Translator: Transn Editor: Transn
âYour Excellency, laborers for building the villa have been recruited!â
Jiang Xiao, silently standing before Junior Leopard, said politely, âBut, Your Excellency, itâs a refined iron vein. Are you sure you want to build a villa there?â
âThe Evil Qi there is very dense. Even if itâs a refined iron vein, when ordinary workers are not able to exploit, it amounts to a useless thing. I happen to need the Evil Qi for practice, so Iâd rather build a villa,â said Junior Leopard.
âDespite it, Your Excellency, itâs so unexpected. As you see, we are short of hands in the territory. Now you suddenly want to build a villa, weâll have to transfer more manpower. Your Excellency, itâs your territory, and youâre free to do anything. But, itâs really not a good time to put up a building now!â
âYouâre admonishing me?â Junior Leopard asked in a low voice.
âI dare not. I justâ¦â Hearing Junior Leopardâs sullen tone, Jiang Xiao answered immediately.
âWell then, thatâs all. I know youâre speaking out for my sake. However, I must build the villa. If you donât want to be responsible for it, Iâll look for other people.â Junior Leopard shook hands and said, âAlright, Iâm tired. You can retreat!â
âYes,â Jiang Xiao said and left.
â¦
â¦
âI say, Mr. Jiang, does your brain work?â Getting out the door, he saw Zhu Ba coming to him. Zhu Ba complained, âJust do what His Excellency requires you to do. Why talk back to him? I can see His Excellency is unhappy this time!â
âOh, itâs not my intention. But His Excellency wants to build a villa now. Itâs not appropriate!â Speaking of this, his tone was a little bit sulky. âHis Excellency did not act in this way before. As long as what we said was reasonable, he would adopt our suggestion. Why is he so stubborn this time?â Shaking head, he left with a sigh.
âYour subordinate is really loyal!â
Jiang Xiao moaned and groaned outside, which was not hidden from Junior Leopard and Golden Rooster. After Jiang Xiao had left, Golden Rooster suddenly showed up from the back of the screen and smiled.
âHeâs a good guy, but itâs not a good time to tell him something,â said Junior Leopard, shaking his head. âAh, youâve been there. What do you think of it?â
âNice place!â Golden Rooster said.
âAll right then. Youâll be appointed as the overseer to handle all the things at that time!â
âItâs not so good. Itâs too noticeable!â
âIâm the lord here. It canât be too normal to promote a person to be an overseer,â said Junior Leopard, âso nobody would care about such a tiny thing. Besides, I want to build a villa. Perhaps people think I, as a new lord, indulge in a life of pleasure and thus belittle me!â
âNobody is that stupid!â Golden Rooster glanced at him, giving a brittle laugh. âYouâll build the villa in a big way, which will make people think that there are some likely secrets in your villa, rather than that youâre living a leisurely life. I suppose it wonât be long before your villa receives an investigation!â
âWith you, what shit will I fear? Uh, when will your Immortal Palace people arrive?â
âWithin several days,â answered Golden Rooster. âThis time, the Azure Secret Areaâs entrance is concerned, so the Immortal Palace pays great attention. Among those people, thereâs a person very proficient in formations and theyâll bring a Pure Yang Celestial Device!â Mentioning this, he took a meaningful look at Junior Leopard. âYou really hit the jackpot, but you are also closely bound up with our Immortal Palace. One honors all, and one damns all!â
âIâm one of the 28 constellations in the Immortal Palace, so I was linked to you from long ago,â said Junior Leopard with a laugh. âThis time, our relationship has just deepened again!â
âThatâs right. I wonât talk to you anymore. Iâm going to go there and have a look!â Golden Rooster was a dedicated person. He left after a short chat with Junior Leopard.
Seeing Golden Rooster leaving, Junior Leopard stood up. His territory had just been established, but the mechanism was sound here because he was lazy. All the matters, except those serious ones, did not need him to deal with them personally. Take the villa building as an example, he just issued the order. Even though Jiang Xiao was against it slightly, he had to implement it without any reservation because Junior Leopard had given an order.
âItâs time to cope with matters caused by Black Demon Chama. Itâs said this thing has created many troubles in the territories and attracted many peopleâs attention!â Junior Leopard thought. His figure flashed with a piece of fire cloud, and he rushed out of the room, flying straight to the sky.
This time, Junior Leopard succeeded in practicing the Gang Qi. Hence, when he was flying, he did not need to use the Dragon Flying Technique. By comparison with the Gang Qi, the Dragon Flying Technique could be used unfetteredly, but it was too flaunting. As for the fire cloud surrounding him, it was formidable and combining it with his martial arts skills, it would not introduce othersâ reveries.
