Slave Empire [Complete] - 4

Volume Two, Chapter Twenty-Four: Spiritual and Lustful Cultivation.
Hua Yinghong parted Liu Yufei's long, snow-white legs...
Hua Yinghong patiently intertwined his lips and tongue with Liu Yufei's again, her snow-white skin writhing and twisting beneath him, rising and falling, her beautiful and pure face flushed red, her delicate eyes shyly closed, her nose emitting soft moans...
Hua Yinghong felt waves of virgin yin energy invading and enticing the slowly rotating tai chi ball within his body, drawing out wisps of primordial energy...
Her heart trembled slightly, feeling the extreme pleasure emanating from the deepest, untouched sacred place of her body... kissing that burning hot thing tightly... bringing her a feeling of intoxication in body and mind...
The flower path is unswept by guests, the humble gate is opened for you today!
At this moment, Liu Yufei's body and mind seemed to merge with her lover, inseparable, without distinction...
Hua Yinghong lifted Liu Yufei's jade legs high, hooking them over his shoulders. His hands grasped her crystal-clear, white breasts, their round, delicate buds blushing faintly. He deepened his caresses, relentlessly kneading and rubbing her soft, tender flower buds...
Hua Yinghong felt the wisps of virgin yin energy flowing upwards along his meridians, nourishing the rotating Taiji sphere in his dantian, acting as a catalyst to propel it to spin rapidly. The seemingly still, chaotic Hunyuan Jue (Primordial Chaos Technique) also began to clearly circulate along his meridians. His mind followed the Hunyuan true energy flow into Liu Yufei's body, merging with hers. "Fei'er..." he whispered with his divine sense—
Liu Yufei's small mouth emitted a plaintive, alluring, intermittent moan, "Mmm...uh...mmm...uh..." already immersed in the surging pleasure. As if sensing Hua Yinghong's call, her mind responded unconsciously. Her beautiful eyes were half-closed, her delicate brows furrowed slightly, and she let out soft moans, displaying a captivating allure that seemed to be a mixture of uncontrollable pain and sweet pleasure...
Hua Yinghong's mind and desire merged completely with Liu Yufei's, and their true energy circulated through their point of contact, causing both of them to feel hot and their desires to flare. Hua Yinghong became even more unable to control himself...
"Ugh..." Under the frenzied thrusting at a thousand degrees, Liu Yufei's beautiful, alluring, and boneless snow-white body trembled violently. In her dazed state, her jade hands spasmed as they gripped the muscles of Hua Yinghong's back, and her long, beautiful, and smooth legs convulsively clamped tightly around Hua Yinghong's legs. Her flower bud contracted and pulsated irregularly, and the virgin yin energy accumulated over eighteen years was released wildly without reservation...
"Ah..." Liu Yufei cried out wildly, feeling her heart floating on clouds, gently rising higher and higher... not knowing where it would drift to. Her teeth clenched, her brows furrowed, and two crystal tears welled up in her tightly closed eyes—tears of ecstatic, sweet joy. Her smooth, naked body clung tightly to Hua Yinghong, her fair skin and jade-like bones convulsing and trembling violently...
Almost simultaneously, "Ugh!—" A series of tense, forceful spasms finally subsided...
In that moving moment, Hua Yinghong's primordial energy and Liu Yufei's inner energy merged intimately, their spirits and minds merging without reservation. For a moment, they were one, each containing the other; all their experiences, knowledge, insights, and martial arts... there were no more secrets between them...
“Brother!…” Tears streamed down Liu Yufei’s stunningly beautiful face. In that instant, Hua Yinghong’s deep longing for “Fei’er” and his unreserved love for her left an indelible mark on her heart. She knew she could never replace “Fei’er” in Hua Yinghong’s heart, but she would never have to live in “Fei’er’s” shadow either—she was Hua Yinghong’s irreplaceable Fei’er in this world.
These were tears of mixed emotions from the first taste of forbidden fruit, tears of joy from two hearts in perfect harmony, of spiritual and physical union…
In that instant, Hua Yinghong also felt everything about Liu Yufei. His heart was filled with boundless tenderness for this noble and beautiful princess of a fallen kingdom. He gently turned his body, his true energy circulating intimately between them through this bridge, and embraced his beloved beauty’s captivating body in his arms, gently kissing away the tears on her pretty face…
At this moment, silence spoke louder than words.
Zhenbao
Island is located in the southeastern sea area of the Hualong Continent. To the west, it faces Baiyang County of Yuezhou across the Zhenbao Strait, and to the east, it faces Nanhai County of Daliang. To the northwest, it is approximately 300 li from the nearest point on the Hualong Continent coast, Qingyuan Prefecture of Baiyang County, Yuezhou, and to the northeast, it is approximately 1200 li from the nearest point on the Japanese archipelago, Shikoku Island.
The Zhenbao Strait runs northeast to southwest, connecting the East China Sea to the northeast and the Devil's Sea to the south, and is approximately 400 li long with an average width of about 300 li.
Zhenbao Island follows the Zhenbao Strait in an irregular crescent shape, stretching over 400 li east to west and averaging about 200 li north to south. Besides the main island, it also includes dozens of other islands such as the Qianye Islands, Diaoyu Islands, Chiwei Island, and Guxing Island. Treasure Island has a complex terrain. The southern Alang Mountains are the highest point, and three rivers originating from the Alang Mountains—the Wanquan River, the Riyue River, and the Jinsha River—divide the island into three main sections: the central area, encompassing Riyue Lake (ranging from several hundred square miles), and the eastern, western, and northern sides, which are vast plains of low hills with countless fertile fields, historically serving as the granary of Treasure Island and even the Jade Dragon Kingdom. The northeastern and northwestern parts, following the contours of the Alang Mountains, are mainly continuous hills and forests, interspersed with small plains.
Treasure Island was originally called Yi Island on the Hualong Continent. When the Tang Dynasty was first established, the Miao and Gaoshan tribes submitted and made peace. Apart from the central grain-producing areas, many insightful Hualong mainlanders discovered abundant resources on the island: iron, copper, coal, and graphite mines in the northwest; granite, ironwood forests, gold, and silver mines in the northeast; rare fruits in the Alang Mountains; and rich fishing grounds, aquatic products, and pearls along the Sun and Moon Lake and the strait. The entire island was seen as a vast treasure by countless Hualong people.
More than twenty years ago, after the Yulong Kingdom suppressed the Gaoshan tribes' rebellion, it encouraged a large number of Hualong people to immigrate to the island to pan for gold. Combined with a large number of slaves, this led to the formation of more than ten towns and cities within a few dozen miles, including Jubao Town, centered on Xigang City in the northwest, with a population exceeding 300,000; more than twenty towns and cities, including Riyue City, centered on Riyue City, with a population exceeding 500,000; and more than fifty towns and cities, including Donggang City at the easternmost point, Beigang City in the northern bay, and Baonan City near the ironwood forest in the south, centered on Jilong City, with a population exceeding 700,000. The island contributes over five million gold coins in taxes to the kingdom's treasury annually, accounting for more than one-tenth of the kingdom's annual revenue, hence its name "Treasure Island."
Treasure Island's abundant resources and enormous wealth have also attracted the attention of various powers. In recent years, nearly ten thousand ronin from the eastern Wa (Japanese) Kingdom have occupied the Diaoyu Islands, frequently raiding mines and towns along the eastern coast; the Great Liang Kingdom is eyeing the island covetously, with its navy frequently clashing with the Jade Dragon Navy controlled by the Qiu family; thousands of pirates are active in the western Thousand Pages Islands; and some powerful families and martial arts sects from the Hua Long Continent have also established considerable forces, waiting for their opportunity. Amidst the chaotic warfare among the various kingdoms of the Hua Long Continent, Treasure Island, despite its small size, has attracted countless eyes.
The Jade Dragon Kingdom has always attached great importance to controlling Treasure Island. With a population of just over one million, the island is garrisoned by a Treasure Division of 40,000 regular troops, supported by 40,000 local guards, and a naval detachment stationed in both the East and West ports. Across the strait, the important naval port of Tenglong Port houses the 2nd Division of the Yulong Eastern Army Corps and the 1st Regiment directly subordinate to the naval division, echoing Zhenbao Island.
The seasoned and prudent Zhenbao Division Commander, Qiu Haoran, has been stationed there for many years and is acutely aware of the situation on Zhenbao Island: while the kingdom's power on the island is strong, it has to cope with pressure from all sides, leaving it with relatively few troops truly available for maneuver. The vast number of slaves is a dormant powder keg; if ignited at any point, the chain reaction would be unimaginable. Therefore, he cautiously ordered all Yulong troops and guards to keep a close watch on the slave camps, extinguishing any potential problems in their infancy. However, the Restoration Society and the Freemasons' actions this time were sudden, and their swift capture of Jubao Town, arming nearly ten thousand slaves, created a situation that caught him completely off guard. If Qiu Lei were to launch a rash attack, a victory would be welcome, but the Third Regiment would likely suffer heavy losses, weakening its control over the northwest of Zhenbao Island and giving pirates and the already burgeoning Demonic Cult an opportunity. If they were to suffer another defeat and lose West Port, the northwestern tribes would fall into the hands of the slave army, who could arm hundreds of thousands of slaves. Even with the full strength of the Jade Dragon Army on the island, it would be difficult to quell the rebellion in a short time. If regular troops were to be drawn from the mainland, the reactions from the Japanese pirates, the Great Liang Kingdom, and even the Later Tang, Jinlong, New Song, and grassland powers would be even more unpredictable.
Treasure Island has always been a vital base for the Jade Dragon Kingdom, supplying it with weapons, grain, timber, and stone. Its significant contribution to the kingdom's finances makes its loss unacceptable. Various factions naturally welcome the chaos on Treasure Island, hoping to profit from the situation. The Great Liang Kingdom, in particular, has been eager to act, having clashed with the Jade Dragon army in recent years at the border of Baiyang and Nanhai counties, with each side experiencing victories and defeats. If Great Liang could seize Treasure Island in one fell swoop, the balance of power between them would shift, and the consequences of breaking the existing equilibrium would be unimaginable. While Japan is geographically distant, it has long been secretly supporting ronin to establish a base in the Diaoyu Islands. If it were to use this opportunity to reinforce its troops and launch an attack, the current autumn weather, with calm seas, would make the journey only six or seven days with favorable winds.
If the world were a game of chess, Treasure Island would suddenly become a crucial fulcrum on the grand chessboard of the Hua Long Continent, where a single move could have far-reaching consequences.
Qiu Haoran saw the big picture, while Qiu Lei only saw Jubao Town and, at most, the northwest region of Zhenbao Island. This was the difference between the old general and the so-called rising star of the Qiu family.
