Chapter 1065: Over One Hundred Apprentices
Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem
Today, Wang Clan of Yushun Palace, Ningan City was unprecedentedly brilliant.
After providing free porridge in Ningan City constantly for over 70 years, Wang Clan finally got a compensation.
Fire Dragon Hermit put in 2 dragons from each clan with earth knights and 1 dragon from each clan with black iron knights. Although Wang Clan had no knights, Fire Dragon Hermit put in 7 dragons from Wang Clan which shocked all the other clans.
What did this mean?
Fire Dragon Hermit only put in 8 dragons from the three clans with provincial governors of Yanzhou Province, Tongzhou Province and Youzhou Province in total, 2 of which were from the branch in Jinwu City of Zhang Clan, Huaiyuan Palace, which indicated that Fire Dragon Hermit favored Zhang Clan of Huaiyuan Palace and that Lion of Youzhou Province who was well-known across Taixia Country. However, he put in 7 dragons from Wang Clan, which almost matched the total number of dragons being put in from the three clans with provincial governors. If the 2 dragons being put in from the branch of Jinwu City was not included, Wang Clan would even have one more dragon than the total number of dragons being put in by Fire Dragon Hermit from Zhu Clan, Qian Clan and Zhang Clan.
90 years ago, Wang Clan had a black iron knight who was the founder of Yushun Palace of Wang Clan. However, like how those clans with knights flourished and withered, over 70 years ago, that black iron knight of Wang Clan was killed in the Earth-elements Realm. From then on, the potential momentum of development of Wang Clan stopped abruptly. Although Wang Clan didn't fully decline, they just safeguarded the undertaking of their ancestor.
After Wang Clan's ancestor died in the Earth-elements Realm, Wang Clan stuck to the ideology that "a family which always do good would have a good luck for sure" and started to do good by providing free porridge and building bridges and paving roads. They had been doing that for over 70 years ceaselessly.
Today, Wang Clan finally received their compensation.
Watching 7 golden and red light flying off Fire Dragon Hermit's golden brush and falling on the foreheads of the 7 junior disciples of Wang Clan, Wang Chongde the master of Wang Clan and some Wang elders quivered all over with tears in their eye sockets. Wang Clan's rejuvenation was hopeful. As long as one of the 7 juniors could promote to a knight, Wang Clan would be qualified to be a major clan and recover the glory of their past days.
Wang Clan had been waiting for this day for over 7 decades.
From today on, the entire Wang Clan of Yushun Palace, Ningan City, would bind themselves to Zhang Tie's charity.
As the old saying went, 'A man dies for his bosom friend.' With such a reliance and glory, of course, a clan would not hesitate to stand on the side of Fire Dragon Hermit.
The omen of rejuvenation of Wang Clan had appeared; however, nobody was jealous about them. Because it was the result of Wang Clan after doing good for over 7 decades. Those who knew the reason could only admire and sigh with emotion about the good luck of Wang Clan.
If the other clan could be as persistent as Wang Clan and be known by Fire Dragon Hermit within Fire Dragon Bounty Territory by accident, the other clan might also enjoy such a special treatment; however, there was not such a clan anymore; therefore, the others could only accept the fact.
People in Taixia Country didn't hate rich men or officials; they just hated those who were rich yet cruel and those tight-fisted officials. Those who were both righteous and benevolent would never be hated by commoners no matter how magnificent their clans were. Few people would give a false account of the true facts.
Those who carried tails were all in tales.
After Wang Clan had 7 dragons being put in, the others immediately congratulated Wang Clan to be the biggest winner in the opening ceremony of Iron-Dragon Sect.
After the Immortal Fist Position Sect's master was beaten in the fight and left, Wang Clan became a rising star. The up and down made this opening ceremony special and brought the guests at present more topics and thoughts.
It might be a God's will.
Zhang Tie selected 4 males and 3 females. The eldest one among the 7 lucky dogs was over 30 years old, the youngest one among them was only 16 years old. Their levels varied from LV 4 to LV 8.
Zhang Tie didn't care what the others would think about. After enrolling the 7 disciples of Wang Clan, he continued to put in dragons.
One person from Lu Clan, Dashang City, Gaoping Prefecture of Yanzhou Province was selected.
After that, Zhang Tie respectively put in one dragon from Fang Clan of Qinghe City, Chen Clan of Muqing Palace, Langyun City, the four sons of Li Tao, the boss of Zhongpin Business Group of Dongyang City, Sun Clan of Xuantian City and Gu Clan of Snowpine City.
The masters and elders of these later clans were all in the auditorium. Because of their relatively inferior positions, their seats were close to the end. When they found that their own disciples were put in dragon by Zhang Tie, they were all very excited.
Although the other clans only had one disciple being put in the dragon, it was already a great treatment that each knight's clan could enjoy. Such a treatment had already satisfied these clans. They all determined to fulfill the task assigned by Fire Dragon Hermit well and strive for a better performance in front of Fire Dragon Hermit so as to pave a smooth way for their own disciples in Iron-Dragon Sect.
After entering Iron-Dragon Sect, besides efforts and talents, these disciples from all clans also required their own clans' assistance.
Daddy was the key, but in different skills and patterns.
Especially in Taixia Country, everybody was clear about benefit-based relationships between major clans and sects. When their own disciples entered Iron-Dragon Sect and the other small- and medium-sized sects, they would send gifts to the master out of their sincerity. There was no fixed regulation on the value of the gifts. They should send gifts according to their own abilities. However, they all had a clear idea about that.
Although there was a much-told tale that the master of a sect might like that even if disciples and parents from poor families gifted him some tea leaves that they picked from the mountain; however, commoners had better not play that trick. If everybody could fabricate a "much-told tale", the "much-told tale" would be valueless. Even a rural teacher would receive a gift of dried flesh; not to mention an earth knight of a sect.
...
Zhang Tie enrolled 121 apprentices in total, 82 of them were male, 39 of them were female. Generally, a sect should contain more males than females.
After the 121 formally acknowledged their master, they all stood behind Zhang Tie according to the order that they were put in dragons while trying to recover their composure. As Liu Xing was Fire Dragon Hermit's first apprentice, he stood closely behind Zhang Tie as the most special one among all the apprentices of Zhang Tie.
Previously, there was nobody behind Zhang Tie. Now, after so many apprentices stood behind him and Zhang Tie sat on the golden chair in such a generous way, the Iron-Dragon Sect immediately became majestic and imposing.
'From today on, will the destiny of the 121 people behind me be connected to that of myself?'
As it was his first time to enroll apprentices, Zhang Tie also felt a bit weird. Actually, some apprentices were even elder than Zhang Tie himself.
Whatever, after they formally acknowledged Zhang Tie as their master, the identities of both parties were already fixed. From then on, they would become Zhang Tie's apprentices while their life and future would be determined by Zhang Tie. From today on, if they disobeyed the regulations of Iron-Dragon Sect or irritated Zhang Tie, even if they were killed by Zhang Tie, the of Iron-Dragon Sect or the officials of Taixia Country didn't have a right to say no.
It was the No. 1 taboo in Taixia Country to cheat one's master or slander one's ancestors. Such people would not even be forgiven by God. After joining one sect, to a certain extent, it was equal to sign an unalterable life or death contract with their sect and their master.
Zhang Tie knew that the clans of the 121 apprentices behind him indicated a great set of relationships that he cast in Northeast Military Region. It might take commoners a few generations to build such a great set of relationships. However, it was very easy for an earth knight to do it. They only needed to establish a sect and enroll apprentices. Only after one day, the nickname of Fire Dragon Hermit had become different for these clans. This interpreted the dignity and ability of an earth knight.
'From today on, if I really want to root in Taixia Country, the relationship between me and these apprentices might become a bit utilitarian; however, as they've kowtowed and served tea to me, I should be responsible for these people more or less.'
Zhang Tie sighed with emotion inside as he put the golden brush into the tray carried by a virgin boy on his side.
Everybody was watching Zhang Tie and waiting for him to say something; Zhang Tie also read a lot of information from the eyes of the surrounding people.
Bai Suxian's eyes flickered with full pleasure, excitement and a bit pride.
The old guy on Bai Suxian's side looked glassy-eyed as usual who made Zhang Tie a bit awkward. Strangely, Zhang Tie could see through the overall strength of all the people at present except for that old guy on Bai Suxian's side. Zhang Tie felt that nobody at present could defeat this old guy except for Zhang Tie himself.
'Whatever, I will ask Bai Suxian about the background of this old guy after the opening ceremony.'
After being silent for a few seconds, Zhang Tie uttered, "Liu Xing!"
"I'm here, Master!"
After hearing Zhang Tie's call, Liu Xing responded respectfully at once.
"From today on, the 120 people would be your junior fellow brothers and sisters. As my first apprentice, you can manage all the 120 people at your will. With me on your back, you should pay special attention to the seniority of the members in Iron-Dragon Sect!" Zhang Tie said in a muffled voice.
After hearing that, many people's hearts raced; however, Liu Xing became reassured. Because Liu Xing's clan was very average; neither did he have a great natural gift. He was the one with the least background among all the apprentices of Zhang Tie. Just now, Liu Xing was still concerned that he might not be able to control his junior apprentice brothers and sisters who came from knights' clans. After hearing Zhang Tie's order, Liu Xing became reassured. However, Liu Xing still gritted his teeth inside after getting the expectation of Zhang Tie, 'No matter what, I have to grasp this opportunity and will never lose face for my master...'
...
