Chapter 309: Assessing the Situation (Part )

"It's within our expectation to win over the Tang Sect, but I wonder what the master of Longxiang Mountain and Tianshan Jade Dragon Palace has in mind?" After pondering for a moment, Murong Bai was the first to speak and break the silence.

"Longxiang Mountain is actually a 'feint to the east and attack in the west' strategy." Luo Tianjin explained, "On the second day of August, I had already turned the spearhead of the Hexi Qin family from Shaolin to Longxiang Mountain, so the real purpose of sending people to Dali was to settle this matter. First, to help Shaolin share the worries and make Abbot Xuanming owe us a favor. Second, to give an explanation to the Hexi Qin family and use this to bring us closer to the Qin family. Third, to continue what Liu Xunyi did before, hunt down Si Wudao and Xu Ren, and thoroughly dig out the secrets hidden behind the Pan family's affairs. Longxiang Mountain has repeatedly made things difficult for the Pan family, in the final analysis, to deal with us. Since Longxiang Mountain regards me as a thorn in their eyes and a thorn in their flesh, I don't need to be polite to them anymore."

Everyone was shocked when they heard this. Deng Quan hesitated and said, "What the Palace Master meant... is he going to attack Longxiang Mountain?"

"I have to take action, but not now." Luo Tianjin pondered, "I always have a feeling that Longxiang Mountain is far from being as simple as I imagined. Right now, it seems that someone is secretly brewing a huge conspiracy, intending to give us a fatal blow when we are unexpected. But the most disturbing thing is that I am obviously worried in my heart, but I still can't figure out where this 'worry' comes from?"

"So the Palace Master doesn't want to be led by the nose anymore, but wants to take the initiative." Murong Bai suddenly realized.

"That's right!" Luo Tianjin said seriously, "Right now, we are openly competing with Jinjianwu, and all the other hidden dangers hidden in the dark may stab us in the back at any time, so we have to be on guard."

Liu Xunyi thought about it and said, "Some time ago, the Palace Master sent me to Jueqing Valley to find out the truth. This was probably his intention."

"Yes." Luo Tianjin replied without denying it, "But from today on, you no longer need to interfere in the affairs of Jueqing Valley. This palace master will handle it personally."

"This……"

Luo Tianjin's sudden change of attitude confused everyone. Only Liu Xunyi seemed to have guessed something, so he didn't say anything more.

"Among the four great families in the martial arts world, the master of the mansion has plans for the Tang Clan and the Qin Clan. I wonder what plans he has for the Teng Clan in western Hunan and the Lu Clan in southern Jiangnan?" Deng Quan asked curiously. "If we can win over all the four great families, and add the strong support of the Shaolin, Wudang, Kunlun, and Kongtong sects, even if Jin Fuyu gets the vassalage of the Emei and Qingcheng sects, the result will be a drop in the bucket and will not help."

"No matter how good Jin Fuyu's plan is, he is still one step behind the Palace Master. Haha..." Lin Fang laughed unscrupulously.

"Lu Tingxiang has always had a grudge against Jin Fuyu because of the 'Wind-Turning Picture'. Now, the Jiangnan Lu Mansion and Jinjianwu are not on good terms with each other." Luo Tianjin said quietly, "Although Lu Tingxiang is young, he is good at the doctrine of the mean and knows how to weigh the pros and cons. In this respect, he is much better than the previous two heads of the Lu family. Today, among the leaders of the six major sects and the four major families, Lu Tingxiang is the youngest, has the least experience, the weakest foundation, and the thinnest foundation. Therefore, his way of survival is not to compete with each other, but to compromise. Over the years, he has had a close relationship with the four major families, and he has also been courteous to the six major sects, not offending either side and being a good person on both sides. To put it bluntly, this kind of person is a fence-sitter, but in fact he is leaving a way out for himself."

Huang Yulang nodded thoughtfully and said, "In the final analysis, Lu Tingxiang knows that he is powerless to fight, so he sits on the mountain and watches the fight. As for who he is close to, it depends on next year's martial arts conference. Who will be better between us and Jinjianwu?"