While strictly ordering Qiu Lei not to act rashly, Qiu Haoran had already issued several orders: first, to order all garrisons to be on high alert to prevent another slave mutiny; second, to order the Zhenbao Second Regiment of the garrison stationed in Riyue City, more than 150 li from Jubao Town, to assemble two battalions to guard the key road Lingbao Pass and prevent the slave army from sneaking into the plains; third, to inform the highest-ranking person in charge of Yulong's secret agents on Zhenbao Island to pay attention to strengthening intelligence gathering. He also sent a flying report to the Eastern Army Headquarters, explaining the situation and requesting the Beigang Naval Regiment to send two naval battalions to secretly reinforce Pearl Field. The Zhenbao Division Headquarters was to send one battalion to reinforce the Second Regiment, so that they could encircle from the north, west, and east, cutting off the slave army's escape route to the Alang Mountains and winning the battle in one fell swoop.
Qiu Haoran's plan was extremely prudent and comprehensive: to use over 20,000 elite Yulong troops in three routes to encircle and annihilate the mere 10,000 untrained slave soldiers, victory would be assured. However, this plan required considerable preparation time. Whether the legion headquarters would mobilize such a large force for 10,000 slave soldiers was another matter; the nearly 400-mile voyage from Beigang to Pearl Field would take more than two days even with favorable winds; the Keelung garrison was over 250 miles from Jubao Town, requiring nearly three days of normal marching. Adding the time for assembly, logistics, and handover of defenses, even in the best-case scenario, the siege would not begin for at least four days.
The order from the Yulong Eastern Legion headquarters approving the battle plan was issued to Keelung City and the Beigang Navy the afternoon after the fall of Jubao Town, with Qiu Haoran as the overall commander, coordinating both land and naval forces, codenamed "Fishnet."
Unbeknownst to them, the Free Army had become fish in a sturdy net.
******** ****
Qiu Lei listened to the "Operation Fishnet" order from Qiu Haoran of the Treasure Division while Jia Xin's incredibly alluring body was on top of him. Jia Xin and Li Wen's seductive skills gradually created a kind of excitement and dependence in him, as if he would be very uncomfortable if he didn't release his pent-up desires on the two women's bodies. Therefore, when he heard the order, he happened to be moving on Jia Xin's beautiful body.
In the order, Qiu Haoran authorized him to issue several orders immediately after the three Jade Dragon Army arrived: First, strengthen the reconnaissance of Jubao Town; Second, inform Xie Zhan to strengthen the reconnaissance of the two key passages between Jubao Town and Alang Mountain. If the slave army tries to escape to the mountains, seize the key points to block them and wait for reinforcements; if there is no abnormality, maintain the status quo and cut off their retreat when the general offensive begins, so as not to disturb the slave army too early and fight to the death; Third, order the Pearl Field garrison to secretly prepare to welcome the naval landing, and after the rendezvous, follow the unified plan to launch a general offensive on Jubao Town.
"Two more days, and I will make sure these lowly slaves all roll their heads!" A sinister smile flashed across Qiu Lei's face as he thrust his erect member, still inside Jia Xinyu's body, into her with ferocious force. A moment later, he switched to Liwen's smooth, jade-like, voluptuous body...
At this moment, the beautiful and charming Jiaxin and Liwen seemed to have become slave soldiers, whom he wanted to conquer and lash out at...
After several exchanges between the two beautiful beauties, and after thousands of thrusts, Qiu Lei felt himself being tightly bound by their tender, fiery flower paths, each movement sending a tingling, electric-like pleasure through him—"Ugh!..." He could no longer control his surging, explosive desire, thrusting desperately into Jiaxin's soft, trembling flower bud, accompanied by violent spasms, and a torrent of passion gushed out...
After a long while, Qiu Lei withdrew from Jiaxin's jade body with satisfaction. Liwen, with her seductive eyes, couldn't wait to use her seductive techniques, causing Qiu Lei to fall into a state of confusion and infatuation once again...
Little did he know: after their lovemaking and subsequent sleep, Jiaxin had gotten up and gone out for a full quarter of an hour—
******** ****
Lichun Tower.
Xue Qianqian awoke from her meditation, her peerless beauty radiating a dignified, noble, and elegant aura that almost made one afraid to harbor the slightest thought of desecration. Yet, a hint of allure lingered between her delicate brows and phoenix eyes, a subtle hint of spring's warmth that stirred a thousand emotions, making one yearn to immediately embrace her and tenderly caress her. This bizarrely contradictory state was a sign that the Peach Blossom Seductive Technique was nearing its completion.
The Peach Blossom Seductive Technique that Xue Qianqian practiced was a secret method of the Demonic Sect, requiring nine cycles to master. Below the sixth cycle, one needed a pure yin body and exceptional talent to cultivate and comprehend it independently. After the foundation was established, each cycle required the practitioner to exhale true qi in the shape of a peach blossom. Initially, the blossom was the size of a rice bushel, its color incredibly vibrant. As the skill deepened, the blossom became smaller and the color paler, the seductive technique increasingly imbued with a sacred aura. Only after nine cycles of cultivation, the breath emits peach blossoms as thin as fingers, their size and shape changing at will. When the seductive art is used, it possesses the utmost ability to be both noble and holy, yet also licentious and alluring. Even celestial beings and deities of the nine heavens can be aroused, and only then is it considered to have reached its peak. However, after the sixth cycle, one must perform the acts of seductive gaze and behavior, absorbing a large amount of male essence and refining it into peach blossom true energy. Its strangeness is regarded as an evil art by righteous people.
Peach Blossom Fairy Xue Qianqian began learning the Peach Blossom Seductive Art from the age of six under the tutelage of Ji Xiuqing, the Holy Maiden of the Demonic Sect. At the age of fifteen, she achieved the sixth cycle of cultivation, and was regarded as a genius unseen in a hundred years by the Demonic Sect. Since her debut at the age of fifteen, she has carefully remembered the "refining essence into qi, cultivating both spirit and desire" technique taught by Ji Xiuqing. She frequents brothels, often performing the acts of seductive gaze and behavior. Over the past ten years, she has used her stunning beauty and seductive art to seduce no fewer than ten thousand lustful and strong men who willingly offered themselves to her, all of whom Xue Qianqian absorbed with her peach blossom true energy. Having seen countless men, she was labeled a "demon cult witch" and cursed as "promiscuous," yet she remained unperturbed, retaining her virginity.
The erotic fantasies of those strong men, seemingly involving intimate encounters with the Peach Blossom Fairy Xue Qianqian, were merely illusions created by her seductive arts and soul-capturing techniques. Xue Qianqian's "Five Peach Blossom Beauties"—Xinru, Yilin, Liwen, Ruotong, and Jiaxin—lost their virginity when their Peach Blossom Seductive Arts reached the fourth level, succumbing to lust and becoming wanton women. They used the cultivation of seductive arts as an opportunity to indulge in sexual acts, absorbing the essence of countless men, yet only reaching the sixth level of seductive arts, from which further progress was impossible. Xue Qianqian's seductive
arts had reached the bottleneck of the late ninth level; another breakthrough would allow her to advance to the Innate Saint level, requiring only the refining of a large amount of male essence. Last night, she again used Xinru, Yilin, and Ruotong as furnaces to ignite the burning passion of six strong men, refining all the essence they offered. She felt that her seductive skills were on the verge of great success, but she couldn't fully grasp it.
"Could it be as my master, the Holy Maiden, said, that one must find a man to cultivate together and achieve spiritual and physical harmony to reach the pinnacle?" Xue Qianqian remembered that her master, the "Holy Maiden" Ji Xiuqing, had said that in the end, spiritual and physical harmony still required real contact with a man, and both of them had to be completely open and honest with each other to glimpse the Great Dao and reach the ultimate state of "refining Qi
into Spirit, refining Spirit into Emptiness." If that were true, after ten years of seeing countless people and being indifferent to the ugly and lewd behavior of thousands of men, could she still find someone with whom she could have a spiritual connection and spiritual and physical harmony? "Your subordinate, Zhang Lingyan, has important matters to report to the Fairy!" A clear voice came from outside the door as Xue Qianqian was pondering.

Volume 2, Chapter 25: Jade Maiden Youlan
. Hua Yinghong and Liu Yufei woke up halfway through the morning. He hadn't had such a good night's sleep in days.
Although the lovemaking last night was still unsatisfying, Liu Yufei had just been intimate with him, so he resisted the urge to do it again and stayed with this stunning beauty inside him all night. After their yin and yang intertwined, their primordial energy and Liu Yufei's primordial energy communicated through their divine thoughts all night long, and he woke up feeling incredibly refreshed.
Hua Yinghong's Hunyuan Technique had advanced to a realm he couldn't comprehend: it seemed to resonate with, yet also didn't quite match, the higher-level techniques of the Heaven and Earth Technique and the Void-Breaking Technique. Last night, in the instant of their spiritual union, the techniques of her "Startling Wind and Weeping Rain Sword" had been unknowingly "stolen" into his consciousness, giving him an urge to practice swordsmanship.
In the morning light, he saw Liu Yufei's beautiful face resting against his shoulder, as if in the throes of a sweet dream. Her fragrant cherry lips were slightly parted, her full and delicate body exquisitely proportioned, her skin like solidified cream, warm and smooth. A faint orchid fragrance wafted from her, her slender waist could be encircled with one hand, and her two snow-white breasts possessed elegant and alluring curves, brimming with endless temptation. Long, smooth jade legs rested lightly on his own, perfectly meeting his erection within the honeyed depths of her flower path, exuding an irresistible allure… The soft, fragrant, and incredibly smooth body in his arms stirred another surge of desire within him, and he couldn't help but begin to move gently…
Liu Yufei had also awakened, feeling that her true energy had never been so abundant, as if she had reached the bottleneck of the eighth technique of the Heaven and Earth Manual. With the slightest thought, her true energy flowed forth, and her senses and perception were incredibly sharp. Even with her eyes closed, she could clearly sense the daylight outside the window, and she seemed to "see" clearly that Liu Lan and Liu Ju were already standing outside the door waiting for her to get up. Just as
she was experiencing that captivating feeling, the foreign object in her honeyed flower path moved, and she felt another electric shock-like tingling sensation, an even more exquisite and moving feeling. Thinking of the two Liu sisters outside, her pretty face flushed with embarrassment. She opened her beautiful eyes and whispered sweetly in Hua Yinghong's ear, "Brother...it's time to get up...outside..."
Hua Yinghong knew the two Liu sisters were outside, but with such beautiful women in his arms, so intimately embracing, he couldn't help himself. He quickly moved several times, teasing the beautiful woman until she was panting and her eyes were glazed with desire, before reluctantly withdrawing. His thoughts returned to normal, and he gently licked her alluring lips, unwilling to let go.
