Chapter 161: Seeking Help from Tongquan Sect

After leaving Wanbin Tower, Lin Dong wasted no time and left Qiufeng City that very night. While pondering the matter of the VIP card, he spurred his horse toward Qingmei Mountain.

Qingmei Mountain was fifty li west of the city, stretching for dozens of li. The mountains remained spring-like throughout the year, with over thirty sects residing there. Half of the sects under Qiufeng Mansion were located on Qingmei Mountain.

After a night of rapid travel, as the stars in the sky gradually dimmed, Lin Dong arrived at the foot of Qingmei Mountain. He tied up his horse and began climbing the mountain on foot.

Lin Dong wasn’t sure of Tongquan Sect’s exact location, but since it had a mouth, it shouldn’t be too difficult to find. Along the way, he encountered either jagged rocks, steep cliffs, or pine forests. At the mouth of a small stream, he met a disciple from a nearby sect who was coming down to fetch water.

After asking around, he learned that Tongquan Sect wasn’t far—just a few more mountain peaks away. Following the disciple’s guidance, Lin Dong avoided areas where spiritual beasts lurked and climbed over mountains. Although it was said to be just a few peaks away, it wasn’t until afternoon that he finally found Tongquan Sect.

Tongquan Sect was one of the prominent sects in Qingmei Mountain and even throughout Qiufeng Mansion, and its grandeur matched its reputation.

There were thousands of steps leading upward, and the mountain gate stood over ten zhang tall. On the gate beam, the three characters “Tongquan Sect” in bold black letters against gold shone brightly, exuding an imposing aura.

As soon as he reached the gate, two disciples on duty stepped forward. Though they didn’t draw their weapons, their expressions were cautious.

Lin Dong bowed and said, “Could you please inform Elder Liu that my friend Lin Dong has come to see him?”

The two disciples were slightly surprised. Usually, young people came to the mountain either to seek apprenticeship or to cause trouble. They never expected someone to travel such a long distance just to visit a friend.

They sized Lin Dong up. He seemed noble and likely a martial artist as well. One of the disciples bowed and asked, “May I ask which Elder Liu you wish to see, Young Master Lin?”

“Elder Liu Lixiong,” Lin Dong replied.

“Just a moment!”

Upon hearing this, their expressions softened immediately. One went back inside to give the notice, while the other led Lin Dong into the gate and arranged for him to wait in the reception area.

About half an hour later, through the open window, a dark figure rushed toward them from afar. Wherever it passed, all the disciples bowed deeply.

Lin Dong stood up and went out to greet them. By the time he reached the gate, the dark figure stopped—it was undoubtedly Liu Lixiong.

“It’s been several months. Elder Liu, you seem even more vigorous. I admire that,” Lin Dong said with a smile.

“Young Master Lin also looks outstanding, so impressive that it’s hard to look directly at you,” Liu Lixiong replied quickly, bowing. “I’m sorry for not greeting you properly upon your arrival.”

