Section 63: Seeing Tie Ao Again
By Gu Zhenren
February 9, 2013
The Shu Family had no reason to refuse the plea for help from the Tie Family.
Currently, the Shui Family was the strongest. Resisting the strong with the weak was the most sensible strategy. To show sincerity, Tie Ao, as the Island Master of the Tie Family, had secretly traveled to Shu Island in the past.
Under the shroud of night, with the stars shining, Tie Ao stepped onto Shu Island once again, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
“Damn the Shu Family, they’re looking down on me. The Island Master himself has arrived, yet only one person is here to greet us!” Tie Ao had brought only three trusted confidants with him. The sea breeze whipped around them in the darkness as they stepped onto the sandy beach. Ahead of them, a single figure stood waiting.
“A secret consultation naturally wouldn’t involve a grand welcoming ceremony,” Tie Ao stated calmly, silencing his confidants’ complaints.
The attendants were about to say more, but they fell silent the moment they clearly saw the person approaching.
“You’ve come again.” The one greeting him was none other than Chu Yun. His expression was calm, as placid as a still lake. His serene gaze seemed to hold a pressure like that of a mountain. With just a glance, the three attendants who had been complaining were struck dumb.
Tie Ao had once led an army in a surprise attack on Shu Island. That was also on a night like this, under the cover of darkness. That was why Chu Yun used the word “again,” a remark carrying both a jab at Tie Ao and a sigh at the unpredictability of fate, imbued with deep meaning.
Even the two parties involved would not have imagined that their next meeting would be under such circumstances.
“The world is always full of change. Who could have imagined such a grand undertaking by the Jianghan Kingdom? However, thinking about it, the struggle for power in the world is a struggle for profit. It’s only natural for the Jianghan Kingdom to act this way,” Tie Ao said, nodding slightly at Chu Yun.
People always grow.
The more trials they face, the faster they grow.
If it were their first meeting, Chu Yun’s taunt would have undoubtedly wounded Tie Ao’s pride, leading to an immediate furious outburst and a fight.
But now, he had reined in his arrogance, forging it into true backbone. His demeanor exuded calmness, self-possession, nobility, and elegance.
Even though he was the one taking the initiative to seek aid, he showed no sign of subservience. The severity of the situation was like the dense night surrounding them, and no matter how great the pressure, he stood tall.
Facing such a Tie Ao, Chu Yun couldn’t help but feel a touch of admiration.
In this world, there were never eternal enemies, only eternal interests. Moreover, Chu Yun, having lived two lives, possessed an exceptionally broad mind and could set aside personal grievances to appreciate his opponents, even powerful ones.
Forming an alliance with the Tie Family was already a decided strategy of the Shu Family. The person who proposed this strategy was none other than Chu Yun.
“Follow me.” Chu Yun cut to the chase and led the way for Tie Ao.
They left the beach and entered the forest.
Here, all was still. Some nocturnal creatures stirred, emitting strange sounds. The trees were dense, their leaves rustling in the wind, sounding like a dreamer’s murmurs.
“Island Master, something feels off. Shu Family City is by the coast, to the northeast. Why is the Little Tyrant leading us here?”
“Island Master, this place is deserted and remote. It’s best to be cautious, especially considering we attacked Shu Island before.”
The attendants grew increasingly nervous as they walked, whispering to Tie Ao.
“Heh heh heh.” Just then, Chu Yun suddenly chuckled. He slowed his pace and pointed to the trees beside them. “This was originally a wilderness forest. We’ve been developing it vigorously for the past six months. What do you think, Tie Ao?”
Chu Yun, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke, nearly making the attendants jump out of their skin. After all, the news that Chu Yun now controlled eight Spirit Monsters was widely known.
Chu Yun’s ranking on the Teng List had skyrocketed to eleventh place. Whispers in Xingzhou even suggested that Chu Yun was strong enough to be included in the Peculiar Person Ranking.
Such a person, if he suddenly turned hostile, and in their very midst, they would have no power to resist and would be at his mercy.
Upon understanding Chu Yun’s words, the three attendants broke out in a cold sweat. A gust of night wind made them shiver.
“To have such a large tract of primeval forest available for development is something every Island Master dreams of,” Tie Ao replied, nodding.
“Developing this forest can bring the Shu Family Island approximately three thousand Tianli Stones in resources each month. If we were to develop it at full capacity, this figure could reach around five thousand,” Chu Yun said with a smile. “So much? Five thousand Tianli Stones is almost a year’s tax revenue for a town-level island!” one attendant exclaimed in surprise.
“But I haven’t been developing it at full capacity. Instead, I’ve ordered the investment of about one thousand Tianli Stones each month to cultivate the trees and raise Demonic Beasts,” Chu Yun continued.
“Why?” someone asked, puzzled.
