Chapter 1229: The Imperial Guard Plan

One thousand five hundred!
Top experts!!
Kai Xin was shocked by the figure Ji Feng had given. You see, back then, all the top experts from the major gangs in the capital combined numbered only seven or eight hundred. Kai Xin had already been satisfied if he could attract two or three hundred top experts using the rewards set for the sect competitions, then gradually develop and train more over time.
But what he didn’t expect was that the plan progressed exceptionally smoothly! A single competition uncovered over a thousand top experts for Jinxiu Heshan, including more than a hundred master-level blacksmiths as reported by Ji Feng yesterday. Upon confirming this with Ji Feng, Kai Xin couldn’t help but take a deep breath.
Under Ji Feng’s surprised gaze, Kai Xin slowly straightened up, a glint in his eyes…
Silence followed.
In fact, from the moment they repelled the Wild Wolf Organization, besides planning to attract Central Plains experts with peerless martial arts secrets, divine weapons, and status, Kai Xin also assigned another group to work on a separate plan. After all, relying solely on recruitment wouldn’t be sustainable…
What Kai Xin hoped most for was for Jinxiu Heshan to have its own group of top experts—experts nurtured by Jinxiu Heshan itself. So, while establishing a fair and just environment for training top experts, Kai Xin tasked Feng Wu Caiyi to secretly handle matters at Nanhua University, providing her with better resources to support its members and help them grow stronger.
With the support of both Ji Feng and Feng Wu Caiyi, the operations of both the large and small platforms were proceeding smoothly, and results were expected soon.
“Sect Master?”
“Hmm?”
Returning from his thoughts, Kai Xin turned to see Ji Feng’s gaze filled with surprise and concern.
“Sect Master, are you alright?”
Nodding, Kai Xin mused, “Hmm, one thousand five hundred top experts—this number truly exceeded my expectations. It seems now that once this competition ends, we can launch the previously planned initiatives ahead of schedule!”
After becoming the vice sect master of Jinxiu Heshan, Ji Feng had reverted to his once agile and sharp-minded self. Hearing this, he quickly understood:
“Do you mean to launch the ‘Imperial Guard’ plan ahead of time?”
“…Exactly.”
Kai Xin nodded in satisfaction and transmitted his thoughts, “During this time, Yi Di has done well in the Western Regions, but he just sent word that something serious has happened there…”

“I’ve also heard about what’s going on in the Western Regions,” Ji Feng said in a lower tone, sighing. “Yipin Tang has been severely weakened by us, and the Wild Wolf forces in the Western Regions have been almost completely eliminated. The Emperor has made great contributions, but none of us expected the Evil Emperor to go to such extreme lengths this time, summoning nearly half of his troops to the Western Regions…” He paused before continuing, “Our Jinxiu Riverlands have just been stabilized. Although we are strong and envied by many, fighting against top organizations like Wild Wolf is manageable within the Central Plains, but beyond them, our reach is limited…”

“But with these 1,500 top experts now, we might not be so helpless!” Kai Xin interrupted Ji Feng firmly. “The Evil Emperor wants to take this opportunity to restore order in the Western Regions, and it’s also an opportunity for us!”

“…”

Ji Feng was shocked! He realized Kai Xin must have made up his mind.

“When two armies face off outside the Central Plains, it’s a battle of endurance. I’m afraid we’re not yet a match… Besides, Wild Wolf has many top experts. If we send everyone we have, the interior of the Central Plains will be left defenseless. As for Meng Yun’s side…”

Ji Feng’s concerns weren’t unfounded.

But Kai Xin seemed confident!

“Who said I’m planning to confront Wild Wolf head-on?” Kai Xin smiled confidently. “You take care of managing the sect on my behalf. Don’t worry about killing… After the competition, give me the list of these 1,500 people and ask if they’re willing to join the Imperial Guard and fight in the Western Regions. Maybe even the day after the competition…”

“…Yes!” Ji Feng promptly obeyed.

Although Kai Xin’s order was merely to ask, it implied that those who agreed would be directly assigned to the Imperial Guard and sent to the Western Regions right away—perhaps even the day after the competition…

Kai Xin gave a few more instructions. By then, most of the newly added 100,000 seats were filled, and Bai Xiaosheng arrived as scheduled.

The two quickly stood up!

“Master!”

“Sect Leader!”

Bai Xiaosheng, dressed in Confucian robes and smiling broadly, seemed in high spirits.

Others might think their close relationship was normal, but those who knew Bai Xiaosheng well knew he was usually very reserved, even when smiling, never as enthusiastic as now.

