As Cang Feifeng uttered these words, the room fell into a sudden silence.
Those who could attend this meal were all respectable figures; how could they truly be there just to eat?
Although Cang Feifeng's action seemed a bit out of line, it actually aligned with the wishes of most people in the room. For a moment, everyone put down their chopsticks and looked at Yin Minjun.
Yin Minjun smiled, "Grandmaster Cang is quick-witted and truly straightforward. It makes my Hengshan Sect seem less decisive."
Cang Feifeng waved his hand and said, "Elder Yin’s hospitality is well-appreciated, we all remember it. However, this matter has dragged on for so long, and more and more people are arriving. What if some demonic scoundrel sneaks in later and steals the divine skill? That wouldn't be good."
"We are here for this very purpose, there's no need for pleasantries. Let's decide on tomorrow's arrangements now, shall we?"
As he spoke, he turned to look at the leaders of the Beggar Clan, Qingcheng Sect, Kongtong, and several other major sects.
Chief Lao Qifeng of the Beggar Clan also spoke up in agreement, "Grandmaster Cang has already spoken, so I'll start by sharing the Beggar Clan's thoughts. Let's not get bogged down in all sorts of rules; keeping it simple is better."
"Regardless of the sect or force, all those below third-rate should remain outside."
"Of those above third-rate, half should also stay outside to intercept anyone who arrives later. The other half will go inside and rely on their own abilities."
"How does that sound?"
As soon as he said this, the Sect Leader of Qingcheng snorted coldly, "Chief Lao certainly has a good plan. Who doesn't know that your Beggar Clan has the most people and the most experts here?"
"If everyone goes in with half their forces, I'm afraid your Beggar Clan will be calling all the shots inside, and where will that leave the rest of us?"
"In my opinion, at the very least, the number of people we send in should be roughly equal before we can truly say 'rely on our own abilities'."
"You!" Lao Qifeng's intentions were exposed so directly that he momentarily lost face.
People from the other sects also started speaking, each with their own calculations, leading to a back-and-forth stalemate.
They said they would have dinner together tonight to settle this matter. But if it were that simple, why would everyone have dragged things out until now?
Yin Minjun did not participate. She walked over to Li Miao and whispered in his ear, "My Lord, this is how it is."
"They argue back and forth, knowing full well it won't lead to a result, yet none are willing to yield an inch."
"They'll be arguing for a while."
Li Miao smiled.
Yin Minjun was speaking from a position of ease, merely laughing at the struggles of others while being in a similar situation herself.
If Li Miao hadn't said that the Jia Yi Divine Skill was useless to ordinary people, and that the Jinyiwei (Imperial Guards) would back the Hengshan Sect, ensuring they wouldn't lack martial arts in the future, she wouldn't be watching with such an amused attitude. Instead, she would have joined the argument long ago.
However, this was only human nature.
Like Liu Baiyun, after she pledged allegiance to Li Miao, didn't she also put on quite a show at the Mount Tai Sect?
One can only say that after climbing ashore, seeing others still struggling in the river, it's inevitable to feel a sense of superiority, thinking, "I am no longer the uncultured person I once was." Just speaking a few words behind their backs was already considered restrained.
Yin Minjun looked over there and then said, "My Lord, it will be a while before they reach a conclusion from their argument. You have traveled a long way, so I imagine you must be tired."
"I've arranged a tent in the back. Would you like to go rest for a bit?"
Li Miao closed his eyes and replied, "No rush, I'll watch the show."
Yin Minjun then stood by his side, saying nothing more.
The argument lasted for over half an hour.
Lao Qifeng, parched from talking, retreated first, pouring himself a cup of tea to moisten his throat. As he drank, his gaze swept over towards the Hengshan Sect and he couldn't help but be stunned.
That's right, they had been arguing so fiercely tonight that they almost came to blows, yet the Hengshan Sect, as the host, hadn't made a single sound?
He scanned the surroundings, trying to see what Yin Minjun was doing, and happened to see Yin Minjun pouring a bowl of tea for Li Miao, then standing by his side, almost like an attendant.
Lao Qifeng started to wonder, "Who exactly is this person? What is the Hengshan Sect planning?"
"Apart from Deng Boxuan, Yin Minjun is the highest-ranking person in the Hengshan Sect. This person looks to be only in their early thirties, not like an elder from the sect, so why is she so respectful?"
A thought sparked, and he spoke, "Why isn't Elder Yin speaking?"
"Today, the Hengshan Sect is hosting, so you should be the first to make a decision. Why are you just observing from the sidelines?"
He intentionally drew everyone's attention over, speaking with internal energy. The tent wasn't large, so his voice spread, causing everyone to turn and look at Yin Minjun.
As the second-in-command of the Hengshan Sect, Yin Minjun was already accustomed to such scenes and immediately smiled, "Our Hengshan Sect has no objections."
Hearing this, everyone frowned.
"What's with the pretense of being aloof? You, Yin Minjun, were arguing quite a bit a few days ago, weren't you? Now you're acting as if nothing happened, making your Hengshan Sect stand out?"
"Are you waiting for us to finish arguing, then you'll come out to mediate and be the one to make the final decision?"
The Sect Leader of Qingcheng spoke, "Elder Yin, this is a brainstorming session. Your Hengshan Sect is also a major sect with influence in the Southern Martial World. What kind of behavior is it to stand aside and watch the show?"
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"If you have any ideas, speak them. Otherwise, once we've finalized the arrangements, your Hengshan Sect won't be allowed to change its tune."
Yin Minjun smiled, "I have no intention of watching everyone's show."
"Since the topic has come to this, I will state the Hengshan Sect's position."
She turned to look at Li Miao, and seeing that he had no intention of speaking, she continued.
"My Hengshan Sect will not participate in this matter."
"What!?" Everyone was surprised.
"Elder Yin, are you perhaps joking?" Lao Qifeng frowned as he looked at Yin Minjun.
Your Hengshan Sect sent so many people, and you, a second-in-command, have spent half a month here, expending so much manpower and resources, and now you say you're not participating? Who would believe that?
Are you perhaps planning to let us go in and fight to the death, while you stay outside to preserve your strength and reap the benefits of our struggles?
They didn't know that Yin Minjun's words were a strategy of retreating to advance.
Indeed, seeing the suspicious gazes of the crowd, Yin Minjun sighed, "Our Hengshan Sect only heard that something had happened here and feared chaos, so we came out of martial ethics to observe."
"Since you don't believe me, then I will tell you about the Hengshan Sect's arrangements."
Yin Minjun gestured, directing everyone's gaze towards Li Miao.
"Tomorrow, my Hengshan Sect will send only three people inside. And we absolutely will not contend with any of you; I state this here, and you can all bear witness."
"The three who go in will be me and two friends from the martial world who are with my Hengshan Sect."
"With me inside, you also don't need to worry about my Hengshan Sect making any moves outside."
Everyone's gaze turned to Li Miao.
Lao Qifeng cupped his fists towards Li Miao, "I suppose this is the one who will be going in with Elder Yin."
"Friend, you look unfamiliar. May I ask your name?"