"Do you think I'm acting behind your Valley Master's back?" After arranging for Shangguan Jin and his group to rest, Song Xia slowly addressed her fellow disciples in the hall. They were not her father's personally taught disciples, but they had also learned the Linghe Valley's techniques, so they usually addressed each other as fellow disciples. However, in reality, they were more like Linghe Valley's servants and guards.

The men were startled: "We wouldn't dare!"

Song Xia sighed softly, but her expression and tone left no room for argument: "This Valley Master has no choice. There are so many sects in the martial arts world. How easy is it to become the leader of the martial arts alliance? Once Ouyang Zhen becomes the leader of the martial arts alliance, he will have to set an example. At that time, you will be the first to attack the evil cult head-on. Do you think we can deal with the evil cult with just our sect's strength?"

"That's impossible, but aren't there other sects?"

"Other sects? If the leader of the Shenyang Sect becomes the leader of the martial arts alliance and orders you to attack the evil cult, will you fight with all your might?"

When asked this question, all the disciples' faces darkened; of course, this was impossible.

"Therefore, the title of Martial Arts Alliance Leader is just an empty name. Whichever sect produces a Martial Arts Alliance Leader will become the target of everyone's hatred. Only the person who becomes the Martial Arts Alliance Leader is glorious. I, the Valley Master, do not want you to die in vain, so I invited Wuhua Tower to cooperate."

"The Valley Master is truly righteous!" After hearing the explanation, the disciples immediately knelt down on one knee, even changing their form of address.

"Get up, all of you. Our Linghe City is still too small, and many of our guards are unarmed. Our horses are not of good breed, and our farmland yields are low. If we want to avoid being corrupted by cults in the future, we must first strengthen ourselves."

"But what if Valley Master Ouyang returns?"

"If he wants to run for the leader of the martial arts alliance, let him go. As for the valley and the city, just focus on development."

The disciples figured out her meaning: Ouyang Zhen should be responsible for his own actions, and any use of Linghe Valley and Linghe City's resources would not be supported.

Finally, they were worried about one more thing: "What if Valley Master Ouyang pursues this matter? None of us in the valley are his match."

“I will advise him.”

Song Xia spoke with great confidence, as if he had everything under control, which reassured everyone.

Indeed, the Valley Master was able to invite even the Master of Wuhua Tower, so he must have some abilities they don't know about. That's Wuhua Tower, the richest man in the world that neither the righteous nor the evil factions pay attention to, yet he personally came to their Linghe Valley. Does Valley Master Ouyang have such abilities? No.

Soon, the disciples in Linghe Valley learned of her intentions, and quite consciously, when they discussed the matter, they avoided Ouyang Zhen's confidants, letting them know only that Wuhua Tower would establish a branch in Linghe City.

After hearing the rumors, Ouyang Feng looked at Song Xia with concern: "Master's wife, what if Master attacks you?"

"You don't trust your master's wife?"

"No, Master's wife has recently made remarkable improvements to her swordsmanship, but Master has already mastered the Spirit Crane Sword Technique to ninety percent perfection. You, in one night..."

Song Xia patted him on the shoulder: "You've grown so tall! You'll soon be able to take on important responsibilities for the sect."

Ouyang Feng's ears turned red, and his tone became increasingly anxious: "Master's wife, Master is not a soft-hearted person. If he finds out what you've done, he won't let it go. If he were to harm you..."

"Then let's not let him know for now. Anyway, the selection of the martial arts alliance leader won't be so quick, and he certainly won't ask too many questions about what's happening in the valley. Let's just go along with him for now."

The worry in Ouyang Feng's eyes had not disappeared. Song Xia looked at him encouragingly: "If you are so afraid that something will happen to your master's wife, then work hard to learn martial arts. In the future, when your master's wife and your master are at odds, you can also help your master's wife."

Ouyang Feng took these words to heart and worked even harder than before, pulling Yin Shihuai along with him. Even Ouyang Wan's lightness skill and swordsmanship improved by leaps and bounds.

The construction of Wuhua Tower within Linghe City was undertaken by Song Xia, who then assigned her senior sister Song Ling and junior brother Song Lang to assist her. Both of them had a deeper affection for her than for Ouyang Zhen, so they never questioned any of her decisions and cooperated fully with Shangguan Jin's orders.

Thus, Song Xia had more time to seclude herself in seclusion. When Ouyang Zhen returned, she continued her arduous cultivation and refused to see anyone.

Ouyang Zhen was quite dissatisfied with her approach, feeling that she was wasting her time. How could she leave all the affairs in the valley and the city to the stewards and disciples?

In particular, why was no one informed of Wuhualou's plan to build a branch in Linghe City beforehand?

"Madam said it's a good thing that Wuhua Tower is building a branch in the city. Because of this, the people in the city have had a lot more work recently, and everyone is smiling more. The amount of farmland opened up outside the city is also twice that of previous years. Everyone says they will have a good year."

Only then did Ouyang Zhen's expression improve considerably. This was mainly because he was thinking about the wealth of Wuhua Tower. If it could be used by him in the future... Wuhua Tower had never expressed its opinion on matters of the martial world before, but now it suddenly came to Linghe City to build a branch. Did it also support him to become the leader of the martial arts alliance?

"Who is in charge of contacting Wuhua Tower now?"

"They are my two senior brothers, Song Ling and Song Lang."

"Okay, go and inform them to call your wife over tonight."

The disciple hesitated: "But the lady instructed that no one should disturb her before she comes out of seclusion."

Ouyang Zhen sneered: "You don't even listen to me anymore? Just go when I tell you to. Her talent is average. How can her seclusion be more important than my business?"

The disciple quickly bowed his head: "Yes, Valley Master."

In front of Ouyang Zhen, everyone still addressed Song Xia as Madam, but when they met Song Xia alone, everyone tacitly called her Valley Master.

Song Xia did not make things difficult for the junior disciple who came to call her. Instead, she finished her practice and stood up, saying, "I understand. You can go about your business now."

The young disciple felt as if he had been granted a pardon, and his resolve to stand on Valley Master Song's side became even stronger. These outer disciples were either orphans or sent to Linghe Valley by poor families to make a living. In fact, most of them did not have such grand ambitions and just wanted to live a peaceful life.

Valley Master Ouyang's ideas are too radical, and he doesn't usually treat his junior disciples like human beings. Valley Master Song is much more benevolent. As long as you don't slack off or cheat, you don't need to live in constant fear.

After leaving the pass, Song Xia first gave Ouyang Feng and the other two some pointers on their martial arts before leisurely heading to Ouyang Zhen's courtyard.

"Senior brother, you were looking for me?"

Ouyang Zhen looked at him with sharp eyes: "I heard that you personally invited Wuhua Tower? Why didn't you inform me beforehand?"

Song Xia lowered his head to drink tea, bowing his head when necessary: ​​"I was just trying it out because I saw you were busy, Senior Brother. I didn't expect that Master Shangguan would actually agree to do business in Linghe City."

Ouyang Zhen took credit for himself: "What do you mean Wuhua Tower doesn't participate in the conflicts of the martial arts world? Isn't it just because they see that I have a chance to become the leader of the martial arts alliance, so they change their tune with the wind? It seems they are nothing special."

Song Xia smiled and remained silent, letting him think what he wanted; as long as she didn't cause trouble for the time being.