Bombarding Cultivators with Cluster Artillery

Dongling City, the city wall.

Chen Chen stood on it, amidst the solemn soldiers guarding the city, his clothes slightly damp, not knowing how long he had been standing there.

As dawn broke, he did not move.

When day grew bright, he remained still.

It was not until noon, under the scorching sun, that he finally opened his eyes, a flash of killing intent.

"Zhou Kui and the other, they must be dead."

Two Inner Qi Realm Martial Artists, even if they were forcibly elevated using Black Blood Pills, could not possibly get lost or be injured by wild beasts, "This is good news, excellent news indeed, Sect Elder Chou, you guessed right."

By his side, an old man in black robe who had also stood for a long time, clearly very concerned about this matter, said hoarsely, "I have studied his past, and since his arrival in Dongling City, he has always cultivated behind closed doors, enduring whatever he could and acting without undue aggression."

"Only the Blue Luminous Butterfly!"

"With Fierce Tiger Village's formidable strength, with Lu Jingtian and Yang Dongsheng being not weak in power, and Zhou Kun's ability to train soldiers also being decent, it was solely the slight threat to the Blue Luminous Butterfly that led him to immediately ascend the mountain to eliminate it without the slightest hesitation."

"Now we can be sure that this creature is extremely important to him, could there truly be an earth-shattering skill in this world that grows by absorbing spirit butterflies?"

Chou Di looked puzzled.

"According to the Sihai Trading Company, he needs five hundred and fifty thousand pairs of Blue Luminous Butterflies, and the hunting should be completed in at most four more days. If you intend to take action, do it quickly."

News came from Yuejing that the Xiantian master of Qingniugong has already successfully extracted the information on the mastermind through interrogation and has secretly sent letters to the heads of the major righteous sects, petitioning the court to strip the title of Zhendong Marquis.

There is not much time left.

He had already lit the Soul Summoning Incense to contact the Wolf God Cult's Law King, who may arrive at any time, and Duke Town Dover Tong Wang would not allow him to leave the city, to prevent any mishap.

"It's already past noon, marching there might get us close to nightfall."

"No rush."

Chen Chen clapped his hands and brought someone over. It was Dragon Three from the Dongling branch of the Sihai Trading Company. He had not been mistreated, just his clothes were a bit disheveled from the tussle.

"Shopkeeper Long, I know that the Sihai Trading Company has reared a type of bird called Red Tail Falcon, which is highly intelligent. Even from afar at Donglingshan Mountain, it should still be able to carry a message. Please deliver this item."

His expression was indifferent as he handed over an envelope.

"General Chen!"

Dragon Three, however, was not afraid of him and said sternly, "Even when facing the Marquis, our Sihai Trading Company is granted a seat of honor. You dragged me here as if I'm a criminal; do you think that after taking command of the troops, your strength and nobility far surpass that of the Marquis?"

"Stop the nonsense!"

Chen Chen's expression changed slightly.

All his power and the soldiers under him were obtained from the Marquis's mansion, and although Duke Town Dover Tong Wang indeed showed the makings of a dominant lord, he could not tolerate such a subordinate.

"Shopkeeper Long, your eloquence surpasses mine," Chen Chen coldly said, "but you must understand that the Marquis's courtesy is extended to the Sihai Trading Company, not Dragon Three."

"If the headquarters of the Sihai Trading Company learns that you deliberately disregarded the Marquis's honored guests and evaded your responsibilities, even killing you would have no consequences, wouldn't it?"

Dragon Three fell silent.

He knew it was true.

The Sihai Trading Company was absolutely neutral. If the Zhendong Marquis was in control of Dongling City, the company would cooperate with him, and if one day Jiang Ding took charge, they would also collaborate with his orders to eradicate the remnants of the Marquis's mansion.

Whoever was in power dictated their stance.

Such was the case with a mansion, a county.

And so it was with a camp.

"Enough."

Dragon Three knew he could not stop it. Even if he died, someone within the Sihai Trading Company would carry out the orders of the Zhendonghou Mansion.

...

Chiu chiu!

In the sky, a cheerful sound was heard as a Red Tail Falcon soared from somewhere, circled the camp several times, and headed straight for a certain spot to land.

As it drew nearer, the message tube at its tail became clearly visible.

Long Zhengwu looked up at the Red Tail Falcon drawing closer in the sky, his face full of regret. His hand trembled as he nocked the bow several times but failed to release it.

This Red Tail Falcon, bred with care over centuries by the Sihai Trading Company, was not only swift in flight and capable of high altitudes, but could also recognize at least a dozen people from the Sihai Trading Company and comprehend simple words.

Spread across distant lands, the Sihai Trading Company relied on this bird for communication.

Its value was priceless beyond measure.

In a breath's time, the Red Tail Falcon was only a few meters away, and even the number on the message tube could be seen.