After a moment of tenderness, they dressed and got up. Hua Yinghong noticed the bloodstains on the bed and couldn't help but feel tenderness for Liu Yufei again.
When he came out of the room, Liu Yufei, Liu Lan, and Liu Ju were all blushing, like three peonies, orchids, and red chrysanthemums blooming together, leaving Hua Yinghong speechless.
"Fool! You got off easy!" Liu Lan gave Hua Yinghong a playful glare, her face flushed, radiating a captivating allure.
Just as she was about to tease him, a special forces member announced from outside, "The Gaoshan tribe's special envoy requests an audience!"
**** ********
Lichun Pavilion had been operating in Jubao Town for eight years.
Zhang Lingyan was the nominal owner of Lichun Pavilion. Due to her practice of seductive arts, she appeared to be only twenty-five or twenty-six years old, but was actually thirty-eight. She wore light makeup, her eyebrows delicately drawn, her figure slender and graceful, and her mature and fashionable attire made her resemble a respectable young woman, not a prostitute frequenting brothels.
Everyone in Jubao Town knew that when Zhang Lingyan opened Lichun Pavilion eight years ago, she was already in her early twenties, and hadn't changed much since. Initially, many local thugs, ruffians, and lecherous men had their eyes on her, but all inexplicably developed an unspeakable ailment and became terrified of her.
Before Xue Qianqian, Zhang Lingyan respectfully reported, "Palace Master, Liwen and Jiaxin have reported that two battalions of the Jade Dragon Army's Beigang Navy are reinforcing Pearl Field, two battalions of the Treasure Division's Second Regiment stationed in Lingbao, and one battalion of the Keelung First Regiment are advancing eastward towards Jubao Town. The Xigang Third Regiment has been ordered to cut off the road to Alang Mountain and advance towards Jubao Town, codenamed 'Fishnet' Operation. Jade Dragon's intelligence commander, An Rushan, arrived at the town's eastern stronghold yesterday afternoon and has not left since. Lichunlou, Baoyuelou, and other forces are being monitored by Free Army and Restoration Society experts."
Xue Qianqian said, "Aunt Yan, there's no need for such formalities. Just call me Qianqian from now on."
Xue Qianqian had been raised by Zhang Lingyan in Peach Blossom Palace since childhood, until they parted ways after she mastered the sixth level of her charm technique and began her journey in the martial world. Although she later succeeded as Palace Master, she truly regarded Zhang Lingyan as a mother figure.
Zhang Lingyan said, "It is my good fortune that the Palace Master cherishes our past friendship; however, propriety cannot be disregarded, otherwise there will be no distinction between superior and inferior, and how can the Holy Sect rule the world with its might!"
"Qianqian will remember Aunt Yan's teachings. Therefore, in public, Aunt Yan will address you as Palace Master, and in private, you will still address me as Qianqian. Aunt Yan need not refuse any longer; consider this Qianqian issuing the order in the name of Palace Master."
"Yes! I wonder what Qianqian's plans are?" Zhang Lingyan asked.
"Order Jiaxin and Liwen to intensify their efforts to seduce Qiu Lei. Tomorrow morning, contact the person in charge of the Free Army for me; after meeting him, we will make a decision." A fleeting look of anticipation crossed Xue Qianqian's jade-like face.
Just who is this extraordinary person who has completely disrupted her plans?

Hua Yinghong and Liu Yufei were stunned when they reached the front hall. They had imagined the Gaoshan envoy to be an old man over fifty, or at least a middle-aged man in his thirties or forties. Instead, Hai Tianqing was accompanied by a beautiful young woman with flowing black hair and a robust young man in his twenties, comparable in stature to Ba Tian.
The young woman was only twenty-nine years old, her cloud-like hair still glistening with dewdrops. Her beautiful eyes were like a clear, transparent pool of water, captivating and charming. Her delicate, oval face, paired with her bright red lips, exuded an indescribable gentle allure. Her snow-white, tight-fitting gauze dress couldn't conceal her graceful curves. Slightly taller than Liu Yufei, her figure was curvaceous and shapely, her waist slender enough to be grasped in one hand—any more would be too much, any less too little. Her stunningly beautiful face, radiant and exquisitely sculpted, truly embodies the beauty to shame the flowers, eclipse the moon, and make fish sink and geese fall from the sky.
If Liu Yufei is likened to a peony, a flower of unparalleled beauty and noble elegance, then this young woman is like a solitary, peerless orchid in a secluded valley, a fairy from a celestial pool who has accidentally descended to the mortal world, untouched by worldly dust.
When the young man and woman saw Hua and Liu emerge side by side, followed by two beautiful women, their eyes lit up.
Liu Yufei's unparalleled beauty and graceful, noble bearing left them both utterly astonished. Hua Yinghong's calm and composed demeanor, the wisdom gleaming in his tiger-like eyes, and the unconsciously regal aura he exuded all overshadowed his less-than-handsome appearance, instead giving him a strange charm.
Seeing the expressions on Hua and Liu's faces, Hai Tianqing knew what was going on and gave Hua Yinghong a knowing, slightly mischievous smile, introducing them: "Alliance Leader, Company Commander, this is the special envoy of the Gaoshan tribe, Miss Miao Youlan, and the rebel leader, Brother Mu Shanzhu." He then addressed Miao and Mu: "These two are Alliance Leader Liu of the Free Alliance and Company Commander Hua Yinghong of the Free Army."
The four exchanged greetings and took their seats.
"Miss Miao is truly a beauty," Liu Yufei casually began, "I wish I had a younger sister as beautiful as her." Her words instantly bridged the gap between them.
"Sister Liu is truly a celestial being!" Miao Youlan, being exceptionally intelligent, felt an instant connection with Liu Yufei, whose beauty and amiable nature made her feel close to her at first sight. Since she had come for important business and needed her help, she naturally addressed her as "sister."
"Little sister, you've come so early. Was the journey safe?" Liu Yufei was overjoyed to suddenly have such a beautiful younger sister and casually asked.
"It was alright. Only a few miles from the iron mine camp did some Jade Dragon Army scouts appear, which I avoided. With Brother Mu protecting me, I don't need to worry about the few soldiers. Besides, I have some ability to protect myself," Miao Youlan replied.
Given Hua Yinghong and Liu Yufei's current skill levels, it wasn't difficult to see that Miao Youlan's claim of "some ability to protect herself" was merely modesty. Her true skill was likely no less than Hua and Liu's. As for Mu Shanzhu, although he exuded a fierce and valiant aura, his actual skill level was at most only at the sixth or seventh rank.
"How many scouts from Yulong have entered and exited?" Hua Yinghong was clearly interested in this information. Yesterday had been peaceful; the Yulong Army hadn't reacted at all to the fall of Jubao Town. If the Xigang forces immediately sent troops to suppress them, he could easily devise a plan. This apparent calm, however, made him uneasy. He vaguely suspected that a shrewd individual was planning a storm against the Free Army. If not handled properly, it could lead to annihilation. Therefore, he wouldn't let any opportunity to gather intelligence slip by. The more he knew, the greater his chances of victory.
"Ten men per group, we encountered twenty-six groups along the way," Mu Shanzhu replied. From the fact that he clearly stated the specific numbers, it was clear he wasn't a reckless fool.
Hua Yinghong remained silent, lost in thought.
Seeing this, Liu Yufei knew he was contemplating the battle situation and didn't disturb him. Instead, she asked Miao Youlan with concern, "What is the situation in the mountains now?"
Miao Youlan's pretty face darkened. She replied, "I returned to the clan a month ago. Due to the Jade Dragon government's blockade and embargo, there is a severe shortage of food and clothing, especially salt and iron. Many of the hundreds of thousands of clansmen have died of starvation or edema. That's why I came here."
Mu Shanzhu said, "Many of the able-bodied men in the mountains were killed by the Jade Dragon army while protecting the elderly, women, and children. Less than 20,000 remain, and even with their daily labor of farming and hunting, they cannot feed themselves. " "Our people. The attack on the copper mine camp half a year ago was out of necessity, but we didn't expect to lose more than three thousand people. The situation in the mountains is even more difficult."
Hua Yinghong said, "The Free Alliance was established to seek freedom and equality for all people and slaves. More than 70% of the Free Army are from the Gaoshan tribe. Now that we have occupied Jubao Town, we have seized more than enough grain, salt, iron, and weapons. If we transport them into the mountains, it will be enough for half a year. However, the supply train is moving slowly, and how to get through the Jade Dragon Army's blockade is a problem—"
Miao Youlan and Mu Shanzhu were overjoyed to hear this. The two of them had come to discuss the Free Army's supply of grain and salt, but they were worried about how to bring it up and what conditions would be involved. Unexpectedly, Hua Yinghong had already anticipated their thoughts and spoke first.
Miao Youlan's slightly sad face relaxed, and she became even more charming and beautiful. "The Free Alliance is truly our tribe's savior! I thank Sister Liu and Brother Hua in advance... If there is any need for our help in the future, our tribe will repay you with our lives!"
Liu Yufei said, "Helping those in distress is the Free Alliance's mission. The Free Alliance has no conditions for the Gaoshan tribe. However, if you can act as a leader for the Gaoshan tribe, you can join the Free Alliance. In case of war, you must absolutely obey the Free Alliance's orders for coordinated combat."
"After the Free Army establishes a foothold, the Gaoshan tribe can choose any place to live in the Free Army's occupied territory. Except for military affairs, diplomacy, and laws, all other internal affairs are autonomous," Hai Tianqing interjected.
Hua Yinghong and Liu Yufei were of one mind. They had previously discussed the issue of alliance status with Lü Jingwei, Hai Tianqing, and others, so Hai Tianqing added this. He had formed a Free Alliance with the Restoration Society as the leader of the freed slaves, and his previous contact with the Gaoshan tribe made his statement even more convincing.
Miao Youlan and Mu Shanzhu didn't need to think too much; they already knew that these conditions were truly beneficial and harmless, making it impossible to refuse. Without hesitation, Miao Youlan replied, "I represent the Gaoshan tribe in joining the alliance and will obey the leader's orders."
Mu Tiezhu said, "Princess, you are a descendant of the Gaoshan royal family and can represent us fully." "
Sister, you don't need to be so polite. I, as the leader, don't handle anything. Just listen to Brother Hua," Liu Yufei said sweetly. At this moment, she trusted her lover completely, and unconsciously revealed her girlish charm in front of others.
