Chapter 342: Fallen Phoenix Alliance

Chapter 342: The Fallen Phoenix Alliance

The three alliance leaders of the Fallen Phoenix Alliance, led by Wu Daoyou, marched in with an aggressive air.

The crowd instinctively parted, allowing the group to sweep through unhindered and reach the front of the city lord’s estate.

At the entrance stood Huang Yuan, the senior steward of the Fallen Phoenix Alliance. However, his expression was grim at that moment.

As Wu Daoyou and the other two approached, Huang Yuan gave a slight martial salute and said,

"Alliance Leader Wu, Alliance Leader Zeng, Alliance Leader Luo...

"I didn’t expect the three of you to make a united appearance.

"But since you’re here, why bring so many fighters with you?

"Our Grand Alliance Leader’s city lord’s estate is no lion’s den. Surely, it doesn’t require such a large escort?"

"Ha!"

Wu Daoyou laughed heartily and waved his hand dismissively.

"Steward Huang, what are you implying?

"The Grand Alliance Leader’s city lord’s estate is naturally no dangerous place. We’re all allies here, so there’s no need to worry about any threats.

"However..."

At this point, he glanced around at the watching crowd before dropping his voice slightly.

"Today marks the internal conference of our Fallen Phoenix Alliance.

"This event has drawn the attention of many fellow martial artists. While our alliance has always been aboveboard and unafraid of being observed, we must remain vigilant against scheming opportunists who might seize this opportunity to stir trouble.

"The Grand Alliance Leader is getting on in years, and seeing him wear himself out over such matters pains me deeply.

"Thus, I’ve brought more fighters to provide security for this summit—keeping the peace.

"What do you think, Steward Huang?"

Huang Yuan’s expression grew even darker.

Though Wu Daoyou’s words sounded high-sounding but hollow, their underlying meaning was unmistakable: Wei Ruhan was old and past his prime, and it was time for him to step aside.

While some among the onlookers might be simple-minded, those with a bit more insight couldn’t help but feel their blood run cold.

Wu Daoyou’s aggressive stance was nothing short of an attempt to stage a coup.

Yet, though the implication was transparent to all, there was nothing that could be outright challenged in his words.

Huang Yuan could only nod and reply,

"Alliance Leader Wu makes a fair point..."

"However, the Great Alliance Leader had already foreseen this."

"Therefore, there's no need to trouble Alliance Leader Wu and the other two Alliance Leaders to go to any trouble."

"You may simply enter."

"But as for these brothers... the City Lord's manor isn't very large, I'm afraid it can't accommodate them all."

"This is where Steward Huang errs."

Zeng Youwang shook his head lightly:

"The City Lord's manor is the heart of Sunset City—how can it be described as 'not large'?"

"Steward Huang, are you implying we’re outsiders by saying this?"

"The Alliance meeting is convened to select the next Great Alliance Leader."

"In my view, all three of us have a legitimate claim to contend for this position. Yet here we are, barred at the door."

"It begs the question why the Great Alliance Leader summoned us in the first place."

"If the position of Great Alliance Leader was already decided, and we're just here to serve as the young miss’s study companions, then we shouldn’t have bothered coming."

"What do you think, Steward Huang?"

"Alliance Leader Zeng... choose your words carefully."

As the Great Alliance Leader's steward, Huang Yuan couldn't possibly let such remarks pass.

If Wu Daoyou's words were still restrained and outwardly polite, Zeng Youwang was openly hostile.

"Oh?"

Zeng Youwang retorted with a colder sneer:

"How exactly should I 'choose my words'? Must kin speak in veiled barbs?"

"Outrageous..."

Huang Yuan was truly furious now.

Just as he was about to continue, a voice came from behind him:

"Steward Huang."

The voice wasn't loud, but it drained Huang Yuan’s fury.

He spun and bowed hastily, fists clasped:

"Young miss."

After a shared glance, Wu Daoyou and the other two also bowed with fists clasped:

"We greet the young miss."

Emerging from the gate was none other than Wei Ziyi.

Her ankle had already healed. Su Mo had set the bone and promoted blood circulation to reduce the swelling. After applying medicine yesterday, she could walk without any hindrance today.

