Chapter 913: Bringing Them Under One’s Command

The flowers, plants, and trees that Bai Xiaosheng used to cultivate his sentiments in the front courtyard were still there. The elegant courtyard was unusually lively and solemn for the first time. Over twenty tables were set up in the spacious courtyard, with the leaders of various gangs from the capital and renowned experts from the city taking their seats in an orderly manner.

However…
There were rules even for seating. Most of those outside were renowned experts from the city and leaders of less influential gangs; those with greater influence were not in the front courtyard. But Bai Xiaosheng personally moved among the tables, greeting the gang leaders, thus putting those solemn figures in the hall in the background—including Huang Sha, the deputy leader of Yipin Hall.

After taking their seats, everyone looked grim and tense, while Happy calmly sipped tea, creating an extremely heavy atmosphere.

“We’ll sit outside,” Qin Qing and Qin Yun quickly agreed and found a relatively empty seat.

Bai Xiaosheng naturally noticed this but said nothing. After chatting briefly with those around him, he picked up his wine glass and walked slowly over to Qin Qing and her sister’s table.

“It’s an honor to have you two, the palace masters, here.”

Qin Qing and Qin Yun were no longer as timid as before. They quickly stood up and replied with smiles, “Master Bai Xiaosheng is hosting a banquet, and we came uninvited. Please forgive us.”

“Haha, no need for formalities. I’m more than happy. By the way, Huang Sha, the deputy leader of Yipin Hall, and several gang leaders are in the hall. Would you two like to join them?” Bai Xiaosheng smiled faintly.

Qin Qing and Qin Yun gave a bitter smile. “We appreciate your kindness, Master, but we think the scenery in your courtyard is better, so we won’t go.” They really wanted to avoid Huang Sha—how could they possibly enter the hall?

Bai Xiaosheng smiled as if he understood. “If that’s the case, I won’t disturb your enjoyment. I’ll go greet the guests over there.”

“Okay.” Nodding, they watched Bai Xiaosheng leave before finally relaxing. Yet their sharp eyes still stared toward the three tables in the hall.

…

“Ren Jie, why are you free today? How is your master?”

“My master is in good health. Thank you for worrying, Brother Happy. But some guests came to our house yesterday, so my master asked me to come out for a few days.”

Ren Jie sat to Happy’s left and was the only one at the table who didn’t feel awkward. He spoke to Happy in a casual tone.

Hearing this, Happy’s eyelids twitched. “Guests? Ximen Chuixue has few friends. Could it be…”

“My master called that man ‘Four Eyebrows’,” Ren Jie said carefree, his tone and expression unchanged. “It seems they get along well. I didn’t pay much attention. When I heard that Brother Happy had come to the capital, I wanted to spar with you again.”
Happy smiled.
“Heh, it’s really him.”
Ren Jie, being immersed in swordsmanship training all day, probably didn’t pay much attention, but this “Four Eyebrows” was exactly the person Happy had been trying to find.
It truly lived up to the saying: “After much effort in vain, success comes effortlessly!”
“There’s no problem with sparring, but you have to take me to meet your master and his friend.”
“You know him?”
Ren Jie was stunned. Looking over, he saw a glimmer of enthusiasm in Happy’s eyes:
“I’ve been looking for him for a long time.”
Many people at the table heard Happy’s words.
Including Huang Sha, most of them had already guessed that the person Happy was searching for was Lu Xiaofeng—the legendary man who could clamp down on Xi Men Chui Xue’s long sword, the most amazing hero-catcher in the Central Plains.
A plot mission!
Almost everyone’s mind flashed with this thought.
Plot characters triggering plot missions—unexpectedly, after returning from the grasslands, Happy was once again embroiled in a new plot mission: killing, capturing, expanding territory—no plot mission missed.
Such an enemy was terrifying!
Many people’s expressions changed instantly, their gazes toward Huang Sha becoming uncertain…
“…”
Huang Sha watched as more and more gang leaders gathered in the courtyard, his expression growing darker.
He had originally gathered these fiercely loyal gang leaders of Yipin Hall in the hall to intimidate Happy, to make him understand that if the Mu family wanted to get involved in this part of the capital, it would cost a lot!
But unexpectedly, with Bai Xiaosheng’s invitation, a group of frustrated gang leaders in the capital—those who had never been taken seriously by Yipin Hall—came all here. Many gangs even secretly allied with forces opposed to Yipin Hall.
This scene stirred up intense emotions in Huang Sha, who vaguely guessed that Bai Xiaosheng’s move was likely to turn guests into masters, using local forces in the capital to deal with Yipin Hall’s local forces.
He couldn’t help but speak up:
“Happy, you asked Bai Xiaosheng to host a banquet for the famous figures in the capital today. Now that almost everyone who should be here has arrived, it’s time to show us what’s in your sack—what trick are you up to?”
“Is Deputy Hall Master Huang in a hurry?”
Happy’s calm reply made Huang Sha snort and turn his head to the side.