"Alright!" Hua Yinghong also said without ceremony, "The current situation is urgent. The Jade Dragon Army is probably outwardly relaxed but inwardly tense. The most urgent task is to prepare for the delivery of supplies to the mountains. I will discuss the specific plan after I have thought about it carefully. Miss Miao and Brother Mu have had a long journey. Yufei, please have breakfast with us first before we discuss it. Brother Hai, please stay."
Liu Yufei gave Hua Yinghong a flirtatious look and said to Miao Youlan, "Sister, come and try Liu Ju's cooking." Then she affectionately took Miao Youlan's hand, and the group left.
Hua Yinghong summoned a messenger and instructed, "Bring Military Advisor Lü and Team Leader Mo here."
**** ********
Weaponry Battalion.
Lu Shenggong had never seen Hua Yinghong value miscellaneous weaponry so much.
Before capturing the weaponry battalion, Hua Yinghong had strictly ordered the Free Army soldiers not to harm any technicians and had specifically assigned a platoon of elite soldiers to protect Lu Shenggong's safety.
After capturing the battalion, Hua Yinghong offered the captured technicians better treatment than the Jade Dragon Army, explicitly stating that those who performed well would be heavily rewarded. His attitude was extremely sincere, even surpassing that of the former Tang Emperor Liu Qinghua, who had shown him great kindness. Repaying
kindness tenfold, Lu Shenggong hadn't slept a wink for a day and a night.
Hua Yinghong had discussed the improvement of the Shenggong crossbow with him, and yesterday morning, despite his busy schedule, they had discussed it again, demonstrating the importance he placed on this matter. He and over twenty of the weaponry battalion's top technicians repeatedly verified Hua Yinghong's proposed improvement methods, and only this morning, at the crack of dawn, did they begin to see some progress.
Before him lay a pile of exquisitely crafted parts, varying in size. Lu Shenggong felt a tremor in his heart. Perhaps, a deadly weapon capable of altering the course of the war would emerge from his hands—
**** ********
"Team Leader Mo, how are the reactions from all sides?"
The "Team Leader Mo" Hua Yinghong referred to was named Mo Yan, one of the fifty Restoration Society experts brought by Lü Jingwei. True to his name, he was usually taciturn, calm, and sparing with words, but extremely meticulous and rigorous in his work, having always been engaged in intelligence work within the Restoration Society.
Hua Yinghong, deeply aware of the importance of intelligence, had established a separate intelligence group, mainly composed of Restoration Society experts, and also selected several hundred quick-witted and skilled Free Army fighters, directly responsible to Lü Jingwei and Hua Yinghong.
"News from the Restoration Society brothers in various places: Two battalions of the Beigang Navy set sail yesterday at dusk; one battalion of the Keelung Yulong Army advanced westward yesterday at 11 PM; two battalions of the Second Regiment have arrived at Lingbao Pass to reinforce; Xie Zhan's battalion scouts are frequently active at several key points leading to the Alang Mountains; the demonic sect disciples of the Lichun Tower in the town have ceased all activities since the night before last; everything at the Baoyue Tower and the Nangong family is proceeding as usual..."
It was remarkable that Mo Yan had managed to establish an intelligence network and gather so much information in just one day and night, truly a master of intelligence. Although he had borrowed the Restoration Society's existing liaison points in Jubao Town and Zhenbao Island, Hua Yinghong secretly rejoiced at his good judgment in choosing the right person.
Little did he know that Mo Yan's intelligence failure during "Operation Divine Craft" had almost led to the Restoration Society's utter destruction, a lifelong shame. Now, entrusted with the heavy responsibility of intelligence gathering by Hua Yinghong and Lü Jingwei, he had not slept for a day and a night, which was why he had achieved such results.
"Excellent! Brother Mo, you've worked hard. By the way, how did you feel after trying the dynamic training method I mentioned?" Hua Yinghong, having successfully taught Liu Yufei the method, passed it on to the Restoration Society experts, Free Army generals, and special forces soldiers who had already begun practicing the Heaven and Earth Technique and the Void-Breaking Technique. The
Hua Long Continent was teeming with experts from various powerful forces. While military operations were manageable, the presence of experts from the Jade Dragon Secret Service and the military was far beyond the capabilities of ordinary Free Army soldiers. The immediate priority was to quickly cultivate a group of experts, and Hua Yinghong disregarded the risks.
"The regimental commander's training method is unbelievable. After trying it, I felt that one day's training was equivalent to several days' worth before, and my true energy flowed continuously. I have now broken through to the sixth rank. Most of my brothers have also made breakthroughs." Mo Yan was extremely impressed with Hua Yinghong. Such openness in sharing divine techniques and training methods was something even grandmasters who had reached the divine rank had never possessed.
"It's better to learn from nature than from people; and better to learn from nature than from nature. The wonder of following one's heart lies in nature." Hua Yinghong said calmly, "Brother Mo, go ahead. Report back immediately if anything happens."
"It's better to learn from nature than from nature. The wonder of following one's heart lies in nature." Lü Jingwei's heart trembled. Even with his peak level as a ninth-grade master, no matter how much he cultivated, he always felt he was just one step short, unable to break through the bottleneck. Hua Yinghong's words, whether intentional or unintentional, touched a nerve in his arduous cultivation, as if he had grasped something, yet also as if he had gained nothing at all.
"Brother Hai! How is the training in the army?" Hua Yinghong asked after Mo Yan left. He was most concerned about the Free Army's combat strength; even after only one day of training, there should be some improvement.
"Excellent! I've led the Jade Dragon Army in training before, and I've never seen such dedicated soldiers. One day's effort is equivalent to ten days or half a month for the Jade Dragon Army," Hai Tianqing exclaimed with some admiration.
The Free Army soldiers, spurred on by Hua Yinghong's "brainwashing" and the martial arts demonstrations by Lü Jingwei and Hai Tianqing, trained with high enthusiasm and morale. Whether in formation marching or martial arts archery, they were extremely serious. During breaks, they practiced the "Blazing Sun Technique" taught by Lü Jingwei. By the end of the day, those with higher aptitude had already achieved a respectable level of skill in martial arts formations. Ye Zhiqiu's direct command brigade and Ba Tian's special forces, composed of elite personnel, performed even more impressively.
"Soldiers' training cannot be relaxed in the slightest. Every drop of sweat shed in peacetime means a drop less blood shed in wartime," Hua Yinghong said, taking out a precious map. He continued, "The Jade Dragon Army's operation has begun. I predict the enemy will..."
******** ****
After seeing off Lü Jingwei and Hai Tianqing, Hua Yinghong hurriedly ate breakfast and invited Liu Yufei, Miao Youlan, and Mu Shanzhu to a meeting.
In less than a quarter of an hour, Liu Yufei and Miao Youlan were already as intimate as true sisters. The two stunningly beautiful women, each with their own unique charm, walked out hand in hand, their lotus-like steps swaying gently, their graceful figures captivating and mesmerizing.
Hua Yinghong, still retaining some composure, steadied himself and said, "Miss Miao, just now I discussed with Master Lü and Brother Hai the matter of transporting supplies into the mountains, and we have a preliminary plan. If you agree, we will proceed accordingly."
Miao Youlan said, "Brother Hua, please tell me how you need my cooperation."
Liu Yufei, however, said with a hint of coquettishness, "Brother Hua, Fei'er and Lan'er have already become sworn sisters, and Lan'er already calls you Brother Hua. It would be too formal for you to call me Miss Miao! Wouldn't it be better to just call me Youlan or Lan'er? Don't you think so, sister?"
For some reason, a blush rose on Miao Youlan's pretty face, and she said shyly, "Brother Hua, you can just call me Youlan..." Seeing the situation between Liu Yufei and Hua Yinghong, she understood the relationship between the two. Liu Yufei was in love, but she forgot that if Hua Yinghong called her "Lan'er," there would be an ambiguous meaning behind it.
Hua Yinghong thought it wouldn't be bad to have such a beautiful and charming younger sister, so he changed his tune and said, "Youlan, our plan is like this..."
Jubao Town is mainly engaged in mining and industry, with agriculture, commerce, and transportation also being relatively developed. Over the years, it has become a place with a permanent population of 70,000 to 80,000. The terrain towards Pearl Field and West Port is flat and has abundant water resources. The Jade Dragon government has organized slaves and commoners to cultivate a large amount of fertile land, which is not only self-sufficient but also supplies a portion to West Port. This year is another bumper harvest, with Jubao Town producing more than 600,000 shi of grain. After deducting what the commoners keep for themselves and what the grain merchants hoard, the government granaries hold nearly 300,000 shi. Although a large amount of grain has been sent to West Port, there are still nearly 100,000 shi of surplus grain in the government granaries. As for salt and iron, a lot of sea salt is transported from the salt fields by the sea to Jubao Town for transshipment, and with the weapons camp located there, how could there be a shortage of ironware?
An army marches on its stomach. Yesterday, Hua Yinghong had already instructed Lü Jingwei to lead men to seize all the documents and records of the town's government office and control all the official treasuries, so he was well aware of the situation.
Hua Yinghong's plan was not only to transport the 100,000 shi of grain stored in the official treasuries, but also nearly 100,000 shi of grain from the grain merchants in the town, along with thousands of bags of sea salt and nearly 20,000 weapons, to the mountains, leaving a retreat route for the Free Army. In case of unfavorable circumstances, the Free Army could retreat to the mountains, recuperate, and then launch another attack.
He sought defeat before seeking victory. While Hua Yinghong's tactics were bold, his strategy was extremely cautious.
Despite being mentally prepared, Miao Youlan and Mu Shanzhu were still shocked by Hua Yinghong's massive plan. After a brief moment of thought, Miao Youlan and Mu Shanzhu expressed their full cooperation, agreed on the time and details of communication, and then took their leave.
Hua Yinghong watched Miao Youlan's alluring figure disappear outside the door, and was about to order the horses to be prepared for the weapons camp when Mo Yan hurriedly walked in, saying, "Xue Qianqian, the Peach Blossom Palace Master of the Demonic Sect, wishes to invite Alliance Leader Liu and Captain Hua Lian to a meeting at Lichun Tower."

Volume Two, Chapter Twenty-Six: A Desperate Struggle
. The town mayor's mansion of Jubao Town is located at the crossroads in the center of the town. The main streets leading to the four gates in the east, south, west, and north are, in order, East Gate Street, South Gate Street, West Gate Street, and North Gate Street. Other side streets are distributed parallel to the four main streets. The town walls are not high, only about ten feet high, and the population is concentrated within a radius of six or seven li.
The buildings and shops in the town were all built in the last ten years, mostly practical and simple wooden and stone structures. Don't assume that because it is located in a corner of Treasure Island, the town is deserted. In fact, its abundant resources and wealth have attracted many people from the Hualong Continent to settle or do business here. The four main streets were bustling with activity, teeming with men and women, and lined with all kinds of shops, including restaurants, taverns, teahouses, and inns.
