CHAPTER 312: CHAPTER 32: ON THE EVE OF BATTLE

It took only a day for the news that Bailu County was on the brink of war with Fengdan County to spread far and wide, quicker than if it had wings. In less than a day, most of Bailu County knew that the Bailu Army had suffered a devastating defeat the previous night, and that Fengdan County had enlisted the help of some mysterious figures.

The news also reached the Lord Mansion, where the two soldiers who had "fortunately" escaped recounted everything that had happened the previous night. Before they could even finish, they were abruptly silenced with a kick from the incensed Viscount Mo’er, who was visibly boiling with rage.

"What about those man-eating black grass and blood-sucking mosquito monsters? I simply cannot believe that a mere no-name youngster could defy the heavens. Housekeeper, what do you think we should do about this? Should we gather a group of men again, find people to flatten Fengdan County? If not one thousand, then five thousand, this time, I’ll take matters into my own hands," Mo’er Viscount bellowed for a while, but calmed down after the housekeeper’s persuasion.

"My lord," the old housekeeper interjected, "we mustn’t act recklessly in this matter. You are worth a thousand pieces of gold; it is beneath you to stoop to the level of those lowlifes from Fengdan County. There is a saying, ’Why use a cleaver to kill a chicken when a kitchen knife will do?’ Don’t we have the perfect ’chicken-killing knife’ for Fengdan County in our hands?" The old housekeeper from the Viscount Mansion was called Batesin, a retired strategist from the Dragon Battle Empire Army.

A man of steady and astute nature, it was also the old housekeeper’s suggestion for Viscount Mo’er to leave the Imperial City and become the autocrat in Bailu County when he relocated there.

"You mean?" pondered Viscount Mo’er.

"Flesh and blood are interconnected. Have you forgotten, my lord? Our Heavenly Prison still holds many slaves sent here as payment for the head tax. Who doesn’t have family and friends? If we find the right person, we could create internal strife within Fengdan County. Then, without expending a single soldier, wouldn’t it be all the more satisfying?" the old housekeeper advocated.

"Good, let’s do as you say. Go see who we have locked up in the county jail," Viscount Mo’er delegated the task to the old housekeeper, then called for the Dancing Girl and began making merry with wine.

That night, a Golden Winged Eagle was released from Bailu County, flying directly towards the settlements of Fengdan County.

Upon reaching the entrance of the village settlement, a figure leapt into the air, snatching the Golden Winged Eagle, and retrieved a letter from its beak.

After reading the contents of the letter, the man quickly tore it to pieces and returned silently to the village with his spear in hand.

The man seemed anxious; he didn’t head straight for home, instead, he lingered near the newly constructed, simple Lord’s wooden hut.

From inside the wooden hut, the warm glow of a Blue Snow Candle shone through the wooden gaps. The voices of Yue Chen and Hongling conversed, "Hongling, remember, when planting Burning Poison Algae, keep it away from open flames. Once it encounters fire, it will ignite, and thus it will not be able to serve its defensive purposes against enemies."

"Young Master, this servant understands. You should rest early," Hongling extinguished the candle.

A little while later, the figure outside the cabin disappeared.

Hongling and Yue Chen came out, "Hongling, why did you deliberately expose the weakness of the Burning Poison Algae to Nan Muyu?"

"It was Miss’s instruction. Miss said that Nan Muyu is a hidden threat of Fengdan County," during the days since arriving in the village, the relationship between the villagers and Jingxin Courtyard folks has grown closer. The only exception was the former leader of Fengdan County, Nan Muyu, who has been eyeing us with covetous intent.

"If he dares to make a move, I will not let him off," Yue Chen’s voice suddenly turned cold, startling Hongling. She had never heard the Young Master speak in such a tone before.

The Young Master seemed to have changed, no longer the timid and silent young boy he used to be. Even the stuttering problem had not reoccurred for a long time.

"Miss said he cannot be killed yet," Hongling sighed softly. These days, Jingxin Courtyard has been through a series of sudden changes, and everyone’s temperament has changed.

Even the Lady has changed lately, and perhaps this isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Looking at the sky, the moon was high, and the stars twinkled lively; it was getting late.

"Hong Yao said she would be back later when she left. Let me wait for her at the entrance of the village; the young master should rest too," Hongling suggested Yue Chen rest first and waited alone outside the village.

On the return trip, Hong Yao’s journey was delayed midway. When she arrived back at the village, the stars already filled the sky.

After leaving Bailu County, Hong Yao did not immediately return to Fengdan County. It was her first meeting with the man, and she still had some reservations in her heart.

She first drove the carriage around Fengdan County, casually chatting with the man. Hong Yao was good at making conversation and, as it turned out, so was the man in fine clothes. After a bit of inquiry, she quickly learned the man’s background.

The man’s surname was Helian, with the given name Sheng, from the Ruison Federation. His family had been in commerce for generations, running shops that dealt with various goods.

He had set out on the journey following his elders’ orders to travel across the continent and broaden his horizons. He only came to Bailu County for a short stay, intending to find a few mercenaries in the town within the Xuan Beast Ridge to escort him over the mountains.

Hong Yao appeared to be listening, while in her heart, she paid close attention to Helian Sheng’s words and actions. Only after she found no faults did she feel reassured to take him and divert towards Fengdan County.

Seeing that Hong Yao had directed the carriage towards Fengdan County, Helian Sheng maintained a calm exterior while secretly pondering, "Indeed, Fengdan County has already changed, and perhaps the Military Department of the Dragon War Empire is still unaware of this turn of events."

"Lady, let’s stop ahead," called Helian Sheng, who had been appreciating the ice and snow of Fengdan County, when they passed Ice Lake, prompting Hong Yao to halt the horses.

Hong Yao swiftly reined in the horses. The Arrow Bamboo Forest that made Helian Sheng request a stop was the same cluster by the lake where Yue Jinghua had first encountered Master Erwang and his grandson.

The Dragon War Empire was located in a cold region, and Arrow Bamboo was not a common plant within the empire. The Arrow Bamboo growing along the Xuan Beast Ridge, also known as Ice Bamboo, was a mutant variety with much higher cold resistance than ordinary bamboo.

"Mr. Helian, is there a problem with this bamboo?" Hong Yao had some recollection of the Arrow Bamboo Forest; during the Xuan Beast attack at Bailu County, this area of bamboo had been badly damaged.

The boss and Young Master Yue Chen had taken a sudden interest and seemed to have tampered with the bamboo.

After being stopped by Helian Sheng, Hong Yao couldn’t help but take notice of the Arrow Bamboo Forest as well. The bamboo here was growing well, and compared to other bamboo, which was bent over with the weight of the winter snow, it looked much more vibrant. Not only that, but in the darkness, their bodies actually emitted a faint blue glow.

Helian Sheng slid out a small, exquisite curved knife and chopped off a small piece. As the bamboo fell into his hand, he felt an intense, bone-chilling cold, this was...

"Lady, I must ask you to take me to see your boss immediately. I have an urgent business deal to discuss with him," after placing the small piece of Ice Bamboo into his sleeve, Helian Sheng’s expression became serious and he spoke earnestly to Hong Yao.