When Zhang Tie finished putting in dragons, another airboat arrived at Xuantian City. At the sight of this airboat, everybody became faintly stunned as it was from the Supreme Court of Taixia Country given its symbol...
After Zhang Tie finished his talk with Liu Xing, two people had flown off that airboat towards Xuantian Courtyard...
Chapter 1066: Towards Zhongzhou Province
Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem
The airboat of Supreme Court was blue all over. It was about 200 m in length. Additionally, there were symbols of the Supreme Court on both sides of the airboat.
Two people got off the airboat, one of them was Gao Tianqi whom Zhang Tie had met before.
When Zhang Tie saw Gao Tianqi for the first time, he was staying with Feng Cangwu. Later on, Zhang Tie saw him in White Tiger Platform when Zhang Tie knew that this youth was a chief of bodyguards of Commander Cheng Honglie of Northeast Military Region. He was the trusted subordinate of Commander Cheng who had a bright future.
The other one who flew off the airboat together with Gao Tianqi was an earth knight given his qi. He was elder than Gao Tianqi. In an official uniform of the supreme court in Taixia Country and a standard Xiezhi crown, he had slim eyebrows and eyes and looked solemn.
Watching Gao Tianqi and an earth knight of supreme court flying towards him, Zhang Tie almost mistook that they were here to arrest him. However, after thinking about it for a short while, he forgot about this thought.
'Are you kidding me? Besides my elder brother, nobody else knows my real identity. Additionally, even if the Supreme Court of Taixia Country was going to arrest me, they would never do that at this moment. As the bloody figure event has just broken out, the Supreme Court of Taixia Country doesn't even have time to care about me at all. I think they are here to cancel my order for arrest.'
Many people on the ground identified Gao Tianqi. Although Gao Tianqi was just a black iron knight, he enjoyed a high position in Northeast Military Region as the chief of the bodyguards of Commander Cheng. Additionally, it seemed that Gao Tianqi was leading the way for that guy from the Supreme Court of Taixia Country.
Out of etiquette, almost everyone at present had stood up, including Zhang Tie.
"Is Huaiyuan Palace's elder here?"
Gao Tianqi's voice arrived ahead of his body.
'They didn't come here for me on this occasion?'
Zhang Tie and everybody else at present became curious as they wanted to see what the two people were going to do.
Elder Muyu became a bit stunned; however, he made a response immediately.
Elder Muyu cupped his hand as he looked up and said, "I'm Elder Muyu from Huaiyuan Palace!"
Gao Tianqi and the earth knight then landed on the ground.
"Ahh, Elder Muyu, long time no see!" Gao Tianqi hailed Elder Muyu with a smile before nodding towards all the others at present. Closely after that, he watched Zhang Tie's bald head for a second before cupping his hands towards Zhang Tie respectfully, "This one must be Fire Dragon Hermit!"
"Yes, it's me!" Zhang Tie touched his bald head.
"Fire Dragon Hermit, please forgive me. This one is Lord Cao from the Supreme Court of Taixia Country. Previously, Lord Cao wanted to release a news to Huaiyuan Palace in Youzhou City; I know that there must be an elder of Huaiyuan Palace here; plus so many friends from different provinces, it might be better for Lord Cao to declare the news here. Additionally, we were near here; therefore, I brought Lord Cao here!"
"Hahahah...go ahead, go ahead!" Zhang Tie burst out into laughter generously, "Now that you two could come, you've already brought me glory, just let me know if you need any help!"
"We don't need your help, but Lord Cao wants to say something to Elder Muyu of Huaiyuan Palace in the public!"
"Please!"
When Zhang Tie talked with Gao Tianqi, Lord Cao from Supreme Court of Taixia Country had already looked over Zhang Tie carefully before catching sight of the 18 secret pearls in the distance. Lord Cao blinked his eyes as he felt that he was dazzled. After confirming that they were secret pearls, Lord Cao became amazed. Zhang Tie knew that Lord Cao had already identified the background of these secret pearls.
"Go ahead, Lord Cao!" Elder Muyu cupped his hands towards Lord Cao from the Supreme Court in neither kind nor cold attitude. Since Zhang Tie was framed and escaped away, the relationship between Huaiyuan Palace and Supreme Court had been neither close nor cold like how Elder Muyu behaved now.
Lord Cao looked around before saying loudly on purpose so that everyone at present could hear it, "I'm here to notice the Zhang Clan of Huaiyuan Palace on behalf of the Supreme Court of Taixia Country that Elder Zhang Mushen, namely Zhang Tie's order for arrest has been officially canceled. From today on, Zhang Tie will gain his freedom and not be wanted anymore across Taixia Country. The Supreme Court of Taixia Country will investigate the tragedy in Fuhai City that happened 4 years ago from the scratch!" As Lord Cao declared, a document appeared in his hand. He then passed it to Elder Muyu.
In the distance, Zhang Tie could only see a red seal of the Supreme Court of Taixia Country on the document.
After taking that document and skimming over it, Elder Muyu's hands quivered. After hearing Lord Cao's declaration, Zhang Yang directly pushed into one side of Elder Mushen and read it too.
As Lord Cao didn't know Zhang Yang, when he saw Zhang Yang approaching him, he even slightly frowned. However, Gao Tianqi knew Zhang Yang.
"This is Zhang Yang, Zhang Tie's elder brother, the boss of Jinwu Business Group!" Gao Tianqi told Lord Cao in a secret way. After hearing Gao Tianqi's explanation, Lord Cao relieved his frown. He knew that if not that Zhang family in Jinwu City received the news ahead of them, when the bloody sea became mature, the result would definitely be much worse than now.
Although the Zhongzhou Provincial Court suffered a great loss, the judicial agencies of Taixia Country had definitely made a great meritorious service this time.
Everybody at present could guess that the file that Lord Cao gave Elder Muyu was the official document about canceling off the order of arrest for Zhang Tie.
To declare this news on this occasion was definitely more effective than declaring it to Huaiyuan Palace in Youzhou Province alone.
"Lord Cao, is my brother Zhang Tie free now?"
"He's free. Being entrusted by the chief justice of the Supreme Court, I'm especially here to notice Huaiyuan Palace about this news. The chief justice of the Supreme Court felt pretty pitiful about what Zhang Tie has experienced these years. This time, the Supreme Court is going to restart the investigation of the tragedy in Fuhai City. The chief justice said if Zhang Tie likes, he could continue to serve as an official in a judicial agency when he comes back. He could even participate in the investigation of the tragedy in Fuhai City himself!"
When Zhang Tie served as the chief justice of Youzhou Province, he had inflicted a great loss to the Heavens Reaching Church and spread his reputation "Lion of Youzhou Province" over the entire judicial system in Taixia Country. Nobody could imagine that the Supreme Court of Taixia Country could cancel off Zhang Tie's order for arrest and would even entrust him with an important post once again.
In a split second, a well-known human criminal became innocent and might be entrusted as an awe-struck important post in the judicial system of Taixia Country, 'Is this the plot of the chief justice of the Supreme Court or a compensation or both of them?'
Those at present were considering the attitude of the Supreme Court of Taixia Country carefully. Zhang Tie felt complex inside.
Zhang Tie had not imagined that his stigma and crime could be cleared only after returning to Jinwu City and identifying the plot of Heavens Reaching Church, 'I could finally be free in the public in my original look.'
'Four years ago, I unconsciously became a widely wanted criminal across Taixia Country.'
'Four years later, the stigma and suspicion of being a wanted criminal were cleared unconsciously.'
'That's my destiny.'
After experiencing all this, Zhang Tie felt that his destiny was played by an invisible hand like how a clown performed acrobatics of throwing bottles. His life contrail rolled many circles in the sky in a very risky way before coming back to its original point. It seemed that nothing had changed at all.
'But really?'
Watching these knights from major clans who came here to celebrate the opening ceremony of Fire Dragon Hermit and Bai Suxian who was watching him with her big watery eyes, Zhang Tie could only swear many times inside, 'f*ck!'
At this time, Zhang Tie became reassured and depressed. With this complex mood, Zhang Tie could neither laugh nor cry.
No matter what, both Elder Muyu and Zhang Yang were satisfied with this result. After hearing this news, no matter what they thought inside, they also started to congratulate Elder Muyu and Zhang Yang apparently.
Zhang Yang threw a glance at Zhang Tie stealthily and found that Zhang Tie was watching him. They soon moved their eyes away. However, due to the privity between the two brothers, they had exchanged much information silently.
Zhang Yang, "Are you going back?"
Zhang Tie, "Do you think I can come back now?"
Zhang Yang, "What to do then?"
Zhang Tie, "I will finish the affairs of Iron-Dragon Sect first. If I go back now, it might not be good."
"Fire Dragon Hermit, are those balls secret pearls?" Gao Tianqi asked Zhang Tie with an uncertain tone which drew Zhang Tie back to the helpless yet hilarious reality.
"Hahaha, yup. I've got some delicacies from Earth-elements Realm. I use them to entertain the guests today!"
'Entertain?' Even though Gao Tianqi had seen a lot of rarities on the side of Commander Cheng, it was his first time to hear someone using so many secret pearls to "entertain the guests"...
"May I have your attention, please? Good things should be in pairs. Besides my opening ceremony, an elder of Huaiyuan Palace also became innocent. As we're happy now, let's try our luck. If you have a good luck, you might get a silver secret item. I'm afraid that many people can't wait for that..."
Zhang Tie said as he applauded twice. Closely after that, Wang disciples carried out a special tool for hitting golden eggs...
