parentshiftbook Chapter 80: The Situation in Lanjiang City
Chapter 80: The Situation in Lanjiang City
Dependence?
Zhang Ping paused. Although he had guessed that the female demons wanted to use his power, he hadn't expected them to intend to directly submit to him!
The difference is huge.
Back in Lanjiang City, when Nangong Feiyan wanted the martial arts school to become an affiliated force of the Nangong family, Zhang Ping felt conflicted. Becoming an affiliate meant becoming someone else's underling, forced to be at the forefront of fights, and potentially used as cannon fodder if unlucky.
The dependence is even greater. Although it's not as dangerous as being a thug, the degree of control over others is much deeper. Simply put, if the female demon attaches herself to Zhang Ping, she will practically become his "possession".
Conversely, Zhang Ping also had to use his own strength to protect and care for their people. Ensuring their safety was only the most basic requirement; more important were the resources needed for their survival, reproduction, and cultivation to improve their strength.
Many strange beast groups in the Western Poison Forest attach themselves to the dragon's lair, that is, to the poisonous dragon. This is very common among strange beasts.
Having figured out the key point, Zhang Ping didn't rush to speak, but frowned.
What can the banshee clan offer him?
This is a question worth pondering.
The Western Poison Forest is located on the western border of the Great Wei Dynasty, covering a vast area almost half the territory of the Great Wei. Countless exotic beast tribes inhabit the forest, the vegetation is so dense that it blocks out the sun, and resources are abundant throughout the area.
Unfortunately, the area is shrouded in poisonous miasma, making it difficult for outsiders to enter and develop the area.
The banshee clan has lived in this forest for generations, with large and small groups scattered throughout. The first advantage is that one can use this connection to collect various precious medicinal herbs and exotic beast materials from the Western Poison Forest.
Secondly, the two sides can form a natural complementary alliance, each getting what they need, without any fundamental conflict.
Conversely, what do the banshee clan want?
Zhang Ping's gaze was fixed on Mu Ya's face.
Muya raised her head, her beautiful eyes meeting his gaze: "We hope that if you successfully hunt the dragon, you can use its blood to help us cultivate the Dragon Spirit Tree!"
"Dragon Spirit Wood? What's that?" Zhang Ping asked curiously.
Mu Qing explained from the side, "Dragon Spirit Wood is a variant of Demon Spirit Wood, and it only exists in the legends and records of our clan."
"According to that ancient book, watering the Demon Spirit Wood with dragon blood, along with some precious treasures, could potentially cause it to mutate and transform into Dragon Spirit Wood!"
"Dragon Spirit Wood can nurture female demon offspring with better talent. It is also of great help to our cultivation."
After hearing Mu Qing's words, Zhang Ping understood the situation, but still asked, "What if the record is false?"
After all, it's just an ancient legend, and it's hard to tell if it's true or not. He had serious doubts about whether the Dragon Spirit Wood could actually be grown.
"Don't worry, Young Master Zhang," Mu Qing replied without hesitation, "Even if the Dragon Spirit Wood fails, we will still lead our people to submit to you!"
If Zhang Ping can truly slay dragons, his strength is enough to make them willingly follow him, so it's not a loss for them.
If they cannot, these hundreds of their clansmen will bear the consequences!
"Okay! I need to prepare for two days." Once the matter was settled, Zhang Ping no longer hesitated.
This is more beneficial than harmful to him, especially since it's just a verbal agreement, relying entirely on the trust between the two parties. If there are any changes later, they can be discussed further.
There's no point in discussing it now; everything will have to wait until the dragon hunt is successful before anything else happens.
However... Zhang Ping reached out and pinched each of Mu Ya's and Mu Qing's pert buttocks. One was incredibly bouncy, the other soft and comfortable.
This earned him a glare from both women.
Having satisfied his craving for water magic, he turned and leaped into the lake, beginning to push his proficiency in the power of water to its limit, striving for perfection.
……
The night sky over the Western Poison Forest is dotted with stars.
Meanwhile, Lanjiang Prefecture was shrouded in torrential rain.
The torrential rain had been falling for three days. Thick, dark clouds pressed down heavily over the city, and the cracks in the bluestone bricks of the streets were soaked by rainwater, causing puddles to form in low-lying areas.
As night deepened, pedestrians hurried along their way, and one of them, without paying attention, stepped into a puddle.
Sewage splashed onto his trousers, and the servant cursed, "Damn it! These officials are getting lazier and lazier!" He rolled up his dripping trousers, quickly walked around the puddle, and rushed to a vermilion gate.
Above the gate hangs a gold plaque with two large characters: Lu Mansion.
