Chronicles of Celestial Origins

"Fellow Taoist Tang, our sect..." Chen Jin opened his mouth and was about to speak, but Tang Ning waved her hand: "Master Chen, please allow me to finish."

"I understand what you are going to say. I have heard enough of these scenes. I really don't want to waste any more time today to push the blame. I understand Guizong's approach. Seeing that the Xuanmen in Beihai, Le'an, and Pingyuan counties have rebelled. , obtained enough benefits, but the sect has not made any progress in Beihai County."

"So you are ready to take action and want to blackmail the headquarters at this juncture and bargain."

"I know that you may have received hints from some major sects in Donglai County. To be honest, if it were me, sitting in your position, I might do the same thing."

"But from my standpoint, I must tell you truthfully that it is impossible for your lord to bargain on the payment of taxes."

"What is tax? It is the face of our sect and a symbol of our status in Qingzhou. Headmaster Chen, have you ever seen someone stretch out his face to be beaten by others?"

"Let's put it this way! Even if the Daxuanmen in Donglai County threaten to annex Beihai County, it is impossible for our sect to agree to reduce or reduce the tribute tax payable."

"Because once you do this, it will be equivalent to announcing to the outside world that our sect has lost control of Donglai County. Even if this so-called control is as brittle as a piece of cotton, we will still have to do our best to maintain it."

"Do you think the senior officials of our sect would be so stupid that they would just throw away this piece of underwear if you guys make a fuss?"

"If it were me, I would rather have you rebel against Beihai, Le'an, and Pingyuan, than I would give in on this matter, because it represents the face and influence of our sect."

"Rebels who are openly rebellious can send troops to defeat them, and then regain the lost territory. The prestige is still there. It is just a round of purges. Given time, the past prosperity can still be restored. And once this opening is opened, the tribute tax will be reduced or reduced. , any crisis in the future, all Xuanmen in Qingzhou will follow suit."

Chen Jin said: "Fellow Taoist Tang, please believe that our sect has no intention of rebellion. Our sect feels very ashamed about the tax payment. I kindly ask you, Taoist friend, to tell your ministry and give us some more time. We will collect the tax and pay it in full." To your lord."

Tang Ning shook her head: "Headmaster Chen, I am so honest and sincere, but you are still secretive. It seems that your lord really has no sincerity."

"In that case, fine! Let me make it clearer. Several resource jurisdictions of the Qianjia Sect and the String String Sect were attacked. It was us who did it. Now the String String Sect has paid the tribute tax. Master Chen, you won’t force us to use this method against Guizong before we take out the spirit stones!”

"I don't know if you have heard of it. A few days ago, at the invitation of Zhang Yi, the leader of the Jingyue Sect in this city, representatives of various Xuanmen sects in Donglai County met in this city. During the discussion, Fang Dasheng, the leader of the division's unit, Shu Yizheng reprimanded the leader of the Qianjia Sect and clearly warned the Qianjia Sect that if they fail to hand over the spirit stones within a month, they will report to the sect and deprive them of their Xuanmen status. "

"In a rebellious manner, use a thunder strike to completely erase the existence of Qianjia Sect."

"The Donglai County is as large as the Nuo County, but what does it matter if there is one less Qianjia Sect? These are the original words of our master Fang Dasheng."

"There is still about half a month left before the deadline set by Uncle Fang and the others. The String String Sect has already paid the tribute spirit stone very well and is very aware of current affairs. I don't know what is going on with the Qianjia Sect at the moment. This time I am When I come here with the death order, I must collect the royal tribute and taxes."

"Before I came today, I was full of confidence. The String Sect had abandoned the dark side and turned to the light. I thought that your sect would give me a clear answer quickly, but I didn't expect your sect's attitude..."

"Headmaster Chen, for the sake of our old friends, I will give you a piece of advice from the bottom of my heart."

"In half a month, half a month at most, I will bring my people, including the Xuanling Ship, to visit your sect. If we still return empty-handed, your sect will no longer have to worry about tribute taxes."

"I will report it to our headquarters team and request that the Xuanmen identity of your sect be abolished. At that time, you can legitimately form an alliance with the Qianjia Sect and fight against this sect together."

"That's it for now, I'll take my leave."

………

In Xuantang City, Qianjia Sect, in the meeting hall, everyone gathered together. Headmaster Meng Xian was sitting on the main seat with a lonely expression, like a defeated rooster.

"It's time for the leader to make a decision. This matter can't be delayed any longer. Is it possible to wait for others to come to the mountain gate before thinking about it?" An old man with white beard and hair on the left side below said.

As soon as he finished speaking, another middle-aged man with big ears answered: "The day before yesterday, I went to visit the Xingyue Sect. Their attitude was still ambiguous, and what they said was just superficial talk. It is impossible for us to trust the survival of the sect to them. body."

"If we bow our heads at this time, our sect's face will be lost, and we will even become the laughing stock of the entire Xuantang City. How can our sect gain a foothold?"

