Wu Tan City was too small, not even enough for the Xiao Clan to truly stretch its hands and feet?
The implication was clear. Zhang Yuan believed the Xiao Clan should monopolize Wu Tan City.
Xiao Zhan's heart trembled, yet he was not surprised by this answer.
Back when Zhang Yuan was still young and listening to him recount the past glory of the Xiao Clan and the Zhang Clan, he had already declared that he would one day lead both clans back to their peak. The Xiao Clan taking sole control of Wu Tan City was merely the first step.
Xiao Zhan lowered his head and pondered for a moment before saying, "You intend to frame them with the charge of assassinating the Empire's Black Armored Guards?"
"If you only revealed Peak Dou Shi strength, they might dispatch a Da Dou Shi assassin. You could still maneuver around that. But after this morning's battle, they now know that it would take at least three Da Dou Shi to take you down. They likely would not dare to risk it."
Zhang Yuan shook his head. "Merely surrounding and killing a Black Armored Guards Squad Leader is not enough to shake two clans. Even if they were caught, they could cut off the tail to survive."
As he spoke, he retrieved a map of the Jia Ma Empire from his storage ring and placed it on the table, extending a finger to point at a specific location. "Uncle, what do you think about this force?"
Xiao Zhan stared at it for a moment before his pupils suddenly contracted. "You mean… they are secretly colluding with the Illusory Mist Nine Bandits?!"
The Jia Ma Empire lay in a corner of the Northwest Region of the Dou Qi Continent, dominated mostly by plains. It contained nine provinces. The imperial capital, Jia Ma Sacred City, and the Yunlan Sect were located at the northernmost part of the Northern Province, while Wu Tan City lay in the southwest of the Northeast Province, close to the Magic Beast Mountain Range.
The Magic Beast Mountain Range was the longest mountain range within the empire, nearly cutting across the entire land. It was infamous for its rampant Magical Beasts, making human settlement impossible.
Such a massive range naturally branched out into countless tributaries like veins on a leaf, spreading throughout the empire. The Illusory Mist Mountain Range was one such southern branch within the Northeast Province, famous for being perpetually shrouded in mist with hallucinatory effects. It was considered a minor forbidden zone of the Northeast Province, rarely visited by humans.
Though not vast, the Illusory Mist Mountain Range occupied a crucial position, blocking trade routes between several major southern cities of the Northeast Province and the Southern and Eastern Provinces.
Because of this, the Jia Ma imperial family, together with local clans, carved out three commercial routes and one official road through the mountains, along with several temporary checkpoints.
The Illusory Mist Nine Bandits had been active in the mountain range for over a decade. Initially, all Dou Shi, they survived by killing and robbing merchant caravans, their numbers always fixed at nine.
Over the years, the Northeast Province authorities had dispatched troops and experts to suppress them, but the Nine Bandits possessed a secret method allowing them to move freely within the illusory mist, a fog even Dou Wang experts found difficult to endure or see through. Completely eradicating them proved nearly impossible.
As long as they were not wiped out, they would recruit new Dou Shi to replenish their ranks and maintain the number nine.
Now, three of the Nine Bandits were Da Dou Shi, with the remaining six being high-level Dou Shi.
All nine were notorious imperial fugitives, yet none had ever been fully eliminated.
Nowadays, caravans and individuals passing through Illusory Mist Mountain would deliberately wait for suitable days unless pressed for time.
"Yes, they will collude with the Illusory Mist Nine Bandits," Zhang Yuan nodded firmly.
Xiao Zhan's breathing quickened. "Where did you learn this? Is it reliable? Can we report it directly to the City Lord?"
The existence of the Illusory Mist Nine Bandits had turned the Northeast Province into a laughingstock among other provinces. After all, a handful of Dou Shi and Da Dou Shi had survived even after Dou Wang's suppression attempts.
Only because the Northeast Province was a frontline against external threats like the Chu Yun Empire did others refrain from excessive mockery. Still, everyone in the province loathed the Nine Bandits deeply.
If evidence emerged that the Jia Lie Clan and Ao Ba Clan were colluding with them, the entire Jia Ma Empire would have no place for those clans.
"As for evidence, I cannot say for sure right now. Perhaps there are some, perhaps not," Zhang Yuan said as he handed his cup to Xun'er.
Xiao Zhan was taken aback. "What do you mean?"
Zhang Yuan tapped the table lightly. "Uncle, I studied our clan's intelligence from recent years. Several times when Xiao Clan caravans headed south, they were robbed by the Illusory Mist Nine Bandits. The Jia Lie Clan and Ao Ba Clan experienced the same. Yet every time, only inexpensive daily supplies were taken. Does that not strike you as strange?"
