30: Lieutenant General of the Xiaoqi Camp

Fifth floor, Earth Character No. 25, private room.

Compared to the Heaven Character private rooms, which could comfortably accommodate a hundred people, the Earth Character private rooms seemed somewhat insignificant.

Deputy General Xing of the Valiant Cavalry Camp, guarding the Wu Dynasty's imperial capital, looked at the price tag on his spiritual talisman with a massive headache.

After seven or eight rounds of bidding, he still hadn't managed to get the creation divine pill he wanted.

Even the secondary choice, the calamity crossing divine pill, he only managed to acquire one after paying an exorbitant price.

Although he appeared middle-aged, he was already over sixty years old, and due to his talent, his cultivation had been stuck at Divine Martial Realm Sixth Stage for over three years.

Three years ago, he relied on the calamity crossing divine pill for his Breakthrough, and now to Break through again, he would need double the dose.

For him, with an annual military salary of only fifty thousand yuan ticket, he might not be able to save enough even after sixty more years.

He tried every means to accumulate wealth in the army, and just when he finally had some assets, he found they were nowhere near enough at the auction.

The creation divine pill had already been bid up to over thirty million yuan ticket.

He was out of his league.

Taking the calamity crossing divine pill again would only be a temporary solution; with his limited talent, he would still get stuck at the next Realm. By then, where would he find more money to buy more calamity crossing divine pills?

"Damn it, the position of Deputy General in the Valiant Cavalry Camp offers too little in the way of benefits. It's not even as good as an official in a prefecture. I need to find a way to transfer out of this position as soon as possible."

Just as he was troubled, his attendant reported, "General, there's someone outside claiming to be Prince Chu's guard who wishes to see you."

"Prince Chu's guard?" Deputy General Xing's eyes lit up, thinking of a possibility. "Quick, invite him in."

Outside the door.

Wu Zhong, who had always been very serious, forced a smile and entered the private room.

Meeting Deputy General Xing, he cupped his hands and bowed, "I am Wu Zhong. Greetings, General."

"Brother Wu, there's no need to be so polite. You are Prince Chu's personal guard, a person of noble status. You mustn't humble yourself before an old man like me."

Deputy General Xing was very smooth, showing no arrogance even towards Wu Zhong, who was of a lower Realm than him.

"Brother, I have always admired Prince Chu's decisive actions.

May I ask, Brother Wu, is Prince Chu's Highness here with any instructions? Anything within my capabilities, feel free to say."

Wu Zhong took out an exquisite pill box and said with a forced smile, "His Highness values talent. Learning that the General sought a creation divine pill, he specifically sent me to deliver it to you."

Deputy General Xing watched as Wu Zhong opened the pill box. Inside, a Divine Pill with swirling Yin and Yang Qi made him involuntarily swallow, and he couldn't help but take a few deep breaths of its fragrance.

That was what he most desired, and at the same time, it was an olive branch extended by Prince Chu.

Why would Prince Chu recruit him, a Deputy General so far away in the Valiant Cavalry Camp?

Deputy General Xing understood perfectly well in his heart.

"Brother Wu, you mustn't, you mustn't. Although I have long admired Prince Chu, I cannot accept such a heavy gift without merit. I truly dare not."

Deputy General Xing declined.

Wu Zhong inwardly disdained him. This old fellow was notoriously greedy, yet he had the nerve to say such things?

"Please understand, General, there is no precedent for a gift given by Prince Chu's Highness to be taken back."

Deputy General Xing still shook his head.

No matter whether Wu Zhong was gentle or firm, he seemed impervious.

After several rounds of back-and-forth between Wu Zhong and him, Wu Zhong understood.

It was definitely impossible to give it away like this.

His Highness was prescient and had anticipated this scene early on.

Deputy General Xing, this old fox, was waiting for a better offer.

His unwillingness to accept the gift had nothing to do with integrity; he merely wanted to "sell" himself for a good price.

In other words, he felt one creation divine pill was not enough.

Wu Zhong coughed, took out a large stack of yuan ticket of the highest denomination, and said, "It seems the General feels this gift is too small. His Highness was well prepared; these are also for the General, hoping that in the future, when His Highness is in need, the General can lend a hand."

Deputy General Xing's eyes turned red as he looked at the thick stack of yuan ticket. He didn't even need to touch them to know how many there were.

A full hundred million!

He wanted to refuse again, but found he didn't have the courage to speak.

It was too much, far too much.

If he refused, and Prince Chu thought he was insatiably greedy and gave up on recruiting him, what then?

Wouldn't the duck that was almost in his mouth fly away?

Deputy General Xing's Adam's apple bobbed. This hundred million yuan ticket would take him two hundred years as a Deputy General to save, and he might not even live that long.

He reached out to take them, but saw Wu Zhong pull his hand back slightly.

"What do you mean, Brother Wu?"

Deputy General Xing's mind cleared slightly.

Wu Zhong said, "Prince Chu's Highness also has a small gift that the General needs to accept along with this."

"Just say it."

"His Highness, out of consideration for the General's upright and incorruptible character, and knowing your wife and children still reside in the outer city, has specially acquired a mansion next to Prince Chu's Mansion for the General, awaiting your family's relocation to their new home."

A basin of cold water poured over Deputy General Xing's heart. Prince Chu intended for him to hand over a handle to show his loyalty.

He couldn't help but hesitate.

Wu Zhong frowned, gritted his teeth, and again threw out an enticement: "Prince Chu's Highness said this is only a deposit. Once everything is settled, there will be ten times this reward.

It just depends on whether the General trusts Prince Chu."

Deputy General Xing's heart was greatly shaken.

Prince Chu's action undoubtedly proved that all his previous absurd behaviors were merely a disguise.

Was he harboring ambition, biding his time, just waiting for the right moment?

With Prince Who Guards the North behind him, the great endeavor might not be impossible.

After much deliberation, the conflicted expression on Deputy General Xing's face disappeared, and his powerful hand firmly grasped the hundred million yuan ticket.

"This humble officer is willing to brave any danger for Prince Chu's Highness, without hesitation!"

"Congratulations, General. From now on, you only need to lie low and await Prince Chu's secret orders. If His Highness's plans proceed smoothly, the General won't have to do anything."

Wu Zhong then genuinely and openly smiled, "Many years from now, the General will surely be glad of today's wise decision."

"Borrowing Brother Wu's auspicious words, today is a great day. Shall we have a couple of drinks?" Deputy General Xing invited.

"No," Wu Zhong said, "There are other brothers in the Valiant Cavalry Camp whom I need to visit one by one."

"There's no need for such trouble. You can leave such a small matter to me, Brother."

Deputy General Xing smiled, "As long as His Highness gives a little guidance and invests some money, my brothers in the camp will be very happy to serve His Highness."

He took the opportunity to ask for more money.

Wu Zhong replied, "Then I will accompany the General. We can have a small drink when we return later."

"That's fine too."

Deputy General Xing knew the other party was not entirely at ease, so to show his sincerity, he did not refuse... Two hours later.

The first half of the silent auction finally ended.

Xia Xuan spent nearly one billion yuan ticket, acquiring six creation divine pills, twenty calamity crossing divine pills, and five Heaven-Mending Pills used to increase the probability of Breaking through to the Dharma Aspect Realm.

Two pieces of Dragon Origin Precious Jade, a great Origin Qi medicine.

One Ten-Thousand-Year Blood Spirit Ganoderma, a great blood Qi medicine.

Relatively speaking, the harvest was quite good.

Only eleven major medicines appeared in the silent auction, and he alone secured three of them.

All the other forces had to share the remaining eight portions.