Lamp Oil

The two Hundred Household Commanders stepped forward and reported the results of the operation.

About a month ago, Witch God Cult followers had infiltrated Poyang County and coerced the abbot of Golden Bell Temple into concealing their identities.

As for the specific reason, it was still unclear.

"My lord, during this encirclement and suppression, we killed a total of twenty-eight Witch God Cult followers, including six Bone Forging martial artists and fifteen Blood Refining martial artists.

"Judging by the numbers, it was not much different from the previous roundup.

"We also investigated every pilgrim and commoner on the mountain one by one. Only after confirming they posed no problem did we release them. Anyone whose identity could not be verified on the spot has already been thrown into the county yamen dungeon."

Liu Jinkui clasped his fists. "In theory, it would have been very difficult for anyone to escape."

"Very difficult~"

Xiang Tingchun's eyes were like an eagle's as he stared at them. "So someone still slipped through?"

"Please forgive us, my lord!"

Liu Jinkui dropped to one knee. "The Witch God Cult is sinister and cunning. They used commoners as human shields, and the scene was simply too chaotic. But even if anyone escaped, it could only have been one or two lackeys. They will surely never dare stir up trouble again!"

There were some things Xiang Tingchun could not say outright.

After a moment of silence, he spoke again. "Clear out Golden Bell Temple. Gather every Witch God Cult follower together, dead or alive. I will count them myself."

"Yes!"

A bloody battle had finally come to an end.

But most of that blood belonged to the commoners.

By rough estimate, at least forty or fifty people had died.

"What a sin!"

On the way down the mountain, Xu Wencai kept muttering, "If I had commanded this, so many people would never have died for nothing."

"Keep blowing hot air."

Zhu Tong was also deeply dissatisfied with what had happened today. "Damn it, I thought Xiang Tingchun was something decent. Turns out he's just another man willing to stop at nothing to reach his goal."

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

General Flag Fang shot them a warning look.

"My lord, I was only joking. Lord Thousand Households Xiang's command was truly superb!"

Xu Wencai immediately changed his tune.

Zhu Tong merely snorted coldly and said no more.

"Ah..."

General Flag Fang shook his head, but did not pursue the matter. "Fortunately, the Witch God Cult followers have been wiped out. No one will die again in the future."

Recently, quite a few people around Poyang County had vanished without rhyme or reason.

Chen Sanshi walked silently at the side.

To the bureaucrats of an ancient feudal dynasty, what were the common people?

They were nothing more than NPCs in a simulation game, created to generate production value. So long as they could gain greater benefits from something, however many NPCs were lost was merely a number to them.

Served Xiang Tingchun right for making the trip in vain.

Besides, he had no way to investigate the matter openly.

After all, he had been doing it behind the court's back.

"The jade box and key are both in hand."

Chen Sanshi quickened his pace. "I want to see just what it is that made them fight until their heads were bloodied."

Yet with a single order, all eighty-some monks of Golden Bell Temple were thrown into prison. The entire temple was cleared out and sealed off, and no one was allowed up the mountain without permission.

Inside the Mahavira Hall.

More than twenty Witch God Cult corpses had been laid out in neat rows beneath Tathagata Buddha's sixteen-foot golden statue. Xiang Tingchun held a short blade and slit them open one after another, allowing blood and organs to spill all over the floor.

Where was it?!

The Helm Master had been killed, and men had been captured.

Xiang Tingchun had even suffered a minor wound for this, yet the item could not be found?

He had turned the entire Golden Bell Temple upside down.

Footsteps sounded outside the hall.

Luo Dongquan stepped into the hall, then instinctively retreated half a step upon seeing the filth on the ground. Clasping his fists, he said, "My lord, I have returned."

Xiang Tingchun angrily tossed aside the short blade and said in a low voice, "During today's banquet, did any martial arts school master leave midway?"

"In reply to my lord."

Luo Dongquan answered, "The masters of the four great martial arts schools—Tianyuan, Tailei, Zhao, and Yunhe—remained inside Eight Treasures Restaurant the entire time. Wang Zhi and I kept watch over them."

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

"They were all there as well."

Luo Dongquan lowered his head. "I summoned all martial arts school disciples above the Bone Forging Realm to Eight Treasures Tower. Not a single one was missing."

"You are certain?!"

Xiang Tingchun stressed each word.

Luo Dongquan lowered his head even farther, until it nearly touched the ground. "This subordinate is certain!"

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

With his hands behind his back, Xiang Tingchun paced back and forth through the hall.

He was deeply frustrated.

It seemed the item had most likely been taken away by a fish that had slipped through the net.

"My lord."

Luo Dongquan asked, "Could it be that the immortal treasure was not found?"

Xiang Tingchun narrowed his eyes. After pondering for a moment, he said:

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

"They may have it if they wish, but they must exchange something for it.

"First, I want sufficient medicinal materials. The supply allotted to every man in the garrison must at least double.

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

"Third, every martial arts school in the city must provide me with three hundred men, with no fewer than three at the Bone Forging Realm.

"If they accomplish these three conditions, I will give them the immortal treasure."

Luo Dongquan could scarcely believe it. "My lord, isn't this too ruthless?"

"Ruthless?"

Xiang Tingchun sneered. "Do you know what Old Man Liang told me on the night this happened?

"He said that if I obtained the immortal treasure, within twenty years I could rise to the position of Grand Governor of the Left Army Governor's Mansion. The four great martial arts schools could also establish themselves in the capital and join the ranks of the foremost martial arts schools under heaven.

"Compared to that, what is there to begrudge about spending some money and bleeding a little?"

"My lord is wise."

Luo Dongquan said, "With money and resources, once the Ministry of War's approval arrives, my lord will surely achieve great merit next year."

"By the way, Old Luo."

Xiang Tingchun changed the subject. "You are close to Organ Refining as well. I happen to remember that Liang Feng has several fine medicinal materials in his possession. Demand them all together and take half for yourself."

"Lord Thousand Households values this subordinate so highly. I will repay him with my life!"

After giving his thanks, Luo Dongquan prepared to carry out the order.

"One more thing."

Xiang Tingchun called after him. "Before long, the new county magistrate will arrive. For some reason, the Elite Selection Officer from the Governor's Mansion is also said to be arriving early. When the time comes, make proper arrangements. Do not let what happened last time occur again."

"Yes!"

Luo Dongquan accepted the order.

Xiang Tingchun watched his departing figure, his gaze profound.

The immortal treasure...

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

There was nothing to be done about the former, but the latter could still be searched for slowly.

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

"His Majesty intends to cultivate a new batch of generals at the northern border. So long as I fight a beautiful battle, I can draw attention.

"Once the Governor retires, I will surely be taken under the new Governor's command."

For three whole generations, the Xiang family had been trapped within the confines of Poyang County.

In this life, Xiang Tingchun would leave this place no matter what.

Even if everyone in Poyang became his stepping stones, it did not matter.

Military Colony.

After helping finish the headcount, Chen Sanshi hurried home. He dug up the Exquisite Jade Box from beneath the ground in the rear courtyard, then returned to his bedroom, bolted the door tight, and took out the key from his robes.

The key was carved entirely from jade, its structure extraordinarily intricate. Its patterns were complex, and its tip was irregularly shaped, yet it fit perfectly into the box's keyhole.

Just as the records described, one box matched one Jade Key. If the Jade Key was destroyed, not even immortals could open the box.

He inserted the Jade Key and turned the mechanism.

With a sharp crack, 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 an unknown pale-yellow substance. It felt slightly soft and warm to the touch, somewhat like animal fat.

"Lamp oil?"