Emerald Amethyst group-
"Young master Huang, we are approaching the core region, sir." One of the soldiers spoke to a cart in the middle.
"No need to rush in. Send the scouts in to survey the situation. We will proceed only when they give a green signal." The man bowed and instructed the scouts to survey the topography and the situation in the core region. A group of scouts immediately rushed in.
Soon enough, they returned with positive news.
"Sir the road ahead is clear. The scouts reported traces of battle but it seems there is no one present with the core region at the site we are approaching. The parties involved must have been hurt and went into hiding.
"Is the news credible? We would be wasting time here if Frost lilies aren't present in a good quantity." Young master Huang spoke up.
"The news came from a reputed merchant house and was crossreferenced with many cultivators and guilds. Many people are rushing into this region as it is said to be filled with frost lilies. "
"What does young master suggest we do?" The man asked.
"Began preparing your troops. We will rob every single cultivator who steps into the Misty Valley. No matter which force they belong to, we will eliminate and snatch their resources. It is the only way I will manage to make up for the quota required by the mission. Assume you know the importance of me becoming a holy son."
"We will do everything to make young master Huang a holy son of the Hall. I just hope that when a young master climbs to the top of power, you don't forget our efforts." The man said.
"Help me become a holy son, and the least I can promise is to make five of your top-ranked Qi Kings into Qi emperors within half a year, with the power of my authority." The words were too shocking for the man to respond. Five Qi Emperors within half a year, he just couldn't comprehend how powerful he would become if that became true.
"And I said at the very least. There is always the option of cooperating in the long run with me supporting your branch. If all goes well and I manage to become a cardinal, I will make your group the strongest in Misty valley. We might even be able to dominate the whole region."
Young master Huang's words were too appealing, and the leader couldn't resist the bait.
"Let's proceed to the core region, sir." The convoy went in deeper. They began to kill the very cultivator they came across in their path and the pile of treasures began to grow. The team finally decided to set up camp in one of the secluded regions they could find with the core area. The tents were set up and the men were resting for the next day.
"What are our gains?"
"We have managed to collect around 15 stalks of frost lilies and many artifacts from independent cultivators. We didn't find any small group or the profit earned would have been bigger than this."
"It isn't even 1% of my whole requirement. We need to hurry up. Tell the soldiers that we will be leaving the camp in 6 hours and they better be ready for a long journey. We can't waste time here."
"Sir, if worse comes to worst, we will just have to buy frost lilies from other groups. We can easily make-up the whole quota of yours."
"You seem to underestimate the Hall a bit. There is always a surveillance team on my back, recording every move of mine. DO you think no other holy son ever thought of this way to pass the assessment? They had, but the result which came out of it wasn't good."
"I need to earn the amount with my efforts. And even if I buy them, it has to be with my own money. I suppose you all know the price of frost lilies. The amount required will need your branch to spend all its savings completely in addition to a debt which you will have to repay by other means. I am not that resourceful. In the history of the guild, only the second holy son managed to complete the task that way."
"I am sorry for my unfilial act. I will get my men ready immediately."
"I am ruthless, but not a fool. Have them rest for a bit. The journey into Misty valley is not an easy one. For all we know, an enemy is watching us from the shadows even at this moment, listening to our conversation." Young master Huang said with a smile.
'I am impressed with your detection ability." Another voice rang within the tent. The captain and young mater Huang turned to see a fairly pale-looking young man standing at one corner of the room. The captain was shocked that he hadn't managed to sense an enemy within their tent.
"Well, it isn't detection, as much as it was intuition. I threw a bait, and you took it."
"Since the bait is taken, we shall begin the clash then." The pale young man took his sword out and slashed towards the two people. The after from the clash was felt by every single cultivator in the area and they immediately rushed out to see. It was also a signal for the Black-Devil's troops to attack the camp.
A full frontal clash immediately took place.
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"When should we interfere, sir?" One of the peak Qi Kings asked Li Meng.
"We are going to strike it rich this time. Not only will we be able to get a lot of resources in our hands, but I might also even be able to set a coalition between the guild and Emerald Amethyst Hall. You might even be rewarded for your efforts."
"What about our plans to act as a fisherman who gains benefits when two sharks fight?"
"I have to make a few modifications to the original plan. If I am not wrong, the group which is currently clashing with Emerald Amethyst has another subsidiary group hiding in the shadows waiting for a signal to attack Hall's convoy from behind. We took care of one such group, weakening their forces substantially, and this might work as a distraction to the commander which we could use to gain profits."
"Prepare yourself. We are going to assist the Hall troops and have them promise a reward to us. Prepare for all our forces to surround this region and attack simultaneously."
"What if the Amethyst Hall denies us rewards after we save them?"
"I am asking you to assist them, not save them. Act in a way that their casualties increase at the same rate as now. Their force needs to substantially weaken too. IF they didn't reward us, they will die in the region and we will take all the benefits."
Something that the Keeper reported about the convoy and the provisional Holy son, managed to changed Li Meng's whole attitude towards the situation.
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The area-
Li Xuanfa was actively commanding his troops by being in the frontlines and directly taking all the burnt from the attacks. He was determined to get his hands on young master Huang's treasures so that he could rush into the depths of Misty Valley.
"Who are you?" Young master Huang asked. He had never faced such a skilled enemy. They were getting suppressed even when they were fighting two to one with this person. Such a powerful, yet young Qi King wouldn't be a no-name in the region.
"I prefer not answering that." L Xuanfa continued his attack. All the captains under him were clashing against the peak Qi Kings of the Merald Amethyst Hall. Surprisingly although the Black-Devil's were lacking in troops, they have covered up the weakness with skills. But a battle of attrition would ultimately go in the favor of the Emerald Amethyst group if this continued.
"Do you know who I am? This blasphemy would cost you your life."
"The provisional young master of Emerald Amethyst group seems to be a bit of an exaggerator. You are on a task to complete the mission required for you to become a holy son. I am quite sure that the Hall will take notice, but will not be delving as deep as you suggest since there are other contenders."
Young master Huang was pissed at the mention of this. He immediately took out a flaming spear and attacked Li Xuanfa with it. Li Xuanfa's expression changed due to the weapon.
" I didn't expect the Hall to present you with a top-grade emperor weapon, and someone even refined it for you." Li Xuanfa was getting nervous about this situation. The first unexpected event had already occurred with a top-grade usable weapon at the enemy's hand.
"What is your name?" Young master Huang asked in the middle of their clash. The spear was too high grade and directly broke Li Xuanfa's sword apart, which was a top-grade Qi King's grade weapon.
"This humble man's name is Li Xuafa. I hope the young master will die at my sword." Li Xuanfa's hand suddenly transformed and turned shiny black with a black aura covering the air around it.
..................….
"So this is the Nine -yin arts of the Black-Devil. It is quite powerful. Even though I feel a little dreadful."
