The cold middle-aged man by the side and the young man with the green foxtail in his mouth cast their gazes outside the window in a show of great teamwork. They pretended that they did not see what was happening in front of them.
"Hmph!"
When the girl saw that the monk had been intimidated, she smoothed out her robe and sat down in her chair in a manner as if she had not had her fill of intimidating the monk just yet.
"How dare you look down on Cold Moon Palace?!" she said in disdain.
The monk said nothing, but he noticed that there was sinister amus.e.m.e.nt in the other two people's eyes. He felt incredibly embarrassed, but he did not dare to begin shouting. There was no other reason but that the rumors said that the fiery girl's master was Lu Mingyue, who was Cold Moon Palace's master and the successor of Dongfang Bubai, who had shocked the World of Martial Arts some time ago.
He had built his palace not too long ago, but once he obtained the information that the three great sects wanted to work together to divide the resources in Shennongjia, he butted into the matter.
The masters behind the three top sects quietly agreed to it.
From that alone, it was clear that the three masters were very wary of Lu Mingyue's ability.
However, Monk with Thick Eyebrows simply could not accept that.
After all, he was a chief in Class One Hall and a top-class professional player. Lu Mingyue was just a lucky bastard who got really lucky and obtained an ultimate technique. There was no need to even mention the person in front of him. She was just a girl who obtained the right to speak to them because of her boyfriend.
Cai Cai had only just reached Blessed Realm and had not even mastered a single high-tier martial art.
Originally, the four sides had come to an agreement that they would take action the next day and mobilize their own powers to clear Baokang County Town so that they could completely renew and occupy the resources points.
However, the secrets of the second level of the crystal mine being exposed made them push their plan back by a day, and immediately after that, Thunderous Battle and Little North appeared in Baokang and forcefully snatched the second level of the crystal mine from Blood River Sect. The even had shocked the group a lot.
The girl called Cai Cai reacted quickly and immediately contacted them. She suggested that they should change their plans, because unfortunately for them, Blood River Sect, which was an easy target, was meant for Cold Moon Palace!
Thunderous Battle had gone ahead and snatched what belonged to Cold Moon Palace, but Cai Cai was not someone who was stupid. She knew that her boyfriend's only loss had been due to Happy, who was now very famous, and she immediately came to the conclusion that the originally easy target had become the most difficult target.
Cai Cai's intentions were very clear. She wanted to switch resource points with Class One Hall.
It might have been because his bald image made him not as good-looking as the other two men beside him, or perhaps there was a different profound meaning behind her actions, but whatever the reason was, it had led to the matter then.
"Since Cold Moon Palace is so strong, why should you be afraid of those thieves?" Even though he was wary of Lu Mingyue, when it came to Class One Hall's benefits, Monk with Thick Eyebrows did not want to switch resource points with Cold Moon Palace.
Cai Cai looked at him askance.
"Cold Moon Palace naturally has not developed as much as Class One Hall. If you have the ability to do so, go."
The two stood in confrontation with each other.
On the side, the cold middle-aged man continued to sip his tea. He showed no intention to join the quarrel.
The young man with the green foxtail was slightly impatient, however. He raised his hand and interrupted the duo's quarrel.
"Enough. Please calm down, both of you. Let me say this. Since Thunderous Battle has brought his people over, it's clear that his goal is the same as ours. His target are the rich resources of Shennongjia, and he came prepared. His ambitions and vision are greater than ours when we first came here. His people might not be weaker than ours."
Even though he had not said anything, the other three did not miss his reaction. Monk with Thick Eyebrows immediately noticed it, and his expression darkened. "Blue as Water," he said in disp.l.e.a.s.u.r.e, "I know that your sect has quite a good relationship with Happy and his group, but the distribution of resources this time affects the four sects' benefits…"
"I never wanted to join this from the start. You only dragged me into this when you saw that I occupied a mine…" Blue as Water answered in a very calm manner. He sounded very stern.
"You're really troublesome." The young man with the green foxtail spread his hands with a resigned expression.
"All of you know that if Happy joins, he'll meet us sooner or later. Even if we can't solve the matter now, we'll have to solve it later. Why don't we just split up a portion of the resources for him."
"You must be joking! Then are we supposed to hand over a portion of the resources whenever we meet someone who is rather famous in the future too? Are we trying to strengthen our sects or are we performing charity now?! Towering Palace, you're handling this matter too casually. How could your people send someone who is imm.a.t.u.r.e to be in charge of this side…"
Monk with Thick Eyebrows rolled his eyes. He seemed to be very angry.
The person from Towering Palace did not seem to mind the monk's appraisal of him. He continued to smile while saying, "So what? Chivalry Sect has a good relationship with Happy, and Thunderous Battle has already made full preparations on his side. What can you do? Seize the mines from his hands? I'm saying that we should give up on the mines and redistribute the resources."
He cast a glance at Blue as Water, who had said nothing, and Monk with Thick Eyebrows instantly found himself at a loss.
This time, Cai Cai sneered coldly.
