Castle of Black Iron

Zhang Su led Commander Cheng and Gao Tianqi to the lakeside. Before they approached there, the steel-hull boat had made a turn before heading for the lakeside.

When the boat approached the riverside, Commander Cheng and Gao Tianqi finally saw it clearly. It was not an ordinary boat. This boat neither had paddles nor hand- or feet-operated impellor. Instead, there was an item which was similar to the steering wheel of cars. At the stern, there were two engines being aligned with each other which could drive the impeller. The greater part of the engines was exposed in the air while being covered by a beautiful white iron hull. There was no boiler or smoke. The engines were smaller than steam engines. They were driven by Fiery-Oil. The 10-m longer steel-hull boat being painted with white lacquer had a beautiful and smooth look. It was not an ordinary boat anymore; it was more like a yacht which could move many times faster than steam yachts. It felt like flying on the water…

When the yacht approached the wharf, it decelerated at once. Zhang Tie who manipulated the rudder immediately jumped onto the plank, followed by two people. His kids left in the end.

Over 10 people made this yacht full.

“Go find your moms, take some fruits. Your father has guests. I will play with you tomorrow!” Zhang Tie said with a smile as he stroked those little guys’ heads and pointed at those women in the pavilion. As those little guys were already sensible, they immediately ran over there with twitters cheerily.

Ms. Olina, O’Laura, Sabrina, Linda, Beverly, Aimei and Aixue were in the pavilion. Besides Bai Suxian, almost all of Zhang Tie’s women were here. After coming to Taixia Country for a few days, they had been familiar with each other and got along well with each other.

After those kids ran over there, those women took their kids into a lakeside villa after throwing a glance at Zhang Tie, Zhang Su and their guests.

“Old Zhou, how about this yacht?” Zhang Tie patted that tough man’s shoulder enthusiastically as he asked him with a smile after those kids left.

That tough man was Old Zhou whom Zhang Tie got acquainted with on the bank of Golden Water River in Xuanyuan Hill last year. After the new year festival, Zhang Tie grew increasingly famous across Taixia Country. Even Old Zhou who was far away in Xuanyuan Hill had heard about his fame; therefore, after making a preparation, Old Zhou directly came to Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory by airship together with one of his sons as he wondered about the exclusive business that Zhang Tie promised him on the Golden Water river. As this chance might improve the destiny of the Zhou family, of course, Old Zhou didn’t want to give it up.

After coming to Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory, through 2 days’ efforts, Old Zhou finally found the residence of Iron-Dragon Sect. After showing that gold coin with Zhang Tie’s fingerprint to one person, he was taken here.

Just now, Zhang Tie had Old Zhou and his son board the yacht before driving the yacht and showing them around on the lake, having them enjoy the lightning speed on the water.

“Are…are you gifting me this yacht…” Old Zhou asked Zhang Tie with an unbelievable and thrilled look.

“Of course not!”

After hearing Zhang Tie’s words, Old Zhou’s face became stagnated at once. However, Zhang Tie revealed a smile as he continued, “This yacht has been used. Of course, you need to take a new yacht back to Xuanyuan Hill. Transport it back by airship. I’ve prepared 3 sets of spare engines and components for you. You can have your son learn how to maintain Fiery-Oil engine in Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory. When this yacht arrives at Xuanyuan Hill, you will monopoly this business on the Golden Water River. You can have each people pay 20 gold coins for traveling around Golden Water River by your yacht. It could hold 10 people at a time. In this way, you could easily make hundreds of gold coins. If anyone wants to rent it, you can ask him 1,000-2,000 gold coins per day. Later on, you will be responsible for the business of yacht on the Golden Water River. I promise no other Fiery-Oil yachts would compete with you. Otherwise, I will stop providing Fiery-Oil for them. You’d better prepare for some oil storage tanks in Xuanyuan Hill. I will deliver dozens of tons of Fiery-Oil to you per year. When you could purchase Fiery-Oil in Xuanyuan Hill in the future, you could buy it over there…”

Dozens of gold coins for traveling on Golden Water River might be unimaginable for commoners in other places as it was too extravagant; however, in Xuanyuan Hill which was full of rich men and dignitaries, money was sh*t. As it was a fresh thing, a lot of people would even spend hundreds of gold coins to try it, not to mention dozens of gold coins.

Now that Zhang Tie could control the production and provision of Fiery-Oil, he could control this business too.

Old Zhou’s eyes turned red as he directly pulled his son to kneel down and kowtow towards Zhang Tie. This business could definitely reinvigorate the Zhou family. Of course, they had to extend their thanks to their savior.

Zhang Tie hurriedly pulled up Old Zhou and his son as he said, “Old Zhou, don’t do that. We’re destined to get acquainted with each other. Just take it as an advertisement for my Fiery-Oil in Xuanyuan Hill. In fact, I’m taking advantage of you…”

Old Zhou let out a long sigh as he wiped off his tears and said, “Hermit, don’t comfort me. These days, I found that Xuantian City and Iron-Dragon Sect are pretty boisterous. Those major clans couldn’t even have a chance to see hermit even if they queue up. Many dignitaries in the emperor’s imperial city must be longing for such a business every day, not to mention me, a boatman on the Golden Water River. Hermit is really a good and faithful man. If I’m not clear about this point, I spent my life in vain. I know hermit doesn’t lack money. This Old Zhou doesn’t know how to repay you for your generosity, I hope that this Old Zhou could still have the strength to show you around the Golden Water River by paddle and invite you for a bottle of peach flower liquor which is made by my wife one day…”

“Fine, that’s the deal then. When I come to Xuanyuan Hill next time, I will definitely taste your peach flower liquor on the Golden Water River!”

