351: Luoyang Storm

On the ice wall of the Hanyue Valley Underground Palace, the water mirror reflected the bustling city of Luoyang.

On Vermilion Bird Street, carriages and horses flowed like a dragon, and the clamor of taverns and teahouses seemed to carry through the mirror.

However, the 'Jin Family' mansion, occupying a hundred acres in the south of the city, exuded an air of killing intent that was completely out of place with this prosperity—hidden sentries were densely packed around the mansion, and even birds flying past were targeted by archers.

"Young Lord, the 'Jin Family' has been making frequent moves recently." Zhao Gao's voice seeped from the shadows, the ink on the file in his hand still damp. "They have united with the 'Seven Great Families' of 'Luoyang' City to hoard a large amount of 'Spirit Condensing Grass' at the 'Treasure Gathering Pavilion' in the west of the city, supposedly to monopolize the herbal medicine market in the 'Central Plains'."

Jun Xiaoyao tapped his fingertips on the ice table. On the map of 'Luoyang' spread out on the table, the location of the 'Treasure Gathering Pavilion' was circled in red, with the note "'Spirit Condensing Grass' Reserves: 100,000 jin" written beside it. This herb was the main ingredient for refining 'Medicinal Pill's to reach the 'Grandmaster Realm'. If monopolized by the 'Jin Family', the path to 'Breakthrough' for those assassins under 'Beyond Heaven' who were stuck at the 'Innate Realm' would be blocked.

"Where does the 'Jin Family' get their confidence?" Jun Xiaoyao raised his eyes, his gaze falling on a middle-aged man in brocade robes in the water mirror. The man was standing on the top floor of the 'Treasure Gathering Pavilion', directing servants to move herbs. His face was arrogant, and a jade pendant carved with the character "Jin" hung from his waist.

"The 'Jin Family' 'Clan Chief' is Jin Wanliang, in the 'Late Grandmaster Realm', and his 'Stone-Crushing Palm' is trained to be fiercely unmatched." Zhao Gao opened the file. "But his real backing is the 'Divine Marquis Mansion' behind him. The master of the 'Divine Marquis Mansion', 'Divine Marquis', is in the 'Mid-stage Terrestrial Immortal Realm'. It is said that he has a close relationship with the royal Family, and the 'Seven Great Families' are all under his control."

Jun Xiaoyao looked at the portrait of 'Divine Marquis'—an old man wearing official robes, holding a feather fan, with deep eyes. The corner of the portrait noted his 'Martial Skill's: "Stunning Spear" (Perfection), "Yue Maiden Sword Technique" (Major Achievement).

"'Divine Marquis Mansion'..." Jun Xiaoyao's fingertips slid across the portrait. "Do they want to meddle in the herbal medicine business to amass wealth for the royal Family?"

"The 'Shadow' group discovered that the 'Divine Marquis Mansion' has been secretly recruiting experts recently, costing a huge amount, and they are in urgent need of funds." Zhao Gao added, "Moreover, 'Divine Marquis' seems very interested in our 'The Net', and has sent many people to inquire about the location of 'Hanyue Valley'."

Jun Xiaoyao chuckled, "Interested? Then let him 'see' clearly." He looked at the 'summoning array' in the center of the 'Hanyue Valley Underground Palace'. The 'Qi' at the array's core, due to the stable supply from the 'Black Wind Ridge' mineral vein, had risen to 70%. As the runes circulated, a 'Dragon' shadow actually appeared.

[System Notification: Spear master Aura detected, triggering corresponding summoning.]

[Summonable Character: 'Yan Nantian']

[From: 'Handsome Siblings' world]

[Realm: Early Earthly Immortal Realm]

[Martial Skill: Wedding Dress Divine Art (Perfection), Nantian Sword Technique (Major Achievement)]

[Specialty: Spear technique is divine, 'Physical Body' is formidable, can withstand attacks from the 'Land Immortal Realm']

[Summoning Cost: 65% 'Qi']

Jun Xiaoyao's fingertip fell, and the 'summoning array' suddenly erupted with golden light. The runes rolled like raging waves, finally condensing into a burly figure. 'Yan Nantian' was dressed in coarse linen clothes, holding a rusty iron spear. His face was resolute, his eyes sharp as a hawk. When he landed, the tip of his spear tapped on the ice ground, and the entire 'Hanyue Valley Underground Palace' shook slightly.

"'Yan Nantian', greets the 'Young Lord'." His voice was as loud as a bell. As he twirled the iron spear in his palm, the blooming spear flower carried a sharp whistle that tore through the air.

[Character Panel: 'Yan Nantian']

[Status: Passionate]

[Loyalty: 85%]

[Current Thought: I would like to see the experts of this world.]

Jun Xiaoyao nodded slightly, "The 'Jin Family' in 'Luoyang' is monopolizing the 'Spirit Condensing Grass'. You go there and 'borrow' the herbs from the 'Treasure Gathering Pavilion'. If the 'Divine Marquis Mansion' interferes, do not show mercy."

