Chapter 144 – A Strange Black-Market Underworld, Uniting the Power of Three Counties - Part 3
Li Yuan had indeed brought the topic of deepening the alliance between the three counties up upon his arrival. That was part of the reason he had revealed himself as the Blood Blade Patriarch. Simply put, he needed influence and manpower.
Back when he displayed his talents as an eighth rank prodigy, he had expanded the Ginger Tavern, securing steady revenue and intelligence. Now that he had revealed his true identity, his sights were set higher. He didn’t just want a tavern or even merely the old Blood Blade Sect; what he really wanted was the three-county alliance. That was one purpose of this visit.
He announced, “Gemhill, Southsky, and Flowerpath are bound together by shared borders. Really, we’ve always been one.
“North of us, we’re all blocked by Antelope Pass. South of us lies only barren wilderness. And on both east and west, we’re hemmed in by mountains. Truly, these three counties should stand as one.
“The Central Plains are in turmoil, and peril seems to grow by the day. There’s no better time for our three forces to strengthen ties.”
“Li Yuan, my brother,” Liu Changchong asked, “how exactly do you propose this alliance?”
“By unifying the three counties,” Li Yuan answered. “We identify promising disciples, then teach them the martial arts best suited to each of them, without limiting them to the skills of their home sects.”
At this, Liu Changchong and everyone else present froze in astonishment.
Li Yuan went on, “I understand that abruptly merging the three might only cause more chaos. So I suggest running a small pilot program first.”
“How would we do that?” the older man asked, still looking uncertain.
“I want each of your sects to select a group of disciples for me to teach. Those suited to the blade will learn my blade skills; those suited to the sword will learn my sword skills; those suited to exotic weapons or poisons, I’ll instruct accordingly. And if someone is apt for my personal cultivation technique—” he paused, “I’ll teach them that as well.”
The last part triggered a wave of shock. Li Yuan added, “Yes, even up to the sixth rank.”