The original Yulong Army camp was located near the South Gate. After the Free Army occupied Jubao Town, they closed the four gates, implementing a temporary policy of allowing entry but not exit. Some merchants were temporarily detained in the town, and after a day, almost no merchants entered. No one knew what extreme actions the Free Army, who had suddenly risen from slavery to power, might take.
Surprisingly, the Free Army soldiers on patrol were disciplined well, with no incidents of private disturbance occurring. Some bolder shops opened for business yesterday afternoon, and the town had largely returned to normal by today. After all, no matter who was in power, ordinary people still needed to live.
At 1:15 AM, a "Decree of Freedom of Slaves," signed by the Free Alliance Leader Liu Yufei and the Free Army Captain Hua Yinghong, was posted in prominent locations throughout the town. Its main contents were:
1. Government slaves were to be released unconditionally.
2. The Free Army would purchase private slaves at a price similar to the market price of two gold coins each and release them. All those who own private slaves must bring their slaves to the Free Army camp at the South Gate before the end of Shen Shi (3-5 PM) today to exchange them for currency. Those who fail to arrive by the deadline will be considered hostile to the Free Army.
Third, from the time this order is issued, anyone who plunders, abuses, kills, or sells slaves will have their property confiscated and be executed immediately.
Fourth, released slaves are welcome to join the Free Army. Those who wish to be civilians can earn their own living or work in factories and mines controlled by the Free Army, receiving the same treatment as civilians.
Almost simultaneously, prominent figures in the town, representatives of several large and small gangs, and various factions received invitations from Lu Jingwei, the Free Army's strategist and deputy commander, to a meeting at 2:45 AM. The invitations also contained the statement: "Those who fail to arrive by the deadline will be considered hostile to the Free Army."
On the night of the Battle of Jubao Town, amidst the deafening sounds of battle, these influential figures in the town ordered their subordinates to observe and remain neutral. After all, large-scale military battles were not something they could interfere with. Regardless of which side won, neither would stand idly by and watch the prosperous Jubao Town decline. Governing the area naturally relied on these local strongmen.
Qiu Xiaoyun's crushing defeat and the Free Army's victory surprised everyone except for a few like Xue Qianqian. For over a day, they had been cautiously trying to predict the Free Army's next move.
These influential figures received reports almost immediately after the Emancipation Edict was posted. The subsequent invitations left them no room to refuse. The list of attendees on the invitation consisted of prominent figures in the town, such as Zhang Lingyan of Lichun Tower and Nangong Wang of Baoyue Tower, whose names even reflected the relative power of each organization. This was
naturally the work of Mo Yan's intelligence team, based on years of observation of the Restoration Society's liaison points, demonstrating that the Free Army was not unaware of the town's overt and covert forces; everything was under their control!
**** ********
Liu Yufei and Hua Yinghong only brought Liu Lan, Liu Ju, and ten Restoration Society experts into Lichun Tower, while a considerable number of people were secretly deployed outside to provide support.
Liu Yufei had never been to a brothel before, yet she came with Hua Yinghong, not out of fear of what Hua Yinghong might do at Lichun Pavilion, but out of sheer curiosity about the Peach Blossom Fairy, Xue Qianqian.
The Demonic Sect was always shrouded in mystery, its disciples possessing uncanny and unparalleled martial arts skills, forming a unique system that no force could afford to underestimate. Rumors circulated that its female disciples were all stunningly beautiful, possessing captivating charm and alluring techniques that could bewitch men. This curiosity intensified after learning that even the Sword Saint Hou Mubai had been bewitched by a demonic sect woman and rejected by the Sword God Guan Shanyue.
Upon seeing the bright-eyed, beautiful, and charming Xue Qianqian, Liu Yufei, confident in her own beauty, was secretly astonished. Her dignified and exquisitely beautiful appearance, if not for the hint of spring in her eyes, made it impossible for her to reconcile such a celestial beauty with the rumored "woman with countless lovers and gigolos"—a wanton and wanton woman.
Xue Qianqian's mature charm was incomparable to that of Liu Yufei, a young girl inexperienced in the ways of the world.
Liu Yufei's beauty was pleasing to the eye for men; Xue Qianqian's beauty, however, was a fatal temptation for them.
"Alliance Leader Liu, Young Hero Hua, the Free Army achieved a great victory the night before last, and I, Xue Qianqian, offer my congratulations." Xue Qianqian spoke calmly, yet her voice was incredibly melodious. She then added with a sweet
laugh, "Now that Jubao Town is entirely under the Free Army's control, my Holy Sect disciples beg Young Hero Hua to show mercy!" As she spoke the last part, Xue Qianqian's seductive skills were already in full swing. Her soft laughter and coquettish voice subtly contained the alluring techniques of the Nine Revolutions Seduction Technique.
Liu Yufei was momentarily stunned, feeling that Xue Qianqian's smile was like a blooming peach blossom, delicate and beautiful beyond compare. If she were a man, she would probably have already fallen at her feet and become an unwavering subject.
Hua Yinghong, however, responded loudly, "Fairy, you jest. The night before last was merely a stroke of luck. Your sect is powerful, and no one dares to challenge your prestige. The Free Army would not do something so foolish as to shoot themselves in the foot." He casually took Liu Yufei's left hand and channeled a wisp of Primordial Chaos True Qi into it.
What seemed like a simple question and answer had actually been incredibly dangerous in its exchange. Xue Qianqian had already made two moves: first, to test their skills with her alluring Peach Blossom Charm, declaring that without strength, they were unqualified to be opponents or partners. Second, to test Liu Yufei by asking her to "show mercy, Young Master Hua," both to inquire about the Free Army's attitude towards the Demonic Sect and to find out who was in charge.
Caught off guard, Liu Yufei was bewitched by the charm, but fortunately, Hua Yinghong had heard from Mo Yan that the Demonic Sect was adept at using seductive arts and had already prepared the Mind-Concentrating Technique left by Mu Bai. Although still amazed by Xue Qianqian's seductive charm and her inner energy subtly stirred, she maintained a clear mind. She quickly channeled a stream of direct energy to help Liu Yufei, answering flawlessly, indicating that the Free Army had no intention of being hostile to the Demonic Sect while vaguely addressing the question of who was in charge of the Free Army.
With the aid of the Primordial Chaos True Qi, Liu Yufei instantly regained her senses. She immediately understood the situation, a chill running down her spine as she secretly activated her Mind-Concentrating Technique to prepare herself. Yet, she spoke in a coquettish voice, "Sister, you are as beautiful as a celestial being, your skill is unparalleled. Even I, a mere woman, have been captivated." She was startled but quickly came to her senses, admitting she was bewitched by the alluring technique, yet subtly implying that she was merely stunning, which made Xue Qianqian dare not underestimate her.
"Sister is so shameful! Sister, with your plain looks and fallen into prostitution, with your seductive gaze and alluring manner, how dare you compare to my heavenly beauty?" Xue Qianqian was both alarmed that Hua and Liu were not swayed by the alluring technique, and touched that Liu Yufei did not look down on her because of her reputation for beauty and lewdness, but instead addressed her as "sister." This statement carried a hint of self-pity.
"Many voices can melt metal, and accumulated slander can destroy bones. You, fairy, with your unparalleled beauty, hide in the dust of the world, remaining untainted by the mud. Why should you fear gossip?" Hua Yinghong, having once learned the art of discerning women in his spare time, noticed Xue Qianqian's delicate eyebrows, clearly still virgins. Knowing she was a virtuous and chaste woman, he casually offered words of comfort.
"Remaining untainted by the mud, why should I fear gossip?" Xue Qianqian's heart trembled. Hua Yinghong's words sounded like those of a deeply understanding confidant. Coupled with the subtle stimulation of the primordial energy within her, her peach blossom true energy surged, causing her heart to flutter. She momentarily lost her composure, becoming somewhat entranced.
"I wonder what brings you here, fairy?" Seeing Xue Qianqian's beautiful eyes fixed on something, as if deep in thought or lost in thought, Hua Yinghong cut to the chase, directly stating his purpose.
Xue Qianqian immediately snapped out of her daze, apologetically smiling, "Qianqian was moved by Young Master Hua's words and lost her composure. Even if Young Master Hua were to speak, Qianqian would absolutely not wish to be an enemy—the Jade Dragon Army is advancing from Lingbao, Pearl, and Xigang on three routes, with Xie Zhan's forces in the south attempting to block their retreat to Alang Mountain, codenamed 'Fishnet.' Alliance Leader Liu and Young Master Hua should already know this; do you have any good strategies?"
"It's largely as expected. The Jade Dragon Army is powerful, while the Free Army is poorly trained and lacks combat strength, so they are planning to retreat to the Alang Mountain area to avoid them. It is estimated that Xie Zhan's forces are few, and even if they guard key routes, they will find it difficult to stop them." Hua Yinghong briefly explained part of the plan.
Xue Qianqian smiled enigmatically, a playful expression on her face, and said, "I'm afraid Young Master Hua's apparent intention in going to Alang is actually to target Xigang, isn't it?"
Liu Yufei and Hua Yinghong were shocked upon hearing this!
******** ****
Near Xicheng, at the Jade Dragon spy liaison office. An Rushan listened to Zhuo Fan's report and fell into deep thought.
The Free Army's actions had surprised him somewhat. He had initially thought the Free Army would hastily release all slaves and wipe out all factions in the town, which would greatly increase the number of slaves and their wealth, but would also provoke a backlash from various factions, resulting in more harm than good. However, the Free Army's release order only targeted the Jade Dragon government; private slaves could be purchased with gold coins. This provided compensation and a way out for the slave owners, so their resistance would not be too strong. This move was intended for the long term, and he felt that if he did not suppress the problem in time, it would become a future threat with unpredictable consequences.
Yesterday, he sent letters to his master, "Frost Blade" Li Xinghai, and the Jade Dragon secret service headquarters in Keelung, informing them of the failure of the "bait" plan and the important matters to come. Li Xinghai was far away in Jade Dragon City, and the carrier pigeon would take time to travel back and forth, but the reply from the Keelung headquarters arrived this morning, ordering them to gather intelligence from various sources to assist the military in implementing the "fishnet" plan, and that they would send experts to help.
An Rushan smiled bitterly. When executing the "bait" plan, to avoid alerting the enemy, most of the top spies he had mobilized came from Xigang and Jubao, leaving very few remaining. With this limited manpower…
A spy hurriedly entered and whispered a few words to Zhuo Fan. Then Zhuo Fan said, "Lord An, Liu Yufei and Hua Yinghong, the captain of the Free Army, are going to see Xue Qianqian, the mistress of the Peach Blossom Palace at Lichun Tower."
