Chapter 372 Blackrock City Changes Hands? Master Jiang's Single Sentence Wipes Out Two Major Powers!
Outside the valley.
Jiang Yun had only walked a few steps when he saw a figure standing not far away, seemingly waiting for him.
He Yuanming.
The leader of the Blood Thorn Mercenary Group and a Meteorite Level 3 expert was currently looking at him with a face full of smiles.
Jiang Yun's brow twitched slightly.
“Commander He? Why haven't you left yet?”
He Yuanming hurried forward and cupped his hands in greeting.
“Master Jiang, I... I specifically waited here for you.”
Jiang Yun looked at him, a trace of doubt flashing in his eyes.
“Waiting for me? Is something the matter?”
He Yuanming nodded, looked left and right, and lowered his voice.
“Master Jiang, this is not the place to talk. Could we step aside?”
Jiang Yun looked at him, his mind racing with thought.
What kind of medicine was this He Yuanming selling in his gourd?
He thought about it and nodded.
“Fine.”
The two walked to a secluded corner.
He Yuanming checked the surroundings to ensure no one was around before speaking.
“Master Jiang, I stayed here to wait for you because there is an important matter I wish to discuss with you.”
Jiang Yun looked at him without saying a word.
He Yuanming took a deep breath.
“Master Jiang, you killed Lie Yunkong and the Black Wind Old Demon.”
Jiang Yun nodded.
“Mhm.”
He Yuanming continued.
“Those two—one was the leader of the Red Fire Mercenary Group, and the other was the master of the Black Wind Stockade. Their forces are both entrenched in Black Rock City.”
“Now they are dead, but their subordinates remain. Those Amethyst Rank and Diamond Rank experts, along with hundreds of men, are still in Black Rock City.”
Listening to this, Jiang Yun's brow furrowed slightly.
Seeing this, He Yuanming hurriedly said,
“Master Jiang, I am not being alarmist. Although these people lack your strength, they have the advantage of numbers. Furthermore, they shared deep bonds with Lie Yunkong and the Black Wind Old Demon. If they learn you killed their leaders, there's no telling what they might do.”
“While you do not fear them, many mosquitoes can still be annoying. Besides, you cannot stay in Black Rock City forever, can you? After you leave, if they chase you to the provincial capital to find trouble...”
He Yuanming did not finish his sentence.
The meaning was already very clear.
Jiang Yun's brow furrowed even tighter.
This was indeed a problem.
While he wasn't afraid of these people, having a pack of mad dogs chasing and biting at him would indeed be irritating.
Perhaps he could go and wipe them all out in one go.
But what did He Yuanming mean by bringing this up?
Did he want him to act as an executioner?
To clear the obstacles in Black Rock City for his own mercenary group?
He looked at He Yuanming.
“So, what is Commander He's meaning?”
A trace of a smile appeared on He Yuanming's face.
“Master Jiang, I have a proposal.”
“You can go to Black Rock City and subdue the Red Fire Mercenary Group and the Black Wind Stockade.”
“Make these two forces into the power under your command.”
“You shall be their new master.”
Hearing this, Jiang Yun was momentarily stunned.
Subdue them?
Become their master?
He looked at He Yuanming, a hint of suspicion flashing in his eyes.
What was this Old Fellow planning?
He had heard about the situation in Black Rock City on his way here.
Four major forces balanced each other out, with none able to overcome the others.
The Red Fire Mercenary Group, the Black Wind Stockade, the Blood Fiend Pavilion, and the Blood Thorn Mercenary Group.
A four-way deadlock.
Now He Yuanming wanted him to subdue Red Fire and Black Wind; wasn't this obviously intended to break the balance?
Furthermore, wouldn't that make him, an outsider, the biggest winner in Black Rock City!
What benefit would there be for He Yuanming?
Jiang Yun became wary.
He looked at He Yuanming, his tone calm.
“Commander He, I am not even from Black Rock City. Why should I wade into these muddy waters?”
“Besides, what benefit is there for me in subduing these two great forces?”
“It seems there wouldn't be any benefit for you either!”
He Yuanming hurriedly said,
“Master Jiang, the benefits are many...”
Jiang Yun waved his hand, interrupting him.
“Commander He, let's not speak in riddles.”
His gaze became sharp.
