206: Chapter 206 The Covert War Begins

The confrontation at Qingshi Mountain did not escalate into a bloody conflict, but the atmosphere in Tianhuo City was even more tense than it had been in front of the mine.

The Loose Cultivators in the city keenly noticed more unfamiliar faces on the streets. These people wore the attire of ordinary Cultivators and mingled among the markets and restaurants. Though they appeared to be wandering aimlessly, their eyes were constantly fixed on the direction of the Jiang Mansion.

"Spies from the Sun and Li Families." Xiao Yi sat opposite Ling Hao, legs crossed, playing with a jade pendant in his hand. "At least fifty people have been sent into the city. Three are in the Soul Transformation Stage, and the rest are Nascent Souls. It seems both families are playing for keeps this time."

Ling Hao picked up his teacup, took a light sip, and remained calm.

"How are the preparations on the Jiang Family's side?"

"Jiang Wanshan has already withdrawn all the clan members from the outskirts back into the city, leaving only a few people to keep watch at the mine," Xiao Yi said. "The Jiang Mansion's defensive Formation has been activated. Even if a Spirit Severing Peak expert attacks, it can hold out for several hours."

"Several hours is not enough." Ling Hao set down his teacup. "If the Sun and Li Families strike simultaneously, the Jiang Family won't last an hour."

Xiao Yi's smile faded slightly. "Then what does Ling Hao mean?"

"Have Jiang Wanshan disperse his clansmen to various strongholds throughout the city; do not let them all huddle inside the Jiang Mansion," Ling Hao said. "No matter how sturdy the Jiang Mansion is, it is a deathtrap. Once trapped, it's over. By spreading out, they can make the Sun and Li Families lose sight of one while attending to the other."

A flash of surprise crossed Xiao Yi's eyes.

"Is Ling Hao familiar with siege warfare?"

"I've fought a few."

Ling Hao didn't say much more, rising to walk over to a Map. He had already looked at the Map of Tianhuo City countless times; every street, every building, and every Formation node was etched into his mind.

"There are three key locations in the city." He pointed to the markings on the Map. "The Spirit Vein Hub in the city center—controlling that controls the spiritual energy supply for the entire city. The market in the southern city is the largest distribution center for resources; whoever controls the market controls the economic lifeline of Tianhuo City. The teleportation array in the northern city is the fastest channel connecting Tianhuo City to the outside world; if it's cut off, the city becomes an island."

Xiao Yi leaned in, carefully examining the Map.

"The Spirit Vein Hub is currently guarded by the three great families in rotation; this month it's the Li Family's turn. The market is a lawless zone currently controlled by several merchant bands, but the Sun and Li Families both have shares behind the scenes. The teleportation array is managed by the City Lord's Manor. The City Lord's Manor is nominally neutral, but in reality, it leans toward the Li Family."

"The City Lord's Manor?" Ling Hao's brow arched slightly.

He had almost forgotten that Tianhuo City nominally had a City Lord, jointly elected by the three great families to be responsible for the city's daily management. But everyone knew the City Lord was merely a Puppet of the three great families, possessing no real power.

"The current City Lord is named Zhao Deyan, with a cultivation at the Soul Transformation Middle Stage. He has been the City Lord in Tianhuo City for thirty years," Xiao Yi said. "This man is smooth and worldly, offending no one and befriending no one. But not long ago, his youngest son married Li Wannian's niece, so..."

"So he belongs to the Li Family," Ling Hao finished the sentence.

"Not on the surface, but in secret," Xiao Yi smiled. "However, Zhao Deyan is a very clever man. He won't easily pick a side. Unless the situation becomes clear, he will continue to feign neutrality."

Ling Hao nodded, unconcerned.

A City Lord at the Soul Transformation Middle Stage couldn't stir up much of a storm.

"Regarding the Loose Cultivators, how many can be mobilized?" he asked.

Xiao Yi put away his smile and said seriously, "About one thousand two hundred are willing to fight. Among them, about three hundred are in the Soul Emergence stage, and about eight hundred are in the Nascent Soul stage. The rest are all Golden Cores; I don't plan on letting them onto the battlefield—they're too fragile. They're fine for acting as eyes and ears or running errands."

"One thousand two hundred people." Ling Hao pondered. "That's enough. We don't need them for frontal combat. Have them responsible for monitoring every move of the Sun and Li Families and controlling the main traffic arteries throughout the city. If the Jiang Family goes to war with the two families, cut off the Li Family's supply lines."

Xiao Yi noted everything down.

"One more thing." Ling Hao looked at him. "You said before that many of the Loose Cultivators in Tianhuo City have been oppressed by the Sun and Li Families. Are there any who are particularly capable? I need a few people who can hold their own."

Xiao Yi thought for a moment and said, "There are three."

"Let's hear it."

"The first is named person, Nascent Soul Middle Stage. He specializes in earth-system Cultivation Techniques and has a powerful Physical Body; he can take a hit and dish it out. This man was originally a miner for the Li Family, but because he offended a Li Family manager, he was kicked out and had a leg broken. Although it was reattached, it left a hidden injury. He hates the Li Family to the bone."

"The second is named Su Yao, Nascent Soul Late Stage, a female Cultivator specializing in Formations and Restrictions. Her Master was originally the best Formation Master in Tianhuo City, but was forcibly conscripted by the Sun Family to set up their manor's protective Formation. After it was finished, the Sun Family feared leaks and silenced him. Su Yao narrowly escaped and has lived under an assumed name in Tianhuo City for five years, always looking for a chance for revenge."

"The third is named Gu Yue, Nascent Soul Peak, of unknown origin. His cultivation is relatively high, but he never causes trouble. He makes a living by appraising antique Magical Artifacts for people. He has excellent eyes; it's said he can tell a Magic Treasure's grade and origin at a glance. I've tested him several times; this man is a hidden talent and doesn't seem like an ordinary Loose Cultivator."

After listening, Ling Hao nodded.

"I will personally meet person and Gu Yue. As for Su Yao, let the Jiang Family reach out to her. The Jiang Family is also a Family of Formation Masters; they should have common ground."

"Fine, I'll go arrange it." Xiao Yi stood up, stopped at the door, and looked back at Ling Hao. "Ling Hao, I don't know if I should say this."

"Speak."

"Although the Sun and Li Families are harmonious on the surface but divided at heart, they have been established in Tianhuo City for centuries and are deeply rooted. If a fight really breaks out, those neutral forces in the city might not necessarily stand on our side."

Ling Hao did not answer, merely looking at him indifferently.

Xiao Yi felt a bit uneasy under his gaze and gave a dry laugh. "I was just offering a reminder, nothing more."

"You're right," Ling Hao said slowly. "That's why I don't need them to stand on our side. I only need them to not stand on the side of the Sun and Li Families."

Xiao Yi was stunned, then suddenly understood.

"Ling Hao means to let them remain neutral?"

"Neutrality is the greatest support," Ling Hao said. "The small and medium forces in Tianhuo City add up to no less than a hundred houses. If they all sided with the Sun and Li Families, the Jiang Family would be doomed. But they won't. Because they don't trust the Sun and Li Families, and they don't trust the Jiang Family either. They only trust profit."

He paused. "As long as we don't touch their interests, and even give them a little taste of something sweet, they will remain on the sidelines. And being on the sidelines is our opportunity."

Xiao Yi cupped his fists. "I have learned much."

He pushed the door and left.

Silence returned to the study.

Ling Hao leaned back against the chair and closed his eyes.

He was waiting.