Whose fist is bigger, that's whom we'll listen to.

Ordinary people have little choice in the matter.

Those with some power, those with information channels, although they know that the Great Jin won't let Wangchuan and Linjiang continue to be controlled by the three Hou families, they also understand that all of Great Jin's energy is currently focused on the Divine Capital. Until the Divine Capital is settled, they won't invest much effort down here. Even if they are dissatisfied with Fifth Master Hou who came from Hexi, they still show him great respect.

Fortunately, Fifth Master Hou's character is still quite good.

For two months, Hou Yuduan has maintained a low profile in Wangchuan Dao City, rarely appearing in public. Any orders were primarily executed by the people of the Saint Heavenly Fist Sect, minimizing his presence to the extent that even when it came to maintaining the peace with the Shuofeng Army, he refrained from interfering too much, becoming almost a transparent figure.

The citizens of Dao City have been harboring grievances over the prolonged state of martial law. Although they cannot resist, the undercurrents of public sentiment can indeed impact the safety of the city. Hou Yuduan's actions have significantly appeased the millions of people in Dao City, because relying on the mere 500,000 Shuofeng Army might not actually control such a large populace.

But today, this Fifth Master Hou appeared in a high-profile manner, quite contrary to his usual behavior!

The south gate of Wangchuan Dao City was tightly surrounded by thousands of Shuofeng Army soldiers, forcing both incoming and outgoing people to take the side gate, while the main gate was left exclusively open.

Hou Yuduan, clad in white, stood calmly at the gate, with dozens of people behind him, over half of whom were high-ranking members of the Saint Heavenly Fist Sect, while others were experts from the Hou Clan. He stood silently at the forefront, and none of those behind him dared to speak freely. However, some nearby citizens whispered among themselves.

"Is that Fifth Master Hou? So young?"

"Haha, he's quite young. I heard he's only in his thirties!"

"A Broken Realm powerhouse, the master of Dao City, now even the Saint Heavenly Fist Sect has to listen to him, and Sect Master Zhuang Feicheng is under his elder brother Hou Yuxiao."

"What Zhuang Feicheng? I heard even Chu Alliance Leader now has to heed the National Master Hou."

"He commands an alliance of 11 million troops, no wonder he carries such a demeanor!"

"I haven't seen this Fifth Master Hou all this time. Wasn't it said he's reclusive and rarely shows himself in the city? Why is he coming out so prominently today with so many people?"

"I don't know either, from the looks of it, it seems he's waiting for someone!"

"For Fifth Master Hou to come out personally to greet someone, it must be a significant figure, right?"

"Certainly, with the power of the National Master Hou, in today's world, apart from the Lord of the Holy Land and some high-ranking members, there's probably no one else who can warrant such importance from Fifth Master Hou, bringing so many people out to wait must mean it's very important!"

"Coming from the south, who could it be?"

"From the Five States of Hedong, or from Hexi?"

"I don't know, we'll see in a moment."

......

Hou Yuduan turned and gave a signal with his eyes to Cheng Yunye behind him.

Cheng Yunye understood and quickly took two steps forward, bowed, and said: "Fifth Master!"

"Are you certain that the information your Third Sister asked you to bring back is true?"

"I stake my life on it, it is absolutely true. Last month, Third Miss just escorted the people from Hexi safely across the river; I was there assisting as well. During the crossing, together with Third Miss, we personally saw more than ten people from the New Moon Divine Sect, including Duanmu Hong; there were three monks amongst them. They are heading north, and will surely pass through Wangchuan Dao City."

Hou Yuduan nodded, a shadow passing through his eyes.

Of course, he did not doubt his third sister Hou Yuling's information. Since she said she saw people from the New Moon Divine Sect, it must be true. With Duanmu Hong present and three monks likely from the Former Leiyin Temple, although the identities of the others are unknown, the presence of Duanmu Hong alone suggests their purpose is certainly not simple.

A formidable Sub-Saint of the Martial Path like Duanmu Hong heading north, there's no need for him to travel on foot, is there?

His intentional approach indicates ulterior motives.

The New Moon Divine Sect cannot participate in the war at present. Duanmu Hong stepping out is likely to scout the situation in various states; traveling on foot northward proves he has just crossed the river from Hexi and is continuing north towards the Divine Capital, clearly surveying the situation along the way.

Know yourself, know the enemy, and you will not be defeated in a hundred battles. In the current chaotic world, securing an invincible position requires mastering information about the various states and families. The New Moon Divine Sect's actions are essentially normal, but for Hou Yuduan, this isn't a positive sign at all.