“Are you asking me to subdue Red Fire and Black Wind, or are you asking me to deal with them? You wouldn't happen to want me to clear out your competitors for free, would you?”
“Once I've subdued them all, will your Blood Thorn Mercenary Group be the sole dominant power?”
Jiang Yun's voice grew colder and colder.
He Yuanming's face changed drastically!
He was just about to explain.
Suddenly.
A graceful figure slowly stepped out from the shadows.
Pale golden eyes looked coldly at He Yuanming.
Fox Immortal.
She simply stood behind Jiang Yun without saying a word.
That invisible pressure had already enveloped He Yuanming.
He Yuanming felt a chill rush from the soles of his feet straight to the crown of his head!
His face went pale, his legs weakened, and he almost collapsed to his knees!
“Master... Master Jiang! A misunderstanding! It's a misunderstanding!”
His voice was trembling.
“I, He Yuanming, swear to the heavens that I absolutely do not have such intentions!”
“I am truly thinking of Master Jiang's best interests! I definitely have no ill intent!”
Jiang Yun looked at him without speaking.
Fox Immortal did not move either.
Only those pale golden eyes continued to stare coldly at He Yuanming.
Cold sweat poured down He Yuanming's forehead.
He knew that the person in front of him could truly kill him.
And it would be an instant kill.
The corpses of Lie Yunkong and the Black Wind Old Demon weren't even cold yet!
He took a deep breath, trying his best to calm himself down.
“Master Jiang, please listen to my explanation.”
“I admit, I do have selfish motives. But these motives are absolutely not what you think!”
He paused to organize his words.
“Master Jiang, think about it. In Black Rock City, the four major forces balance each other, and no one can best the others. But I, He Yuanming, am the weakest. If things continue like this, I will eventually be swallowed by the other three.”
“Therefore, I need a powerhouse, someone who can control the situation, to be the new master of Black Rock City.”
“And you are that candidate.”
Jiang Yun listened, his expression unchanged.
“Go on.”
Seeing that Jiang Yun hadn't immediately attacked, He Yuanming felt a sense of relief and hurriedly continued.
“Master Jiang, if you become the new master of Black Rock City, the benefits to you will be more than just a little.”
“First of all, do you know how many Secret Realms there are in the Bone Burial Area?”
Jiang Yun's brow rose.
He Yuanming quickly said,
“The Bone Burial Area is the largest no-man's-land on the edge of our Heavenly Vault Empire. There are countless Secret Realms and ancient ruins everywhere. But the entrances to most of these Secret Realms are near Black Rock City.”
“If you become the City Lord of Black Rock City, you will be the first to receive firsthand news of every Secret Realm opening!”
“Which Secret Realm has opened, what treasures are inside, what level of Vicious Beasts are there, and the degree of danger—the City Lord's Manor can grasp all this intelligence immediately!”
A light flashed in Jiang Yun's eyes.
This was indeed a benefit.
This trip to the Secret Realm had earned him a fortune.
Five Saint King Rank treasures and over twenty Falling Star Rank items.
If he could be the first to enter every time a Secret Realm opened in the future...
Wouldn't resources come in incredibly fast?
Seeing Jiang Yun was interested, He Yuanming quickly added more incentive.
“Secondly, Master Jiang, do you know how many mineral veins there are near Black Rock City?”
“Gold mines, silver mines, Spirit Stone mines, profound iron mines... dozens of them, large and small!”
“These mineral veins are all under the jurisdiction of the major forces! If you subdue them and become the sole controller of Black Rock City, the profits from these mines will all belong to you!”
Jiang Yun's eyes brightened slightly.
Mineral veins?
That was a source of continuous wealth.
“Also, Master Jiang, although Black Rock City is remote, there are many traveling merchant caravans. If you are the City Lord, the passage fees and protection fees from these caravans are yours!”
“Additionally, Black Rock City has its own market street with a huge daily transaction volume. If you are the City Lord, the taxes from the market are also yours!”
He Yuanming grew more excited as he spoke.
“Master Jiang, think about it. With this wealth, would you still worry about lacking resources to nurture your familiars? Would you still worry about being unable to buy Heaven And Earth Treasures?”
“Furthermore, once you have your own power, you won't need to do everything yourself in the future. With so many subordinates, you can just send a few out—what matter couldn't be accomplished?”
Jiang Yun listened, his mind quickly weighing the options.
