by Fang Xiang
“We’ve gotten some items. But I don’t really understand their functions, so Shixiong can pick,” Gongsun Cha blinked his plum flower sized eyes that sparkled as he said innocently.
From the numbers, Gongsun Cha had gotten many things. Piled up together, it was a little mountain.
Flying swords, talismans, jade scrolls, and materials. They all dazzled the eyes.
Zuo Mo glanced and was quite surprised. The great majority were not worth anything, but there were some good ones. This had been the collections of ningmai xiuzhe. They had some good items.
Zuo Mo’s eyes were very experienced and acted quickly. After flipping and picking, he divided the little mountain into several piles.
He pointed at a pile of flying swords and talismans, saying, “This batch isn’t bad. Go and divide it among them. Only if they are properly equipped can their battle strength increase.”
Gongsun Cha was full of admiration. Shixiong was really someone who could do great things. He had followed Shixiong for this long, and his eyes were not as experienced as Shixiong; but he could generally detect the quality. The flying swords and talismans in this piles were all pretty good. If they could be sold, that would be an enormous sum of jingshi. He hadn’t expected Shixiong to take it out.
This generosity, this breadth of mind … …
“To get the horse to run, we have to feed the horse grass,” Zuo Mo said meaningfully.
The admiration in Gongsun Cha’s heart reached a peak. It seemed that he was still too new. His level was not enough compared to Shixiong!
“Think of it as wages. They have to put their lives up. It won’t be right if they do not get anything,” Zuo Mo smacked his lips, and rubbed his chin, “In any case, this batch can’t be turned to jingshi and will only take up space.”
When Gongsun Cha heard the last part, all the admiration instantly dissipated.
This was more like Shixiong … …
For some reason, he found he had relaxed; his entire body easing itself of tension.
“Oh, right,” Zuo Mo picked out a jade scroll from the piles of jade scrolls, “There’s not much in this batch of jade scrolls other than this one. This one has some content related to battle generals. You take it to use as reference.”
“A bit of relation to battle generals?” Gongsun Cha instantly became excited and took the jade scroll.
“The materials are useful,” Zuo Mo said to himself as he looked at the little piles in front of him. “The rest can only be given to Lil’ Pagoda. We can store the jade scrolls, open them to all of them for free? Oh, they don’t take up space.”
Speaking of jade scrolls, he suddenly remembered something, “I have a fifth-grade movement method here. I probably won’t have the time to practice it. Give it to someone to use. The stronger they are, the safer we are. As to how to divide it, you can think.”
“Okay!” Gongsun Cha was slightly surprised that Shixiong could take out a fifth-grade movement method but did not hesitate in nodding. He agreed with Shixiong’s words.
After dividing up the spoils, Zuo Mo told Gongsun Cha again to look for yin fiend grounds. Everyone knew that time was tight and didn’t waste words. Gongsun Cha took the pile of talismans and flying swords and left.
———
Zuo Mo summoned Lil’ Pagoda, and pointed at the pile of talismans and flying swords as he took up a jade scroll to read.
This jade scroll was the only thing that he was interested in of this entire batch of spoils. There wasn’t much high level content in the jade scroll. What it was were some basic methods of making puppets. Now that Zuo Mo was somewhat skilled in formations, it was much easier to learn about puppets, and it wasn’t hard to read.
He had never encountered puppets before. Seeing them now, he found them novel. There were several places that were very unique. To his joy, he found that the puppets could solve the problem of his manpower.
Low level puppets did not have intelligence and could only accept the simplest and most basic commands. Those high level puppets were not much different than people. puppets that were forged with secret methods were not breakable, were as fast as the wind, and functioned as the best subordinates.
No wonder so many people liked puppets.
Of course, these subordinate type puppets were very hard to forge. But Zuo Mo did not think of those puppets. His eyes were set on the easily made low level puppets.
These guys didn’t have any great use, but they could barely manage to do some rough and menial labor.
