72: Continue to expand

“Hmm, not bad. Although it’s only a First-Order Low Grade Talisman, the brushwork is skilled and the magical power is stable. It seems Fellow Daoist has been immersed in the Dao of Talismans for a long time.”

Upon seeing these Talismans, the shopkeeper quickly inspected them and gave Gu Chang this evaluation.

“Yes, unfortunately, my success rate is still not high. At most, I can barely make a living.”

“There are a total of 126 Talismans. Our shop will purchase them at a price of one Spirit Stone for six Talismans, totaling 21 Spirit Stones. What do you think?”

The other party did not respond to Gu Chang’s humble words but quickly calculated a price.

“Okay. Additionally, I need a batch of Talisman paper and spiritual ink, enough to draw about a thousand Talismans.”

Gu Chang thought for a moment and agreed. This price was quite fair.

“Alright, a thousand sheets of Talisman paper are priced at eight Spirit Stones, and a bottle of spiritual ink is priced at five Spirit Stones, for a total of thirteen Spirit Stones.”

“Here are the Talisman paper and spiritual ink you requested, plus eight Spirit Stones.”

In the end, Gu Chang only received this much from the other party. It could be said that after deducting costs and consumption, he only received eight Spirit Stones from these hundred-plus Talismans.

“Fellow Daoist, remember to come again next time. Our shop continuously purchases Talismans!”

Before leaving, the other party specifically reminded Gu Chang.

“Of course! Of course!”

After leaving this shop, Gu Chang went to two other shops and sold most of the Talismans he had.

In the end, Gu Chang obtained a total of twenty-seven Low-Grade Spirit Stones, a bottle of spiritual ink, and over a thousand sheets of Talisman paper.

“These First-Order Low Grade Talismans are indeed incredibly cheap. Unfortunately, with my current financial situation, I can’t afford a copy of Complete Explanation of First-Order Talismans. Otherwise, I could try to draw more Advanced Talismans.”

Gu Chang naturally valued his craft very much, and related Legacies were available in Qing Ling Market.

Among them, he was quite satisfied with a Talisman Dao Legacy titled “Complete Explanation of First-Order Talismans,” but its price was frighteningly high, requiring a full 150 Spirit Stones to acquire.

Of course, there were cheaper Talisman Legacies. For example, he saw many on some street stalls, but unfortunately, the authenticity of those items was hard to discern, and most of them were incomplete.

If they were useful after purchase, it would be fine, but if they were useless or even fabricated content, then it would be a true pitfall.

There was no such thing as returns in Qing Ling Market. Once a transaction was completed, the stall owners were not responsible.

Therefore, with the idea of obtaining a comprehensive, System, and secure Talisman Legacy, Gu Chang ultimately set his sights on “Complete Explanation of First-Order Talismans.”

Although 150 Low-Grade Spirit Stones was indeed a lot, it could still be earned by drawing Talismans for a few months.

A few months’ time was something Gu Chang could afford to wait for.

After returning to his Immortal Cave, Gu Chang continued to devote himself to the great endeavors of drawing Talismans and Cultivating. These two tasks were becoming increasingly proficient for him, and soon they would almost become instinct.

That night, after finishing his Cultivation, Gu Chang lay down on the bed again.

In the Reincarnation World, after two years of recuperation, the territory under Xuan King’s command had been completely assimilated by Gu Chang, and civil life and economic activities had recovered, with even industrial development making good progress.

During these two years, after the barbarian army retreated, they dared not cross the line again. The several prefectures they had previously encroached upon were now nominally under Gu Chang’s control.

However, due to the short distance between the two areas, and the large number of people killed by the barbarians, several northern prefectures remained quite desolate to this day, with only a few cities still able to sustain life.

Because of these reasons, Gu Chang did not dispatch his army there but instead arranged for some officials and Martial Generals to manage them.

Similarly, these two years also provided a breathing space for King Li and King Ming, the two rebel kings. They, too, had been seeking various methods to Cultivate more Refining Spirit Experts, hoping to counter Gu Chang in this way.

However, the outcome was self-evident. Even if they cultivated one or two Refining Spirit Experts, what could they do?

Although Gu Chang’s Martial Dao strength had not increased much in these two years, his mastery of various Martial Arts, Martial Skills, medical arts, poisons, and so on had become more comprehensive. Unless he could be trapped in an extremely harsh environment like volcanic lava, under normal circumstances, no one could kill him anymore.

“Your Majesty! The civil life in our prefectures has now recovered, and various workshops can produce a large number of weapons and equipment every day. The strength of the soldiers in the army is also continuously increasing, and logistical provisions are becoming more abundant!”

“It can be said that now is the time to seize the entire world in one fell swoop!”