Only Kai Xin knew it must be Fengling who had informed Bai Xiaosheng…

With the guidance of the Qin Sect’s leader, such a great opportunity had been secured—how could Bai Xiaosheng not be happy? And…

I believe Bai Xiaosheng already knows that Kai Xin holds the master’s token of the Qin Sect in his hands, and that a disciple of Jinxiu Heshan has received the master’s legacy. With time, he will surely become an unparalleled expert. Whether it’s because of the wind chimes, Kai Xin’s current status in the martial world, or other reasons, Bai Xiaosheng’s enthusiasm is entirely understandable.
“Your presence truly honors our humble abode!”
“Hehe, the sect leader is too kind. I now hold the position of vice-sect leader of Jinxiu Heshan—it’s only natural for us to gather together; there’s no need for such formality.”
“Haha… Kai Xin, you’re wrong… Come, sit here!”
Kai Xin led Bai Xiaosheng to sit beside him. As Bai Xiaosheng approached, he lowered his voice and said, “Mei Ying, the leader of Xifeng Tower, and Lin Xiao, the leader of the Heroic Alliance, have also arrived.”
“Oh?”
Kai Xin glanced at Ji Feng and said, “These two distinguished guests have come in person, giving great honor to Jinxiu Heshan. Vice-sect leader Ji, please invite them to the guest seats.”
“Yes, sect leader!”
Ji Feng immediately understood and took out a homing pigeon… Soon, Mei Ying and Lin Xiao arrived! The four of them exchanged more words of congratulations and pleasantries.
“Sect leader Kai Xin truly always goes all out—his actions are astonishing. I can’t even praise him enough. This time, I’ve come to benefit from his presence and learn from him!”
“Leader Lin, you’re too kind!”
“It’s no flattery. Look at the popularity of this arena… Not just in the Central Plains, but across the whole world—aside from Jinxiu Heshan, who else could organize such a grand martial arts conference?” Mei Ying spoke crisply as she and Lin Xiao sat down beside Kai Xin and Bai Xiaosheng.
“It’s all thanks to your kindness.”
Kai Xin spoke as politely and humbly as ever.
“By the way, sect leader Kai Xin, I heard that Emperor Yi encountered some trouble in the Western Regions. It seems the Wild Wolves Organization is going all out to reclaim lost territories. Should we do something after this competition?”
“Good idea!”
Lin Xiao agreed earnestly, “Emperor Yi has shown the elegance and might of our Central Plains martial arts in those countries. With this incident, everyone in the Central Plains is very concerned. Sect leader Kai Xin, if you plan to go to those countries, be sure to take me along… I’ve long wanted to fight against the Wild Wolves Organization again!” His words were bold and full of fighting spirit.
“It seems things aren’t as simple as they appear.”

Shadow didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she frowned slightly, expressing a different opinion: “This time, the Wild Wolf Organization has gathered a large number of top experts from the countries in the Western Regions to attack both the Emperor and the forces of Jinxiu Heshan there at the same time. On the surface, it seems like they want to assert control and dominance over those countries. But I always feel that if it were just to take over the Western Regions, the Evil Emperor wouldn’t need to go to such lengths.”
After a pause, Shadow raised a conspiracy theory:
“Moreover, according to Master Bai Xiaosheng, the Evil Emperor is also on his way to the Western Regions. With the Wild Wolves acting so hastily to attack the Emperor, there must be some hidden plan—either targeting us… or for their own sake…”
“…”
This was the first time Lin Xiao had heard such news. Hearing this, his expression changed slightly: “The Wild Wolves amassing troops in the Western Regions—do they intend to make a comeback and attack us in the Central Plains again?!”
With over a thousand top experts, the threat to the Central Plains was self-evident.
Both of their gazes turned to Happy…
Now, Happy was truly the guardian of the Central Plains. If the Wild Wolves tried to make a comeback, as the largest gang in the Central Plains, Happy had an undeniable responsibility.
“Everyone, I think we can sit down and discuss this in detail after the competition ends. Right now, the competition has already started…”
Ji Feng clearly felt that this wasn’t the right time to discuss such serious matters, so he interjected appropriately to divert the three’s attention.
“Right.”
“Sorry, we were too hasty.”
Lin Xiao and Shadow both showed awkward expressions.
Shifting the topic, Shadow said, “By the way, I heard that Mo Feng, the former leader of the Xiyi Gate, is also participating in this competition of Jinxiu Heshan, and he’s quite popular, right, Leader Happy?”
Shadow wore an excited and curious expression;
However, when Lin Xiao heard Mo Feng’s name, his face darkened, and he turned away.
Happy naturally noticed Lin Xiao’s unusual expression and nodded lightly, saying, “Besides Mo Feng, the other 99 disciples participating in this competition are all very strong. Soon, the forum owner will be able to see them, and then it will be up to us to determine the ultimate winner!”
“Great.”
Actually, as soon as Shadow mentioned Mo Feng’s name, she noticed Lin Xiao’s strange expression. Realizing she had said the wrong thing, she quickly changed the subject along with Happy’s tone: “Actually, I’m more curious about the other two experts from Jinxiu Heshan…”

“Oh?” Kai Xin showed curiosity. “To be honest, I’ve paid too little attention to the details of the big competition lately. I might not even know as much as Ghost Lord… But anything that can pique Ghost Lord’s interest must be significant. I wonder who those two are.”
As he spoke, he glanced at Ji Feng beside him.
Ji Feng spoke up at the right moment:
“What Ghost Lord is referring to are probably those who performed outstandingly in the pre-competition trials… But Xiao Li the Cyclone and Orochimaru?”
“That’s right, they are.” None of them noticed the slight hint of surprise on Kai Xin’s face when Ji Feng mentioned those two names.