Chapter 223

The 'Thieves Alliance' numbers 3,000, divided into thirty squadrons of a hundred each, scattered and first heading south to gather at the foot of 'Kuwei Mountain'.

While Heng Xian's wolf-cart was replaced by a large cart pulled by five long-haired tiger spirit beasts, the servant drove it with three lackeys.

Heng Xian, together with over ten Primordial Dan Realm experts, the master, Baozhu, and Meigui, were all on the cart.

The master unfolded a map, clearly showing the distribution of Green Mountain Stronghold, the Five Major Spirit Veins, and the Cloud Plate Gang.

"Green Mountain Stronghold occupies the thirty-six mountains to the west; the old stronghold master Lan Yuan Kui is at the Yuan Dan Initial Realm, and it is he who is celebrating his 160th birthday this time!"

Cloud Plate Gang occupies the fifteen mountains to the east and has rented a spirit vein from Green Mountain Stronghold.

Lan Yuan Kui's daughter is the wife of the second-in-command of the Cloud Plate Gang, so the two families are relatives!"

Heng Xian pinched his brow: "Exact numbers, how many Primordial Dan Realm experts!"

The master said: "Green Mountain Stronghold has over 2,400 people, but five or six hundred are elderly, weak, women; there are six at the Yuan Dan Initial Realm."

Cloud Plate Gang has 700 people, two hundred of whom are elderly, weak, women and children; there are two at the Yuan Dan Initial Realm.

Heng Xian asked: "Are there any experts at the Yuan Dan Intermediate Realm or higher?"

Zhao Dahú laughed: "Rest assured, sir, there are none! The barren Han Mountains cannot cultivate Yuan Dan Intermediate Realm experts; anyone who can break through to Yuan Dan Intermediate Realm is no ordinary person, with hope of impacting the Yuan Infant,"

Moreover, their lifespans are short, so they surely try every means to hide elsewhere!"

Sun Botian said: "That's reasonable; I dare not say anything else, Green Mountain Stronghold has absolutely no Yuan Dan Intermediate Realm experts!"

Heng Xian nodded, looking toward the master: "Today, for the old master of Green Mountain Stronghold's birthday, how are their forces distributed?"

The master said: "To ensure accurate intelligence, I sent nine waves of disciples disguised as scattered bandits passing by; the nine waves of disciples reported back, and the situation was consistent."

The birthday banquet is held in Myriad Longevity Valley; this time the host of the grand birthday ceremony is the third-generation young stronghold master of Green Mountain Stronghold, Lan Chengyu, who is naturally arrogant and conceited, showing off and posing, creating the appearance of a prosperous Green Mountain.

The subordinate thirty-six mountains basically have no personnel assigned; each of the five major spirit veins has three to five people stationed, and all remaining disciples have been conscripted to help in Myriad Longevity Valley.

As for the Cloud Plate Gang, more people are left to guard, but the two Primordial Dan Realm experts and all the main figures have gone to Myriad Longevity Valley to offer birthday greetings!"

Wang Dalin laughed loudly: "Take the opportunity to kill them!"

Baoyu fell silent for a moment: "Perhaps conscripting so many people is not just to help, but also to guard!"

Heng Xian said in a deep voice: "What of guarding? Even if we face them head-on, what is there to fear? Wang Dalin, Song Yi, Feng San Ge, Yue Niang!"

Wang Dalin and the four immediately clasped their fists: "Present!"

Heng Xian pointed at the map and said: "You four, rush to the foot of Kuwei Mountain, lead ten squadrons of a thousand people, attack the Cloud Plate Gang, march carefully, do not alert the enemy, leave no survivors, and after success, detour behind Myriad Longevity Valley to await orders!"

"Yes!"

The four received the order and flew away.

Heng Xian also said: "Baoyu, Sun Botian and his two brothers, Su Lan, Li Du, Zhao Dahú, you ten, take the remaining brothers and clear those mountains of the Cloud Plate Gang and Green Mountain Stronghold for me!"

Also seize the five spirit veins, likewise, leave no survivors!

In the afternoon, two thousand troops slowly surrounded the main gate of Myriad Longevity Valley, awaiting orders!"

"Yes!"

The ten clasped their fists and whistled away.

On the large tiger cart, only Heng Xian, Jiang Yuhan, Tao Saniangzi, the master, Baozhu, Meigui, and Dog Dan remained.

Jiang Yuhan hesitated for a moment: "What about me?"

Heng Xian lay on the soft chair: "I heard you have no dealings with Green Mountain Stronghold, you're unfamiliar, so go with Saniangzi, the master, and a few brothers to celebrate the birthday and enjoy a big feast!"

