Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 231: Chapter 136: The Plan, Arrival of the Followers of the Fire Worshiping Sect_2

When that moment truly arrives, it’s all over!

Zhao Honglie silently sat back in his chair, his gaze landing on the second consecrator, Xu Zhaoming.

”As of now, how many sets of heavy armor do we have?”

Upon hearing the question, Xu Zhaoming immediately stood up to respond, ”Reporting to the Gang Leader, we currently have 220 sets of heavy armor! The blacksmith riot caused the delay for some time, but if you give me a month, I can definitely gather 300 sets!”

Zhao Qingcheng couldn’t help but snort upon hearing this.

”Hmph! A month? By then, everything could be lost. If you can’t come up with a feasible solution, I’d say just abandon the troops and surrender!”

At this moment, Zhao Qingcheng was already calculating in his mind to assess how much strength he could preserve if he surrendered now.

With Zhao Qingcheng leading the way, the Family Heads of the weaker Wang and Sun families also began to show hesitation, mentally weighing the feasibility of this option.

Unlike the Black Sand Gang, the influence of these aristocratic families was intertwined with the livelihoods of Canghe County. If completely eradicated, Canghe County would suffer severe injuries as well. If they surrendered now, even if they had to pay a heavy price, Liu Yuanhu would surely not annihilate them entirely—not in the short term, at least.

If Zhao Honglie couldn’t show them a glimmer of hope for victory, these fence-sitters could turn coat at any moment.

Zhao Honglie knew all too well that his ship was teetering on the edge of a critical juncture. If he didn’t maintain the balance, it could very well capsize!

After a moment of contemplation, determination shone in Zhao Honglie’s eyes.

”Why speak such defeatist nonsense? My Black Sand Gang has planned for this day for years; how could I let him crush us so easily? Though the losses may be significant, they are far from enough to cripple us! Since Liu Yuanhu won’t let us off the hook, we’ll retaliate—tooth for tooth, eye for eye!”

Zhao Honglie ordered his subordinates to unfurl the map of Canghe County and began explaining his strategy to Zhao Qingcheng and the others.

His plan was straightforward: swiftly attack the towns under Canghe County to force Liu Yuanhu out of the city for a decisive battle!

The high and thick walls of Canghe County’s main city were advantageous for defense but difficult to breach. A direct assault would not favor them.

This approach had two benefits: first, it would exhaust Liu Yuanhu by forcing him into a reactive position and draw him out for a decisive fight. Second, it would wreak havoc on the various towns, ensuring that even if they lost, Liu Yuanhu wouldn’t emerge unscathed.

At the very least, the widespread damage or destruction of the towns would destabilize Liu Yuanhu’s tenure as County Magistrate!

”For this battle, my Black Sand Gang has prepared thoroughly over the years. We have not only forged 220 sets of heavy armor but amassed over 800 Boiling Blood Pills! With the aid of these pills during the decisive battle and the formidable might of our heavy armor, even Mo Chen won’t be able to block our advance!”

When they heard that the Black Sand Gang had stockpiled over 800 Boiling Blood Pills, Zhao Qingcheng and the others couldn’t help but feel their eyelids twitch wildly!

While Boiling Blood Pills might not significantly boost those at the Blood Refining Realm, their effects on those in the Refining Skin Realm were exceptional!

Ordinary Refining Skin martial artists who consumed the Boiling Blood Pill could erupt with power comparable to those at half-step Blood Refining.

Though not quite reaching the Blood Refining Realm, they had numbers on their side!

Could a single Blood Refining martial artist, no matter how strong, withstand an onslaught from ten half-step Blood Refining opponents?

What if it wasn’t ten but twenty?

Even the strongest Blood Refining martial artist had limits, and with such a massive accumulation of Boiling Blood Pills, they could easily overwhelm Liu Yuanhu’s Blood Refining experts!

Zhao Qingcheng now found himself reignited with a faint sense of hope. He stretched his hand out and began tapping rhythmically on the table before him.

After a brief silence, he posed his question, ”Then what of Liu Yuanhu and Mo Chen? The gap between the Bone Refining Realm and Blood Refining Realm is like an insurmountable chasm. It’s not something a few Boiling Blood Pills can bridge.”

A faint smile curved at Zhao Honglie’s lips. ”Don’t worry about that; I have my own ways to deal with the two of them! Mo Chen isn’t a fool. If the situation turns unfavorable, he won’t risk his life for this.”

Zhao Qingcheng mulled over it for a moment and found the reasoning sound.

”Very well. We’ll follow Zhao Gang Leader’s plan. We’re taking a break for now, but let’s begin operations tomorrow night. Perhaps we can now discuss how to allocate the heavy armor.”

Heavy armor was quite the asset. If someone like Zhao Qingcheng, who was Perfect in Blood Refining, equipped a set, their strength could push close to half-step Bone Refining Realm. Although his Zhao family had possessed some before, no one ever complained about having more of a good thing.

