by Fang Xiang
Translator Ramblings: Big leg … … I'm not sure how to explain it. Essentially, it's someone important and influential that people want to curry favor with. The imagery I always have is of people grabbing onto a person's leg with both hands as the person moves up in the world.
Chapter 856: Mine
Zuo Mo nodded. He then pointed at the two servants who had been attacked at the gates. "Pick a simple shen methodology and teach them."
The other servants had expressions of envy. Earning a shen methodology due to being knocked unconscious, it was a great profit! They decided that if they encountered danger in the future, they could not retreat.
Zuo Mo saw the changes in expression of the other servants. He was practiced at leading by example and using fair reward and punishment. While he did not plan on spending too much time on these servants, after establishing Mo Cloud Sea's rules and motivating culture, he did this out of habit.
Zuo Mo turned and said to the city master. "Speak slowly, do not skip anything, do not hide anything."
The city master was completely won over. This white-haired youth elder in front of him was not one of the old people whose minds had been turned pedantic by cultivation. He hurriedly started to explain in detail.
Outside the city master's mansion, countless eyes stared at this scene.
"Old Man Wu Qin's luck is about to turn around," a middle-aged person sighed.
"This old guy's luck is really too good!" A male that looked slightly androgynous couldn't' resist saying after a moment of silence. His expression was strange.
These two had thought that the Wu Family would not be able to escape this calamity. They hadn't expected a terrifyingly powerful expert to appear, and in a blink, reverse the situation.
"Did you discover the origins of that white-haired youth?" the androgynous male said with a frown. "While Old Man Wu says elder, I have a feeling that he is young."
The middle-aged man said gravely, "He came out of the Cold Nether Bog. He first appeared in Little Serene Town. According to the locals, when this person came to Little Serene Town, he was dragging five coffins!"
The androgynous man jumped in fright. "Five coffins? Is he a corpse-refining mo? Coming out of the Cold Nether Bog … …"
He was truly given a fright. Wu Ge City was not far from Little Serene Town. No one knew better than they did what the Cold Nether Bog was like. Everyone knew that the Cold Nether Bog was filled with countless treasures, but no one ever dared to go in deep. Only some local hunters could exist on the outskirts of the Cold Nether Bog.
The core of the Cold Nether Bog was a forbidden land of death.
A person that came out dragging five coffins from the Cold Nether Bog, the Forbidden Land of Death, probably breathed poison!
From any angle, this person was one they could not provoke.
The middle-aged person's throat was slightly dry. When he learned of this news, he had been shocked as well. He suppressed his fear and said gravely, "I don't know where he came from. I'm afraid that his strength can match Gai Yuan of the Yin Tomb Guards."
"Gai Yuan!" The androgynous male exclaimed in shock. "How is it possible? Gai Yuan Daren is unfathomable in power. He was the one to built the reputation of the Yin Tomb Guards in the recent years! No matter how strong that white-haired guy is, he cannot be compared to Gai Yuan Daren."
"Let's reconsider our plans carefully." The middle-aged person did not argue and only reminded, "The water here is too deep. If we are not careful, our families will both drown."
The androgynous male became silent. He knew that the other was right. They had originally thought that Old Man Wu was finished this time. They hadn't expected someone powerful to disrupt the situation, and the situation to become confusing again.
"How about we watch a bit more?" The androgynous man could not decide and said with a hesitant expression.
The middle-aged man was silent. This matter was too important. It could decide the life and death of his family. He did not dare to rashly decide.
Zuo Mo had never thought that he would be pulled into an internal conflict in the Nether Realm.
Ever since the Nether King had united all of the Nether Realm, he had remained out of view. The last time he had appeared was five years ago. In the last five years, the Nether King never appeared in public again. Even the four Nether Lords had never seen the Nether King.
A recent while ago, the Nether king had appeared in public and suddenly mentioned the matter of selecting a successor.
It had to be stated that the Nether King did not have any children. Up until now, the background of the Nether King was a mystery. No one knew anything. The Nether King had appeared out of nowhere. Everywhere he passed, the factions submitted to him, the experts bowed their heads, and he created his kingdom.
