Chapter 144 - 122: Goodbye, Xiao Heng

Chapter 144: Chapter 122: Goodbye, Xiao Heng

After Lu Yuan returned to the Captain’s Mansion, he first went to his mother’s courtyard and found she was not yet awake.

So he went to the front hall.

Just as he expected, he saw Zhou He was already there. A look of pleasant surprise appeared on Zhou He’s face when he saw Lu Yuan. "You’re finally back! I was about to be worked to death otherwise."

"Is it about Wu Han?" Lu Yuan asked softly.

These days, there was little to keep them busy at Icefield Pass. The only matter Lu Yuan could imagine causing such a fuss was related to Wu Han.

"You guessed it. Wu Han’s operation is developing splendidly. All sorts of factions are trying to win him over, and their monthly income has reached several million silver.

Because the area is peaceful, many merchant caravans are choosing that route.

But they spend it just as fast. The money they earn is almost entirely spent on various cultivation resources and armor.

But it’s not for nothing. He now has an army of ten thousand men, all of whom have broken through their realms and are clad uniformly in iron armor.

Moreover, he’s recruited several Innate Experts, but they seem to be a bit defiant.

If it weren’t for you, the mysterious Great Village Chief, keeping them in check from behind the scenes, they wouldn’t dare act so rashly. They’d probably be openly challenging Wu Han by now."

Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow. "I’ll deal with that when the time comes. How is Wu Han’s strength progressing? His talent is considerable. Once he starts earning more silver, he shouldn’t just pour it all into the army; he needs to improve his own strength as well."

"Wu Han is improving quite fast. He’s already stepped into the True Essence Realm. The only one he’s far behind is you; he left people like me in the dust ages ago," Zhou He said, a hint of envy in his voice.

However, there was no jealousy, as the two of them were on very good terms.

Lu Yuan nodded. "What about the Alchemists and Craftsmen?"

"That’s a whole other story. Wu Han went to great lengths to acquire those talents, and quite a few people even died in the process. But I suppose it wasn’t a wasted effort.

Right now, Celestial King Stronghold has over twenty Alchemists and several hundred apprentices. They can just barely manage to refine Elixirs for cultivators below the True Essence Realm.

Craftsmen were a bit easier to find. He’s kidnapped seventy or eighty of them so far. He also established a Mechanical Camp of about three thousand people, so supplying his men with armor and weapons isn’t a major problem.

They’ve found a few iron mines nearby, so for now, they’re more or less self-sufficient.

But this has also attracted unwanted attention. Several princes and princesses have sent people to try and recruit them, especially the Seventh Prince, who has made a very high bid."

Hearing this from Zhou He, the corners of Lu Yuan’s mouth curved upward.

’It seems this Celestial King Stronghold has really started to take shape.’

But he also knew that as soon as Celestial King Stronghold declared its allegiance—or lack thereof—these potential allies would immediately turn their blades on them.

After all, having grown to this point, there was no room for neutrality. They were either friends or they were foes.

"What was the Seventh Prince’s offer?" Lu Yuan asked softly.

"The title of a Border Marquis, plus all sorts of treasures. But Wu Han hasn’t given an answer; he was waiting for you to return and make the decision," Zhou He replied immediately.

Lu Yuan nodded, a mocking smile on his face. ’I risk my life on the battlefield, yet the official position I’m granted is worth less than one offered for building a stronghold in a buffer zone.’

However, he had no intention of pledging allegiance to anyone.

’Doesn’t everyone want control of the buffer zone? There’s no reason I can’t take it for myself.’

"I’m going to Jizhou tomorrow. I’ll handle the Celestial King Stronghold matter when I get back. In the meantime, tell Wu Han to begin preparing for war.

It’s time for Celestial King Stronghold to make a move."

A look of shock appeared on Zhou He’s face. He looked at Lu Yuan and said, "You mean you want to expand our territory?"

"And why not? If they can do it, why can’t Celestial King Stronghold? The buffer zone has already attracted powerful nobles from the court and all the major sects.

If Celestial King Stronghold continues with normal development, it will be surpassed sooner or later. So, while the others are still in their own development stages, we can gather more forces.

We can plunder more resources. I want all future trade between Dayong and the Northern Barbarians to be under my control," Lu Yuan said calmly.

’Isn’t that what those decorated nobles care about most?’

If they could truly pull it off, then Celestial King Stronghold’s influence and its annual gains would rise to a whole new level.

However, the process would be arduous.

But Lu Yuan didn’t care. After witnessing the goings-on in the Imperial City and the formidable strength of the Imperial Guard, he had only one thought: to increase his own power and the strength of his subordinates as quickly as possible.

So that one day, he could say "no" to anyone.

Besides, now was the best time to develop Celestial King Stronghold. If they waited until they truly caught the imperial court’s attention, things would become much more troublesome.

"HISS!" Zhou He drew in a sharp breath. He knew Lu Yuan was ambitious, but he’d never imagined the scope of that ambition. If they actually succeeded...

...the implications would be staggering.

Then, he quickly added, "Alright. I’ll notify Wu Han shortly. They have people who opened a tavern in the city specifically to relay messages to me."

Lu Yuan nodded. "See to it as soon as possible."

Zhou He nodded and withdrew.

Lu Yuan, for his part, took an Elixir and resumed his cultivation.

The next day arrived quickly.

Early in the morning, Lu Yuan, dressed in a suit of armor with a long saber at his waist, walked out of the Captain’s Mansion.

Zhou Hongling was already waiting for him.

"Let’s head directly to Jizhou City. My father will meet us there."

"Alright!"

Lu Yuan nodded, mounted his warhorse, and galloped toward Jizhou City with Zhou Hongling.

Wei Yong and the other Personal Guards followed from behind.

By the morning of the third day, they finally arrived outside Jizhou City.