Lamp Oil

Two Hundred Household Commanders stepped forward to report on the summary of this operation.

About a month ago, Witch God Cult members infiltrated Poyang County and coerced the abbot of Golden Bell Temple into helping them hide their identities.

The specific reason is still unclear.

"My Lord, in this encirclement and suppression, we killed a total of twenty-eight Witch God Cult members, including six Bone Tempering and fifteen Blood Tempering practitioners.

"In terms of numbers, it's not much different from the previous roundup.

"We also investigated all the pilgrims and commoners on the mountain one by one. After confirming they were not problematic, we let them go. Anyone whose identity could not be confirmed on the spot has been taken to the county yamen's prison."

Liu Jinkui clasped his fists: "Theoretically, it's very difficult for anyone to escape."

"Very difficult~"

Xiang Tingchun's eyes were like a hawk's as he stared at them: "Meaning, someone still slipped through?"

"My Lord, forgive me!"

Liu Jinkui knelt on one knee: "The Witch God Cult is insidious and cunning, using civilians as human shields. The scene was extremely chaotic, but even if they ran, at most one or two low-level members escaped. They will definitely not dare to cause trouble again in the future!"

There were some things Xiang Tingchun couldn't say explicitly.

He was silent for a moment, then spoke again: "Clear out Golden Bell Temple. Gather all Witch God Cult members, dead or alive, in one place. I will personally count them."

"Yes!"

A bloody battle had finally ended.

However, most of this blood belonged to the commoners.

By estimation, at least forty to fifty people had died.

"What a sin!"

On the way down the mountain, Xu Wencai kept muttering: "If I were in command, I would never have let so many people die for nothing."

"Keep dreaming."

Zhu Tong was also very dissatisfied with today's situation: "Damn it, I thought Xiang Tingchun was something special, but it turns out he's also someone who stops at nothing to achieve his goals."

"You two, don't want your tongues anymore?!"

General Flag Fang cast a warning glance at them.

"My Lord, I was just joking. Lord Xiang's command was excellent!"

Xu Wencai immediately changed his tune.

Zhu Tong just snorted coldly and said no more.

"Sigh..."

General Flag Fang shook his head and didn't pursue the matter: "Fortunately, the Witch God Cult members are wiped out. No one will die anymore."

Recently, quite a few people had been disappearing inexplicably around Poyang County.

Chen Sanshi walked silently on the side.

For the officials of the ancient feudal dynasty, what were the common people?

They were merely NPCs in their simulation games, creating value. As long as an individual could gain greater benefits from an event, the loss of any number of NPCs was just a number to them.

It served Xiang Tingchun right to make a trip for nothing.

Besides, he couldn't bring the matter out into the open for investigation.

After all, it was done secretly behind the court's back.

"The exquisite jade box and the key are all in hand."

Chen Sanshi quickened his pace: "I'd like to see what it is that made them fight so fiercely."

With a single order, all eighty-odd monks from Golden Bell Temple were imprisoned. The entire temple was cleared out and sealed off, and no one was allowed on the mountain without permission.

Inside the Great Hall of Heroes.

More than twenty bodies of Witch God Cult members were neatly arranged beneath the sixteen-foot golden statue of the Tathagata Buddha. Xiang Tingchun, holding a short knife, cut open their bellies one by one, letting blood and organs spill all over the floor.

Where were the items?!

The Helm Master was killed, and the people were captured.

For this, Xiang Tingchun even sustained minor injuries, yet the items were nowhere to be found?

He had turned the entire Golden Bell Temple upside down.

Footsteps sounded outside the hall.

Luo Dongquan strode into the hall, took half a step back subconsciously upon seeing the filth on the ground, and clasped his fists: "My Lord, I have returned."

Xiang Tingchun angrily threw down the short knife and said in a deep voice, "A banquet was held today. Did any of the Martial Arts School Masters leave midway?"

"Replying to my Lord."

Luo Dongquan answered, "The masters of the four major Martial Arts Schools—Tianyuan, Thunderous, Zhao Clan, and Cloud Crane—stayed at the Eight Treasures Restaurant the entire time. Wang Zhi and I kept an eye on them."