Yan Nantian thumped his iron spear down, "Rest assured, 'Young Lord'. As long as it is what the 'Young Lord' wants, even if it is the 'Divine Marquis Mansion', I will storm it for you to see!"

The light of the 'summoning array' had not yet subsided when another rune suddenly lit up—it was a linked summoning!

[System Notification: 'Yan Nantian's martial will detected, triggering related character summoning.]

[Character: 'Little Fish' (Jiang Xiaoyu)]

[From: 'Handsome Siblings' world]

[Realm: 'Middle Stage' 'Grandmaster Realm']

[Martial Skill: 'Flower Transfer' (Major Achievement), Ghost Shadow Tracing Steps (Perfection)]

[Specialty: Resourceful, skilled in disguise and layout, able to escape from an army of thousands]

[Loyalty: 80%]

A nimble figure flashed in the array. 'Little Fish' was wearing clothes full of patches, toying with a slingshot in his hand, and made a face at 'Jun Xiaoyao': "Since the big guy is here, how can I be missing? Rest assured, I can see through the tricks of those old foxes in the 'Jin Family' with my eyes closed!"

Yan Nantian looked at 'Little Fish', a rare hint of softness appearing on his resolute face: "You slippery fellow, don't cause trouble for the 'Young Lord'."

"Who's causing trouble?" 'Little Fish' pouted unconvinced, "Last time in the Villain's Valley, if I hadn't used a strategy to lure away the pursuers, would you have been able to get the antidote from 'Wan Chunliu' so easily?"

Jun Xiaoyao looked at this duo, with such different personalities yet such great tacit understanding, and said to 'Little Fish', "You cooperate with 'Yan Nantian' and are responsible for scouting the 'Jin Family's defense, especially the personnel sent by the 'Divine Marquis Mansion'."

"Leave it to me!" 'Little Fish' patted his chest and turned to follow 'Yan Nantian', but suddenly turned back, "By the way, 'Young Lord', after it's done, can you get me a jar of good wine? 'Luoyang's 'Drunken Immortal Brew' is famous!"

"It's in the 'Treasure Gathering Pavilion's warehouse, go get it yourself." Jun Xiaoyao said indifferently.

"Got it!" 'Little Fish' cheered and pulled 'Yan Nantian' into the teleportation array.

In the water mirror, outside the 'Luoyang' 'Treasure Gathering Pavilion', Jin Wanliang was accompanying a Qianhu from the 'Divine Marquis Mansion' on an inspection. The Qianhu was wearing a flying fish suit, with an Embroidered Spring Blade at his waist, his eyes arrogant: "'Clan Chief' Jin, rest assured. With my people from the 'Divine Marquis Mansion' here, even 'The Net' would not dare to touch your herbs."

Jin Wanliang smiled obsequiously: "That is natural. With Lord Qianhu here, this old man is a hundred percent at ease."

Just then, a commotion came from the street corner. A young man in patched clothes was being chased and beaten by several guards. The young man dodged nimbly, turning back from time to time to make a face—it was 'Little Fish'.

"Catch that little thief! He stole the shopkeeper's jade pendant!" The guards roared, but they couldn't catch up to 'Little Fish's pace at all.

In the chaos, a burly figure blocked the guards' path like an iron tower—it was 'Yan Nantian'. He laid his iron spear horizontally, and the guards were instantly sent flying, falling to the ground and wailing.

"Who are you? How dare you interfere in my 'Jin Family's business!" Jin Wanliang was both shocked and angry.

Yan Nantian couldn't be bothered to talk nonsense with him, his iron spear pointing directly at the gate of the 'Treasure Gathering Pavilion': "Leave the herbs; scram."

The Qianhu drew his Embroidered Spring Blade, the blade flashing with cold light: "Audacious madman! How dare you run wild on the 'Divine Marquis Mansion's territory!" He slashed at 'Yan Nantian', the blade wind fierce, carrying the 'Aura' of a 'Peak Grandmaster Realm'.

Yan Nantian did not dodge or avoid it. He flicked his iron spear casually, deflecting the Embroidered Spring Blade. At the same time, the shaft of the spear swept across, and the Qianhu screamed as he flew backward, hitting the doorpost of the 'Treasure Gathering Pavilion' and vomiting blood.

"Is that all the ability the people of the 'Divine Marquis Mansion' have?" Yan Nantian sneered, his iron spear pointing at Jin Wanliang again.

Jin Wanliang was scared to the point of 'Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering', turning to run, but was hit in the knee by 'Little Fish's slingshot, falling to his knees with a thud. "'Clan Chief' Jin, why are you running?" 'Little Fish' walked up to him with a giggle, "We are just here to 'borrow' some herbs, not to take your life."

At this time, dozens of guards rushed out of the 'Treasure Gathering Pavilion', all of them 'Innate Realm' experts. Leading them was a 'Jin Family' retainer, in the 'Early Stage' 'Grandmaster Realm'. "Protect the 'Clan Chief'!" The retainer roared and lunged at 'Yan Nantian', his palm wind carrying the 'Aura' of crushing stones and splitting gold.

