Intimidation and Threats

On an empty patch of grass at the Dragon Mountain Tower in Qinghe Prefecture, a silver-white flying ship about twenty to thirty meters long sat at rest, its hull covered in intricate spell patterns.

"Everyone, board the ship." Tower Master Yuan Wu led Dongbo Xueying and the other four to the vessel.

"What a beautiful flying ship." Dongbo Xueying's eyes lit up. This was his first time seeing one; he had only ever heard rumors of them. "It's said that even the cheapest alchemical flying ship costs over two hundred thousand gold coins. Usually, only Title-level powerhouses or major factions can afford to equip them."

Si Borong glanced at Dongbo Xueying with a smirk and remarked, "Tower Master Yuan, this alchemical ship is made entirely of 'Kan Silver Gold,' and the cabin windows are made of glazed glass. I imagine it must have cost five hundred thousand gold coins, right?"

"Haha, your Si Family has to purchase from alchemical masters, but our Dragon Mountain Tower receives these directly from the provincial headquarters. We don't spend gold coins, and since this ship was crafted by the alchemical masters within our own provincial headquarters, the cost is lower. I'd estimate it cost about three hundred thousand gold coins to build," Tower Master Yuan Wu replied.

Though his guess was wrong, Si Borong didn't lose his composure. He exclaimed, "Incredible. I'm planning to buy an alchemical flying ship; can I purchase one through the Dragon Mountain Tower?"

"You can, but the price would be about the same as anywhere else," Tower Master Yuan Wu laughed. "It's impossible to give it to you at cost; the alchemical masters need to make a profit, too."

"Thump, thump, thump."

Mage Yu Jingqiu was the first to board the ship. She had always despised Si Borong for his constant posturing and his tendency to use his family's status to pressure others. Wasn't he just showing off that he could afford a ship? After all, Yu Jingqiu was a disciple of a Transcendent Archmage, and her goal was to follow in her teacher's footsteps and become a Transcendent.

That was true power! Showing off? Using family status to bully others? How shallow!

"Thump, thump, thump." Dongbo Xueying also boarded. With no one left to show off to, Si Borong followed, accompanied by his guard Liang Yong and Tang Xiong, who always hung on his every word.

"Safe travels."

Tower Master Yuan Wu watched them from the grass below.

Whoosh.

The flying ship quickly lifted off, rising higher and higher. Once it reached an altitude of over a thousand meters, it sped off into the distance, climbing higher and flying further until it vanished into the horizon.

Inside the cabin.

The entire cabin was constructed from transparent glazed glass, offering a clear view of the outside. The glass shimmered with a faint, colorful luster, making it truly magnificent.

"Everyone."

The two Dragon Mountain Tower experts responsible for piloting the ship looked at Dongbo Xueying and the others. One of them, a man in silver-white armor, said, "You are heading to the Lu Clan castle in Qutai City. Do you intend to strike at night or during the day? If during the day, the ship can travel at maximum speed and arrive in just two hours. If you are not in a hurry, we can travel at a slower pace and arrive by dusk."

"There is little difference between attacking by day or by night," Yu Jingqiu's voice was melodious. "That Lu Huairu is a Meteor Rank mage and a master of alchemy. Since that place is a highly secret stronghold, he must have set up numerous warning arrays. Once we infiltrate... we will be discovered immediately."

"Since Jingqiu is a Silver Moon Rank mage, if she says there are warning arrays, then we will certainly be discovered," Si Borong added. "If we're going to be discovered anyway, let's attack during the day. The sooner, the better."

"We are in no rush; let's arrive by dusk," Yu Jingqiu suggested. "At dusk, the soldiers at the castle are changing shifts or preparing for dinner, so they will be much more relaxed. The security is relatively tighter during the day, and at night, the darkness makes navigating traps and arrays even more troublesome."

"Jingqiu, you are truly brilliant," Si Borong quickly chimed in.

"Very well, dusk it is." The two Dragon Mountain Tower personnel immediately made the decision. In truth, traveling at a more leisurely pace was the most fuel-efficient method for the ship.

Dongbo Xueying soon left the cabin and stepped onto the deck.

"It really feels different."

The wind was quite strong on the deck.