He suddenly thought of an idea. With Little Mountain Jie so chaotic right now, the population drastically decreasing, the mines that had existed before wouldn’t have grown feet! The ling veins would have been corroded, but what about the ore veins?
He became more excited the more he thought, his brain extremely clear. Now that it was this chaotic, there was no one that was willing to spend time mining. If the ore veins were not infected and did not belong to anyone, and he went to mine them, no one would care. As for manpower, he could use puppets!
He suppressed the excitement in his heart and started to calculate.
It was not very hard to make the simplest puppet, and what it consumed were very low level materials. He had the power to make them.
Deep in thought, Zuo Mo did not notice Lil’ Pagoda greedily sucking in talismans and flying swords.
When the last talisman flew inside Lil’ Pagoda’s body, Lil’ Pagoda suddenly stopped moving.
———
“Rewards based on achievements?” Lei Peng thought he had heard it wrong, laughing scornfully. “Don’t dream. Food that’s been swallowed, who would throw it back up? Even more, our group has jinzhi, who wouldn’t listen? Who would be so dumb to spend on us?”
Nian Lu said in a rush, “But it’s true. Happening this afternoon! Supposedly, there is a fifth-grade movement method.”
“Ha ha! You’re killing me!” Lei Peng pointed at Nian Lu and then turned to say to Zong Ru. “Listen! Fifth-grade movement method! My ass! Fifth-grade movement methods are not lettuce, and given easily to us sheep. I say, Old Nian, you should understand the market. A fifth-grade movement method, that’s enough for those f***ers at Clear Sky Sect to let you pass. This kind of good thing, people will give it to you for free?”
Zong Ru said cross legged like an old monk in meditation, dignified. He pretended to not listen. Dhyana xiu were very rare in Little Mountain Jie. They cultivated the body and their abhinna. What Zong Ru cultivated was not some high level dhyana scripture, and so he had not formed an abhinna yet. However, his cultivation was rock solid.
He usually had few words, his personality silent and calm. In battle, he was like a whole other person, abnormally ferocious.
The three of them all had different personalities. Lei Peng was fiery like a fire, similar to a bandit. Nian Lu was of a lively temperament, optimistic and easygoing.
Now that Lei Peng said this, Nian Lu felt disbelieve rise as well. Fifth-grade movement method, it was enough to become the ultimate spell for a little sect. Who would give something like this for free?
Fortunately, time did not pass slowly. It quickly reached noon.
All the people, including the thirty that had just been captured were gathered together.
Everyone knew Lil’ Miss definitely had important things to announce.
* * *
Translator Ramblings:
Gongsun Cha’s respect for Zuo Mo flew up into the sky and bombed back down.
Bao De represents his fellows in being discontent at being led by someone less powerful in cultivation. However, even if it one on one, Zuo Mo will probably be able to beat him.
I totally mangled the translation but I have no idea what is another way of saying you get rewarded based on how much service you did/ how many people you killed.
Chapter 219: Rewards Conference
In secret, whenever everyone ever discussed Lil’ Miss’s feminine and delicate face, they couldn’t help but be slight
ly scornful of it. However, when Lil’ Miss was sitting in front of them, everyone couldn’t help but straighten their spines, their eyes straight forward.
People like Lei Peng, who had already spent some time under Lil’ Miss’ command,had experience of what to do. In front of Lil’ Miss, it was best for their eyes to look at their nose, their nose to be pointed at their heart. Do not go looking at Lil’ Miss’ eyes. You would always find they were freezing.
“Reward based on performance,” Lil’ Miss’ voice was not loud and was feminine as usual.
Lei Peng stilled. Had Old Nian been speaking the truth? There were really going to reward based on performance? His heart quickened and he couldn’t help but move his body.
It wasn’t just him. Everyone could not disguise the joy on their faces. There were jinzhi in their bodies, so their lives were in Zuo Mo’s hands. They had originally assumed that they would be cannon fodder, and the thought had never crossed their minds that they would be rewarded.
