The Wei Family?
The rogue cultivators around them all cried out in surprise.
The Wei Family — now that was truly a major power in the Glazed Royal City. While they weren't a direct faction of the Titled Great Emperors and didn't occupy the absolute pinnacle of the Glazed Royal City, they were unquestionably a first-tier power — and a standout among first-tier powers at that.
Everyone knew that the Glazed Royal City's mightiest were the seven Titled Great Emperors — transcendental forces that stood high above all else. Below them came the Twenty-Eight Great Clans, the twenty-eight most elite powers in the Glazed Royal City. Beyond those Great Clans came the ninth-rank noble families at the Wei Family's level.
On the surface, such ninth-rank families might look like third-tier forces, but within the Glazed Royal City, they were undeniably first-rate. Forces of this caliber even had a voice before the Titled Great Emperors.
In an instant, whispered discussions broke out among the rogue cultivators all around.
"The Wei Family — the Wei Family is no ordinary minor power."
"Well, now it's getting interesting. Asking a power like the Wei Family to submit to a search — naturally they wouldn't be pleased about that."
"Exactly. If they were in the Imperishable Heavenly Capital's territory, they'd have to bow their heads — you have no choice when you're under someone else's roof. But this is the Glazed Royal City's doorstep. Asking them to submit to a search is really..."
"Mm, the top powers of the Glazed Royal City are all fiercely protective of their face. A search is a slap in the face — no wonder they're unhappy."
"Let's watch — looks like there's going to be a show!"
The rogue cultivators buzzed with discussion, making no effort to keep their voices down. After all, their comments carried no particular bias, and they feared offending no one.
If one party played the hard line, naturally another would play the soft.
The young master of the Wei Family strolled over at an unhurried pace and cupped his fists toward Dharma King Mu. "Dharma King Mu — I am
Dharma King Mu didn't slight him, returning the cupped-fist salute. "So it's the young master of the Glazed Royal City's Wei Family."
As a ninth-rank noble family of the Glazed Royal City, the Wei Family's reputation was far from insignificant. Dharma King Mu had naturally heard of them. While it wasn't necessarily true that he couldn't afford to offend them, a ninth-rank family like this — once relations truly broke down — could genuinely influence the decisions of a Titled Great Emperor.
If the Wei Family brought their grievances before a Titled Great Emperor and kicked up a fuss, the Imperishable Heavenly Capital would find itself in a very difficult position.
"Dharma King Mu, truth be told, you are an elder to me. If I were some unknown nobody, I'd simply submit to the search — it would be no matter. But I represent the Wei Family. I represent the Glazed Royal City's face. If you search me today, even if I can understand, the people of this world may not. If everyone starts saying that my Wei Family fears your Imperishable Heavenly Capital, that my Glazed Royal City fears your Imperishable Heavenly Capital — their tongues are in their own mouths, and there's simply no way to stop them."
Neither the Wei Family nor the Glazed Royal City could accept that.
Ordinary powers wouldn't dare claim to represent the Glazed Royal City. But for a ninth-rank noble family like the Wei Family, they had every right to. And no one would think them unqualified to say so.
Dharma King Mu was truly in a difficult position. The Wei Family's people were forceful — and what was worse, this was precisely the kind of power with which he couldn't afford to burn bridges.
If it were some ordinary power, Dharma King Mu wouldn't have wasted so many words. You refuse to comply? Then forget about passing through. If you want to pass, you submit to the search. Even a forced search — he wouldn't have hesitated.
But against a power like the Wei Family, he truly couldn't resort to strong-arm tactics.
"Nephew Wei, since you acknowledge me as an elder, grant me a small favor. I'll simply go through the motions symbolically, and afterward I will certainly offer my thanks." Dharma King Mu was still trying to negotiate.
The Wei Family's words were well-reasoned and crystal clear.
Dharma King Mu had no choice. He cast a meaningful glance at their entourage. "Nephew Wei, you yourself need not be searched. But the others..."
"The others are the same. Since they travel with me, they are all my Wei Family's old brothers. Searching them is no different from searching me."
Dharma King Mu's brow furrowed. "Nephew Wei, you're making this very difficult for me."
The Seventh Master beside him smiled faintly. "Do whatever you need to do. If you want to get rough, we're happy to oblige."
They couldn't win in a fight, but the Seventh Master's bearing showed no weakness.
Dharma King Mu's anger nearly erupted several times, but he forcibly suppressed it each time, continually telling himself: don't lose your temper. Don't lose your temper.
The moment he lost his temper, this matter would spiral out of control.
"Very well. Since it's the Wei Family, I'll grant you this face. However, I have one request. Since all these people are Nephew Wei's old brothers, why not introduce them? I'd like to get to know them."
If he couldn't search them with spirit tools, surely asking after their identities would be acceptable.
The Seventh Master was the first to step forward. "Wei Qixia. Forty years of service to the Wei Family. Dharma King Mu — may we pass?"