News of Zhao Xuanqi officially taking over the Wind Shadow Hall spread quickly throughout Celestial Sea Prefecture. It wasn’t just the Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall; word had reached everyone in the local Martial Arts Realm.

After all, Zhao Xuanqi had recently become a figure of great interest in the Celestial Sea Prefecture Martial Arts Realm, and the Wind Shadow Hall was a major force within the Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall.

Furthermore, the situation in Celestial Sea Prefecture was tense. The conflict between the Jili Empire’s affiliated trading companies and the three major martial arts halls was reaching a fever pitch, dragging many businesses and industries into the dispute. Thus, this change in leadership at the Wind Shadow Hall became a key indicator for many who were gauging the situation.

"Zhao Qi taking over the Wind Shadow Hall... Weng Xiaolin’s move seems a bit rushed... Although Zhao Qi is indeed capable, he still seems too green to get involved in a dispute at the level of the Martial Arts Halls."

"I heard his Martial Dao has broken through to the Cross-Training realm? His rate of progress is certainly astonishing, but anyone who can influence the situation in the Upper River District is at least a Martial Artist at the mid-stage of Cross-Training or higher, right?"

"Well, I heard that as soon as he took over the Wind Shadow Hall, he publicly defeated Shanghai Mountain, the strongest Inner Sect member there, to establish his authority. Shanghai Mountain has quite a reputation in Celestial Sea Prefecture, doesn’t he? Known as ’Shadow Claw,’ both his Training Method and combat style are top-tier, second only to the True Inheritance. To be able to beat him, Zhao Qi’s strength shouldn’t be underestimated."

"What do you guys know? I heard it was all just a show. Zhao Qi has only just entered the Cross-Training realm; how could he possibly be a match for a veteran like Shanghai Mountain? That match was secretly arranged by Weng Xiaolin to let Zhao Qi establish his authority and take control."

"Weng Xiaolin thinks that highly of this kid?"

"..."

Lately in the Upper River District, the idle chatter among prominent figures and wealthy gentry in related business circles has all revolved around the Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall, with the recent change of leadership at the Wind Shadow Hall being the main topic of discussion.

Somewhere in Celestial Sea Prefecture, inside a luxurious Western-style villa.

Director Pete, dressed in silk pajamas, seemed to have just finished bathing. He was leaning back on a soft sofa with a cigar in his mouth, listening to his subordinate’s report with his eyes slightly closed.

"Zhao Qi, you say?"

Only upon hearing this name did he slowly open his eyes.

"Tell the people at Jingmao they need to speed things up. If they can make this Zhao Qi disappear from Celestial Sea Prefecture, there will be a great reward."

Director Pete said nonchalantly.

"Yes, sir."

The white subordinate replied respectfully.

Meanwhile, at the Jingmao Trading Company.

Ever since the Three Halls Tournament, the Jili Empire had begun taking action against the forces of the three major martial arts halls.

However, those white Ghost Elders were unwilling to get their own hands dirty, lest they become the subject of gossip. Therefore, the ones who actually took action were the forces under the various trading companies and gangs they secretly supported.

Among them, the forces of three trading companies were the strongest, each opposing one of the three major martial arts halls.

And the force opposing the Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall was none other than the Jingmao Trading Company, with whom Zhao Xuanqi had previous dealings.

「South Suburb, Xingnan Port, Jingmao Warehouse.」

This was the main headquarters of the Jingmao Trading Company.

Although it was a warehouse, it covered a large area, and the main building at its center was practically a villa.

At this moment, on the top floor of the building, ten figures were gathered in a conference room. Their attire was varied; some were dressed like merchants, some looked like laborers, and others had the fierce and vicious appearance of desperadoes.

The man in the lead was tall and thin. His face was gaunt with prominent cheekbones. He wore a long silk robe, and his narrow eyes seemed to hold a vicious glint as they scanned the room.

"The Wind Shadow Hall has a new leader. Director Pete told us to speed things up. What’s the situation on your ends?"

Yan Pingchuan asked the others present, his expression calm.

"We’ve already secretly communicated with many businesses. The benefits we’re offering have tempted them, but they’re the type who won’t act without a sure thing. They don’t want to take any risks, so they want us to give them a reason to replace the Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall."

A portly, middle-aged man dressed as a wealthy merchant said with a smile.

"A reason? Don’t they just want to see who wins the conflict between us and the Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall? In that case, we’ll act soon. Same as always: Shidong, Rong Ke, and I will guard the headquarters. The moment we make a move, I’m afraid that guy Liu Changfeng won’t just sit back and watch. It’s not worth clashing head-on with a monster like that."

