316: Crossing-the-River Dragon Gang

Deep within the Hanyue Valley Underground Palace, Jun Xiaoyao leaned back on a mysterious iron sword chair, his fingertips lightly tapping the armrest. The water mirror before him was divided into nine grids.

Each grid displayed a real-time view of one of the nine salt route strongholds in Jiangnan—salt boats slowly docking at Zhenjiang Ferry, Luowang Assassinss at Qiantang Wharf tallying recently received refined salt, and the accountant at Suzhou Warehouse verifying ledgers under Zhao Gao's supervision... Everything was orderly.

"Young Lord," Zhao Gao bowed and presented a scroll, "The remaining forces of the Over-River Dragon Gang have been eradicated. A total of thirty-seven ships of refined salt have been received along the Jiangnan Salt Route, equivalent to one million two hundred thirty thousand taels of silver. As per your instructions, thirty percent has been stored in the underground palace treasury, and seventy percent has been distributed through the black market. The first batch of profits has already arrived."

Jun Xiaoyao opened the scroll, his gaze sweeping over the dense numbers, his fingertip pausing at the "black market channels" section: "Is Lingnan's 'Snake Hall' still dragging its feet?"

Zhao Gao nodded: "The head of Snake Hall said that investigations in Lingnan have been tight recently, and they want to lower the price by ten percent."

"Lower the price?" Jun Xiaoyao chuckled softly, tapping the water mirror with his fingertip. The screen switched to the main headquarters of the Lingnan Snake Hall. A burly man with a scarred face was roaring at his subordinates: "That Jun Xiaoyao is just a greenhorn. Does he really think he's amazing just because he controls the Jiangnan Salt Route? Wait three more days, and when his salt can't be sold, the price will naturally drop!"

Jun Xiaoyao retracted his gaze and tossed the scroll back to Zhao Gao: "Send the 'Shadow' group there. Tell Snake Hall to either accept the goods at the original price, or tomorrow, all the venomous snakes in Lingnan will crawl into his bedroom."

"Yes," Zhao Gao responded and withdrew.

The water mirror automatically switched back to the center, where Huang Rong, accompanied by several Luowang Assassinss, was using Disguise Technique in a theater in Yangzhou City. She pressed a human skin mask onto her face, instantly transforming into an old tea customer with a face full of wrinkles, smiling contentedly at the bronze mirror: "This Disguise Technique is much simpler than the methods on Peach Blossom Island."

[Mission: Infiltrate the Yangzhou Prefect's Yamen and obtain the ledgers colluding with Wanfa Holy Land]

[Assistance: Fragrant Bat]

[Target: Prefect Wang Kun (Mid-Stage Innate Realm), ten guards (Peak Acquired Realm)]

Fragrant Bat, fanning himself with a folding fan, stood by the window on the second floor of the theater, watching the Prefect's entourage pass by on the street. He murmured, "Wang Kun is going to a banquet at 'Zui Chun Lou' tonight, bringing only four guards. It's a good opportunity to act."

Huang Rong stuffed a set of accountant's clothes into her satchel: "I'll go to the Yamen to steal the ledgers. You go to Zui Chun Lou and keep him occupied. Remember, don't take any lives. The Young Lord said they're still useful."

"Don't worry," Fragrant Bat lightly tapped his palm with his folding fan, "I'll just make him 'drunk' until tomorrow morning."

After the two parted ways, the water mirror screen shifted to a bamboo forest outside Suzhou City. Guo Jing, accompanied by ten Luowang Assassinss, surrounded a group of Daoists dressed in Wanfa Holy Land attire. The leading Daoist's face was ashen, tightly gripping his whisk: "Guo Jing! How dare you block my Wanfa Holy Land's caravan? Are you not afraid of the Holy Land's wrath?"

Guo Jing held his iron bow horizontally, the arrowhead pointing directly at the leading Daoist's throat: "The Young Lord has commanded that no one from Wanfa Holy Land is to step into Jiangnan. Leave your goods and return to your mountain gate."

"Arrogant!" the Daoist roared, and his whisk transformed into countless silver threads, sweeping towards Guo Jing. Guo Jing did not dodge, sweeping his iron bow horizontally, forcefully snapping the silver threads. He then shot an arrow, hitting the whisk handle in the Daoist's hand.

"If you don't retreat, don't blame the arrow for being blind." Guo Jing's voice was like clashing metal and stone. Ten Luowang Assassinss simultaneously drew their blades, their flashes of light glinting through the bamboo forest. The Daoist looked at the broken whisk on the ground, then at the murderous assassins around him, gritted his teeth, and waved his hand: "Retreat!"

After the Wanfa Holy Land members left, Guo Jing immediately had the goods tallied and discovered twenty boxes of sulfur—a crucial Material for refining explosives. He spoke solemnly into his message talisman: "Young Lord, Wanfa Holy Land is secretly stockpiling sulfur; it seems they are preparing for something."

Jun Xiaoyao's eyes slightly darkened. Besides refining explosives, sulfur could also be used for Alchemy. For Wanfa Holy Land to stockpile so much was no small matter. His fingertip traced the summoning array, and the spiritual energy in the array's core, boosted by the stability of the Jiangnan Salt Route, rose to 58%. A new list of summonable figures appeared on the light screen.

