Chapter 449

The imperial capital of the Great Jin Divine Kingdom, Peaceful Sun City.

At the southeast corner of the imperial capital, about seven or eight li away, lies a garden of moderate size called the Nine Bend Creek Hall. Originally part of the Great Jin Divine Kingdom's imperial gardens, it was opened to the public at some point by a past Divine Emperor.

Here the roads are well-connected in all directions, and all around stand exquisite pavilions and towers.

Every building here blends perfectly with the scenery of the Nine Bend Creek Hall, worthy of the praise 'a view at every step, scenery everywhere'.

This place is frequented by cultured scholars and refined gentlemen, possessing an extremely high taste; it is also an extremely elegant and tranquil spot. The noble scions of Peaceful Sun City all take pride in being able to acquire a small private pavilion here.

However, around the Nine Bend Creek Hall there are only over a thousand private residences, while Peaceful Sun City boasts countless officials and nobles; thus the difficulty of owning property here can be imagined. Those who can sit in a small tower here and daily admire the hall's peerless scenery are naturally nobles.

Two small streams meander past, flowing into a large lake within the Nine Bend Creek Hall. Several white-walled, black-tiled pavilions are surrounded by a grove of maples towering over ten zhang high, and several brilliant four-season begonias peek out from the maples' lush green leaves, blooming splendidly.

On an inconspicuous doorway, a black-backed plaque with gilt characters is inlaid on the lintel, bearing the three characters 'Three Reflections Hall'.

In the small courtyard, several fluffy Persian cats lounge lazily on a hanging chair, greedily eyeing the several bright red goldfish swimming in the large glass fish tank at the courtyard's center.

Under the eaves of a two-story small pavilion hang seven or eight large birdcages made of rosewood; dozens of pairs of birds with extraordinarily beautiful plumage perch inside the cages, from time to time emitting exceptionally clear, pleasant, and melodious calls.

On the second floor of the small pavilion, in a partitioned little study, a young man in green robes leans against a large cushion, lazily sitting on a small kang; before him sits a small square table, casually stacked with a few exquisitely bound books.

To the left of the green-robed man, the entire wall has been knocked out and replaced with a huge glass floor-to-ceiling window; through it one can see outside where the main stream of the Nine Bend Creek converges with the great lake.

There stands an exquisitely refined pavilion, its surrounding flora meticulously designed by master-level garden artisans, every blade and leaf perfect to the utmost. Inside the pavilion is utmost luxury; countless noble scions and ladies of wealthy families linger there, reluctant to leave, with music playing day and night, hardly ever ceasing.

The most prestigious and pleasure-loving group of noble scions and ladies in Peaceful Sun City essentially uses that cluster of over twenty pavilions as their base for indulgence; ordinary people can hardly even get near the outskirts.

What with the Left Minister's close grandson, the Right Minister's close daughter's son, a certain prince's heir apparent, a certain state lord's wife's younger brother, and so on—those who come and go are all such people. The more ordinary ones, like the direct descendants of second-rank dukes and third-rank dukes, still can't manage to attach themselves.

The person in green robes played with an ordinary copper coin with the five fingers of his right hand; this was a copper coin cast by the Great Jin Divine State, the most ordinary and common copper coin, but after years of being handled by the green-robed person, a layer of extremely moist and thick patina had formed on the coin.

The copper coin lightly jumped between the green-robed person's fingers; sometimes the coin jumped so fast that it turned into a dazzling streak of light, making its original form impossible to discern.

The tiny study was only eight chi square, extremely exquisite and extremely cramped; the small bunk where the green-robed person lay took up half of the study's area.

With such furnishings, the study felt a bit cramped, but the green-robed person sitting on the bunk wore an expression of relaxed pleasure; he obviously enjoyed this cramped space, enjoying the sense of safety and comfort the tiny study gave him.

This tiny study had only him as its master.

He was the sole master of this tiny study, and no one contested even the tiniest bit of space with him.

With two 'thuds', someone knocked on the study's door.

'Speak!' the green-robed person gave a leisurely hum.

From outside the study came a girl's sweet, gentle voice: 'Master, those heads have already been sent to the Zhao Xiong household. Zhao Xiong hasn't really lost his temper; he merely gave the order that Huo Xiong must be killed.'

With a 'hee-hee' laugh, the girl softly said: 'Master, Zhao Xiong said publicly that as long as Huo Xiong pays with his life for Zhao Yin's killing, the matter will be considered settled.'

The green-robed person stared, startled, then looked at the study's small door, reached out to summon the girl outside, but hesitated, lowered his hand again, and the copper coin between his fingers jumped even more gleefully, bringing forth a hazy glow.

'Oh, he's… being overly cautious.' The green-robed person smiled warmly: 'These days he's been trying to find out who's been giving Huo Xiong such strong support behind the scenes, but he hasn't been able to figure it out; given Zhao Xiong's nature, he'll only become more cautious.'

'Sending people to Flower Insect City to kill Huo Xiong's family is just a test of our abilities. Heh heh. Too bad he ran into a bloody head-on collision and now wants to back out—how could that be acceptable?'

