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A group of people settled in the conference hall, with Lu Chen directly taking the position of Branch Leader at the top, followed by Vice Sect Leader Zuo Zixiong, arranged according to their ranks.
Someone brewed tea, and then the Branch Leader began to explain the current situation. Instantly, everyone's gaze turned to the Branch Leader, causing him to tremble slightly, unable to suppress his shaking.
The Branch Leader stood up and said, "The trading company entering Anzhou from the Southern Seven States is quite formidable. They are not holding back on initial capital investments and have almost overwhelmed the local businesses in Anzhou right from the start. Not only are their prices extremely low, but their quality and quantity are also far superior to those of local merchants, making them very popular. It is inevitable that they will push local businesses out of the market. Our disciples from the Branch went to collect protection money but were turned away. To make matters worse, a Martial Artist from the Martial Arts Association came out and beat up our disciples."
The Branch Leader licked his lips, lowering his head, looking quite embarrassed. He felt he had handled the situation poorly, bringing shame to the Red Robe Sect.
The main issue was that he did not have permission from Headquarters. If he had received instructions from Headquarters, he could have led the Branch's forces to fight the Martial Arts Association decisively.
"What kind of business are they running?" Lu Chen asked lightly while leaning back in his chair.
"They deal in medicinal herbs and grain and oil. They have dedicated personnel managing these operations, and those individuals possess considerable business acumen, far beyond that of our local merchants," the Branch Leader explained.
"Medicinal herbs and grain and oil are fairly common trades; however, they have a wide audience. The more common the trade, the more profit it can yield. Their aggressive market invasion will likely push local businesses out first before they raise prices and monopolize the market. They certainly have a strategy," Lu Chen remarked with a hint of admiration.
The other party was protected by the Martial Arts Association and was not afraid of significant initial investments; they were not ordinary newcomers. Lu Chen already had an idea of who it might be.
It seemed necessary for him to personally visit the Southern Seven States to meet someone he had only heard about but never seen.
To be honest, this matter wasn't crucial; losing protection money was not a big deal. However, it was essential to regain face—disciples of Cult Branch should not suffer without reason—and Zuo Zixiong also needed an opportunity to test his skills.
Lu Chen shared his thoughts with Zuo Zixiong. Upon hearing this, Zuo Zixiong's expression changed dramatically as he feared things might escalate too far.
After Lu Chen finished explaining everything, it would be up to Zuo Zixiong to lead the implementation while Lu Chen temporarily took on the role of strategist, responsible for planning and advising.
After all, the purpose of this trip was to establish Zuo Zixiong's authority and increase his prestige within the Branch. With that, the goal would be achieved.
In the following time, the Branch Leader began to arrange personnel and gather weapons such as knives and swords, preparing to rob the goods.
Early the next morning, everyone got up early, leading more than a hundred disciples, traveling light, and streamed out of the Branch towards the official road.
At this time, it was still early, and the light was not yet clear; a faint mist lingered in the air.
About half an hour later, they reached the official road, which led directly to Anzhou City in one direction and towards the Southern Seven States in the other.
Instead of heading towards Anzhou City, they went straight ahead for about an hour until they arrived at a mountain pass.
Lu Chen observed the terrain and sent his true self into the bushes to check around. After feeling satisfied that there were no issues, he nodded at Zuo Zixiong.
Immediately, more than a hundred disciples split into two groups and hid on either side of the mountain pass, quietly waiting.
From their vantage point above, they could see everything happening on the official road below because it had been carved through the mountain like it had been cut with a knife.
As the light gradually brightened, they could already see two or three miles away clearly from their position on the mountain top.
At that moment, a disciple rushed over to report that there was a situation ahead.
Lu Chen and Zuo Zixiong were together when Zuo Zixiong heard this and dismissed the messenger disciple.
After a while, Zuo Zixiong stood up and glanced towards the direction of the Southern Seven States, saying, "Master, they have arrived. There are probably twenty to thirty carts piled high with sacks, and more than a hundred guards, each armed."
Upon hearing this, Lu Chen's expression remained calm despite the shocking news. He had already been aware of the situation; the commotion from those people could be felt from ten miles away, transmitted through the dirt and stone ground, which Lu Chen could easily detect.
Lu Chen maintained his composure and said, "Twenty to thirty carts piled with sacks; it seems they are here for the morning market. Left Deputy Leader, since they have come, you should handle it. I will support you in this matter. If you can make a scene, I will stand by you until the end."
Zuo Zixiong swallowed hard, his excitement evident as he quickly replied, "Thank you, Master. I will do my utmost not to disappoint you."
Hearing Lu Chen's words invigorated Zuo Zixiong. With a sense of assurance, he felt decisive in whatever actions he would take, no longer hesitating.