Yan Nantian danced his iron spear, the spear shadows like a wall, and the retainer's palm wind could not get close at all. He suddenly shouted, and the iron spear, like a 'Dragon' emerging from the sea, aimed straight at the retainer's heart. The retainer hurriedly retreated, but his clothes were slashed by the spear tip, bringing up a string of blood beads.

"'Land Immortal Realm'?!" The retainer's face changed drastically, and he turned to surrender, but was flicked away by Yan Nantian's spear and pinned to the wall.

The remaining guards saw this and were so scared that they threw down their weapons and surrendered. 'Little Fish' whistled: "Big guy, your spear technique is getting more and more powerful!"

Yan Nantian ignored him and said to the 'The Net' 'Earth' group assassins who had arrived upon hearing the news, "Count the herbs and transport them all back to 'Hanyue Valley'."

Just then, the sound of urgent hoofbeats came from afar. 'Little Fish' climbed onto the roof and saw a team of black-clad knights galloping over. The leader was holding a feather fan—it was the 'Divine Marquis Mansion' master, 'Divine Marquis'!

"Trouble is here!" 'Little Fish' jumped off the roof, "'Divine Marquis' has come in person, along with his subordinates, the 'Four Great Constables'!"

Yan Nantian gripped his iron spear, his eyes becoming sharp: "Perfect, I would like to see just how strong a 'Mid-stage Terrestrial Immortal Realm' is!"

In front of the water mirror, 'Jun Xiaoyao' watched the figure of 'Divine Marquis' and said to 'Zhao Gao', "Tell 'Yan Nantian' not to fight hard, just hold them off. I have other arrangements."

Zhao Gao bowed and replied, "Yes." He was about to send a message when he saw 'Jun Xiaoyao' walking towards the 'summoning array'—the 'Qi' at the array's core still had 40% left, enough to summon another expert.

[System Notification: Intellectual battle scenario detected, triggering strategy-type summoning.]

[Summonable Character: Fan Li]

[From: 'Records of the Grand Historian: The House of Goujian of Yue' recorded world]

[Realm: 'Peak Grandmaster Realm' (Martial Arts), Saint of Commerce (Skill)]

[Specialty: Business and layout, can formulate the optimal resource allocation plan in an instant, skilled in dismantling hostile 'Alliance's]

[Summoning Cost: 35% 'Qi']

The 'summoning array' lit up with a soft white light. Fan Li was dressed in cloth clothes, holding counting rods, and bowed to 'Jun Xiaoyao'. His smile was gentle but hidden with sharpness: "'Young Lord', the chess game in 'Luoyang' is time to wrap up."

Jun Xiaoyao looked at him, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes: "The 'Jin Family' has united with the 'Seven Great Families'. Do you have a way to make them turn on each other?"

Fan Li took out his counting rods and performed rapid calculations on the ice table. After a moment, he said, "The 'Seven Great Families' seem united, but in reality, each has their own ulterior motives. The 'Jin Family's monopoly on 'Spirit Condensing Grass' has long caused dissatisfaction among the other families. We only need to spread the news that the 'Jin Family' wants to monopolize the benefits of the 'Divine Marquis Mansion', and then have the 'Shadow' group forge a few secret letters between Jin Wanliang and the 'Divine Marquis Mansion', and they will naturally suspect each other."

Jun Xiaoyao nodded: "Do as you say."

In the water mirror, 'Divine Marquis' had already surrounded the 'Treasure Gathering Pavilion' with his men. He looked at the retainer pinned to the wall and gently shook his feather fan: "'Your Excellency', you injured my men from the 'Divine Marquis Mansion' and seized the herbs in my jurisdiction. Isn't that taking the imperial court too lightly?"

Yan Nantian pointed his iron spear directly at 'Divine Marquis': "If you want the herbs, come and take them with your ability!"

The two's 'Aura's collided, and the air seemed to solidify. The 'Clan Chief's of the 'Seven Great Families' in the distance received the 'secret letter' and, as expected, began to suspect each other, their eyes looking at Jin Wanliang full of hostility.

Deep in the 'Hanyue Valley Underground Palace', 'Jun Xiaoyao' watched this scene and picked up the clear tea in the ice cup. The winds and clouds of 'Luoyang' had only just begun. With 'Yan Nantian's spear, 'Little Fish's schemes, and Fan Li's layout, the 'Alliance' between the 'Divine Marquis Mansion' and the 'Seven Great Families' was destined to collapse.

The 'summoning array's 'Qi' slowly recovered. As the runes flickered, it seemed to foretell the next, more intense competition. 'Jun Xiaoyao' knew that as the influence of 'Beyond Heaven' continued to expand.

Collisions with a behemoth like the 'Divine Marquis Mansion' would only become more frequent. But he was not worried, because every collision was an opportunity for 'Beyond Heaven' to become stronger.

Outside the window in 'Hanyue Valley', it began to snow again. Inside the 'Treasure Gathering Pavilion' in 'Luoyang', 'Yan Nantian's iron spear had already clashed with 'Divine Marquis's feather fan. The sound of metal clashing came through the water mirror, clear and cold.