"The strong will never lack supporters, only the weak will gain sympathy." Luo Tianjin chuckled, "Even if we try our best to win over Lu Tingxiang today, if he changes in the future, the first one to jump out and bite us back will definitely be him. Therefore, the strategy for Jiangnan Lu Mansion is not to approach him, but to wait for him to approach us actively. Jin Fuyu also sees this clearly. Therefore, during this period of time, Jin Fuyu has frequent contacts with Qingcheng and Emei, but he is not very interested in Jiangnan Lu Mansion. This is the deep meaning."

Luo Tianjin's words were full of emotion and reason, and his analysis was logical and logical, and he soon won the unanimous approval of everyone.

After a moment, Di Mo's voice suppressed the noise of the crowd and said, "Since the Lu Mansion in Jiangnan has a countermeasure, what should we do about the Teng Clan in Xiangxi?"

Hearing this, Luo Tianjin, who looked confident, suddenly froze for some reason, and then said perfunctorily and impatiently: "Let me think about this matter and discuss it later."

Judging from his tone and expression, he seemed unwilling to dwell on the issue of the Teng people in western Hunan. Everyone present was smart, so no one wanted to offend Luo Tianjin at this critical moment.

"If the Mongols and Longxiang Mountain hadn't come here together to cause a big commotion a few days ago, I would have almost overlooked something important." Seeing the strange looks on everyone's faces, Luo Tianjin hurriedly changed the subject and said, "Next year's martial arts conference will not only be attended by famous and upright sects, but also by pagan sects."

"Could it be that the Palace Master suspects that Yan Wuji wants to use Longxiang Mountain to...interfere in the Central Plains martial arts world?" Deng Quan exclaimed.

"Isn't this a rare opportunity?" Luo Tianjin asked. "Before, Yan Wuji used both hard and soft tactics to win over the various factions in the Central Plains to submit to the Mongolian court, but he ended up returning empty-handed and ending in disappointment. Now, the martial arts conference is about to be held. As long as I can win the title of martial arts leader, I can unify the various factions in the Central Plains. If I were Yan Wuji, I would never miss this great opportunity."

"Thinking about it carefully, what the Palace Master said is indeed very possible." Murong Bai pondered, "Yan Wuji is a Mongolian, so he naturally cannot participate, but Longxiang Mountain is a sect in the Central Plains. It is said that its Saint Master has unparalleled martial arts and is unfathomable. If we can ask him to come out and help, there is indeed a chance that he can compete with the Palace Master."

Murong Bai's words were like a blow to the head, and everyone's heart instantly sank to the bottom. "The martial arts conference is really getting more and more lively." Huang Yulang sneered, "This matter is also becoming more and more interesting."

Liu Xunyi asked thoughtfully, "The Palace Master saw through the tricks of the Mongols and Longxiang Mountain, and thus thought of the Tianshan Jade Dragon Palace... Perhaps he also wants to become the master?"

"Don't forget that Yulong Palace Director Wuya's lifelong wish is to rule the Central Plains and unify the martial arts world." Luo Tianjin snorted and laughed, "Such a godsend opportunity, how could he ignore it?"

Luo Hongxuan's eyes were filled with worry, and he said sadly, "I thought that next year's martial arts conference would only be a competition between Dad and Jin Fuyu, but now the Holy Lord of Longxiang Mountain and the Lord of Yulong Palace have appeared. If this continues, I wonder how many obstacles will arise in the future? If the four major heretical sects all want to compete for the mastership, how should we deal with it?"

"I will take care of the matter of Jueqing Valley. You don't have to worry." Luo Tianjin said in a complicated tone, "As for Peach Blossom Sword Island, it caused chaos in the martial arts world in the early years and has become a public enemy. They have also sworn to never set foot in the Middle Earth. Even if they want to restore the monarchy, I'm afraid they won't be able to stir up any waves with just Peach Blossom Sword Island."