Old Zhou nodded forcefully.

After chatting with Old Zhou for a short while, Zhang Tie had a servant take off Old Zhou and his son. Now that Zhang Tie had promised Old Zhou, his subordinates would accomplish that for him.

After seeing off Old Zhou, Zhang Tie directly walked towards Commander Cheng who was standing not far away.

Of course, Commander Cheng and Gao Tianqi had heard the talk between Zhang Tie and Old Zhou. As they were both smart, they could already guess how Zhang Tie got acquainted with Old Zhou. They had not imagined that Zhang Tie could make friends with such a commoner sincerely and frankly and be so faithful to him. Watching Zhang Tie coming over here, Commander Cheng’s and Gao Tianqi’s eyes turned a bit weird.

“Long time no see, Commander Cheng, Brother Tianqi…” After approaching them, Zhang Tie greeted them with a faint smile before nodding towards Zhang Su.

Zhang Tie called them as same as before. However, Commander Cheng and Gao Tianqi had utterly different feelings after hearing his greetings.

Gao Tianqi dared not call Zhang Tie “brother”. After hearing Zhang Tie calling him in that intimate way, the assistant of Commander Cheng hurriedly bowed towards Zhang Tie. Gao Tianqi sensed that Zhang Tie still respected him. The appellation “Brother Tianqi” sounded pretty comfortable and intimate as if being blown by the spring breeze.

It was Commander Cheng’s 3rd time to see Zhang Tie. Zhang Tie still respected him like how he did before. However, this time, it sounded that he intended to make friends with Commander Cheng on the equal footing instead of looking up to him. If Zhang Tie was an ordinary earth knight, Cheng Honglie would feel that he was pretty arrogant; however, as he had seen how Zhang Tie chatted with “Old Zhou”, Commander Cheng didn’t feel unhappy about Zhang Tie’s appellation at all; he just thought up a proverb——a gentleman is like a jade, being firm yet not outstanding, being smooth yet not enchanting; being beautiful yet not excessive.

Watching the unchanged young face, Commander Cheng suddenly understood that Zhang Tie was not the same Zhang Tie anymore; he’s already the world-famous Qianji Hermit.

‘Those old d**chebags of Heavens Fortune Sect are really far-sighted.’

“I appoint you as the director general of the financial administration of northeast military region, do you take it?” Commander Cheng put it straightforwardly.

After hearing that, Zhang Tie’s heart couldn’t help but pound for a short while. The director general of the financial administration of the northeast military region was responsible for the economy of the northeast military region. Its position was even one level higher than that of provincial governors.

Zhang Tie became slightly stunned as he revealed a bitter smile, “If Commander Cheng let Meng Shidao resign, I would consider about this suggestion. Otherwise, are you screwing me up?”

After hearing Zhang Tie’s words, Commander Cheng let out a long sigh. Being involved with the case of Han Zhengfang, the prime minister would resign. The one who was going to be the next prime minister was Meng Shidao. After promoting to a semi-sage knight, Meng Shidao was being more and more popular in Xuanyuan Hill. Additionally, he was favored by the crown prince. Who else dared stop him?

Commander Cheng shook his head as he said, “It’s my first time to come to Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory, just accompany me to take a look around…”

“Right!”

Soon after Zhang Tie finished his word, Commander Cheng had flown off as fast as a lightning bolt, closely followed by Zhang Tie and Gao Tianqi.

“Commander Cheng, what do you want to see?”

“If you do not want to keep it a secret, show me around where you produce Fiery-Oil Incendiary Bombs…” Commander Cheng kept his close eye on Zhang Tie.

“Erm…” Zhang Tie scratched his head.

Commander Cheng widely opened his eyes as he looked at Zhang Tie with a strict look in an imposing manner, “If you dare keep your secret in front of me, I will demolish the site of your f*cking dragon sect. I will demolish it whenever you build it in the future. I will see how do you save your face in front of your disciples. Don’t think that I dare not do that. I will ruin their nest wherever I doubt that the remnants of Heavens Reaching Church are hiding somewhere. Even the imperial court and Taixia Law couldn’t have me lose one hair!”

‘F*ck!’

Zhang Tie looked at Commander Cheng with a dumbfounded look as he found that Commander Cheng was the most shameless old guy.

After finding that Zhang Tie became silent, Commander Cheng directly told Gao Tianqi with a solemn look, “Send my order, assign 2 corps of 500,000 people here from the army corps of engineers of northeast military region; tell them that I have discovered the trace of the remnants of Heavens Reaching Church near Xuantian Eighteen Mountain Peaks of Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory. Let them dig the entire region…”

After hearing Commander Cheng’s order, Gao Tianqi twitched his face as he threw a glance at Zhang Tie. Closely after that, a military remote-sensing communications device appeared in his hand silently…

“Enough, Commander Cheng, I owe you because I drank your Dragon’s Marrow Liquor. Follow me…” Zhang Tie put up his hands hurriedly…