As most of the trade routes within Luoxia Commandery have stabilized, one of the most important tasks at hand is to open up a trade route with Feiyun Commandery. Once successfully established, it will allow the influence of the Jiuxuan Sect, as well as Ji Yuan's Xuan Tian Temple, Water God Temple, and others, to connect with Luoxia Commandery. This mutual exchange will form a greater force. It can be said that opening this trade route will be beneficial in every way, bringing unimaginable benefits. The most direct benefit will be to immediately solve Ji Yuan's manpower shortage. Over the years, Xuan Tian Temple has grown in strength, recruiting over a thousand people. If a connection is established, these personnel can rotate between the two regions. While direct dispatch is not impossible, the cost would be too high.
"What kind of forces are they?" Ji Yuan pondered, then asked. Although Mingxin Pavilion's strength was not top-tier within Luoxia Commandery, it was still considerable. Compared to ordinary sects with hundreds of years of history, it was arguably stronger, and far surpassed them in financial resources. Therefore, he couldn't imagine who would want to be its enemy, especially without any benefit. If they cooperated with Mingxin Pavilion to open the trade route, these forces would undoubtedly become a part of it, gaining substantial benefits annually. Conversely, if they obstructed it, they would only make a powerful enemy without gaining anything else.
"They are local forces, but there should be someone supporting them from behind," Qian Ni Chang mused. As for the hidden supporters, they were likely other merchant guilds within Luoxia Commandery. According to the clues she received, it was even possible that Haohai Tower was fanning the flames. As Mingxin Pavilion's long-standing rival, they would not stand idly by while it opened a trade route that brought immense profits.
"If that's the case, it's not surprising," Ji Yuan nodded. If there were no benefits, and they insisted on obstructing Mingxin Pavilion's efforts to open the trade route, such people would either be brain-damaged or have a serious problem. To needlessly provoke a powerful enemy, even a martial artist would not be so foolish. However, if someone was supporting them from behind, providing sufficient benefits and assistance, or even having a hidden expert guarding them, then everything would be quite different. Ji Yuan could even guess that those obstructing forces intended to seize the opportunity to reap considerable benefits and strengthen themselves amidst the power struggle between the two sides.
"They have quite a good plan," Ji Yuan snorted, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. For such individuals, the best approach was to crush them directly. To the point where they prostrated themselves and dared not harbor any further thoughts.
"What do you intend to do?" Qian Ni Chang immediately sensed his intentions. Hearing this, Ji Yuan shrugged, "If someone is seeking death, then we shall grant them their wish." Mingxin Pavilion was, after all, a merchant guild. While they possessed ruthless methods, they would not resort to force immediately. Ji Yuan, however, was different. His method of solving problems was simple: eliminate the person posing the problem. And he indeed had the qualifications and strength to do so, at least concerning those obstructing forces.
"There's something I think you need to consider carefully," Qian Ni Chang said. "In the past, Mingxin Pavilion, or rather the Qian family, did not possess much martial strength. Your power mostly came from recruiting external experts." These experts could maintain appearances, but they couldn't be commanded at will. However, the current situation was different. They could now deploy several third-realm cultivators at any time to strike at their enemies without hesitation. Ji Yuan's words made Qian Ni Chang realize the implication. She gave a wry smile, admitting she hadn't quite adjusted. The hired experts were ultimately outsiders; one had to see if they were willing to act. But Lin Yu Bai, and Elder Hong Tian, and the others had no such concerns. Belonging to the same sect, they would naturally assist to the best of their ability, especially since the outcome would benefit themselves and the sect. On the other hand, those hired experts would not gain much even if they risked their lives, and would feel it wasn't worth it.
"So, we directly use absolute power to eliminate the problems blocking our path?" Qian Ni Chang quickly grasped the idea. In the past, she couldn't command her hired experts, and the cost of doing so was often greater than finding other solutions. Even making concessions and compromises, and giving up a portion of the profits, would have been less costly. But now it was different. Ji Yuan himself possessed the strength to push through, not to mention that with a single word, elders from the Jiuxuan Sect would accompany him.
"Since there's nothing else to do, let's stretch our muscles a bit," Ji Yuan said with a slight smile. The situation in the commandery was currently stable. Even if some were plotting in the shadows, they hadn't surfaced yet. For Ji Yuan, the various arrangements he had made were proceeding smoothly, with no new developments for now. Thinking about it, there was indeed nothing pressing to do. Thus, a few days later, he left the commandery with Lin Yu Bai. This trip not only included several shopkeepers and clerks from Mingxin Pavilion, but he also invited Elder Hong Tian and others to accompany them. Five powerful third-realm cultivators were enough to handle most situations, not to mention contemporary prodigies like Ji Yuan and Lin Yu Bai, as well as Elder Hong Tian, who was once a prodigy himself. However, due to the damage to their flying artifacts, they had to travel by land. It took them over a month to reach the border of Luoxia Commandery. The forces obstructing Mingxin Pavilion's trade route consisted of two within Luoxia Commandery, with the rest distributed in Qinghe Commandery and Feiyun Commandery. Although they spoke of pushing through directly, it was not feasible to do so literally. They still had to consider the local forces, whether they had enough personnel to follow up, receive whatever they captured, and pacify the frightened populace. After all, if someone suddenly attacked and annihilated the forces next door, anyone would be anxious and fear they might be next. Under such circumstances, it was easy for other forces to band together and make subtle moves, both openly and covertly. And they couldn't possibly kill everyone who opposed them. Therefore, how to proceed and how to fight were the key considerations.
"The two families in Luoxia Commandery can be dealt with thoroughly," a shopkeeper said softly. "We have already reached an agreement with the other local forces, and cooperation has been established." Therefore, in such a situation, eliminating those who interfered would not cause dissatisfaction or even hostility from others. The only thing they needed to be wary of was whether there were any hidden experts.