If the Nether King had children, then there was nothing to say about the matter of succession. The Nether King was unparalleled in battle, and healthy. It didn't seem a problem for him to live a century or more. No one would even dare to have thoughts.
But the Nether King did not have children. Mentioning this matter now seemed to imply that he wanted to decide this matter before his death neared.
After the Nether King made this declaration, the people below naturally became lively.
The most likely to succeed was the four Nether Lords. Each nether lord was a powerful expert. Each of them had been personally defeated by the Nether King in the past. Each of them were skilled in war and accomplished.
The four Nether Lords ruled over an area, and they had great warriors and skilled advisors in their service. Even more importantly, all four Nether Lords were in the prime of their lives. Any one of them would be a good successor to the throne.
The Nether Realm immediately became full of turbulence. The Nether Realm being closed off was a direct consequence of this matter.
Originally, a matter like this wouldn't have anything to do with the small Wu Ge City yet the ripples of the conflict still touched this jie. Ripples on higher levels meant that those below started to clash between themselves, especially in matters like this where they had to take sides.
Wu Ge City was not large but it had an unique product called black nether metal. Black nether metal was one of the materials used to make nether armor. While it was not used in great amounts, it was important.
For the little Wu Ge City, this caused their situation to become terrible.
The Yin Tomb Guards were the closest to Wu Ge City so they were the first to come and request for Wu Ge City to hand over this mine. Of course Wu Ge City refused, and the two sides did not part amiably. Then a few more factions came to talk with Wu Ge City which displeased the Yin Tomb Guards. The friction between the two sides quickly rose.
Hearing this, Zuo Mo was slightly puzzled. "The Yin Tomb Guards do not have any restraints?"
The city master of Wu Ge City had a grimace. "Elder may not know. The Yin Tomb Guards are not as powerful as the four great Nether Lords, but they are special. The Yin Tomb Guards were one of King's earliest battalions, deeply trusted by King and were stationed to guard the Ten Thousand Tombs of the Netherworld."
"Ten Thousand Tombs of the Netherworld?" It was the first time Zuo Mo heard this name.
The master of Wu Ge City explained, "The Ten Thousand Tombs of the Netherworld is a land of bones that is endless. Tombs are packed in there, and innumerable. It is where the nether energy is greatest in all of the Nether Realm. While the Yin Tomb Guards are not large, their status is high."
Zuo Mo finally understood most of it. It was most likely that the Yin Tomb Guards wanted to obtain the black nether mine of Wu Ge City. It would add some chips for the Yin Tomb Guard to deal with the upcoming storm.
A man's wealth is his own ruin by causing the greed of others. Wu Ge City had such a tempting mine, but no ability to protect it. It was natural for calamity to come.
"Will this not end if you give up the black nether mine?" Zuo Mo asked.
Wu Ge City Master g
rimaced again. "But Nether Lord Hai Xin Bing has already ordered for us to deliver thirty thousand catties of black nether ore in three months, otherwise … …"
"Otherwise?" Zuo Mo asked interestedly.
"Otherwise my entire clan will be executed!" City Master of Wu Ge City cried. "Junior wants to give up the mine. However, Hai Xin Bing Daren always abides by his declarations. If we do not deliver thirty thousand catties of black nether metal in time, and the Yin Tomb Guard is only willing to accept the mine … …"
Zuo Mo had an expression of sympathy as he thought inside. It was clear that Hai Xin Bing also wanted this mine. The Yin Tomb Guards were no willing to help the city master of Wu Ge City against Hai Xin Bing. The pitiful city master was stuck in the middle, and would naturally be the worst off.
The Yin Tomb Guards and Hai Xing Bing's battle was clearly at a stage where both sides were probing each other. The tragedy was that Wu Ge City was the target both sides chose to use as the test. The two sides were using Wu Ge City to test the confidence and bottom line of the other side.
"How do you want me to help you?" Zuo Mo asked the city master of Wu Ge City.
The city master knelt on the ground. "Junior is willing to gift the mine to elder, only hoping that Elder can protect the safety of Junior's family."
"What do I need your mine for!" Zuo Mo laughed. His mind suddenly moved and he sank into thought.
