Chapter 395: Chapter 192 Beehive Predicament, Surge in Earth-digging Realm_2
Wu Tianxingâs face turned grave upon hearing this, and he said slowly, "The Alliance Hierarch is getting old, and there arenât many days left for him. Marquis Zhaoyang Hu is at the peak of his power, with the campâs strength growing daily. Having such mindset is understandable."
"But itâs not just mindset. When I went to Long Mountain this time, I heard that Marquis Hu, through intimidation or bribery, has begun secretly persuading other camps to overthrow our Old Alliance Leader and establish a Zhaoyang Alliance!"
"Hiss... Is the Old Alliance Leader not dealing with him?"
"Deal, how to deal with it? Now itâs the eldest young master who has the final say in Long Mountain. The Old Alliance Leader hasnât even appeared in person. If it werenât for the hidden sentries, I would think he might not even be alive anymore."
Wu Tianxingâs expression flickered slightly, and he said in a low voice, "Chief, if itâs really like this, then our camp must make plans early."
Chen Yingyuanâs brow furrowed, clearly understanding the meaning behind Wu Tianxingâs words.
The Longyou Alliance has sustained itself for the past fifteen years, in essence, due to the Old Alliance Leader and his Long Mountain camp having enough strength to hold the fort.
When the person is gone, politics falls.
Once the Old Alliance Leader is no longer here, relying solely on the eldest son...
If the Longyou Alliance collapses and Chen Yingyuan hasnât found a backup plan ahead of time, the outcome for Hive Camp wouldnât be good.
Enemies are on all fronts: north, west, and now a Great Xia camp is emerging in the south, crucially unrestricted by the alliance treaty...
"Let me think about it first. That Marquis Hu is not a good person. The Old Alliance Leader lent him grain and manpower back then to help him return and inherit Zhaoyang Camp, which was a great favor to him. Itâs only been thirteen years, and with his strength, he immediately turns back to bite. Who would dare collaborate with such a person? Letâs wait and see."
Wu Tianxingâs expression first paused, then he asked, "What about the Alliance Leader Order issued by the eldest young master? Ten pounds of Jade Bone, five million pounds of Iron Ore, and we also have to send a hostage over. Should we comply with all of it?"
This question made Chen Yingyuanâs face instantly darken.
Chen Yingba was also aware of the Alliance Leader Order, and couldnât help but say angrily, "I think this eldest young master is just going mad. The Old Alliance Leader doesnât have long to live, and the Longyou Alliance is clearly on the brink of collapse. Heâs still thinking of hoarding and exploiting. Isnât he forcing us ten families to rebel? Big brother, in my opinion, we should just join under Marquis Hu!"
As soon as he said this, Chen Yingyuanâs brow furrowed deeply.
Wu Tianxing remained silent, his gaze drifting elsewhere.
"If things were truly that simple, you fool!"
Chen Yingyuan cursed inwardly, but he didnât have the heart to explain to his straightforward brother. He could only sigh deeply and said, "The Alliance Leader Order gave a yearâs grace anyway. Hive Camp is the farthest from Long Mountain. Letâs see what the other camps do first, then weâll decide..."
Saying this, he paused, glanced at Chen Yingba, and continued:
"Xia Hong is not to be trifled with. You, stay honest with the Hunting Team in the near future, and donât come near Jing Valley."
"Yes, big brother."
Seeing Chen Yingba nod in agreement, he turned his gaze to Wu Tianxing and said,
"Old Wu, go and make contact with Luo Ming, see if you can gather more information about Great Xia. If suitable, see if we can re-establish trade relations. The territory of Mirror Immortal has been taken over by them, and the Arrow Bamboo Forest is surely in their hands. Raw bamboo silk and Snow Bamboo are good resources on this side of Longyou, try to get as much as possible. Oh, and Iron Ore and Coal Mines, they should also be in need of Cold Beast Meat."
Wu Tianxing nodded in acknowledgment.
...
First Year of the Great Xia, May 18
The wooden building in the valley was once again filled with noise.
"Who is getting married today?"
"The tenth family, hurry and take a look."
"Today itâs Zhao Bao, captain of the Golden Eagle Team."
"Itâs the last family, right? Tonight weâll get another bowl of salted meat soup."
"Tsk tsk... That meat soup smells so good, just thinking about it makes my mouth water."
"That soup has salt added to it."
"No wonder it smells so good. I heard that salt is made from grinding Intermediate Beast Bone Powder together with other herbs. Over at the Camp Supply Department, it costs 500 contribution points per pound, an outrageous price that only the top-ranking hunting team captains can afford."
"Expensive as it is, its benefits are astonishing. I heard from some lords at the Camp Supply Department that consuming salt over a long period can not only enhance oneâs cultivation talent but also increase longevity!"
"Longevity?"
"And the aged wine tastes great too. I went to inquire at the Camp Supply Department yesterday, and guess how much contribution value one pound of aged wine costs?"
"How much?"
"It costs 100 points."
"Hiss... That is way too expensive!"
"Expensive, but nothing can be done. Havenât you noticed over the past few days that many in the Earth-digging Realm receive aged wine but save it without drinking it, giving it to their own children or nephews in the Logging Realm? I heard itâs because drinking aged wine can increase strength."
"Ah?"
...
Ever since Xia Hong announced that the following ten newlywed couples would have their weddings conducted according to the standards of Xia Chuanâs wedding night, the wooden building in the valley had been busy with a new couple tying the knot every day.
The most distressed about this situation was Qiu Peng, the Camp Supply Department Director.
"Ten weddings in ten days, plus your own ceremony, Lord Chief, itâs been eleven consecutive days. Our Camp Supply Department has bled heavily."
On the top floor of the wooden building, Xia Chuan, once again donning the black cloak, heard Qiu Pengâs grievance and asked, "What, used a lot of supplies?"
Qiu Peng immediately nodded, opened the accounting book in his hand, and said with a worried face, "Over twenty thousand people, and everyone except infants has a sip of meat soup. Each wedding consumes 30 pounds of salt, 1500 pounds of beast meat, and ten bottles of aged wine. If calculated by contribution value, in these eleven days, the supplies spent by the Camp Supply Department nearly reach two hundred thousand."