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Chapter 71: Chapter 71: Young Eagle
Inside the Divine Sword Hall.
The expressions of many Peak Masters and powerful elders were extremely grave.
Not long ago, they received news that Inner Sect Disciples of the Divine Sword Sect, on a mission to deal with the Exotic Beasts Alligator Dragon in Lanxi County of Xuan State, had a bloody conflict with disciples of the Xuanming Sect.
"Sect Leader, Xuanming Sect’s provocation is blatant. Our Divine Sword Sect must fight fire with fire, blood for blood."
The Master of Martial Peak, Xie Tiancheng, nearly pounded the table as he spoke.
In this conflict, his Direct Disciple, Ji Ming, was seriously injured.
"Xuanming Sect has gone too far; I suggest we strike back in kind."
Spirit Void Peak Master Wei Quansheng also spoke.
His disciple, Bai Wujing, was also injured.
"Calm down, both of you. This matter is not so simple. Our Divine Sword Sect has always coexisted peacefully with Xuanming Sect without interference. There must be other reasons behind Xuanming Sect’s sudden actions," said the Dishui Peak Master, Yun Lei.
"Your disciple hasn’t been hurt; spare us the platitudes," retorted Xie Tiancheng with a cold snort.
"What do you mean by platitudes? I am simply facing reality. Bai Wujing and Ji Ming are not only your disciples but also disciples of our Divine Sword Sect... Do you think I’m not angry? If our Divine Sword Sect directly retaliates, we might just fall into their trap," stated Yun Lei, the Dishui Peak Master, with a heavy tone.
"Peak Master Yun does have a point. The actions of Xuanming Sect are too unusual this time. I wonder if it has something to do with the Wang Residence of Luo?" the plump elder spoke up.
Though not a Peak Master, he was a powerful elder from Guiyi Peak.
Moreover, his disciple Nangong Bei had become a True Inheritor, allowing the plump elder to rise to the forefront among powerful elders.
"Indeed, if this is related to the Wang Residence of Luo, then Xuanming Sect’s actions would be quite normal," said Guiyi Peak Master, Hou Shuwen.
Xuanming Sect had always been closely associated with the Wang Residence of Luo.
A few months ago, the Wang Residence of Luo called for a demon-slaying conference, and after the vote, the Divine Sword Sect sent only an ordinary elder to attend perfunctorily.
"Are we to let Xuanming Sect walk all over us simply because they are related to the Wang Residence of Luo?" exclaimed Xie Tiancheng, the Master of Martial Peak, his eyes wide with anger.
"Of course not. We definitely need to retaliate... but it has to be a strategic retaliation," said Guiyi Peak Master Hou Shuwen. "I suggest exerting pressure on Xuanming Sect to make them give an explanation and compensation, as well as to punish the assailant. They claim Lanxi County as Xuanming Sect’s demon-hunting territory; then we can use the excuse of a demon threat to temporarily halt the transportation of fine iron out of Yecheng."
The fine iron from Yecheng was of excellent quality, not only supplied to the imperial court but also to the surrounding states and counties.
Institutions such as Xuanming Sect, including the Wang Residence of Luo, also used fine iron from Yecheng.
"If indeed the Wang Residence of Luo is behind this, agitating the situation, this might not be enough to make Xuanming Sect yield..." remarked an elder.
"Our targets are not solely Xuanming Sect but also the Wang Residence of Luo... The Wang Residence of Luo wants to expand their private army and need a large quantity of fine iron... They have made several requests over the past two years to increase their purchase of fine iron," Hou Shuwen, the Guiyi Peak Master, said with a light chuckle.
He speculated that a few months ago, the Wang Residence of Luo wanted to use the demon-slaying conference as an opportunity to draw in the Divine Sword Sect and get a larger share of fine iron from Yecheng.
The Divine Sword Sect, however, had its own considerations and did not wish to get too closely involved with nobles such as the Wang Residence of Luo.
"I think the method proposed by Peak Master Hou is feasible."
"Indeed, let’s start with courtesy before resorting to arms, and see how Xuanming Sect and the Wang Residence of Luo respond."
"However, we also need to be wary of Xuanming Sect and the Wang Residence of Luo taking this opportunity to escalate the conflict to our disadvantage."
