https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-468-Tie-Kaicheng-This-is-One-Part-of-Our-Play/12536721/
Chapter 469: Ouyang Yunhe Returns Empty-Handed, Li Zhenzhen Arrives with Confidence
Chapter 469: Ouyang Yunhe Returns Empty-Handed, Li Zhenzhen Arrives with Confidence
The tendrils of Heaven's Venerate's influence had reached deep into the Central Plains, arousing the vigilance of the seven great sword sects. They tasked their direct disciples with dealing with Heaven's Venerate as a test of their capabilities.
To counter Heaven's Venerate, who had already struck fear into the hearts of the jianghu, the seven sword sects naturally had to form an alliance, at least among their younger generation.
And with any alliance, there must be a leader. In this case, the leader of the seven sects' alliance would be the most exceptional direct disciple among them.
Whoever became the leader of this alliance would undoubtedly attain immense fame within a short period. The power and benefits that came with it were also inevitable.
The young disciples of the seven sword sects had already met and even secretly tested each other's skills.
To say that they weren't interested in the position of the leader would be a lie, but after their mutual probing, they had a good idea of each other's capabilities.
Among the seven disciples, each had their unique skills, but when it came to cultivation and swordsmanship, the strongest were Ouyang Yunhe and Li Zhenzhen. However, when it came to life-and-death battles, the one they feared the most was Li Pingzi.
But Li Pingzi, traveling alone with his sword into the Central Plains, obviously couldn't become the leader of the seven sects' alliance.
So, the leader would either be Ouyang Yunhe or Li Zhenzhen. Not only were their martial arts skills comparable, but their contributions to their respective sects were also equal, and even the number of supporters they had was the same.
Therefore, what they had to compete for was naturally their contribution to the soon-to-be-formed alliance of the seven sword sects.
The Hongqi Escort Agency had branches in eighteen cities, boasting numerous warriors, extensive connections, and a dense network of informants. It was the perfect foundation for recruiting foot soldiers, as evidenced by Heaven's Venerate's interest in them. Naturally, they didn't escape the notice of Ouyang Yunhe and Li Zhenzhen.
And after witnessing Tie Kaicheng's swordsmanship, they were even more tempted.
With hundreds of warriors under his command and exceptional swordsmanship himself, Tie Kaicheng was the perfect "friend" for them, especially since he didn't belong to any of the top factions.
He wouldn't threaten their position as the leader of the seven sects' alliance, yet he could provide them with the strongest support!
Ouyang Yunhe made the first move.
Ouyang Yunhe had originally planned to win over Tie Kaicheng by sparing the lives of Wang Yiming and the other three, then invite him with the grand cause of "peace in the jianghu" and "avenging Tie Zhongqi." He intended to use the Hongqi Escort Agency as the vanguard to venture into the southern lands and deal with Heaven's Venerate.
However, things didn't go as planned, and he ended up only half-avenging Tie Zhongqi.
This was a bit embarrassing.
Ouyang Yunhe's intention had been to showcase his capabilities, but instead, he had made a blunder, which might cause Tie Kaicheng to doubt his abilities. If he were to invite Tie Kaicheng to join him now, the other party would likely refuse.
After all, with over two thousand people in the Hongqi Escort Agency, how could they possibly collaborate with someone who wasn't up to par?
So, Ouyang Yunhe quickly changed his strategy and casually chatted with Tie Kaicheng about various anecdotes from the jianghu, no longer mentioning Heaven's Venerate or Tie Zhongqi.
If Ouyang Yunhe didn't bring it up, Qin Duxiu and Tian Zailong naturally wouldn't either.
Qin Duxiu followed Ouyang Yunhe's lead, and as for Tian Zailong, being one of Heaven's Venerate's men, he certainly didn't want the Hongqi Escort Agency to collaborate with the seven sects' alliance and become their pawn in their campaign against Heaven's Venerate in the south.
Thus, at the end of their conversation, Ouyang Yunhe cupped his hands and said, "With Heaven's Venerate encroaching into the Central Plains, the seven great sword sects have decided to join forces to counter him. The Hongqi Escort Agency has suffered greatly at his hands, and I, Yunhe, deeply empathize with your plight."
