Bombarding Cultivators with Cluster Artillery

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"Go, go-go!"

In the dead of night, city gates could not be opened without the command of the main general. Two messengers of the Internal Qi Realm were lowered down in bamboo baskets, along with six robust military horses, three for each messenger, and supplies were well-prepared.

The messengers flipped onto the horses' backs and furiously whipped the horses' rear ends, their figures swiftly racing into the distance.

The city's defending commander was inwardly amazed.

It was night, and although they were riding the special breed of sweaty-blood horses cultivated by the army, capable of night vision and matching the speed of a Martial Artist of Great Achievement of Inner Qi, their endurance was even more extraordinary.

But in such pitch darkness, with only a glint of moonlight, and such urgency, a moment's inattention could mean a broken leg for the horse.

He wondered what military news could be so urgent.

...

Fifty kilometers away from Dongling City, there was a winding stone bridge.

This bridge spanned a large river, connecting both sides, and allowed two carriages to pass at the same time. It was the only access to the mountains from Dongling City. It was possible to take an alternate route, but it would add several days to the journey.

Clop clop clop...

The rapid sound of horse hooves grew louder and more incessant, like a torrential downpour.

The sweaty-blood horses were drenched in sweat that dripped a bloody red, their whole bodies soaked through; they had not stopped for even a moment along the way.

"Hurry up!"

The voice of a messenger was deep.

"The general's order is to deliver the letter to the Sihai Business Association's office before dawn. If we fail, both of us are dead."

"Don't worry..."

Another man laughed, but his expression suddenly turned to one of horror.

A streak of sword-light, dark and heavy in the night, appeared from nowhere, easily slicing across his throat. His body fell limply, while his horse continued its wild gallop.

The shadow of the sword slowly disappeared.

"Who's there!?"

The messenger of the Internal Qi Realm tightly reined in his horse, which reared up. He flew off the horse's back, leveraging the horse's power to deliver a ferocious downward chop with his blade, swift as a gale!

Wind-Splitting Blade!

A military martial technique, simple and direct, with all Inner Energy erupting in one move. It was a life-risking move that could even amplify its power through the momentum of a galloping horse.

Although it would leave one weak afterwards, this weakness was usually insignificant on the battlefield where comrades could cover for you.

It was very different from the fighting styles common in the Jianghu, and an unwary Warrior of Minor Completion of Internal Qi could easily be seriously injured by it.

Ding!

The messenger only felt a tremendous Inner Energy strike at the weakest part of his blade, dispersing his Inner Qi instantly and sending him flying several meters. He crashed to the ground, spitting out a mouthful of fresh blood.

When he looked again, behind the slowly fading sword shadow, a handsome youth in blue clothes had appeared out of nowhere.

"Who might you be, friend from the roads?"

The messenger's pupils constricted, and he forced a smile: "Our Ba Fang Escort Agency has always been generous to all our brothers. Could there have been some misunderstanding?"

"Chen Chen... what was the command given to you?"

Jiang Ding asked quietly.

"Chen Chen? Who's that?"

The messenger was confused.

"Speak now, then run. Delve deep into Donglingshan Mountain, or escape far to another city, and you can still live."

Jiang Ding spoke again.

"Friend, I really don't know any Chen Chen. Maybe you got the wrong person?" the messenger pleaded in desperation: "Our Ba Fang Escort Agency..."

Clang!

A shallow sword mark appeared on his throat, and his head dropped powerlessly.

"Have a good journey."

Jiang Ding spoke indifferently.

An unmanned drone still hovered above Dongling City, using the drone above as a signal relay station, watching the other party rush over all the way, so there was no worry about killing the wrong person.

Taking advantage of transparent gloves and the protection of Inner Energy, he began to search the two bodies.

The two men didn't have much on them, just a letter and a few pieces of broken silver.

After taking the letter, Jiang Ding used vines to bind the two bodies together, and added a stone to sink them into the river.

He then cleaned up the bloodstained soil and the chaotic hoof prints on the ground. Leading the six horses, Jiang Ding slowly made his way towards the Budie Camp, the Sihai Business Association's stronghold in Donglingshan Mountain.