"Is face important, or is the survival of the sect more important? Do you expect Mirror Moon Sect and Xingyue Sect to help us resist Taixuan Sect? Even if they really have this intention, they will not take action now. They will definitely wait until Taixuan Sect takes action. Using this as an excuse to launch an attack can arouse the grief of other Xuanmen and help them unite with other Xuanmen, but it will undoubtedly be a disaster for us."

"Perhaps we can think of a compromise that can calm the matter while preserving the sect's face."

"Junior Brother Xu, what's the best plan?"

"We will hand over half first, and after a few months, after other sects have paid tribute and taxes, we will pay another half, and then we will say to the outside world that we are raising spiritual stones. This is the same as what we used to say to Taixuan Sect before, so it is okay It seems that Tai Xuanzong is unreasonable."

"What if Taixuanzong doesn't accept it?"

"I'll go talk to them."

"This is just a cover-up. If you really want to save the sect's face, I have a way."

"What do you mean, Senior Brother Wu?"

"As long as the leader is willing to shoulder all responsibilities and take the initiative to step down from the position of leader, there will be an explanation for all parties."

"Senior Brother Wu, you have gone too far."

"I said at the beginning that this matter should be done with caution. However, the headmaster insists on going his own way. Now that such an ugly situation has arisen, for the sake of the sect, shouldn't we take more responsibility? Please forgive me, Junior Brother Meng Xian , at this time, you should think more about how to help the sect, instead of thinking about how to let the sect help you regain your face. "

………

In a blink of an eye, half a month passed in the blink of an eye. Outside the Jingyuan Pavilion, Pingling Mountain, and the main hall, a Xuanling ship slowly rose into the sky, exited the formation, and galloped toward the southeast.

In the cabin, Tang Ning and Ma Long sat opposite each other.

"Senior Brother Tang, if that old boy Chen Jin is determined not to pay the tribute tax, what should we do?"

Tangning smiled and said, "What else can we do? We've already let the word out, so we can't beg them any more and slap ourselves in the face!"

"So, Senior Brother Tang really wants to propose to the alliance to cancel the Xuanye Sect's Xuanmen qualification?"

"If they are really that stubborn, I have no choice. My authority is only to make suggestions. As for how the alliance handles it, it is not up to me."

"These places are powerful. The more you give them a good look and persuade them, the more arrogant they become. Instead, they think you are weak and incompetent. You should show them how powerful you are."

The Xuanling boat passed through the clouds and fog, and after traveling for more than half a day, it arrived at Taichu Mountain. A light flashed on it, and a talisman was handed in.

After waiting for more than a quarter of an hour, a figure flashed out of the inner room. The two chatted for a few words, and the Xuanling Ship slowly sailed into the inner room.

In the meeting hall, a burly man sat on the throne. He was Huang Yang, the master of the Yuanyi Hall of the Xuanye Sect. The two of them entered from the outside, bowed and took their seats.

"Unfortunately, our two fellow Taoists, the headmaster of our sect, are out of town for business, so I can only entertain them."

"No matter who from your sect comes forward, we only care about taxing spiritual stones. Let's be honest! Fellow Daoist Huang, are you ready for the spiritual stones?"

"Our sect has been busy day and night, but fortunately, we have lived up to expectations and finally collected the taxes and contributions that should be paid. I took two fellow Taoists to go and count them."

"good."

The three of them left the hall and came to a towering mountain. In a spacious and bright hall, Huang Yang pointed to the ten huge stone boxes in front of him and said: "Two fellow Taoists, one hundred thousand high-grade spiritual stones are here. Please send someone." Check it out!”

Tang Ning glanced at him, and the disciples behind him stepped forward to open the stone boxes one by one and inspect them. After working for about an hour, a disciple came up to him and saluted, "Uncle, we have already checked them. Each stone box is worth ten thousand yuan." Top grade spiritual stone.”

"Load the ship!"

"yes."

Tang Ning ordered everyone to load the stone boxes onto the Xuanling ship one by one, then turned to Huang Yang and said, "Thank you for your cooperation and support, your lord. These days, I have been very busy with tax collection. I am also helpless. I have been given a death order from above. , so I spoke a little harshly in desperation. Please apologize to Master Chen on my behalf. Next time I will make a special trip to visit your sect and apologize to Master Chen in person. "

"Fellow Taoist Tang, don't mind. Senior Brother Chen is a man of magnanimity and doesn't pay attention to trivial matters at all. This time, he did go out on important matters and was not at the mountain gate. It's not that he is blaming fellow Taoist for hiding away. Before leaving, he also asked me to take good care of myself. Don’t be slow to entertain two Taoist friends.”

"Headmaster Chen has a mind as big as the sea. I admire you. This matter is over. I won't bother you anymore and take my leave."

"Then I won't give it away."

The Xuanling Ship carried ten boxes of spiritual stones and slowly rose into the sky, leaving Xuanye Sect and speeding towards the southeast.