HPDBC Chapter 302: War
Chapter 302: War
Chapter 302: War
The main courtyard training area was only meant to accommodate a hundred people, yet over two hundred people were gathered inside at this moment.
The crowd had split into two distinct groups.
All the security personnel were armed, and the atmosphere was tense.
By the time Li Pin arrived, two Martial Saints were already engaged in combat. One of them was Wen Yusheng's eldest son, Wen Xingchen, while the other appeared to be a man in his forties.
The moment Li Pin appeared, Wen Yusheng's attention shifted from the battle to Li Pin, not even sparing his son, who was in the middle of a fierce battle, another glance. He quickly approached Li Pin. "I sincerely apologize for disturbing your rest, Martial Saint Li...."
At the same time, he glared at Wen Li, causing her to flinch in fear.
"Please rest assured, Martial Saint Li. We can handle this matter. It won't interfere with your stay or cultivation," Wen Yusheng spoke earnestly.
Li Pin glanced at the arena. "Since I'm already here, I might as well take a look."
He had assumed that the thirty-year-old Wen Xingchen would only be as strong as the Great Sun Chosen One or Cheng Yufeng, who had only recently broken through.
However, to his surprise, Wen Xingchen's strength was remarkable. He was possibly stronger than Zhao Yushi and on par with Song Wuya.
In other words, if he were to compete in the World's Top Martial Competition, he would stand a good chance of claiming the world champion title in the intermediate category.
It seemed the overall standard of Martial Saints in Great Moon was slightly higher than that of Tianyuan.
After some thought, he understood. Adversity breeds heroes. The Martial Saints of Great Moon likely faced more life-and-death struggles than their Tianyuan counterparts.
Moreover, due to poverty, the Martial Saints of Great Moon had far less access to Heavenly Treasures compared to Tianyuan. Using fewer such treasures meant their foundations were naturally more solid.
Li Pin thought to himself. Truly deserving of the title "land of ten thousand saints."
After greeting Li Pin, Wen Yusheng, tied up with his responsibilities, had to leave, leaving Qiao Yuanshan to attend to Li Pin.
The elderly Martial Saint sighed. "My apologies, Martial Saint Li. It's a shame you had to see such a sorry display."
Li Pin smiled. "Judging by their moves, this doesn't look like a friendly spar."
Both Wen Xingchen and the middle-aged Martial Saint were using lethal techniques, aiming to kill each other.
"That's Zhao He from the Dragonfist Sect, a well-known figure across the Black Gold Plains. I never expected Cui Sheng to have enough influence to get someone like him involved."
"Cui Sheng."
Li Pin hadn't paid much attention to Molong's internal affairs, but he knew from others that Cui Sheng was the lord of the neighboring Xiangshi Territory.
As a border region, Xiangshi Territory had a population similar to Xiangye. However, it had a much larger garrison of three thousand soldiers. It was commanded by Cui Sheng. He was the maternal uncle of Wu Muxuan, the Molong Country's ruler.
Relying on his military strength and royal connections, Cui Sheng had frequently taken advantage of Xiangye.
Qiao Yuanshan smiled bitterly. "Half a month ago, he claimed his military budget was tight and asked to borrow funds from Xiangye again. But everyone knows that when Cui Sheng borrows money, it never gets returned. Over the years, he's borrowed over three million...."
Li Pin was momentarily stunned. "Over three million?"
Li Pin wasn't taken aback because the number was huge. Rather, it was.... too small.
Qiao Yuanshan seemed to catch his thoughts. "Martial Saint Li, you may not be familiar with the situation here. Last year, Molong's total fiscal revenue was only 351 million Royal Empire Gold Yuan. Of that, Xiangye contributed just 8.81 million."
Li Pin was even more surprised. "Less than ten million?"
He knew Xiangye was poor, but he hadn't realized it was to this extent.
A population of three hundred thousand, yet less than ten million in revenue!? Even if the Royal Empire Gold Yuan is worth more than the Tianyuan currency, that figure... couldn't even buy a luxurious mansion in Taibai's capital.
Li Pin habitually reached out and gently patted her head. However, he hesitated slightly.
At eighteen and dressed almost exactly like a Tianyuan native... he was unconsciously reminded of Li Yunyao.
Wen Li tilted her head slightly, looking up at him. "Uncle?"
"Go on," he said, withdrawing his hand.
Wen Li, though unsure, obediently nodded and left. After she was gone, Li Pin cleared his mind and returned to his room.
***
Meanwhile, Wen Yusheng, who had just finished seeing off the officials, entered his study and found Wen Li inside. His expression darkened. "Kneel!"
Wen Li bit her lip and knelt down obediently.
"I've told you countless times. Your only job is to teach Martial Saint Li the Great Shang language. You are not to make any demands of him that could displease him. It seems you've treated my words as if they mean nothing..."
After his harsh words, Wen Yusheng turned to a nearby woman and said coldly, "Twenty lashes!"
"My Lord, Lili was just worried about Xingchen's safety..." One of his wives quickly stepped forward, pleading, "If she's seriously injured, who will teach Martial Saint Li the language?"
"These are two separate matters," Wen Yusheng responded coldly, casting a glance at Wen Li.
He waved his hand. "Do it."
Though the elderly maid hesitated, unable to bear it, she had no choice but to follow the lord's order.
The lashes soon fell heavily on Wen Li, who bit her lip, enduring the pain in silence.
"Look at your daughter! Does she even know what restraint and decorum are anymore? She hasn't shown the slightest sign of remorse!" Wen Yusheng scolded his wife.
She, however, could only gaze at their daughter in sorrow, her heart aching.
After a brief reprimand, Wen Yusheng turned away without watching further and headed to another room.
Inside, Qiao Yuanshan and a middle-aged man with the strength of a Martial Saint wwas already waiting. This man was Wen Yusheng's cousin, Wen Ruxiu, the captain of his six hundred guards.
"The child had good intentions. Why such a harsh punishment?" Wen Ruxiu asked.
"I know..." Wen Yusheng sighed. "But I can't risk making any mistake that could cost us our hope...."
"Even if we handle everything perfectly, he might still leave," Wen Ruxiu said, shaking his head. "But at least, from how he treated the Meng siblings, we can tell he's a man of honor. If our family ever faces disaster... he might offer us a way out."
Wen Yusheng glanced at Wen Ruxiu. "This battle seems inevitable."
"It's partly my fault," Qiao Yuanshan said, guilt weighing on him. "I was careful when selling the Astral Crystal, but when I bought those cultivation materials... spending two million all at once... it was too much, too flashy."
"No one could have predicted that the pharmacy had shares associated with the Second Prince," Wen Yusheng replied.
The Second Prince's biological mother was none other than Cui Sheng's sister.
"Besides, Cui Sheng has been pressing us harder with each passing day. He clearly intends to swallow up our Xiangye territory bit by bit. We've reached the point where we have no choice but to fight back."
"Better to land one heavy punch than endure a hundred smaller ones," Wen Ruxiu said firmly. "We have no other option."
A million... if used for the people, how many lives could be saved?
"Let's make the preparations," Wen Yusheng said, looking at Wen Ruxiu. "It's all in your hands."
"I will give everything I have. I swear to defend Xiangye to the death," Wen Ruxiu responded resolutely.