The servant shook the water droplets off the umbrella, pushed open the door, and hurried along the path beside the artificial hill. He passed through a crescent gate and arrived at a secluded courtyard.
He raised his hand and gently knocked on the courtyard gate.
"Who is it?" came the wary voice of a maid from inside the door.
"It's me, Lu Si."
The courtyard gate was pulled open a crack, revealing a pair of eyes. Xiao Qing, who was behind the gate, breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that it was Lu Si, who had gone to deliver a message, and quickly opened the gate.
"Come in quickly, the lady is waiting inside!"
The two walked quickly across the bluestone path surrounded by wet grass and entered the main hall of the courtyard.
In the main hall, two women faced each other with worried expressions. The woman at the head of the table had a noble and charming face, and a captivating demeanor; the woman at the foot of the table was petite and exuded a gentle and refined air.
When Lu Wanrou saw Lu Si return, hope ignited in her eyes: "What did the Nangong family say? Have they seen Miss Xiao?"
Across from her, Fu Huiying also mustered her spirits and picked up the tea that had long since gone cold, taking a sip.
Lu Si bowed his head respectfully: "Reporting to Madam, I was unable to see the head of the Nangong family and was only sent away by a maid." Upon hearing this, a look of disappointment flashed in the eyes of the two women, but this result was not unexpected.
Lu Si continued, "However... Miss Xiao met with me personally. Miss Xiao said she couldn't help the Lu family, but she was willing to send someone to take the two ladies to the Nangong family for temporary refuge."
Fu Huiying pursed her lips, recalling Xiao Ling'er's innocent appearance, and said softly, "She's quite the sentimental child..."
"Go down." Lu Wanrou waved her hand wearily. Lu Si bowed and withdrew, leaving the courtyard.
Xiaoqing stood guard outside the door, leaving only the two of them in the main hall.
"Sister Fu, what should we do now?" Thinking of the mess she was in, Lu Wanrou felt utterly exhausted.
Since the results of the Battle of Guitianhe were reported back, the city has undergone a complete transformation.
A large number of warriors from the Angry Dragon Mansion poured into Lanjiang City to settle down. With more warriors, there would be competition for resources, especially among the powerful figures from the Angry Dragon Mansion.
In addition, there were reinforcements sent by the Black Abyss Army and the Demon Extermination Bureau of the capital...
The local powers in Lanjiang City have been under immense pressure these days. Even the Nangong family has been forced to cede a significant amount of property.
The Lu family is in even worse shape. They're barely able to keep their ancestral home, and their other properties have been completely devoured. All the Body Refining Realm martial artists they sent out have perished in battle!
The last two remaining meat-refining martial artists were forcibly conscripted again not long ago.
He joined the Black Abyss Army in launching the Second Battle of Ghost River.
Three days on the battlefield, and then all contact was cut off.
News from the front lines indicates that the battle is fierce, with large numbers of warriors dying every day.
"Right now... we can only follow Xiao Ling'er's arrangements and go to the Nangong family to avoid trouble." Fu Huiying's beautiful eyebrows were tightly furrowed.
It wasn't just the Lu family that suffered. The Sitong Martial Arts School's headquarters had long been occupied, and Wang Dashan, in order to avoid being summoned by the Demon Exorcism Bureau, was wanted throughout the city and dared not show his face.
There are many martial artists like Wang Dashan, some of whom were captured by the Demon Extermination Bureau and their fate is unknown.
She subconsciously clenched the book "The Reincarnation Divine Skill" in her hand. For the past two weeks, she had been trying to practice martial arts, but unfortunately, she hadn't seen any results yet.
Her natural talent was mediocre to begin with; otherwise, as the wife of a martial arts school, she wouldn't have been completely devoid of cultivation. Lu Wanrou's talent was slightly better, but not by much. In addition, she had to manage the family's affairs, and after half a month of practicing the "Revolving Divine Skill," she barely managed to trigger a trace of unusual qi and blood phenomena by relying on a large amount of resources.
"Living under someone else's roof...in the end, you'll be at their mercy, and it might even become a weapon against you." Fu Huiying shook her head with a bitter smile.
"Sister Rou, go and make the arrangements. Tomorrow we'll go to the Nangong family and seek refuge with Xiao Ling'er."
"it is good."
……
The night before dawn is as thick as ink that cannot be dissolved.
Zhang Ping's aura grew increasingly powerful, and the surrounding water seemed to come alive, twisting into various shapes of demons and monsters, spinning rapidly around him.
The power of water is progressing towards perfection.
A streak of orange-red dawn pierced the night sky. An unknown beast let out a loud crowing, heralding the start of a new day.
The panel in front of you also subtly changed.