Path of the Sect Leader

Chapter 54: The Magpie’s Nest Usurped by Cuckoos

In mere months He Yu had changed beyond recognition, and the root of it was simple: strength.

After the battle with the Black River Lizard, he awakened the combat-oriented natal gift Ice-Spike Earth Thrust. Breakthrough to the fifth layer of Qi Condensation now glimmered just ahead. Even Kan Lin could offer only occasional pointers now; Zhang Shishi had nothing left to teach, let alone Qi Xiu.

Perhaps… bring Yu Denuo formally into the sect? Use a late-stage Qi Condensation veteran to curb the boy’s swelling pride?

The thought had barely formed when Zhan Yuan came sprinting back from the market, breathless.

“Artifact-Talisman Alliance is here. They want a shopfront; right now.”

Qi Xiu’s stomach dropped. “That fast?”

Si Wentai had slunk away only days ago. If the Alliance had nothing to do with that mangy tiger, he’d eat his own boots.

The board was flipping before the game had even properly begun.

“They went to Zhao Liangde first,” Zhan Yuan continued. “He already agreed. There’s no stopping it.”

Of course. Qi Xiu nearly laughed at his own stupidity. Zhao Liangde would sell his own mother for the right price. The moment someone waved heavier spirit stones, all of Qi Xiu’s careful bribery became a ladder for others to climb over his wall.

“I thought I was so clever,” he muttered, bitter as bile. “Retribution arrived before the ink dried.”

Zhan Yuan blinked, confused. “Isn’t this good? More shops, more traffic, the market prospers—”

“You don’t understand.” Qi Xiu cut him off, voice low. “South Chu itself keeps White Mountain rabble at arm’s length. Look at that Si Wentai; once the gate cracks, every stray cat and dog will try to squeeze through.”

Yet he couldn’t fight it. Zhao Liangde’s face had to be respected, and the Artifact-Talisman Alliance was a colossus. Refusal meant war he couldn’t win.

Days later Zhao Liangde sent another messenger: “Kindly yield the prime corner lot to the Alliance. They’ll build you a bigger place on the outer ring as compensation.”

Translation: Get out of the nest we’re taking.

Qi Xiu swallowed the insult and smiled.

A week after that, Shan-Du Sect and a dozen other White Mountain minor powers swarmed in; some bribed Zhao Liangde outright, some went through Chu Youmin’s back door, some curried favor with Wang Huan. One shop today, another tomorrow. Customers were still scarce, but construction dust rose like war banners. A grotesque, lopsided boom.

Qi Xiu’s final line in the sand: the ghost market and the inn remained Chu-Qin exclusive territory. He clung to that like a drowning man to driftwood.

“This cannot continue!” Zhang Shishi roared at the next sect meeting. “Black River is South Chu soil! If we let White Mountain flood in, we lose all value to South Chu City. One flick of their finger and we’re ash!”

Zhan Yuan rolled his eyes. “Chu Youmin is South Chu blood. He’s the one letting his White Mountain friends in. If anyone’s to blame, start there.”

The two locked horns again, voices climbing, insults flying. Qi Xiu’s head throbbed.

“Enough!” He slammed the table so hard the teacups jumped. “We are brothers under the same banner! Every quarrel feels like a knife in my gut; do you know that?”

He dismissed the meeting in disgust. Nothing would be solved while they clawed at each other’s throats.

Zhang Shishi was right about the big picture; Zhan Yuan was right about the scapegoat. With Chu Youmin as the shield, South Chu City’s anger would fall on him first. But Chu Youmin was unreliable, and the Golden Core ancestor Chu Duo had cursed the man to his face once already.

There was only one solution.

Qi Xiu rose the very next morning, went to Zhao Liangde again, and hitched a ride on the next Beast Taming cargo ship.

South Chu City, once more.

Chu Zhuangyuan had warned him: she was done babysitting Chu-Qin. No matter how her memory still heated his blood, he wouldn’t embarrass himself again.

He followed protocol; a lowly vassal sect leader requesting audience with the deacon in charge of eastern affairs.

The deacon who finally received him was a sour-faced Foundation Establishment cultivator.

“You lot certainly know how to stir trouble.”

Qi Xiu dropped straight to his knees; forehead kissed the floor.

“This junior deserves death. Black River is harsh country. Our mortals still shelter under Qi Yun’s roof, our trade depends on Beast Taming’s goodwill; we have no choice but to bend!”

He never once admitted the market had been his idea. Every sentence steered blame toward Wang Huan and Zhao Liangde; two powers South Chu could not easily pressure.

The deacon grumbled, cursed, threatened to throw him out; then finally sighed.

“Wait here.”

He returned with a stooped elder in plain robes.

“Chu Youguang,” the deacon announced. “From this day forward, overseer of Black River Market. Every brick laid, every stall opened, goes through him first. Let’s see who dares defy South Chu’s direct line!”

Qi Xiu’s smile froze.

He had begged for a shield and received an overlord.

Chu Youguang was Qi Condensation perfection; one foot in Foundation Establishment, the other in the grave. His face resembled a dried tangerine peel pulled too tight.

“You’ve made my life miserable, boy,” the old man spat the moment they left the hall. “Hmph!”

Qi Xiu spent the entire flight home bowing, flattering, and practically carrying the elder’s shoes in his teeth.

The old man landed in Black River Market like a thunderbolt.

Within an hour half the new White Mountain shops were being torn down by South Chu enforcers. Chu Youguang didn’t care whose cousin’s nephew owned what; he kicked doors off hinges and hurled signboards into the swamp.

Shan-Du Sect and the rest howled. They stormed Zhao Liangde demanding refunds, cornered Chu Youmin for explanations. Zhao Liangde himself flew over in a fury; only to be sent packing with a single line:

“Take it up with Ancestor Chu Duo.”

Chu Youmin simply vanished; too proud to be humiliated in public.

That night, in the sect leader’s chamber, Zhan Yuan leaned in with a wicked grin.

“They’re coughing up every stone and plot they took. I’d say old Chu Youguang just made some lifelong enemies.”

Qi Xiu actually laughed; short, sharp, and startled at himself.

“Who knew South Chu had such a stubborn bastard in the ranks?”

All the hatred now had a proper target. Let them curse Chu Youguang until their lungs gave out. Only the hidden old monsters atop White Mountain itself would dare beard a direct-line Chu in his den.

“From now on we keep our heads down,” Qi Xiu said, voice steady for the first time in weeks. “Run the ghost market and the inn with everything we’ve got. Nothing else.”

He paused, then added:

“And Yu Denuo; I’ve decided. His character is solid. He Yu is about to hit the fifth layer; Zhang Shishi can’t rein him in anymore, and Kan Lin is an outsider. Bring Yu Denuo into the sect. Let him guide He Yu, and let the ghost market be managed by one of our own. I’ll sleep easier.”

Zhan Yuan’s eyes lit like festival lanterns.

“Yes, Sect Leader!”

With Yu Denuo on his side, the scales inside Chu-Qin would finally balance.

For the first time since the market opened, Qi Xiu felt the ground firm beneath his feet.