#234 - Chapter 234 Xie Lin

"Sect Leader Cheng, no need to rush. This old man was merely delayed by some matters," a faint voice came from outside the door, just as tensions reached a boiling point.

Yan Hua breathed a sigh of relief and rose to respectfully greet with clasped hands, "Welcome, Chief!"

The door was pushed open, and an old man in a green robe, with white hair and beard but full of vigor, slowly entered. His steps were neither fast nor slow, yet he possessed an indescribable air of authority, as if instantly easing the tense atmosphere.

The old man's eyes were deep, scanning the crowd in the room before finally landing on Cheng Feng's face, a faint smile curving his lips.

"Sect Leader Cheng, I heard there have been some misunderstandings within your sect, so I came to resolve them." The old man's voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears, carrying an undeniable force.

Upon hearing this, Cheng Feng's expression shifted slightly, and he suppressed his previous anger, cupping his fist and saying, "Thank you for the Chief's personal visit, it is truly our sect's honor. However, this matter concerns our sect's reputation and must be treated with utmost caution."

"Oh? I'm all ears." The old man gently raised his hand, signaling Cheng Feng to continue.

Cheng Feng then narrated the series of events that had occurred recently, from the Hong Sect disciples being ambushed and intercepted, to the rumors spreading in the outside world, and finally to the misunderstanding with Yan Hua today, all of which revealed a sense of anxiety and helplessness.

After listening, the old man pondered for a moment before turning to look at Yan Hua and asking, "Yan Hua, what do you have to say about this?"

Yan Hua stepped forward, his expression solemn, "Reporting to the Chief, Yan Hua has always acted with integrity. We have indeed investigated and found that the Hong Sect disciples caused the trouble, and we have evidence to support it."

The old man nodded slightly, his gaze shifting between the two, as if weighing something. After a moment, he slowly spoke, "This matter is no small affair and requires careful consideration. However, in my opinion, the most urgent task is to unite and overcome the difficulties together. I wonder if Yan Hua has considered the alliance and cooperation he proposed to Sect Leader Cheng?"

Cheng Feng sneered inwardly, thinking this was just stirring up trouble.

But no matter, he would play along.

Cheng Feng said with a sincere expression, "Thank you, Chief. My visit today is for the sake of friendship between our two groups, and also to prevent discord among our disciples, so I came to discuss it. As for the matter of cooperation, I still need to consider it."

Xie Lin's face remained unreadable, and he continued in a soft voice, "It's alright, take your time. Think about it until you find it suitable."

Cheng Feng's expression changed, "What does Chief Xie mean? Do you want to force a collaboration?"

Xie Lin smiled slightly, his eyes revealing a profound and unfathomable wisdom and composure, "Sect Leader Cheng misunderstands. Although I, Xie, am not a sage, I also know the principle of 'treating people with sincerity to win their hearts'. I invited you here to discuss important matters together, so how could there be talk of imprisonment?"

He slowly walked to the window, gazing at the bright moonlight outside, and continued, "The situation in Qingxi County is turbulent, with various forces surging beneath the surface. As leaders of our respective gangs, we bear on our shoulders not only personal honor and disgrace, but also the rise and fall, survival and destruction of our entire gangs. At this moment, we should cooperate and work together, rather than focusing on petty gains and losses, and killing each other."

Cheng Feng cupped his fist and said, "Chief Xie is truly a senior with great knowledge and insight. However, the Hong Sect has only just started, and I'm afraid there's really nothing we can cooperate on."

Xie Lin's expression remained unchanged, "Sect Leader Cheng is probably unaware that the most valuable thing in the Hong Sect is only one person, and that person is you. The rest are just chickens and dogs, not worth mentioning."

Damn it, I'm playing along with your act, but are you eyeing my body?

Cheng Feng cursed inwardly and decided not to act anymore, "Chief Xie, I don't understand what you're saying, and I don't want to understand. I'm here only to give a response to the Hong Sect disciples causing trouble. If they're not our people, you can handle the rest as you see fit. Anyone can frame others, but my Hong Sect has always been upright and honest, believe it or not."

After speaking, Cheng Feng waved his hand, preparing to leave with his subordinates.

However, they were stopped by the Red Star Gang disciples outside the door. Seeing the Red Star Gang disciples' stance, Cheng Feng thought, they've finally taken the bait.

His face, however, wore a cold expression, "Chief Xie, if you can't control your disciples, I, Cheng, can discipline them for you."

Xie Lin acted as if he didn't see anything, sitting down at the table, smiling, picking up a teacup, taking a sip of tea, and saying, "Sect Leader Cheng, the Hong Sect is newly established and gaining momentum. My Red Star disciples also want to learn from you."

"If you say so, then I can rest assured," Cheng Feng's tone was calm, and a glint flashed in his eyes.

Seeing Cheng Feng's sudden change, Xie Lin and Yan Hua were somewhat bewildered.

They saw Cheng Feng suddenly lunge forward and grab the neck of the Red Star disciple closest to him.

That disciple had decent strength, having reached the Completion of Skin Refinement.

But how could he withstand the strength of a Bone Refinement martial artist? Cheng Feng's speed was too fast. Just as he was about to resist, a great force came, and the disciple's body was lightly thrown out the window by Cheng Feng.

Bang!

The disciple's body directly broke through the window and fell from the second floor onto the street.

As if triggering a mechanism, the Red Star disciples gathered, everyone carrying knives, and surrounded them.

On the street not far away, behind Wang Hu was a dark mass of Hong Sect disciples, each standing solemnly.

Seeing Cheng Feng's signal, Wang Hu also looked stern, ", the Sect Leader has sent the signal! Brothers, kill!"

The sudden change caused the atmosphere inside the room to instantly become extremely tense. Xie Lin's brow furrowed, and a hint of surprise and anger flashed in his eyes. He did not expect Cheng Feng to make a move at this juncture, let alone that he would harm innocent disciples so recklessly.

"Sect Leader Cheng, what is the meaning of this?!" Xie Lin's voice was low and powerful, each word seemingly containing immense force.

Cheng Feng sneered, his eyes like torches, scanning the restless Red Star disciples around him, as well as the Hong Sect disciples outside the window who were already ready to attack.

A cruel arc appeared at the corner of his mouth, "Chief Xie, we're all in this world, so don't pretend. You and I both know what's happening today. Now that I, Cheng Feng, have come, I don't intend to return empty-handed."

"You!" Xie Lin was furious, but years of experience in the martial world allowed him to quickly calm down.

Cheng Feng's talent was already well known, but he didn't expect his methods to be so ruthless.

"Sect Leader Cheng, if you insist on this, don't blame me for being impolite!" Xie Lin's voice revealed determination, and he waved his hand, signaling the Red Star disciples to attack, while secretly mobilizing the blood energy within his body, preparing to deal with the upcoming changes.

But Cheng Feng had already made his move, so naturally he had no intention of giving Xie Lin any chance to breathe. His figure flashed, like a ghost shuttling between the Red Star disciples, each attack precise and deadly. In the blink of an eye, several disciples had fallen at his feet.

"Junior, you don't know the immensity of heaven and earth!" Xie Lin shouted loudly, his figure exploding, rushing towards Cheng Feng. The two instantly exchanged blows, the force of their fists whistling, and their true energy surging. The entire room seemed to tremble with it.

Outside the window, on the street, Wang Hu saw this and a cold smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. He waved his hand and ordered, the Hong Sect disciples rushed towards the teahouse like a tide.

As for the Red Star headquarters, someone had already gone over there.