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The Blue Luminous Butterfly is critical to his path; unless his life is seriously threatened, he will not give up.

Block his way, and you shall perish.

...

Mounted leisurely on his horse, Jiang Ding examined the personal letter from Chen Chen.

Since the Sihai Business Association was not under his command, there was no secret code or cryptic message, allowing him to understand it directly.

The content was simple yet stern, demanding Long Zhengwu, who was in charge of this area, to stop capturing Blue Luminous Butterflies and to send back those already captured to the city immediately; otherwise, the Marquis would undoubtedly become furious.

It was not just a threat; the seal of the Marquis's mansion stamped on it represented the will of the Marquis.

Coldness flashed in Jiang Ding's eyes.

Given his understanding of the Sihai Business Association, they may bend the rules, but they would not directly confront the local powers for any reason, no matter how tempting the rewards.

There was a way around it, though; as long as no notification from the Marquis's mansion was received, all was well.

The sword-light flickered slightly, turning the letter into a sky-filling shower of paper scraps and dust.

...

Budie Camp was nestled in a mountain hollow, brightly illuminated at all four corners with specially assigned martial artists keeping watch.

In the wilderness of the deep mountains, anyone could turn villainous; order was non-existent.

The tapping of hooves,

a youth in blue clothes appeared in the guards' vision, leading not only the horse he was riding but also five others.

"Stop right there, friend! This is the campsite of the Sihai Business Association!"

Jiang Ding halted his horse as instructed and threw over a gold token.

It was the Sihai Gold Medallion given to him earlier by Dragon Three, signifying a strategic-level noble guest of the Trading Association. Even at the Yuejing headquarters, he would be personally received by the Association leader.

"Please wait a moment, esteemed guest. I will immediately inform the elder," said the guard, his demeanor turning respectful, but without dropping his vigilance—the gold token was significant to the Trading Company, and he had no ability to authenticate it.

After waiting briefly, Long Zhengwu hurried over, his hair still somewhat disheveled, seemingly having just risen from bed.

Jiang Ding felt a slight admiration; the Sihai Business Association had many issues, but they knew how to treat their esteemed guests well.

"Long Zhengwu greets Young Master Jiang!"

From a distance, Long Zhengwu began to bow and salute, his posture so low it shocked the surrounding guards.

"Elder Long, you're much too courteous; I do not deserve such honor,"

Jiang Ding dismounted and returned the salute.

A few words were exchanged between the two, and they entered the camp together.

Long Zhengwu personally took the reins from Jiang Ding and handed them to a servant nearby. His pupils shrank when he saw the mark of the Marquis's mansion on the horses' hindquarters, sensing something amiss.

The scent of freshly brewed tea lingered in the air, the warmth of the stove dispelling the slight chill of the night.

"Elder Long, have you received any letters from the city?" Jiang Ding asked with ease, smiling.

As for people, he was confident he could intercept them all—none would slip by even if they didn't take the main roads but instead used secret trails.

But some pigeon or domesticated bird—that he couldn't be sure of.

A chill went through Long Zhengwu's heart.

The youth in blue clothes before him seemed amiable and too kind to bear even the sight of a beggar without trying to help, but he was not a presence one could deceive!

He remembered the corpses strewn across Fierce Tiger Village's mountainside, a sight that still made him shudder to recall.

"No!"

Long Zhengwu declared decisively, "Donglingshan Mountain is isolated from the outside; how could there be any letters?"

Jiang Ding nodded and asked further, "About Donglingshan Mountain, the taste of pigeons and other birds must be exquisite—a delight I have longed for..."

"Rest assured, Young Master!"

Long Zhengwu spoke gravely, "Starting today—no, I will instantly order the camp's skilled archers to hunt even more diligently, to present you with the best catches. I must confess, we have several highly skilled chefs within our camp."

"That will do just fine,"

Jiang Ding nodded in satisfaction.

"Only..."

Long Zhengwu's expression turned troubled as he hinted, "Our Trading Company is but a small household, a family of goodwill. Faced with the government, we truly lack the capacity..."

"Elder Long, you worry too much. The government has bigger concerns; why would they come to such an out-of-the-way place?"

Jiang Ding said coolly.