Hearing this, Liu Xunyi's heart sank immediately. He suddenly recalled that in the past, in the suburbs of Lin'an, Ding Qinghong, a disciple of Peach Blossom Sword Island, had hunted down Luo Ningyu and Lin Fangda. What worried him most was that the mastermind behind Ding Qinghong was actually Xifu.

What Luo Tianjin said was right. It was indeed difficult for Peach Blossom Sword Island to stir up any waves with just its own strength. However, if it could get secret support from the West Palace, the result would naturally be different.

However, these were just a fleeting thought in Liu Xunyi's mind. Moreover, Liu Xunyi must not reveal too much information about the East and West Prefectures in front of Luo Tianjin, so as not to arouse unnecessary suspicion.

I thought that the martial arts conference would put an end to the chaotic situation of warlords fighting for power. But unexpectedly, the current situation has become more and more confusing.

In this melee, even a big shot like Luo Tianjin has to be cautious and move forward step by step, let alone a small and weak character like Liu Xunyi?
Liu Xunyi had been in the Jianghu for more than a year, and he thought that through his own efforts, he was getting closer and closer to completing the mission of the court. But today, he suddenly realized that he was still far away from his real goal. How far is he?

"Since the Palace Master suspects that Ren Wuya has the ambition to become the new Lord, why should we send people to the Jade Dragon Palace in Tianshan?"

Huang Yulang's voice sounded quietly, breaking the silence in the hall and interrupting Liu Xunyi's confused thoughts.

"Ren Wuya is an old fox who can endure his temper. He was able to remain in the Tianshan Mountains in the Western Regions for decades without making any move, which shows that he is very cautious, far beyond the imagination of ordinary people." Luo Tianjin said, "Although he has great ambitions, he is not impatient for success, and will not make mistakes because of his eagerness for quick success. On the contrary, he will seize the opportunity and take steady steps. He has applied the principle of slow progress to perfection with pure passion. Therefore, when dealing with such people, we must be doubly careful. We must use them, but also guard against them."

"What the Palace Master means is... although Ren Wuya wants to use the opportunity of the martial arts conference to take control of the Central Plains, he may not be aiming for the throne of the martial arts leader?" Liu Xunyi speculated thoughtfully.

Luo Tianjin smiled in a secretive manner and said, "According to the rules, the martial arts conference is held every three years. Ren Wuya has been waiting for this opportunity for decades, so what's the harm in waiting for another three years? He can divide his strategy into two steps. Fighting for the leader of the martial arts world is the second step. As for the first step..."

"First, extend the influence of the Jade Dragon Palace to the Central Plains." Liu Xunyi suddenly realized and quickly replied, "Ren Wuya's real intention is to take this opportunity to let the Jade Dragon Palace gain a foothold in the Central Plains."

"Prepare yourselves for battle and make steady progress." Murong Bai nodded solemnly, "Right now, the Jade Dragon Palace is regarded as a heresy in the martial arts world, and it is difficult for it to enter the Central Plains legitimately. If Ren Wuya seizes the opportunity to clear his name, then he will have a chance to win the next martial arts conference and finally realize his long-cherished wish of unifying the martial arts world."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone present changed their expressions, filled with horror and astonishment, unable to speak for a long time.

Seeing this, Luo Tianjin's expression suddenly changed, and a cold smile quietly appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"We know that Ren Wuya has ill intentions, but we have to get close to him now, because if we don't move, others will start to get restless." Luo Tianjin held up Xie Xuan's secret letter and said with a smile, "It seems like we are inviting a wolf into the house, but in fact, we are inviting a wolf to fight a tiger. Ren Wuya is undoubtedly a vicious wolf. Now Jin Fuyu and I want to treat each other as another tiger fighting the wolf. We can watch the fight between the tiger and the wolf and both suffer losses, while we can sit on the sidelines and reap all the benefits. This is the first head-on confrontation between the Xianwang Mansion and Jinjianwu. It is a matter of life and death, and we must not take it lightly!"

……

(End of this chapter)