Tie Kaicheng nodded, "Thank you."
"Heaven's Venerate's desire for the Hongqi Escort Agency is common knowledge. Our swordsmanship may not match that of the chief escort, Tie, but with Heaven's Venerate rampaging in the south with his many experts, even the chief escort's prowess may not be enough.
Tie Kaicheng did not immediately agree to Ouyang Yunhe's proposal, which was only natural and did not surprise Ouyang Yunhe in the slightest.
Although Tie Kaicheng had killed a few traitors and instigated the Xiahou family to go to war with Heaven's Venerate, he had not completely burned his bridges with them. As a result, Heaven's Venerate would not openly target the Hongqi Escort Agency, allowing them to continue their escort business in the Jiangnan region.
However, if the Hongqi Escort Agency were to form an alliance with the seven sword sects and head south, Heaven's Venerate would have a legitimate reason to target them.
While the Hongqi Escort Agency boasted a large number of warriors and their martial arts skills were not to be underestimated, their expertise mainly lay in dealing with common bandits. Compared to the enigmatic and rampant Heaven's Venerate, they fell short and were at a significant disadvantage.
Heaven's Venerate could easily send out a few experts, and aside from Tie Kaicheng and a few veteran branch leaders, the rest of the escorts would likely be no match for them.
As the head of the Hongqi Escort Agency, Tie Kaicheng bore the responsibility for the eighteen branches and the lives of over two thousand people!
"In that case, I won't disturb Head Escorter Tie's journey any further. Farewell." Ouyang Yunhe stood up and bowed.
"You're too kind. Please," Tie Kaicheng replied with a gesture of farewell.
...
Ouyang Yunhe had arrived with high spirits and a well-thought-out plan, but now he was leaving with a slight sense of helplessness and empty-handed.
As he watched Ouyang Yunhe and his companions depart, Rong Zhengjie finally approached Tie Kaicheng and said, "Head Escorter, the guest rooms are ready. One is an 'A' grade luxury room, and the other is a 'C' grade single room."
Naturally, the 'A' grade room was prepared for Tie Kaicheng, offering the best amenities, while the 'C' grade single room, although a private room, was only slightly better than the common bunk room. This was intended for Rong Zhengjie himself.
Tie Kaicheng blinked and instinctively glanced at Sun Xingyu, who blushed at that moment.
When he turned back, he saw a smile on Rong Zhengjie's face—a smile that only men would understand. With a nonchalant tone, Tie Kaicheng said, "If the inn can't provide any other rooms, you can sleep in the carriage tonight."
Rong Zhengjie: w(°o°)
w
Noticing Tie Kaicheng's tone, Rong Zhengjie, who had just been like a startled rabbit, scurried back as if he had been struck by a revelation.
"Thank you, Head Escorter..." Sun Xingyu said shyly, her voice soft and timid.
Before she could finish her sentence, a curvaceous woman with a captivating figure took long, graceful strides into the inn. Her movements were swift like the wind yet graceful like a blooming flower. In just a few steps, she reached Tie Kaicheng's table and sat down gracefully.
"Your lips are as red as if thousands have tasted their sweetness, yet you still pretend to be innocent?" the woman said with a smile. "Putting on an act, are you? I bet your skirt is already wet."
Sun Xingyu's face turned pale, and she raised her head sharply to see a woman in a water-green, waist-cinching long skirt. Her body exuded both a captivating allure and a valiant spirit. Her pair of willow leaf-shaped eyebrows framed a pair of fox-like eyes that held a sharp gaze, yet also carried a hint of allure.
She was truly a beauty that evoked both desire and a sense of dominance.
"Who are you?" Sun Xingyu asked.
"Li Zhenzhen," the woman replied.
Li Zhenzhen scanned Sun Xingyu up and down, a smirk playing at the corners of her mouth. "To be able to toy with a man so skillfully, you must have some charm indeed."
Sun Xingyu's eyes dimmed as she softly replied, "Sister is too kind. This is truly not my intention..."
"But do you think Tie Kaicheng is the same as those other men?" Li Zhenzhen interrupted Sun Xingyu, her eyebrows raised in amusement. "Those men aren't even worthy of carrying Tie Kaicheng's shoes!"
(End of Chapter)
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