Chapter 209: Chapter 209: Holding Back the Fire_1
Yan Nanshan frowned, "Isn’t it too early to discuss the distribution of benefits when Pan County Capital hasn’t even agreed yet?"
"Indeed." Ma Cheng and the others nodded.
Yan Nanshan said, "Old Wan, go find them immediately and inform them about this matter."
"Okay." Elder Wan nodded, swept out of the main hall, and quickly disappeared.
The magnates in the hall grew anxious. They were worried Pan County Capital would refuse, and all their joyful anticipation would be for nothing.
Elder Wan quickly inquired and learned that the two old women in green robes were at the Flying Phoenix Building. This was because the old woman in the green robe was now quite infamous, and everyone was discussing her. However, it was a reputation for notoriety. Learning this, Elder Wan couldn’t help but scoff.
When he entered the Flying Phoenix Building, found the old woman in the green robe, and stated his purpose, she agreed without hesitation. She had suffered too much indignity that day, and it had thoroughly ignited the fury in her heart.
Elder Wan immediately returned to report.
Ma Cheng and the others heaved a sigh of relief and began discussing the distribution of benefits. All day long, the sounds of argument in the main hall never ceased. It wasn’t until late in the evening that the magnates finally left, satisfied.
「First thing the next morning!」
The beautiful woman arrived at Quiet Heart Lake.
"What?"
"We’re going to Pan County immediately?"
Qin Feiyang and the others were astonished when the beautiful woman explained the situation.
The beautiful woman smiled and said, "Quickly get ready; we’re gathering in the main hall."
Qin Feiyang said, "There’s nothing much to prepare. Besides, I’m not really interested if the reward is only one hundred Vermilion Glazed Pills."
The beautiful woman responded, "The terms have changed. It’s now ingredients for one hundred Vermilion Glazed Pills and ingredients for twenty Potential Elixirs."
"Really?" Qin Feiyang’s eyes lit up.
Fatty, Lu Hong, and Brother Wolf were also thrilled.
The beautiful woman nodded.
Qin Feiyang smiled and said, "Alright then, let’s set off!"
"Hmm?" The beautiful woman glanced at Fatty and Lu Hong, asking, "Are they going too?"
"Is there a problem?" Qin Feiyang frowned. Once in Pan County, he would continue to acquire medicinal ingredients. Of course, he had to bring Fatty and Lu Hong along.
The beautiful woman pondered for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, they can come!"
Shi Zheng stood up on the terrace and shouted to Qin Feiyang, "Once you get to Pan County, make sure to perform well! Don’t bring disgrace to our Martial King Palace."
"Elder, don’t worry!" Qin Feiyang smiled, took out a Qiankun Bag, tossed it forcefully to Shi Zheng, and said with a smile, "Elder, while I’m away, please trouble yourself to distribute these elixirs to everyone."
"Okay." Shi Zheng nodded.
With a wave of her hand, the beautiful woman led the three humans and one wolf, quickly arriving at the main hall.
Inside the hall, apart from all the magnates, Jiang Zhengyi was also present. Many old acquaintances were there as well.
From the Royal Family, there was the Crown Prince, as well as the two youths he had fought in the plaza.
From the Lin Family, there were Lin Hao and Lin Huo.
From the Elixir King Palace, there were Xue Yang, Wang Xia, and Xie Fang.
From the Martial King Palace, there were Feng Ling’er, Lo Qingzhu, Zhao Shuang’er, and Ling Yunfei.
As soon as Qin Feiyang entered, Lin Huo shot him a venomous glare.
Qin Feiyang swept his gaze over them, his brow furrowing slightly. Is this Yan Province’s lineup for the competition? Isn’t it a bit too weak?
Seeming to notice Qin Feiyang’s confusion, the beautiful woman whispered, "Pan County has a requirement: only those under twenty years of age can participate in this competition."
Qin Feiyang understood instantly. He turned and looked strangely at the Crown Prince, Lin Hao, and Xue Yang.
"Brother Qin, why are you looking at us like that?" the Crown Prince asked with a laugh.
Lin Hao and Xue Yang also frowned.
Qin Feiyang asked, "Are you three really under twenty?"
The moment he said this, the main hall fell deathly silent! Everyone stared at him, their faces twitching. Was it really appropriate for him to question their ages to their faces? Besides, did they really look that old?
Lin Hao and Lin Huo’s faces darkened instantly.
The Crown Prince raised an eyebrow slightly and smiled. "Brother Qin, I can tell you responsibly that we are all only nineteen. It’s probably because we’ve been under a lot of pressure since childhood, so we seem a bit more mature than our peers."
"Oh." Qin Feiyang nodded, but his eyes still held a questioning look.
"Ahem!" Yan Nanshan cleared his throat and said sternly, glancing at Qin Feiyang and the others, "Since everyone is here, I’ll say a few words. This friendly competition concerns the reputation and honor of our Yan Province. Therefore, I hope you can all temporarily set aside your personal grievances and unite against our external opponent!"
Yan King nodded. "That’s right. This time, your opponents are the young people of Pan County. I don’t want to hear any news of infighting among you in Pan County."
Qin Feiyang asked, "And what if someone insists on doing so?"
"Regardless of who it is, they will be severely punished without leniency!" Yan King stated coldly.
"Brother Wolf wants to ask, after we reach Pan County, should we keep a low profile or a high profile?" Brother Wolf grinned.
The faces of several magnates twitched. It seemed this young wolf was already raring to go and cause a stir.
Yan Nanshan said, "In principle, you should maintain a low profile. But given how arrogant Pan County is, there’s no need for us to hold back. As long as you have the ability, even if you turn Pan County upside down, we’ll have your backs."
Hearing this, everyone laughed.
