I Am Unaware That I Am the Peerless Martial God

Chapter 1462: Big Fish Eat Small Fish

Seeing the New Sword Sect become increasingly prosperous naturally made many factions jealous.

Various sects began to inquire about this newly risen sect. Even certain sixth-grade sects were getting restless. For a time, undercurrents surged in Yandang Mountain, and the number of figures moving about in the shadows multiplied.

In the blink of an eye, over a month had passed.

The New Sword Sect was thriving with more and more members. Early in the morning, over a hundred disciples could be seen practicing basic sword techniques on the martial arts training ground. The sect displayed a scene of prosperity, completely sweeping away its former bandit-like atmosphere.

While the many disciples were practicing their swordsmanship, a black-clad figure strolled leisurely past the training ground. Humming a little tune, he looked somewhat lackadaisical and completely at ease.

Even seeing him in such a state, most of the disciples respectfully bowed and greeted him.

"Greetings, Great Protector!"

The black-clad youth waved his hand casually and continued through the archway, heading toward the main hall.

Observing this bizarre scene, a few newly inducted disciples revealed looks of confusion and asked the senior brothers beside them.

"Senior Brother, is this really the legendary Great Protector with terrifying cultivation?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, the person next to him quickly turned, cupped his fists, and corrected him with a face full of reverence.

"More than just terrifying!"

"The Great Protector's cultivation has simply reached the pinnacle of perfection! Even if he just casually moved a single finger, we wouldn't be able to withstand it!"

Hearing this, the new disciples nodded repeatedly in shock.

"To think he is terrifying to such an extent?"

"I didn't expect the Great Protector to be even more amazing than the rumors. Joining the New Sword Sect was definitely the right choice!"

After a few brief words, the new disciples were all invigorated and resumed their bitter training. A distinct hint of pride appeared between their brows, and their bodies brimmed with motivation.

For a time, leaping and flipping figures could be seen everywhere on the training ground, and the flashing sword light forcefully outshone the radiance of the morning sun.

Meanwhile.

The black-clad youth had leisurely stepped into the main hall. Today was the day monthly stipends were distributed, which left him full of anticipation. He finally had a chance to see some money so he could go listen to music at the nearby brothels.

Who would have thought that as soon as he stepped into the hall, he would see Yi Feng and the newly appointed Great Elder wearing solemn expressions, carefully examining a greeting card in their hands for a long time.

Seeing their posture, the black-clad youth took a nearby seat and asked curiously.

"What's wrong?"

"Don't tell me our New Sword Sect is already in debt?"

This Great Protector was truly a piece of work.

He clearly possessed unfathomable cultivation, so why was he so obsessed with money?

The Great Elder's mouth twitched upon hearing this, but he didn't dare to reply.

Yi Feng slowly put down the greeting card in his hand and revealed the truth.

"We aren't exactly in debt."

"We've had quite a few new disciples join recently, and renovating the main hall didn't cost too much. The sect's treasury still has a surplus. However, it seems we've run into a bit of trouble."

"This card was sent by the Golden Saber Sect. They are demanding that we pay a monthly silver tribute..."

Hearing this, the black-clad youth angrily slammed his hand on the table!

"In their dreams!"

"What bullshit Golden Saber Sect? They actually dare to scheme against this young master? Do they think we're some inn at the foot of the mountain? They must be out of their damn minds!"

Yi Feng nodded in agreement, a trace of anger also flickering in the depths of his eyes.

However, he was slightly more mature and didn't immediately jump to conclusions. Instead, he turned to inquire from the Great Elder, who was standing quietly and obediently to the side.

"Great Elder."

"What is the background of this Golden Saber Sect? And what do you make of this matter regarding paying a monthly tribute?"

Yi Feng knew very well in his heart that although he and the black-clad youth were not weak in cultivation, they were ultimately outsiders who had fled here to avoid pursuit. Establishing a sect for the first time on the borders of the Raging Fire Kingdom meant they naturally had to act with a bit of caution.

As the saying goes, even a mighty dragon struggles to crush a local snake.

Since this concerned the sect's future, it was never a mistake to inquire about the details first.

As his words fell, the Great Elder hastily bowed.

"Reporting to the Sect Master."

"This Golden Saber Sect is a veteran sect in the Yandang Mountain region and has long since advanced to the ranks of a sixth-grade sect. Our sect's predecessor, the Dangjian Sect, was subordinate to them for generations and would pay a monthly tribute of three thousand taels of silver."

"It has been this way for years, and there has never been a precedent of breaking this rule."

"The Yandang Mountain stretches for hundreds of miles, housing dozens of sects, large and small. There are also several escort agencies that have established branches here, not to mention the ruthless greenwood bandits hiding in the valleys. It can be described as a place where fish and dragons mix. Without backing, an ordinary sect would find it completely impossible to establish a foothold. Therefore, most of the nearby seventh-grade sects are subordinates to higher-grade sects, making the payment of monthly tribute incredibly normal..."

Hearing this, Yi Feng already had a clear idea of the situation.

The survival environment of Yandang Mountain was truly fiercely competitive. Not only did commoners have a hard time getting by, but even cultivation sects had their wool sheared. It was a classic case of big fish eating little fish, and little fish eating shrimp. Exploitation was layered upon layer, forming a long-standing food chain.