"Hmph! Don't be too naive. We might have our plans, but how can you know whether Happy will be willing to work with us? How can you be certain that Thunderous Battle and his group only came for that one crystal mine? Will they be willing to give up on Shennongjia's herbs and metal mines?"
There was quiet for a time.
"Happy has money and people on his side right now, and he is very ambitious! Since he sent his people over here without even notifying Chivalry Sect, are you certain that he doesn't want to monopolize all of Shennongjia?"
The whole room instantly fell silent. Only Cai Cai's voice alone could be heard.
Chapter 322 - Rumors, Schemes, the Town Goes into Motion
The four great sects never managed to settle on a plan that made all four sides happy. However, each sect had a space in Shennongjia, especially Chivalry Sect. They occupied the second level of a crystal mine, and it was not important to them whether they needed to work with the other three great sects to keep it.
However, on the second day, something unexpected happened!
Someone had decided to spread the rumor that Happy was so ambitious that he wanted to take over all the resources in Shennongjia.
Everyone learned about Thunderous Battle and the people from Beautiful Robes Faction going everywhere to understand the area and causing a massive inflation to berthierite because of buying it in bulk. Blood River Sect was unable to enter the second level en masse to take revenge due to that, and they lost their resource point.
Then, there was talk about the people from Beautiful Robes Faction still remaining in Baokang County Town so that they could investigate the situation in more regions and maps.
Within a short period of time, a huge change happened in Baokang County Town!
The larger sects instantly found themselves unable to sit still anymore…
'This won't do!'
"We have to work together and chase those people out of Baokang!"
All sorts of calls rang through Baokang. Even some of the middle-sized and small sects joined in. Together, they gained a grand presence that cried
out that they would work together with the other sects through thick and thin to attack the outside forces.
Cai Cai, Monk with Thick Eyebrows, and the young man chewing on the green foxtail stood near the window with solemn expressions. They looked at the surging crowd on the streets from above, and their eyes sparkled for a bit.
Even they did not expect that such a great commotion would be stirred up after they had sent out that small piece of news!
They had underestimated the influence of the local sects.
After all, they had settled there for half a year already. All the factions of power in Baokang County Town had contact with each other, and with just one messenger pigeon, all of Baokang County Town armed itself. A wave of people crying out to fight against outsiders rose up!
"Thank goodness we didn't attack recklessly."
Cai Cai's eyes shone with fear.
The young man chewing on the green foxtail nodded slowly.
"That's right, Jade Fox Palace, Righteous Sect, Blood River Sect, and a few other smaller sects have joined together, and although their manpower is smaller than twenty thousand men, who would have thought that they would be able to affect a town with more than one hundred thousand people? We underestimated them slightly."
Based on the information they obtained just then, the berthierites in the market had all disappeared, or at least, the local sects would no longer sell them to outsiders no matter how high the price.
Monk with Thick Eyebrows might not have said anything, but the solemnity on his face began to show signs that it was not about to fade away anytime soon.
After they spread the news, Baokang entered a state of preparation for war. Not only had the people from Beautiful Robes Sect decided to hide in the city and refused to go out, many of the outside forces, including the three top sects, were also present. They became very cautious when faced with the crazy tide and did not dare to aggravate the local giant.
A few seconds later, Monk with Thick Eyebrows broke the silence in the small room.
"Jade Fox Palace, Righteous Sect, and Blood River Sect's elites have taken action. They're headed to the crystal mine…"
"The three sects have quite a number of extraordinary players, especially Jade Fox Palace's master, Absolute Nonsense. He's an elite on the Dragon Rank, and he has four high-tier martial arts in Grandmaster Realm. His Mystical Realm high-tier martial art has even reached Grandmaster Realm. It'll be more than enough if he personally led the elites from the three sects to handle Thunderous Battle and his group."
"I wouldn't be so sure about that," said the young man chewing on a green foxtail. His words and the faint frown between his eyebrows instantly attracted Cai Cai and the monk's attention.
"I don't know the details either," the young man said with a shrug, "but Thunderous Battle and his group has already been investigating the area for a few days, and they should understand the situation of the alliance between the local sects. My instincts tell me that they have to have something to rely on!"
Monk with Thick Eyebrows turned pale.
"Find out Happy's location!"
The young man sneered and shook his head. "Don't even think about it, at least not now. He's still under the protection of the Killer Star Effect. We won't be able to find him."
Cai Cai and Monk with Thick Eyebrows s.u.c.k.e.d in a sharp breath at the same time. Their gazes as they stared at the surging crowd beneath them became complicated…
*****
Boom!
Rumble…
The sound of hooves thundered on a relatively smooth path leading to a crystal mine from Shennongjia.
Among the dust that filled the air was a man from the north with tanned skin. He was tall, built, and had an extraordinary presence. His expression was stern, and he sat on a white horse that had no flaws. There was a fierce scowl between his dashing eyebrows.
The group charged along the path with the might of a tidal wave!
There were quite a number of players on the road. When they saw the riders, they quickly made way!
"It's Jade Fox Palace's master!"
"Why is he here?"
