Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 895: Chapter 649: Master Four Has Rebelled!

After Li Chang and his party arrived at Songhe Prefecture in Jiangnan by boat, they saw a bustling scene. Between the harbors of the rivers and seas, merchant ships were as numerous as weaving threads. The streets of the city were filled with horses and carriages, and although there were many poorly dressed commoners in the countryside, the population was dense, and the sounds of chickens and dogs could be heard.

However, when they entered Yun Gui, it was a different scene. Bandits roamed freely, and rebel soldiers were rampant. In the rugged mountains and forests, many villages were almost deserted, and the better ones formed alliances to protect themselves.

They originally traveled along the river path by boat, but now Chen Hengchang’s rebel army was assembling to attack Jiangnan. The river path had long been blocked by the rebels, making it difficult for Jiangnan’s ships to enter Yun Gui, so they had to take the land route, crossing mountains and valleys, traveling day and night.

What was supposed to be a half-month journey took them over a month to reach the Yangtian Sect.

Yangtian Sect is located in Yunzhou, which is in the western part of Yun Gui. Chen Hengchang has not expanded west and south of Yun Gui, so the Yunzhou area is still relatively peaceful.

Of course, the peace in Yunzhou is partly due to the efforts of the Yangtian Sect. A powerful sect has a strong deterrent effect in the region. Although sometimes a dominant sect can become a burden on the government and the people, it can also deter troublemakers within hundreds of miles around.

At the very least, thieves and rebel soldiers dare not cause trouble near the Yangtian Sect.

Li Chang, holding the invitation from the Yang family and the letter from Yang Zhenshan, easily met the current Sect Master of the Yangtian Sect, Du Qiandao.

Du Qiandao is over sixty years old. He is the grand-disciple of Li Shouning. Since Li Shouning’s passing, the Yangtian Sect unavoidably experienced a decline.

However, with a heritage of hundreds of years, the Yangtian Sect has profound foundations. Although it no longer has any Innate Martial Artists, its strength remains formidable.

Currently, the Yangtian Sect has six experts of Half-step Innate Realm. It may not be long before another Innate Martial Artist emerges from the Yangtian Sect.

Before the mountain gate of the Yangtian Sect, Du Qiandao, along with several elders of the Yangtian Sect, came personally to welcome them.

Before reaching the mountain gate, Du Qiandao saw Li Chang and his party waiting outside.

Li Chang’s group of five looked quite ordinary. While traveling, they kept everything simple, so their attire was no different from ordinary Jianghu Martial Artists. They wore neat black attire, either with weapons at their waist or on their back.

Jianghu Martial Artists like them were very common, and encountering them was not surprising.

However, Du Qiandao could instantly perceive the extraordinariness of Li Chang’s group. It wasn’t that his insight was exceptionally keen, able to see through their cultivation, but because the presence of Li Chang’s group made Du Qiandao feel a pang of unease.

Beside Yang Zhenshan, Li Chang and his followers appeared like invisible people, each seeming extremely ordinary and even more laid-back than the Yang family’s guards.

But away from Yang Zhenshan, Li Chang and the others seemed to have transformed, their edge and imposing presence were intimidating.

“Honored guests have arrived; forgive me for not welcoming you from afar,” said Du Qiandao, approaching with a cordial smile, cupping his fists in greeting.

Li Chang cupped his fists in return, “Sect Master Du, you are too polite. It is we who have come unannounced, disturbing your noble sect!”

“I am Li Chang, a personal follower of the Old Marquis!”

The Old Marquis naturally referred to Yang Zhenshan. Although Yang Mingcheng also served as Marquis Jing’an, unfortunately, his presence was too low-key, and not many knew him, and he wasn’t very famed outside.

“Haha, so it’s one of the elite soldiers by the side of the Old Marquis. Please, please!” Du Qiandao warmly invited Li Chang and his party into the Yangtian Sect.

The Yang family left Da Rong nearly twenty years ago, and with the passage of time, many might have forgotten Yang Zhenshan’s exploits. Yet, forces like the Yangtian Sect still knew a bit about the Yang family’s background.

After all, they had interacted with Yang Zhenshan before, especially Du Qiandao, who had seen Yang Zhenshan in person.

At that time, Yang Zhenshan was already a renowned figure, while he was just a junior.

Soon, everyone arrived at the grand hall of the Yangtian Sect. After exchanging pleasantries, Li Chang finally took out Yang Zhenshan’s letter and handed it to Du Qiandao.

In the letter, Yang Zhenshan first expressed his admiration and remembrance for Li Shouning.

He had dealt with Li Shouning many times, and Li Shouning was a person devoted to Martial Arts, constantly seeking the path to Tao, but unfortunately, he never touched the threshold in his lifetime.

Yang Zhenshan held much respect for veterans like Li Shouning.

So Yang Zhenshan was sincere about his regret for Li Shouning, not just being courteous.

If Li Shouning were still alive, Yang Zhenshan might have guided him into the path.

Not only Li Shouning but also Zhang Ye and Granny Meng were barred from the threshold to the path, all regrettable veterans of Martial Arts.

After that, Yang Zhenshan addressed the main topic, which was to ask the Yangtian Sect for help in finding Yang Mingzhao.

After reading the letter, Du Qiandao inwardly breathed a sigh of relief, but was also somewhat disappointed.

It was merely asking them for help to find someone, a trivial matter. Naturally, the Yangtian Sect would not refuse.

But this matter was too small to warrant the Yang family owing the Yangtian Sect a favor.

Du Qiandao still hoped to have more favor exchanges with the Yang family.

Although the main strength of the Yang family is in Chongshan Town, let’s not forget that the Duke Xing of Southern Border Town is related by marriage to the Yang family. The Yangtian Sect is less than three hundred miles from Southern Border Town.

North of Yunzhou is Bozhou State, which is the territory of the Black Tiger King. To the west are Wusa Prefecture and Zhenxiong Prefecture, which belong to the Nine Heavens King. It’s not far from the Jiujiang Prefecture to the east, with only two prefectures in between, and the straight-line distance is less than two hundred miles.