However, upon hearing that the Golden Saber Sect was nothing more than a sixth-grade sect and that its strongest existence was only at the Taichu Realm—a whole tier lower than what he used to be—Yi Feng no longer felt much pressure.

The black-clad youth leaning back in his chair beside him even laughed out loud on the spot.

"Pfft..."

"A mere sixth-grade sect actually wants to collect silver from this young master? That's truly absurd, it's making me laugh."

While the two of them were incredibly relaxed, the Great Elder became increasingly terrified.

"Sect Master, Great Protector, please reconsider!"

"It has always been the lower-grade sects paying monthly tributes. No one has ever dared to break this precedent. If you act on a moment of impulse and displease the many sects, I'm afraid the losses will outweigh the gains!"

Hearing these words, Yi Feng raised a hand to interrupt him.

"It doesn't matter."

"This Sect Master will bear the consequences of everything."

"Quickly send a reply to the Golden Saber Sect. Tell them that from today onward, our sect will absolutely not pay any monthly tribute. If they don't accept it, then they can come to my New Sword Sect and collect it themselves!"

The Great Elder trembled upon hearing this. He wanted to speak up and persuade them again, but looking at Yi Feng's resolute gaze and the Great Protector beside him who couldn't stop smiling, he couldn't help but recall the past dominance of these two figures and didn't dare to say another word.

"Yes..."

Even though his heart was filled with endless worry, the Great Elder respectfully withdrew.

Once there was no one else around, the black-clad youth laughed even more boldly!

"Hahaha..."

"Brother, those words of yours suit my temper perfectly! If they want money, let them come get it themselves if they have the guts! This young master will definitely let them experience what the methods of a true enforcer look like!"

Hearing this, Yi Feng smiled and got up to take a seat next to the youth.

Now that there were no outsiders present, he was accustomed to speaking intimately. It was just like the casual feeling they had when they first met in the small courtyard, which made people feel much more comfortable.

Seeing the youth laughing so heartily, he also felt very gratified. He similarly smiled and voiced the thoughts in his heart.

"A sixth-grade sect is nothing to fear, so naturally, we don't need to pay attention to any monthly tribute. However, our attitude this time must be tough. We need to let the nearby sects know that our New Sword Sect is not an existence that will let others slaughter us like fish on a chopping block."

"It would be fine if they don't come, but if they dare to show up, I will kill the chicken to warn the monkeys. We will use the Golden Saber Sect's prestige to establish our New Sword Sect's dominance!"

Hearing these words, the black-clad youth gradually restrained his smile. Looking back at the sharp glint in Yi Feng's eyes, he noted that Yi Feng increasingly possessed the bearing of a sect master, and he couldn't help but nod inwardly.

When he spoke again, his tone carried a rare hint of solemnity.

"Brother."

"Everything you said makes sense, and I agree."

"How about leaving this Golden Saber Sect to me to deal with? After all, that bunch of trash is coveting our New Sword Sect's silver. As the Great Protector of the New Sword Sect, there's no way I can tolerate this!"

Looking at the youth's earnest appearance, Yi Feng felt a wave of warmth wash over his heart.

This guy always claimed he could not be bothered to meddle in other people's business, but when it truly mattered, he never hesitated in the slightest. This kind of loyalty and sense of responsibility was ten million times greater than that of the hypocrites in the mundane world.

All those so-called heaven-chosen geniuses of the orthodox sects were not even fit to carry this brother's shoes!

Over the past few years.

Being hunted and forced to flee all the way here, to still have this brother sticking by his side through thick and thin—having this in life was enough.

Yi Feng smiled and gazed at him for a long time without immediately responding.

He slowly took a silver note from his sleeve and handed it over, speaking with a hearty laugh, These past few years, I have dragged you running all over the place. Now that we have finally settled down, take this bit of silver and go enjoy yourself for a few days.

Looking at the silver note handed to him, the black-clad young man froze in his large chair.

The words One Hundred Taels made his heart skip a beat. It was not that he was afraid of owing too great a debt, but rather that no one had ever given him so much silver for nothing. The genuine care and gratitude in those words held a value that was simply immeasurable.

For a moment, the young man did not know what to say.

He glanced at the silver note a few times, then looked up at Yi Feng, before asking softly, This hundred taels, it is all for me?

Yi Feng smiled and nodded, shoving the silver note into the young man's hands.

Just take a few days off to rest. I will handle the other trivial matters. You do not need to worry about this Golden Saber Sect either.

Go have some fun. You are the Grand Elder of our New Sword Sect, after all. What is this little bit of monthly allowance? In the future, as our sect grows stronger, we will have whatever we want!

Holding the silver note, a bright smile finally bloomed on the young man's face once again.

He hurriedly said a few words of farewell and eagerly headed out the door. Humming a cheerful tune along the way, he strolled off leisurely with his hands clasped behind his back. He looked just like a bridegroom, radiating a festive and joyous aura from head to toe.

It is the perfect season of beautiful spring light, the beauty in the pavilion dons her red makeup...

Watching that familiar back disappear from his line of sight, Yi Feng also revealed a gratified smile. If it were not for his lack of interest in visiting the pleasure houses to listen to music, he really would have loved to go for a stroll with his brother...