With the advancement of his cultivation, Junior Leopard had a far better understanding of the Gang Qi. He knew that the Gang Qi had another magical function in addition to attack and defense.
That was instantiation!
For example, his Nine Dragons Heavenly Fire could instantiate to be the Nine Dragons Heavenly Fire cover and the Jade Original Power Gang to be a giant thunder saber.
Of course, the pre-requirement for the Gang Qi instantiation was that the Gang Qi cultivation must reach an extremely profound level, and the Gang Qi must be filled with intelligence.
Therefore, experts could seldom instantiate the Gang Qi. However, Junior Leopard easily fulfilled the requirement of the Gang Qi instantiation. His Internal Qi was intelligent, so he practiced nine dragons once his Gang had been formed. To the common people practicing the Nine Dragons Heavenly Fire Technique, it would be a lucky thing to successfully practice one Fire Dragon when their Gang was formed. Even if they could instantiate the Gang Qi, their result would be just One Fire Dragon Cover, Two Fire Dragons Cover and the like, were not rivals to his Nine Dragons Heavenly Fire Cover.
Besides, even the cultivation of the same Gang Qi would create different results after instantiation. Like his Jade Original Power Gang, which could instantiate into a giant thunder saber, Junior Leopard believed Wang Sheâs Jade Original Power Gang would not instantiate into a thunder saber.
That wasnât his style.
Now, Junior Leopard had already stood in the midair at more than 1,000 feet up. The fire cloud around his body had disappeared, but his feet were still on a fire cloud, looking like an immortal riding on the cloud in the legend. He looked down and uttered a long and loud roar.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
His roar shook the heaven, lingering on and extending to an area with a radius of hundred miles in the shortest time. People in the territory were shocked by this roar, but lowered their heads and continued their work as if nothing had happened, because they knew that their lord was beckoning his pet, the Silver Wolf.
âOoroo!â
The roar was still travelling to a remote distance when a forlorn wolf howl appeared. Then came the second, third, and fourth howl, closer and closer. A silver line emerged and shot from the direction of the skyline, growling along the way while splitting the ground.
This was Little Du!
Since he came to the prairie, Little Du was always in a free-range state. After several months, it had already become the wolf chief in an area of hundreds of miles around.
With the help of Little Du, Junior Leopard indirectly had the prairie wolves in his control.
What was the most terrible thing for earning a living on the prairie?
Wolves, which not only attacked people but also flocks and herds. They were a great threat to anyone living on the prairie. Moreover, bloodsucking and cruel wolves could not be exterminated. No good methods could be applied to fight against those evil intelligent living creatures.
Some time ago, under Junior Leopardâs instruction, Little Du led several nearby big wolves to assault the neighboring land, the territory in the hands of Wang Hua, who was from the Wang clanâs branch that conflicts with him. At that time, Wang Hua lost approximately half of the flocks and herds, which greatly sapped his strength.
Gradually seeing the robust Little Du rushing toward him, Junior Leopard laughed happily, âLetâs go, Little Du. Letâs go see our old friend!â
Little Du seemed to understand what Junior Leopard said and gladly hissed, running quickly to the southeast.
âHehe!â Junior Leopard smiled and rode the Gang Qi, closely following Little Du.
Blacktail Plain was located to the southeast of Junior Leopardâs territory. About 3,000 miles far from it. When he came to the territory for the first time, he spent many days in going through the Blacktail Plain before arriving at his own territory. Now, only Little Du was together with him, so they were much faster. It only took them, one people and one beast, four to six hours to get to the Blacktail Plain.
âGood heavens, so busy here!â
Once they reached the Blacktail Plain, Junior Leopard felt as if there was something wrong here because there were too many people.
It should be known that the Blacktail Plain had been a forbidden place, with swamps and floating weeds everywhere. Ordinary people would be caught in the swamps if they walked here carelessly. Besides, there was nothing being produced. Therefore, people seldom came here. However now, as soon as they arrived at the Blacktail Plain, Junior Leopard saw several groups of people walking cautiously on this prairie, as if they were searching for something.
Among those people, most of them were sallow and emaciated sinners in shreds and tatters, being bunched by ropes and forced to plod forwards while behind them were soldiers in gorgeous dress.
Soldiers?
They looked like soldiers, but not absolute soldiers. According to the clothes, those guys seemed to be soldiers. However, after careful observation, Junior Leopard broke into laughter. He instantly understood that those guys were the lordâs private armies, similar to the urban management in his territory.
People like them who had been granted a fief and the rank of nobility, were entitled to possess a private army which couldnât be too great in number. For example, Zhou Bao, who had been awarded the title Wuyang County Governor, was a Viscount, and could own a private army of 800 people. The urban management under Junior Leopardâs control took the quota of 800 people from the private army.