"Shoot!"

Long Zhengwu finally made up his mind, his hand forcefully swung downward, and in the blink of an eye, over ten arrows were loosed simultaneously.

Peewit-peewit!

The Red Tail Falcon cried out sharply several times, desperately trying to dodge, but still got its wing pierced by an arrow; it kept wailing, its flight path becoming erratic and twisted.

A pair of black eyes the size of rice grains gazed at Long Zhengwu with incomprehension, yet they continued to move toward him.

Droplets of blood fell to the ground.

Jiang Ding's gaze turned cold, his killing intent pervading the atmosphere without any attempt to hide it; an immediate chill enveloped the surroundings.

"Young Master! Please wait, wait!"

Long Zhengwu, quick with his eyes and hands, tore off a piece of white cloth and covered the Red Tail Falcon, handing it over with a big smile, "Caught a wild bird, I hereby present it to the Young Master."

Jiang Ding glanced at him, his hand moving away from the sword hilt.

Unfolding the white cloth, the Red Tail Falcon burst out, its sharp beak aiming for his face, but was deftly caught by him.

Jiang Ding took out the message tube, vibrated it with his Inner Energy, and turned it into crumb powder. He then threw the injured Red Tail Falcon back.

"I do like it, but don't send any more; just execute it right away."

Jiang Ding said with a slightly cold expression.

"Yes, Young Master, rest assured."

Long Zhengwu carefully took the Red Tail Falcon, stroking its injured wing with a look of pity.

Jiang Ding did not delve into the matter and asked, "I still lack fifteen thousand pairs of Blue Luminous Butterflies; how much longer will it take?"

Fifty-five thousand pairs, not one pair less.

To extract 'Blue-Gold 2413' from Blue Luminous Butterflies was something only the top laboratories within the Xianmen Sect could achieve. Jiang Ding couldn't afford the price they charge, so he had to use the materials as compensation.

"Four days, at most four days," Long Zhengwu hurriedly replied.

"My offer is fifteen thousand taels! A hundred times the price!"

Jiang Ding said in a heavy tone, "Tell the brothers, one pair of Blue Luminous Butterflies, one tael of silver, but only these two days. After two days, I won't give a single cent!"

He didn't just say this verbally; he took out two silver notes adding up to fifteen thousand taels and slapped them on the table. His voice spread hundreds of meters around, "The silver is right here, kept with Elder Long. Whoever has the capability, just fucking take it!"

"If silver can't break it, the Sihai Business Association will write an IOU!"

As his words resounded, the breath of the medicinal herb gatherers around the camp was stifled, their eyes quickly turning fervent.

One tael of silver, that used to be enough for half a year of their work.

Now, only one pair of Blue Luminous Butterflies is needed!

With one net cast, they could possibly catch ten or more pairs, fetching them several taels of silver. This wasn't butterfly-catching; it was clear that they were fishing for silver!

Even the martial artists from the Sihai Business Association were close to madness, looking at the vast Donglingshan Mountain as if it were made of gold!

The voice spread in all directions; from one to ten, ten to a hundred, the entire camp stirred.

Once confirmed, not only the medicinal herb gatherers and village helpers but even the Sihai Business Association's guards turned red-eyed, abandoning their posts and rushing into the mountains.

In an instant,

The vast camp was left empty except for a mere few.

Jiang Ding sat cross-legged and began to meditate.

The eagerness of thousands in the mountains was kindled; they disregarded any possible danger, continuously delivering nets of Blue Luminous Butterflies, ceaselessly, day and night.

The number of Blue Luminous Butterflies was rapidly increasing.

Meanwhile,

As dawn's early light spread, Chen Chen led a heavily armored regiment of a hundred cavalrymen out of the city gate, silent and solemn.

"Young Master Hei Jin, why have you suddenly taken an interest in that Thief again?"

Chen Chen asked, tilting his head.

Aside from him, the Duke Town Dover Tong Wang also attached great importance to this matter, dispatching his relative, the head of the Zheng Clan 'Mixed Gold Dagger' Zheng Ye, a total of three Internal Qi Perfection experts, which included some top contenders from the Dragon and Phoenix List.

Now the vice-head of the Yiqi Gang, 'Dotting Evil Brush' Yao Xiu, under the Manor's support, had eliminated and integrated various city gangs, growing in strength several times over. He now led over ten Inner Qi Realm martial artists from his gang, serving as 'Free Knights.'

Such military power was trivial for capturing a city.

There was also the master of Longhu Martial Arts Hall 'Sky Flipping Monkey' Elder Yuan, who excused himself on the grounds of a serious illness, appearing as if on his deathbed, and thus wasn't pressed into service.

"Originally, I wasn't interested in a dying beast in a cage."

Hei Jin chuckled lightly, "But since he managed to escape under the eyes of so many, that makes him interesting. He has earned the right to be my whetstone."