2. I'll be free tomorrow and resume updates. I just checked and saw the average subscription hit 600—not easy. I'll add extra chapters after resuming.)