Thus, those peopleâs appearance showed that they must be a lordâs private army from somewhere nearby. The reason that they took this measure was that they perhaps had been suffered a loss before in the plain swamps. Consequently, this time they adopted this measure to explore the mysterious prairie, like the Japanese scouring for landmines during the Counter-Japanese War.
Besides driving the sinners to proceed, the private army also marked their way using any available means.
âA conscientious Lord!â Junior Leopard said in his heart. At this moment, a cry suddenly came. Turning to look back, he saw several sinners in the first row falling into a sludge pit at almost the same time and calling loudly for help.
âHurry up, hurry up. Itâs none of your business!â Several sinners around wanted to save them but were whipped by the following private army.
âBe quick, lame ducks. Quick! I donât have time to consume with you!â The one that seemed to the head of the private army shouted, swishing with a long whip. âBefore the sunset, if you fail to march three miles, your supper will be canceled. If Iâm scolded due to you, I promise, youââ
Before he finished his words, he seemed to perceive something and turned around, seeing a Teen, in cyan clothes, standing not far away and watching him calmly as well as a Silver Wolf, sturdy and vigorous, standing beside him.
Inexplicably, seeing the man in cyan, he could not help but tremble with cold fear. He abruptly looked back and dared not to have a look again. He was afraid to ask who he was.
In recent days, a large number of people came to the Blacktail Plain, including martial artists. He was only an insignificant head of the private army. He could only domineer those vulnerable sinners, but he would land himself in serious trouble if he provoked some martial artists.
Junior Leopard was targeting Black Demon Chama this time around and did not want to make any trouble. His hands slightly lifted and a strong power emerged for a second, rescuing the sinners out of the sludge pit.
Seeing Junior Leopard lend a helping hand, those people stopped walking. That head felt his heart sink and showed a nervous look. He thought that maybe he encountered a Jianghu chivalrous man who came here to take revenge. If it was so, he would get into trouble. Even if he did not die, he would be afflicted, equating to his skin being peeled off.
âAre you their head?â
While he was deeply anxious, a cold voice came to him, making him suddenly shudder. He almost collapsed on the ground.
âYes, yes, I am!â
âWhom do you serve? Why are you driving so many sinners here?â
âI⦠I work under His Excellency Qiâ¦Qin. His Excellency Qinâs fief has a circumference of 100 miles, but half of it was occupied by the Blacktail Plain. So, His Excellency Qiâ¦Qin sent me to lead those sinners to explore the way!â
âExplore the way?â Junior Leopard nodded, not knowing who His Excellency Qin was. However, now that this person was awarded a fief of 100 miles, he must have made a great contribution in the war against the Northern Yuan. âAre there many people coming to the Blacktail Plain recently?â
âYes, there are. Their Excellencies of all families have sent people to the fief, and many of Their Excellencies have fiefs all around the Blacktail Plain, and, andâ¦â Mentioning it, the head gave an eccentric smile. âSeveral of Their Excellencies arenât lucky, because their fiefs are in the middle of the Blacktail Plain, so many of Their Excellencies have sent people here to explore the Blacktail Plain!â
âInteresting. Some are really unlucky!â Hearing what the head had said, Junior Leopard nearly laughed. Fiefs located in the middle of the Blacktail Plain proved the rumor. The Emperor didnât have so much knowledge about the Northern Yuan when awarding the fiefs and just casually allotted the land. Otherwise, such a situation would not happen. Although few people knew the Blacktail Plain, the imperial court, based on its capability, should have acquired detailed information after a subtle exploration. If it knew the details, it certainly wouldnât give this land to others. However, the possibility that the Emperor had purposely given several unlucky people these fiefs as a joke, couldnât be ruled out.
âWell! Since youâre exploring the way, I wonât take any more of your time!â Junior Leopard waved hands and pointed at the sinners who had been saved by him. âThe northern prairie is a vast land with a small population. Only a few people live here. If they all die, then there will be no more people!â
âYes, yes, youâre right,â said the head of the private army, nodding repeatedly, his head almost burying to the waist. âIâll pay attention to it, great attention!â When he looked up again, the man and the wolf had already disappeared.
â¦
â¦
Junior Leopard went with Little Du, advancing one more hour. They were already deep in the Blacktail Plain. Even though more and more people appeared on the Blacktail Plain, few of them could come deep into this plain. Now that all the people were at the initial exploration state, they could not startle Black Demon Chama, who was in the depths of the Blacktail Plain.
The reason that Junior Leopard brought Little Du with him to the Blacktail Plain was that he himself had no confidence to find out Black Demon Chamaâs whereabouts.