Yan Nanshan continued, "This trip to Pan County will be led by Master Jiang, with Elder Jia and Elder Lin accompanying. You must all listen to their instructions."
"Yes," the crowd bowed and replied in acknowledgment.
Qin Feiyang subtly raised an eyebrow. Jia Hei? Elder Lin? Why send Jia Hei? That man is narrow-minded; there’s no guarantee he won’t cause some trouble at a critical moment. As for Elder Lin, he didn’t know him well enough to judge yet.
Jiang Zhengyi stood up and smiled. "Little ones, are you ready? If you are, then let’s go."
Everyone nodded.
Qin Feiyang whispered, "Fatty, Lu Hong, go to the ancient castle first."
The two nodded. Qin Feiyang waved his hand, sending them inside.
At this moment, the expressions in many people’s eyes changed, filled with greed.
Jiang Zhengyi turned to Yan Nanshan and the others, smiled, and said, "Everyone, await my good news."
"We’re counting on you, Master Jiang," Yan Nanshan and the others replied with smiles, cupping their hands.
WHOOSH!
Jiang Zhengyi chuckled, and with a grand wave of his hand, Battle Intent surged, enveloping Qin Feiyang and the others. They transformed into a streak of light and, in about a dozen breaths, appeared above the city gate.
This astounding speed made Qin Feiyang and the young contingent incredibly envious.
The two old women in green robes were already waiting there.
WHOOSH!
The old woman in the green robe, bringing Xia Qianqian, landed before Jiang Zhengyi, frowning. "Do you people from Yan Province have no sense of punctuality?"
The Crown Prince and the others frowned instantly. Are you deliberately looking for trouble?
Jiang Zhengyi raised a hand, stopping the restless Crown Prince and the others, and said with a faint smile, "I didn’t ask you to wait, did I?"
The implication was: you chose to wait here yourselves, so who can you blame?
"My Pavilion?" The old woman in the green robe was startled. "Are you Jiang Zhengyi, Pavilion Master of Yan Province’s Treasure Pavilion?"
Jiang Zhengyi smiled. "Indeed, it’s I. What guidance do you have for me?"
The old woman’s expression stiffened. She hadn’t expected their leader to be this person. She glanced again at Jia Hei and Elder Lin, her pupils contracting slightly. This lineup was truly formidable.
"Hm?" Suddenly, her gaze fixed on the Crown Prince, Xue Yang, and Lin Hao. "Are they also participating in the friendly competition?"
Jiang Zhengyi asked, puzzled, "Is there a problem?"
The old woman in the green robe frowned. "Are you sure they’re not yet twenty?"
PFFT!
Qin Feiyang and the others burst out laughing.
Jiang Zhengyi, Jia Hei, and Elder Lin were also taken aback.
As for the Crown Prince and the other two, their faces were pitch-black. Being doubted again and again, they were on the verge of exploding. They desperately wanted to roar, Do we really look that old?!
Qin Feiyang turned to the three and smiled. "See? Now you can’t blame me for being impolite, can you?"
The three of them glared fiercely at him.
Jiang Zhengyi coughed and smiled. "Please rest assured, Madam. I can personally guarantee they are all under twenty."
The old woman in the green robe looked unconvinced.
Xia Qianqian glanced disdainfully at the group and sneered, "Grandma Hua, even if they are over twenty, it’s no matter."
The old woman in the green robe nodded. "True enough. They’re all just cannon fodder anyway."
"Cannon fodder?" The Crown Prince and the others instantly clenched their fists. Their gazes were sharp and challenging!
Elder Lin looked at them and said faintly, "More words are useless now. When we get to Pan County, use your fists to make them shut up."
"We definitely will!" everyone gritted out.
How pitiful, people without brains, Qin Feiyang shook his head and murmured. Pan County has been overly arrogant, thoroughly enraging everyone. Because of this, they’ve united, albeit temporarily.
"Your speed is too slow. I’ll give you a lift." Jiang Zhengyi waved his hand, and taking everyone with him, vanished over the horizon in the blink of an eye, like a bolt of lightning.
On a mountain peak outside the city, an old man and a youth stood side by side on a thick branch of a large tree, their figures concealed by the dense foliage. It was Zuo An and Lin Chen!
Lin Chen withdrew his gaze and sneered, "Master, why don’t we just ambush them en route?"
"No," Zuo An shook his head, a sinister smile playing on his lips. "Ambushing them now won’t yield any significant benefits."
Lin Chen asked, "Master, are you saying we should wait until after they’ve defeated Pan County, and then ambush them on their way back?"
Zuo An nodded. "Exactly. At that time, we can not only capture Qin Feiyang but also seize the ingredients for one hundred Vermilion Glazed Pills and twenty Potential Elixirs."
At the mention of Potential Elixirs, Lin Chen’s eyes burned with desire!
As he spoke, Zuo An took out an Image Crystal Stone and quickly activated it. Soon, an illusory figure appeared.
Zuo An commanded, "I am making a trip to Pan County. During this time, cease all activities. Have everyone lay low and avoid detection by Yan Nanshan and his people."
"Yes," the illusory figure bowed and acknowledged.
Zuo An put away the Image Crystal Stone, then took Lin Chen and vanished like a bolt of lightning, leaving no trace.
Between Yan Province and Pan County lay a mountain range. It was called the Yan Pan Mountains, named using elements from both Yan and Pan.
But this mountain range was extremely vast. And in its central region, War Emperor-level ferocious beasts lurked. Without a War Emperor escorting them, no one would dare to traverse these mountains. Even with a War Emperor, one had to proceed cautiously through the mountains, careful not to provoke those ferocious beasts.
Traveling non-stop.
「Seven days later.」
Qin Feiyang and the others finally flew out of the Yan Pan Mountains, entering the territory of Pan County!