Chapter Sixty-Six: The White Lotus Sect, The Banquet of Hongmen!

At the very moment Baoyu Lie was gripped by terror—

“What are you afraid of?”

Mr. Yin’s voice rang out.

“You’re overthinking this. There’s no need. This trivial matter can be dealt with easily, with a flick of the hand.”

His tone carried a subtle authority that chilled the soul.

“But... Bai Xuanji said himself that he would report this to the authorities…” Baoyu Lie was momentarily at a loss.

“He’s just trying to intimidate you. Even if he spreads the word, what of it? In matters such as these, it all depends on who speaks with weight; if a grandmaster speaks, who would dare not believe? Bai Xuanji? If he dies here, could any of his captains truly speak for Thousand Mountain Isle?”

Mr. Yin narrowed his eyes. Each word was measured, yet brimming with power.

“Thousand Mountain Isle has its master. Though that master has not appeared for a long time, and many suspect he has died of old age, only a grandmaster can represent the Isle. Only a grandmaster’s words carry true weight!”

“Bai Xuanji is not qualified!”

There was a domineering edge to Mr. Yin’s words. “Even if you were to kill him here—so what?”

This speech finally changed Baoyu Lie’s expression; the fear faded from his face.

“I see now. So that man was just trying to bluff… I’ll mobilize fifty men with jade crossbows and ambush Bai Xuanji, kill him in one fell swoop!”

Baoyu Lie came to a sudden realization. Mr. Yin’s words gave him a pillar to lean on.

Was this not the very reason he had joined the White Lotus Sect? Because within it, such ruthless strength allowed him to cast off fear, hesitation, and timidity, to act as he pleased in these turbulent times?

Yet at this moment, a trace of cold disdain flickered in Mr. Yin’s eyes.

“As witless as a pig.”

He thought silently to himself.

“To kill Bai Xuanji… Leaving aside whether it would resolve the trouble with the authorities, it would first mean a complete break with the Bai family.”

“Though the master of Thousand Mountain Isle may well be dead, the Forge Manor is not the Sea God Sect—can it truly afford to make enemies on every side?”

“If others want a fight to the death, you’ll give it to them… At this rate, it won’t be long before Forge Manor is finished.”

Mr. Yin glanced at Baoyu Lie as if looking at livestock.

At this moment—

“There’s no need to go to such extremes. Let me handle it; I can resolve the matter easily.”

Mr. Yin spoke slowly, his tone steady as ever. He truly seemed to hold Bai Xuanji in disdain, not even needing to lift an eyelid, displaying absolute confidence. This only made Baoyu Lie trust and revere him all the more.

“To trouble Master Yin himself—Bai Xuanji truly deserves death!” Baoyu Lie prostrated himself again, utterly convinced.

...

A short while later.

“These Bai family folk do have some brains and nerve. I rather admire that,” thought Mr. Yin as he walked along the mountain manor’s path, the night wind brushing past.

His stride was steady; with each step, he covered several dozen feet.

Know this: Forge Manor, renowned across the sea, boasted generations of smithing tradition. More than two hundred master craftsmen dwelled here, along with over a thousand common workers and apprentices. There were hundreds of furnaces channeling subterranean fire, and myriad techniques that drew cold sea water into the works.

To the White Lotus Sect, or any powerful faction, such a manor represented formidable logistical strength. Whoever controlled Forge Manor controlled weapons, armor, crossbows, and all manner of military supplies.

To sweep through armies, a single grandmaster might suffice; but to capture cities, seize islands, and rule the East Sea, an army was required.

And to arm that army, the strategic significance of Forge Manor could not be overstated.

After the old master’s death, the White Lotus Sect used many tactics to split off the elders who could sway the manor’s fate, supporting the young master to hold sole power. Only after several years did they finally secure this strategic stronghold, ensuring a steady supply of weapons and armor to their forces.

“If the Bai family were to spread word and the authorities attacked, the losses would be devastating… Even if the Holy Sect rescued a few artisans, the manor itself would be lost.”

Yet even so, Mr. Yin’s demeanor remained calm.

“There is a way, however.”

Confident in his plan, he took another step. His figure suddenly vanished, dissolving into a faint shadow that slipped into the woods—a display of consummate mastery in lightness skill.

...

On the Open Sun, Bai Xuanji paced restlessly aboard, mind churning with anxious thoughts.

Not far away, at the dock, a figure in a straw raincoat sat serenely, fishing with a green bamboo rod, utterly at ease.

“The fisherman’s path is still accumulating, but it’s close to ten points now—twenty days left… Hm? Someone’s coming.”

Bai Xuan’s eyes lifted.

Even while fishing, his blood surged through his veins, augmenting every faculty, keen as a blade!

At that moment, the sound of hoofbeats and a stir arose on the road. Suddenly, a voice rang out, carrying easily to the Open Sun, revealing solid internal strength.

“Forge Manor invites Captain Bai Xuanji to a banquet!”

Aboard ship, Bai Xuanji straightened at once, hurried outside, and was startled at the sight before him.

The welcoming party was extravagant: fine carriages, spirited horses, dozens of attendants, and young maidens kneeling in greeting. A crimson carpet was rolled out, adorned with the faint image of blooming white lotuses. Lanterns lined either side, casting their glow all the way ahead.

“What a spectacle!” Bai Xuan, watching from the dock, narrowed his eyes.

The sheer extravagance of this scene made clear the opponent’s deep wealth.

“Thank you for the invitation. I, Bai, will attend at once,” Bai Xuanji replied loudly, his expression grave.

To fight with all or nothing was to display a confidence born of having no way out. If he refused the invitation, how could he hope to constrain his adversaries?

Within the manor, a residence was brightly lit.

“Come, please take the seat of honor!”

His guide gestured respectfully, leading Bai Xuanji in.

Once seated, others arrived in silence to take their places on either side.

“The Flying Kite Sword, Li Yu! Thirty-fifth on the Black List!”

Bai Xuanji’s pupils contracted.

He recognized the man as a famed martial artist, a notorious pirate of the seas.

“That is Qian Kechun of Willow Moon Isle, a master of iron cloth, his strength formidable.”

“And that man…”

One by one, Bai Xuanji identified those present.

In just a few moments, nearly twenty experts who had each broken through their blood force three times took their seats. Each was powerful; the white lotus emblem could be glimpsed on their robes.

For a time, the entire hall seemed to grow stiflingly hot from the force of their gathered vitality.

Nearby, the servants and maids broke out in sweat, their faces stricken with fear.

“So this is the power of the White Lotus Sect?”

A chill ran down Bai Xuanji’s back, soaking his clothes with sweat.

This was a show of strength—and a terrifying one. With these third-tier blood force experts alone, they could slaughter the entire Bai family fleet in half an hour.

Just then—

“Mr. Yin has arrived!”

Someone announced in a clear voice.

With a resounding thud, the doors swung wide. A middle-aged scholar strode in, a faint majesty in his expression. His robe was emblazoned with a dazzling white lotus, worn openly and without disguise.

“All hail the Dharma King!”

The scores of experts present rose as one, bowing deeply and greeting him in unison.