The Black Demon Chama was an evil beast. He didnât fear it, but it was its home, its domain. If it really wanted to hide, he couldnât find it. However, Little Du had a keen sense of smell and he had a fight against with Chama once, so it was a good choice to search for it together.
As expected, in the boundless plain with grass and swamps everywhere, Little Du found a clue soon. With the nose being close to the ground, it smelt briefly and ran swiftly.
An hour later again, it stopped and firmly howled, facing a grassland.
âGot it!â Junior Leopard smiled and pacified the restless Little Du. He walked to this grassland, calmed down and released his spiritual mind. Even the mere rustle of leaves in the wind ten miles was under his observation.
âHere it is. Letâs check the legendary Pure Yang Celestial Deviceâs power!â
Junior Leopard was already too impatient to wait. It had been a period since he had finished his practice of the Golden Flame Mirror, a Pure Yang Celestial Device, but he always had no opportunities to try its power. Today, he, fortunately, got this chance. He would like to have a try regarding the difference between the Pure Yang Celestial Device, which could suppress a millennium familyâs fate, and the celestial device of Mysterious Level.
A golden light emerged from behind the back of his head and then turned into a pale gold mirror. Soft clouding flickered on the mirrorâs face and chimed in with the sunshine in the sky. All of a sudden, with a violent flash, a straight golden light shot directly from the mirror.
âShit!â
He had prepared well in advance, but the golden light was so dazzling that it shone upon him.
âHu-la!â At the very moment when the golden light reflected the grassland, the wet grassland swayed, white smoke vapors rising, the watery grassland became so dry that it cracked.
âGreat effect!â Junior Leopard was taken aback and began to manipulate the mirror unconsciously. The golden light swept the grassland backward and forwards. Only after several times, this grassland, within a radius of 1,000 feet, looked like it was experiencing a drought, pallid and cracked. The waterweeds withered, and the cracks could even harbor a fist. Junior Leopard felt surprised. Achieving such a result would take a long time, even if he exerted the Nine Dragons Heavenly Fire. However, using this mirror light caused such a situation. It could be seen how strong the power of the Golden Flame Mirror was.
Marveling at the situation, he felt a subtle vibration under his feet.
âItâs Chama. Itâs moving!â Junior Leopard thought. However, Chama didnât rush out. Thanks to congenital vigilance, it could easily feel the unique power of the Pure Yang Celestial Device above. Consequently, it knew that going to ground was useless, and it wanted to escape now, fleeing away underground, secretly.
Nevertheless, one thing was incomprehensible to it. It would not be a problem for it to run away underground previously. But now that the grassland, plump with water plants before, became a dry land under the function of the Golden Flame Mirror, the ground shook as it was moving. Moreover, Little Du, besides Junior Leopard, also felt Chamaâs spirit and quietly snarled.
Junior Leopard gave a gentle smile and raised the Golden Flame Mirror highly. The straight golden light began to move along the grassland, and everywhere it went, the grass was scorched.
The golden lightâs track, which was exactly that of Black Demon Chamaâs escape route, was very clear.
White mist rose in gusts, and thick smoke emerged in streams. Suddenly, the light stopped moving, as if Black Demon Chama stopped. But it just halted, not exposing its head.
âWhat a sly thing!â
Chama had a feeling that something was wrong, and it was troublesome to take flight. Therefore, it dug deeper underground. It was an evil beast which was born in the soil, so it was naturally good at burrowing and moving freely underground without impediment.
The ground here referred to the special swamps in the Blacktail Plain. It was rich in water, making it very convenient for Chama to move. However, the ground was dry now, which prevented Chama from moving smoothly.
Thus, it chose to penetrate the underground.
In terms of his capability, the best depth for movement was 150 feet underground. But a much deeper depth did not work, because it would be rock layer. After all, he was an evil beast, not a drill. Hence, in the beginning, he didnât bore down until he reached soft position. At almost the same time, the Golden Flame Mirrorâs power was shown again.
Flames flashed from the golden light one after another and began to vapor the moisture of that ground. At first, the mirrorâs golden light could totally dry the moisture at the depth of 50 feet underground. However, the Golden Flame Mirror now began to display its power properly, more and more moisture being vaporised. The grassland at that position, from the ground surface to 1,000 feet underground, was absolutely pulverized.
âKa, ka!â
The ground cracked due to the excessively dry fissures becoming bigger and bigger, causing the surrounding dust to turn into flying ashes.
The Golden Flame Mirror had already stopped vaporising and hung behind Junior Leopardâs head, looking like a small sun with its golden light reflecting the ground and firmly nailing Black Demon Chama to the position of 1,000 feet underground.
Even though Black Demon Chama drilled down 1,000 feet, it ended with it being fixed by the Golden Flame Mirrorâs golden light and couldnât move a step.