Holding her Star-Piercing Sword loosely, she wore a light purple robe with her hair pulled back simply, a faint smile on her lips though her eyes were as cold as the edge of a blade.

She stepped forward, clasping her hands in greeting:

"No need for such formality, uncles. I now serve in the alliance and am merely a junior compared to you all."

After some pleasantries, Wei Ziyi continued:

"What was that about?"

"Why all the shouting? Huang Yuan, the three alliance leaders hold distinguished status. That’s no way to behave."

Wu Daoyou and the other two's faces fell at her words.

At first glance, her words seemed reasonable, but upon closer thought, they were pretty insulting...

Who was shouting?

She could at least explain.

Seeing this, Huang Yuan had no choice but to explain what happened.

After listening, Zeng Youwang spoke to Wei Ziyi:

"Today is the day of the alliance’s grand meeting. We have come as leaders of the Fallen Phoenix Alliance."

"So today, we won’t call you young miss but by your position within the alliance."

"Leader Wei, you call us brothers. But doesn't that mean he’s excluding us?"

"Leader Wu, worried about the grand leader’s age and exhausting duties, brought his men to assist."

"But this kind of treatment... Though my words earlier were indeed excessive, Huang Yuan’s attitude is downright cold."

Huang Yuan immediately glared at Zeng Youwang in fury.

Just as he opened his mouth to protest, Wei Ziyi raised a hand to stop him:

"Easy, Huang Yuan. Leader Zeng has a point."

"We shouldn’t shut them out..."

"Young miss..."

Huang Yuan still tried to argue, but Wei Ziyi had already waved him off:

"Please, everyone, come inside."

She gestured them inside, ushering Wu Daoyou and the others in.

Wu Daoyou studied Wei Ziyi closely before smiling and saying:

"At least the young miss treats us like family..."

Nothing more needed to be said.

The gates of the City Lord's Mansion swung open, and Wu Daoyou, Zeng Youwang, and Luo Ningguang pushed noisily through the gates with hundreds of their followers in tow.

Huang Yuan watched the scene, his expression darkening slightly, as he whispered to Wei Ziyi:

"Young miss, this might be letting the fox guard the henhouse."

Wei Ziyi didn't answer right away, her gaze sweeping over the area outside the City Lord's Mansion before she let out a soft sigh:

"Even if we hadn’t let them in, how could we resolve today’s situation peacefully?

"Since Grandfather dared to hold this alliance gathering, he surely has his own plans.

"We'll just have to see what they do.

"Best not to stir up trouble at the City Lord’s Mansion gates.

"No point giving outsiders something to laugh at..."

Huang Yuan let out a quiet sigh.

The Fallen Phoenix Alliance was facing turmoil. Among the martial artists gathered outside the mansion, many were truly just there for the show.

But who knew if, as Wu Daoyou claimed, scheming types lurked among them?

Trouble inside with Wu Daoyou, Zeng Youwang, and Luo Ningguang.

Trouble outside with these martial artists...

It was truly worrisome.

……

……

In the front hall of the City Lord’s Mansion, Hua Qianyu sat quietly sipping tea, apparently untroubled.

Chi Lu, however, was fidgeting anxiously, unable to sit still.

Xu Junsang, seated in the sixth chair, studied the lines on his palm as if they held a mysterious text he couldn't look away from.

The three sat in silence. As the quiet stretched on, footsteps reached the door.

Soon after, someone announced:

"Leader Wu, Leader Zeng, Leader Luo have arrived!"

Looking up, they saw Wu Daoyou, Zeng Youwang, and Luo Ningguang march into the hall.

Chi Lu's face darkened further at the sight.

As the former deputy city lord of Zhongfu City, after Zhou Qingchuan was killed by Su Mo’s single palm strike, he'd ordered Chi Lu to seek forgiveness from Wei Ruhan.

This was fundamentally a matter of choosing sides.

He dared not disobey, though he was not truly willing.

But at that time, he had no choice.

Swearing allegiance to Grand Alliance Leader Wei Ruhan, though it made him the city lord of Zhongfu City, also made him their puppet.

His earlier calculations had been sound, and he felt that if things continued this way, the future seemed bright.

But with Wu Daoyou's meteoric rise, the situation within the alliance took a nosedive.