Yan Pingchuan’s eyes narrowed slightly, as if he were recalling some unpleasant memories.

"What about that Zhao Qi? Do we need to pay him special attention?"

Someone asked.

"The Wind Shadow Hall is worth keeping an eye on. As for that Zhao Qi... he’s just a wet-behind-the-ears brat. Even Liu Changfeng can’t stop us, so what difference will he make? If you get any intel on his whereabouts, report it immediately. Director Pete did say there’s a huge reward for killing him."

A smile touched the corner of Yan Pingchuan’s mouth.

...

...

「Xiaolin Escort Agency, Side Courtyard.」 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

This place had been designated as the office for the Wind Shadow Hall. As the Wind Shadow Hall Master, Zhao Xuanqi was currently sitting in a study, looking over intelligence reports and listening to his subordinates.

The Jili Empire was secretly supplying the Jingmao Trading Company with Rare Beast Materials while also spending a fortune to recruit unaffiliated Martial Arts Experts. Now, within the Jingmao Trading Company alone, there were ten experts at the Cross-Training realm, and a few more could be found among its associated gangs and businesses.

This was already an extremely powerful force. To put it in perspective, even the entire Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall had no more than fifteen experts at the Cross-Training realm.

It had to be said that compared to the power of the Jili Empire, the Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall was still far too insignificant.

In the week since Zhao Xuanqi had taken over the Wind Shadow Hall, the Jingmao Trading Company had not stopped making major moves.

Businesses under the Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall repeatedly suffered "harassment," and even several branches of the Xiaolin Escort Agency were destroyed. Meanwhile, Jingmao Trading Company was secretly tempting many merchants with great profits. Under this combination of threats and enticements, the conflict between the two sides was escalating.

During this period, the Wind Shadow Hall received an endless stream of requests for support, but Zhao Xuanqi only sent people out a few times as a symbolic gesture, achieving no significant results.

This caused the voices of doubt within the Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall to grow louder. Even Liu Changfeng himself had gone to see Zhao Xuanqi on one occasion.

However, Zhao Xuanqi was not in a hurry. He was waiting for an opportunity, for the right moment.

"Hall Master, I’ve already used my family’s channels to inquire. The Giant Spirit Army’s attitude is very ambiguous. They’ve accepted benefits from the Ghost Elders, so they have to turn a blind eye. But they also don’t want to see the Ghost Elders go too far, so if we do something a bit out of line, they’ll probably turn a blind eye to that as well."

Cai Mingliang leaned in and whispered in Zhao Xuanqi’s ear.

After taking control of the Wind Shadow Hall, Zhao Xuanqi had requested Cai Mingliang’s transfer from Liu Changfeng. The man had a family background, but more importantly, he was tactful, which made him very useful. Furthermore, bringing him to the Wind Shadow Hall was a way of returning the favor for his earlier show of goodwill.

"Hall Master, we’ve thoroughly investigated the situation at the Jingmao Warehouse. For the past three days, due to the expansion of Jingmao Trading Company’s territory, only their three strongest Cross-Training experts have been stationed there. Everyone else has been assigned to manage the various new regions."

Shanghai Mountain and two other Inner Sect members were also gathered in the study.

"Hall Master, the voices of dissatisfaction within our sect are getting louder. We have to do something."

Shanghai Mountain said in a low voice.

"Very well. The time is ripe."

Zhao Xuanqi said faintly, pointing to the words "Jingmao Warehouse" on the document before him. He asked everyone in the study, "Tell me, without the Jingmao Warehouse, how much power would the Jingmao Trading Company have left?"

Hearing this, the others seemed to understand what Zhao Xuanqi was planning, and their expressions changed slightly. "Hall Master, although there are only three Cross-Training experts guarding the Jingmao Warehouse, their strength is formidable. The weakest of them is an expert who has reached the Bone Strengthening level of Cross-Training. What’s more, it’s said that the head of the trading company has been enhanced by a Secret Medicine from the foreigners. Even Senior Brother Liu would be wary of him."

"What’s more, that isn’t our territory, and they’re a force under the foreigners. If we’re caught and they get some leverage on us, things will become very difficult."

"Leverage? They failed to properly look after their own warehouse, a fire broke out, and the people and goods all burned up. What does that have to do with our Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall?"

Zhao Xuanqi asked, looking at everyone with a surprised expression.