Besides, if all the heavy armor stayed exclusively with the Black Sand Gang, he wouldn’t feel at ease.

Zhao Honglie understood that he couldn’t be stingy at this time, so he replied generously, ”We have 220 sets of iron armor in total. You may take 80 sets and divide them among yourselves. My Black Sand Gang, having a larger number of members, will keep the remaining 140 sets for our own use.”

Though the aristocratic families had considerable numbers, the heavy armor was crafted by the Black Sand Gang. Asking for too much would be inappropriate.

Zhao Qingcheng was a pragmatic man who knew when to take what he could get.

The Lu family was already reduced to a shadow of its former self, leaving the Wang and Sun families without the strength to challenge the Zhao family.

While the allocation of the 80 sets of armor seemed like a joint decision, in truth, Zhao Qingcheng would have the final say.

With a smile, Zhao Qingcheng cupped his hands toward Zhao Honglie and remarked, ”Then I’ll trouble Zhao Gang Leader to expedite this matter. I’ll head back now to rally my men and wish us victory tomorrow!”

With Zhao Qingcheng’s departure, the Family Heads of the Wang and Sun families had no choice but to leave as well.

”Gang Leader! That iron armor cost us significant effort to forge; handing it over to them so easily? I feel like Zhao Qingcheng might...”

Seeing the aristocratic families leave, Niu Zidong hurriedly voiced his concerns.

Before he could finish, Zhao Honglie shot him a fierce glare, instantly silencing him.

”During extraordinary times, be cautious with words that could sow division! Hurry and deliver the heavy armor to them.”

Turning to the rest of the Black Sand Gang’s senior officials, Zhao Honglie commanded, ”You all should prepare as well. Tomorrow, you must win this battle gloriously, or present your heads to me!”

Upon hearing this, the other high-ranking members of the Black Sand Gang immediately straightened their postures and responded with solemnity, ”We will not disappoint the Gang Leader!”

Once everyone had departed, Zhao Honglie reentered the secret chamber.

In the chamber, Zhao Honglie nervously eyed the wooden box containing the black seed.

After picking up the box and hesitating for a long time, Zhao Honglie ultimately placed it back where it was.

By now, he was drenched in sweat and panting heavily, as though he had just fought a life-or-death battle.

”Whew! This thing is far too sinister; I’d better not risk using it unless it’s the last resort!”

After deliberating further, Zhao Honglie decided to take the wooden box with him as he left.

As he exited the secret chamber, a sudden sense of danger flared within Zhao Honglie. The heightened perception of a Bone Refining martial artist made him feel as though he were being watched by a venomous snake.

He surveyed the surroundings, his expression tense, as his gaze locked onto a shadowy corner.

The corner was dimly lit and engulfed in darkness. A light breeze passed through, causing ripples in the air like waves on a water surface.

This was the Black Sand Gang’s stronghold, and during such a critical time, the security was exceptionally tight. For someone to infiltrate without triggering any alarms required not only immense strength but also top-tier concealment skills!

Zhao Honglie grasped the long knife beside him, the blade reflecting the candlelight with a sharp, gleaming edge.

Unleashing the mighty aura unique to a Bone Refining martial artist, Zhao Honglie stared intensely at the strange corner and shouted, ”Who are you, esteemed guest? Since you’re here, why not show yourself?”

Dead silence ensued. Apart from the faint sound of the wind, Zhao Honglie could even hear his own heartbeat.

Just as Zhao Honglie was about to lose patience and strike the corner with his blade, a voice emerged from the shadows.

”Gang Leader Zhao, there’s no need to be so tense. I’ve come merely to seek an answer.”

In the shadow-enveloped corner, the disturbances intensified as a man emerged—a burly figure clad in a black robe, with a head twice the size of Zhao Honglie’s.

Seeing the sheer size of the man, Zhao Honglie’s caution only deepened.

For someone with such a physique to conceal his presence so effectively, his cultivation technique was undoubtedly extraordinary. If Zhao Honglie hadn’t been highly alert, he might never have noticed!

Tightening his grip on the long knife, Zhao Honglie demanded, ”May I ask your esteemed name? I don’t recall there being another Bone Refining expert of your caliber in Canghe County!”

The imposing presence from the man signified immense power, leading Zhao Honglie to conclude that this figure was indeed a Bone Refining martial artist. The pressure he exerted was so strong that, unless he was at the Silver Bone Realm, it meant his techniques were remarkable!

The man took a seat and coldly sneered at Zhao Honglie’s wary demeanor, ”Have you spent all this effort searching for us, only to behave like this when you see me?”

Hearing this, confusion flickered in Zhao Honglie’s eyes. Soon after, a revelation struck him, and he hurriedly put down the long knife to bow toward the man. ”So it’s an esteemed member of the Baihuo Cult! My apologies for not welcoming you sooner—please forgive my rudeness!”