After that, Zhang Tie made a brief introduction about the game rule to enliven the atmosphere in the opening ceremony...
Of course, the game rule was pretty fair for the other knights. As Zhang Tie was a supreme dominator and had lotus-flower eyes, he especially prepared the secret pearl which contained a silver secret item for Huaiyuan Palace. Nobody else could take it away. Therefore, it was just an entertainment for the others.
...
Watching the Zhu Elder entering the stage in high spirits to get numbers from a fully enclosed metal cylinder, Zhang Tie waved his hand and fetched Liu Xing.
"Notice the outside. Iron-Dragon Sect will enroll 3,000 exterior door disciples. You're responsible for accomplishing it in 3 days."
"3 days?"
"Yes, because I will take you to Zhongzhou Province to have a practice 3 days later..."
...
The day when the Iron-Dragon Sect opened made many people unforgettable...
Compared to the first day in Xuantian Courtyard, the following 3 days were more boisterous across Xuantian City.
As for many ambitious young men, if they could become exterior door disciples of Iron-Dragon Sect, they would also have a chance to become the internal door disciples even elite disciples and disciples being directly taught by Fire Dragon Hermit if they were excellent enough. It depended on their destinies...
Zhang Tie kept dealing with many affairs and meeting many people in Xuantian City for consecutive 3 days without a sleep. After confirming the local representatives of the 10 cities in Fire Dragon Bounty Territory, Fire Dragon Bounty Territory was almost on the right track. After that, Zhang Tie took the 121 inside door disciples to Zhongzhou Province by airboat...
At this moment, Zhongzhou Province, one of the nine immortal provinces in Taixia Country was the most boisterous place in Taixia Country as many airships, airboats and bounty criminal hunters were gathering there...
Chapter 1067: A Knot
Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem
After one night's stand with Bai Suxian, Zhang Tie only had less than 3 hours' deep sleep and adjustment before waking up.
It was in a super deluxe bedroom of the airboat, which covered over 200 square meters. The top of the bedroom was a flexible crystal dome. After opening the crystal dome, they could see the stars over the sky. Additionally, there were a lot of bamboo palms, some special flowers and grasses inside the bedroom. Because of the existence of these plants, the air in the bedroom always smelt refreshing and a bit fragrant even after Zhang Tie's one night's stand with Bai Suxian.
During the period when this airboat parked in Xuantian City, all the basic hardware facilities inside the airboat such as flowers and grass remained unchanged, except for those private belongings such as beddings which were changed at Zhang Tie's request. The red brilliant lacquer over the surface of the airboat was also changed to relatively low-key silver gray at Zhang Tie's request after the opening ceremony.
He won this airboat from Taixia Fantasy Sect through a bet. No matter what, Taiyi Fantasy Sect was one of the top seven sects which had a profound background. If he showed it off everywhere, it was equal to slapping Taiyi Fantasy Sect on their face. After fighting Nangong Sheng, Zhang Tie realized that he should be low-key; therefore, he changed the color of his airboat.
No matter how great was an earth knight, if he became a thorn in the flesh of Taiyi Fantasy Sect which was a top sect in Taixia Country, this knight would not stay in Taixia Country anymore.
He had changed the color for his airboat and left some leeway for Immortal Fist Position Sect. After the two events, Zhang Tie believed that Feng Yexiao, the grand elder of Taiyi Fantasy Sect would not bring trouble to him anymore as long as he didn't have a conflict of interest with Taiyi Fantasy Sect.
Although gangsters and ruffians might cling to bring him trouble until death, top sects like Taiyi Fantasy Sect were keen on face-saving, pattern and tolerance. If they really annoyed Zhang Tie, Zhang Tie would travel across Taixia Country by this airboat and open it to commoners at the cost of only one copper coin or renovate it into an air nightclub or brothel such as Flowers Pavilion. By then, Taiyi Fantasy Sect would not bear it for sure.
Bai Suxian was sleeping pretty well on the bed in a sluggish way. From one side, her curve was pretty thrilling. After waking up, Zhang Tie didn't get up immediately; instead, he just watched Bai Suxian silently on the bed.
'I wonder what this woman would feel if she knew that I'm Zhang Tie.'
A whim occurred to Zhang Tie's mind. Even though Zhang Tie himself was not sure whether she could accept his original identity or not. After living with her these days, Zhang Tie knew that Bai Suxian really loved him although her demeanor was a bit crazy sometimes.
This time, Bai Suxian came to Fire Dragon Bounty Territory with an airboat, an earth knight and over 2,000 people, which included female and male servants, bodyguards and variously skilled craftsmen. These skilled craftsmen included over 30 chefs and pastry cooks who could make all the food that you named, tailors, instruments craftsmen, gardeners, cordwainers, shoemakers, carpenters, accountants, doctors, dare-to-die men, stewards...all of them were here to serve Bai Suxian.
At the sight of so many people, Zhang Tie was scared too much. He then knew how rich was Lord Guangnan's Mansion.
The over 2,000 people who followed Bai Suxian here were not commoners in Taixia Country; instead, they were servants whom Lord Guangnan's Mansion trained since they were young. Honestly, they were just slaves of Bai Suxian. Nominally, they were not slaves, but family servants. Actually, family servants would have more personal rights than slaves.
These family servants would be Bai Suxian's dowry in the future. That was to say, when Bai Suxian got married, these servants would also follow Bai Suxian over there to serve her.
Actually, Lord Guangnan's Mansion prepared 150,000 people like these for Bai Suxian, which contained an elite army of 100,000 bodyguards.
Followed by 150,000 people, an airboat and an earth knight who called himself "this old slave", Bai Suxian was definitely going to be a respectable figure instead of being a wife.
If not being afraid that Zhang Tie disliked that, Bai Suxian would definitely bring more than 2,000 followers this time.
After Bai Suxian returned to Lord Guangnan's Mansion, she only had a chance to see her grandma for the last time. After seeing Bai Suxian for the last time, the grand madam of Lord Guangnan's Mansion passed away.
After observing mourning for her grandma for 49 days, when Bai Suxian received Zhang Tie's golden invitation letter, she arrived here followed by that earth knight. The "old slave" was left by her grandma who was responsible for protecting her.
According to Bai Suxian, because of the death of her grandma, her dad was forbidden to marry new concubines within at least 3 years. Therefore, Fang Xinyi who wanted to be her step-mother could only wait for 3 years. Additionally, Bai Suxian didn't want to stay in Lord Guangnan's Mansion anymore; therefore, she just came here to find Cui Li with only a small part of her dowry.
When Zhang Tie saw her followers, he was not angry. These days, Bai Suxian was very spirited; especially after she boarded the airboat and heard that Zhang Tie's apprentices call her master's wife privately, Bai Suxian was happier.
Zhang Tie didn't know whether Bai Suxian was trying to test the relationship between him and her with the over 2,000 followers. Even Zhang Tie wondered about the current identity of Bai Suxian, 'lover, friend, comrade-in-arms, paramour or fiancee?'
If it was just an average one night's stand, Zhang Tie didn't need to think too much about that. Now that Bai Suxian had fallen in love with him, of course, Zhang Tie had to treat this marriage seriously. No matter what, Zhang Tie didn't want to hurt a woman who treated him sincerely. No matter what the woman's identity was, a man who hurt his woman's heart was definitely a bad man. Zhang Tie didn't want to be that bad man.
'But...will I really become Lord Guangnan's son-in-law?'
'In which identity, Cui Li or Zhang Tie? If she knows that my current identity and looks are all fake, will this woman accept it and not want to kill me around the world with so many knight-level powerhouses from Lord Guangnan's Mansion?'
Whenever Zhang Tie thought about this, he would feel muddle-headed faintly.
Watching Bai Suxian in front of him, Zhang Tie had to consider about this question seriously.
After being silently gazed for a few minutes, Bai Suxian might have sensed it as he opened her eyes and revealed an indolent smile towards Zhang Tie.
"Morning."
"Hmm!" Bai Suxian lightly replied with her nose before pushing herself into Zhang Tie's cradle like a Persian cat. She hugged Zhang Tie as she pasted her face onto Zhang Tie's chest with a big satisfied smile, "Why did you look at me in that way just now? Were you thinking about a bad idea?"
"Hoho, what bad idea would I have?" Zhang Tie replied with a smile as he patted Bai Suxian's plump butt in the quilt.
"Who knows. All men behave like that. When you eat the rice in the bowl, you will look at the dish in the pot; when you bite one in the mouth, you nip another by chopsticks; you can't even wait to press one by your butt and hook one by your leg.." Bai Suxian pouted her mouth as she gave a light bite onto Zhang Tie's chest as she continued, "Take my dad as an instance, he could find all sorts of women in the mansion; however, he preferred that foxtrel Fang Xinyi. He didn't even consider about my face in the mansion if he married that woman..."
Zhang Tie didn't want to involve in the affairs in Lord Guangnan's Mansion; neither would he comment about that. After hearing Bai Suxian's words, he just replied with a smile. However, Bai Suxian suddenly thought about something as she made a roll and pressed onto Zhang Tie's body. Closely after that, she started to whisper, "Do you like that woman called Guo Hongyi?"
"Cut the crap! Why?"
"Humph. If you don't like her, how could she get a secret pearl in Xuantian Courtyard? Have you noticed how she looked at you after getting that secret pearl? If not this humble slave was on your side, that woman might have found an excuse to stay in Xuantian Courtyard!"
