Chapter 49: Who Knows Where She Figured That Out From

The little black ball was currently feeling extremely pleased with itself. Once they reached the border realm, it would be back on its own turf.
If that smelly girl wanted to score some merit, she had better say something nice, otherwise—humph!
That was what it thought, and that was what it said out loud:
"Hey you, little lackey of the Phoenix family, I know you must be feeling anxious right now, terrified of being captured by the Mozu. Don't you worry, as long as Master me is here, everything will be completely foolproof!
However, you know what? Master me loves to hear flattering words. Say a few nice things for me to hear!"
Feng Xi let out a light snort, and right after that, a miserable scream echoed directly within her spiritual consciousness.
Sometimes she truly admired this dog of a thing. It had already suffered countless losses at her hands, yet it still periodically reached out its little paws to test the waters?
Could this be what they were legendary for... being a glutton for punishment?
After being disciplined, the little black ball completely changed its tune:
"My beautiful, wise, and kind master! As your spirit pet, it is only right that I escort and protect you!
Rest assured, on this trip to the border realm, I will make sure your reputation lasts for generations and your name echoes through eternity!"
Feng Xi: ...You are practically trying to send me off to my grave, aren't you?!

An hour later, the three of them arrived at Anding City.
City Lord Hu, having received the message beforehand, was already waiting at the city gates.
After some polite pleasantries, City Lord Hu said:
"Elder Duanmu, the elders of the other three sects are all waiting at the City Lord's Mansion. Please, follow me!"
Elder Duanmu was not particularly fond of idle chatter, so after exchanging a few brief words, he fell silent.
Feng Xi stepped forward:
"City Lord Hu, I have always admired you so much!
To protect the borders of the human race, you have diligently guarded Anding City for over twenty years. This noble integrity and lofty character are worthy of everyone's respect and emulation.
To be honest with you, aside from fighting the Mozu this time, I also harbor a small personal wish.
I plan to have a good, long chat with you so that when I return, I can compile your deeds into a book and write a biography for everyone to know your great achievements and noble character.
Therefore, whenever you have some free time, just send someone to summon me, and I will be at your beck and call."

City Lord Hu was utterly dumbfounded!
What?
Write a book and a biography for me?
Is that even something I would dare to dream about?
Aside from pursuing the Great Dao, what else does a person chase in this life if not fame and fortune?!
Though immensely tempted, he still put up a modest front and replied:
"Lady Feng Xi, you flatter me far too much!
My meager contributions are hardly worth mentioning!"
However, if you are interested in the affairs of Anding City, we can certainly have a good chat when we have the time."
Feng Xi nodded: "Great, once I get settled in, I will come looking for you."
The two grew more and more congenial as they conversed. Before long, Feng Xi was addressing him as "Uncle-Master Hu" every other sentence, though goodness knows on what basis she was calculating this familial relation.

As they approached the City Lord's Mansion, City Lord Hu hesitated for a moment before saying to Elder Duanmu:
"Elder Liu of the Hunyuan Sect has divided the defense zone into four sectors: Jia, Yi, Bing, and Ding. The other three sects have already chosen theirs, leaving Sector Ding for your Xuantian Sect.
Allow me to speak frankly: Sector Ding is the most difficult area to defend in the entire border realm. Because the waves of the Endless Sea are relatively calm there, the Mozu land ashore from that point most of the time.
You should keep that in mind."
Elder Duanmu nodded: "Many thanks!"
In truth, earlier, when Feng Xi was chattering endlessly with City Lord Hu, he had felt somewhat displeased.
Why did this child Feng Xi talk so much nonsense?
What kind of rubbish was all that?
Compiling books and writing biographies?
Did Hall Master Hu even have the qualifications for that?!
Only now did he realize Feng Xi's true intention. If she hadn't buttered up City Lord Hu, he certainly wouldn't have volunteered this piece of information.
Now that he knew the flaws of Sector Ding, he would be able to bargain with the other three sects once he entered.