Luo Ningguang was originally the deputy city lord of his Zhongfu City, yet everyone knew he was Wu Daoyou's man.

On ordinary days, he gave him the cold shoulder, showing zero respect.

Now, looking at Wu Daoyou, who occupied three positions, it was clear he had already gained the upper hand.

Though Xu Junsang openly claimed neutrality, his stance, seemingly firm, was merely about waiting to see which way the wind blows.

In this contest, whichever side truly got the upper hand, he would undoubtedly jump ship in a heartbeat.

As for Hua Qianyu... as the second alliance leader, even without a single supporter by her side,

she was not someone to take lightly.

Surveying the alliance's situation, Chi Lu, Wei Ziyi, and Wei Ruhan made up one faction.

Wu Daoyou, Zeng Youwang, and Luo Ningguang controlled half the alliance.

Hua Qianyu and Xu Junsang each occupied their own positions.

On paper, it looked like a stalemate.

But one must not forget...

Xu Junsang was the deputy city lord of Jinyang City.

He and Zeng Youwang had jointly controlled the city for many years.

Whether the two had any under-the-table dealings—even if Xu Junsang had yet to declare his stance—was a possibility no one could overlook.

Even if he truly intended to wait until the last moment to make his choice, judging by the current circumstances alone,

his own side—his experience and skills—clearly couldn’t compare to Wu Daoyou and Zeng Youwang.

As for Wei Ziyi, she was green and untested.

If not for the old Grand Alliance Leader keeping things together, even a three-on-three matchup would offer no chance of victory.

Moreover, the old man was, after all, getting on in years. Now, with him on his last legs, whether he could still exert influence remained uncertain...

The situation was looking pretty grim.

This made it difficult for Chi Lu to keep his rising panic in check.

In contrast, Hua Qianyu just gave a quick once-over at the three of them before casually lifting her teacup:

"Alliance Leader Wu, quite the show you're putting on.

"To those who know, you’re here for the alliance meeting. To those who don’t, they'd swear today was the day you ascend as the new Grand Alliance Leader."

"Alliance Leader Hua’s words hit right where it hurts," Wu Daoyou gave a wry chuckle.

"I’ve been in the Fallen Phoenix Alliance for many years. To claim I’ve never harbored even the slightest ambition for the Grand Alliance Leader’s position wouldn't fool a soul."

"But... no matter who ultimately comes out on top, the Fallen Phoenix Alliance remains the Fallen Phoenix Alliance.

"Wu Daoyou is still the same Wu Daoyou, never changed one bit."

Hua Qianyu gave him a look but stayed silent.

Wu Daoyou and the other two kept quiet, each taking their respective seats.

Wei Ziyi entered from the door and glanced at the seat for the Grand Leader, frowning slightly.

After a moment’s hesitation, she said nothing and sat in the last seat.

The seven alliance leaders settled in, and the hall went dead silent.

They waited a bit longer before someone finally announced:

"The Grand Leader has arrived!"

The seven shared a look and stood at once.

Looking up, they saw Huang Yuan helping Wei Ruhan emerge from the rear of the hall.

Wei Ruhan looked weak, his eyes hazy.

Though he struggled to keep his eyes open and his back straight, it was clear he was running on fumes.

Wei Ziyi didn’t stay put. She stepped forward to Wei Ruhan’s other side, steadying her grandfather alongside Huang Yuan as they led him to his seat.

Wei Ruhan gently patted Wei Ziyi’s hand. "Go back now. Today, you are not my granddaughter but one of the eight alliance leaders of the Fallen Phoenix Alliance. Don’t cross the line."

"Yes."

Wei Ziyi complied, slipping behind the others to return to her seat.

"Greetings, Grand Leader."

The seven said together.

Wei Ruhan let out a tired sigh before speaking, waving a hand weakly.

"We’re all kin here. Sit... please, sit."

Once everyone had taken their seats, Wei Ruhan scanned them with a faint smile.

"The reason I’m calling you here today is something I believe you already understand.

"The Fallen Phoenix Alliance has been through hell and back since its founding.

"Many of our old comrades are long gone, leaving only this old fool hanging on, unwilling to let go of the Grand Leader’s seat until now...

"Honestly, it’s embarrassing."