"Shut up, it depended on her good luck. With so many eyes in the surroundings, how could I promise that she could get that secret pearl?"
Honestly, in the opening ceremony of Iron-Dragon Sect, besides that secret pearl of Huaiyuan Palace which was fixed by Zhang Tie in advance, all the other secret pearls were distributed according to the rules without anyone's disturbance. In this situation, Guo Hongyi still got a secret pearl by good luck. As Guo Hongyi was pretty happy at that moment, she just revealed a big smile towards Zhang Tie. Zhang Tie didn't think too much about that.
"Whatever, I think that you could have a method to have her get that secret pearl. Those rules might be available to other knights; however, you must have a method to determine who to own those secret pearls!"
Zhang Tie's heart raced. Sometimes, this woman's sixth sense and intuition were terrifying when it was involved with sex.
"If I liked her, why would I choose such a tortuous method? Why not directly gift her a silver secret item?"
"You're right!" Bai Suxian agreed. After thinking about the temperament of this man whom she was hugging, she was sure that this man would not be so stingy.
"I was thinking, what would you do if you found out that I cheated you one day?" Zhang Tie asked in a glassy-eyed look.
Chapter 1068: A Burning Village
Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem
"Are you a demon?"
"No!"
"Are you a member of Three-eye Association?"
"No!"
"Then no problem. What else could you cheat me with? Master, you saved this humble slave's life. You can take away whatever you want from me!"
Zhang Tie had not imagined that Bai Suxian could reply him in this way.
As Bai Suxian replied, she bit Zhang Tie's ear and started to twist her naked body once again.
"I mean...if...if one day you find another identity of me, what will you do?" Zhang Tie pressed Bai Suxian down in case she moved.
"As long as master doesn't dislike me and doesn't chase me away; as long as master keep this humble slave on your side to look after you. This humble slave will do whatever master wants..."
'Damn!' Watching Bai Suxian's enchanting slim eyes and blush, Zhang Tie knew that this question became effective, 'What I'm concerned about is nothing but sh*t in Bai Suxian's eyes, not to mention that Zhang Tie is not a wanted criminal anymore; even though Bai Suxian knows that I'm Zhang Tie and could change my figure and look, based on her temperament, this woman would only feel it's more stimulative.'
'Given the identity of Bai Suxian, besides those who betrayed humans and Taixia Country as a whole would make her disgusting, this woman might really not care about the real identity of Zhang Tie at all.'
'Sometimes, if a woman falls in love with someone, she would be more dedicated than the man.'
'Well, whatever. Perhaps, this woman will leave me after staying with me for a couple of years when she feels that I'm boring.'
Zhang Tie became silent. Bai Suxian put her hand into the quilt...
"Stop, it's going to break..."
"Master, it's still 1 hour left!"
...
When the atmosphere in the bedroom became increasingly ambiguous and the lipid in Zhang Tie's body rose sharply, a bell at the head of their bed rang loudly.
This bell would ring only in contingency. After this airboat left Xuantian City, this ring finally rang for the first time.
"Emergency!" When Zhang Tie heard this bell ring, he sprung up from the bed at once. Although he was naked, he strode towards a speaking trumpet which was connected to a brass pipe and picked up the phone.
This airboat was matched with a set of senior equipment. It contained the voice-transmitting pipes which were usually matched in airships. By contrast, the two terminal ends of voice-transmitting pipes on the airboat were evenly matched with a more advanced alchemist's device. Being similar to a mini loudspeaker, this alchemist' device could make sound clearer and stabler. The listener could easily hear it through the loudspeaker, which was similar to the effect of face-to-face talk.
"What's happening?"
"Master, there's a big fire accident in a village in the far. It doesn't look good!" Linghu Biao replied through the brass pipes, which indicated that he was on duty in the command module of the airboat at this moment. Although Linghu Biao always behaved in a noisy, gay and boisterous manner, he sounded very serious at this moment.
"Where are we?"
"We're still in Mingzhou Province. But we will enter the border of Zhongzhou Province in 1 hour!"
Zhang Tie faintly frowned as he continued to ask, "How far are we from the burning village?"
"It's still over 150 miles away. We could arrive there in 10 minutes at the current speed of Iron-Dragon Airboat!"
This airboat was renamed Iron-Dragon by Zhang Tie.
"Wake up all the others. I will arrive at the command module soon!"
"Yes, sir!"
Zhang Tie turned around and threw a glance at Bai Suxian who was sitting up with a blush, "Let's go there together!"
'I will see who's destroying this grandma's good thing.' Bai Suxian thought as she gritted her teeth.
Bai Suxian pulled down a rope on the side of the bed. Twelve beautiful female servants immediately entered the bedroom with tidy clothes and cleansing wares one after another and started to serve them.
Zhang Tie had experienced this process in the Navyblue Castle for the first time. When Zhang Tie faced such a sexy scene for the first time, his face blushed and heart pounded. He almost couldn't bear it. As a result, he was a bit embarrassed at that time. By contrast, Zhang Tie was not a virgin now; even though he was naked and facing the 8 beautiful female servants on Bai Suxian's side, he still looked as calm as usual and was not afraid of being observed by them at all. However, the 8 beautiful female servants blushed when they saw Zhang Tie's sturdy, naked body. Even though they still couldn't stand to glance at Zhang Tie. Since they were born, actually they had not served any man beside Bai Suxian.
...
As knights, they would finish putting on clothes and cleansing themselves as fast as possible in this emergency situation; especially when some people were serving them. Even though Bai Suxian only spent less than 7 minutes in finishing the whole process. Of course, if not in a hurry, Bai Suxian could also prolong this process to above 1 hour.
In a wholly new dress, Zhang Tie left the bedroom with Bai Suxian and soon arrived at the command module of the airboat.
Zhang Tie's disciples moved even a bit faster than Zhang Tie. Before Zhang Tie and Bai Suxian arrived at the command module, all the 121 inside door disciples of Zhang Tie had already been waiting for them inside the command module.
"Master, Peak Master Bai!"
Standing in a few rows, the inside door disciples of Iron-Dragon Sect hailed Zhang Tie and Bai Suxian at the same time. Only a few of them dared call Bai Suxian "master's wife" privately. In Iron-Dragon Sect, Zhang Tie only told his disciples that Bai Suxian was the master of a peak in Iron-Dragon Sect. After Iron-Dragon Sect was established in Yangui Mountain Range, Bai Suxian would occupy one of the 18 Xuantian peaks in Yangui Mountain Range and select some apprentices from Iron-Dragon Sect to instruct them.
Being silent, Zhang Tie directly came to the front of the ground optical imaging instrument in the command module and lowered his head.
It was the vast land underfoot. It didn't break now as the stars and moons were still hanging over the sky. It was pitch dark downside there. By contrast, the flames in the village became more dazzling.
In front of that optical imaging instrument, Zhang Tie found that the village was on the riverside at the foot of a mountain. There was no big city within 100 square miles. There were fertile farmlands at the riverside. The village was tranquil and graceful. By contrast, the flames looked grimmer.
It was not a house that caught fire; instead, the greater part of the village caught fire. As the airboat moved forward, although the ground images would be blocked by clouds transiently, Zhang Tie could still see many corpses lying on the ground and commoners who were running and wailing in the fierce flames through the ground optical imaging instrument...
"Let's take a look downside there..." Zhang Tie told Bai Suxian.
Bai Suxian nodded with a solemn look.
"Master, do we need to do something?" Liu Xing asked.
"It's unidentified down side there. You'd better observe the surroundings in the sky and wait for my message..."
Chapter 1069: Kill and Save
Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem
Heavy smokes were rushing into the sky from the tranquil village. After leaving the airboat, Zhang Tie and Bai Suxian soon arrived at the destination after traveling dozens of miles.
In the sky, Zhang Tie's eyes faintly revealed a lotus-flower shaped halo and changed the halo several times silently before seeing everything in the village.
In the flames, Zhang Tie saw people running hurriedly in all directions with flashing sabers and swords and spraying blood.
It was a massacre. Some people were wailing; some were dying; some were resisting.
Over 40 people were making a massacre and setting fire across the village.
Those killers were in disordered clothes; however, they were very ferocious. What was more, Zhang Tie found that all of these killers were LV 9 fighters.
Zhang Tie understood it immediately that these people were bloody figures that escaped from Zhongzhou Province.
...
In the east of the village which was covered with raging flames, there was a plain grain-sunning ground near the foot of the mountain, a tough Hua man was waving his huge saber, the handle of which was carved with a ghost's head and leading over 20 young Hua people to fight over 10 bloody figures who were moving around the grain-sunning ground.
The tough man and the surrounding young men were all wounded. Over 30 corpses were lying around the grain-sunning ground, most of which were young men; only a few of them were split into two halves, which might belong to those bloody figures.
"Forming a battle formation. Stay on my side. Injured ones stay inside the battle formation and don't break out..." The tough man roared as he waved his huge saber and fought those bloody figures.
The tough man's bloody battle qi totem was rolling behind him like an exotic, fierce tiger. He kept chopping and moving as he constantly punched towards the bloody figures. His battle qi formed in the shape of a fist and flew towards those bloody figures within 10 m, which could protect those young men in his battle formation.
Among those young men in the battle formation, a couple of them also released battle qi totems; however, all of them were LV 6 black spiders.