“Let’s start.” Everyone’s expression landed in Gongsun Cha’s eyes. His heart was very clear, the corners of his mouth rising. He decided to throw out a heavy bomb at the beginning, “This is a fifth-grade movement method. Boss decided to take it out as a reward.”
Vroom!
Everyone’s eyes turned to stare at the jade scroll in Lil’ Miss’ hands. So hot they almost melted the jade scroll. The temperature in the room instantly rose.
Fifth-grade movement method! That was fifth-grade.
Any spell, when it reached fifth-grade, the value was not comparable. No matter if it was in Sky Moon Jie, or in Little Mountain Jie, only core disciples could cultivate fourth-grade spells. This was an unwritten rule. And fifth-grade spells? The majority of sects did not possess a fifth-grade spell.
Now a fifth-grade movement method was in front of them, a place they could touch.
Breathing was rushed in the room. Without knowing it, excitement climbed onto everyone’s faces. If it wasn’t for the jinzhi, half of the people would definitely go up and steal.
Gongsun Cha was very satisfied with everyone’s performance. Fair reward and punishment was a governance that every stable troop must have. Gongsun Cha was not worried this crowd of brutes would betray, but it had been a problem for him to increase their motivation.
“This is a intermediate fourth-grade flying sword, called Black Lock, pure in quality, it is slightly oriented towards the water element. It is the best flying sword of this rewards conference.”
The flying sword was about one chi long, the body narrow and black, glistening with a blue light. Once it was taken out, a slightly sword essence rippled like waves across the entire room.
Hiss!
Inhales sounded below. This group all had good eyes. The quality of the Black Lock sword was not average.
Intermediate Fourth-grade!
Most of these xiuzhe were in ningmai, but only five or so of them had fourth-grade flying swords, and of those people, all their flying swords were low fourth-grade flying swords.
“This Nine Dawn Ling Armor, intermediate fourth-grade, it is the best protective talisman of this conference. Wood element, the ling armor has four formations, [Vitality], [Evil Removing], [Tranquil Mind], and [Illusion Break]. In places rich with wood element power, it can automatically absorb wood element power to repair the ling armor.”
Gulp.
As they swallowed, everyone stared at the ling armor. This was something good! If they had this ling armor, it was like getting half of a life.
It was like Gongsun Cha did not notice everyone’s eyes. One by one, he introduced all the talismans and flying swords.
In the room, the heavy sound of breathing was like thunder. Everyone’s faces were red and excited. Many people had pulled open their clothing, a layer of sweat on their foreheads. However, they did not detect it, their eyes tightly locked on the talismans and flying swords in front of Gongsun Cha.
The light given off by the talismans and flying swords merged and reflected off each person’s eyes.
Lei Peng’s forehead was full of sweat. His throat was dry, his copper-bell like eyes staring wide, afraid he would miss a talisman. When the last talisman was finished being introduced, his heart finally rested. Reflexively, he released a breath.
His ears suddenly heard the sound of breathing. He jumped in fright at his loud breathing.
It was over! If he angered Lil’ Miss, it would be terrible! He grimaced at the first thought that came into his head.
But when he saw the breathing of the people around him, he managed to realize that it wasn’t just the sound of his own breathing, but everyone breathing out together. The slightly sounds of breathing, under such silent environments, would stand out so clearly.
The room quickly became silent, extremely silent, everyone’s hearts rose again.
Everyone knew what was coming next was the most important!
There were only this many prizes, who would get it? How would it be divided? There was a lot involved was this. That would determine what landed on their own hands was good or trash.
“Those with the most achievements will pick first, one apiece.” Lil’ Miss was extremely clear in this silent environment where the drop of a pin could be heard. “Ma Fan is first.”
A blush suddenly rose on Ma Fan’s face like he had been drinking. In the admiring and jealous eyes of everyone else, he stood up and did not hesitate to pick the fifth-grade movement method.