"Report to Keelung headquarters immediately: the Demonic Sect is colluding with the Free Army," An Rushan ordered. For some reason, he hadn't informed Qiu Lei in Xigang of this news; perhaps he was still angry about Qiu Lei's rudeness the previous two days, or perhaps he believed that dealing with martial arts figures like the Demonic Sect should be the responsibility of spies.
With the Demonic Sect involved, the situation had become even more complicated.
******** ****
Lu Jingwei entered the town mayor's meeting hall on time.
The dozens of seats, mostly pre-arranged, were already full. Besides the main seat, there were six seats in the front row on the three sides. The nameplates were for Zhang Lingyan, the female owner of Lichun Pavilion representing the Demonic Sect; Nangong Wang, the owner of Baoyue Pavilion representing the Nangong family; Gui Yuande, the owner of a carriage shop representing the Ship Gang; Hao Siren, representing the Salt Gang; and Bai Du, the branch president of the Treasure Merchants Association. Tu Fengchuan, representing the Golden Snake Gang, and the two seats behind him were still unseatened.
Lü Jingwei took the main seat, with two experts from the Restoration Society standing behind him. Apart from a very few people like Zhang Lingyan and Nangong Wang who could see his hidden essence and unfathomable power, the dozens of people in the hall, despite careful observation, saw him as nothing more than a composed and unassuming old man.
After obtaining the Heaven and Earth Technique, the Void Breaking Technique, and the Mind Concentration Technique, Lü Jingwei had made considerable gains, and his ability to observe people had greatly improved. His gaze slowly swept over everyone in the hall, and he understood them all. The woman in red, Zhang Lingyan, whose alluring skills were already restrained, and the scholarly-looking Nangong Wang, whose Xiaowuxiang skill was quite proficient, were likely both at the ninth-rank level. The rugged-looking Gui Yuande, the tall and imposing Hao Siren, and the scholarly-looking Bai Du, all in their early twenties, possessed bright, piercing eyes, indicating they were also at least at the eighth-rank level. As for the leaders of the smaller gangs and factions, most were around the seventh-rank.
This small town of Jubao was indeed a place where hidden talents lurked. If his own skills hadn't recovered, he was probably inferior to most of them.
"Gentlemen," Lü Jingwei began, his opening remarks simple and direct. The hall fell silent, everyone listening intently.
"I've invited you all here today for two reasons: the Emancipation of Slaves and the Collection of Treasures Taxes," Lü Jingwei said calmly. "The Emancipation of Slaves is simple and straightforward, requiring no further explanation. As for taxes, the Free Army plans to simplify things: all official taxes in Yulong will be waived; market taxes will be 15%; land taxes 10%; special taxes 30%; and net profit income tax 25%. Any increases or decreases will be discussed and approved by representatives from all sides before implementation. You are all welcome to express your opinions."
A lively discussion ensued in the hall.
There was little opposition to the Emancipation of Slaves. While slavery was highly profitable, there was also the risk of slave revolts. After the emancipation, it would simply involve recruiting civilians and paying them wages. Moreover, the Free Army, by virtue of its name alone, did not tolerate the existence of slavery; the fact that they hadn't forcibly and unconditionally released all slaves was already beyond everyone's expectations.
Only the issue of taxes was still under consideration. The official taxes in Yulong were originally numerous and complex to calculate. In addition to the market tax of 12%, land tax of 20%, income tax of 25%, and special taxes of 35%, there were also various other taxes such as poll tax, town entry tax, and construction tax. The one proposed by Lü Jingwei was simpler and much lighter than before, and the losses caused by the freeing of slaves were negligible.
"Can the Free Army guarantee how long this tax can be maintained?" After a moment, the first to speak was the burly man—Gui Yuande, the representative of the boatmen's guild. This question seemed to refer to whether the Free Army would change its orders frequently, but in reality, it concerned how long the Free Army could sustain itself under the Jade Dragon Army's counterattack.
"The Free Army will collect three months' worth of taxes in advance to cover the costs of freeing slaves and purchasing goods. If we are still in Jubao after three months, this tax will remain unchanged," Lü Jingwei replied calmly.
According to the town mayor's office, Jubao Town could collect 300,000 gold coins in taxes annually, most of which were handed over to the government. The capture of the town treasury yielded 50,000, the capture of several slave camps and spoils from the Jade Dragon Army yielded 10,000, and the three months' taxes totaled 75,000, enough to cover the current freeing of approximately 20,000 slaves and the purchase of grain, salt, and other supplies. If the Free Army still controlled the area, this tax would also be sufficient to maintain the Free Army's defenses and expenses.
Hua Yinghong's proposal had a deeper meaning: the freed slaves were undoubtedly grateful to the Free Army. The various factions that had already paid taxes in advance and enjoyed the benefits of simplified and lower taxes would certainly not be willing to pay taxes to the Jade Dragon government again, or at least would not secretly aid the Jade Dragon army. On a deeper level, this was to show the various factions that the Free Army was only targeting the Jade Dragon government and was willing to consider the interests of other factions, laying the groundwork for future cooperation with various forces.
The crowd discussed this again. The Free Army's proposed plan was extremely reasonable; unlike pirates who would simply loot and leave, there was really no reason to object. Even if the Jade Dragon army returned and the Free Army was defeated, the loss of three months' taxes would not be significant. If the Free Army were provoked and brutally confiscated property, even the combined forces of all the factions in the town would be no match for tens of thousands of Free Army soldiers.
At this moment, three experts from the Restoration Society placed three trays covered with white cloth, still dripping blood, before Lü Jingwei's seat, and handed him a slip of paper.
After reading it, Lü Jingwei said calmly, "The Golden Snake Gang, Green Snake Gang, and White Snake Gang need not attend future meetings." He lifted the white cloth, and a gasp of surprise rippled through the hall.
On the three wooden trays lay three bloody human heads. The one in the middle had a face like cast iron, eyes like copper bells, exuding a sinister aura. His thick neck and broad, bony face bore a scar running from the corner of his left eye to his earlobe, making him look ferocious and terrifying
. This was none other than Tu Fengchuan, the leader of the Golden Snake Gang, nicknamed "Sky-Splitting Axe." The other two were the leaders of the Green Snake Gang and the White Snake Gang. The Snake Gangs actually made their fortunes by kidnapping civilians and selling them as slaves, and were naturally the most resistant to the Emancipation Proclamation. The Golden, Green, and White Snake Gangs were all highly skilled in martial arts. Tu Fengchuan's twin Sky-Splitting Axes were powerful and imposing, and he had already reached the level of a seventh-rank master. The leaders of the Green and White Snake Gangs were no less than seventh-rank, and each had no fewer than one or two hundred subordinates of varying skill levels.
From the start of the meeting until now, only a short while had passed, and the result of "those who are late will be treated as enemies of the Free Army" was demonstrated by these three bloody heads. This sent a chill down the spines of those who had previously hesitated, unsure whether to come, prompting them to reassess the Free Army's strength and ruthless methods.
"Baoyue Tower has no objection." Nangong Wang, befitting his prestigious Nangong family background, displayed exceptional judgment and decisiveness.
"Lichun Tower has no objection." Zhang Lingyan, ever the shrewd one, agreed to these conditions regardless of Xue Qianqian's negotiations with the Free Army leader.

******** ****
Lichun Tower.
"If the fairy were to oppose the Free Army, I fear we would all perish without a burial place," Hua Yinghong said slowly, secretly gathering his Hunyuan True Qi, ready to unleash a ruthless attack at the slightest provocation, using his Dragon Roar Blade to kill this stunning beauty. Even with her high skill, the Peach Blossom Fairy might not be able to withstand the combined attack of him and Liu Yufei.
The Dragon Roar Blade, slung across his back, seemed to understand Hua Yinghong's intentions, emitting a soft dragon's roar!
A blade spirit! Peach Blossom Fairy was no ordinary person; she knew Hua Yinghong's prediction was correct—he had already decided to kill her. For some reason, the faintly emanating true energy caused her own peach blossom true energy to surge, as if it wanted to dance with joy. Startled, she lightly touched her high, firm breasts with her jade-like hand, lowered her beautiful eyes, and giggled as if feigning surprise, saying, "Young Master Hua, don't frighten Qianqian. How could I be an enemy of the Free Army? A celestial beauty like Sister Liu is more than enough for Qianqian to cherish!"
Even with Hua Yinghong's composure honed by the Mind-Concentrating Technique, he was still captivated by the allure of this stunningly beautiful woman, a beauty whose charm stirred his heart. He felt an urge to immediately embrace her and tenderly caress her. The thought flashed through his mind, and he thought to himself, "How formidable!" Suppressing his lustful thoughts, he asked, "What exactly does the fairy intend to do?"
"Qianqian is trying to curry favor, but Young Hero Hua is oblivious to her charms; what a hard heart she has," Xue Qianqian said, half-jokingly. "The Holy Church will help the Free Army take Xigang and the northwest of the island, while the Free Army will help the Holy Church take Keelung and the northeast of the island. Sun and Moon City will be divided into autonomous districts, with the east belonging to the Holy Church and the west to the Free Army."
"The fairy is joking again. Even if the Free Army takes Xigang, it will be severely weakened. The Jade Dragon Army will retaliate fiercely; how could they possibly have the strength to help your sect take Keelung?" Hua Yinghong remained calm, waiting for Xue Qianqian to reveal her final trump card.
Xue Qianqian seemed to know that the previous price was an exorbitant one, and given that the Demonic Sect's strength had not yet been revealed, it would not satisfy the Free Army. Therefore, she smiled sweetly and said, "Jubao Town and Xigang currently have one hundred core disciples of the Holy Sect, including twenty of the sixth rank or above, fifty of the fifth rank, and four hundred ordinary followers. I wonder if this can buy the Free Army half a day?"
"Your sect's strength is truly admirable," Hua Yinghong thought to himself, secretly shocked. Even disregarding Xue Qianqian herself, the experts she spoke of were already on par with the Free Army. This was after numerous battles fought by the Restoration Society's experts, plus the new breakthroughs in the two peerless martial arts techniques and training secrets taught by Hua Yinghong. If the Demonic Sect were deliberately opposing them, even without revealing their strength, this battle might be unnecessary—of course, this was on the premise that the Sword Saint Hou Mubai truly abandoned all responsibility.
He decisively declared, "Your sect is responsible for blocking the Jade Dragon Army in Xigang for six hours, helping the Free Army to capture Xigang completely. If the Free Army wins, they should entangle the Jade Dragon Army on the north and east sides, preventing them from returning to Keelung. If possible, they should advance on Lingbao and Sun and Moon City to alleviate the pressure on your sect's uprising. The Free Army will not attack east of Sun and Moon City for three months. If we agree, we will cooperate; if not, we will each do our own thing."
