Chapter 414 - 295: Ruling Out the Huang Family’s Backup Plan, Tang Wen’s Questions (Part 2)

Chapter 414: Chapter 295: Ruling Out the Huang Family’s Backup Plan, Tang Wen’s Questions (Part 2)

Giant Rock Martial Arts Hall: ...

Aside from the Huang Family, which received an extra Fire Department Technique,

all the other families received a Fifth Grade Blood Marrow and one Curiosity.

After all, it was the Huang Family’s idea to change the usual martial arts competition into a trial this time.

So, it was only right that the Huang Family received an extra share.

The distribution of rewards was also very simple.

The Huang Family provided three items, and the other seven families each provided two, for a total of seventeen items.

First place could choose any eight.

Second place could choose five.

Third place could choose two.

Fourth and fifth place would each receive one.

There were no rewards for the rest.

Each faction had three slots to enter the underground trial.

At least one person had to go, but it was best if all three went.

The trial area was set in the underground Thunder Jade Production Area.

The stray electricity there was hostile to Fifth Grade masters, and the thunderbolts were so fast that even a Wind Department Fifth Grade expert would find it difficult to dodge.

Late at night, Tang Wen, Feng San Niang, Shui Yun, and the others were gathered around, eating a midnight snack.

The female housekeeper was diligently explaining the situation.

"Can they even gather twenty-four people? But what if an heir is already a Fifth Grade expert? Wouldn’t they be unable to even enter that Thunder Jade District?"

Xia Qingge grabbed a whole roasted goose, rapidly tearing off meat and stuffing it into her mouth.

She had also trained hard all day, and her physical and mental energy were greatly depleted.

"Uh, currently, the most powerful heir is at the Peak of Sixth Grade, like Lady Feng. A Fifth Grade heir has never appeared," the housekeeper explained.

But Shui Yun shook her head. "It has happened before. In the previous generation of the Huang Family, an heir ranked ninth broke through the Sixth Grade bottleneck during the grand competition and swept the field to take first place."

Everyone fell silent for a moment.

Xia Qingge glanced at Tang Wen. "Why don’t you not go? We’ll figure something out. Let me go in your place. I’ll definitely bring back first place."

"Don’t even think about it. You know your own situation, don’t you? This underground trial is a trap set for me. I’d like to see just how many hidden tricks the Huang Family has!"

’First, I can be certain that the Huang Family has no hidden Fourth Grade experts.’

Tang Wen had confirmed this through multiple channels, including Hu Lan, the Chen Family Patriarch, and internal records from the gang.

’In that case, the lineup they can send is, at most, composed of those at the Peak of Fifth Grade.’

’Then we’ll just have to compete on numbers.’

’The worst-case scenario is that the Huang Family has also found a Thunder Department expert.’

However, he had already sent people to investigate this matter.

Just as he was thinking this, someone outside announced, "Young Master, Lady Hu Li has returned!"

Then, the door was pushed open.

Hu Li entered, travel-worn, and accepted a cup of tea from the housekeeper. She spoke crisply, "Elder Tang, your subordinate and I went to the Four Seas Camp and met with that Shopkeeper Li. We also spent money buying information at various taverns and brothels."

Everyone put down their cups and looked at her.

Hu Li continued, "The information we gathered is largely consistent: the relationship between the Huang Family and the Four Seas Commerce Association is very tense. Shopkeeper Li said that the Huang Family and the Four Seas Commerce Association previously had a bloody conflict over a mine, resulting in the deaths of several Fifth and Sixth Grade experts on both sides. There’s no way the Four Seas Commerce Association would help them."

Feng San Niang frowned. "As far as I know, the Four Seas Commerce Association recognizes only money, not people."

"That’s right, but the Huang Family is an exception. It wouldn’t matter even if the Huang Family offered gold."

Hu Li went on, "Shopkeeper Li checked some records through the Four Seas Commerce Association’s internal channels. Thunder Department masters are very rare in the Northwest Land. The Four Seas Commerce Association only has an incomplete Fifth Grade Thunder Department Technique, and it’s not for sale. Only Seven-star Hunters who pledge their lives to the association are allowed to comprehend it."

Tang Wen nodded slightly.

’This is the same as the requirements I heard about for comprehending the Fifth Grade Fire Department Technique.’

’It’s true that the Four Seas Commerce Association sells everything, but they’re more interested in having masters join their own system, binding their interests deeply together.’

A Seven-star Hunter had to be at least at the Fifth-Grade Level, and it took years of life-or-death struggles to reach that rank.

’I don’t have the time to slowly grind my way up like that.’

A thought suddenly struck him: ’The Four Seas Commerce Association claims its influence spreads across the four seas, so how do they overcome the Earth Curse that affects outsiders?’

’Could it be that they cultivate people to Fifth Grade, or even the Peak of Fifth Grade, in their hometowns before sending them elsewhere?’

’That’s obviously impossible.’

’Peak of Fifth Grade is too rare.’

