I Can See Your Combat Power
Chapter 1174 - Chapter 1174 Chapter 468 The Value of a Pawn

Chapter 1174: Chapter 468: The Value of a Pawn Chapter 1174: Chapter 468: The Value of a Pawn The Heavenly Patrol Divine Vessel of the Mountain Department veiled the meager light of Longyuan, and beneath its shadow lay the faces of the servants and slaves, filled with fear and unease, as well as that of the elder, standing at the forefront, trying hard to maintain composure and dignity.

Weapons were discarded on the ground, and even the Mountain Protection Array had not been raised. Representatives of the Garden Faction did their utmost to convey to the newcomers their unwillingness to resist by force.

This sensible action resulted in a positive response; the combined attack that was ready to launch was retracted, and Lord Lei Ze, bearing six wings on his back, frowned as he leaped from the deck of the Divine Ship, his heart filled with intense resentment as he looked toward the collapsed space in the deepest part of Longyuan.

In haste and yet a step too late, the once feeble Yun Clan now demonstrated such resolution that, upon the leak of information, they resolutely initiated void drift.

Assured of no danger, the elite of the Mountain Department emerged from the Divine Ship in groups. The eldest elder of the Yun Family at the forefront of Dragon Cliff attempted to say something but was trampled into the ground, head first, by a Mountain Department inspector, losing his last bit of dignity.

Amid the collective wails, the Mountain Department elite descended upon them like tigers among sheep, capturing prisoners while gathering intelligence.

Within half an hour, after the first round of interrogation, the Mountain Department Governor approached Lord Lei Ze and reported in a soft voice, “My lord, I have just questioned them all. These people were all hastily expelled from the Minor Spiritual Realm of Longyuan. The majority are servants and slaves of the household, and the only one of some value, that old man, was merely responsible for some external procurement duties. He knows nothing about other strongholds of Blood Tower or the whereabouts of the Minor Spiritual Realm.”

At this point, the Governor summarized with regret, “These are the Yun Family’s discarded pieces, with very limited value.”

The target of the Mountain Department was clear: eradicating Blood Tower was certainly one of them, but among the secondary values, the secret techniques and divine powers Blood Tower had collected over the years were also of great importance.

If they could also take the Minor Spiritual Realm into the king’s possession, that would undoubtedly be the best outcome.

But right now, they had only captured some low-value pawns, after deploying such a massive force and calling in so many favors.

This operation was undoubtedly a failure, at least in the opinion of this Mountain Department Governor.

But gazing at the collapsed Longyuan, Lord Lei Ze had a different view, “Every person has their unique value; the key is where you place them.”

“Please enlighten me, my lord.”

The Garrison Commander’s expression turned solemn as he spoke respectfully.

“Look at these people below; what do you see?”

An Dinghuang turned around and gestured toward the Yun Family’s discarded pieces, who, like lambs, were bound together and kneeling in different sections, then lightly asked the Garrison Commander.

“I see numbness.”

“Look deeper.”

“I also see fear.”

“Go deeper still.”

“And… resentment?”

“Yes, resentment.”

An Dinghuang said, “These servants and slaves who could have sacrificed themselves and died for their clan would still feel resentment when they realize they have truly been abandoned by their masters. And resentment is a form of power!”

“What should your subordinate do?”

The Governor asked eagerly.

“They will teach you what to do,”

Lord Lei Ze, looking down at the group of kneeling discards, smiled and said, “Because the people who know Blood Tower and the Yun Clan the best are already in front of us.”

…

For most people, meaning is something conferred by emotions, and the establishment of emotions is often not a natural process but rather one of deliberate cultivation.

The relationship between men and women is very much the same: if you don’t act, I won’t act, hoping for a telepathic connection–then you deserve to wait until the end of time before anyone will know.

Unspoken love cannot ferment the sweet wine of romance, evolving only into the bitterness of alienation, ultimately turning into the stench of regret.

Just like the most basic principle of social conduct, it’s not about trying only when there’s a possibility, but rather, you try first and then you’ll know if there’s a possibility.

Tang Luo, adept at planning, lacked nothing except patience, and feelings of romance unknowingly blossomed from the daily companionship of living and eating together.

Every day, Miss Yun would prepare soup for Boss Luo, so the two had a fixed time to spend together each day.

“You know what’s strange?” he asked.

“What’s strange?”

“Before this, you had never seen what I looked like, yet you said you liked me. Don’t you find that strange?”

“…Do you think my liking for you is too superficial? I’m not one of those young lads who can’t move on upon seeing a pretty girl, who carelessly makes promises as long as he feels a spark in his heart. I know what’s most important.”

While sipping her soup, Yun Xiu rolled her eyes and retorted, “Sweet talk. What men find most important is the appearance of a woman, isn’t it?”

“Maybe,” Tang Luo shrugged. “But my liking for you is definitely not because of your looks!”

“Hehe,” Yun Xiu casually set down her soup bowl and asked with a laugh, “Are you saying I’m not pretty?”

“Pretty, yes, but compared to your other excellent qualities, your outstanding appearance seems insignificant,” he immediately corrected, sensing a whiff of murderous intent, and praised her earnestly.

“Smooth talker,” she remarked.

…

Inside Chaochang city, the New Cloud Council

Twelve council members gathered together with grave expressions.

On the table was a letter that had just been unsealed, sent by the leader of the Longxi Alliance to Chaochang.

It was a request to build a new dock at the Lingjiang port and to establish a foothold in Chaochang.

If it were any other noble clan, this wouldn’t be a big deal, after all, Chaochang had hundreds of clan strongholds, if not thousands, but the Longxi Alliance was different.

The application clearly stated that this was a stronghold of the Longxi Alliance, not one of the Tang family in Xiling, and that was precisely what made everyone hesitant.

It was clear to any discerning eye that the next move for the Longxi Alliance, which already dominated both sides of Lingjiang, would be to expand either south or north. Tang Zhi, the leader of the alliance, had great ambitions, and no one could be sure what the so-called stronghold was actually plotting, naturally making them wary to agree easily.

But the world’s rules are as such: when someone courteously submits an application to the Cloud Council, showing respect and providing sufficient reasons, to reject it would mean antagonizing the tiger that dominates Lingjiang.

Bearing in mind that 80% of the waterways from Chaochang to the Longzhou hinterland traverse Longjiang, and if the Tang Clan, which dominates the Lingjiang Seven Cities, were to establish checkpoints at the confluence of the two rivers, it would cause immense discomfort to Chaochang’s merchants.

If it came to that, the overt losses would only be greater; hence it was clear that they couldn’t block the move. The key was to negotiate limitations and constraints.

All the businesses coming in and out of Chaochang already have their patrons; all twelve seats in the council were taken, and they had no intention of sharing profits with the Longxi Alliance.

“Meet force with force, stem water with earth. Tell Tang Zhi of Longxi, Chaochang welcomes all partners who come with goodwill,”

The newly instated council president Ye Qingcang, wearing a dark green jade ring, ultimately decided, approving the Longxi Alliance’s residence application.

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