Rise of The Demon General

Chapter 423: Chapter 423. Heading to the Xandar Region

Amon and Huang San were at Zong Hua’s secret office inside her fabric shop. Amon was reading the files provided by Zong Hua. It contained information about the Xei Clan and the Xandar region.

”Is this all you can find?” Amon asked.

”Like I said, my information network is mostly focused inside Echos,” Zong Hua answered. ”This is the information I managed to gather in a bit over one week. I know it is mostly general information gathered from those who lived near the border and from people who once visited the region. If you want more details, I will need more time since I must send people into the region.”

”We will do that ourselves,” Amon said. ”This will have to do for now.”

”What about the other matter?” Huang San asked.

”I’ve sent my people to spy on the people from Amon’s info. They will tail them from now on and collect all the information. Hopefully, we can learn more as time passes.”

*

After leaving the shop, Amon asked Huang San, ”Do you still have anything to handle before we depart?”

”No,” Huang San answered.

”What about that matter I requested?”

”Do you mean introducing my friends to San Guo?” Huang San asked. ”That was done. They are now buddy-buddy with your minion.”

”Are they dependable?” Amon asked.

”Aren’t you underestimating me too much?” Huang San replied. ”I might not have much influence in the court, but I have plenty of friends around the circle. These friends might not occupy the kingdom’s top ranks, but their positions are still important, especially around this city’s management. With them backing your people, you won’t have to worry about your organization. If there is any trouble, I’ve asked Xa Jien to assist.”

Amon nodded. ”How about our powder distribution?”

”I have set everything up. Now, it all depends on your production speed. I’m confident my people can sell those powders as fast as you produce them.”

With them working with Huang San again, they could distribute their recreational drugs all over the country again. Furthermore, the scale they could produce the drugs had improved dramatically. They had a better facility with more equipment now. Amon’s plantation also yielded many more spirit herbs, thanks to the Spring of Life and Lin Li taking care of the plantation.

”If that is true, we should have no problem collecting the required aer stones to pay for the Ancient Ascension Trial,” Amon said.

”That’s what I’m counting on,” Huang San said. ”It’s all thanks to your products. Your newest drug, the Tranquil Sleep Powder, is also well received. Many nobles had placed pre-orders. Many civilians also expressed interest. They are all people who have trouble sleeping. Your drugs let them enjoy a peaceful sleep. This should help us drive up the sales of the other powders.”

Amon did not worry about the sales. These powders were all what he could categorize as addictive drugs. Once they used it, it was unlikely for them to stop. As long as they were not forbidden by the authorities and he kept the monopoly of their production, profit would continue to flow.

”In that case, let us focus on our task,” Amon said.

Outside, a luxury coach was waiting for them. A squad of ten soldiers guarded this coach. The squad leader opened the coach’s door.

”Thank you, Senior Captain Xu Bao,” Huang San said as he entered the coach.

Amon glanced at the senior captain as he entered. The two had met a long time ago. Xu Bao was the one who led the soldiers that saved Amon and Li Shi from the rebels.

This squad was here to escort them during their diplomatic trip to the Xei Clan. The Xandar Region was not governed by any country. They were solely under the control of the Xei Clan. Thus, any outsiders entering the region would be deemed trespassers. That would be Amon’s fate if he waltzed into the place just like that.

For this reason, Amon asked Huang San to accompany him as an ambassador. The Xei Clan would not refuse a visit request from the prince of a neighboring country without a good reason.

Xu Bao told the rider of the coach to move while he and his squad provided protection. Their destination was the sky stable.

At the sky stable, they were presented with the Long-tailed Azure Eagle. This spirit beast was a higher superior beast and a better transport vehicle than the Great Eagle. It was slightly larger and could fly much faster. It also had the endurance to fly non-stop for one week, like the Great Eagle. Its most advantageous ability was its keen senses. It could detect dangerous beasts from far away and adjust its flight path to avoid encounters.

With this ability, they could fly in a straight line and save much travel time. This eagle only needed to make small adjustments when it sensed dangerous spirit beasts in its path. Thus, it was favored by many who could afford it to navigate through spirit beast-infested territories.

Amon, Huang San, and their escort squad climbed onto the howdah and the Long-tailed Azure Eagle took flight. Its tail was not only long following its name’s sake, but it was also very beautiful. Its tail resembled the unopened peacock’s tail. That tail glided through the air gracefully as the eagle rode the wind.

Inside the howdah, the soldiers positioned themselves at the edges while Amon, Huang San, and Xu Bao sat at the center. The howdah of the Long-tailed Azure Eagle was also different from the regular Great Eagle. They were equipped with amenities. A luxurious sofa set decorated the center. Next to it was a table filled with various refreshments. Two maids served them as part of the sky stable’s service.

”I guess traveling with a prince does have its upside,” Amon remarked.

”Hehe. If you enjoy this kind of thing, you should accompany me more often,” Huang San said

”Not exactly my cup of tea, but I don’t mind it once in a while,” Amon said. He then turned to Xu Bao and said, ”Senior Captain, it has been some time since we met. I was still oblivious to the kingdom’s hierarchy then, but now that I am familiar with it, I am curious about one thing.”

”What is it?” Xu Bao asked.

”If I am correct, your cultivation is at the Intermediate Spirit Stage, aren’t you?” Amon asked.

”You are correct,” Xu Bao answered.

”If so, why are you still a senior captain? The spirit stage is among the highest cultivation in Aetheria. It is only one stage below the Lord Stage. Anyone who breaks through past the Lord Stage goes to the upper world. In other words, you are among the rare breeds. Why are you still a senior captain?”

”Cultivation level is not the sole metric for one’s promotion,” Xu Bao replied. ”There are plenty of military officers with a rank that didn’t reflect their cultivation levels. You are one of the examples, except the opposite case of mine.”

”Ouch!” Huang San remarked.

Amon wasn’t offended by the insinuation. He smiled and said, ”Still, cultivation level is one of the deciding factors for promotion. There are indeed some military officers with low ranks but high cultivations, but many of those are because they are new recruits. These soldiers normally see a quick rise after several years of serving. You, however, do not. From your record, you joined the military forty-two years ago. With that time frame, someone with your cultivation should at least be a colonel already.”

”... Let’s just say I offended someone I should not have offended,” Xu Bao said. ”Why are you so interested in my story?”

”I am interested in anyone who joins our force,” Amon answered. ”Who has you offended? And why did you request to be transferred to the newly formed force under the thirteenth prince?”

”I would like to think it is due to my charming personality,” Huang San said.

Amon maintained his stare on Xu Bao, who looked between Huang San and Amon. After a minute of uncomfortable silence, Xu Bao finally spoke, ”The one I offended is the First-Class General Jiang Tong. I was already a colonel thirty years ago. I got too passionate, then. I tried to impress Prince Huang Zi and ended up disobeying Jiang Tong. He is not someone who takes insubordination lightly. I got demoted and was kept in this position as a living warning to the other officers.”

”That must be harsh,” Huang San said. ”But I’m sad to tell you that I can’t do much to help you improve your rank unless, of course, I win the Ancient Ascension Trial and become the king. Was that what you were hoping for when you requested to join my force?”

”No, I no longer concern myself with ranks. I can be a senior captain my whole life for all I care. I joined because I heard you want to eliminate the rebels once and for all. I want in on that!”