"You’re being too hard on yourself, Grand Leader," Hua Qianyu said softly.

"Without your leadership, the Fallen Phoenix Alliance would not be what it is today.

"In fact, I rather hope you hold onto that seat a while longer."

"Alliance Leader Hua makes a good point."

Wu Daoyou also nodded in agreement:

"Our mighty Fallen Phoenix Alliance could lose anyone—except you."

The others joined in, showering him with praise.

Wei Ruhan waved his hand with a smile:

"At my age, I can’t stomach such sweet talk anymore.

"If you keep this up, you’ll make an old man cling to life...

"Ah, enough—really, enough.

"When I was young, I thought I could conquer the world, but now that I’m at death’s door, I truly know what it’s like to stare death in the face.

"I may not have long to live, but I hope our Fallen Phoenix Alliance can endure.

"So before I go, I want to hand over the reins!"

In just a few words, Wei Ruhan cut to the chase.

This left the room silent.

Wei Ruhan’s gaze swept over them, finally resting on Wei Ziyi. He sighed first, then allowed himself a faint smile:

"But before we get to that, I’d like to talk with all of you about the Fallen Phoenix Alliance.

"Ever since the fall of the Great Xuan Dynasty, the martial world’s been drowning in endless feuds and bloodshed.

"Countless commoners have paid the price...

"Our corner of the world was especially lawless.

"Scum of all kinds ran wild.

"Martial artists? Ha! They were just thugs who robbed and plundered.

"Or rather, they were even worse than thugs.

"Even bandits know not to burn the village they loot.

"They’d rob anyone with a scrap of food, and if they felt like it, they’d kill—just because they could.

"The gang that dug in here called themselves the Celestial Phoenix Gang.

"Its leader was a formidable martial artist—back in my youth, I couldn’t hold a candle to him.

"They occupied the land, considering themselves superior, their brutality knew no limits.

"I started with nothing, roamed the land as a young man, learning from masters. Upon returning to my homeland, I saw gangs running rampant and the ordinary folks suffering.

"That’s when I swore to bring order to this chaos.

"However, it was far from easy."

"As the saying goes, so we have always welcomed all those with aspirations to join us—two heads are better than one.

"Our actions walk the path of righteousness, for it is said that those who stand for justice will find support, while those who oppose it will be abandoned.

"The Tianfeng Gang was ruthless, using their martial arts to bring suffering to ordinary folks, and ultimately losing the people's support.

"In the end, their mighty Tianfeng Gang was wiped out in Sunset City by a ragtag band of fearless young martial artists.

"Standing over the fallen leader, I gave our once-disorganized group a name—

"Fallen Phoenix Alliance!

"For decades, the Fallen Phoenix Alliance has stood strong. Though we cannot compare to the long history of the Heavenly Blade Sect or rival Wusheng Hall,

"there is one thing we do far better than them.

"We are kind to ordinary folks.

"Because... most of those beside you came from farming backgrounds.

"Back then, many of our brothers, with no martial arts training, dared to wield hoes and fight the Tianfeng Gang to the death—the human spirit shines through such acts.

"It was the resolve to resist oppression and rise up.

"I have witnessed firsthand the awesome power of the people united when they act as one.

"And I know how many true martial arts masters and talented people emerge from such struggles.

"Therefore, whether for gain, for honor, or upholding the path of righteousness,

"as the Grand Alliance Leader of the Fallen Phoenix Alliance, always remember one thing, no matter the time or place—

"The people come first!"

The seven alliance leaders listened quietly, knowing these were familiar words.

Yet they all rose to their feet:

"Yes! We obey the Grand Alliance Leader's decree!"

"Good."

Having spoken so much in one breath, Wei Ruhan sat for a moment to catch his breath before continuing:

"Now, to the matter at hand. Today's assembly is to select a successor for my position as Grand Alliance Leader.

"Everyone, speak your minds.

"The Fallen Phoenix Alliance is not about one person's rule. Just as in the past, we shall reach decisions together."

Silence fell over the hall.

After a pause, someone suddenly rose.

It was none other than the current Fifth Alliance Leader, Chi Lu. He stepped forward, clasped his fists, and declared:

"Grand Alliance Leader, I believe that Miss Wei Ziyi is the perfect choice for this role!!"