readytorunbook Chapter 205 The Mysterious Martial Arts Association
Chapter 205 The Mysterious Martial Arts Association
Chapter 205 The Mysterious Martial Arts Association
Once the man in gray had gone far away, the guests quickly gathered around Sheng Chunshui to discuss what had just happened.
"Brother Sheng, wasn't your approach today a bit hasty? The Martial Elders Association won't let this go easily."
A person who was close to Sheng Chunshui said.
"Indeed, the Martial Elders' Association is not to be trifled with. Won't the city lord's actions cause him some trouble?"
Another person who was not close to Sheng Chunshui chimed in, ostensibly out of fear that Sheng Chunshui would get into trouble, but everyone could tell that he was also afraid of being implicated.
"I admire your noble character, Lord City Lord, but it's truly not worth openly confronting the Martial Elders' Council like this! As long as you, Lord City Lord, hand over..."
Another person, who was only casually acquainted with Sheng Chunshui, chimed in, but stopped mid-sentence. Clearly, this person wanted Sheng Chunshui to hand over Xiao Chong, but was afraid of incurring repercussions.
Sheng Chunshui understood what everyone meant, and said coldly, "Don't mention this again. I will never do such a heartless and ungrateful thing! If anyone says anything reckless again, don't blame me for turning against them!"
"Lord, please calm down. Just pretend I said nothing."
Seeing Sheng Chunshui's resolute attitude, the last person to speak looked dejected and shrank back into the crowd, remaining silent.
The guests who spoke earlier all had their own thoughts. They only saw that Sheng Chunshui had angered the people from the Wu Elder Association, but they did not consider how much confidence Sheng Chunshui had in doing so, or whether there was any other deeper meaning behind it.
Of course, not all the guests were short-sighted; some were also quick-witted.
An older man, clearly older than Sheng Chunshui, lowered his head and pondered for a moment before approaching Sheng Chunshui and humbly asking for his guidance: "Brother Sheng, I am a few years older than you. I hope you don't mind me addressing you like this?"
"Mr. Meng, please feel free to speak your mind."
Sheng Chunshui showed great respect to the elderly man who clearly had something to say, and therefore spoke very politely.
After a moment's thought, the old man cautiously asked, "I come from the Meng family of Luoshui. We were originally a large family, but our fortunes declined and we can no longer compare to our former prosperity."
There's something I shouldn't be asking, but considering there are still a bunch of young people in my family, I feel compelled to ask a few more questions.
My brother just mentioned the Clan Alliance. Is it true, as rumored, that the relationship between the Clan Alliance and the Martial Elders' Association has deteriorated in recent years?
"Old ginger is spicier, that saying is indeed true. He got straight to the point as soon as he opened his mouth, something these people can't compare to."
After a moment's thought, Sheng Chunshui glanced at everyone meaningfully and said solemnly, "What Elder Meng heard is correct, just as you thought. What I said just now not only represents my own and the Sheng family's intentions, but also the clan alliance's."
"I understand now."
The old man clasped his hands slightly to Sheng Chunshui and said with a solemn expression, "I will take my leave now. I need to send a message home so that I can make preparations as soon as possible."
Without caring about being impolite, he hurriedly went out and left.
Once the old man had disappeared from sight, everyone suddenly realized what had happened, as if waking from a dream, and they all got up to take their leave. Only a few well-informed people, or those from prominent families who already knew the whole story, looked at these belatedly aware people and shook their heads with a sigh.
After a while, those who were well-informed or came from prominent families could not stay long, so they exchanged pleasantries with Sheng Chunshui and left with their junior disciples.
Seeing the guests disperse, Sheng Chunshui called out and led Xiao Chong and Sheng Xueyan into the back hall, into an inner room.
After the three sat down, Xiao Chong was not annoyed. He brewed a pot of tea for Sheng Chunshui and said, "Thank you very much for your help earlier, Uncle Sheng. Otherwise, I would have suffered a great loss today."
Sheng Chunshui picked up his teacup, took a sip, glanced at the two people in front of him, and smiled, "We're all family, no need to be so polite. Even if I hadn't taken your Tribulation-Crossing Pill today, I wouldn't have joined the Martial Elders' Association, much less let that gray-robed man take you away."
