Chapter 340: Chapter 223: Fragrance, Dominance_2

"Feng’er, stay here with all the uncles and elders."

He cupped his hands towards the influential leaders of various trades,

"Li Chang will excuse himself for a while. There’s still some time before my son’s funeral. Please, Brothers Lu, Zhu, Zheng, and Tao, enjoy some tea.

Young Master Bai, this chair is yours."

He Lichang led Bai Qi to the seat at the upper left side, a scene that made all the influential leaders of various trades frown simultaneously.

Allowing a junior, and the disciple of Ninghai Zen from Tongwen Hall, which had a deep grudge with the Seventeenth Lineage,

to sit on the same level as themselves?

It’s simply too disorderly!

Zhu Jiren squinted his eyes, glancing at Bai Qi with a smile, but said nothing.

Tao Liang lifted the teacup beside him, seemingly sipping slowly.

Only Zheng Xuanfeng showed obvious dissatisfaction, saying in a deep voice,

"Brother He, this isn’t appropriate. In Yihai Prefecture, only you and I are part of the Seventeenth Lineage, with seventeen chairs.

Outsiders... should sit outside and not disrupt the hierarchy."

This elder from the Weapon Craftsman Guild Zheng Family did not look like a wealthy nobleman but rather akin to a martial arts hall instructor, with a bronze complexion and piercing eyes.

He glared at Bai Qi, who came into town yesterday, stealing the spotlight, not concealing his malicious intent to shut him out.

"Brother Zheng has always been the elder, the leader of us all. I reckon Brother Li Chang, overwhelmed by grief after losing his son, made this arrangement in confusion.

I’ve never heard of a Bai surname in the Seventeenth Lineage of Yihai Prefecture. Even with the back of a great master from Four Cultivation Grandmasters as support, can it match the generational efforts of our ancestors in building our estates?

Well then..."

Lu Zhongping’s tone was ambiguous, with hidden barbs in his words,

"Brother Li Chang, why not make Young Master Bai your adopted son and hand over the entire estate of the main branch to him directly?

This way, no one can find fault, and the fourteenth chair he occupies would be justifiable."

He Lichang gritted his teeth tightly, his face quivering slightly. Lu Zhongping was clearly ridiculing him for losing two capable sons, seeking aid in desperation, and deliberately currying favor with Ninghai Zen’s disciple.

"Master Lu, your words harm the harmony. Bai Qilang’s entry into town last night saw him compete with numerous families at Hundred Rings Square. Isn’t Four Directions Street famed for producing outstanding talents in martial arts? Yan Qing of Five Dragon Sect is reputed, and Du Ping Sect of Iron Buddha Sect is unmatched among peers.

Outsiders respectfully call us ’Seventeenth Lineage’ precisely because of our capabilities, right? With capability, one can stabilize the top chair in one’s trade!"

Seeing the Weapon Craftsman Guild Zheng Family and Antique Trade Lu Family leading the clamor, He Jingfeng took a deep breath and said solemnly,

"Today, not only is it the day both my brothers are buried, but I wish the influential leaders of the Seventeenth Lineage to witness Bai Qilang, who is the successor of Tongwen Hall. Ten years ago, his master Ninghai Zen overshadowed the martial arts industry. Ten years later, he walked across a street in front of a hundred martial arts halls and practitioners.

With such ability, can he not occupy the fourteenth chair?"

Lu Zhongping didn’t even lift his eyelids, ignoring He Jingfeng, the junior, entirely.

He is the influential elder of a trade, He Lichang’s son, where does he stand to compete with himself?

"Old He, those juniors laughed at my son who went to Black River County, and from then on spoke endlessly of Bai Qilang.

Your Xiaoqi isn’t far behind, lauded as unmatched both above and below."

Another person arrived outside the main hall, a loud and robust voice, belonging to a stocky man with three scars by his eye, resembling a Green Forest Dao bandit leader.

Broker Feng Family’s elder, Feng Zitong!

"Brother Feng has also come. I heard you went to Huai Xiang Prefecture to procure goods, didn’t expect you to return so quickly..."

Tao Liang noticed the stiff atmosphere, putting down the teacup, wanting to mediate, yet was interrupted by Zheng Xuanfeng,

"Brother Zitong, you have always respected rules, why not share your view? Setting up a chair is easy, but letting an outsider meddle at our table is inexplicable, hard to assent."

