With continued sorrow, Chai Yuan lamented: “Perhaps you all think that our Mu Lang Clan, in manufacturing the Xuanxing Bamboo Arrows, mostly relies on hiring labor, essentially draining the lifeblood of the contract workers. But my Chai family has always been devoted to charity.

For every Xuanxing Bamboo Arrow produced, we extract a mere three third-tier Beast Cores, with the majority returned to the laborers. If they did not have this livelihood, where would these hundred-plus thousand people survive?

In truth, with the capabilities of my Chai family, what profitable business could we not pursue? We simply cannot bear to abandon this.

This is also for the sake of my Qiantian Mountain; if Qiantian Mountain lacks its own Spirit Forgers and Artifact Refiners, and should we one day be blockaded by that Thousand Cities Alliance, and they refuse to sell the Xuanxing Bamboo Arrows to us, what then will become of us!” Before his words had even faded, the ‘Councilors’ buzzed, and many nodded slightly, seemingly in strong agreement. Even from the spectator stands, there arose a chorus of cheers.

Zong Shou also listened, nodding continuously. These words held great reason; their Qiantian Mountain could not have its neck held by others.

Chai Yuan spoke for a while longer, his face growing increasingly tear-streaked, a picture of acute distress. A full quarter of an hour later, he stepped down from the dais.

Next up was Hu Qianqiu, presenting an entirely different style—fierce in spirit, radiating martial might. Shorter than Chai Yuan, Hu Qianqiu’s imposing, nine-foot frame, standing upon the lecture platform, exerted a heavy pressure that silenced the entire Council Hall instantly.

Squinting, he glanced at Chai Yuan and gave a cold, sharp laugh. “The price of ten third-tier Beast Cores is just today’s rate.

Two months ago, when the Xuanxing Bamboo Arrows were monopolized by you Feng Xiong and Dan He clans, the price was fifty third-tier Beast Cores. And the quality was even worse!

Two out of every ten arrows failed to ignite. Old fool Chai, do you know how many of my Qiantian subjects your Xuanxing Bamboo Arrows have killed?” Chai Yuan’s complexion shifted slightly, then he became utterly motionless, like an old monk in deep meditation.

Zong Shou watched, utterly astonished: “Were the two Dukes not the closest of friends before? Why do they now seem like mortal enemies?” “They fell out long ago!” Ren Bo commented, his face filled with admiration: “In the past, the Iron Tiger and Gale Bear clans were as close as brothers, partly due to the former sovereign’s exceptional charisma, and also to band together against the sole dominance of the Fox Tribe.

However, since Your Highness established this Council Hall and delegated many major policy decisions, the various Demon and Human tribes have been locked in relentless contention. Conversely, the Royal Zong Family now enjoys an elevated status.

Nevertheless, these two, when their interests align, can still become as close as brothers; they are truly cunning beyond measure.” Zong Shou fell silent for a moment; he genuinely hadn't intended that outcome. Meanwhile, Hu Qianqiu continued his fierce denunciation at the top of his voice: “The Xuanxing Bamboo Arrows have long been phased out from the Qiantian Mountain military, replaced by the far superior Xuan Iron Heavy Arrows.

So what if others refuse to sell them? Using such inferior arrows only gets people killed!

The price is too high, and not being able to purchase enough arrows reduces the yields of our domestic martial artists, which hinders major policy implementation. Moreover, Qiantian Mountain’s martial spirit is thriving, and our commerce now leads all nations.

If those hundred-plus thousand people abandoned this trade, they would truly starve. If they could take up arms instead, Qiantian Mountain would surely gain another hundred thousand martial artists!” A roar of approval erupted below the platform again, naturally mixed with some boos.

Zong Shou, however, found the whole affair bizarre. Hu Qianqiu’s words didn’t seem fundamentally wrong, which was truly confusing.

Yet, he could discern that the councilors from the Fox Tribe and the Human Tribe were observing everything with placid detachment. Those causing a ruckus or undermining the proceedings were those with direct vested interests.

As Hu Qianqiu spoke, he gestured emphatically with both hands, appearing intensely forceful. Finally, seemingly still not displaying enough martial authority, he violently ripped open his outer garment, revealing a solid mass of muscle beneath, sweeping a cold, piercing gaze over the crowd.

“In short, this motion absolutely cannot pass today! Whoever dares to raise a hand, I, Hu Qianqiu, will fight them to the end!” Chai Yuan immediately trembled with rage, and the entire Council Hall fell into a dead silence once more.

Zong Shou started in surprise: “Is that a threat? I specifically forbade that!” “It’s debatable!” Ren Bo shook his head: “The phrase ‘fight to the end’ has multiple interpretations.

As long as the Hegemon Duke limits his methods within the scope of this Council, it doesn't violate the rules. He doesn't need to openly commit murder or arson; there are plenty of subtle methods he can employ, like spreading rumors or enacting commercial blockades—those are beyond reproach.” Seeing the entire assembly cowed by his presence, Hu Qianqiu secretly gloated.

He then turned and bowed deeply toward the elevated seat. It was then that Zong Shou’s eyes widened as several dark objects suddenly launched from the council seats.

He couldn't help but open his mouth, intending to warn them, but it was too late. The dark shadows flew one after another, striking Hu Qianqiu’s head, exploding violently and splattering him head to toe in black and red.

Hu Qianqiu looked down at his own body and immediately turned around in a towering rage. “This is black dog blood!

