Chương 72: The Layout of the Martial World

Carrying a massive fortune, Grandee Song slept exceptionally well. It wasn't until the sun was high in the sky that he reluctantly crawled out of bed. He took his sweet time savoring breakfast and only under Zhong Hong's continuous urging did he finally head toward the Sea of Clouds Pavilion.

"Brother Hong, the auction doesn't start until nearly noon. What are you in such a hurry for?" Song Que complained helplessly as he walked.

"You dawdled until now and still think it's not enough? If we arrive a bit early, we might get to recognize some big shots! We have nothing else to do anyway!" Hearing Brother Hong's words, Grandee Song curled his lip:"You might recognize them, but they certainly won't recognize you! What's the point of being so eager?"

"Hmph! Even if that doesn't work out, we can conveniently take a tour of the Sea of Clouds Pavilion's treasures! You looked at them yesterday, but I still haven't seen them yet!"

"Well, it's just the same stuff, nothing different." Song Que didn't bother explaining that he hadn't even looked at the first-floor goods yesterday. He just grumbled a few words. Since Brother Hong liked strolling around so much, he decided to just let him be. It didn't take long for the two to arrive at the Sea of Clouds Pavilion. Compared to yesterday, today's scene could only be described as a bustling festival!

As an event heavily promoted by the Sea of Clouds Pavilion and held only twice a year, almost all the prominent figures in the city were present. Even if they weren't buying anything, just showing their faces and soaking in the lively atmosphere was worth it. Since it was still early and the auction hadn't started, the two men happily browsed the display items on the first and second floors. A Commandery Capital truly is a Commandery Capital! The spending power of the local tyrants here was high.

The quality of the items was vastly superior to those in Qinghe County. Naturally, the listed prices were also terrifyingly high. Walking beside him, Zhong Hong secretly gasped in shock.

"Young Master Song, Young Master Zhong, welcome!" As soon as Song Que entered, someone had reported to Yun Shan, who now approached the two with a smile.

"Chief Manager Yun."...

"Chief Manager Yun." Since Yun Xi wanted to play the long game and form good karma with him first, Old Yun harbored no ill will and greeted them enthusiastically:"Have you two found anything that catches your eye?"

"Everything is good, it's just that the prices are too high; we can't afford them." Brother Hong looked enviously at the shelves and smacked his lips in reply, causing Song Que, standing beside him, to feel embarrassed. Brother Hong, we are also wealthy local tyrants now, okay?! Even if we weren't, you have to put on a bit of a front! Who comes to attend an auction and immediately complains about being broke?! Zhong Hong had just spoken without thinking.

As soon as the words left his mouth, he felt embarrassed and awkwardly scratched the back of his head.

"Haha, Young Master Zhong is truly straightforward! If you see something suitable, Young Master Song, don't hesitate to buy it! For anything under 10, 000 taels, our Yun Family is willing to advance the funds for you. You can slowly pay us back later." Yun Shan didn't mind and very politely offered them a way to save face. Since he wanted to bind the other party with favors, how could he not invest some real capital?

Moreover, having investigated Song Que, he knew perfectly well that the other party owned a manor in the West City district. The property value there wasn't low; he wasn't worried about not being able to recover the 10, 000 taels. Although he might not need it, having the other party's guarantee boosted Song Que's confidence for the auction significantly. He knew the other party was trying to buy his favor, but he was still quite pleased and nodded gratefully:"Thank you, Chief Manager Yun, and Pavilion Master Yun."

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. This kid, aside from being a bit arrogant and stubborn, is actually quite polite and understands proper etiquette. Old Yun secretly praised. Today, he had come of his own accord and hadn't been assigned any specific tasks. Therefore, he generously took on the role of guide, enthusiastically introducing the various items to Song Que and Zhong Hong. After touring everything, the time was just about right.

The three men headed up to the third floor together to sit and wait for the auction to begin. Today, a seat here was truly hard to come by! Anyone with strength and wealth had long since used their connections to secure an entry ticket. Outside, there was no shortage of people scrambling, trying to find a way to wedge themselves into this upper-class circle. Thanks to Old Yun's care, Song Que was actually privileged enough to get a private VIP box! Inside, fruits and tea were already laid out.

The men quickly took their seats. Old Yun then began pointing out people everywhere and introducing them.

"Look over there, Young Master Song—that middle-aged couple. Those two are the famous 'Flying as a Pair', He Daotiao and Jin Laofei, of the Frightened Swan Sword Sect! Sect Master He's White Sun Frightened Swan Sword technique is extremely renowned throughout the entire Yangnan Circuit!"

"The man in black sitting in the middle of that box over there is the Gang Master of the Money Gang, 'Mad Demon Cudgel' Gu He."

"The Frightened Swan Sword Sect, the Money Gang, and the Lingjiang Gang are the three major factions of Lingjiang Commandery! Add in the Lingjiang Gang Master, 'Universe in a Sleeve' Du Ruhui, and those three First-Tier experts can be considered the three great titans of Lingjiang Commandery!"

