CHAPTER 548: CHAPTER 548. CHOOSE A SIDE

After getting Zhong Yuan cleaned up and fed, Amon introduced him to Ji Zhi and the rest of the specialized jobs team. Like Yong Baili, Ji Zhi chose to stay with the First Demon Army. Amon was glad about Ji Zhi’s decision. The First Demon Army had twenty thousand operational battle puppets. Those puppets required regular maintenance. Having an expert puppet maker helped keep these puppets in top condition.

Zhong Yuan was revealed to be an expert in various fields. He possessed expert-level mastery of six fields: Smith, engraving, talisman master, formation sage, puppet maker, and one field exclusive to Khode, Tech Specialist. After a short discussion, his knowledge of battle puppets seemed to be even deeper than Ji Zhi’s.

When Ji Zhi rained praises of the man and asked if all Khode experts were like him, Zhong Yuan answered no. He said that he was special. Ji Zhi couldn’t decide if Zhong Yuan was telling the truth or if he was simply being arrogant.

"If you are so great, why did you flee Khode?" Amon asked.

"Who said I fled my country?" Zhong Yuan asked back.

"Khode possesses the best border security. It takes a tremendous effort to breach its border. Whether it is to get in or get out, it poses the same problem. Without strong determination, you won’t leave that country. So, what drives you to such lengths?"

"I accept the offer to help you. That doesn’t include sharing my life story," Zhong Yuan responded.

"Fair enough," Amon said. "But do know that I make it my business to know my followers. I will learn your life story one way or another."

Zhong Yuan simply shrugged in response.

*

Amon also checked in with San Guo and Gao Lan about the progress of his private organizations. He wasn’t involved as much, but he still received frequent updates from them.

The Gao Clan had officially partnered with Lin Hei Sect. With Huang San’s ascension, Amon’s status was also elevated. Thus, the Lin Hei sect was protected legally by his position and illegally by the Demon Gang. Everyone saw this Sect as one they could not offend. Many instead looked for cooperation.

Gao Dingbu was glad he decided to submit to Amon. His status as Lin Hei Sect’s partner let his clan recover from the backlash after the underworld incident. Not many dared to trouble them out of respect for the Lin Hei Sect.

Armed with this seemingly unassailable status, the Lin Hei Sect and Demon Gang expanded to more cities. The three cities where they had the most presence were the Golden Stone City, Fuxiang City, and White Cloud City.

Coincidentally, San Guo informed Amon that the representatives of their two biggest partners in White Cloud City had come to the capital to visit Amon. Amon invited the two to Fort Fresh Maw.

The two representatives were Pai Kuan from the White Cloud Sect and Lei San from the Lei Clan. These two organizations were considered the current overlords of White Cloud City.

San Guo brought the two to the fort. The two didn’t speak to each other, but clear hostility could be perceived in their eyes whenever their gaze happened to fall on one another. Those eyes, however, turned to awe and amazement when they arrived at Fort Fresh Maw. The mass of soldiers doing drills around the fort was more than enough to intimidate anyone who came to visit to behave themselves.

As the two entered the fort, they saw many battle puppets patrolling the fort. Battle puppets were rare in White Cloud City. Thus, their sighting made a strong impression on the two of them.

Yet, their biggest shock was when they entered Amon’s office. Unlike before, Amon didn’t use his concealment art. He purposefully let his aura spew forth.

"In... Intermediate Spirit Stage...," Pai Kuan muttered in disbelief.

Lei San had the same shock, but he tried his best not to let it show.

The two had already heard the news about Amon’s cultivation. They found it hard to believe until they sensed his cultivation themselves.

"Sit," Amon told his guests. He also signaled the maid to bring tea for the guests.

After taking the seat, Pai Kuan asked, "How... How did you do it?" He didn’t explain what his question was referring to, but Amon knew.

"I was lucky enough to encounter treasures that help my cultivation," Amon replied.