Some people struggle to make decisions because they are overly cautious and fear making mistakes that could lead to significant losses.
Zuo Zixiong had this mindset; he was afraid of leading the Red Robe Sect astray and never dared to act recklessly. In reality, as the Vice Sect Leader, he held considerable power and could command the entire Cult Branch but was hesitant to use it; what he needed was experience.
Now, with Lu Chen by his side offering advice and guidance on how to act, Zuo Zixiong felt a surge of confidence and enthusiasm.
Lu Chen's goal was to help him learn valuable skills in this process so that he could remain calm under pressure and be bold in action—qualities befitting the title of Vice Sect Leader.
The Red Robe Sect had long been labeled as a cult and rebels. If even the Vice Sect Leader acted indecisively and hesitantly, how could they still be considered a cult? They might as well change their ways and become good people.
At this moment, the merchant convoy was getting closer, only two or three hundred steps away from the mountain pass.
This merchant convoy indeed had an impressive background; there were over a hundred guards alone, all Qi Masters equipped with gleaming sabers, exuding an intimidating presence as they approached forcefully.
On the opposite mountain pass, fifty to sixty disciples were also lying in ambush, waiting for the situation on this side. Only when action was taken here would they swarm out.
Suddenly, the merchant convoy stopped, gazing at this side from a distance, no longer advancing.
This situation left Lu Chen somewhat astonished. Had they discovered something?
Within their ranks, there must be skilled Qi Masters; the higher the level of Qigong, the more perceptive one could be in noticing the surrounding circumstances.
Just as Lu Chen and Zuo Zixiong were surprised, the convoy suddenly moved again, continuing to advance toward the mountain pass.
Lu Chen sneered coldly. He had initially thought there were experts among them, but after his investigation, he found that there were not many skilled fighters; only a few had reached the Unity of Man stage. Most were Qi Masters at the Body Refinement Explosive Qi Realm, and some had only ordinary Qigong skills—at most, they had practiced a bit and knew some basic martial arts techniques, so there was no need for concern.
Once they entered the middle of the mountain pass and the timing was right, Zuo Zixiong suddenly stood up and shouted loudly. He then led the disciples hidden in the mountain pass to raise their weapons and charge down along the sloping mountainside.
In an instant, Zuo Zixiong's actions were echoed. On the opposite mountain pass, Ye Xuan, Ye Hui, Ye Zhong, and the Branch Leader here all stood up and rushed down with their weapons.
The three Grand Flagmasters were also brought out by Lu Chen to assist Zuo Zixiong. People like them usually held high positions and should take the opportunity to sharpen their skills; otherwise, if they became complacent and led others astray in morality and conduct, it would be disastrous.
The disciples of the Red Robe Sect charged down from both sides of the mountain pass. In just a few dozen steps, they reached their targets in the blink of an eye. Most of those responsible for guarding the merchant convoy had not even reacted before losing their heads.
In an instant, cries of killing filled the mountain pass and echoed far away.
The Red Robe Sect ruthlessly slaughtered these mysteriously arriving merchants without mercy, striking back at the Martial Arts Association like a slap in the face—"slap slap slap," just as they had beaten down disciples of the Red Robe Sect without showing any mercy.
In a short amount of time, the entire caravan was taken down, with most killed and a few surrendering.
There were no skilled fighters among them, and being ambushed caught them off guard, leading to their rapid collapse.
On the other hand, the Red Robe Sect had many experts and dared to employ surprise tactics. They had long set up an ambush here, and when the timing was right, they launched a surprise attack from the mountain pass, taking full advantage of the situation.
From beginning to end, Lu Chen stood atop the mountain pass without taking action, coldly observing the scene of heads being harvested before him.
"Young Master Ming, regardless of how good your relationship with Sun Zizhao is, if you infringe upon my interests, you will have to pay the price. However, I won't act anonymously like you. Tonight, I will pay a visit to the Southern Seven States," Lu Chen murmured to himself while standing on the mountain pass.
Tonight, he would personally go to the Southern Seven States to meet the legendary Young Master Ming and Ye Yunding's father, Ye Dajin, the richest merchant in the Southern Seven States.
The Martial Arts Association beat up disciples of the Red Robe Sect without leaving a name. This not only trampled on the territory of the Red Robe Sect but also left no room for negotiation with Lu Chen. Thus, Lu Chen could only respond in kind.
An eye for an eye was not enough; he also needed to protect his own. Even a cow knows to protect its calf; how much more so for Lu Chen? Such matters should be repaid tenfold or a hundredfold; this was the style of a leader worthy of commanding a group of thousands.
Next, Zuo Zixiong left the Skeleton Flag planted in the ground as a straightforward message to Young Master Ming that this was indeed the work of their Red Robe Sect. It also served to establish their authority and showcase their dominance.
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