Killing Dao Fruit
Chapter 439 - 436: Yours is Mine

Chapter 439: Chapter 436: Yours is Mine

Chikushido Island, Chuyun Country.

Modeled after the style of Great Yan, the castle of the feudal lord bustled with people coming and going, a hive of activity with carriages and horses aplenty.

Yet within the towering palace that ordinary folk could hardly reach, there existed another city within the city known only to a very select few.

It spanned ten zhang in radius, a serene lotus court.

Cobbled with blue stones, the small bridge, artificial hill with verdant bamboo, mist-enshrouded willows, and tender lotus petals created an enchanting view.

In the small rock pool, the water was so clear that the bottom could be seen, a thin mist hovering over its surface, with several colorful koi frolicking and darting about from time to time.

Looking up at the sky, one would see huge blue lotus leaves catching the pond waters below and touching the sky above, laid out in a high-low patchwork spanning twenty-four layers.

A realm for each layer, each lotus leaf bore exquisitely unique and charming structures, shrouded in misty rain, a sight too beautiful for words.

And at the very top of all the lotus leaves was a circular patch of sky, glistening in the sunlight.

Standing in the courtyard and looking up, it was as if one were in a small water jar brimming with lotus flowers, with all the buildings constructed atop a gigantic lotus.

This was none other than the Lotus Court Small Realm that had replaced the "Three Yang Small Realm" as the new trump card of the northern No-Life Dao.

From time to time, groups of "White Lotus Holy Daughters" could be seen, clad in white gowns, flitting between the emerald lotus leaves like fairy maidens walking on waves.

They disseminated official documents, handled government affairs, and devised strategic counsel... acting as the highest administrative center of Chuyun Country.

It was even equivalent to the Cabinet of the Great Yan Imperial Family.

The highest in status and the most exceptional in temperament were twenty-four women, the lowest-ranked among them had attained the level of Yin God in Taoist ability, collectively known as the Twenty-four Solar Terms.

Having freed themselves from the fate of serving the Living Ming King, the one they now needed to assist was none other than the northern No-Life Dao’s Taoist Master–and Chuyun Country’s ruler–Su Guyun.

"Bo’an, you will be greatly credited for this achievement once again!

Had you not discovered in advance the movements of the Ghost Dao Alliance Army along the East Sea coast and the anomaly within the Osumi Domain,

it would have been impossible for us to seize the opportunity and effortlessly take over the entire Osumi Country before the other states and the wandering demons and deceitful monsters on the island."

Seated at the highest position, decked in a silver palace dress, was none other than Su Guyun herself.

Her appearance was picturesque, but her demeanor concealed a majestic aura that deterred others from looking directly at her.

At this moment, her true form, carrying the Fate of the entire nation, no longer ventured out, staying always within this Lotus Court Small Realm to guard against all assassination attempts by her opponents.

Connecting to the earth’s veins, gathering human Qi, constructing arrays–as long as she remained stationary, others had no hope of breaking through this "Inner Scene Heaven and Earth."

Apart from the most loyal White Lotus Holy Daughters, few outside ministers were qualified to enter the Lotus Court Small Realm; even fewer were men.

But Zhu Bo’an, who had performed outstandingly on numerous occasions, was such an exception.

"My King, you flatter me.

The capture of the Osumi Domain was entirely due to your adept leadership, the collective effort from top to bottom of the Ventilation Department, and the favorable timing and cooperation of the people–I dare not claim the credit."

Zhu Bo’an was exceedingly modest in his words, yet inwardly he was utterly in awe of his master’s capabilities.

’To offer the same deed thrice is sheer genius.

To sell it to the Heavenly Dao to earn Yin Morality, to the Nine Soldiers to gain merit, and to Chuyun to reap military achievements.

And then to simply feed this huge merit directly to me, I, Zhu Bo’an, am indeed the disciple most valued by my teacher.’

This was because the situation had changed so rapidly.

Neither the Ghost Path nor the Demon Master Dao had realized it at all.

Chuyun Country, which once had a single Yellow Seal Mage and looked unremarkable, had already changed beyond recognition after assimilating the remnants of the entire Northern No-Life Dao.

It had become a colossal presence in no way inferior to any of their powers.

fishing in troubled waters, seizing the critical moment to amplify its gains, it swallowed the entire Osumi Domain in one gulp.

The gold and silver mines, farmlands, population, and ports left behind by Wang Yuan–those immovable properties were the most valuable parts of the domain.

Having gained such an immense benefit for free, how could Su Guyun not be pleased?

"Bo’an, among the nine countries of Chikushido Island, only Osumi Country is the strongest; the other domains are far from being a match for us.

This time, having integrated the remnants of the entire Northern No-Life Dao and significantly increased our strength,

we must strive to completely conquer Chikushido Island by the end of this year. From today, implement a military-first policy in all domestic affairs.

You should be prepared."

After weighing the various reports collected by the Ventilation Department from inside and outside Great Yan, Su Guyun ultimately chose the Moluo Islands as her primary target to control.

She transferred the core of the No-Life Dao’s Magician cadre from the mainland of Divine Land to here,

using this battle-hardened group of Magicians to combat the island’s natives and the elusive pantheon of gods.

