Chapter 264: Chapter 254: Red Pendant, Withstands a Bone Marrow Cleansing Strike
"Threads of Nourishing Essence... Red Light Treasure Water?"
Upon hearing this, Chu Ming’s eyes flickered slightly.
These are both common materials for making armor, but like armor, they are regulated items.
Smuggling materials or armor is a capital offense punishable by the execution of one’s entire clan.
However, the Blood Evil Sect’s hoarding of food, armor, and troops clearly shows their rebellious intent, so smuggling these materials is also reasonable.
"How much?"
"It’s estimated to be sufficient for making around three thousand sets of armor."
"Have you found out where it’s being sent?"
"To the benefactor, it’s being transported to Pingzhong County," replied The Medicine Maniac.
"Three thousand sets... Pingzhong County..."
The Blood Evil Sect likely has a large military base in Pingzhong County, perhaps even their headquarters.
Chu Ming recalled earlier at Mieqin River Bay, the direction the Tracking Bead sensed was also toward Pingzhong County.
"Continue tracking." Chu Ming stood up and left with Feeng Yao.
"Yes."
"..."
...
Dusk.
Xirong County, Commandery Mansion.
"Congratulations to Commander Xiang for returning triumphant!"
Xiao He, Xiao Wen, Baili Xinghua, and other civil servants held a banquet to welcome the Commander of the Tiger Armor Army, Xiang Yue.
"Haha, thanks to County Magistrate Xiao, Festival Envoy Xiao, and all of you for your support."
Xiang Yue raised his cup in a toast, his face full of smiles, seemingly in a good mood.
He was indeed in a good mood, having captured Yangjia City from the Kuirong Zhi of the Nine Hordes Kingdom with almost no casualties.
Seizing the important city of Yangjia City means the Tiger Armor Army successfully breached the Nine Hordes Kingdom’s defenses, and the Yangjia Plain, spanning thousands of miles between Yangjia City and Xirong County, now becomes Great Qin Territory.
And this is just the first step in the thirty-thousand-strong Tiger Armor Army’s territorial expansion.
With the young Horde Lord of the Kuirong Zhi in their hands, how could the Tiger Armor Army stop at Yangjia City?
Xiang Yue’s gaze swept over the crowd, pausing slightly on Chu Ming.
The occasion was inappropriate for praise, but he was certainly proud of his disciple.
The more he looked at Chu Ming, the more pleased he was.
"Everyone, let’s toast to Commander Xiang."
Everyone stood up to toast.
Following this, they took turns approaching Xiang Yue to toast.
"I suppose these two must be Commander Fang and Commander Jiang of the Seventh and Eighth Tiger Camps, respectively."
After toasting Xiang Yue, the crowd then addressed Fang Xiao and Jiang Zhan.
"I heard it was Commander Fang who arranged for people to infiltrate the Kuirong Zhi Camp of the Nine Hordes Kingdom to capture the young Horde Lord with overwhelming force?"
Baili Xinghua raised his glass, approaching Fang Xiao.
The Blood Bone Pill within him had been purged, and he looked much healthier.
"It was Commander Xiang’s arrangement." Fang Xiao responded with a soft smile, clinking glasses, unwilling to say much.
Baili Xinghua did not press further and turned to toast Jiang Zhan.
Xiang Yue returned to Xirong County this time, bringing only Fang Xiao and Jiang Zhan, while Commander Huo Buyan and others needed to maintain their positions in Yangjia City.
With the young Horde Lord of the Kuirong Zhi in their hands, there is little need to worry about the Kuirong Zhi army invading.
After three rounds of drinks, everyone was somewhat tipsy.
Chu Ming sat together with Shen Yu, savoring the feast.
Suddenly, his eyes flickered as he looked toward the outside of the hall.
The Sword Gourd Spirit sensed two powerful presences arriving.
Not long after.
Two tall figures slowly walked into the hall.
Two people with stern expressions, tall and holding weapons, scanned the crowd indifferently.
"Yu Sheng, Wei Bang!"
Xiang Yue, who was drinking, turned pale upon seeing the two.
"Hmph!"
The two snorted coldly, stamping their weapons on the ground.
Clang—
The sound of gold and iron echoed throughout the hall.
"Commander Xiang." The two approached Xiang Yue, producing the Holy Decree with an unfriendly tone, "His Majesty commands Commander Xiang to proceed to Qin Capital immediately."
"Immediately proceed to Qin Capital?" Xiang Yue looked at the two, brows furrowing.
Just the day before, he had received an imperial decree from Qin Capital, ordering him to go there, leading him to leave Yangjia City for Xirong County.
Little did he expect, he had entered the county for less than half a day before another decree arrived from Qin Capital.
"Receive the decree."
Xiang Yue bowed to the two and took the Holy Decree.
Yu Sheng and Wei Bang swept their gaze around coldly, said nothing, and left with their weapons.
Inside the hall, everyone exchanged looks.
"Everyone, let’s call it a day."
"..."
...
Night falls.
West City, Chu Mansion.
The full moon reflected on the lake’s surface, elongating the shadows of the pavilion.
Two people stood under the pavilion.
"Master." Chu Ming bowed in greeting.
"Sit down."
"Yes."
"Master is going to Qin Capital at this time, what about the Tiger Armor Army..." Chu Ming asked with some concern.
"Sigh..." Xiang Yue sighed, gazing at the lake, silent for a long time.
Finally, he spoke.
"Yangjia City’s battle, the Tiger Armor Army achieved a great victory, and some are frightened by this."
Chu Ming listened silently.
"You should have guessed the reasons among them."
Chu Ming nodded.
The pavilion fell into silence.
After a moment.
Xiang Yue’s worried expression faded; he did not want to appear so in front of his disciple.
"Chu Ming, let me ask you, how did you capture the young Horde Lord of the Kuirong Zhi?"
He did not know how to describe his disciple’s astonishing achievement.
To venture alone into the enemy’s camp and seize the young Horde Lord of the Kuirong Zhi from both the Kuirong Zhi and the Blood Evil Sect forces.
Such a feat, even for himself, with lower realm Meridian Unlocking strength, he dared not claim to achieve.
"Master, actually, the Kuirong Zhi had already known Blood Evil Sect’s plan and thus enacted a deception..."
Chu Ming explained the events at the Kuirong Zhi Camp.
"So you’re saying? The Blood Evil Sect designed to capture the young Horde Lord, the Kuirong Zhi counter-designed, attempting to annihilate the Blood Evil Sect, only for the camp’s defense to falter, letting you exploit the gap?"
Xiang Yue was somewhat perplexed.
"No, the head you brought back, was of General Rong Si, a Seven Meridian Unlocking master, how did you kill him?!" He pursued further.
"You said you’ve unlocked meridians, how many have you unlocked?!"
"Master, during the clearing of Black Wind Stronghold and Blood Vine Castle, I happened to acquire a considerable amount of Azure Ancient Juice, which allowed me to fully unlock seven meridians," Chu Ming paused briefly, then bowed in reply.