Over 10 bloody figures were besieging them. Perhaps, this tough man had already killed some bloody figures; therefore, the rest bloody figures were scared of him. At this moment, those bloody figures were fighting these people on the grain-sunning ground like wolf packs. The tough man's off-hand strikes and huge saber were both powerful. Therefore, these bloody figures could only fight him in a flexible way. Meanwhile, they radiated bloody eye lights and wailed like wild beasts while seeking for the chance to break the defense line of these people.
Hearing the cries and wails from inside the village, all the young men being besieged by the bloody figures knew what was happening in the distance. However, they could only grit their teeth to stand it while bleeding and dropping tears.
All the partners who wanted to go back home to save their family members due to impulsion had become corpsed around the grain-sunning ground. The sudden catastrophe and brutal reality made these survivors strong-willed. They could only resist the attack of the bloody figures at their full efforts.
In the blink of an eye, 5-6 bloody figures ran towards them from the flames in the distance while their mouths were covered with blood. Some of them were even holding slim and tender arms and shins of babies and gnawing them.
"You sons of bitches..." The tough man who was waving his huge saber was so furious that his eyes almost jumped out of his eye sockets. However, he couldn't break out. Perhaps he could kill two more bloody figures; he might also break through the besiege of these LV 9 bloody figures; however, if he did that, all young men on his side would be killed in less than 1 minute.
Therefore, he had to stand it until the reinforcement arrived. Such raging flames were pretty eye-catching in the evening. Even though there wasn't any city in the surroundings, as long as an airship flew by, it could pass the message to the superiors of this territory; perhaps the reinforcement was already on their way...
The new bloody figures brought a greater stress to these people on the grain-sunning ground abruptly. Although the bloody figures were still moving around these people; they launched more tentative attacks towards these people. The more active the bloody figures were, the more dangerous these people on the grain-sunning ground were.
The bloody figures didn't speak; they just communicated in muffled voice or roars and watched these people on the grain-sunning ground with red eyes. Nobody knew what these wild-beasts like bloody figures were thinking about.
In a split second, five bloody figures attacked the battle formation from 5 directions at the same time. At the sight of this, the tough man roared and immediately punched 5 battle qi towards the 5 bloody figures respectively.
Pitifully, the LV 10 fighter didn't hit bloody figures with his battle qi; instead, he hit some shadows in the air.
As a result, the shadows were shattered into pieces by the tough man's battle qi, spraying bloody flesh in all directions.
The shadows were not bloody figures, but some young men's corpses that the other bloody figures had picked up from the ground.
The bloody figures were in a tacit cooperation and pretty cunning. When the tough man shattered the corpses into pieces by his punch-shaped battle qi, the five bloody figures who were approaching the battle formation from 5 directions suddenly retreated. At the same time, three bloody figures rushed towards the young men's battle formation from the other three directions respectively while exposing their fangs.
Additionally, 6 bloody figures rushed towards the tough man at the same time.
'It's too bad.' The tough man thought as his heart pounded.
"Let's fight these sons of bitches to death..." A young man in the battle formation shouted.
"Go die!" The tough man had also determined to fight those bloody figures at the cost of his life. He waved his huge saber and involved in three bloody figures who were rushing towards him with his saber aura. At the same time, he punched towards another bloody figure, sending him flying in the distance...
In this process, the tough man revealed his loopholes. The other two bloody figures seized the opportunity and immediately caused two grim wounds on the tough man's back and lower abdomen.
LV 10 fighter's battle qi strikes were not limitless. Additionally, a LV 10 fighter was also scared of the wheel war and besiege from LV 9 opponents.
When the tough man was injured, the battle formation collided with the three bloody figures. Two young men in the battle formation uttered a muffled sound and got injured at the same time. As a result, the battle formation was weakened a bit...
After seizing the opportunity, all the surrounding bloody figures roared and rushed forward.
At the critical moment, Zhang Tie and Bai Suxian arrived.
"Sons of b*tches..." Bai Suxian was irritated. Before Zhang Tie started his attack, Bai Suxian's eyes had turned cold. She wove her hand while white battle qi lines as dense as rain covered the entire grain-sunning ground like a huge net.
The moment the white battle qi lines were tightened up, the heads of over 10 bloody figures in the grain-sunning ground had been chopped off. Closely after that, their bodies were cut into pieces in a split second. However, that tough man and those young men who formed the battle formation were all safe and sound.
At the sight of this scene, even Zhang Tie applauded for Bai Suxian inside.
In a split second, those people who were resisting bloody figures in the grain-sunning ground felt that the heavy bloody smell suffused. The tough man who was waving the huge saber also looked up and caught sight of Zhang Tie and Bai Suxian immediately.
In the flames, Zhang Tie and Bai Suxian arrived with surging qis. At the sight of them, the tough man knew that their saviors finally arrived.
"You take care of them here. I'm afraid that few people are still alive in the village. I will kill all of the b*stards!" Zhang Tie told Bai Suxian.
"Fine!" Bai Suxian always followed Zhang Tie's order on such occasions. It was a bit privity that they cultivated when fighting demon knights in the Earth-elements Realm.
Zhang Tie threw a glance at the grain-sunning ground as he let out a sigh inside. Before those people on the grain-sunning ground appreciated him, he had disappeared in the air.
Because he moved too fast, commoners could not catch his movement by naked eyes. Therefore, those people on the grain-sunning ground thought that Zhang Tie disappeared out of the void.
Zhang Tie didn't know how these bloody figures communicated with each other. When Bai Suxian launched her strike, even though those bloody figures didn't utter any voice until death, Zhang Tie still found that all the bloody figures who were making a massacre and setting fires in the village became still for a second. Closely after that, all the rest bloody figures escaped in all directions.
It would be a joke if Zhang Tie allowed these bloody figures to escape under his eyes.
Zhang Tie moved as fast as a lightning bolt. Only after flying around the village two circles, he had killed all the bloody figures by shooting them with his battle qi from his fingers, except for two, who were left alive purposefully by Zhang Tie. The farthest one was only less than 100 m away from the village.
At this moment, these LV 9 bloody figures were as weak as flies with broken wings and legs who were waiting to be killed by a heavy hammer.
It took Zhang Tie a few time to kill all the bloody figures in the village. By contrast, it took him a long time to save people. Under Zhang Tie's lotus-flower eyes, he could see clearly all the alive people who were hiding in the cellars and wells. He saved them one after another. He even broke two cellars by force...
Chapter 1070: Ruins in the Bloody Flames
Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem
In the raging flame, a wooden building had collapsed partly. Commoners would not stay in this high-temperature environment at all, except for Zhang Tie.
In that collapsed building, few corpses had been charred, suffusing a vomiting odor.
As Zhang Tie caught sight of a person in the cellar below this building, he flew over here and opened the entrance of the cellar by tender force and prepared to take the alive person out of there.
This cellar had a few air vents. Therefore, the person in the cellar did not suffocate to death.
When Zhang Tie opened the cellar, a person charged out of there as she stabbed a knife towards Zhang Tie. Zhang Tie caught her wrist. The female raised her head and looked at Zhang Tie with extremely rancorous, tearful eyes as she swore, "You beasts...". Closely after that, she opened her mouth while lowering her head as she bit Zhang Tie's wrist forcefully.
She was a 17-year-old girl with dust and tears over her face. It seemed that she had already become delirious. Being stimulated by fear and animosity constantly, she had passed out when she bit Zhang Tie's wrist.
Watching this girl biting him forcefully, Zhang Tie faintly frowned. Closely after that, he caught her wrist and left the cellar. They soon arrived at the grain-sunning ground. At this moment, Zhang Tie made the muscles on his arms move, sliding away from the girl's mouth before handing her to those people over there.
"What happened?" Watching the girl biting Zhang Tie forcefully with a knife in hand, Bai Suxian asked out of curiosity.
"Her family members might have already been killed. When I saved her out of the cellar, she mistook me as a bloody figure. Therefore, she immediately stabbed towards me with her knife. Closely after that, she even bit me. As she was too exhausted, she passed out directly!" Zhang Tie explained it to Bai Suxian. Closely after that, he disappeared once again.
Besides this girl, Zhang Tie saved many batches of alive people. Some kids who hid in the well in their homes at the request of their family members survived the catastrophe.
When these people were saved, some of them also cried and struggled like that girl. Not until they were put on the grain-sunning ground, saw the tough man and listened to the explanation did these people recover their composure.
After saving those alive people, Zhang Tie also saved those heavily wounded ones from the collapsed houses and brought them to the grain-sunning ground in the village.
Under the guidance of the tough man, the grain-sunning ground was cleaned up as the temporary settlements of these live villagers. Bai Suxian took out his portable medicines and instructed those alive young men to save people with the medicines.
Bai Suxian was like a fairy in the eyes of those young men.
It was Zhang Tie's first time to find that Bai Suxian could be so kindhearted.
Perhaps, Bai Suxian was too eye-catching when she appeared or had a strong qi field. Additionally, she had been used to command people since she was young. After Zhang Tie moved all the alive people to the grain-sunning ground, he found that Bai Suxian had already become the boss of all the others here. Everybody here was following her order.
After Zhang Tie put down the last alive person who was severely burned, he told his disciples to suspend the Fire Dragon Airboat over this place through remote-sensing crystal ring. After that, Bai Suxian walked towards Zhang Tie with that tough man.
The tough man's traumas had been treated. However, he was still a bit weary spiritually with a weak and pale look. If Zhang Tie and Bai Suxian were a few minutes late, nobody in the village could survive this massacre.
"Xu Yian appreciates Fire Dragon Hermit for saving our lives on behalf of all the alive villagers in Xujia Village!"