What He Yuanming said did indeed make sense.
While he didn't lack resources now, what about the future?
Little Fire's evolution required dragon blood bodhi, golden scale skeleton, heart of molten fire, and flood dragon reverse scale.
Little Skylark's evolution required seven-colored immortal feather, thunder soul crystal, and void plume.
Nether Abyss's evolution required soul crystals, shadow cores, and abyss blood.
Which of these didn't require a massive amount of resources?
And various sources of information?
Then there was Fox Immortal; although she was following him now, she was a Yao Race sovereign—she couldn't just follow him for free forever, could she?
He had to provide the resources that were due.
If he didn't give her some benefits,
There was no telling if she might suddenly turn against him.
Calculating it this way, the resources he needed were simply a bottomless pit.
This position as the City Lord of Black Rock City could provide him with a steady stream of resources.
More importantly...
Intelligence.
Firsthand news of Secret Realms.
This was what he valued most.
This trip to the Medicine God Secret Realm had given him a taste of the benefits.
If he could be the first to enter every Secret Realm in the future...
The resources would be beyond imagination!
Jiang Yun looked at He Yuanming.
“Then tell me, how am I to become the City Lord of this Black Rock City?”
“Why choose me?”
Hearing this, He Yuanming was overjoyed!
It was working!
He hurriedly said,
“Master Jiang, Black Rock City has always been a balance between four major forces. But now, Lie Yunkong and the Black Wind Old Demon are dead, and Red Fire and Black Wind are leaderless.”
“As long as you take action and subdue these two forces, it will be equivalent to controlling more than half the power of Black Rock City!”
“Then, go and take down the Blood Fiend Pavilion...”
He paused and glanced at Jiang Yun.
“That woman, Blood Lady, was scared out of her wits by you. If you show your face, she will likely submit directly.”
“In this way, out of the four major forces, three will belong to you. As for the remaining one...”
He smiled.
“The remaining one is my Blood Thorn Mercenary Group.”
“I, He Yuanming, am willing to follow Master Jiang one hundred percent! From now on, I will follow your lead!”
Jiang Yun looked at him.
“You certainly have quite the plan.”
He Yuanming hurriedly said,
“Master Jiang, as I said, I do have selfish motives. But my selfishness is merely wanting the Blood Thorn Mercenary Group to survive in this Black Rock City.”
“If you become the City Lord, I only ask that you leave a piece of territory for me so my people can have a living. In the future, my Blood Thorn Mercenary Group will be your most loyal hounds!”
Jiang Yun listened, his mind deep in thought.
He Yuanming's explanation was actually quite reasonable.
In a place where the strong prey on the weak, one had to find a backer to survive.
And he was the backer He Yuanming had set his sights on.
However...
Jiang Yun looked at He Yuanming with a profound gaze.
Could someone who had reached the Falling Star Rank by living a life on the edge of a blade really be this simple?
He sneered inwardly.
Yet, his expression remained impassive.
“Commander He's proposal is quite good. However...”
He paused for a moment.
“Since Commander He is so sincere, why don't you start by showing some practical action?”
He Yuanming was taken aback.
“What does Master Jiang mean?”
Jiang Yun looked at him and smiled slightly.
“How about leaving the Red Fire Mercenary Group and the Black Wind Stockade for Commander He to handle?”
He Yuanming's pupils constricted slightly.
Jiang Yun continued.
“Now that their leaders are dead, the remaining people are nothing more than remnants of a defeated army. Commander He, taking your men, you should be able to take them down easily, right?”
“Once you've taken these two down, assemble your forces and go talk to the Blood Lady.”
“If she cooperates, everyone will be happy. If she doesn't...”
Jiang Yun smiled.
“It won't be too late for me to step in then.”
After he finished speaking, he looked at He Yuanming, waiting for his answer.
He thought He Yuanming would hesitate or find an excuse to decline.
After all, this was asking him to risk his life.
Who would have thought.
After hearing this, He Yuanming didn't say another word and directly cupped his fists.
“Fine!”
“Master Jiang, since I was the one who made the suggestion, to show my sincerity, my Blood Thorn Mercenary Group is willing to be the vanguard!”
“I will go back now to assemble my men and personally lead them to subdue Red Fire and Black Wind!”
“After taking those two, we will head to the Blood Fiend Pavilion!”
He spoke with absolute certainty, without a hint of hesitation.