Xiang Tingchun asked again, "What about their subordinates?"

"They're all here too."

Luo Dongquan lowered his head, "The disciples of the martial arts schools above the Bone Tempering realm have all been called to the Eight Treasures Tower by me. Not a single one is missing."

"You, are you sure?!"

Xiang Tingchun emphasized.

Luo Dongquan lowered his head even further, almost touching the ground, "Your subordinate is sure!"

"Old Luo, no need to be so nervous. I trust you to handle things."

Xiang Tingchun clasped his hands behind his back and paced back and forth in the hall.

He was feeling depressed.

It seemed likely that the item had been taken by a fugitive.

"Sir."

Luo Dongquan asked, "Did you not find the Immortal Treasure?"

Xiang Tingchun narrowed his eyes, pondered for a moment, and then said:

"Old Luo, go tell the four major martial arts schools that the item is in my hands.

"If they want it, they can have it, but they'll have to exchange something for it.

"First, I need ample medicinal herbs. The supply for everyone in the garrison must at least double.

"Second, the four major martial arts schools and the local gentry must donate silver and grain to support my campaign next spring.

"Third, all the martial arts schools in the city must gather three hundred people for me, with at least three individuals in the Bone Tempering realm.

"If these three conditions are met, I will give them the Immortal Treasure."

Luo Dongquan couldn't believe it, "Sir, isn't this a bit too harsh?"

"Harsh?"

Xiang Tingchun sneered, "Do you know what Old Man Liang told me the night it happened?

"He said that if I obtained the Immortal Treasure, I could reach the position of Grand Governor of the Left Army Governor's Mansion within twenty years, and the four major martial arts schools could also establish themselves in the capital and become first-class martial arts schools in the realm.

"Compared to that, what's so unbearable about spending some money and bleeding a little?"

"You are wise, sir."

Luo Dongquan said, "With money and resources, it seems that as long as the Ministry of War's approval comes through, you will be able to achieve great merit next year."

"Oh, right, Old Luo."

Xiang Tingchun changed the subject, "You're also close to Viscera Refining. I happen to remember that Liang Feng has some good medicinal herbs. I'll have them brought over and give you half."

"Lord Thousand Households values me so highly, your subordinate will surely repay you with his life!"

Luo Dongquan thanked him and was about to carry out the order.

"There's one more thing."

Xiang Tingchun called him back, "In a while, the new County Magistrate will arrive. For some reason, the elite selection official from the Governor's Mansion is also said to be coming early. You must make proper arrangements then, and absolutely do not let the previous incident happen again."

"Yes!"

Luo Dongquan accepted the order.

Xiang Tingchun watched his receding figure, his gaze deep.

The Immortal Treasure...

Either it was successfully taken away by the Witch God Cult, or it was hidden near the Golden Bell Temple.

If it was the former, there was nothing he could do. If it was the latter, he could still search slowly.

In any case, he would first fool the martial arts schools into paying. If he delayed any longer, it would be too late.

"His Majesty intends to cultivate a batch of new generals in the Northern Border. As long as I fight a beautiful battle, I will attract attention.

"Once the Supervisor retires, I will definitely be incorporated under the new Supervisor."

His Xiang family had been confined to the small county of Poyang for three generations.

Xiang Tingchun was determined to break free in this lifetime.

Even if the entire populace of Poyang had to become his stepping stone, he wouldn't care.

Military Colony.

After Chen Sanshi cooperated with the headcount, he hurried home. He dug out the Exquisite Jade Box from under the ground in the backyard, then returned to his bedroom, closed the door tightly, and took out the key from his embrace.

The key was made of pure jade, with a very complex structure. Not only were the patterns intricate, but the tip was also irregularly shaped, yet it fit perfectly into the lock of the box.

Just as recorded in books, one box corresponds to one jade key. If the jade key is destroyed, even an immortal cannot open the box.

He inserted the jade key and turned the mechanism.

With a "click," the wooden box opened.

Inside was another iron box.

Fortunately, the iron box did not require another key to open.

He lifted the lid.

It was filled with pale yellow, unidentifiable objects. They felt slightly soft to the touch, somewhat like animal fat.

"Lamp oil?"