Super Divine Daoist Skill-Chapter 72 Planning (Vote for Recommendation)

"Isn’t this a case of killing a thousand enemies but losing eight hundred of our own? Why would the Ancient Rhymes Pavilion do this?"

Qin Shaoping was stunned, asking curiously.

"How would I know?"

Tong Zhan replied helplessly.

Bai Ziyue watched the caravan gradually moving away, silently not speaking.

Compared to Tong Zhan, he actually knew more.

As early as three years ago, he had accidentally overheard his master and Liu Yang, the Guardian, talk about this Ancient Rhymes Pavilion being a property of the Li Family, which was almost wiped out before.

In his view, the Li Family opening the Ancient Rhymes Pavilion in Qinghe Town was not for business but for revenge.

So engaging fiercely with the Ghost Head Stronghold was naturally to be expected.

Perhaps in the eyes of others, today’s Ancient Rhymes Pavilion is powerful for the moment, even the Ghost Head Stronghold has to step back.

But Bai Ziyue estimated that such a result was not what the Li Family intended. Even though there seemed to be peace between the two for now, there were undercurrents brewing, ready to erupt into violent conflict at any time.

"Let’s go, let’s return early to report back.

The harvest this time is enough for us to enjoy for a while."

After speaking, Tong Zhan headed towards Qinghe Town.

The two naturally had no plans to stay.

Soon, the gate of Qinghe Town was in sight.

At the gate, they encountered the caravan again, even the officers and soldiers were fairly polite to them. The gate, which was originally opened only a side door, was fully opened to allow them to pass through.

Bai Ziyue and the others queued behind the caravan, just in time to overhear two itinerant merchants.

"This Ancient Rhymes Pavilion sure is powerful now, even the Ghost Head Stronghold doesn’t dare provoke them."

"You don’t know this? The Ancient Rhymes Pavilion is just a small pawnshop, what’s so powerful about it? The real power lies with the Li Family Chamber of Commerce in Wujiang County.

This Ancient Rhymes Pavilion is one of the Li Family Chamber of Commerce’s properties."

"I do know about the Li Family Chamber of Commerce. Although their scale isn’t large, it’s said they are connected to a powerful family in the County City, so they developed rapidly.

However, what I don’t understand is why the Li Family Chamber of Commerce pays so much attention to the Ancient Rhymes Pavilion? Look at these guards, even the premier chamber of commerce in the town, Jingxi Commerce Association, can’t compare."

The two, though itinerant merchants, traveled extensively and had seen much, naturally noticing the peculiarity of the Ancient Rhymes Pavilion’s convoy.

"This traces back to the massacre in Qinghe Town three years ago. It’s said that the current head of the Li Family Chamber of Commerce is none other than Li Qing, the eldest son of the Li Family, who luckily was away three years ago.

In my opinion, the reason he gives such strong support to the Ancient Rhymes Pavilion, constantly opposing the Ghost Head Stronghold, is probably for revenge."

One of them spoke astonishingly.

"Now that you mention it, I remember his family had a scholar named Li Xun, right?"

"Yes, but now he isn’t just a scholar, he’s become a Scholar. I’ve also heard that the Chief Clerk of Wujiang County, Master Gong, is about to retire, and the next Chief Clerk could very likely be this Scholar Li Xun. When that happens, heh heh, the Li Family Chamber of Commerce will truly rise."

"So, do you think when Scholar Li assumes office, he’ll go against the Ghost Head Stronghold..."

"Some things are better left unsaid. Don’t forget where we are."

The merchant quickly covered the other’s mouth, his keen eyes sweeping behind them, noticing Bai Ziyue and his group listening.

Bai Ziyue and the others smiled awkwardly, immediately putting on a disinterested look, though their hearts were stirred.

Previously they discussed matters regarding the Ancient Rhymes Pavilion, and now they unexpectedly received such a shocking piece of news.

Bai Ziyue, combining this with his earlier suspicions, confirmed that the clash between the Li Family Chamber of Commerce and the Ghost Head Stronghold would indeed erupt. And the timing would definitely be before Li Xun was elected Chief Clerk.

The Ghost Head Stronghold would not sit and wait for death.

Back at the Sunburst Gang Branch, the three went together to the operations hall to hand in their task.

Five heads, as for the Five Directions Alchemy Technique Secret Scripture, none of them were interested in alchemy, so they didn’t make copies and submitted it as one.

...

"It’s Bai Ziyue and them, looks like they had a good haul."

Just as Bai Ziyue and his group were handing in their task, a short young man nearby said in a low voice.

Beside him was a burly young man.

These two were Zhao Jing’s eldest disciple Zhao Gangyi and second disciple Guo Zhengyang.

The two had considerable talent, otherwise, they wouldn’t have been accepted as disciples by Left Guardian Zhao Jing. Among them, Zhao Gangyi was the best talent before Bai Ziyue emerged.

However, since Bai Ziyue’s sudden rise, discussing only talent, Zhao Gangyi could only be ranked second.

"They must have taken on the task of dealing with the Changshan Five Bandits. Unfortunately, we were a step too slow, otherwise, it would have been ours."

Zhao Gangyi snorted coldly, a hint of jealousy in his eyes.

Over the past three years, Bai Ziyue’s strength had advanced by leaps and bounds, breaking all of Zhao Gangyi’s previous training records and greatly surpassing them.

Now, Bai Ziyue had reached the mid-stage External Forging, matching Zhao Gangyi’s level, completely stealing his thunder.

With such a benchmark ahead of him, no matter how hard Zhao Gangyi worked, he always seemed inferior before his master, often being compared and then reprimanded.

Combined with occasional remarks from others, previously he could still maintain some dignity by being slightly stronger, but now that Bai Ziyue was on the same level, he had lost his only advantage. He increasingly felt the strange looks from others.

Over time, his jealousy and even resentment towards Bai Ziyue grew.

"That’s right... But Brother Zhao, lately Bai Ziyue’s fame has been growing, especially since the news of his breakthrough to External Forged Flesh. I’ve heard more than once people murmuring that his strength might already surpass yours..."

Guo Zhengyang spoke carefully, glancing at Zhao Gangyi.

"Talent is talent, strength is strength. Even if his talent is indeed better than mine, he’s the Sect Leader’s disciple, but I’ve been practicing martial arts for a few more years than him. With his just-broken mid-stage External Forging strength, he’s still far from surpassing me.

As for others’ words, do I, in my position, need to care?"

Guo Zhengyang’s words hit Zhao Gangyi right where it hurt, his eyes flashed with anger, though he pretended to be disdainful in his response.

"However, if things continue like this, the title of Outstanding Disciple within the sect in the upcoming selection, held every three years, will likely fall to Bai Ziyue.

His talent is extremely outstanding, and now his strength matches yours, Brother Zhao. If the rumor about his strength surpassing yours reaches the ears of the selection officials coming from Wujiang County... it would be very unfavorable for you."

Guo Zhengyang secretly smiled, but his face showed a worried expression.

"Outstanding Disciple Selection."

Zhao Gangyi’s expression changed, and he clenched his fists.

The Outstanding Disciple Selection, held every three years, was his long-seen opportunity for promotion, and he would not allow any mistakes.