Earlier on the trip, Master Fifth had told Xu Qing a few things about the county capital. However, Chen Tinghao knew about all of these things first-hand, so his description was much more detailed. Thanks to Chen Tinghao, Xu Qing was getting a much better understanding of the major forces operating in the capital.10

Groups like the Eight Sect Coalition all had subsidiary sects there. In their respective prefectures, they were the dominant force. But in the capital, they had to bow their heads in subservience. That was because, above them all, there were three even more powerful sects. It could well be said that those three sects were the most powerful in the entire county, which was why their headquarters could be found in the capital itself.1

“Those three sects have a lot of disciples who are members of the Swordsage Palace,” Chen Tinghao went on to explain. “In some respects, you could say that those three sects are part of the Swordsage Palace, and will stand by any decisions made by the palace. That relationship is one of the main reasons those three sects have survived for so long in Sea-Sealing County. The two of us are actually disciples of the Supreme Ancient Lightning Order.”8

Chen Tinghao then went on to explain more about Yao Mansion. As an aristocratic clan of chosen cultivators, they truly were like high-class nobles.2

“Although Heavenly Marquis Yao perished years ago, the reserve powers...5