Feng Zitong glanced at the vigorous Bai Qi, laughed heartily, and said,

"Since ancient times, heroes emerge from the young, just as Nephew Jingfeng said, Young Master Bai indeed has capability. I’ve heard of Little Peng King’s fame from Iron Buddha Sect’s Du Ping Sect. Green Forest Dao around Yihai Prefecture also respects him.

Such outstanding figures were subdued, showing Young Master Bai’s firm prowess.

But what Old Zheng said isn’t without reason; establishing rules isn’t easy..."

Zheng Xuanfeng’s brows furrowed, Feng Zitong, this old guy, was indeed consistently shrewd.

Clearly avoiding offense to either side, making a lot of pretentious talk.

Altogether in the hall, eight people were seated, all principal leaders across various trades.

Each spoke their piece, gradually quarreling, drawing curiosity from the outside, wondering what was happening to cause such contention among so many elders.

"Adding another chair to Yihai Prefecture?"

"He Family’s association with Ninghai Zen’s disciple!"

"When will things start? Master Zheng of the Weapon Craftsman Guild was also a master in his youth!

"Fists fear the young; guessing it’s not Bai Qilang who’s facing..."

As no conclusion could be drawn, the noisy, chaotic funeral hall suddenly seemed frozen, an icy chill enveloping the influential elders of various trades, causing their necks to feel slightly cold.

"This young lad indeed intends to fight?"

"Old Zheng, Old Feng, you both have Third Training Great Success, should hold off the juniors, right?"

"This is Daoist Skill, Divine Soul suppression..."

As the funeral hall quietened, everyone collectively looked towards the profound-robed youth who hadn’t uttered a word.

The latter stood tall in the center, surveying the unfamiliar faces, and suddenly spoke with a smile,

"Aren’t you overestimating yourselves?"

Bai Qi unreservedly expressed his contempt, his gaze proud, his brow aglow with radiant thoughts reflecting his intent, emitting a powerful tangible wave causing the funeral hall to resemble an ice cavern.

He continued,

"Uncle He wants to elevate me, pulling me into the circle of Yihai Prefecture’s Seventeenth Lineage, Brother Jingfeng believes I have the ability to hold the top chair in the martial field, and Qilang is grateful and thanks you here."

He cupped his hands and saluted He Lichang and He Jingfeng, then swept his cold gaze over the rest.

"I heard that ten years ago, there were seventeen lineages in Yihai Prefecture, may I ask why four are missing now?"

With this question, the faces of the gathered elders turned ashen. As the saying goes, never hit the face when striking, nor reveal one’s shortcomings in insults.

But Bai Qi’s query was undoubtedly a resounding slap to the assembled families.

"Thirteen lineages? In my view, it’s still too many."

Bai Qi said calmly.

"Youngster! Insolence!"

"Youthful arrogance, truly brazen!"

"A person like Ninghai Zen may not have successors!"

"It’s common for youngsters to see none as their equal, full of pride, but presumptuousness leads nowhere..."

Those high-ranking elders from the main branch, who usually could manipulate things with a flip of their hand, were all appraising the sharp Bai Qilang.

Though they feared Ninghai Zen to some extent, the oath of never entering Yihai Prefecture in their lifetime provided assurance, preventing them from indulging a junior’s disdain to an excessive degree.

"Today, I won’t occupy the fourteenth chair. When I return to Yihai Prefecture another day, I hope the Seventeenth Lineage can still gather the number."

Bai Qi led his younger brother Bai Ming, silently lighting an incense stick, completing the mourning ritual.

Currently, his roots are in Black River County; there’s no need to hastily settle in Yihai Prefecture.

Moreover, merely a martial arts business isn’t enough to compete with this group of elders.

"Yuanyang Temple..."

Just as Bai Qi prepared to leave with a few harsh words neither aching nor itchy, there’s no need to waste further words.

Weapon Craftsman Guild Zheng Family, Antique Trade Lu Family, Porcelain Shop Zhu Family... whether it’s past grievances maintaining old feuds, or mutual discord forming new enmity.

"Yuanyang Temple... present!"

Bai Qi had just crossed the threshold and from the gate came a prolonged voice.

The Little Daoist Child from yesterday looked left and right as if searching for someone.

Upon raising his head, he saw Bai Qi standing on the steps, and hurriedly approached to grab him, 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

"Bai Qilang, finally found you! Our Observatory Master is specifically waiting for your visit! Asking the servants of other courtyards knew you were here..."