Xiao Zhan frowned in thought. "You believe they have an understanding with the Nine Bandits, using these robberies to transport goods as toll payments?"
Zhang Yuan nodded.
Xiao Zhan sighed. "The possibility is high, but it is still speculation. Without solid evidence, it will not stand. After all these years, they would not leave us something to grab onto."
Zhang Yuan smiled calmly, confidence evident. "Uncle, why look for old evidence? Whether they colluded in the past does not matter. As long as we make their collusion real now, is that not enough?"
Xiao Zhan looked puzzled.
Zhang Yuan explained evenly, "The Black Armored Guards are rotating duty with the Soaring Dragon Guards. For the next three years, they will be stationed at Qingyun Stronghold."
"Qingyun Stronghold lies at the junction of the Magic Beast Mountain Range, the Southeast Province, and the Eastern Province. If I lead my men from Wu Tan City to Qingyun Town, taking a detour would cost over half a month. Even if I departed today, I would miss the military deadline. Therefore, I must pass through the Illusory Mist Mountain official road."
"This season, the mist is at its thickest. Most caravans either travel in groups or wait at checkpoints for the fog to dissipate. But I must push through as quickly as possible."
"Heavenly timing, geographical advantage, and human opportunity are all in place. What do you think they will do?"
Xiao Zhan sucked in a breath and slapped his thigh, eyes blazing.
Zhang Yuan was already sixteen and a 1-Star Da Dou Shi, capable of crushing Jia Lie Bi across realms. His talent was rare even in the history of the Jia Ma Empire. He had also joined the imperial military and would surely receive attention and cultivation resources.
In a few years at most, he would be a Dou Ling, perhaps even a Black Armored Guards Commander.
When that time came, could the Jia Lie Clan and Ao Ba Clan still survive in Wu Tan City?
Impossible.
Step by step, retreat after retreat, the two clans would decline while witnessing the Xiao Clan's resurgence.
As long as they did not want that future to arrive, they would inevitably take the risk and gamble everything.
Colluding with the Illusory Mist Nine Bandits was the perfect method Zhang Yuan had delivered straight into their hands. They would certainly fall for it.
That was why Zhang Yuan said the past did not matter. Because they would soon be forced to collude.
A ruthless scheme.
And Jia Lie Bi and Ao Ba Pa would never see it coming.
If Xiao Yan were present, he would surely shout, "This is entrapment."
"Uncle, make preparations," Zhang Yuan said as he stood. "There will be a battle in a few days. I will first visit our City Lord and see whether he is usable."
Xiao Zhan readily agreed.
That very night, Zhang Yuan openly entered the City Lord's residence and held a 'secret meeting' with City Lord Lin Zhengqing for nearly two hours.
Soon after, news spread that Lin Zhengqing favored Zhang Yuan and intended to introduce him to a Black Armored Guards Commander.
The next morning, the Miteer Auction House announced plans to cooperate with the Xiao Clan to establish a caravan route between Qingyun Stronghold and Wu Tan City. Independent mercenaries and cultivators were invited to register as escorts.
When these two pieces of news reached Jia Lie Bi and Ao Ba Pa, they made their final decision to eliminate Zhang Yuan.
As long as Zhang Yuan died, whether it was the City Lord's favor or the Miteer Auction House cooperation, everything would vanish like smoke.
They would not even need to work together to suppress the Xiao Clan. The old balance would naturally return.
For a time, undercurrents surged beneath the surface of Wu Tan City, though everything appeared calm on the outside.
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, three days passed.
Before the gates of Wu Tan City, Zhang Yuan and his personal guards mounted on Silver-Horned Black Rhino Horses stood ready to depart. Compared to when they returned, the team had gained one more member. Xiao Boyuan, having broken through to Dou Shi after consuming the Thunder Pattern Pill, volunteered once again to serve as Zhang Yuan's personal guard.
Xiao Clan elders and direct descendants, Ya Fei and Gu Ni from the Miteer Auction House, and City Lord Lin Zhengqing all came personally to see them off.
After a round of formal words, Zhang Yuan prepared to depart.
At that moment, a commotion erupted from the city gate, drawing everyone's attention.
Jia Lie Clan's Grand Elder Jia Lie Qing and Ao Ba Clan Leader Ao Ba Pa hurried over with their men.
"Black Armored Guards Squad Leader Zhang Yuan, please wait!"
(End of Chapter)
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