Return of the King, Dominating the City
Chapter 96 - 96 95 Allegiance

96: Chapter 95: Allegiance 96: Chapter 95: Allegiance “Sigh, Old Dog, we’ve known each other for about thirty or forty years now.

In those years, it’s been the two of us who have fought the fiercest, yet we also share the closest bond,” Yun Gu sighed.

“But today, I really can’t withstand it anymore.

My disciples are all waiting for their meal, they have families and children too.

I don’t want to push them all into the fire pit just because of our stubbornness.

Do you know how many who have opposed the state since ancient times have survived in the end?”

Xie Laogou clenched his teeth and said, “Do you really think following this kid will lead to any good?

Have you forgotten how we barely hung on when the political struggles at the top reached Old Nine Gates?

I, Heaven Sect, don’t want to get involved in anybody else’s vortex of conflict, so I refuse.

Heaven Sect is out, don’t try to convince me, my mind is made up.”

“So out of the four sects, three have agreed, and one is backing out,” Song Yun put down his cup and drank some tea before speaking.

“Hmph, those three might be afraid of you, kid, but don’t assume that includes me.

Bring whatever tricks you have; I’ll shout in pain and take your surname,” Xie Laogou said, eyes wide like a tiger’s.

“Mr.

Yun, there’s something I would like to ask of you, please,” Yun Gu couldn’t help but interrupt.

“You want me to let him off?” Song Yun said with a half-smile.

“Fine, I’ll ensure he leaves here in one piece today out of respect for you, but I can’t make any promises about the future.

I suggest you consider the path ahead, especially since you of Heaven Sect have numbers and strength.

If you don’t ‘go clean,’ you’ll never know what tomorrow’s sunrise may bring.”

“Old Dog Yun, there’s no need to plead for me.

A man dies and turns to ashes, but legends could live on forever.

What’s there to fear in death itself?

If you’re going to strike, do it quickly.”

“Don’t act tough here.

I’m sparing your life today out of respect for our years of friendship.

If you don’t want me actually to take action, then you better leave quickly,” Song Yun waved his hand and said.

“Old Dog, you can’t fight the state,” Yushu Taoist also advised.

Xie Laogou, with red-rimmed eyes, glanced at his three old brothers, drained his cup, smashed it on the floor, and left without looking back.

“Could you possibly spare his life, young master?

All of us have had our share of hard lives, splattered with blood and guts in our early years; when we grow old, we just want to find a place to live out our twilight years in peace.” Even Gong Xizi, who had just been bickering with Xie Laogou, now came forward to plead for him.

“I’m willing to let him off this time, but Heaven Sect can’t stay.

If they end up with my opponents, it’ll be unimaginable,” Song Yun smiled and said.

“Don’t worry, I won’t meddle with the daily affairs of your three sects.

However, old Yun, just how many elite disciples do you have in your Thief Sect?

Don’t have me dining one day only for a call to come in, summoning a jury of their peers.”

“The elite disciples of Thief Sect aren’t that numerous, just a little more than ten.

The rest are all ‘greenhorns’ who aren’t formally initiated,” Yun Gu said.

“That’s good then.

Break those greenhorns up.

If we want to expand in the future, those people will surely become a burden to you,” Song Yun said.

Yun Gu thought for a moment and said, “Disbanding them is possible, but they all make their living in this line of work.

Even scattered, they’ll likely band together again.”

“No worries.

It’s your elite disciples of Thief Sect I want.

Others will naturally take care of the rest,” Song Yun waved his hand and said.

“If Divination Sect and Acting Sect also have some parasites, best throw them out early.”

“Our Acting Sect is small, to begin with.

Counting me, there are only seventeen who are useful,” Gong Xizi said.

“Divination Sect’s people are spread across the country since their task is to gather information, so there are quite a few of them,” Yushu Taoist said.

“Though many, it also has benefits; after all, it widens the net for intelligence.”

“Good, that puts my mind at ease.

You three enjoy your tea here; I’ll take my leave first.

When I need you, I hope you won’t make excuses,” Song Yun said.

As he reached the door, he stopped to recite Lu Yi’s phone number to them, instructing them where to find funds when needed.

“Wait a moment.” Just as Song Yun stepped out of the teahouse with the three ladies, Yushu Taoist rushed out and said, “Could you give me my master’s phone number?”

“Your master?

Oh, you mean my brother Li Tang, sure, take your phone and write it down.”

What Song Yun hadn’t anticipated was Yushu actually having a cell phone, and an iPhone at that.

This surprised Song Yun, realizing that no matter the profession, one must keep up with the times.

“Sigh, I really don’t know if what we did today was right or wrong,” Gong Xizi complained somewhat regretfully.

“Forget about whether it was right or wrong.

Since we’ve now sided with Mr.

Song, it’s our job to sincerely work for him.

I can see he’s not the type to cross the river and demolish the bridge, to kill the donkey once the grinding’s done,” Yun Gu said.

“Gong Xizi, you must understand that we’re all in the same boat now.

If the ship sinks, none of us will fare well, so put away your schemes and focus on doing good work—that’s the most important thing.”

“Alright, enough.

I’ve divined countless fates, but Mr.

Song’s fortune eludes me.

One moment it suggests a solitary success atop a mountain of bones, and the next it turns into a resplendent glow of fortune and longevity.

One thing’s for sure though, his fate is a tough one, and those without a set of strong teeth won’t be able to take a bite,” Yushu Taoist said.

Song Yun was unaware of the three elders discussing him; even if he knew, he’d likely just smile it off.

After taking the three beauties through the food street, causing Qingluan to almost burst from eating too much, she complained, “These people from the Martial World love to play both sides; why don’t you just eliminate them?”

“Can’t eliminate them.

After all, they’re considered old predecessors of the Martial World.

Without them, there would be a lot less fun in the Martial World,” Song Yun said, gripping the steering wheel.

“Song Yun, do you think there really is a Martial World nowadays?” Li Shishi piped up curiously.

“Hehe, wherever there are people, there’s a Martial World,” Song Yun chuckled.

“Then why don’t you take out Heaven Sect?

That Old Dog is clearly opposing you,” Qingluan was quite dissatisfied with Song Yun’s performance.

If Song Yun nodded, she’d get to stretch her limbs and enjoy a good fight, but Song Yun always seemed to hold all the cards and never had the intention to strike at Heaven Sect.

“Don’t overthink it.

If I’ve kept Xie Laogou alive, it’s for a good reason.”

After silencing the three ladies’ questioning, Song Yun thought to reorganize his thoughts while driving, to prevent his mind from stalling.

Back at the courtyard house, no sooner had Song Yun changed into his homewear than Wang Dong called.

It was clear that the other party highly valued their collaboration with Song Yun.

After arranging a dining plan for two days later, the other party then ended the call.