Which damned thief did this?” The entire Council Hall was unnaturally quiet. Everyone wore an expression of innocent shock.

Hu Qianqiu couldn't spot any suspicious individuals, finally fixing his gaze on the unmoving Chai Yuan, then roared like a tiger: “It must be you, old fool Chai! Last time, I only had someone throw two banana peels at you, and you retaliate by dousing me in a bucket of black dog blood?

You dare do this in front of the Sovereign today! I’m not finished with you—” He shot forward like a phantom shadow, howling as he lunged toward Chai Yuan.

Chai Yuan, who had worn an expression of bewildered innocence—you have the wrong person—became equally furious upon hearing the rest. “Good heavens, so it was you with the banana peels!

That means the two eggs thrown at my head four months ago were most likely thrown by you, Hu Qianqiu!” Hu Qianqiu snorted without answering, having seized the initiative. He unleashed a move, Tiger Howl Across a Thousand Miles, punching Chai Yuan squarely in the face.

Chai Yuan was equally ferocious; neither dodging nor evading, he slapped out a Bear Paw, causing Hu Qianqiu to stagger backward. Both were Martial Dao Grandmasters; their true energy was suppressed here, but their physical bodies still possessed strength measured in hundreds of thousands of jin.

Engaging with their full might, in an instant, they dragged over a dozen councilors nearby into the fray. The surrounding individuals watched anxiously.

Some rushed forward, faces tight with worry, attempting to rescue their patrons, while others earnestly tried to mediate, yet every now and then, they would sneak a kick or a shove into the melee. Settling old scores and venting accumulated grievances.

In a short while, the Council Hall descended into utter chaos. Hundreds were brawling, resembling a brawl in a bustling marketplace.

Banana peels and eggs flew together, mingling with dog blood and human blood. Zong Shou, holding his mallet, struck the great bell nearby several times, calling for order repeatedly, all to no effect.

Seeing several objects flying toward him from the front, Zong Shou quickly sidestepped. A few apples smashed into fragments against the far wall behind him.

He immediately thought, That was close, almost hit by stray fire. He wondered which reckless soul was throwing things about indiscriminately.

Fortunately, having learned from his previous experience, he was not caught unprepared this time. He decisively retreated under the main desk with Chu Xue and Ren Bo, then settled in to watch the spectacle with keen interest.

Chu Xue was exceptionally well-behaved, taking out several types of pastries and dishes from her Qiankun Pouch, arranging them before the three of them. Unfortunately, she could not drink alcohol, so she substituted it with the Hundred Flower Spirit Nectar produced by the Cangsheng Dao.

Just one sip of this fluid could significantly restore true energy and spiritual power. Its flavor was no less exquisite than Yellow or even Black-rank immortal wines.

“Mmm! Uncle Hu’s application of this move, Tiger Howl Returning to the Woods, is quite good!

A marked improvement from six months ago. I estimate he might break through to the Celestial rank within months.” Watching Hu Qianqiu roar, shaking off more than a dozen individuals who had been pretending to mediate—clinging to his arms or legs—but were actually trying to restrain him for Chai Yuan to beat—Zong Shou’s eyes shone with a distinct luster.

“Indeed, real combat is the best form of training. Speaking of which, who was it that actually threw the black dog blood?

They have incredible audacity to do that in front of me; could it truly have been Chai Yuan? He must be severely punished!” He had only seen that the black dog blood was propelled by specialized spiritual artifacts, seemingly pre-set, but he had no idea who controlled them or who smuggled them in.

Although the Iron Gang Hall suppressed true energy, spiritual consciousness and divine senses could not spread either. Many matters remained obscure.

“That may not be the case!” Ren Bo smiled, his meaning profound: “It might very well be a self-directed act by Hu Qianqiu. As far as I know, the combined strength of the Chai and He families is still slightly superior to his, and it was highly likely this motion would pass today.

By staging a fight in the Council Hall, he buys time to find alternative methods of counterattack. Currently, these few have perfected this tactic.

In fact, it's not just Hu Qianqiu and Chai Yuan; major powers like the Ling family, the He family, and several human factions could be behind this. Stir the waters, and it becomes easier to fish in troubled streams—” Listening, Zong Shou felt his head spin; this was all too complicated, confirming he was not suited for politics.

He decided to ignore the machinations entirely, focusing on the fight while eating: “Ah, Uncle Chai’s palm strike is also formidable, deeply imbued with the true essence of martial arts. His progress is not lagging behind Uncle Hu; at most, he’ll reach the Seventh Rank just two days later.

Oh dear! He’s been hit from the side!

That’s despicable!” Just as Chai Yuan seemed invincible, sweeping through everyone, someone silently moved behind him and delivered a heavy blow to the back of his head. The Duke of Hao nearly collapsed, stunned.

Meanwhile, Hu Qianqiu wasn't faring much better—bloody-headed and gasping for breath. Ren Bo paused, bewildered.

How could Zong Shou judge that these two might break through to the Celestial Martial (Wuzong) rank? Though his own martial attainment was not profound, he knew that determining the moment of breakthrough to the Celestial rank was incredibly difficult.

Beyond accumulated cultivation, one needed further accumulation. Even Ninth-Rank experts struggled to judge; how could Zong Shou know?

In the very next instant, he heard Zong Shou exclaim with righteous indignation: “How could they do that? How could they!

It truly disgraces scholarly manners!” Chai Yuan couldn't help but grumble internally: Every time he comes back, he's the one who enjoys watching the show the most.