At this time, the leader of the Yin Tomb Guard woke up. Hearing this, he was furious and he said angrily, "Old Man Wu, you dare! You collude with those outside the race … …"
Zuo Mo waved his hand. Snap, the leader flew out as though he had been whipped. He smashed to the ground and was unconscious again.
"Alright, I will accept the mine." Zuo Mo raised his head and said to the city master. "As to the safety to your family, you have two choices. One is to follow me, the other is that I will negotiate with them and have them not make trouble for you."
"Our entire family is willing to follow Daren!" The city master said unhesitatingly.
He could see clearly that he was like a fleshy bone that had been tossed out to the dogs. In the end, someone would eat him. He did not care about the mine any longer, he only hoped to protect his clansmen. He was angry at the Yin Tomb Guards for wanting the mine but not being willing to protect his clansmen.
Rather than that, it was better to give the mine to Elder to trade for the safety of his family.
It was easy to choose between the two options. With his understanding of the Yin Tomb Guards, once Elder left, they would definitely extract revenge.
Zuo Mo was slightly surprised at this old man's decisiveness. A hint of admiration flashed through his eyes.
"Good." Zuo Mo nodded. "Have Qing Xiao go to your clan to pick ten young people. They will learn from Qing Xiao in the future."
The city master of Wu Ge City was overjoyed. "Many thanks, Daren!"
He rejoiced that he had not judged wrong. Daren was not a cruel person. With Qing Xiao Daren's guidance, these ten clansmen would have bright futures. He had seen Qing Xiao Daren's great strength with his own eyes.
Zuo Mo then said coolly, "Send someone to tell the Yin Tomb Guards and Hai Xin Bing that I have the mine. Have them come talk to me."
Hearing Zuo Mo's cool and calm words, for some reason, Old Man Wu's terror was swept away. He bowed and said, "Yes!"
Translator Ramblings: Zuo Mo gathers people so much easier now compared to the past. At the start, he had to capture them and keep them from running way. Now they want to come with him.
Chapter 857: Guidance
"What do you know about his origins?" Gu Yan had a grave face. He was one of Hai Xin Bing's great generals and responsible for the matter of Wu Ge City. Gu Yan was about forty years old, dressed like a scholar, and his eyes would occasionally flash with cold light.
Each nether lord had the right to build their own mansion. Hai Xin Bing's Northern Plains Ice Mansion was full of dragons and tigers. Gu Yan was deeply trusted by Hai Xin Bing Daren but he did not dare to slack off. The infighting inside the mansion far surpassed people's imaginations.
A mere black nether metal mine was not enough to personally disturb Hai Xin Bing.
"Origins unknown, but he walked out of the Cold Nether Bog, just outside Little Serene Town. When he appeared he was dragging five coffins. Then he travelled using an extraordinary chariot. Everywhere it passed, wind and thunder roared." The intelligence network of Northern Plain Ice Mansion was extensive, they had investigated thoroughly in a short time. "This person has completely white-hair, but his face is young. His true age is hard to estimate. He has a youth with him, about twenty or so, who is extremely powerful. Supposedly, Tuoba Min of the Yin Tomb Guards lost in one exchange. The two hundred guards with Tuoba Min were defeated in a short amount of time."
"Tuoba Min?" Gu Yan frowned. The name sounded familiar, but he could not recall the individual.
The subordinate hurriedly said, "He is Tuoba Yu's younger brother but he is not as strong as his older brother. He is a colonel in the Yin Tomb Guards."
Gu Yan nodded. "Ah, he's the younger brother of Tuoba Yu."
He knew Tuoba Yu. This person was a famed expert among the Yin Tomb Guards. The [Three Serene Shen Sword] the other had created was unique. In the Nether Realm, there were only a few that cultivated sword scriptures. This person was outstanding in talent and only in love with sword scriptures. After he created the [Three Serene Shen Sword], his fame rose. He was recruited by the Yin Tomb Guards and he had had great accomplishments in these years.
Thinking about the rumors about Tuoba Yu, Gu Yan laughed, "Tuoba Yu will not let this rest. We will just watch. As for the Wu Ge City envoy, tell him I wish to consider our response and have him wait a few days."