Duanmu Hong is Sikong Yue's right-hand man. His personal appearance essentially equates to Sikong Yue's actions. Isn't the New Moon Divine Sect unable to participate in the war due to the Shrine's Treasury?

Now that they have mastered the situation in Hexi, the north, and even allies, what can they do? The world's situation can change at any moment, surely Sikong Yue understands this.

The urgency in dispatching Duanmu Hong only indicates one thing:

The New Moon Divine Sect is likely preparing to step into the fray.

Currently, it is preparing for its entry!

There's no reason, the Shrine's Treasury clearly isn't open yet, and elder brother won't open it.

Sikong Yue, on what grounds?

"Fifth Master, they've arrived!"

Upon hearing Cheng Yunye's reminder, Hou Yuduan quickly looked towards the south.

On the official road outside Dao City's south gate, a group of more than ten people was walking leisurely.

The group of eleven, all dressed in black, had crescent moon emblems on their backs, weather-beaten, arranged in neat order, and silently approached.

Indeed, as Cheng Yunye said, Duanmu Hong was present, along with three monks, the other seven were not very conspicuous, but judging by their aura, they were at least at the Yuan Dan Realm in cultivation.

There was, however, something different.

The leader was not Duanmu Hong, but one of the monks.

Duanmu Hong followed behind the monk.

Upon noticing this, Hou Yuduan's pupils constricted suddenly, and his mind and spirit were shaken.

Within the New Moon Divine Sect, there aren't many with higher status than Left Protector Duanmu Hong.

A monk of higher status than him, there is only one.

That would be the very one who advanced to Saint and joined the New Moon Divine Sect with disciples from the Former Leiyin Temple after the Hou Clan attacked Jianye Prefecture and destroyed Leiyin Temple... Buddha Fahai!

Fahai has come!

Hou Yuduan shivered instantly, his face suddenly cast with a shadow.

He was neither afraid nor worried about what Fahai might do to him.

Having a hold on the Divine Capital serves as an excellent lifeline; the Great Jin, the alliance, and even the New Moon Divine Sect won't act against the Hou Clan, this is certain.

Fahai resents the Hou Clan, that goes without saying. If given the opportunity, he would attack him and his siblings without hesitation; Hou Yuduan knows this well. But the New Moon Divine Sect will not allow him to do so.

No matter how powerful the New Moon Divine Sect may be, Sikong Yue is aware that she needs to rely on the alliance due to the constraints of the Divine Sect treasury, which forbids them from entering the war. Therefore, Sikong Yue won't act foolishly by letting Fahai vent his pie without risking causes trouble with the alliance.

Occupying Divine Capital as an excellent lifeline card, the Great Jin, the Alliance, and even the world would not allow Sikong Yue to attack the Hou Clan, and Sikong Yue would not be so foolish to offend the alliance just to let Fahai vent his anger.

Although Hou Yuduan was not afraid or worried, seeing Fahai leading with Duanmu Hong behind him, along with the eleven people who were now close, caused him to feel a sense of apprehension.

In all objectivity, the current New Moon Divine Sect is arguably the second greatest Holy Land in the world, just after the Great Jin. If Sikong Yue enters the fray, the world's situation will become even more complex.

Hou Yuduan walked forward slightly, as the eleven people approached but had not yet come near, he quickly moved forward:

"Knowing that esteemed guests are visiting today, it is a great honor for Wangchuan Dao City to have the great presence of Fifth Master Duanmu Hong and Fahai Buddha... Please come in!"

With that, he turned sideways, ushering them into the city gates.

Fahai, with his eyes half-opened and half-closed, when passing by Hou Yuduan, looked at him meaningfully before and behind, his lips slightly cracked, and he whispered a sentence that could only be heard by two people: "Three young masters gained a lot it seems!"

Before Hou Yuduan could respond, Fahai had walked ahead and entered the city.

He kept a calm expression, not responding verbally, but inwardly, he already raised much vigilance towards Fahai.

Even towards the three monks of the former Leiyin Temple, he offered a polite nod.

In the eyes of the wider world, the three monks were under Duanmu Hong alone, but now it seems that they actually followed Fahai!

Although the New Moon Divine Sect respected them, it was not a blind respect, nor was it for the sake of Fahai.

Those three monks must have chosen to entrust the Divine Sect after Leiyin Temple was destroyed.

So the current situation is that Sikong Yue is about to enter the fray, trying to meddle in the already turbulent world.

This has added a layer of unease in Hou Yuduan's heart.

The world is extensive, people's intentions are in constant flux, Sikong Yue's ambition is likely more than just reviving Great Yu.

"""