Bai Suxian might have already told the tough man about Zhang Tie's identity; therefore, the tough man immediately made a deep bow towards Zhang Tie the moment he came to Zhang Tie's front.
Additionally, Zhang Tie saved them sincerely. He didn't put on his airs as an earth knight. This tough man had seen what Zhang Tie had done by saving so many villagers from the raging flames and the water. Therefore, he respected Zhang Tie sincerely.
Zhang Tie was especially interested in the LV 10 battle qi totem that this tough man released just now. When in Waii Subcontinent, as there were very few mutated beasts above LV 10 in the underground world, most of the cultivators could not have a chance to integrate the LV 10 mutated beasts' soul flames with their own battle qis after promoting to LV 10 fighters. As a result, they could only release a "white totem with no image on it". At the sight of the LV 10 fighter's battle qi totem with an image on it, Zhang Tie was curious about that at once. It was even rarer than seeing a knight here.
This indicated the sharp difference in cultivating resources between different continents. Taixia Country had extensive land and rich resources. It was hard to see mutated beasts above LV 10 in the underground world of the other subcontinents; however, they could definitely find them in the underground world of Taixia Country. Besides, Taixia Country had more species of mutated beasts from LV 6 to LV 9 than that in other subcontinents.
"How do you feel now?" Zhang Tie asked.
"Thanks for your concern, Hermit. I'm much better after taking one vial of medium-level recovery medicament from sister Bai!" Xu Yian's mouth corners twitched; however, he couldn't laugh out.
"What happened here?"
"Honestly, I have no idea. All of a sudden, I felt I was on the battlefield as I heard the miserable shrieks from inside the village. Before I went to see what happened with these young men who were cultivating with me, over 10 bloody figures had rushed towards us and besieged us. If these young men didn't cultivate with me before each daybreak over these years, I'm afraid that nobody in Xujia Village could survive in the end..." Xu Yian said in a bitter tone.
Xu Yian had the greatest battle strength in Xujia Village. He was a soldier before. After retiring from the troop, he even worked as a bounty criminal hunter for a period. In late years, after the holy war broke out, he returned to Xujia Village and trained the young men in Xujia Village so that they could protect themselves in the flames of war.
However, there was only one LV 10 strong fighter in Xujia Village. It was Xu Yian who enabled these young men to survive the catastrophe tonight. Without this LV 10 strong fighter, Zhang Tie and Bai Suxian would not see anyone alive in this village when they arrived.
After talking with Zhang Tie for a short while, Xu Yian had felt that it became suddenly darker in the sky. He raised his head and saw the Iron-Dragon Airboat which was slowly declining. Xu Yian was shocked too much by this over 600-m long airboat even though he had seen the world.
Those young men who survived the catastrophe started to be in an uproar as they felt a great stress from the declining airboat.
As Xu Yian had seen the world, he was shocked by such a huge airboat. Xu Yian knew that those clans which had private airboats in Taixia Country were all not average. Many major clans with knights didn't even have a private airboat, not to mention average clans. Additionally, the size of the airboat in Taixia Country also indicated the position of the master of the airboat. In Taixia Country, even a commander's airboat was only about 500 m in length. However, this airboat was about 600 m in length, which indicated the prestigious identity of its owner.
The airboat was too long and huge to park in Xujia Village. Finally, the airboat could only suspend above a mountain slope over 200 m away from the grain-sunning ground. After dropping the rope from the airboat, the 121 apprentices of Zhang Tie soon got off the airboat and converged with Zhang Tie on the grain-sunning ground.
After Zhang Tie's apprentices got off the airboat, a team of 49 elite guards of Bai Suxian stayed inside the airboat. The head of those elite guards was a LV 15 battle spirit. They could manipulate the airboat.
When the 121 apprentices of Zhang Tie passed by Xujia Village, many of them were shocked by the raging flames and the corpses scattering on both sides of the roads. As a result, the faces of many young apprentices who had not experienced such a horrible scene turned pale. When some female apprentices caught sight of the corpses which had been half charred and some kids' incomplete corpses that were shared by some bloody figures, they had started to throw up crazily before they arrived at the grain-sunning ground.
Liu Xing and the other apprentices of Zhang Tie also looked pretty bad. Even though they had experienced the brutal battles in the Earth-elements Realm, their hearts still pounded when they saw so many corpses across the small village in Taixia Country. They felt that such brutal images should not appear in Taixia Country...
What they saw shocked them greatly.
When all the 121 apprentices arrived at the grain-sunning ground, the day had already broken.
"Master!" All the apprentices bowed towards Zhang Tie.
Zhang Tie threw a glance at those apprentices with pale faces before uttering, "Liu Xing, Zhao Bing and Wu Yinhui, you lead a team of LV 9 fighters respectively and search 35 miles away with this village as the original point. Catch any alive bloody figure back. I need them to breathe even if you break their limbs. If you cannot catch them alive, kill them. When you encounter any powerful enemy or dangerous situation, send signals to me. The others just stay here to help them deal with the funeral affairs..."
Chapter 1071: An Achievement
Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem
Since they left Xuantian City, it was Zhang Tie's first time to assign a task to his disciples.
Although there was not any extremely talented person among his disciples, all of them were smarter than average people. All of these disciples knew that Zhang Tie took them out to practice them and make them coordinate with each other. Their performance in this task would be directly related to Zhang Tie's comments about them and might determine their position in Iron-Dragon Sect in the future.
More than one disciple had such a thought. Actually, all the disciples of Iron Dragon Hermit were very active in front of Zhang Tie. After receiving Zhang Tie's order, all of his disciples started to move rapidly while gritting their teeth, including those female disciples who had vomited so severely at the sight of those corpses that their faces even turned pale.
Among Zhang Tie's disciples, 53 of them were LV 9 fighters. If they were distributed into three teams, two teams would contain 18 members respectively while one team would contain 17 members. With the arrangement of Liu Xing, the 53 people were soon distributed into three teams and left the small village in three directions as fast as possible so as to search for the alive bloody figures. The rest disciples started to put out fire and deal with the corpses in the village...
Zhang Tie just watched his disciples doing all this. Standing on Zhang Tie's side, Xu Yian looked at Zhang Tie and Zhang Tie's disciples who were busy doing their jobs as his eyes flickered...
"Where's the nearest city?" Zhang Tie asked Xu Yian.
"The nearest big city is Xingyu City over 250 miles away. Xingyu City is a Class A city where massive forces were stationed in. If the situation here was spread to Xingyu City, I'm afraid that Xingyu City will assign rescue here very soon!"
Zhang Tie nodded, "Just let me know if you need any help!"
"Thanks, Hermit!" Xu Yian looked at Zhang Tie's disciples before asking, "Hermit, are all these people...your disciples? I wonder about the location of your sect."
"Hmm, they're all my disciples. Iron-Dragon Sect is in the Fire Dragon Bounty Territory of Northeast Military Region!"
After hearing Fire Dragon Bounty Territory, Xu Yian was shocked once again. He knew that most of the bounty territories in Taixia Country were rewarded due to great military exploits. Now that Fire Dragon Bounty Territory was so similar to the appellation of Fire Dragon Hermit, it indicated that this bounty territory was made by Fire Dragon Hermit himself through great military exploits.
'If he did not have a great talent, how could Fire Dragon Hermit have such a large area of bounty territory?'
After hearing Zhang Tie's words and watching those young men who survived themselves, Xu Yian confirmed his mind once again.
'No matter what, I have to ask for a chance for these young men who survived this catastrophe in Xujia Village.' Xu Yian made a decision inside.
"Oh, I found that you've reached LV 10 and have a great battle strength. I wonder about the secret method that you're cultivating?" Zhang Tie asked Xu Yian.
Xu Yian shook his head before replying, "This humble man is just a little figure, how could I have a chance to practice any secret method. I'm just cultivating Heavenly Blue Sutra ."
" Heavenly Blue Sutra ?" Zhang Tie slightly frowned as this name was too strange and sounded a bit weird.
"The predecessor of Heavenly Blue Sutra is God Sutra . However, as it's incomplete, I could at most promote to LV 13 battle general. This humble man didn't have a chance to join a major sect. Therefore..." Xu Yian became embarrassed before continuing, "But I will be satisfied with it if I could promote to a LV 13 battle general in my life based on my qualification..."
After hearing Xu Yian's answer, Zhang Tie suddenly remembered that he was cultivating the emperor-level "King Roc Sutra" and had gained a lot of secret methods that were above baron level and could help people promote to knights due to various reasons.
In Zhang Tie's opinion, ** sutra that could help the cultivator promote to knight's realm was really valuable secret methods. However, Zhang Tie forgot that it was very difficult for most of the cultivators to gain a ** sutra in both Waii Subcontinent and Taixia Country.
'When in Waii Subcontinent, I almost lost my life only for a ** sutra. Even I had to pay such a high price for a ** sutra at that moment; not to mention the others.'
'Lan Yunxi told me that the secret methods below sutra could be further divided into five levels, namely; dao, law, sutra, genre and skill. ** dao could enable people to promote to a battle spirit; ** law could enable people to promote to a battle demon; ** sutra could enable people to promote to a battle general; ** genre could enable people to promote to a battle master. The predecessor of "King Roc Sutra" is the most average "Barbarous Ox Skill" which could only enable people to promote to LV 11.
"Which kind of secret method does God Sutra belong to?"
" God Sutra is a count-level secret method. Although Heavenly Blue Sutra is incomplete and could only enable cultivators to light 297 surging points, it contains a complete God's Saber Skill . When one promotes to a battle general, this saber skill could display its power..."