"Oh! Sister Liu, your young hero Hua is truly heartless and meticulous," Xue Qianqian teased Liu Yufei, emphasizing the word "your."
Liu Yufei blushed and said shyly, "Sister Xue is teasing me! If you truly care for your sister, then help Brother Hua win this battle, so that your sister won't be left helpless." She was also a clever and perceptive person; her last sentence was both encouraging and discouraging, addressing her as "sister" on one side and "younger sister" on the other, making it hard for her to refuse.
"What a clever little sister! Just because you called me 'sister,' it's settled then." Xue Qianqian saw that Hua Yinghong had given his bottom line, which wasn't far from what she wanted, so she went along with it.
"Alright! Let's see if the fish dies or the net breaks!" Hua Yinghong extended his right palm, intending to shake hands with Xue Qianqian as a pledge, but then suddenly remembered that she was a stunningly beautiful woman, which seemed inappropriate. Before he could retract his hand, Xue Qianqian's soft, smooth, boneless jade palm had already gently struck Hua Yinghong's palm.
The moment their palms touched, it was as if they had been struck by lightning. The wisps of peach blossom true energy and the primordial true energy seemed to blend together perfectly, and a strange feeling rose in both of their hearts at the same time...
(End of Volume 2, please see Volume 3 "Free Fire")

Volume 3 Free Fire Chapter 27 Retreat Strategy The
midday sun blazed down scorchingly, making everything bright and blinding. The ground was scorching hot, with faint white steam rising from it.
Only one word could describe it—hot. The weather, known as the "Autumn Tiger," was unbearably hot.
No one wanted to be outside in such weather, except for those with special business to attend to, or—those with mental illness.
Hua Yinghong and Liu Yufei were certainly not the latter.
The Jade Dragon Spy Liaison Office near Dongcheng was a large, detached, square compound covering over a hundred acres. The nominal owner, Zhuo Fan, was an inconspicuous man who ran several small shops and employed dozens of workers. The Zhuo family compound had only thirty-four servants. Such households were not uncommon in Jubao Town; there were probably a hundred or two.
Two servants at the gate leaned against the doorframe, dozing off, completely unaware that death was about to strike under the scorching sun.
Five hundred special forces soldiers, armed with powerful bows and crossbows, quietly surrounded the Zhuo family compound from twenty zhang away, led by Ba Tian.
Hua Yinghong and Lü Jingwei stealthily approached from the side, moving at a distance of seven or eight zhang from the gate. They exchanged a glance, then simultaneously flashed forward, leaping in front of two servants with lightning speed. With a swift movement, both servants were rendered unconscious by pressure point manipulation.
In the blink of an eye, Lü Jingwei was only slightly faster than Hua Yinghong.
More than ten Restoration Society experts then approached both sides of the gate, and soon the compound was surrounded on all four sides by Restoration Society experts and special forces soldiers, about ten and a half zhang from the walls.
"Kill!" With hand signals indicating readiness, Hua Yinghong decisively gave the order, drawing his Dragon's Roar Blade first, and leading the charge through the gate with Lü Jingwei. Restoration Society experts and special forces soldiers from all sides leaped onto the walls!
A rapid alarm sounded—
**** ********
Weapon Battalion.
Since morning, Lu Shenggong had experimented with assembling and disassembling the improved Shenggong crossbow several times, but the results were still not satisfactory.
The newly assembled improved Shenggong crossbow, based on Hua Yinghong's sketches and designs, was somewhat similar in appearance to the original Shenggong crossbow, but also significantly different: the main difference lay in the two rows of firing ports, each with six holes. By moving a control mechanism to two different positions, it could fire single shots or a volley of twelve bolts. Even in single shots, because the magazine held twelve bolts at once, cocking the crossbow only required cranking the handle, a task easily handled by ordinary soldiers. Furthermore, it was much faster than the Shenggong crossbow because bolts didn't need to be retrieved one by one from the quiver before all twelve were fired. At a distance of approximately 100 paces, the new crossbow could fire six single shots in the time it took the Shenggong crossbow to fire three.
Unfortunately, the new crossbow had a shorter range than the Shenggong crossbow. Its effective range for single shots was approximately 90 paces, for a volley only 70 paces, and for shots with strong penetrating power, only 50-60 paces. Another major flaw was that the inner bore of the crossbow was not smoothly polished enough during single-shot firing, causing the bolt to sometimes not fall into the firing slot and resulting in misfires.
Despite these shortcomings, a prototype was still produced. Lu Shenggong, escorted by several Restoration Society experts and a squad of elite soldiers, headed to the Free Army camp in Jubao Town with the new crossbow.
**** ********
Zhuo Family Compound. When the alarm sounded,
An Rushan and Zhuo Fan were discussing the destruction of the Golden Snake Gang, Green Snake Gang, and White Snake Gang, as well as the new orders issued by the Free Army.
The meeting chaired by Lü Jingwei almost unanimously passed the slave release order and the plan for early taxation, and also agreed to the Free Army's purchase of grain, salt, iron, cloth, and other supplies at fair prices, as well as the temporary requisition of all two hundred carriages and one thousand porters belonging to the ship guild.
After these actions by the Free Army, An Rushan and Zhuo Fan immediately sensed that the Free Army intended to flee to the Alang Mountains and quickly reported this information to the Yulong Secret Service headquarters in Keelung and the Xigang branch.
No matter how much the spies and the military disagreed, they had to cooperate in the face of a common enemy.
The Free Army came fiercely. Hidden throughout the courtyard, skilled spies were already engaged in combat with the Free Army. The less skilled guards and servants screamed in agony amidst a hail of arrows. A group of people were already searching the room.
"Lord An, things have come to this, let's go!" Zhuo Fan reached under the table and felt a slight mechanism click, revealing a small opening in the center of the room large enough for one person to pass through.
An Rushan, who had thought there was no escape, was overjoyed at the sight. Ignoring the skilled spies still locked in battle outside, he hurriedly followed Zhuo Fan down into the tunnel, closed the opening, and fled.
"Lord An, let's go!" A skilled spy, carrying several crossbow bolts, rushed into the room, only to find it empty. He was stunned for a moment before being struck by another volley of bolts and fell dead.
When Hua Yinghong and his group found the mechanism, An Rushan and Zhuo Fan had already emerged from the tunnel in a secluded spot half a mile outside the town wall in the dense forest. They quickly surveyed their surroundings and headed east towards Lingbao Town.
Except for a few low-ranking spies who hadn't returned to the Zhuo family compound, the Jade Dragon spies' contact point in Jubao Town and the ten experts brought by An Rushan were all wiped out. Hua Yinghong beheaded two with his blade, using the "Gentle Breeze and Fine Rain" technique, while Liu Yufei beheaded one with the "Unstoppable Advance" technique of the "Three Forms of Heaven-Breaking." Having succeeded simultaneously, both recalled the sensual moment of spiritual and physical union, their hearts in harmony. They exchanged a glance, unable to hide their smiles.
Liu Yufei's beautiful, spring-like eyes and charming appearance left Hua Yinghong speechless.
The Jade Dragon spy headquarters in Keelung lost all contact with Jubao Town from that point on.

Xigang.
Qiu Lei stood by the bed, admiring the two beautifully curved bodies lying side by side, naked and supine. Their breasts were equally full, round, firm, and snow-white, with two slightly red and purple nipples that were irresistible. Their skin was as white as snow and as slender as a wasp's waist. Their abdomens were flat and without any excess fat.
What fascinated him most were Jiaxin and Liwen's enchanting and beautiful, delicate and flawless faces, as well as their rosy and sexy cherry lips and clove-like tongues. After making love twice last night, he woke up this morning to another round of service that made him feel swollen and about to burst. He couldn't help but engage in another series of battles until 9 a.m.
Waking from a nap,
Qiu Lei found himself surrounded by two alluring women, their bodies sprawled out in a seductive pose reminiscent of "Begonia in Spring Sleep." He felt an uncontrollable surge of arousal return. Turning to the other side of the bed, he gently moved his hand from above Jia Xin's head to between her soft, rosy lips, savoring the exquisite sensation…
Jia Xin and Li Wen were already awake; "Begonia in Spring Sleep" was a technique from their seductive arts. Having received orders from the Peach Blossom Fairy the previous night, the two women had intensified their efforts to seduce Qiu Lei this morning. However, Qiu Lei's skill was far superior; their seductive arts only gradually made him more captivated by their beauty and charm.
Qiu Lei's uncontrollable lust secretly delighted Jia Xin; this position was perfect for unleashing one of the most powerful techniques in their seductive arts…
Waves of electric sensations stimulated Qiu Lei's mind, his lust rising ever higher. From this angle, one could see... Jiaxin's two luscious red lips... incomparably alluring...
Jiaxin subtly adjusted the angle of her jade-like head, her jade-like neck and lips forming a straight line, her fragrant tongue licking intensely, her peach blossom true energy constantly tempting and teasing...
Such visual and sensory stimulation made Qiu Lei unable to resist any longer. He grasped a snow-white, soft jade peak in each hand, moving with the fastest speed and the most intense method...
Under the Nine Revolutions Peach Blossom Seductive Technique, Qiu Lei had lost himself, only knowing how to indulge himself. He even forgot that he still had to deal with that damned slave army...
"Ah!" Qiu Lei could no longer resist the beauty's boundless charm. In the tense and stimulating spasms, he felt as if all the hot blood in his body was gushing out, watering that incomparably beautiful peach blossom—
he could almost "see" that the gorgeous peach blossom wrapped around his erect member, sucking it intensely, the peach blossom gradually becoming crystal clear… His mind also floated away with complete relaxation, becoming somewhat hazy—
in his daze, he seemed to hear Li Wen's coquettish voice: "My turn—"... It was another warm, moist, and incredibly slippery place. Before he could penetrate deeper, his uncontrollable passion erupted again… There, another gorgeous peach blossom rose, as if it wanted to absorb all the energy in his body before it would stop…
In his daze, he seemed to hear the sound of "Report!" outside—

Hua Yinghong returned to the Free Army camp, where Lu Shenggong had been waiting for a long time.
"Brother Hua, the crossbow sample you mentioned has been completed, but its performance is still not good enough." Lu Shenggong said, his eyes bloodshot and red. He specialized in mechanical devices and lacked interest in martial arts, having practiced a little but only reaching the third rank before making no further progress.
Hua Yinghong, knowing he must have been awake all along, said with emotion, "Brother Lu, you've worked hard!" He grasped Lu Shenggong's hand and channeled a gentle stream of primordial energy into him.
