Building a Martial Dao Celestial Family by Laying Low

A hazy, primordial light shone gently upon this world, isolated from all else.

All who entered were awestruck by the pocket dimension that lay before them.

They stood on the slope at the entrance, a hush falling over them as, for a moment, no one spoke.

The amiable old man stood at the front of the group.

The moment he saw this realm, he froze for a fraction of a second.

Deep within his ever-smiling eyes, an incredibly complex, indescribable expression flickered.

It was a mix of surprise, delight, greed, and a faint, almost imperceptible trace of nostalgia.

The man and woman in moon-white robes were likewise unable to hide the shock and ecstasy in their eyes.

The two quickly scanned their surroundings, assessing the area.

’A pocket dimension of this scale... its value is simply immeasurable!’

’Whether used as a secondary headquarters for the Sect, a secret base, a place to cultivate herbs, or a sanctuary to raise Exotic Beasts... the boost it would give to the Sect’s power would be beyond imagination.’

A pocket dimension this vast was enough to drive any power to madness, even to the point of starting a bloody war to possess it.

The dozens of Celestial Sword Sect disciples and Su Family members who followed them in were even more stunned by the sight before them.

For most, it was their first time seeing such a secret realm. Many simply stared, their eyes glazed over, almost forgetting the purpose of their journey.

The man in the moon-white robes was the first to recover from the shock.

He suppressed his fervent excitement and said, "Imperial Physician Su, the two fugitives have entered this realm. Their situation is unknown. Our top priority is to find them quickly before they can escape again."

Imperial Physician Su glanced at the man, his beaming smile returning. He chuckled. "Elder Jian You, why the rush? They can’t escape."

His tone took a sudden turn. "Now that we’ve found this Kao Mountain Heaven, shouldn’t our two families first discuss how we’re going to divide the profits?"

Jian You’s expression darkened, his tone growing cold. "Imperial Physician Su, what is the meaning of this? When my Celestial Sword Sect allied with your esteemed family to exterminate the remnants of the Seven Kills Association, we agreed that all spoils would be divided equally. This was an accord our two families made. Are you suggesting you wish to go back on your word?"

He paused, a hint of a warning in his voice. "Furthermore, although I may be an Elder of the Celestial Sword Sect, a matter of this magnitude is not mine to decide. I only have the authority to make recommendations; I have no power to act unilaterally. Everything must be reported to the Sect Leader for a final decision. How could I possibly dare to overstep my authority and agree to your terms, Imperial Physician Su?"

Imperial Physician Su wasn’t the least bit angered by this. Instead, he let out a casual laugh. "Elder Jian You, of course the old agreement still stands. It’s just that your esteemed Sect is the leader of Jiangzhou. My Su Family, on the other hand, is just a minor family tucked away in a corner. Compared to your Sect, we’re nothing more than a firefly’s glow. If your Sect were to suddenly change its mind and decide that taking this place for yourselves would be more... appropriate... what could my Su Family possibly do about it?"

He adopted a helpless expression. "So, this old man will be blunt. To avoid future complications and to preserve the harmony between our families, it’s better to secure what benefits we can now. It would put my mind at ease."

Jian You’s expression turned completely grim.

He understood Imperial Physician Su’s meaning perfectly.

’He’s worried the Celestial Sword Sect will turn on them later and take this Kao Mountain Heaven for ourselves.’

’The Su Family is the weaker party. If the Celestial Sword Sect truly decided to do that, the Su Family’s fate would be grim.’

’But right now, with our forces balanced, they still have a bargaining chip. That’s why he wants to demand his share of the profits up front.’

"You worry too much, Imperial Physician Su. The Celestial Sword Sect’s word is its bond. How could we possibly commit such a treacherous act?"

Jian You suppressed his anger, struggling to maintain a semblance of harmony.

"One can only hope."

Imperial Physician Su’s noncommittal reply made it clear he didn’t trust empty promises.

’Old fox!’

Jian You gritted his teeth and took a deep breath. "What is it you want, Imperial Physician Su? Speak plainly. As long as it is within my authority, I can consider it."

Imperial Physician Su seemed to have been waiting for this. "This old man doesn’t ask for much," he said. "I only ask that your Sect temporarily lend a few of the disciples you took in from the Kao Mountain Sect to my Su Family, to be at our disposal. Once this affair is concluded, I guarantee they will be returned completely unharmed. What do you say?"

"Disciples from the Kao Mountain Sect?"

Jian You’s brow furrowed, his confusion apparent. "Imperial Physician Su, my Celestial Sword Sect..."

Imperial Physician Su cut him off with a smile before he could finish. "No need for excuses, Elder Jian You. Some of those disciples from the Kao Mountain Sect are right here with us. For example... this Miss Han."

As he spoke, his gaze locked onto a woman in her thirties with delicate features, who stood among the Celestial Sword Sect disciples.

Jian You’s expression changed drastically.

’He never imagined that Imperial Physician Su would know so much about the internal affairs of the Celestial Sword Sect.’

Jian You glanced at the woman in moon-white robes beside him, a question in his eyes.

The woman gave him an almost imperceptible nod. Her lips barely moved as she sent a secret voice transmission: ’It is not to our advantage for the Su Family to turn on us now. Just give him what he wants. We must prioritize the bigger picture.’

Jian You turned to the pale-faced woman. "Xiaoru," he said, "go with Imperial Physician Su for now. When this is all over, I, as your Elder, will personally come to the Su Family residence and bring you back to the sect."

"Master Cheng!"

Han Xiaoru snapped her head up, her eyes filled with disbelief and shock, which quickly curdled into shame and fury. "How could you? My Kao Mountain Sect was exterminated because the Su Family colluded with the Seven Kills Association! You brought me here, you promised me—"

"Silence! Do not speak such nonsense!"

An embarrassed Jian You cut her off with a sharp rebuke.

"Heh heh."

A soft chuckle broke the awkward tension.

Without any perceptible movement, Imperial Physician Su’s form flickered like a phantom, reappearing at Han Xiaoru’s side.