When the three of them stepped into the reception hall of the City Lord's Mansion, Elder Liu and the others all stood up to welcome them.
No matter what they were thinking inwardly, they still had to maintain appearances on the surface.
After everyone had taken their seats again, Elder Liu of the Hunyuan Sect said with a half-smile:
"Elder Duanmu, you flew here on swords, didn't you? It's quite a long journey; you must have had a tough time.
It's a pity our routes didn't align, otherwise we could have let you hitch a ride on our flying boat."
Although Elder Duanmu knew this was a veiled jibe mocking the Xuantian Sect for being poor, he disdained to engage in such petty verbal sparring and merely offered a perfunctory acknowledgement.
Logically speaking, Elder Liu should have stopped while he was ahead, but he did not.
"Elder Duanmu, forgive me for saying something I shouldn't, but your Xuantian Sect is far too stingy!
When you go back, you really ought to have a good talk with Sect Master Xiao. You have no idea how many people are laughing behind your backs, calling the Xuantian Sect penny-pinching..."
Just as he was blabbering on, he heard Feng Xi say in a crisp, clear voice to Jun Wen:
"Fifth Senior Brother, you tell me—since someone knows there are some things that shouldn't be said, why on earth do they still say them? Could it be they've eaten too much salted fish?"
Elder Liu: "..."
Elder Duanmu gave a moderate, deliberate cough:
"Xiaoxi, what kind of talk is that? When elders are speaking, do not interrupt, lest people think you lack manners and run your mouth too much."
Feng Xi nodded: "Elder Duanmu, I have noted it down. In the future, I will definitely keep a tight rein on this unruly mouth of mine so as not to be a nuisance."
Elder Liu: ...Are the two of you, old and young, putting on a double act just to mock me?
I remember this Duanmu Yan being a man of few words; how did he also learn to be so sarcastic now?
He slapped the tea table: "Duanmu Yan, what is the meaning of this?"

Elder Han of the Wandering Sword Sect and Elder Feng of the Beast Taming Sect were terrified that a quarrel would break out, so they hurriedly tried to smooth things over:
"Both of you, say a little less.
Let's discuss serious business instead!
Elder Duanmu, to save time, before you arrived, we already divided the defense zones, and the areas are all roughly equal..."
Elder Duanmu looked at the defense map and said coldly:
"Although this old man is not entirely familiar with the border realm, I know a thing or two.
The Sector Ding assigned to us is the hardest place to defend in the entire border realm. You are acting rather unfairly by doing this. Either we draw lots again, or the disciples of the four major sects must be mixed together in every sector!"
Elder Liu of the Hunyuan Sect sneered:
"First come, first served. Who told you to arrive later?!
If you don't agree, you are free to take your Xuantian Sect people and leave!"
Elder Duanmu immediately stood up and said to Jun Wen and Feng Xi, "Let's go!"
Elder Han of the Wandering Sword Sect and Elder Feng of the Beast Taming Sect had no choice but to step forward and block their way, while City Lord Hu also came over to persuade them.
In the end, Elder Duanmu stated:
"It is fine if you want us to guard Sector Ding, but you also know that our Xuantian Sect is hard-pressed for medicinal pills. You must subsidize us with a batch of pills, especially blood-clotting pills and demon-dispelling pills."
Jun Wen: "..."
Why are you asking them? I have them right here!
Junior Sister gave me a whole washbasin-sized pile of them!
She definitely has even more on her own!
Can't you change to a different condition?!
Fortunately, all three other sects flatly refused, because during wartime, medicinal pills were the most precious commodities, impossible to buy even if one had the money.
Finally, after a round of tough bargaining, each sect compensated the Xuantian Sect with one hundred thousand spiritual stones.
Elder Liu said with a dark, gloomy expression:
"Duanmu Yan, let's make our terms clear beforehand. Since the defense zones have been demarcated, each will look after its own area. Don't come crawling to us for reinforcements when things go south!"
Elder Duanmu sneered: "That goes without saying! I hope you can remember those words yourself!"
Elder Feng and Elder Han kept silent, which was tacitly taken as agreement.