'Returning the heads of those Hall of Mechanisms assassins to him in public is just to slap his face; we can't let him stop!'

'Killing Huo Xiong would settle this? Tsk, Zhao Xiong, Zhao Xiong, in front of all those officials and nobles of Anyang City, you splattered horse blood all over your own gate—do you really think you can just call it quits?'

'Nothing could be that simple!'

'Tell Huo Xiong about this, let him strive and struggle. Zhao Xiong wants Huo Xiong dead; I want Huo Xiong alive, and moreover, I want him to thrive.'

'Kill everyone Zhao Xiong sent to assassinate Huo Xiong, dump their heads at the military headquarters' gate. Let's see if Zhao Xiong can still smooth things over this time.'

'Moreover, there's no need to send Huo Xiong's family to the Great Marsh Prefecture; instead, escort them to Anyang City, and according to the standards for a third-rank duke, provide the Huo family with guards, maidservants, and a fine residence, treat the elders' injuries, and assign them better posts in the Anyang Military and Horse Bureau.'

'Push this group of Huo clan members out to face off against Zhao Xiong.'

'Hmm, the Huo family surely has a hot-headed youngster or two? Send them a few specially made 'Purple Gold Dragon Tiger Pills', teach them the Orthodox Law of the Thunder Department, and quickly raise their cultivation a bit…'

'It's true that Zhao Xiong's legitimate son is dead, but doesn't he still have a love child unknown even to his wife, secretly kept in the residence of the Anyang magistrate? That lad isn't going by the name of the Anyang magistrate's close grandnephew, is he?'

'Let a few of the Huo clan's youngsters go up against that lad.'

'Heh heh, Zhao Xiong wants to lay low, but I won't let him—indeed, not only him, the Zhao family must also be dragged into this.'

'Plan it well, let Huo Xiong divert the Zhao family's attention a bit. Also, the other families over there can't be left idle either.'

The green-robed person leisurely issued orders one after another with a heh-heh laugh, and the girl outside responded crisply, one after another.

Suddenly, clouds gathered over Anyang City, dark gloom blanketing the vast metropolis, and before long a torrential downpour came crashing down with a 'rattle‑rattle'.

Where the Nine Bend Creek flows into the great lake, that exquisitely crafted pavilion immediately burst forth with bright radiance.

Pearls the size of fists were placed in thin silk pouches and hung from the covered walkways and eaves; their brilliant pearl light shone in all directions, the pearl‑and‑jewel radiance enhancing the pavilion's gleaming splendor, making it seem just like the legendary divine state's fairy pavilion.

'Heh, how luxurious.'

The green-robed person turned his head to gaze at that brilliant pearl light, then lowered his head and chanted: 'Watch him raise his high towers, watch him feast his guests, watch his towers collapse… tsk, when will this cluster of high towers finally crumble cleanly?'

The copper coin in his hand suddenly stopped, and the green-robed person sighed: 'A collapsed building isn't enough; we need a vast snowfall to truly purify… heh heh, exterminating the nine clans—that's the real clean, fresh, pleasing sight.'

Southwest, beside the rift valley.

Several ape‑like beasts dropped ore from above with a whistling sound; Wu Tie didn't move, but Tu Banpi rose to his feet—he was some twenty‑odd zhang tall—and with a casual swipe he shattered the ore chunks, after which the ore's essence merged into Tu Banpi's body.

After belching, Tu Banpi glared at the two great black eagles and the ape‑like beasts on their backs, then began to curse in a rough voice.

'Can't attack?' Wu Tie glanced at the Five Elements spirit elders standing beside him.

The elders all gave a dry laugh.

They had only just begun practicing their ancestral technique a few days ago; their magical power was rapidly transforming and condensing, and though they had barely grasped a few minor divine abilities and tricks, they truly had no good way to deal with those feathered beasts soaring high in the ten‑thousand‑zhang sky.

The wood spirits' arrows can't reach that height, and the earth, water, and metal spirits simply can't keep up with those great black eagles.

Moreover, the fire spirits' evasion technique works only where there is fire, and even the strongest fire spirit, Huo Zaoyao, has no effective means against those birds soaring in the high sky.

Wu Tie shook his head and glanced at Mu Sanhua: 'Among the wood spirits, who is best at archery?'

A dozen or so wood spirit elders stepped forward at once: 'Of course, me!'

Wu Tie looked at this bunch of feeble, bearded wood spirit elders whose hair was wrapped around them like silkworm cocoons, snorted, and said: 'The one who's young and strong, with the finest archery and the greatest overall strength in cultivation and power, is the one we want!'

A wood spirit youth, tall and sturdy enough to rival Wu Tie's height, stepped out from the mass of wood spirits.

'Holy Ancestor, I am Mu Sanjiao; among the younger generation of the wood spirit clan, my archery is the strongest, my cultivation the highest, and my strength the greatest.' Mu Sanjiao knelt respectfully on the ground and knocked his head three times before Wu Tie.

Wu Tie looked at Mu Sanjiao; this guy had a very flamboyant sprig of bougainvillea inserted at his temples; his name is Sanjiao, he likes to wear bougainvillea, indeed it lives up to its name.