“Only after a long journey can one truly understand life.” Lin Dong also refused to be polite any longer and said straightforwardly, “I’m here this time to seek help from Tongquan Sect, relying entirely on Elder Liu’s kindness.”
“You’re too kind, Young Master Lin. Just give orders if there’s anything needed,” Liu Lixiong said with a smile, stepping aside to gesture for him to enter. “Please come in.”
Lin Dong nodded. It was somewhat inappropriate to discuss matters in such a place.
Tongquan Sect covered a vast area. Following Liu Lixiong, they passed by pavilions, waterside pavilions, towers, gardens, and exotic flowers and plants everywhere. Occasionally, they could see many disciples practicing swordsmanship gracefully, giving one the feeling of being in a fairyland far away from the mundane world.
They arrived at a simple courtyard, and the two entered one of the rooms. The room was spacious and tidy. Lin Dong glanced around—bamboo beds and wooden tables were simple and fresh, exuding a rustic atmosphere.
Soon, a disciple brought tea and left. Liu Lixiong pricked up his ears slightly and, confirming that no one was nearby, asked, “Young Master Lin, is Old Man Jiuzun doing well?”
Old Man Ding was seriously injured. Even with the spiritual medicine from Yun Cangqiong, he only had another ten days to half a month to live. Of course, there was no need to tell Liu Lixiong this. Lin Dong said with a smile, “He’s traveling around the world, living freely and happily. As for his health… I guess few people in the Great Han Country are as strong as him.”
Liu Lixiong nodded in agreement. Only another peak-level warrior could compare to a peak-level warrior in terms of physical strength.
“Young Master Lin, I wonder what trouble you’ve encountered this time?” Liu Lixiong asked. “Whether it’s worldly conflicts or sect-related feuds, due to the sect’s rules, I can’t send many disciples down the mountain, but I’ll definitely help without hesitation.”
“It’s not too big of a trouble…” Lin Dong said with a smile. “Elder Liu, I heard Tongquan Sect has a good relationship with the Peng family?”
“The relationship is indeed good. Is it the Peng family causing your trouble, Young Master Lin?” Liu Lixiong was surprised.
Lin Dong nodded and explained Peng Tianan’s situation before politely saying, “Since the Peng family gets along well with Tongquan Sect, I naturally can’t force them. I just hope Elder Liu can refrain from helping either side.”
“What are you saying, Young Master Lin? The mountainous areas under Tongquan Sect are rich in various rare ores. The Peng family knows a bit about crafting. It’s not a problem for us to take some low-grade ores and trade them with them. Besides, the Peng family also needs a backing, so over the past hundred years, they’ve been quite loyal to Tongquan Sect.” Liu Lixiong explained their relationship with the Peng family before sneering, “It’s just a mundane family. How could such a relationship compare to yours, Young Master Lin?”

Lin Dong calmed down and bowed, saying, “This matter really depends entirely on Elder Liu.”
Liu Lixiong also felt much more at ease. Though he spoke with firmness, he was actually quite anxious since Lin Dong had asked for his help. In his view, Lin Dong had the backing of a powerful faction and a group of strong allies hidden in the inn; unless it was a serious matter, there was no reason for him to come to Liu for assistance.
By “serious matter,” he undoubtedly meant clan feuds or the extermination of a family—both of which were serious violations of the sect’s rules. Although Liu Lixiong was a senior elder in charge of the rules, he was not the sect leader. If things escalated and affected the entire sect, he might be sacrificed as a scapegoat to reconcile the parties.
If the Wine Lord could be brought in, even the larger sects would be willing to help, not to mention the entire sect. But the identity of the Wine Lord couldn’t be revealed.
If the Wine Lord was at Lin’s Inn, it wouldn’t matter if it was inconvenient for him to intervene—after all, a peak-level powerhouse would surely step in to save his friend from punishment or even death, and rewards would follow.
But the problem was that the Wine Lord wasn’t at Lin’s Inn. Who knew if he would return in three or five years? Enduring some punishment, even losing an arm or leg, might still be acceptable, but losing one’s life could never be compensated for, no matter how powerful the peak-level warrior was.
It was just being oppressed by a Peng family young master—there was no possibility of exterminating an entire family. Though this meant missing an opportunity, it carried no real risk.
“Don’t worry, Young Master Lin!” Liu Lixiong said confidently. “Didn’t the Peng family cut off your supply of spiritual beasts and materials? I’ll talk to the outer sect administrator later and order that starting today, the entire sect will also cut off the Peng family’s access to rare ores. As for that Peng Tianan, if he doesn’t deliver his head to Lin’s Inn within three days, I’ll personally bring Peng Tianan’s head along with the head of the Peng family head.”
With such words, the Peng family was no longer a concern. Lin Dong, who had been upset when he arrived, felt somewhat relieved now. After thinking for a moment, he said, “It’s just a minor matter. Elder Liu, it’s enough if you temporarily cut off the Peng family’s supply of materials. Let them come to me for the rest!”
Since no blood would be shed, this favor was almost negligible. It was a rare chance to have a peak-level powerhouse’s friend owe him a favor—how could he let it slip away so easily? Liu Lixiong retorted indignantly, “That wretched Peng family dares to oppress Young Master Lin—how can we just let them off so easily?”
Lin Dong raised an eyebrow meaningfully and said, “A head isn’t worth much.”

Liu Lixiong was momentarily stunned, but soon understood. He would deal a heavy blow to the Peng family later; even without Peng Tianan’s head, he would still have secured this favor.