Jiang Yun was stunned.
Looking at He Yuanming's loyal appearance, a strange feeling welled up in his heart.
This was too straightforward, wasn't it?
Wasn't he afraid it was a trap?
Wasn't he afraid he was deliberately sending him to his death?
He Yuanming seemed to see through Jiang Yun's doubt and gave a bitter smile.
“Master Jiang, do you feel I agreed too readily?”
Jiang Yun didn't speak.
He Yuanming sighed.
“Master Jiang, to be honest, I've been scared out of my wits by you.”
“That Tamed Beast of yours, Diamond Rank Nine, instantly killed a Meteorite Level 4.”
“In all my years of living, I, He Yuanming, have never seen someone like you.”
He looked at Jiang Yun, his eyes filled with awe.
“I've come to understand that someone like you can only be befriended, not offended.”
“Since you are bound to become a local powerhouse sooner or later, why shouldn't I, He Yuanming, cling to your leg early on?”
He smiled.
“Adding flowers to a brocade is not as good as offering charcoal in the snow. I understand this principle.”
As Jiang Yun listened, he felt a sense of realization.
So that was it.
He was terrified by Fox Immortal.
He recalled the scene where Fox Immortal instantly killed Lie Yunkong and the Black Wind Old Demon.
Meteorite Level 4 and Meteorite Level 3.
Before Fox Immortal, they couldn't even withstand a single move.
That kind of crushing combat power was indeed enough to make any Falling Star Rank expert's blood run cold.
Looking at He Yuanming's sincere appearance, his vigilance relaxed slightly.
But he still didn't trust him completely.
Falling Star Rank experts were deep thinkers; who knew if he was just acting?
However, it was worth a try.
He just needed to remain cautious.
Jiang Yun nodded.
“Fine. Then we'll do as Commander He says.”
He Yuanming was overjoyed!
“Thank you for your trust, Master Jiang!”
He hurriedly said.
“Master Jiang, will you follow me back to the mercenary group now? I will assemble the men immediately!”
Jiang Yun nodded.
“Let's go.”
The two of them mounted He Yuanming's Blood Feather Demon Eagle and flew toward Black Rock City.
Half an hour later.
The Blood Thorn Mercenary Group's base.
He Yuanming brought Jiang Yun and landed directly on the Training Ground.
“Assemble!”
He let out a loud shout.
His voice was like thunder, spreading throughout the entire base.
A moment later.
Figures flew out from various places and landed on the Training Ground.
They were all Diamond Rank!
A total of six people!
Each one had a powerful aura and sharp eyes.
Immediately after, dozens more figures landed.
Amethyst Rank!
A total of fifteen people!
Six Diamond Rank and fifteen Amethyst Rank.
This was the core strength of the Blood Thorn Mercenary Group and all of He Yuanming's assets.
As these people landed on the Training Ground and looked at He Yuanming, their eyes were full of confusion.
What happened to the Leader?
Why did he summon them so urgently? Did something happen?
Then, they saw Jiang Yun beside He Yuanming.
A youth of sixteen or seventeen.
The crowd grew even more confused.
Who is this?
Why did the Leader bring back a green boy?
He Yuanming looked at the crowd and said loudly.
“Listen up, everyone!”
“This is Master Jiang! From today on, he is the new leader of our Blood Thorn Mercenary Group!”
“From now on, everyone shall treat seeing him as seeing me! His words are my words!”
The crowd was stunned.
What?!
A new leader?!
This teenage boy?!
Has the Leader gone mad?!
A Diamond Rank expert couldn't help but speak up.
“Leader, you are...”
He Yuanming glared at him.
“Shut up! Did I give you permission to speak?!”
That Diamond Rank expert was startled and quickly shut his mouth.
He Yuanming scanned the crowd.
“I know you have questions. But now is not the time for explanations.”
“Today, we have big things to do!”
He paused and said word by word.
“Today, we are going to subdue the Red Fire Mercenary Group!”
“Then, subdue the Black Wind Stockade!”
“Finally, subdue the Blood Fiend Pavilion!”
“From today on, Black Rock City will have only one master!”
“And that is Master Jiang!”
The entire place fell into a deathly silence.
Everyone stared wide-eyed and open-mouthed at He Yuanming.
It was as if they were looking at a madman.
Leader... what's wrong with him?