Very good, this set of Nine Refined Immortal Soldier bow and arrows is yours. Wu Tie drew the Immortal Soldier long bow and its matching quiver of thirty‑six long arrows that he had extorted from Sima You and others, and flung them to Mu Sanjiao.

From now on, by my side you will be the commander of bow and arrows. Hmm, test your mettle! Wu Tie pointed at that set of dazzling, sky‑soaring treasure light Immortal Soldier bow and arrows.

Mu Sanjiao stared wide‑eyed in astonishment and even shock; he looked at this awe‑inspiring set of bow and arrows, then without a word he fiercely kowtowed to Wu Tie until his forehead was split and bleeding, then, while gripping the long bow, he picked up three long arrows and placed them simultaneously on the bowstring.

In the high sky, several orangutans, oblivious to danger, gave shrill laughs, grabbing rocks and wildly striking the ground.

In the next instant, three streaks of treasure light shot up, each as thick as a thumb and hundreds of zhang long, piercing straight through the breast of a great peng, two great eagles; then the treasure light spread, and the three giant birds together with several orangutans were reduced to powder in the light.

The three Nine Refined Immortal Soldier‑grade long arrows flashed into existence and returned to the quiver.

Mu Sanjiao took a deep breath and consecutively nocked and shot arrows.

With a continuous "dong‑dong" tearing‑through‑the‑air sound, the power of the Nine Refined Immortal Soldier bow was immense; adding the previous three arrows, Mu Sanjiao shot another five, exhausting all his strength, and he collapsed drenched in sweat.

Five streaks of treasure light spanned the ravine; hundreds of li away, on the opposite cliff, two deer‑folk and three centaurs were simultaneously struck in the chest by arrows.

The treasure light burst, and the five sturdy bodies exploded in a blast; blood mist sprayed the nearby deer‑folk and centaurs, covering their heads and faces.

Those half‑human, half‑deer forest folk cried out in alarm, turning and kicking up a trail of mineral dust as they fled.

Those tall, sturdy centaurs brandished their spears and javelins toward us, then let out a furious roar and fled in disarray.

With the power of the Nine Refined Immortal Soldiers, Mu Sanjiao can see enemies hundreds of li away and even strike across that distance.

The javelins and spears those centaurs hold are merely ordinary goods, with a range of only a dozen li; this great ravine is simply too wide for them to possibly reach Wu Tie and the others here.

Besides fleeing, what else could they do?

Wu Tie clapped and praised: "Well done, Mu Sanjiao; this bow and arrows suit you perfectly—from now on they are yours. However, your cultivation is still a bit weak; train hard! Otherwise you won't even be able to shoot empty a quiver of arrows… tsk tsk, you need more stamina!"

The surrounding wood, earth, water, metal, and fire spirits burst into laughter, each staring at Mu Sanjiao with envy‑filled eyes.

This is a treasure personally bestowed by the Holy Ancestor—such a mighty, perfect bow and arrows that the wood spirits dare not even dream of!

Wu Tie looked at the crude homemade bow and arrows in the wood spirits' hands and couldn't help shaking his head.

With the wood spirits' innate talent, these bow and arrows are actually tremendously powerful, able to strike enemies thousands of zhang away… but in Wu Tie's view they are still rather crude. If they could obtain a large quantity of the standard bow and arrows of the Divine Jin State, the wood spirits' lethality would certainly increase by several levels.

Just as I was thinking about hitting up Mr. Li for a handout, the Myriad‑Li Heavenly Mechanism Mirror suddenly trembled.

Wu Tie immediately found a secluded corner and produced the Myriad‑Li Heavenly Mechanism Mirror.

"Zhao Xiu sent people to kill my kin? Fine, I understand."

"He still wants to kill me? Hehe, very good, sir, rest assured—I have a way to deal with them. However many come, I'll make that many die."

"Sir, rest assured—unless the Hall of Pivotal Mechanism's great army attacks, a few assassins I can still handle… sir, you don't yet know that in this holy land of the five‑element spirits, I, the subordinate, have gained considerable benefits; my cultivation has surged, my strength risen—even those at the twenty‑to‑thirty‑fetal‑cavity stage are merely courting death."

"Sir, rest assured, rest assured—I won't gamble with my own life. Please look after my family, subordinate; I am deeply grateful."

"By the way, sir, please be informed that the five‑element spirits I have subdued possess astonishing talent and combat power, but they lack clothing, food, and suitable armaments."

"Yes, yes, bow and arrows—a large quantity of bow and arrows, specially made to the wood spirits' physique, about a foot three inches shorter than the standard long bow of the Divine Jin military; that would be just right to use. Sir, if you could organize a batch of these specially made short bows to come over…"

"No problem, right? Then sir, first send over ten million short bows?"

"Hey, hey… Mr. Li, what you said is fine… just ten million short bows…"

"Damn, what kind of people are these, cutting off communication without a greeting?"

"Puny short bows, and they didn't even cost you a cent! Honestly, putting on a black‑faced act to scare whom?"