The three looked at the large red birthday box behind them and asked: "Understanding the birthday celebration, what does 'big feast' mean?"

"'Er...' Heng Xian explained: 'Eating a big feast is a saying from my hometown, meaning that when neighbors hold red-white celebrations, everyone goes to offer congratulations and shares a banquet!"

"'Oh, I see!' The three did not feel any resonance."

Heng Xian glanced at Meigui.

Baozhu hurriedly explained: "We lack manpower; Meigui is very skilled at logistics, so I privately transferred her here—if there's anything, please command us!"

Heng Xian pointed at Dog Dan: "Please take care of the monkey!"

The two quickly clasped their hands: "Yes!"

"'Chi-chi...' Dog Dan excitedly raised its hooves and shot out a jet of water."

Meigui immediately took out a rag and wiped the cart.

The tiger cart sped forward, covering dozens of meters in an instant; after two hours, Myriad Longevity Valley loomed faintly in the distance, and from afar one could hear a din of noise and clamor.

Inside Myriad Longevity Valley, it resembled a town, houses layered one after another, endless in sight, its scale even rivaling Hanchuan Town, completely incomparable to the ruined strongholds of other minor forces.

At this moment, the town was decked with lanterns and banners, filled with joy, and the three troupes of grand opera sang nonstop.

Crowds surged on the streets, cheers shook the heavens, and the leaders of the major forces that had come to celebrate the birthday—chieftains, gang heads, their wives, and children—chatted with one another.

Moreover, maids, servants, helpers, and lackeys bustled about, running back and forth.

Vegetables, fruits, mountain delicacies, and various meats of spirit beasts piled up like mountains.

Before the valley, beneath an archway draped with ribbons, the young stronghold master Lan Chengyu, dressed in fresh splendid robes, leading dozens of people, gazed into the distance with a grim expression: "Have the Tiger Stronghold, Clear Water Stronghold, Three Gates Gang, and Heroic Gang not arrived yet?"

Beside him, a steward-like person cautiously said: "Perhaps the journey is too long!"

"'Nonsense!' Lan Chengyu fiercely waved his sleeves, 'The Bitter Water Stronghold four hundred li to the west has arrived; the invitation should have reached them last night—what urgent business could they have? I see they are determined not to give my Green Mountain Stronghold face!"

The steward hesitated: "Recently I've felt something off in the north, as if there are traces of a great battle; perhaps they've been attacking each other, injuring their bones and tendons!"

Lan Chengyu snorted coldly: "What's the point of suppressing petty bandit scum? After my grandfather's birthday, those who didn't come to congratulate will be wiped out!"

The overseer clasped his hands: "Yes, huh?"

He pointed into the distance: "Young master, look, it seems people are coming!"

Lan Chengyu looked, and indeed, there was a carriage pulled by five long-haired tigers, quite luxurious.

The steward introduced: "A third-grade spirit beast long-haired tiger mount—what a grand gesture; this force must not be weak!"

Lan Chengyu crossed his arms behind his back, nodded, and said: "Hmm!"

At this moment, the carriage frame arrived ahead; Heng Xian leapt down first, clasped his fists and said, "Congratulations, congratulations, wishing the old master longevity like the green mountains and blessings like the vast sea!"

The steward immediately returned the salute with clasped fists, saying, "Many thanks, many thanks, I don't know which honored guest..."

Heng Xian said, "I am Linghu Yingjun of the God-Exterminating Gang; I heard that the old master of Green Mountain Stronghold is celebrating his birthday, and I have come uninvited, thick-skinned."

"God-Exterminating Gang? Haha, what a domineering name!" The steward glanced at the birthday gift box, made a gesture, and said, "Guests from afar are welcome; please!"

Just as his words fell, Lan Chengyu suddenly frowned, stepped forward, grabbed Heng Xian's hand in one grip, narrowed his eyes, and said, "I remember now—you're the brat who was in front of the White Tomb Spirit Vein Valley that day; were you the one who killed A Lan and his gang?"

Heng Xian feigned ignorance: "Ah, so you're the Young Stronghold Master Lan? What are you talking about? I don't know A Lan at all—I've never killed anyone, and on such a joyous occasion, saying such things is hardly auspicious."

Lan Chengyu glanced at Tao San Niangzi, Jiang Yuhan, and the master and their companions, took a deep breath, released his hand, and said coldly, "Please go ahead."

Heng Xian smiled, lifted his foot, and entered the valley.

Tao San Niangzi and her group directed the people, lifting the huge red wooden birthday gift, and followed behind.

After they had walked away, Lan Chengyu said in a deep voice, "Investigate this brat's background afterward; it's getting late—seal the valley!"

"Yes!"

(End of Chapter)