Chapter 324: More Chaotic!
More Chaotic! . . .
Aside from the activities surrounding Lan Langlang's journey, other developments unfolded within the capital. The highly anticipated auction had come to an end, with hundreds of supreme dan beads changing hands. However, the forces that had gathered for the event didn't disperse immediately as one might have expected.
The reason for their prolonged stay was relatively straightforward. Once the auction concluded, the buyers of the dan beads were publicly known, and it became evident who had secured how many beads. This information was shared and analyzed once people left the auction hall. Those who had missed out on obtaining the coveted dan beads were keen to acquire some, while those who had made successful bids desired to increase their holdings. Meanwhile, those who had acquired a substantial number of dan beads feared being targeted by thieves. In response, a chaotic rush to enhance their positions unfolded.
Some of the more powerful individuals resorted to theft. When they identified individuals leaving the city with valuable dan beads, they pursued and, at times, killed them to seize their spoils. In such a precarious atmosphere, those who were weaker but had managed to purchase dan beads chose not to leave the city, fearing for their safety.
In response to this tense situation, various clans and sects dispatched their capable members to the city. Ostensibly, they claimed that their purpose was to make payments to Ling-Bao Hall, but it served as an excuse to send significant numbers of superior cultivators to the capital. These visitors had diverse intentions, including protecting the dan beads they had acquired, or attempting to engage in acts of theft.
As a result, the capital did not revert to a state of calm following the auction's conclusion. On the contrary, the situation grew increasingly turbulent, with a continuous influx of superior cultivators arriving in the city. Though there appeared to be an uneasy peace, a palpable undercurrent of tension remained. Notably, the two prominent sects were the most assertive among these newcomers. Having obtained nothing at the auction and having been humiliated by Master Bai, they were keen to reestablish their reputation. Thus, they chose to remain in the city, while additional cultivators continued to arrive.
The presence of the great sects was a source of concern for many, as their intentions were far from clear. Although the House of the Chaotic Storms had inflicted a public humiliation upon them, it did not imply that they had lost their potency. To the ordinary martial world, these great sects still held significant authority and power.
Consequently, an atmosphere of uncertainty enveloped the capital, with few daring to leave.
The city harbored a diverse mix of individuals, and a palpable tension lingered in the air. A delicate equilibrium prevailed, where no one dared to make rash moves. Everyone was aware that this precarious balance wouldn't endure for long. Once disrupted, the scent of blood would inevitably permeate the atmosphere.
The King of the Kingdom of Chen found himself the beneficiary of over 70 billion in income. Financial pressures no longer plagued him, and the royal treasury had never been more abundant. The kingdom could now afford to sustain its military efforts for fifty additional years.
Overjoyed by the newfound wealth, the king personally wielded a brush pen to craft a plaque for Ling-Bao Hall. It bore the inscription "The Best Hall in Chen." The display of respect was met with enthusiastic cheers, with Wan Zheng-Hao fervently shouting, "Long live the king!" The atmosphere in Ling-Bao Hall was one of jubilation.
However, the king's gesture was primarily a demonstration of his reverence. While Ling-Bao Hall might not have been a match for the Sunlight Sect or the Starlight Sect, it possessed the strength necessary to engage with the Kingdom of Chen. Were it not for Cha Eun Xiao's connections, Wan Zhenghao would have viewed the royal commendation as a polite gesture rather than an earnest accolade.
Ling-Bao Hall maintained numerous branches throughout the Land of Han-Yang, each one ostensibly operating as an independent association without allegiance to any specific kingdom. They were, at their core, a network of merchants. This time, by appeasing the Kingdom of Chen, they inadvertently offended all other kingdoms, potentially incurring greater losses than they had initially gained.
These repercussions could extend beyond monetary loss, as the harmony between Ling-Bao Hall and the Kingdom of Chen might compromise the Hall's autonomy. In the event that the king sought further financial contributions from Ling-Bao Hall or attempted to absorb it, he needed merely to fabricate a pretext for the organization's dismantling. Ling-Bao Hall would be at the brink of collapse.
However, their current alliance ensured their safety. At this juncture, the kingdom and Ling-Bao Hall maintained a harmonious relationship, their common interests ensuring against any sudden hostilities. The vast wealth held by Ling-Bao Hall, combined with its ties to the House of the Chaotic Storms, proved sufficient to quell potential opposition. Moreover, Cha Eun Xiao acted as the hidden linchpin in this unique connection between Ling-Bao Hall and the Kingdom of Chen, making it improbable for either party to turn against the other.
The infusion of funds was not limited to the monarchy alone. The officials were generously compensated, while those within the military brimmed with pride and confidence. They eagerly planned to allocate the newfound wealth to various needs, such as provisions, horses, arrows, bows, weaponry, clothing, and soldiers' salaries. This comprehensive investment marked a turning point, relieving soldiers from the perpetual posture of defensive trench warfare.
Meanwhile, in the north, Cha Nantian remained conspicuously absent from the enemies' sight since his return to the battlefield. He bided his time, awaiting the opportune moment to launch a decisive counteroffensive and vanquish the enemy once and for all. However, a heavy rain had recently fallen, rendering the grasslands waterlogged and complicating the situation.
The Grassland Wolf's army found itself in a frustrating standstill, unable to mount any form of attack. Their frustration grew as Cha Nantian remained absent from the battlefield. King Hu Lun of the Grassland Wolf was left to sigh helplessly, perceiving this inaction as a missed opportunity.
Deep within, he harbored a sense of regret and disappointment, entirely unaware of the fortuitous intervention of the rain. Had it not been for the downpour, the Grassland Wolf's army might have met a grim fate, as Cha Nantian bided his time, preparing a strategic offensive to annihilate them.
Unbeknownst to the Wolf King, it was the rain that had extended a lifeline to his army. The soldiers would not meet their end so hastily, thanks to the capricious whims of nature.
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