However, due to the ship's aerodynamic design, the wind mostly whistled over the top, making the breeze on the deck much milder than it would have been otherwise.

"Whoosh..." Standing at the railing, watching the clouds drift by and the vast, indistinct landscape below, the scenery was truly beautiful. Dongbo Xueying felt a sense of refreshment and ease.

"Thump, thump, thump." Someone else exited the cabin and stepped onto the deck.

Dongbo Xueying turned to look. It was the cold, aloof Si Borong. Dressed in luxurious attire with the airs of a noble, he walked to the railing and gazed at the view. "Although I've seen it many times, the view from a flying ship is indeed quite nice. Dongbo Xueying, this is your first time on a flying ship, isn't it?"

Dongbo Xueying ignored him.

"I know about you, Dongbo Xueying, from Yi Water City! I heard your parents were captured by the Moyang Clan, and you have a younger brother named Dongbo Qingshi, right?" Si Borong said casually.

Dongbo Xueying frowned and looked at him.

"In Qinghe Prefecture, there is nothing the Si Family doesn't know," Si Borong said, looking back at him. "Wiping out a small clan like your Dongbo Clan would be effortless for us. For instance, you have two beastmen in your home—a Lion-Man and a Six-Armed Snake Demon, right? Many beastmen are rebels. We could easily find a pretext, claim your Dongbo Clan is harboring traitors, and your clan would be finished. By then, your dantian and qi sea would be crippled, and you'd never become a Knight! Your brother's magic would be crippled, too... and you'd both be sold into slavery. How does that sound?"

Si Borong spoke with casual indifference.

But the threat within his words was venomous.

Normally, Dongbo Xueying couldn't be bothered to deal with such pampered scions of great families, but Si Borong's words ignited a fire in his heart—especially the mention of his brother! He had watched his brother grow up, protecting him every step of the way. To suggest his brother be made a slave?

"Si Borong," Dongbo Xueying said.

"Hmm?" Si Borong smiled at him, long accustomed to other families bowing before his own. "Realized your mistake? Just bow your head and apologize to me today, then send over fifty thousand gold coins later, and we'll consider this matter settled."

"Si Borong," Dongbo Xueying said coldly, "has anyone ever told you that you are an idiot?"

Si Borong was stunned. "You..."

"You are an absolute idiot! A three-year-old is smarter than you!" Dongbo Xueying said coldly. "We are heading to Qutai City to deal with a branch of an evil god or demon god in our Qinghe Prefecture! The five of us are already facing life-threatening danger, and at a time like this, you choose to stupidly threaten me? To intimidate me? Even if I bowed my head for now, I would surely harbor resentment. When we attack that Lu Clan castle, I could easily sabotage you at a critical moment, and you might just lose your life."

"If you really wanted to intimidate or threaten me, you could have at least waited until the mission was over."

"By threatening me now, you gain nothing but my hatred," Dongbo Xueying frowned. "Tell me, are you not an idiot?"

"You, you..." Si Borong's face turned ugly. "Are you really not afraid that I..."

"Do as you please! But you will have to bear the consequences, and the consequences might not be as pleasant as you imagine!" Dongbo Xueying turned and walked back toward the cabin, unwilling to waste another word on this fool.

He had come on this mission primarily to gain experience.

After this was over, he would apply for a Bronze Token and start taking on Bronze-level missions! He knew that the authority granted to a Title-level combatant was entirely different; law enforcement agencies like the City Guard had no right to touch him. In fact, even if they wanted to, it was difficult for mortals to threaten a Title-level combatant. Even if a Title-level combatant committed a crime, they would be judged by the Dragon Mountain Tower itself!

The Si Family, therefore, posed no threat to Title-level combatants. Title-level experts possessed the qualifications for equal dialogue amongst themselves.

Si Lianghong was, of course, a powerful existence ranked around five hundred on the entire Longshan Ranking. Dongbo Xueying had no desire to make an enemy of Si Lianghong unless absolutely necessary.

"You, you..." Si Borong watched Dongbo Xueying's retreating back as he entered the cabin, gritting his teeth in anger. "How dare you ignore me! How dare you ignore me! Very good, very good! Once this mission is over, I will definitely..."

"Hm?"

Si Borong's expression shifted. "This damned brat, he wouldn't actually try to set me up during the mission, would he?"