"He should be thinking about taking revenge for Blood River Sect. Whew… Absolute Nonsense is personally leading the raid? The crystal mine is about to become filled with activity again!"
When the passers-by saw Jade Fox Palace elites—more than one hundred of them—quickly charging down the road while leaving behind a trail of dust behind them, the players's eyes sparkled, and they discussed the matter excitedly.
Shennongjia was a place that had never been lacking in fights and blood. Every person in present had witnessed many major battles. Hence, when they saw that Jade Fox Palace's master had decided to personally lead the raid, they were rather excited.
*****
"They're here!"
Aside from Blood River Sect's master, Blood Rivers in Nine Heavens, with whom everyone was familiar, and the large group of elites from Blood River Sect, there were also a group of Wudang Sect disciples from Righteous Sect.
Each group had sent at least two hundred people, and they were only waiting for the people from Jade Fox Palace to swiftly reach the meeting point. The area was already so congested though that not even a drop of water could get through. The sight was very magnificent!
"Palace Master Absolute, I hope you are well!"
"Brother Nine Heavens, Brother Zhao!"
As expected of a man from the north, Absolute Nonsense did not need to use any body movement skill to get down from the horse. Even without it, his actions were agile and swift. It was a sight pleasing to the eyes.
When he landed on the ground, he wrapped his fist in his palm and walked over. "Sorry, I'm late."
"It's nothing."
Blood Rivers in Nine Heavens smiled and walked in front of Absolute Nonsense. "Brother Absolute, since you're willing to personally appear to take revenge for me and my brothers in Blood River Sect, we're very grateful to you. That's why we've been waiting here since a long time ago.
"Of course, we're also grateful to our brothers from Righteous Sect!"
The person who led the group from Righteous Sect was not the sect master himself. It was said that the sect master had gone somewhere else to carry out a quest. He did not have time to come back, so he had his vice sect master, Zhao Wuji, mobilize his forces.
Absolute Nonsense cast a glance at the entrance of the mine and said, "Since we're all here, we should go in,"
"Brother Absolute, you're indeed a straightforward person! Brother Zhao, what do you think?"
Blood Rivers in Nine Heavens was very impatient. He wanted to get the second level of the mines back into his hands as soon as possible. Once he received Righteous Sect's agreement, he was filled with happiness. He turned his head around without hesitation and waved his hand.
"Let's go!"
The sect members of Blood River Sect roared loudly in answer.
The group split up!
Around a dozen men and women with steady footsteps and breaths walked out from the groups of the three sects.
They all knew each other.
The two sect masters and vice sect master walked in front and entered the mines!
The remaining people from the three sects did not enter. They took the initiative to stand guard of the mines to prevent the people from Beautiful Robes Faction laying an ambush on them!
In just a few minutes, the monotonous sound of a horse charging forward rapidly could be heard from the distance. A person and a horse swiftly appeared before the three groups' elites.
Chapter 323 - No One in the Room
The players soon arrived at the chamber with the mechanism in the first level of the crystal mine!
With Blood River Sect controlling the situation, the small hall near the chamber with the mechanism did not seem to be congested. The two sect masters and vice sect master cast each other a glance. Blood Rivers in Nine Heavens gritted his teeth and said, "Brother Absolute, Brother Zhao, I wi
ll bring my brothers and lead the way first…"
"Don't, Brother Nine Heavens, you and your brothers have not recovered just yet. Jade Fox Palace and Righteous Sect should be the ones leading the charge. What do you think, Brother Zhao?"
Absolute Nonsense had not just relied on his dashing looks (which plenty of girls fawned over) to form a gigantic organization with more than eight thousand people in Baokang. His strength and charisma were the main reasons why countless people followed him.
"Brother Absolute, you're right. Brother Nine Heavens, you can be the second wave."
Once Zhao Wuji said that, he and Absolute Nonsense led six of their best people in the sect into the chamber with the mechanism.
Once they placed the berthierite inside…
Boom!
A wall fell down at the entrance of the chamber, separating the two parties.
Once the chamber reopened, it was empty. Absolute Nonsense and the others had already entered the second level. Blood Rivers in Nine Heavens did not dare to be slow, however. He quickly brought his people into the chamber and placed the berthierite inside.
When they entered the place, they did not see the intense battle they expected.
Within the small hall that had the breadth of less than ninety-eight feet was the brilliant and dazzling light that could be seen reflected off the crystal walls. Absolute Nonsense, Zhao Wuji, and the dozen or so elites from their sects stood in the empty and quiet hall with confusion on their faces. They looked surprised and puzzled. One of the sect members had attracted Stone King's attention, and he ran about with the dangerous creature from Life and Death Realm chasing after him.
"Damn it! There's no one around!"
"Looks like the news leaked and they went offline." Blood Rivers in Nine Heavens reacted very quickly. He frowned and walked before Absolute Nonsense and Zhao Wuji.
"That shouldn't be… What's the use of logging off? If we don't leave, they will only be in an even more passive position!" Absolute Nonsense looked around and paid attention to the spots around him that had been mined.
Sword Among Us c1-1268 Page 165