Lu Shenggong felt the energy was incredibly beneficial and his spirits lifted, saying, "Thank you, Brother Hua!"
Hua Yinghong said, "Brother, if you try the Heaven and Earth Technique with the dynamic training method I taught you, it will be beneficial to your health. Moreover, the Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao. Martial arts and mechanical arts are not without common ground. In silent contemplation, one can connect with the past; in quiet emotion, one can see across vast distances. The essence, energy, and spirit of martial arts can be used to observe the subtle and understand the obvious, which may complement the study of mechanical arts."
Lu Shenggong said, "Brother, I understand." He then took out the improved crossbow and explained it in detail, especially its shortcomings in range and power.
Hua Yinghong was overjoyed upon hearing this, saying, "Brother, you truly deserve to be called a master of weaponry! Any slight shortcomings in performance can be improved in future productions. With this crossbow, the Free Army will be like a tiger with wings, invincible from now on. Brother, you deserve the greatest credit!"
Lu Shenggong had expected Hua Yinghong to be greatly disappointed, but he was surprised to receive such high praise. He muttered to himself, "If we use it in actual combat now, I'm afraid it might backfire due to issues like arrow jamming and range."
Hua Yinghong smiled and said, "Brother, you specialize in weaponry and naturally strive for perfection. But I know that everything has its advantages and disadvantages; it's all about how you use it. If the crossbow hole isn't smooth enough, you don't have to polish it; you can lubricate it with oil. If the range isn't long enough, you can use a bow and arrow. With its speed of single or volley fire, it's designed to subdue approaching enemies. Only those with thick armor or exceptional skill can get close. With such a weapon in battle, wouldn't we be invincible?"
Lu Shenggong suddenly understood. How could he not have thought of such a simple method? It seems that Hua Yinghong's words are indeed profound and worthy of deep thought.
With this single thought, Lu Shenggong truly stepped into the realm of a master craftsman of mechanical devices—
Hua Yinghong asked, "Given the conditions of the weapons battalion and the current manpower, if we were to produce this crossbow with all our might, how many could we make in a day and night?"
Lu Shenggong did a quick mental calculation and said, "At most fifteen, at least ten."
Hua Yinghong frowned and said, "The output is too small; I'm afraid it won't be of much use for a while." He immediately issued several orders: First, Lu Shenggong would be fully responsible for producing the improved crossbow—the Divine Machine Crossbow—with full support from all departments; second, each person involved in producing the Divine Machine Crossbow sample would be awarded ten gold coins, and anyone who makes improvements to military equipment in the future would be heavily rewarded; third, one hundred special forces members were to enter the weapons battalion to familiarize themselves with the use of the Divine Machine Crossbow and protect the technicians to prevent leaks.
Lu Shenggong accepted the orders and left without further mention.
**** ********
As night fell, Jubao Town remained brightly lit, a scene of bustling activity.
Perhaps intimidated by the swift and decisive crackdown on the three snake gangs, the release of private slaves was completed by 3:45 PM. Over 18,000 male and female private slaves were redeemed with gold coins, largely consistent with the town magistrate's records.
Unsurprisingly, some skilled slaves were willing to fend for themselves. Most of these individuals had worked for their masters for many years and had generally not suffered mistreatment. For example, the hundreds of slaves in the jewelry workshop belonging to Baoyue Tower, aside from not receiving wages, enjoyed a lifestyle almost identical to that of ordinary people. After Nangong Wang promised to pay them the same wages as commoners, these people came here for release, merely to collect more gold coins for their masters.
However, most, after witnessing the transformation of slaves into valiant Free Army soldiers, expressed their willingness to join the Free Army, only to be told they needed to pass a test—being exposed to the scorching sun for half an hour. Those who could endure it would be allowed to join the Free Army reserve.
A small number of the slaves, having not experienced much hardship, could not bear it and left on their own. In the end, 12,000 people remained, including 3,000 women, many of whom were quite beautiful and delicate. It was unclear why they had the willpower to endure it.
Since Lü Jingwei and Liu Ju were in charge of pre-collecting taxes at the town government, Hua Yinghong and Liu Yufei personally oversaw the slave release operation. Hua Yinghong directed the selection of over a thousand Free Army soldiers and junior officers, temporarily appointing them to form three temporary Free Army reserve brigades based on their original ranks.
Those who were originally Free Army junior officers and soldiers, having only received a day or two of training, were temporarily promoted and couldn't help but marvel at how easy it was to get promoted in the Free Army. To remove the word "temporary," they spared no effort in explaining the Free Army's discipline and precautions, and of course, they also boasted about the Free Army's achievements and their leaders' martial prowess.
The three thousand women posed a dilemma for Hua Yinghong. However, seeing Liu Lan, who had impulsively donned a military uniform and possessed both delicate beauty and heroic spirit, Hua Yinghong devised a plan. He deliberately shook his head and said, "These women probably can't even lift a sword, how can they fight? Let's just dismiss them."
Liu Lan fell for his trick, her eyebrows furrowing as she retorted, "Brother Hua! Don't underestimate us women. You might not be able to defeat the princess, dare you say women are inferior to men?" This pretty girl was anything but polite to Hua Yinghong.
"How could I be a match for Fei'er! Even Lan-mei is stronger than me." Hua Yinghong waved his hands repeatedly, "But there's no one to lead and train these women, I can't be the captain, can I?"
"Hmph! If no one can be, I will!" Liu Lan's fiery temper flared up, and she blurted out.
"Alright! Now, appoint Liu Lan as the captain of the Free Army Women's Reserve Battalion!" Hua Yinghong's scheme had succeeded, and he chuckled inwardly.
"Lan'er, you must train them well. Don't let these sisters be unskilled and die needlessly on the battlefield." Liu Yufei smiled at Hua Yinghong, her beauty breathtaking.
"Hmph! I will definitely train them into warriors stronger than men!" Liu Lan, realizing she had been tricked, still boasted arrogantly.
Hua Yinghong never imagined that a "Red Detachment of Women" that would later become famous throughout the Hua Long Continent would be formed so casually.
******** ****
Qiu Lei woke up around 3 PM.
Ning Jiaxin and Li Liwen, the two beauties, were still asleep, their snow-white bodies lying prone, their curves undulating, alluring and seductive.
His whole body and limbs were a little sore and numb, and his lower back was also aching slightly, a phenomenon he had never experienced since he started practicing martial arts and qi cultivation. "I have indeed indulged a bit too much these past few days," Qiu Lei was, after all, a rather intelligent person, and knew how to reflect on himself.
Forcing himself not to look at the two naked, wanton women, Qiu Lei walked out of the room.
"Lord Qiu, news came from Jubao Town at noon that the slave army had requisitioned 200 carts and horses, 200,000 shi of grain, and a large quantity of salt and iron, seemingly intending to retreat to the Alang Mountains." Qiu Changzheng immediately reported the news. After Xie Zhan's Second Battalion was stationed at the iron mine camp, he returned to Xigang, still leading his most elite direct battalion. The news reported by the spies at noon was not disturbed because Qiu Lei was engrossed in his pleasures and it was not an urgent report, so he was not woken up.
"Where are the Northern and Eastern naval forces?" Qiu Lei asked.
"Both forces have been traveling day and night. The Northern naval force has encountered favorable winds and is expected to reach Pearl Field by noon tomorrow. The Eastern reinforcements from Keelung have passed Riyue City and are less than 50 li from Lingbao Pass." In just over a day and a few hours, the Eastern Jade Dragon Army had marched 140 li, truly a worthy elite force.
"Report! The secret service reports that they have lost contact with Jubao Town."
"Report! The slave army has dispatched over a thousand experts from the Restoration Society and search teams; scouts can no longer approach within fifteen li of Jubao Town."
"The slave army has noticed and is about to take action." Qiu Lei ordered: "Order: Xie Zhan's troops to immediately seize key positions, intensify scouting, and block any attempt by the slave army to pass; the first company of the first battalion to reinforce Xie Zhan's troops; the direct battalion and the second and third companies of the first battalion to advance to Jubao Town at normal speed and stand by thirty li away; the two battalions at Lingbao Pass to set off, cross the Wanquan River, and stand by thirty li east of Jubao Town; the reinforcements from Keelung to accelerate their march; after the naval landing at Pearl Field tomorrow, launch a general offensive from three sides."
"All units must be careful during their march, and send out more scouts and vanguards to seize strategic locations." Recalling Xie Zhan's defeat at Panchang, Qiu Lei added.
Two hundred thousand shi of grain and a large quantity of salt, iron, and weapons were to be transported into the Alang Mountains via dozens of miles of rugged mountain roads. Even without Xie Zhan's forces blocking their way, and even if the slave army were allowed to move them freely, it would take more than a day and a night.
Qiu Lei originally had ample time for the general offensive, but he still made thorough preparations. If the main force of the slave army attempted to retreat to the mountains, he would not wait for naval and Keelung reinforcements, but would directly launch a pincer attack with nearly ten thousand Yulong troops from Lingbao Pass, Pearl Field, and Xigang, in conjunction with Xie Zhan's forces.
Subconsciously, despite Qiu Haoran's orders stating that this battle was of utmost importance and that caution was paramount, Qiu
Lei dismissed his overreaction and excessive caution. He firmly believed that the Yulong Army's fighting strength, given their similar numbers, far surpassed that of the Free Army, which had only undergone two days of training.

From Jubao Town to the Alang Mountains, there were two mountain roads: one from the copper mine camp along the Wanquan River, a treacherous route winding for nearly a hundred miles before reaching the mountainous region where the Gaoshan people were concentrated, becoming increasingly rugged and difficult to traverse; the other from the coal mine camp, passing near the iron mine camp where the Free Army had risen up, only about seventy miles into the mountains before reaching a Gaoshan village.
Two hundred horse-drawn carts, fully loaded with grain and other supplies, departed from Jubao Town, heading towards the coal mine camp. Along the way, every half mile or so, a troop of fully armed Free Army soldiers guarded the high points on the hills on either side of the road.
The first batch of wagons unloaded nearly three thousand sacks of grain and salt near the coal mine camp. Thousands of reserve soldiers had already set off to wait there. Among them, three thousand reserve soldiers each carried a sack, and escorted by a company of soldiers led by Pang Yi, they headed towards Yingchou Ridge along the mountain road.
To implement the retreat strategy towards the Alang Mountains, apart from Liu Litao's brigade stationed at the weapons battalion and Jubao camp, Hua Yinghong mobilized almost the entire remaining force of the Free Army as the main force to break through Xie Zhan's Yingchou Ridge defense line and escort the transport team.
Would the Free Army perish, or would the Yulong Army's net break?
The answer would be revealed in a single night and day.

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