"Within the Commandery's territory, over 70% of all businesses have the involvement of these figures! Their influence is truly extraordinary. Especially the Lingjiang Gang. Currently, with Du Ruhui—the number one expert in Lingjiang—their growth speed is incredibly fierce, pressing the other two factions so hard they can barely breathe."

"Chief Manager Yun, with the gangs being so powerful, don't the city guards and officials intervene?" Hearing that three gangs secretly controlled 70% of businesses, Song Que was secretly shocked and couldn't help but ask out of curiosity.

"Hehe, intervene? What can they possibly use to intervene?! Aside from Governor Yang Siyue, who has the strength to arm-wrestle with those three? The rest of the officials are just useless meat sacks! Furthermore, behind the Lingjiang Gang stands a colossal monster: the Nine Rivers Alliance! The government wouldn't dare interfere." The sheer volume of information! This trip to Lingjiang Commandery is truly a massive harvest! Even just this information alone made him feel the trip was worth it.

"The Nine Rivers Alliance? What is this Nine Rivers Alliance? Could the Chief Manager please enlighten me?" Regarding Song Que's questions, these were all common knowledge. Old Yun had nothing to hide and poured out everything he knew. It turned out the Nine Rivers Alliance was an alliance of martial arts sects and gangs. It only admitted factions that controlled river basins. Over time, it formed a massive interest group. It involved hundreds of factions, and its layout was incredibly vast.

They controlled almost all water transport and dock businesses across the entire southern region of the Great Yan Dynasty! The current Alliance Leader was the Sect Master of the Heavenly River Sword Sect, Zhao Xingchen. His cultivation was unfathomable, having stepped into the realm of Grandmaster long ago! He was a top-tier expert in the entire Great Yan martial world!

Below him were two Vice Alliance Leaders: 'Nine-Headed Saber' Ma Zhenxiong, the Chieftain of the Nine Dragons Stronghold, and 'Earth-Splitting Palm' Yu Renjie, the Sect Leader of the Guangcheng Sect. Both were top-tier Ninth-Grade martial artists, with a very high chance of glimpsing the profound mysteries of the Grandmaster realm! Furthermore, there was their Honorary Guest Elder, the Abbot of Lingying Temple, Grandmaster Zhi Kong!

It could be said that in terms of top-tier experts, if the Nine Rivers Alliance went head-to-head with the Southern Suppression Army, they wouldn't necessarily be at a disadvantage! Of course, they weren't crazy enough to rebel against the imperial court, but it just went to show how terrifying the Nine Rivers Alliance's strength was. With such a massive tree to lean on, the Lingjiang Gang's rapid development was self-evident.

If the other two gangs didn't unite soon, they would likely be swallowed and absorbed before long. Gaining knowledge! Truly, 'travel a day's journey, learn a basket of wisdom'!

"Senior Yun, doesn't the imperial court try to find ways to restrict them?"

"Hah! Do you think First-Tier experts are like cabbages you can find anywhere? Do you think you can just have as many as you want?" Yun Shan rolled his eyes at him:"Besides, everyone knows what the nature of those officials is like! They struggle to climb the ranks, and once they do, they start indulging in pleasure! How many of them still focus on practicing martial arts? Because of this, outside of the military, the number of experts in the government will forever pale in comparison to martial arts sects."

"Actually, officials everywhere are the same. Their reliance is on the official hats on their heads! Our reliance is on our own personal strength! This fundamental difference determines our divergent paths and achievements in the future." Saying that, he leaned close to Song Que's ear and whispered:"Actually, there's also a rumor. I don't know if this information is accurate, so just listen to it, but don't go spreading it around."

Seeing his mysterious demeanor, Song Que and Zhong Hong hurriedly nodded and leaned in to listen.

"Do you know which faction is the largest in the entire Southern Region?"

"Isn't it the Southern Suppression Army?" The two asked curiously.

"Hehe, I guessed you wouldn't know. In this region, there is only one true overlord: the Taiyi Family!"

"The Taiyi Family?"

"Yes! Surprised? Rumor has it that this family's lineage dates back to ancient times, and they have prospered for generations without decline! The reason is that their inheritance has never been broken! The family continuously produces Grandmaster-level experts, and even Land Immortal Great Grandmasters! Even the Great Yan Imperial Family is extremely wary of them! Terrifying, isn't it?" Great Grandmaster? That was too far away to even imagine.

But to make the imperial court wary and remain un-annihilated for so many years... that truly was terrifying! To possess power that makes a nation wary... Song Que was deeply shaken. Seeing the two young men unable to snap out of their shock, Old Yun smiled and continued:"It is said that the imperial court wanted to prop up a martial world faction to counterbalance the Taiyi Family, which is why the Nine Rivers Alliance exists!

This is exactly why the imperial court hasn't managed them in the past, and won't waste energy managing them now."

"As long as they don't seek death by aligning themselves with the Taiyi Family, they can continue to survive here."