...
After a brief talk with Zhang Tie, Xu Yian also started to organize those young men who survived the massacre to put out fire and collect corpses. By the way, checking whether there were any alive people left.
Zhang Tie stood still as Xuyian's words reminded him of one possibility, 'I might be able to recover these incomplete secret methods.'
'Although I've lit all of my surging points. I could still simulate the effects of various secret methods and skills benefited from the King Roc Sutra that I cultivate. The process of simulation is actually to light my surging points once again in a bizarre dormant state benefited from a feather of King Roc Sutra . What if I could simulate those lost parts of secret methods through King Roc Sutra in the trouble-reappearance situation?'
When he thought about this, Zhang Tie's heart palpitated.
'If I could simulate the secret methods above marquis level and could gain the complete skills that are matched with these secret methods, doesn't it mean that I would gain the complete versions of these secret methods?'
'In Taixia Country, there are all sorts of secret methods below sutra. Now that there is such an incomplete version of Heavenly Blue Sutra which contains a complete God's Saber Skill , there must be other incomplete secret methods which are more advanced than Heavenly Blue Sutra and are matched with complete skills. As long as I paid attention to that, it would not be difficult for me to find them.'
'After coming to Taixia Country, I reunited with my family members in Youzhou Province in a relaxed way for a few days. Closely after that, I was involved in the tragedy in Fuhai City and had to escape. After such a radical change, I almost forgot that I had a such a trump card.' Zhang Tie forcefully patted his head when he thought about this.
"What's wrong with you?" Bai Suxian asked out of concern when she noticed Zhang Tie's movement.
Zhang Tie replied with a smile, "Nothing!"
"Actually, you don't need to blame yourself too much. We've already tried our best. If we arrived here a bit earlier, we truly could save more people. However, such a tragedy is unpredictable!" Bai Suxian comforted Zhang Tie in a tender voice.
"I know. Ohh, what's the name of that skill that you used just now? It looks nice..."
After hearing Zhang Tie's praise, Bai Suxian's face shone as she replied, "It's called silk traction. It fits opponents below knight level very well..."
"Xu Yian's words reminded me. Do you know where to find those incomplete secret methods below sutra? I was thinking about that; although these secret methods might be incomplete and could not enable people to promote to knights, the various battle skills that were matched with these incomplete secret methods were valuable; especially those high-level incomplete secret methods. If I could collect some complete battle skills of some incomplete secret methods, I might make a greater improvement in my battle skills through comparison!" Zhang Tie told Bai Suxian.
"Master, why did you not tell me that earlier? If you told me a bit earlier, I would have brought hundreds of incomplete secret methods along with their complete battle skills from Lord Guangnan's Mansion to you this time!"
"Hoho, no need to move the collections in Lord Guangnan's Mansion. As they have limited value, if you brought them to me from Lord Guangnan's Mansion, it might cause gossips. I could find them in Taixia Country too!"
Bai Suxian rolled her beautiful eyes before saying, "Master, if you want these things, you could find them in the private markets opened by the top seven sects in Taixia Country. You could find almost everything in the private markets of the top seven sects.
"The private markets of top seven sects in Taixia Country?"
"Right. Although they are private markets; actually the 7 private markets have already formed 7 super large cities in Taixia Country within the sphere of influence of the top seven sects respectively. The nearest private market is the Gold and Power Market of Gold and Power Law. After passing Zhongzhou Province and entering the territory of Xuanyuan Hill, you would find Gold and Power Market. I've been to Gold and Power Market with my dad when I was young. Gold and Power Market is almost the most prosperous place in human territory. It's said that you could even exchange for rare space-teleportation equipment in Gold and Power Market..."
"You arouse my interest. After the unrest is pacified, we will take a look in Gold and Power Market and broaden our vision!"
As they talked with each other, another airship suspended in the sky.
The raging flames in Xuajia Village and the Iron-Dragon Airboat on the hillside nearby Xujia Village were too eye-catching. Anyone would know that there was an accident here the moment they saw here.
Before that airship landed, a group of people had already jumped off the airship. They opened their rotachutes in the air and landed on the open land nearby Xujia Village one after another.
The moment these people landed, some battle airships of Taixia Country had appeared and were accelerating towards here from afar...
The rescues of Xingyu City finally arrived, although being late.
Chapter 1072: Visit and News
Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem
Zhang Tie stayed in Xujia Village for 1 day.
In that day, his 53 LV 9 apprentices indeed caught 6 alive bloody figures within 35 miles under the leadership of Liu Xing, Zhao Bing and Wu Yinhui.
When the 6 bloody figures were caught back, their limbs had been broken. As a result, they could only move their heads. Plus the 6 live bloody figures, Zhang Tie caught 8 live bloody figures in total.
After the rescue force arrived from Xingyu City, the raging flames in Xujia Village were soon put out. The clean-up jobs in Xujia Village also sped up.
Only 83 of the 769 people of Xujia Village survived the one night massacre and raging flames, including those who were severely wounded. All the others had been killed or burned to death. Some kids were even eaten alive by bloody figures.
Xujia Village had completely become ruins.
The rescue force from Xingyu City was led by a border region general surnamed Lu. After confirming what happened in Xujia Village, General Lu instantly passed the situation here back to Xingyu City, which shocked the entire Xingyu City and its surroundings.
Xujia Village and Xingyu City were located in Shanghe Prefecture of Mingzhou Province, which neighbored Longxi Prefecture in Zhongzhou Province. However, the distance between Pingsha Valley, Longxi Prefecture and Xujia Village and Xingyu City was over 1,400 miles.
Only after a few days, the bloody figures that rushed out of Pingsha Valley had already exited Zhongzhou Province and influenced over 700 miles.
Although these bloody figures couldn't influence those well-prepared big cities, they could cause a great catastrophe to rural areas outside the city walls for sure.
There were numerous small villages like Xujia Village which were far away from prosperous big cities in Taixia Country. However, not each small village like Xujia Village could have a LV 10 strong fighter like Xu Yian on their back. Generally, most of the young men above LV 6 would leave these small villages and make a living outside instead of staying in their own villages. Very few people would like to stay in the small villages after reaching LV 9. Therefore, such a small village could become ruins overnight by 10-20 bloody figures.
As Zhang Tie, an earth knight, was here in Xujia Village, who had saved so many people, both General Lu and those bounty criminal hunters who jumped off the passing airship by rotachutes came here to see Zhang Tie respectfully.
Zhang Tie gained much first-hand news from General Lu and those bounty criminal hunters.
Longxi Prefecture in Zhongzhou Province was growing more chaotic. It was safe inside big cities. After learning lessons, all the big cities had been ready for combat while heavy forces were patrolling across the cities around the clock. Due to the appearance of bloody figures, many places outside the cities were in greater chaos. Those bloody figures had scattered in terms of smaller teams and were attacking villages, towns, traffic arteries and railways at any time. Additionally, they were scattering like an epidemic virus, causing people to become nerve-wracking.
Lately, bloody figures had appeared in the Shanghe Prefecture of Mingzhou Province. They started to cause troubles everywhere. After receiving the notice, the garrisons across Shanghe Prefecture had been strengthening the vigilance at the same time within 130 miles around Xingyu City. It was the utmost effort that Xingyu City could do. However, nobody could imagine that the catastrophe happened in Xujia Village. It was beyond Xingyu City's grasp. Therefore, the garrisons of Xingyu City couldn't find the problem timely. They didn't dispatch rescue force to Xujia Village until they received the message sent from the airship that passed by Xingyu City. But it was still too late.
Because of the event in Zhongzhou Province, all the major cities in Taixia Country were in strict vigilance. Even airships that parked in these major cities for supplies had to be inquired.
General Lu extended his thanks to Zhang Tie's righteous deed. Additionally, he expressed that he would provide every convenience to Zhang Tie within his ability when Zhang Tie passed Xingyu City.
The general paid a formal visit to Zhang Tie in the morning; at noon, some bounty criminal hunters also arrived.
Starting from Li Butian and Yang Zhigang, Zhang Tie had a good feeling about bounty criminal hunters in Taixia Country. In Zhang Tie's opinion, Taixia Country was too large. It contained various elements. The bounty criminal hunters in Taixia Country were like white cells in the body of Taixia Country and the woodpeckers in woods. Bounty criminal hunter was an unnecessary link of the entire ecosystem of Taixia Country. These bounty criminal hunters performed as a very positive role. When the government and the judicial system of Taixia Country couldn't solve something, they would always have the nongovernmental forces in Taixia Country deal with it. The profession of bounty criminal hunter combined the chivalrous spirit with its legal system in Taixia Country and served as an equilibrium point. As an important security force in Taixia Country, bounty criminal hunters cooperated with the Supreme Court. By serving as bounty criminal hunters, cultivators could make money and improve their battle strength. It was very not bad for both cultivators and the government of Taixia Country.
Because of this reason, Zhang Tie received those bounty criminal hunters without putting on his airs at all.
From those bounty criminal hunters, Zhang Tie knew that the Supreme Court and all the Buildings of Brightness across Taixia Country had already officially offered a reward for killing bloody figures in Zhongzhou Province.
The reward that Buildings of Brightness could provide was very high. The head of a bloody figure could be easily exchanged for 5,000 gold coins.
5,000 gold coins' reward for one LV 9 bloody figure. This reward was much greater than that for many LV 9 criminals. As for many bounty criminal hunters above LV 10, it was nothing different than gifting them money.
