Numerous misdeeds have made Shadow Forts many enemies, and they conspire with Tempest Spire
Eighteen Shadow Forts claim to "act on behalf of heavens, rob rich aid poor," in reality, there are many who engage in evil.
Eighteen Shadow Forts commit crimes everywhere and clash with many martial world sects. Tempest Spire is one of them.
Tempest Spire often clashes with them on the waterways. Over the years, Tempest Spire has punished many Shadow Forts' villains. If Shadow Forts dare to hijack Tempest Spire's cargo ships today, they will see a row of their bandits hanging upside down at the dock tomorrow.
However, there are rumors that, the two sects collude in secret.
It is said that a high-ranking official requested Tempest Spire to dispatch ten ships to transport rare treasures from Hangzhou to his residence in Bianjing. These treasures were extraordinary, including red coral from Eastern Sea, green-headed finches from Western Regions, luminous pearls from Southern Sea, and fox fur from Northern Desert. Hearing this, you might wonder where this official got the money to amass such treasures. Wasn't it through exploiting our hard-earned wealth?
Tempest Spire could not tolerate helping corrupt officials. Tempest Spire's "Invisible Strategy, Unrivaled Planning" is not an empty boast. Their strategist, Ji Hanxiu, devised a foolproof plan.
Tempest Spire dispatched ten cedarwood ships. But just as the ships were about to dock, Shadow Forts' forces emerged on Bian River, clashing with Tempest Spire's people.
The heroes of Tempest Spire are all top-notch martial artists. However, this time, Shadow Forts' bandits defeated Tempest Spire's forces.
It turned out that Tempest Spire, unwilling to let the treasures fall into the hands of corrupt officials, conspired with Eighteen Shadow Forts to execute "The Great Disguise." The corrupt official dared not make a fuss due to the illicit origins of the treasures.
Afterwards, apart from a small portion kept by the Eighteen Shadow Forts as a fee, most of the treasures were exchanged for grain and returned to the people exploited by the official. It can be said:
Tempest and Shadow secretly join forces, united in fighting against corrupt officials.
However, this is merely a baseless rumor in the martial world. The Eighteen Shadow Forts and the Tempest Spire are known to be irreconcilable enemies. Moreover, which official in the court doesn't love the people like their own children? How could there be such a greedy official? Please take my ramblings as mere entertainment for your leisure, just for a laugh.