Red Fire Mercenary Group? Black Wind Stockade? Blood Fiend Pavilion?
Those are the three major powers that stand on equal footing with us!
You, old man, are taking us to subdue them?
With just the few of us?
And making this Gold Rank Five youth the master?
Leader, have you been victims of Possession?!
Someone couldn't help but whisper.
“Leader... are you alright?”
He Yuanming glared at him.
“I'm fine! I'm perfectly sober!”
He took a deep breath.
He was terrified that his teammates would say something next.
That would upset the god of death beside him.
And bring disaster upon them.
“I know you don't believe me. But once we get there, you'll understand.”
“Now, follow me!”
With that, he waved his hand and summoned the Blood Feather Demon Eagle.
Jiang Yun didn't say anything.
He also jumped on.
Following silently.
He wanted to see how this He Yuanming would perform.
The other Diamond Rank and Amethyst-rank Experts looked at each other.
But they didn't dare disobey the Leader's order.
They also summoned their own Tamed Beasts and followed.
The group flew toward the Red Fire Mercenary Group in a grand fashion.
The Red Fire Mercenary Group's base was located on the east side of Black Rock City.
It covered dozens of acres, with high walls and tight security.
In the center of the base was a massive Training Ground.
On the Training Ground, many people were currently training.
Some were sparring.
Some were practicing Tamed Beast skills.
Some were drinking and bragging.
Everything was the same as usual.
Only, no one knew that their leader, Lie Yunkong, was already dead.
Dead at the hands of a sixteen or seventeen-year-old youth.
Even his body hadn't been brought back.
Just then.
A whistling sound came from the sky.
Someone looked up.
They saw a large group of people riding various avian Tamed Beasts, flying toward them.
The leading Blood Feather Demon Eagle was particularly conspicuous.
Someone immediately recognized it.
“What's going on?!! It's the people from the Blood Thorn Mercenary Group!”
“He Yuanming! That's their leader He Yuanming's Blood Feather Demon Eagle!”
“What are they here for?”
The people stopped what they were doing and looked up at the sky.
Soon, He Yuanming and his group flew over the base.
They circled above without landing.
Below, the faces of several Amethyst Rank guards changed.
Flying over someone else's base was a major provocation!
Without a word, they summoned their Tamed Beasts and flew up.
The leader was a burly man with a ferocious face, at the Amethyst Eighth Tier.
He blocked He Yuanming's path, his face full of displeasure.
“Commander He?! What is the meaning of this?”
“You dare fly over my Red Fire Mercenary Group?! Get the hell down now!”
The man's voice was arrogant and his attitude was foul.
He completely disregarded He Yuanming, a Falling Star Rank expert.
It made sense.
Currently, their Red Fire Mercenary Group was at the peak of its power.
Their leader was a Meteorite Level 4 expert who firmly suppressed the other side.
As a result, these members had also become haughty.
He Yuanming looked at him without speaking.
He simply spat out three cold words.
“Kill them all.”
As soon as he finished speaking.
Behind him, a Diamond Eighth Tier expert struck!
Boom!!!
A terrifying attack instantly blasted into those Amethyst Rank guards!
Before those guards could react, they were blown to pieces!
Along with their Tamed Beasts, they turned into a rain of blood, falling from the sky!
Thud!
Thud!
Several mangled corpses crashed into the base.
Hitting the ground and splashing blood everywhere!
Below.
The entire place fell into a deathly silence!
Everyone was frozen in place, staring blankly at the corpses!
Then.
Boom!!!
The entire base instantly exploded into chaos!
“Enemy attack!!!”
“There's an enemy attack!!!”
“Quick! Quick, notify the Leader and Deputy Leader!!!”
Exclamations and shouts rang out in unison!
Countless people rushed out from everywhere, summoning their Tamed Beasts and standing ready!
But more than that, there was fear!
There was panic!
There was disbelief!
The Blood Thorn Mercenary Group!
They actually dared to be here.
To directly kill people on the Red Fire Mercenary Group's turf?!
Have they gone mad?!
Amidst the rain of blood.
He Yuanming stood with his hands behind his back, looking coldly down.
Beside him.
Jiang Yun stood quietly, his expression calm.
He looked at the panicked crowd below.
He didn't feel the slightest bit of pity.
After all, in this cutthroat Bone Burial Area, there were no good people.
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