Facing the question from the tribal leader, Xiao Shun responded with a relaxed laugh. His smile seemed particularly profound to the leader. Xiao Shun then explained, “I never inquire about the reasons anyone has for joining the ‘New School Society’ because I believe that once they join, they will never betray us!”
“The decisiveness of Mr. Xiao is lethal!” the leader said, nodding slightly with respect.
“You are mistaken,” Xiao Shun shook his head, “It’s not my decisiveness that prevents their betrayal, but rather the benefits and the actions that bind them tightly to the New School Society, making us unstoppable together.”
Hearing this, the leader was visibly astonished. Binding allies with benefits? What kind of audacious person could make such a promise! While he weighed this internally, his trust in Xiao Shun’s recent words grew. After all, he had seen Xiao Shun’s resolute actions firsthand.
Having such an adversary, how could the old School Society even compete? The leader, suppressing his chaotic thoughts, hesitantly asked, “Mr. Xiao, what about Master Nie…?”
This question was certainly the biggest doubt looming in everyone’s minds. The seniors from before dared not ask, simply because of issues of propriety. Now affiliated with the New School Society, it seemed somewhat improper to inquire about the Old School Society, so they remained silent.
But the leader was different; he never excelled at hiding his true thoughts. If he wanted to know, he would simply ask.
“Let him be for now. If he continues to oppose me relentlessly in the future, I will surely have him executed,” Xiao Shun declared, as he thrust the ‘Stag’s Sever’ he carried on his back deep into the ground, his face fierce with murderous intent.
“Who would have thought, Nie Jiuchong would abandon the ‘Stag’s Sever’!” The leader had followed Nie Jiuchong for many years and knew the origins of this sword. Because Xiao Shun had carried it on his back covered with snow, it had gone unnoticed by others.
Seeing the leader’s shocked expression, Xiao Shun lightly laughed, “What’s a sword compared to one’s life?” Indeed, if Nie Jiuchong had chosen to take the sword with him, he would have ended up dead.
As Xiao Shun reminisced about their recent fierce battle at the top of Cliffside, the leader took a deep breath, “The battle at Cliffside today will surely cause an uproar throughout the land.”
“That’s exactly the effect I was aiming for,” Xiao Shun replied with a slight smile. The leader of the New School Society defeating a veteran of the Old School Society was a significant event that would likely stir up the entire martial world of Wradeogon.
Of course, this was also the main purpose of Xiao Shun’s visit to Cliffside. Without dropping some significant news, the growth of his New School Society was simply too slow. After this battle, it was expected that Song Ling’er and others would be quite busy.
The leader then asked, “Mr. Xiao, what are your plans moving forward?”
Xiao Shun didn’t reply immediately but gave the leader a meaningful look. As a senior in the Old School Society, this man certainly held much information Xiao Shun did not know, and now seemed a good time to seek his counsel.
After a moment, Xiao Shun smiled, “I would like to ask Mr. Gao, what do you think I should do next?”
The leader knew Xiao Shun’s intentions were to extract information about the Old School Society from him. Now a member of the “New School Society,” he saw no reason to withhold anything.
“I think it’s best not to let the news of Cliffside spread,” he advised.
“And your reason?” Xiao Shun asked calmly.
“Although the New School Society is currently unstoppable, in terms of overall strength, the Old School Society is far stronger. If the defeat of Nie Jiuchong today becomes widely known, the Old School Society will lose face and will surely come at us full force to regain their honor,” the leader explained.
Pausing for a moment, he then said seriously, “Mr. Xiao, do not forget, the Old School Society has four great veterans, each nearly as powerful as the next, and above the veterans, there is a Marshal. If it really comes to a fight, it would be difficult for you alone to stand against them.”
Xiao Shun nodded, deep in thought. While he was not afraid of any individual veteran from the Old School Society, dealing with more than two at once would indeed be challenging. And beyond the veterans stood a Marshal whose strength was unknown but undoubtedly formidable.
As he pondered this, the leader spoke again, “As for the matter of Cliffside, Nie Jiuchong, for the sake of his reputation, will likely not broadcast it. If he remains silent, the other veterans will not feel an urgent threat, and thiswill give our New School Society a chance to grow and expand gradually.”
“You’re right,” Xiao Shun agreed. “The reason New School Society has thrived until now is by exploiting the conflicts among the Old School Society’s veterans. But if they were to unite against a common enemy, it would not bode well for us and the New School Society.”
The leader smiled slightly, “Seeing Mr. Xiao understand this critical aspect reassures me.”
Xiao Shun looked at him with an excited gleam in his eye. “Mr. Gao, with your insight joining the New School Society, our path forward will surely be smoother!”
Waving his hand modestly, the leader replied, “Mr. Xiao flatters me. I merely have a deeper understanding of both the Old School Society and the New School Society than most, which allows me to see things more clearly.”
“There’s something else I haven’t mentioned yet. Eastbrook has also become a vassal of the New School Society. What do you think I should do with them?” Xiao Shun asked.
Startled briefly, the leader soon realized the significance. After pondering for a moment, he answered, “Eastbrook is located in the southeast, the easternmost territory under Nie Jiuchong’s control and one of the most loosely managed areas. If handled well, we could use people like Ye Nantian to gradually expand our influence and solidify our power there.”
Xiao Shun probed, “Are you suggesting we use Ye Nantian as a negotiator to win over other local factions of the Old School Society?”
The leader nodded, “Exactly, it would serve as a model area. Even if Nie Jiuchong finds out eventually, he would be powerless to intervene directly due to the geographical advantages. We must make good use of this strategic position.”