"Yes!" the subordinate acknowledged.
In the inky black pool, the medicinal fluid moved as though it was alive. A strange field of power covered the entire pool and did not let any presence of the pool escape.
Silly Bird's eyes were narrowed as she laid by the side of the pool as though she was napping. Lil' Pagoda, Lil' Black, and Lil' Fire played happily by the side.
The three had greatly changed in appearance. Lil' Pagoda's Yinyang fish eyes had disappeared. Right now, its body was snowy white with black eaves. It was still round and fleshy. There was a clear pearl at the top that was the size of a thumb and there seemed to be a black mist that roiled inside the bead.
Lil' Fire had consumed an unknown amount of Void Sky Li Fire in the endless void. Chun Yu Cheng had Lil' Fire cultivate the [Fire Heart Bone Refining Art]. Having consumed countless Void Sky Li Fire, Lil' Fire had cultivated the [Fire Heart Bone Refining Art] to a deep level. However, this didn't seem to be of any use except making Lil' Fire even rounder and bouncier.
But this did not ruin Lil' Fire's mood to play. It bounced like a rubber ball. Its best play partner was Lil' Pagoda. The game the two liked to play the most was juggling. Lil' Pagoda would jump up, and then Lil' Fire would keep bouncing off Lil' Pagoda from all angles so that Lil' Pagoda would not fall back to the ground.
Lil' Black was much larger than in the past. It was now about half a palm large. The two antennae moved constantly. It moved quickly like a wisp of black smoke.
Tenth Grade, Sunshine, the Black Gold Seal Soldier, and the Ghost Mist Child were all in deep slumber.
In the endless void, the little ones had taken turns to protect Zuo Mo. The materials in the endless void were too high in grade for them. They needed a lot of time to absorb each one.
Suddenly, Silly Bird opened her eyes.
The black medicinal pool roiled and a figure slowly floated out of the surface.
The sun shen glyph slid back into Zuo Mo's body. He slowly exhaled and opened his eyes to show a satisfied expression. Using the medicinal pool to repair his body was much better than just absorbing shen power and other powers. He had used almost all of the high level materials in Wu Ge City's stores.
For his present level,
only those high level materials were useful. The Nether Ghost Yin Heavy Wood that Old Man Wu had presented had been crucial. It was not of ordinary quality, and was full of nether energy but it also had the ability to create vitality an unexpected property.
Nether energy was death energy. However, this meant that any thread of vitality formed in such thick death energy was pure.
This extremely pure thread of vitality was a great aid to Zuo Mo's damaged body. In order to completely use the Nether Ghost Yin Heavy Wood to its fullest effect, Zuo Mo had created this medicinal pool.
This thread of vitality could match one month's effect of the shen glyphs. It astounded Zuo Mo.
Zuo Mo rose from the medicinal pool and had a small smile.
The little ones that were playing immediately floated over when they saw Zuo Mo come out. They brushed against Zuo Mo and played with him for a while before leaving the room.
Outside the mansion, Qing Xiao was teaching the ten Wu Clan youths.
"Daren!" Old Man Wu hurriedly came over to welcome him.
Zuo Mo waved his hand and motioned that he wished to watch on his own.
The youths looked at Qing Xiao with gazes full of respect and awe. News of Qing Xiao's powerful display had spread through Wu Ge City. Everyone knew.
Qing Xiao's teaching method was simple. He would teach them the shen methodology and then use real combat to explain. A short time later, the youths all had dusty faces. But these Wu Clan youths were not dispirited. They could clearly feel that the shen methodology that Qing Xiao Daren had taught them was much stronger than the shen methodology that they cultivated.
The ten servants that had been selected were staying far away.
In the Nether Realm, eavesdropping and attempting to secretly learn the skills of others was a taboo.
Qing Xiao had never taught before, but he was serious when he did. If he could not explain it clearly, he would just demonstrate. Yet after Zuo Mo watched for a while, he found that even though Qing Xiao taught seriously, and the Wu Clan disciples were concentrating, the effect was not very good.