Pai Kuan’s disbelief was understandable. Amon used to be a nobody to him. He could kill Amon with a flick of his finger. It was no longer so. Amon’s cultivation was even higher than his now. This revelation filled him with self-doubt. He was more than three centuries old, but a man who was barely forty years old already had a higher cultivation than he did. Additionally, Amon’s appearance was still that of a twenty-year-old youngster. This meant the speed of Amon’s cultivation improvement outperformed the speed of his body aging.

Lei San’s shock was either equal or greater. He used to be Amon’s peer. Never in his mind did he ever think Amon was better than him, even after hearing Amon’s many accomplishments. His current cultivation was at the Peak Mystic Stage. His cultivation speed skyrocketed after his clan stole Wei Clan’s resources following Amon’s decimation of the clan. In all of White Cloud City, no youth could rival his cultivation speed. Sitting before Amon, he was forced to accept reality. He was just a frog in a well. There were exceptional people with talents, and then there were monsters who defied common sense. He was the former sitting in front of the latter.

"What can I help you with, gentlemen?" Amon asked. "Is there any problem with our cooperation?"

"No problem," Pai Kuan said. "Compared to our other business contacts, your Lin Hei Sect has the most integrity. Deliveries are always on time, and the quantity record is precise, with no missing goods. If there is any delay or reduction in quantity, early notice is advised, and a discount is provided. We can’t ask for a better trading partner."

"Of course. I always told my people that mutual benefits are the key to long-term cooperation," Amon said. He then turned to Lei San.

Upon receiving Amon’s gaze, Lei San said, "It’s the same with the Lei Clan. We have no complaints."

"If that is the case, to what do I owe this visit?" Amon asked.

Pai Kuan answered first. "My sect master sent me here because we have reached a point where we need to decide on a certain clan."

"By a certain clan, I assumed you mean ours?" Lei San asked. His tone was unmistakably hostile.

"Your clan has overstepped your boundaries for quite some time," Pai Kuan turned to Lei San. "The White Cloud City is our territory. My sect built the town. Hence, its name. Hence, the kingdom tolerates our involvement in the city’s administration. Your clan is just a guest in our city!"

"The White Cloud Sect has long passed its prime. Old things are replaced by new things. That is the nature of the world," Lei San responded. "Lei Clan is growing rapidly, and you are worried we will replace you. You are not wrong. The Lei Clan will replace your sect and become the new overlord of the city. We might even decide to change the city’s name then."

"How presumptuous! Even your clan head watches his manner when speaking to me. I don’t understand why he sent someone as green as you to discuss this. Your clan certainly didn’t put General Amon in your eyes."

"You are the one who was uninformed. General Amon and I go way back. The clan head sent me because he knows of my history with General Amon."

The two continued to bicker as Amon watched them silently. He was secretly amused. He let the two quarrel until it almost devolved into a fight. They restrained themselves, though, because they knew Amon was there.

"Are you two done?" Amon asked.

"My apology, General Amon," Pai Kuan said. "But certainly, you see my reasoning. Our clan doesn’t ask for your help. We can deal with the Lei Clan ourselves. All we ask is for Lin Hei Sect to stop associating with the Lei Clan."

"You certainly think big of your sect," Lei San uttered. "Like I said, your sect is way past its prime. We can take over you easily. The only thing that stops us is that we don’t want to offend General Amon. General, please cut off your relationship with the White Cloud Sect. Once we deal with them, I guarantee we will prove to be a more profitable partner."

"Hehe," Amon chuckled.

Pai Kuan and Lei San were rather taken aback by the chuckle. Amon saw their heated arguments as entertainment. Slight anger arose from their hearts, but they were quickly reminded that the Amon they were currently dealing with was not the man from the past.

Amon rose from his seat while exuding his aura. His aura was heavier than that of other Intermediate Spirit Stage cultivators they had ever encountered. Even Pai Kuan, whose cultivation was only slightly weaker, felt difficulty in moving under the pressure of the aura.

"So, you are here to demand I choose a side?" Amon asked. "How about this? I choose to partner with a third party. The Xin clan, perhaps? No, I have a better idea. How about I wipe both the White Cloud Sect and the Lei Clan and have Lin Hei Sect control the city? How about that?"