Even though everyone had mostly guessed already, but they couldn’t help but have disappointed expressions. One of those was Lei Peng.
Fifth-grade movement method!
Seeing it slink away in front of his eyes, this feeling wasn’t just terrible!
But that was just jealousy. No one could say anything to Ma Fan picking first. The effect that Ma Fan had in this battle could not have been done by anyone else.
Before everyone had digested the disappointment from the fifth-grade movement method being picked away, Lil’ Miss opened again, “Lei Peng, Zong Ru, Nian Lu, your group is up. You can pick one fourth-grade, two third-grade.”
Lei Peng’s head rang, and then blanked.
It was his turn … …
He didn’t know how he stood up. Nian Lu and Zong Ru’s faces were also full of disbelief. It was like a dream. Even Zong Ru, the most composed of the three, didn’t managed to keep his composure.
The three people looked at each other. After a while, they found it hard to decide who would get the fourth-grade talisman.
Seeing the situation, Gongsun Cha decided to decide for them. “Straws, set down the order, and take turns in the future.”
This method was very fair. No one had an objection.
The sweat on Lei Peng’s forehead grew even more dense, his heartbeat racing because he drew first. The second was Zong Ru, the third was Nian Lu.
He really was shameful, couldn’t even calm down! He criticized himself.
But he was not slow in picking. He did not hesitate in picking the Nine Dawn ling armor. Sighs rose in the surroundings. Clearly, there were several that wanted this ling armor. For some reason, when he heard the sighs, Lei Peng felt every pore of him was in pleasure, and extremely smug. He instantly put on the ling armor.
Zong Ru picked upper third-grade vambraces, and Nian Lu picked an upper third-grade boots. Even though they didn’t pick something fourth-grade, these two were also very good among the third-grade, the two people were unable to keep their hands off.
Gongsun Cha measured achievement based on combat unit. Each combat unit could pick one fourth-grade item, and two third-grade. The fourth-grade items were quickly divided. Those ranked behind didn’t even get one, and could only stare.
But everyone basically got one talisman.
As to the xiuzhe like Bao De who had just turned from captive, they could only stare. Gongsun Cha didn’t plan on rewarding them. The remaining talismans were put to be used as rewards for the groups that were exceptional in train
ing.
Gongsun Cha also clearly stated that once the reward was given, it was the person’s personal property. Other people could not take it. Like the fifth-grade movement method. Ma Fan picked it, so it could not be given to someone else. If anyone else wanted to learn, they had to ask Ma Fan. As to how to pass it on, or whether to pass it on, that was Ma Fan’s business.
No matter if it was Zuo Mo, or Gongsun Cha, they would never have predicted the effect this rewards conference would have.
———
Gongsun Cha still supervised the people in training. The last battle had revealed many insufficiencies. The three section wave killing charge, if it was a well-trained troop, if it was his mysterious opponent, they would only need to use it once to destroy the enemy.
He hadn’t just been unable to destroy the enemy, but had sunk into prolonged fighting. This made Gongsun Cha who usually demanded highly of himself very dissatisfied.
Lil’ Miss was dissatisfied so everyone didn’t have good days.
However, what Gongsun Cha was puzzled by was just how unexpected these people were in training. Everyone seemed to have been shot up with chicken blood, howling as they furiously trained.
And when Gongsun Cha fulfilled his promise by rewarding the talismans to the group that had finished training, he found to his shock that they completely did not need his supervision.
There was not a novice among this group of people. They all knew the importance of talismans. Who would dislike having one more talisman? On the battlefield, one more talisman was one more guarantee on their own life. There was no danger of dying in training. This kind of good matter, if it was in the past, everyone would distain to attend, but in the cruel Little Mountain Jie of the present, no one had heard of it.
No one fell behind.
Not having gotten any ling grains, and having some more mouths to feed, the pressure of Zuo Mo to supply ling grains instantly increased, especially in the recent days where this group had suddenly started to furiously train for some reason. The consumption of ling grains multiplied.