Chapter 1387: New Venue for Action

Chapter 1372: A New Location for Action

Fan Shuang asked, confused, "What is cocoa?"

"Oh, it's what you call 'fragrant pleasure beans'," He Lingchuan corrected. "Cocoa is the name used outside."

The people of Yao Nation call cocoa "fragrant pleasure beans" because foods made from it possess a rich, exotic aroma, and consuming them brings satisfaction and joy. From He Lingchuan's observations, the local production, processing, and preparation of cocoa are quite mature, even being incorporated into pastries.

When merchant ships traveling to and from the Gilded Plain docked at Yangshan Archipelago, He Lingchuan had also seen these "fragrant pleasure bean" products. They were expensive, but reportedly in high demand, greatly favored by the upper nobility in Mou Nation and Ya Nation.

Since he was in Zhuo'an, He Lingchuan certainly wouldn't pass up such a good commodity. High unit price, small volume, and large consumption made it precisely the most welcomed product for long-distance merchants.

"Is this also produced outside?"

He Lingchuan smiled. "In a very, very distant place."

He felt a bit of emotion in his heart; the prosperity and peace of Yao Nation were beginning to resemble those of Spirit Void City.

As night fell, Dong Rui slipped in to find him.

Wang Fubao and the other Yangshan guards stayed outside the door, seemingly cooling off in small groups, but actually keeping watch to prevent strangers from approaching.

Dong Rui closed the doors and windows. He Lingchuan used his Soul-Snatching Mirror to scan the room, confirming the surroundings were safe before setting up a soundproof barrier.

"You have a plan, right?" Dong Rui asked him. "Are we really going to carry it out in Zhuo'an?"

"Yes," He Lingchuan replied. Dipping his finger in some tea, he drew a simple map on the table. "I originally planned several locations for the action. Mang Continent was a secondary choice, but now that we've reached here, there's no better option."

"Taoshui was the primary choice?"

"Yes, but the incident with the Feng family in Taoshui disrupted our plans." He Lingchuan always prepared multiple contingency plans for major undertakings to avoid unexpected complications and being caught off guard. "Mang Continent isn't impossible, it just carries greater risk."

"Looking at the sand table, Zhuo'an is about forty li from Mang Continent, but the actual journey involves more winding mountain roads, making it seventy li. This distance is very suitable for the Snail Toad," he continued. "This area is also experiencing the rainy season, and the ground is damp, which will help us move without leaving a trace."

"However, if we go further east, the plains end and we enter mountainous terrain, no longer a network of rivers. If it doesn't rain there, the Snail Toad can't travel more than five or six li," He Lingchuan said seriously. "Besides Mang Continent, there's actually one last location for action further on. But it's wise to have a margin for error and try to avoid the 'last resort'."

The last resort means having no other options and being forced to proceed regardless.

Missing Mang Continent would leave them with possibly only one last chance, inevitably leading to psychological agitation and anxiety over potential loss.

When dealing with an opponent like Xue Zongwu, one cannot afford to be anxious.

"On the night of the action, we will stay in Zhuo'an, under the watchful eyes of Fan Shuang and the royal guards." He drew a circle on the table. "Xue Zongwu's death will then have no connection to us. They will all be our alibi witnesses."

"Xue Zongwu married his esteemed master's daughter. The Daoist sect where he trained, Qingnie Mountain, is very famous in the central Gilded Plain. His master and father-in-law, Qi Yuncheng, comes from a traditional noble family in Yao Nation and was once the Chief Elder of Qingnie Mountain. In his youth, he was incredibly influential, but I've heard he was also ruthless, with several cold cases in Yao Nation linked to him, some even involving factional disputes among powerful families. It seems Xue Zongwu is like a younger version of Qi Yuncheng. However, Elder Qi retired a few years ago and moved back to Mang Continent to live."

"Wow, his father-in-law has quite an impressive resume."

Ever since He Lingchuan finalized the Black Armored Army plan, he had been pondering Xue Zongwu as a major target, spending a great deal of effort to gather most of his information. Ah, if only there was an omniscient informant.

Just when Spirit Mountain finally recommended a candidate, Tu Yuanhong, he was unexpectedly killed by Xue Zongwu.

"So Xue Zongwu can't pass Mang Continent without stopping to visit his father-in-law?"

"Yes. Although Qi Yuncheng is retired, his connections within the Yao Nation court and Qingnie Mountain are still very extensive, and it's said that his accumulated wealth is quite astonishing. He and Xue Zongwu form a powerful alliance; without his father-in-law's financial resources, prestige, connections, and guidance, Xue Zongwu couldn't act so unrestrainedly. Therefore, when Xue Zongwu passes through Mang Continent, it's reasonable for him to pay a visit."

"Recently, many officials and nobles have passed through Mang Continent and all go to visit Qi Yuncheng, so Mang Continent will surely be bustling then."

He Lingchuan zoomed in on Mang Continent on the sand table. "Qi Yuncheng's estate is located on Little Peach Mountain in Mang Continent. At that time, it should be overflowing with visitors, with many other powerful figures present. When Xue Zongwu visits his father-in-law, he can't bring all two hundred elite soldiers into the estate; otherwise, it wouldn't be a junior paying respects, but rather a display of power."

"So, at that time, he'll have the fewest guards?"

"Logically, yes. But his father-in-law is no pushover. Even at over sixty, the Chief Elder of Qingnie Mountain still has profound cultivation."

"Xue Zongwu himself is a tough nut to crack, and add to that the Chief Elder of Qingnie Mountain, plus Mang Continent is their territory." Dong Rui held up his fingers, counting them one by one. "Maybe we should just give up and find another target."

He Lingchuan smiled. "When we caused a ruckus in Heaven back then, do you know why Fang Canran and Spirit Mountain insisted on getting involved?"

"Because the effect was good?"

"Because the Star-Plucking Tower burned by Ju Ju and the Spirit Void City destroyed by Spirit Mountain were glorious achievements, both had a shocking effect!" He Lingchuan said softly. "Fang Canran told me that since then, the number of forces aligning with Spirit Mountain has skyrocketed. In just two years, it surpassed the past fifty years! Even several small nations under Beijia's control were shaken, and began to test the waters."

When you are renowned and raise the banner against Beijia, like-minded individuals will naturally flock to you.

"Killing Xue Zongwu is the same principle. The effect of deterring Yao Nation and announcing it to Gilded Plain — I cannot do without it! Without slaying a great evil of Yao Nation, without tackling a truly tough opponent, Emperor Jiuyou cannot truly represent 'justice,' and the image of the Black Armored Army cannot truly resonate with people."

Sacrificing Xue Zongwu to Heaven is a crucial and unavoidable part of He Lingchuan's Gilded Plain plan.

To this, Dong Rui only asked, "Where do we start?"

"Do you remember Huang Shen? Fan Shuang said his father was originally the garrison commander of Tianshui City and was imprisoned and executed four or five months ago." He Lingchuan smiled. "Actually, according to Steward Qian Yu's confession, Garrison Commander Huang was an intermediary for several of Xue Zongwu's secret transactions. The amount involved... was very large!"

Qian Yu managed Xue Zongwu's core accounts, and Garrison Commander Huang's name appeared multiple times. He even withdrew numerous sums from Xue Zongwu. Their dealings were close, and Qian Yu remembered everything.

Dong Rui said in a peculiar tone, "General Xue truly is a big-time operator."