Being stimulated by such an alluring reward, all the able bounty criminal hunters converged in Zhongzhou Province from all directions.
Before those bounty criminal hunters paid a formal visit to Zhang Tie, they had heard that Zhang Tie caught two alive bloody figures. Therefore, they wanted to take a look at the bloody figure so that they could easily identify them. After hearing this request, Zhang Tie immediately showed the two alive bloody figures to them in the prison of his airboat.
Given their looks, it was hard to distinguish them from commoners. However, the bloody figures had two very special features. First, they didn't speak; second, their eyes contained bloodlines, which looked a bit grim and very special. Actually, people could identify bloody figures through their eyes...
Chapter 1073: Outdoor Disciples
Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem
Soon after those bounty criminal hunters left, Xu Yian had arrived.
After hearing the report from a guard on the airboat, Zhang Tie invited Xu Yian in. After meeting Zhang Tie once again, Xu Yian immediately knelt down in front of Zhang Tie like a falling mountain and pillar.
"Ahh, what are you doing? Hurry up...stand up" Zhang Tie became stunned as he hurriedly lifted Xu Yian up.
Although Xu Yian was sturdy and tall, he was still one head lower than Cui Li.
Honestly, although he was already an earth knight, Zhang Tie really couldn't stand seeing anyone kneeling down in front of him except that when his disciples knelt down in front of him to acknowledge him as their master in the opening ceremony of Iron-Dragon Sect.
Among Hua people in Taixia Country, it was a major etiquette for one to kneel down in front of the other by two knees. Even if an average fighter only needed to kneel down by one knee in front of Xuanyuan Emperor. The major etiquette of kneeling down by two knees was only used to sacrifice the heavens and the ground, the master and the parents. Even Xuanyuan Hill couldn't bear it, not to mention commoners.
Xu Yian looked very complex. Being a bit embarrassed and shameful, he looked like having made a decision. After being pulled up by Zhang Tie, he looked straight into Zhang Tie's eyes as he plucked his courage and said, "Fire Dragon Hermit, please spare a chance for the young men who have survived the massacre in Xujia Village."
"What do you mean?'
"Those young men who survived in Xujia Village had no relatives now. They are in the ebb of their lives. I have limited ability. If those young men continue to follow me, I'm afraid that their future would be influenced. After knowing that Hermit is the master of Iron-Dragon Sect, this humble man begs Hermit to spare a chance for those young men in Xujia Village..."
Zhang Tie understood Xu Yian's meaning. All the young men who survived the massacre in Xujia Village had almost lost their families. Even though he was in the airboat, Zhang Tie could still hear the heartful cries of those young men in Xujia Village. It was the first heavy blow that they suffered in their lives. Over one night, they had lost their families and homes. Given the current situation in Xujia Village, even though everything here was dealt with, nobody would like to stay here anymore.
After such a catastrophe, even though under Xu Yian's leadership, these young men would live a very difficult life in the future. Taixia Country was too large. What a LV 10 strong fighter could do with a group of young men?
When these people were most hopeless, they met Zhang Tie. Xu Yian found a hope at once.
Those young men were in deep grief. They had not considered about their future yet. Neither did they know what Zhang Tie's appearance meant. However, as Xu Yian had seen the world, he had to seize the opportunity which could change the destiny of those young men in Xujia Village.
Zhang Tie asked Xu Yian calmly, "Do you want me to enroll them as my apprentices?"
"I didn't mean to offend you. I just beg Hermit to spare a chance for them!"
Xu Yian explained very politely. Although Zhang Tie' 121 apprentices didn't have great battle strength, their temperament as disciples from major clans could not be covered at all. It was not so easy for a black iron knight to enroll apprentices, not to mention an earth knight. Honestly, although these young men in Xujia Village were pitiful, they were still far from acknowledging an earth knight as their master from all aspects.
Zhang Tie nodded inside about the polite way of speaking. Only after thinking about it for a short while, Zhang Tie had asked Xu Yian, "Do those young men know what you're doing? Will they follow your order?"
"Most of the people in Xujia Village surname Xu. Even though some of them don't have surname Xu, they are also my nephews. I could be their half master. I could determine the affairs in Xujia Village!" Xu Yian immediately became spirited as his eyes flickered when he found that Zhang Tie didn't refuse him.
"As I have to leave Xujia Village tomorrow. After I leave here, you can exchange the heads of those bloody figures that I've killed for gold coins in Xingyu City. After dealing with the affairs in Xujia Village, you take them to Xuantian City, Fire Dragon Prefecture, Northeast Military Region where you could join Iron-Dragon Sect. These young men in Xujia Village will be my outdoor disciples. You will serve as an outdoor deacon of Iron-Dragon Sect and help me look after them. How about that?"
"Thanks, Master!"
Xu Yian changed his appellation of Zhang Tie right away.
Zhang Tie's answer was much better than that Xu Yian could anticipate. After becoming the outdoor disciples of Iron-Dragon Sect, if some of the disciples in Xujia Village could be outstanding in Iron-Dragon Sect, they would also have a chance to be indoor disciples of Fire Dragon Hermit. If these young men were average in performance, they could easily root in Fire Dragon Bounty Territory or Northeast Military Region with Iron-Dragon Sect and Fire Dragon Hermit as their reliances in the future.
As for Xu Yian himself, he had been deeply convinced by Zhang Tie's battle strength and moral standing. Now that an earth knight could allow him to be an outdoor deacon of Iron-Dragon Sect, of course, Xu Yian agreed at once. He knew that many people were more qualified than him.
In the evening, Liu Xing and his team members brought back some alive bloody figures. The raging flames were also put out, leaving no sparkles at all. After such a big fire accident, there was almost no complete house in Xujia Village. There was nothing but pitch-dark ruins here when one looked down from the sky.
In the daytime, with the assistance of the rescue force from Xingyu City, all the corpses in Xujia Village had been collected. Many corpses were unidentified. As it was too hot, those collected corpses couldn't be stored for too long; otherwise, there would be a plague. Being suggested by General Lu, Xu Yian made a decision to dig a huge pit on the hillside of Xujia Village over 300 m away from the grain-sunning ground and buried all the corpses of villagers inside before building a cemetery.
After doing all this, General Lu left Xujia Village by airship with his rescue force from Xingyu City. What happened in Xujia Village shocked the surroundings. Many places were in strict vigilance. When General Lu was in Xujia Village, he had received the order from the superior. Right in this daytime, a company of traveling merchants in the suburb of Pingxian Country over 130 miles away from Xingyu City was robbed. All the 40-odd people were killed. According to the analysis, another team of about 10 bloody figures probably had arrived there. Being afraid that other bloody figures would appear nearby Xingyu City, the superior requested General Lu to encircle and annihilate them with his rescue force...
...
Two bonfires were set on the hillside beside Xujia Village. Those young men who survived this massacre and Zhang Tie's apprentices were sitting on each side of the two bonfires.
It was the cemetery of Xujia Village nearby the bonfires.
The preliminary grave mound of the cemetery was like a small hill. Later on, Xu Yian would lead those young men who survived the massacre to further complete the building of this cemetery. After leaving Xujia Village, Xu Yian didn't know when would he come back. Therefore, this cemetery had to be firm and stand over 100 years. Because this was the last spiritual pillar for these young men in Xujia Village to stay alive.
Additionally, there should be a religious ceremony to reassure the souls of the late people. The injured ones needed to be treated. Their relatives and friends outside Xujia Village should be noticed. Not until finishing doing all this could Xu Yian and those young men went to Fire Dragon Bounty Territory for Zhang Tie.
Zhang Tie's disciples were sitting on one side of the bonfires and roasting sweet potatoes. Although there were fleshes on Zhang Tie's airboat, after experiencing such a massacre, they would vomit the moment they saw meat not to mention eating it; especially for those people who were below LV 9.
Everybody was silent because of sadness or being touched by what happened today. Living in the most powerful human country in such a prosperous age, many Zhang Tie's apprentices didn't experience such a tragic situation before. Watching such a tranquil and vigorous village in Taixia Country vanishing overnight in front of them, many people were touched greatly.
Only a few people were whispering around the bonfires.
As it was the alternative period between the summer and autumn, the raging bonfire attracted a lot of fireflies, who were flying around the bonfires. Through the flames, they could even see the wide area of wildflowers on the hillside and the sparkling stars above their head. Although it was a beautiful scenery, nobody felt romatic at all.
Some young men in Xujia Village were even sobbing. On this occasion, even Liu Xing and the other apprentices of Zhang Tie became silent.
The roasted sweet potatoes were almost cooked well while a special sweet fragrance was suffusing in the surroundings. Liu Xing moved forward and fiddled them with a twig before saying, "The most roast sweet potatoes are almost cooked well, junior sister apprentices, you could eat them first..."
Liu Xing was indeed qualified to be Zhang Tie's first apprentice; especially after completing today's task with the experience in the Earth-elements Realm at the cost of blood and tears and his instinct. Liu Xing's performance had won the approval of many people among Zhang Tie's apprentices. His position as the first apprentice of Fire Dragon Hermit was also consolidated.
After saying that, Liu Xing saw Zhang Tie and Bai Suxian walking towards him, followed by Bai Suxian's bodyguards. Those bodyguards were holding something. The two bodyguards at the end of the team even lifted two bloody figures who were already crippled...
As the wind blew, Liu Xing sniffed the bloody smell from those items in the hands of those bodyguards behind Zhang Tie immediately...