Chapter 22: Fallen Phoenix Alliance

Chapter 22: Fallen Phoenix Alliance

"Will this work?"

In the pavilion, Su Mo sat down and took a sip of tea.

He felt that today's visit had been nothing but drinking tea.

"What won't work?"

Yang Xiaoyun sneered. "Although Wu Daoyou is the deputy city lord of Sunset City, our Iron Blood Escort Agency isn't easy to provoke either. Giving them ten years to handle things is already giving Wu Chenfeng plenty of face. If I get angry, I'll just grab my spear and storm into the Wu residence, beating him until he's covered in blossoms."

Su Mo nodded, believing that Yang Xiaoyun could indeed do such a thing.

With the Iron Blood Dragon Spear Yang Yizhi as their banner, the Iron Blood Escort Agency truly had no reason to fear others.

He was just curious. "What's wrong with Wu Chenfeng now?"

"Sigh... It's a long story."

Yang Xiaoyun rolled up her sleeve and refilled Su Mo's teacup. "The Fallen Phoenix Alliance has risen significantly in recent years. Originally, it was just an alliance between the city lords of Sunset City and Skyfeather City to defend against the storms of the martial world. However, over the past few years, the Fallen Phoenix Alliance has expanded its influence, drawing in various small and large factions around it. Even the cities of Central Mansion and Jinyang have joined, covering four major cities and spanning three rivers and two bays.

"Westward lies the Hall of No Life, southward is the Endless Sea, northward is the Heavenly Blade Sect, and eastward is East City, a place of splendor with numerous sects. Although the Fallen Phoenix Alliance has significant power, they can't easily penetrate these areas.

"This has created a relatively stable situation. While they don't have the ability to expand further, anyone who wants to provoke the Fallen Phoenix Alliance must consider whether they're strong enough."

She took a sip of tea to moisten her throat, seeing that Su Mo wasn't impatient, and continued:

"Everything was peaceful until recently. The grand leader of the Fallen Phoenix Alliance, Wei Ruhan, is getting older and weaker, and may pass away at any moment.

"While he intends to step back, the position of grand leader cannot remain vacant.

"However, among the remaining leaders, including Wu Daoyou and the others, none have the necessary prestige or seniority to take over the leadership of the Fallen Phoenix Alliance. Choosing someone to lead is nearly impossible."

Su Mo nodded. "That is indeed difficult. If a hasty decision is made, everyone will be dissatisfied, and the entire Fallen Phoenix Alliance could fall apart."

"That's exactly what I mean."

Yang Xiaoyun smiled at Su Mo. "Do you understand now?"

Su Mo was momentarily stunned. Understand what?

But then he suddenly remembered something. "I recall that Uncle Yang once ventured east with his dragon spear, delving deep into the Three Mountains, Seven Villages, and Eight Gangs, establishing the reputation of the Iron Blood Dragon Spear and befriending many renowned martial artists. This laid the foundation for the Iron Blood Escort Agency... Could it be that they want to claim this network for themselves?"

"The Fallen Phoenix Alliance finds it extremely difficult to expand through force. Their current strategy is to find another way. Someone without sons must have given Wu Daoyou a foolish idea, suggesting that he marry me off to his son. This would allow them to access the connections held by my father and thus open a path eastward."

As she spoke, Yang Xiaoyun clenched her teeth, wishing she could crush the person who came up with this idea on the spot:

"Given my temper, if Wu Chenfeng appeared before me, I'd impale him on my spear and hang him on the city gate for three days. Unfortunately, the Fallen Phoenix Alliance is not insignificant, and I can't risk putting the Iron Blood Escort Agency in danger over this.

"After beating him up a few times, he quieted down for a couple of days, but I didn't expect him to come back today.

"He's truly asking for death. If you're unhappy, I can sneak into the Wu residence under cover of night and kill him."

"Just venting."

Su Mo was both amused and exasperated. "Aren't you afraid of falling into someone else's trap?"

"Hmm?"

Yang Xiaoyun was taken aback. "What do you mean?"

"Regardless of their intentions, they should know that we have a marriage contract. Although Uncle Yang hasn't looked highly upon me these years, he hasn't torn up the marriage agreement."

At this point, Su Mo paused instinctively; he hadn't planned to mention this, but the conversation led him there.

He glanced at Yang Xiaoyun and saw no displeasure or unusual reaction on her face, as if what he said was perfectly normal.

He shook his head slightly and continued. "Wu Chenfeng's persistent pursuit, regardless of success, tarnishes one's reputation. Therefore, I suspect that whoever advised Wu Daoyou might not have good intentions."

"Really?"

Yang Xiaoyun frowned. "That makes sense, but wouldn't Wu Daoyou see through this?"

"Who knows..."

Su Mo smiled. "These people's schemes are hard to predict. They might not care about personal matters. In fact, Wu Daoyou might still entertain some hope..."

"If he does, he's delusional."

Yang Xiaoyun snorted. "Everyone in Sunset City knows about our engagement since childhood. I am your betrothed wife, known to all. How dare they treat me, Yang Xiaoyun, like some fickle person? How can they think I would be so indecisive?"

"..."

Su Mo was speechless, truly feeling how different Yang Xiaoyun was from other women.

She showed no coyness when discussing their engagement, her demeanor and tone making it seem like she was the one doing the marrying.

Looking at Yang Xiaoyun again, he noticed her expression changing, unsure what she was thinking.

"What's wrong?"

Su Mo asked casually.

Yang Xiaoyun took a deep breath. "Father hasn't commented on this matter. Does he also harbor such hopes?"

"Ah..."

"A true man should keep his word. He personally promised the marriage. Now that Uncle Su has passed away, they were sworn brothers. At this time, he should protect and support you, helping you grow, which is the true character of a man."

"But his actions these past few years have become increasingly incomprehensible to me."

Yang Xiaoyun couldn't help but let out a long sigh, her eyes filled with an indescribable disappointment.

Su Mo thought for a moment and said, "It might be too early to say that. Uncle Yang might have his own considerations?"

"I hope so. When I was young, he raised me as if I were a son, saying that a man should act with integrity in the world and must know what to do and what not to do. In the martial world, one must uphold righteousness and keep promises, never wavering between two choices. I only hope he practices what he preaches."

Yang Xiaoyun lightly shook her head but then raised an eyebrow. "But if I were to kill Wu Chenfeng, or if the Iron Blood Escort Agency were to fall out with Wu Daoyou... who would benefit the most from that?"