Inside the Martial King’s Palace, Gu Chang’s numerous capable ministers, wise scholars, Martial Generals, and trusted aides gathered. Suan Tianji came before Gu Chang and loudly proclaimed to him.

“The timing is right, but what is your plan?”

Gu Chang nodded slightly upon hearing this, but he still had to ask what needed to be asked.

“After careful deliberation, we believe we should first take down King Ming to the west, then attack King Li in the north.”

“Although the west is mountainous, it is rich in resources, and our Shenwu Troop are particularly skilled in mountain warfare. Furthermore, we can use the Vajra Giant Ape as a vanguard. We only need to capture cities and fortresses along the way, and taking King Ming’s prefectures will be just around the corner!”

“At the same time, we must guard against King Li in the north. For this, two armies of ten thousand Shenwu Troop will be needed to garrison the north. If they dare to invade, we will strike them with force. We only need to hold them back and prevent them from reinforcing King Ming.”

“...”

Suan Tianji immediately began to lay out a series of plans. This plan didn’t even mention Gu Chang, only the giant ape that Gu Chang protected.

One reason was that as subjects, they naturally could not actively put their lord in danger, even though Gu Chang’s strength could already be called unrivaled under heaven.

Another reason was that Gu Chang’s existence itself was a powerful deterrent. His appearance would certainly change the situation, and he didn’t even need to show up; just a rumor could make the enemy suspicious.

After all, before him, no Martial Artist had ever been able to fly through the sky or burrow into the earth. The limitations of mountains, rivers, and prefectures seemed not to exist for him.

“Very well, then proceed according to this strategy!”

After hearing Suan Tianji’s description, Gu Chang did not ask further questions. The entire plan actually required very little of him.

“Yes! Your subjects obey your command!”

“Your subjects accept the order!”

“...”

Upon seeing Gu Chang’s agreement, everyone instantly rejoiced, and all of them immediately bowed to Gu Chang, expressing their compliance.

Soon, Gu Chang’s elite army began to mobilize. War was almost imminent, and the logistical forces acted swiftly and intensely.

Large quantities of supplies such as equipment, weapons, provisions, medicinal materials, and meat were quickly transported to where they were needed.

Compared to two years ago, a type of wooden rail cart had appeared in Gu Chang’s prefectures. These were transport vehicles modified from mining wooden rail carts.

Although these vehicles still used oxen and horses as power sources, because the wooden rails were flat and not too complicated to build, they quickly spread throughout his prefectures.

By relying on these vehicles, not only could supplies be transported quickly, but troops could also be transported in this manner.

Just three days later, Gu Chang’s army had already reached the border of King Ming’s western territory. The massive Vajra Giant Ape, holding a fine steel iron staff and clad in heavy iron armor, stood amidst the army.

“Dong! Dong! Dong!”

“Fight! Fight! Fight!”

“By order of the Martial King, those who surrender shall not be killed! The weak shall not be killed! The common people shall not be killed!”

“If you do not wish to die in vain, you should immediately open the city gates and surrender quickly!”

“Surrender! Surrender! Surrender!”

Before a city under King Ming’s command, tens of thousands of elite soldiers stood outside. The Great General Zhao Changkong loudly shouted towards the tightly shut city gates.

The soldiers in the rear also shouted in unison, their voices shaking the heavens and earth, striking fear into those who heard them!

A Great General under King Ming stood on the city wall, looking at the elite soldiers and fierce generals, as well as the massive Vajra Giant Ape before him, feeling an overwhelming bitterness in his heart.

Although he knew on the very first day he was stationed in this city that he would one day face such a scene, when it actually happened, he still felt utter despair.

Because what appeared before him were over a dozen Great Generals, hundreds of captains, tens of thousands of elite soldiers, and a giant ape comparable to a Refining Spirit Expert!

Such a force could absolutely not be resisted unless King Ming used all his power.

Defeat was already an inevitable outcome!

But thinking of King Ming’s kindness to him, he ultimately could not utter the word ‘surrender.’

And so, the siege began.

“Boom! Boom! Boom!”

Large boulders were hurled towards the city by trebuchets.

Then, the massive Vajra Giant Ape immediately charged forward, wielding its fine steel giant staff. The enemy’s counterattacks were like tickles to it.

“Rumble!”

Following a few leaps by the Vajra Giant Ape, the fine steel giant staff, like a massive pillar, then heavily struck the city gate.

“Crack! Rumble! Bang!”

Instantly, the city gate shattered, and the city wall shook violently. The Vajra Giant Ape, who had studied staff techniques with Gu Chang for many years, finally unleashed its terrifying power at this moment.

“Roar!!!”