[Summonable Character: Yang Guo]

[From: the return of the condor heroes World]

[Realm: Mid-Stage Great Grandmaster Realm]

[Martial Skills: Aran Xiao Hun Palm (Major Achievement), Xuantie Sword Technique (Perfection)]

[Specialties: Tracking, Stealth, Combat]

[Summoning Cost: 40% spiritual energy]

"Yang Guo..." Jun Xiaoyao murmured. This Divine Eagle Hero's combat ability was extremely strong, especially his prowess in tracking and surprise attacks, which would be perfect for dealing with any unusual movements from Wanfa Holy Land. He tapped the light screen with his fingertip: "Summon."

The summoning array glowed with an eerie blue light, and runes swarmed towards the array's core like moths. A figure in a dark Xuan-colored long gown slowly materialized. His left arm was empty, his face handsome, and his eyes held a hint of untamed spirit. A heavy sword hung at his waist. Seeing Jun Xiaoyao, he nodded slightly: "Yang Guo greets the Young Lord."

[Character Panel: Yang Guo]

[Status: Indifferent]

[Loyalty: 80%]

[Current thought: This underground palace is more interesting than Jueqing Valley]

Jun Xiaoyao pointed to the retreating figures of Wanfa Holy Land's caravan in the water mirror: "Wanfa Holy Land is stockpiling sulfur. Go investigate their purpose. If there's any unusual movement, act directly without asking for instructions."

Yang Guo's gaze swept over the water mirror, and his heavy sword spun once in his palm: "My hands are itching. Thank you, Young Lord, for this opportunity." He turned and stepped into the teleportation array, leaving a remark before he left, "If you encounter Little Dragon Girl, please inform me, Young Lord."

Jun Xiaoyao nodded slightly. Yang Guo's appearance gave him more confidence in investigating Wanfa Holy Land's movements. At this moment, in the water mirror, Huang Rong had successfully infiltrated the Yangzhou Prefect's Yamen and was rummaging through a secret compartment in the study; Fragrant Bat, meanwhile, was clinking glasses with Wang Kun in Zui Chun Lou, seemingly chatting idly but actually extracting information.

"Young Lord," Zhao Gao entered again, holding a confidential letter, "News from the Northern Territory reports that remnants of the Blood Shadow Cult are gathering at Black Wind Ridge, seemingly intending to reclaim the Blood Fiend Pearl we previously seized."

Jun Xiaoyao opened the confidential letter, which contained a topographical map of Black Wind Ridge, marked with the Blood Shadow Cult's defenses. He sneered: "A bunch of stray dogs, still daring to jump around." He looked at the summoning array; the spiritual energy remaining was 18%, just enough to summon a low-level expert.

[Summonable Character: Mei Chaofeng]

[From: the legend of the condor heroes World]

[Realm: Peak Grandmaster Realm]

[Martial Skills: Nine Yin White Bone Claws (Major Achievement), Heart-Shattering Palm (Minor Achievement)]

[Specialties: Tracking, Poison Usage]

[Summoning Cost: 15% spiritual energy]

"Mei Chaofeng?" Jun Xiaoyao raised an eyebrow. Although this woman's actions were ruthless, her skills in tracking and using poison were among the best in the Jianghu. He tapped the summon button, and the summoning array glowed with a grayish-black light. A pale-faced woman in black appeared, her ten fingernails black and sharp; it was Mei Chaofeng.

"Mei Chaofeng greets the Young Lord." Her voice was hoarse, with a hint of malice.

[Character Panel: Mei Chaofeng]

[Status: Alert]

[Loyalty: 75%]

[Current thought: The aura here... is a bit like Peach Blossom Island]

Jun Xiaoyao pointed to the topographical map of Black Wind Ridge: "The remnants of the Blood Shadow Cult are hiding here. Go bring back their leader, alive."

Mei Chaofeng licked her fingernails: "As you command." Her figure flickered, disappearing into the shadows.

At this moment, in the water mirror, Huang Rong had found the ledgers and was transmitting their contents back via message talisman; Fragrant Bat had successfully intoxicated Wang Kun and was having Luowang Assassinss quietly send him back to the Yamen; Guo Jing, after tallying the sulfur, began to arrange Jiangnan's defensive fortifications.

Jun Xiaoyao looked at the summoned characters, each performing their duties in the water mirror, a faint smile playing on his lips. As The Net's reach extended further into Jiangnan, Beyond Heaven's Foundation became increasingly stable. Wanfa Holy Land, Blood Shadow Cult, Imperial Dynasty vassal kings... those forces he once considered stumbling blocks were being cleared one by one.

He looked at the luminous pearl at the top of the underground palace, its light refracting through the runes to cast complex shadows, much like his current strategy. Jiangnan was just the beginning; next, it was time for the Central Plains.

"Zhao Gao," Jun Xiaoyao said calmly, "Prepare. Starting tomorrow, The Net will fully take over the Central Plains' medicinal herb business."

Zhao Gao bowed in response: "Yes, Young Lord."

In the water mirror, Yang Guo had already tracked down Wanfa Holy Land's sulfur warehouse and was observing from the shadows; Mei Chaofeng, like a black wind, swept towards the Blood Shadow Cult's stronghold in Black Wind Ridge. The night was still long, and Beyond Heaven's expansion had only just begun to accelerate.