The lands of Yan State and Junzhou, with their vast popular bases, were regarded by her as the bridgehead for dominating the entire North,

surrounding the "Pure Yang Avatar," whose Military Skill Cultivation had soared, with the long-cultivated Three Yang Soldiers to form a powerful Rebel Army.

In Yan State, adjacent to Yu State, they expanded the territory and conquered two prefecture cities, securing a firm foothold.

Zhu Bo’an received his new mission and immediately assured her several times, promising to remain vigilant and humble while preparing the intelligence groundwork for Su Guyun’s strategic plans in advance.

At the same time, he reported something very gravely:

"My King, the other day I made contact with a Wealthy Merchant who specializes in the trade of Firearms.

The items sold are not the common steel blades and spearheads used by the ordinary refugee army.

Instead, they are superior firearms that can at least match the equipment of the Great Yan Dynasty’s second-line firearms camp!

I have personally inspected the goods, and their imitations of the firearms are identical to the real ones from the Mystical Weapon Temple.

Not only do they have the most equipped firearms, but they also have "Divine Might General Cannon," a Daoist Skill Cannon!"

"I have no idea where they found such skilled craftsmen.

Their craftsmanship is so sublime that every single piece among the same type of firearms is indistinguishable, with a tolerance so small it’s nearly negligible.

Most importantly, they not only supply in large quantities but also offer prices that are ten percent cheaper than secondhand gear scavenged from various garrisons throughout Great Yan!

If we could exchange the abundant gold and silver produced on the four Moluo Islands for these, and heavily equip our Mortal Firearms Camps, both defensive and siege warfare would surely be invincible.

In my opinion, for such a major issue, our king must be informed!"

Even Su Guyun, the Yellow Seal Mage who had long since dismissed ordinary firearms, couldn’t help but brighten up at this news, and quickly pressed:

"Are you certain?"

For nearly three hundred years, the Great Yan Dynasty, supported by the Taiyin Xuanbing Dao, has had its performance for all to see.

The rebellion-loving "No-Life Dao" has suffered frequent losses at the hands of the firearms camp.

Thus, they are also very familiar with weapons that prevent ordinary soldiers from being relegated to just logistics.

Perhaps during unexpected field encounters, soldiers equipped with firearms still can be slaughtered by the highly mobile Non-Human "Daoist Soldiers."

However, when stationed in a city or pass, or attacking a fortress or formation, they have a huge advantage.

Mixed forces of "Daoist Soldiers" and "Firearms Camps" can complement each other’s strengths, making one plus one greater than two.

Most importantly, maintaining a Firearms Camp is a hundred times cheaper than maintaining Daoist Soldiers.

It might take ten years to cultivate a powerful Daoist Soldier.

But a well-trained elite Firearms Camp can be built in just one or two years!

This is an indispensable troop type during a struggle for power, and Su Guyun had already planned to expand them.

Only that due to the lack of reliable techniques for large-scale imitation of firearms and the high costs, along with the absence of a trustworthy source of supply, the process had been delayed until now.

Hearing the urgency in Su Guyun’s words, Zhu Bo’an immediately knelt and swore:

"I guarantee their authenticity, of course! For our king’s great cause, I dare stake my life on it.

The seller also said ’In poverty, intersperse tactics; in wealth, cover with firepower!’

Gather all the ’fears’ in the world, and fundamentally, there’s only one: the fear of insufficient firepower!

There isn’t a single issue in the world that an entire artillery battalion can’t solve; if there is, then bring in another!

Listen, I find these principles thoroughly convincing!"

With each statement, Su Guyun’s beautiful eyes grew brighter, until finally, they burned with an intense flame as she stared at Zhu Bo’an.

Without hesitation, she waved her hand:

"Go and trade! We don’t care what those arms dealers, who love to stir trouble, are planning in their hearts.

As long as the weapons are fine, we’ll trade!

As long as the Ministry of War’s military expenditure can bear it, get me as many as possible!

By the age-old rules, one cannot be ennobled without military merit for the nation.

If this matter goes well, once we take over Chikushido Island, you shall be the first Lord Chengyi of Chuyun Country!"

To any sovereign, an upright commander like Zhu Bo’an, who never claims credit and is devoid of selfish intentions, is welcome; Su Guyun is no exception.

"I obey the order, I shall carry out this task, through fire and water!"

Zhu Bo’an accepted the mission with a solemn, resolute expression on his face.

Inwardly, however, he was already overjoyed.

Look at the way you’re talking, it’s just moving money from one hand to the other, how could anything go wrong?

The real trouble would be if I deliver gold and silver short in weight to Manager Tao!

It was obvious.

As the two best Jade Mansion Thunder Pivots in the mortal world went into operation at the Blood and Sweat Factory at Dushuo Mountain, aside from the No-Life Buddha,

the industrial capacity was about to unleash a dimension-lowering strike against all handicraft industries.

And the first battle was with the most crucial "guns" of the tumultuous times.

Old Master Wang specifically favored Su Guyun by opening up purchasing channels to her first because he knew she had made a fortune.

Where could there be such thing as pies falling from the sky for no reason? It doesn’t discriminate between yours and mine.

What’s yours is mine, and what’s mine is still mine.

Is there anything better in the world than spending blood-earned money to buy cheap military arms from me to expand my territory with your own lives?

This careful calculation, even from across the East Sea, Zhu Bo’an could hear.