"How dare they... The imperial authority still stands; does the Wang Residence of Luo really dare to assault the Divine Sword Sect?"
....
Other Peak Masters and powerful elders also joined the conversation.
Most supported the approach of Guiyi Peak Master Hou Shuwen.
"In that case, let’s proceed according to Peak Master Hou’s method," said the Divine Sword Sect Leader, Feng Shaoyu.
He naturally favored Hou Shuwen’s approach.
A direct, tit-for-tat retaliation against Xuanming Sect was clearly unwise.
Especially when the circumstances were unclear.
....
Chen Bell Platform.
Li Qian had just finished his training when he saw Liu Ming returning with a bamboo basket on his back.
He had gone to harvest vegetables from the master’s garden.
Liu Ming carefully placed the basket on the ground, then cautiously lifted out a fluffy young bird.
"Where did you dig this up from?"
Li Qian jumped down from the bell tower and asked.
"Junior Brother Li, when I was picking vegetables, I heard the cries of a bird under a big tree nearby, so I went to check it out and found this bird..." said Liu Ming hurriedly. "I saw a large bird’s nest in the tree, and there were often eagles flying in and out, so I guess this should be a young eagle. However, this eagle is covered in peck marks. I’m not sure if it can be saved?"
"Let me have a look."
Li Qian said.
In his previous life, he was very interested in birds and liked to capture bird nests and raise young birds... He had raised Mynas, pigeons, bamboo partridges, and Hwameis among others.
But he had never raised an eagle before.
There was no helping it, as keeping eagles was illegal.
Liu Ming hurriedly handed over the young eagle.
The young eagle was not large, possibly a small type of eagle species, with dark brown downy feathers dotted with peck marks, looking scrawny... probably having suffered from hunger often and bullied by other young eagles in the nest.
The young bird was clearly running out of energy, its head drooping, and its tender hooked beak weakly ajar.
"Go get some meat."
Li Qian said to Liu Ming.
Liu Ming promptly went inside the house and brought out a decently fresh piece of beef... The Chores Hall delivered fresh beef, mutton, or fish to them every day.
Li Qian took the beef, sliced off a tiny piece, and fed it to the young eagle’s beak.
The young eagle struggled to swallow but couldn’t manage it.
It was obviously too weak.
Li Qian had no choice but to take out the piece of beef, had a thought, and ordered Liu Ming to get a cup and water.
He took a medicine bottle out of his bosom, poured out a pill, scraped a bit of powder, mixed it with water, and then casually found a twig, dipped it in the water, and let droplets fall into the beak of the young eagle.
After several drops, Li Qian stopped.
The potency of the Qi Blood Pill was too strong, and even a tiny amount might be more than the young eagle could handle, so he couldn’t feed it too much.
Liu Ming, who was watching from the side, clicked his tongue in secret. Feeding the young eagle with precious Qi Blood Pills was indeed a grand gesture only Junior Brother Li could afford.
A while later, the young eagle’s condition had improved significantly.
"Feed it some meat."
Li Qian handed the young eagle to Liu Ming.
Liu Ming quickly cut off a small piece of beef and fed it to the young eagle.
The young eagle managed to straighten its neck and greedily devoured the meat with an open beak.
Seeing the young eagle eating normally, Li Qian smiled.
This little fellow should be able to survive.
At this time, a figure arrived at the Chen Bell Platform.
"Junior Brother Li."
Li Qian had already sensed the arrival and turned to look, seeing a bald-headed man in black clothes.
It was none other than that bald-headed Pang Bai.
"Senior Brother Pang, what a rare guest, what brings you to my Chen Bell Platform?"
Li Qian said with a smile.
Seeing an Inner Sect Disciple coming over, Liu Ming quickly stood up to salute, then took the young eagle to one side.
"No wonder Junior Brother Li has been hiding here at the Chen Bell Platform and not going to the Inner Sect. This place is beautiful and tranquil, truly a great spot for peaceful cultivation," said Pang Bai as he stroked his bald head and smiled.
"This Chen Bell Platform is merely a wilderness spot, just a small hill. It can hardly be compared to a main peak like the Martial Peak," Li Qian replied with a smile. "What brings you to me, Senior Brother Pang?"
Pang Bai wouldn’t show up without reason, his sudden visit definitely meant something.
.....
