Chapter 647: Arrival at Lingxiao Palace

Lingxiao Palace’s main headquarters was located in a large coastal city with convenient transportation, attracting many people from all over the land, ensuring timely information flow.
However, recently, the number of people coming and going from Lingxiao Palace had significantly decreased. Even some foreign organizations that had close ties with Lingxiao Palace chose to leave temporarily.
Although trade with Lingxiao Palace provided them with a foothold and profitable business opportunities, as they stayed longer in the Central Plains, they gradually realized the power balance there—four major factions vying for dominance!
The Mu Family and the Xiyi Gate dominated half of the Central Plains…
Now that the gods were at war, small organizations like theirs would be crushed if drawn into it—either suffering heavy losses or being utterly destroyed by the mighty forces of those top factions!
So!
Despite their close ties with Lingxiao Palace, they still had to remain cautious, walking on thin ice in the Central Plains.
“Business has slowed down a lot lately, Sister.”
Inside Lingxiao Palace’s main prison, Qin Yun looked at her sister with concern:
“The Mu Family is moving troops frequently across its branches. Should we contact them to ease the current tension? This isn’t good for our development.”
“Do you think I don’t want to?”
Qin Qing sighed:
“This is a critical turning point for the Mu Family! I originally planned to intervene when Kai Xin fought against the Emperor, to slow down the Mu Family’s growth so we could become the strongest faction in the Central Plains faster. But the Fengyu Alliance acted rashly, escalating tensions. The people from the Sanlong Club even allied with Yipin Tang to attack the Mu Family…”
“Why did Yipin Tang act so quickly? Meng Yun doesn’t seem like a reckless person.”
“Of course, Meng Yun wouldn’t do that. But she’s under great pressure in the north. If we don’t act now and let the Mu Family and Xiyi Gate cause chaos first, the decisive battle at Mount Tai won’t matter much to the Mu Family, and Yipin Tang won’t get a chance to advance south! Sigh… Meng Yun has ruined our best plans for Lingxiao Palace this time.”
Qin Qing said, slightly troubled: “The Fengyu Alliance has caused too much chaos. The Xiyi Gate launching a full-scale attack on Huangquan Tower is likely due to Kai Xin’s encouragement and support. Otherwise, with Lin Xiao’s personality, he wouldn’t mobilize his forces so decisively—he knows well how much damage a large-scale battle would inflict on the Xiyi Gate.”
“…”
Qin Yun nodded silently.

The Xiyi Gate has always been relatively restrained and peaceful. Its sudden large-scale action this time clearly indicates some change, as they intend to resolve the conflicts in the south swiftly. The only force capable of influencing the Xiyi Gate is the Mu Family! The only one who can stabilize the south quickly is also the Mu Family!
“But if the Sanlong Club’s attack fails this time and the Mu Family really decides to hold us accountable, what should we do?”
“Don’t worry. Kaixin won’t get involved in battles in both the south and the coastal areas at the same time. No matter how capable he is, he can’t fight on all fronts.” As Qin Qing said this, Qin Yun showed a hint of concern.
Is that really the case?
“Palace Master! Palace Master!!” Urgent cries came from the entrance of the gang’s prison: “Something bad has happened!”
“Acting so panicked—what’s the point?”
Qin Qing frowned slightly and rebuked them authoritatively, “Haidong Qing, you’re still an elder of the main hall. What’s the need to make such a fuss?”
Haidong Qing, filled with anxiety, rushed in and was scolded, yet his worry and tension didn’t lessen at all. “Kaixin…”
“Speak slowly.” Qin Yun knew Haidong Qing had an interest in her and that he usually treated her sister like a cat. Surely something serious had happened, so she spoke more gently: “What is it?”
Qin Qing also seemed to sense something and stopped practicing for the time being. Just as the two women stood still, a snow-white homing pigeon flew in and landed on Qin Qing’s shoulder.
Haidong Qing swallowed hard and pointed at the pigeon on Qin Qing’s shoulder: “Kaixin is outside…”
“…?”
The expressions of the two women changed. Haidong Qing finally calmed his rapid breathing and said slowly, “Kaixin is right outside.”
“…”
Qin Qing paused while unfolding the note, her face showing shock.
“What did he say?”
Qin Yun gasped and stepped beside her sister, peering at the note in Qin Qing’s hand. It read: “I’ve come uninvited. I hope Palace Master Qin will deign to see me.”
The words on the note were very polite, with no trace of hostility. But what Haidong Qing said made them feel an overwhelming pressure…

Hai Dongqing said, “He said he came this time to deal with foreign union organizations. He also said that out of courtesy, he needed to ask Lingxiao Palace’s opinion first. Lingxiao Palace has previously stated that it does not allow anyone to expel foreign union organizations. He came here to ask whether Lingxiao Palace would refuse Mu Family’s order to expel them and stand up for them, or stay neutral.”
“……”
“What a clever tactic.”
“What an astute man—no wonder even Yipin Hall fell into his hands.”
Qin Qing’s expression turned somewhat gloomy.
Although Happy spoke in a calm tone and politely asked Lingxiao Palace’s opinion first, he was actually using retreat as a strategy to force Lingxiao Palace to choose its stance.
After all…
Without evidence of cooperation between Lingxiao Palace and the Three Dragons Society, it would be unpopular for Mu Family to take action against Lingxiao Palace rashly.
But Happy started by bringing up Lingxiao Palace’s ban in coastal areas, forcing it to decide whether to protect the Three Dragons Society or stay neutral.
Choosing the former would indirectly confirm everyone’s suspicion that there was a connection between Lingxiao Palace and the Three Dragons Society, thus giving Mu Family an excuse to act;
If it stayed neutral, Lingxiao Palace would damage its own prestige and reputation, even giving the impression of being weak and easily bullied!
What was even more disheartening for the two women was that if Happy’s declaration had been made elsewhere, Lingxiao Palace could have chosen to delay or refuse to respond…
But Happy appeared silently outside Lingxiao Palace’s main hall!
If Qin Qing refused to meet or answer, Happy might find some other excuse to storm in and destroy the foundation of Lingxiao Palace’s main hall.
“……”
The two women finally understood why Hai Dongqing had rushed in in such a panic.
This move was clearly meant to corner Lingxiao Palace, forcing it into a desperate situation.
“Sister!”
“We can’t worry about that now. Let’s go outside first; we’ll see what happens as we move forward.” Qin Qing was caught off guard by Happy’s move and knew they couldn’t delay any longer, so she stepped forward.
Qin Yun and Hai Dongqing followed closely behind.