“This is the capital city; there’s no need to rush even when happy. You’re right at your own doorstep, so you probably aren’t in a hurry either.” Kai Xin continued as if nothing had happened, “Besides, the host here hasn’t started the banquet yet. What should Kai Xin say? It’s not a good habit to overshadow the host. What do you all think?”
“…”
The group held their teacups and wine glasses, none daring to speak.
It was only then that Ren Jie finally sensed the unusual atmosphere at the banquet. He glanced around and said, “Who are all these people? Why are they all so silent as mutes?”
After all, they were young people who spent their days practicing swordsmanship and paid little attention to martial world affairs, so they naturally didn’t know the identities of these gang leaders who were so renowned outside.
As soon as these words were spoken, many people’s faces turned red instantly…
Mutes.
A group of mutes.
Which one of them here wasn’t someone powerful enough to shake the capital with a single step? And yet they were looked down upon by a young boy.
But with Kai Xin right beside them, none dared to express their anger.
Kai Xin couldn’t help but burst into laughter:
“Haha… Well said, a group of mutes! Let me tell you, each of these people here has tens of thousands of subordinates.”
“Oh?”
Although Ren Jie knew little about the martial world and was a novice, he was quick-witted. Hearing this, he showed a frivolous and arrogant expression. Glancing at the proud gang leaders around him, he said, “Ren Jie has been struggling to find someone to spar with. Since all of you leaders have so many subordinates, there must be many skilled people among you. How about recommending a few to fight against Ren Jie?”
With just one sentence, the proud gang leaders suddenly slumped, their facial muscles twitching as they avoided making eye contact with Ren Jie.
Even Huang Sha, upon hearing Ren Jie’s provocation, couldn’t help but blush, his neck almost twisting backward as he pretended not to hear.
“As expected, they’re all just leaders who refuse to pay attention to an obscure young man like me in the martial world.” If Ren Jie had said this in a plaintive tone, perhaps the people present would have felt better. Unfortunately, his tone was full of contempt and sarcasm, making the gang leaders’ faces turn green and purple as they couldn’t even drink the tea in their cups.
What a clever boy!
Seeing Ren Jie crush Huang Sha and the others’ momentum with just one sentence, Kai Xin couldn’t help but marvel inwardly, while also plotting his own schemes.
A month ago.
When he met Ren Jie in the capital, the latter was extremely aggressive, drawing his sword to kill. If swordsmanship was about following the ways of man, Ren Jie back then would have been easily defeated. But now, the boy’s aura was clearly more subtle, yet still sharp—indicating that his swordsmanship had reached a different level and realm.

Ren Jie’s skills are likely now surpassing those of Silver Fox, even ranking him on the “Global Masters List”… If he can be brought into the Mu Family, he will surely become a formidable figure who can protect a region in the future!
“Xiao Jie, if Happy Brother invites you to be the head of the Mu Family’s branch in the capital city, responsible for the northern region, would you be willing?”
“…Ah!”
Ren Jie was stunned and exclaimed in surprise.
Huang Sha turned his head mechanically, staring at Happy with a look of astonishment, his gaze shifting between the two of them.
In the hall, the gang leaders all held their breath, unable to believe that Happy had so easily brought up the most sensitive issue they cared about;
What was even more unbelievable was that he wanted a kid to take charge.
The head of the capital’s branch, the person in charge of the entire northern region?
Although Ren Jie had a decent reputation—as a disciple of Xi Men Chui Xue with extraordinary sword skills—those were just nominal titles that could be trampled at any moment.
But being in charge of a region represented significant real benefits and absolute status, likely even greater than that of the people present.
Hearing Happy’s words, everyone was stunned, staring blankly at Happy and Ren Jie.
“…”
Ren Jie suddenly felt as if the stool beneath him had turned into needles, making him uncomfortable.
He had practiced swordsmanship just to avoid being bullied!
But after mastering it, he had been thinking about how to become as powerful as Happy, influencing events across the land…
Yet he knew that with his personality, it was impossible for him to become a regional strongman—it required too much time and effort. He had come to this banquet hosted by Bai Xiao Sheng hoping to showcase his sword skills under the guise of a duel, thereby gaining entry into the Mu Family.
But what he never expected was that before even fighting, Happy had already placed a huge burden on him, catching him off guard.
Yet Happy’s expression and tone made it impossible to doubt the truth of his words.
“Happy Boss.”
Ren Jie couldn’t help but smile bitterly despite his excitement: “I’m afraid I’m not cut out for this. I’ve never managed just a few people, let alone such a large area. Besides… isn’t there Master Bai Xiao Sheng in the capital? How could I qualify?”

“By now, the Mu Family has its own set of rules and regulations. They are strict, with clear rewards and punishments. You just need to follow these rules. Moreover, you don’t have to handle everything personally; I will send people to assist you in managing the branch halls. Your task is to ensure that these rules and regulations remain undisturbed by external factors. I believe you can do that. As for Master Bai Xiaosheng, he is a reclusive man with other aspirations.”
She smiled happily and looked straight into Ren Jie’s eyes. Seeing the surprise and confidence gradually appearing in his gaze, she knew things were settled.
A young swordsmanship expert had fallen into the Mu Family’s grasp.