Hearing the teasing tone in Sheng Chunshui's words, Sheng Xueyan blushed and quickly turned her head to the side.
But Xiao Chong didn't feel embarrassed at all, and asked in a serious tone, "I wonder what kind of background this Martial Elders' Association has? It seems like everyone is afraid of them?"
This was the first time Xiao Chong had ever heard of the Martial Arts Association. He was an unorthodox individual who had lived in a very small circle, so he had no idea about it.
Seeing Xiao Chong ask a question, Sheng Chunshui put away his smile and said, "Nephew, you may not know this, but the Tianyun Continent has always revered martial arts. There are many factions on the continent, and the Martial Elders Association is one of the most powerful organizations among them."
"Please give me detailed instructions, Uncle Sheng," Xiao Chong said again.
Sheng Chunshui put down his teacup and said, "The origin of the Martial Arts Association has always been mysterious, and its source is unknown. Everyone knows that there are many masters in the association, and all kinds of divine skills and unique techniques are available, but no one knows where they came from."
Among the martial artists of the Tianyun Continent, there is an unwritten rule: any martial artist who reaches the Martial Saint realm must obey the summons of the Martial Elders' Council, enter the Council, and thereafter sever all ties with the world.
"Uncle Sheng is only at the Grandmaster level, so why did the Martial Elders Association send someone here so early?" Xiao Chong asked, puzzled.
Sheng Chunshui added, "I didn't make it clear earlier. Those rules are from a long time ago, but they have been changed in the last hundred years."
Nowadays, whenever a martial artist reaches the Grandmaster realm, the Martial Elders' Association will contact them early on, ordering them to join the association and register them. Once a martial artist advances further in their cultivation, they will still be required to enter the Martial Elders' Association by imperial decree, just as before.
After listening, Xiao Chong thought for a moment and asked, "Joining a martial arts organization and being able to freely practice all kinds of divine skills and unique techniques, wouldn't that be great? So why is Uncle Sheng so resistant to it?"
"What's so great about that! The reason we martial artists are so devoted to martial arts is simply to act swiftly and settle scores quickly, isn't it?"
Sheng Chunshui shook his head and said, "But once you join the Martial Elders Association, you will be subject to their control in every way, and you can forget about ever walking around in this world again. You say that the martial arts of Tianyun Continent have been passed down for ten thousand years, but why don't we see a single Martial Saint walking around outside? Isn't it because they have all been recruited by the Martial Elders Association!"
"Then what kind of organization is the Clan Alliance?" Xiao Chong asked, adopting a studious demeanor.
Sheng Chunshui patiently explained: "The Martial Elders Association used to act too domineeringly, which gradually aroused the dissatisfaction of powerful families. In order to counter the Martial Elders Association, the Clan Alliance was born."
After secret discussions, several decades ago, the major powerful families jointly established an organization called the Clan Alliance, with each family contributing manpower and resources.
Especially in the last decade or so, the Wu Clan's involvement has increased significantly, becoming increasingly intolerable to the powerful clans. The two sides have been secretly vying for power, with friction occurring between them. It's just that they haven't made it public like I have today.
"So that's how it all happened. If what Sheng Chunshui said is true, all the martial artists above the Martial Saint realm have been summoned by the Martial Elders' Council. Once the two sides clash, won't the Clan Alliance be at the mercy of others at every turn?"
After hearing Sheng Chunshui's explanation, Xiao Chong secretly pondered the matter.
He knew he had already incurred the wrath of the Wu Elder Society, and from the gray-clad man's attitude toward him, he could tell that the other party would never let him go, so he had to be extra careful.
After finishing his calculations, Xiao Chong stood up and refilled Sheng Chunshui's teacup. He then lowered his voice and asked, "Does the Clan Alliance really have no Martial Saint-level experts?"
"How could we not have any? Otherwise, what would we use to fight back?"
Sheng Chunshui downed his tea in one gulp and lowered his voice to laugh, "Actually, in a power like our Sheng family, which family doesn't have a few Martial Saints in secret? We can even find some higher-level combatants."
However, in order to avoid a major conflict with the Martial Arts Association, these people have all secluded themselves at home in seclusion to cultivate, and outsiders cannot see them.
"I see, then there's no need to be afraid of this so-called Martial Elders Association!"
Xiao Chong smiled inwardly, feeling much more relaxed.