The wooden crates were filled entirely with Dharma Artifacts—ordinary ironware sent from Immortal Soldier Island, as well as enchanted implements from Black Stone Ferry. He had spent nearly two months accumulating enough goods to fill an entire warehouse.
Every piece had been acquired through old channels from all across the Southern Region. The cost of transport and greasing palms alone had been considerable, not to mention the deposits paid to the Forging Workshops.
He had established this depot in Baishui Town because he had goods in hand. The people of the Northern Region recognized goods, not people. Once the supply ran dry, no matter how broad his channels were, it would be useless. They would turn around and find another supplier.
The fire burned outward from within the warehouse. Heat drove the roof tiles up with sharp crackling pops, and several fell, shattering beside the threshold.
The seven gray-clad men stood in the courtyard, having already stopped fighting. The dark red glow on their Heart Protector Mirrors was changing.
They were driven by those Dharma Artifacts, but the artifacts themselves required certain operating conditions. The surrounding temperature and the supply of ironware both affected how long the Enchanting could last. Once the warehouse caught fire, the aura of iron throughout the courtyard changed, and the power in those Heart Protector Mirrors began to fade.
Zhou Jin retreated from the warehouse entrance, one corner of his sleeve scorched and smoking faintly. Feng Tie had also backed up against the courtyard wall. The three of them stood together once more, separated from Qian Dagui by half the courtyard.
Qian Dagui stood in the middle of the courtyard, his face flickering between light and shadow in the glow of the burning warehouse. He watched as the blaze grew larger and larger. Half a