’Based on the experience in Ganshan City, even a genius would be at least forty-five years old by the time they reached this stage.’

’At that age and with such strength, why would they leave their homes, abandon their parents, wives, and children, just to follow the orders of the Four Seas Commerce Association?’

But he didn’t bring this up in front of the women.

They had basically confirmed that the Huang Family couldn’t find a Thunder Department Fifth Grade expert.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

As the local tyrant of Ganshan City, the Huang Family had made far more enemies than friends on the outside.

To be precise, they only wanted to recruit subordinates, not make friends.

In the process of opening up the Northwest Land, the Huang Family’s actions were tyrannical and merciless.

Towards those who did not submit to them, they would resort to massacres and wiping out entire families.

They had even repeatedly called upon the Fourth-grade City Lord, who hailed from their family, to intimidate the region.

It was unknown how many blood debts they had accumulated.

Coupled with the fact that there had never been a case of someone from the Huang Family awakening as a Thunder Department master,

Tang Wen felt that under these circumstances, the probability of the other party finding a Thunder Department Fifth Grade expert to help them was minuscule.

"Has the time for the trial been set?"

"We originally proposed fifteen days from now, but the Huang Family and the Commerce Association strongly vetoed it. The Horse Gang and the Boat Gang were also unwilling to wait that long. It was four against three, so we had no choice but to agree. The trial will begin in five days and will last for half a month."

Hearing this, Feng San Niang gave a bitter smile. "It seems my adoptive father has gotten mixed up with the Huang Family after all."

"President Feng lacks for nothing. I really don’t know how the Huang Family managed to persuade him."

Feng San Niang thought for a moment. "When my adoptive father was young, he suffered a very serious injury. Although he recovered, it’s said that it drained his life force, which is why he appears so old and decrepit. And the Huang Family’s ’Slave Factory,’ or ’Flesh Factory,’ is rumored to produce a type of Curiosity that can extend one’s lifespan."

Lifespan!

Shui Yun shook her head.

Indeed, only the Huang Family possessed such things.

Seeing her unnatural expression, Tang Wen quickly comforted her, "Seeking a longer life is only human nature. Third Lady, there’s no need to blame yourself. Besides, from what I’ve seen, President Feng’s style is rather steady. He probably wouldn’t send people to harm me directly."

Feng San Niang was touched and grasped his hand. "I’ll go down there with you when the time comes."

Shui Yun’s eyes lit up. "Good! That will put our minds more at ease. If Third Lady can place in the top three, President Feng will be bound by his promise and will have to recommend you for the position of Vice President of the Commerce Association!"

Feng San Niang wasn’t a particularly career-minded person.

But the thought of being able to help Tang Wen made her nod in agreement.

Shui Yun smiled brilliantly. "Start as Vice President, and in the future, you’ll be President."

Feng San Niang hadn’t expected her to have such a long-term goal. "Senior Sister, I’m actually not very skilled in business."

"That doesn’t matter. As long as the people under you know what they’re doing."

After the two finished chatting,

the housekeeper continued, "The Huang Family has also invited the major factions to go underground together in two days to inspect the environment the Trial Takers will face. That is, the Thunder Jade Mine. Each family will send two Fifth Grade masters to lead their team."

As she spoke, she looked at Tang Wen and Hu Li. "The Huang Family also invited the White Tiger Tribe."

Hu Li had already been instructed by Tang Wen. "I will take one person down with me when the time comes."

The women present were not only well-endowed but also intelligent.

They identified potential problems and each offered their own opinions.

When it came to a matter of his own life and death, Tang Wen was even more direct.

He asked, "There are a few more things we need to figure out, or at least try our best to clarify.

"First, exactly how many Fifth Grade masters does the Huang Family have? And how many hidden Taishang Elders are there?

"Second, how strong is the Thunder Power in the Thunder Jade Mine that strikes Fifth Grade masters? Is a hit fatal for a Fifth Grade expert? What is the frequency of the thunderbolts? How many hits would it take to kill someone or render them combat-ineffective?

"Finally, can this kind of thunderbolt be defended against?"

When he finished speaking, there was dead silence.

The women were either lost in thought or had eyes full of approval.

But no one could answer these questions.

Hu Li said, "I don’t know much about the Huang Family. But regarding the lightning in the Thunder Jade Mine, Elder Tang, you can ask the Saintess!"

Just as Tang Wen was about to agree, he suddenly heard an unfamiliar voice from outside the door answer, "There’s no need to trouble Hu Lan. I can answer your questions about the Thunder Jade Mine!"

Tang Wen was taken aback.

Hu Li’s brow furrowed tightly. "Hu Yun, you’re here!"

Hu Yun, the Peak of Thunder Department Fifth Grade from the White Tiger Tribe.

The door was pushed open.

A tall woman clad in armor walked in.

She looked at Tang Wen, and a flash of purple light flickered in her eyes.

Tang Wen was surprised to find that the short hairs on his head were all standing on end.