Chu Yun smiled and slowly replied, “Because full-scale development would completely destroy the balance here. While there would be immediate huge profits, the forest would cease to exist, and this place would become completely barren. It’s better to develop and cultivate simultaneously, as we are doing now. This forest can then be sustained for generations.”
This time, all four, including Tie Ao, felt their eyes light up.
“Long line, big fish. In the long run, this method will yield more profit.”
“This is an excellent solution to resource scarcity. My goodness, no one has ever done this before!”
“In the Archipelago, as soon as a resource point is discovered, people can’t wait to exploit it completely. This is unavoidable. The Archipelago is plagued by constant warfare, and no one feels secure. If they managed it like Young Island Master Chu, who could guarantee it wouldn’t be seized?”
“Exactly. A person’s wealth is his own ruin. Such a resource point would be the fuse for conflict and war. Rather than attracting attacks from all sides, it’s better to fully exploit the resources and engage in extensive military buildup. With a strong military force, they can then seize the resources of other forces. This is the true path to survival.”
These attendants were not merely servants or laborers but acted as advisors, possessing unique insights into politics, military affairs, and more.
Chu Yun’s words had touched upon a sensitive topic for them. They began to discuss it amongst themselves in hushed tones.
Tie Ao’s body trembled slightly. He sensed the intention behind Chu Yun’s words.
Could someone who planned so far ahead lure them into the dense forest to harm them over past grievances?
Thinking this, Tie Ao’s wavering heart immediately calmed. But then, a complex mix of emotions washed over him.
As he looked at Chu Yun with new eyes, he suddenly realized that this young man, younger than himself, was indeed far superior to him in many ways.
His career had been brilliant since its inception. At just fifteen years old, he controlled eight Spirit Monsters, a rare feat in Xingzhou’s history. He had initially thought Chu Yun was exceptionally strong and brave, but he had not expected him to possess such talent for governance.
With such a person existing in the Archipelago alongside him, as both an enemy and a potential ally.
Tie Ao didn’t know if he was fortunate or unfortunate.
“We’ve arrived. Everyone, this is our Shu Family’s Huode City,” Chu Yun said after a short walk, stopping and turning slightly with a smile to introduce them.
Their vision had been greatly obstructed while walking through the dense forest at night. But now, the area ahead was open, and the sight that greeted them left the three attendants gaping speechless.
Even Tie Ao’s pupils dilated, and his expression was deeply moved.
A magnificent city!
It was built against the mountain, its walls meticulously constructed, winding along the terrain. Looking up from the foot of the mountain, it appeared formidable, like a giant quietly sleeping in the darkness.
It was so grand and magnificent!
The walls of red copper were thick and sturdy. The houses and towers were majestic and imposing, combining the exquisite luxury of modern styles with the simple grandeur of ancient architecture. These elements merged to form a unique sense of clarity, making it unforgettable.
“Huode City! Is this the city personally overseen by Master Yu Ya?” Tie Ao murmured.
“Indeed,” Chu Yun admitted calmly. Although the construction process had been conducted under strict secrecy, news traveled. The construction of a city was such a massive undertaking that rumors were bound to spread.
“The entire mountain is a city. What a spectacular sight!”
“A magnificent city, truly worthy of its name. This city can already be compared to the main city of the Shan Family.”
“Unimaginable craftsmanship. Wasn’t it said to still be under construction?” one of the attendants asked.
“It was just completed not long ago. Of course, it’s only the general structure. Some intricate details will require population to gradually complete. Follow me,” Chu Yun explained and started walking again.
They first passed through the city gates. Huode City had four main gates, located to the east, south, west, and north. The group entered through the north gate. Three gilded characters, “火德城” (Huode City), adorned the gate. Even in the dense darkness, the luster of the characters could not be concealed.
This was no ordinary city gate, but a mid-grade Demon Soldier, equipped with defensive and detection Cultivation Methods, capable of reaching Great Demon level.
Upon entering the city, a wide, upward-sloping path appeared, wide enough for ten chariots to drive abreast. This was the main road.
There were four such main roads, extending upwards from the four gates. At the end of each road was the inner city, with several gatehouses serving as checkpoints.
On both sides of the main road were various side paths. The side paths extended horizontally, with continuous buildings lining them, creating a distinct mountainous city atmosphere.
Even Tie Ao and his three companions, walking through it, were wide-eyed and amazed. Though it was night and there were no people, one could imagine that once populated, this would be a bustling hub with traffic, prosperous shops and stalls, and children playing in groups.
However, the four men focused their attention on the watchtowers, blockhouses, and the fire-copper statues scattered throughout the city.
These military structures appeared even more dark and imposing in the night. Clearly, Huode City was a formidable city, capable of both military and civilian use.
“Such a magnificent city, so majestic and grand. It’s hard to believe it was built in half a year. It’s truly good to have a Weapon Forging Master…” Tie Ao exclaimed, his voice filled with unconcealed admiration and envy. “Huode City is built near a volcano, so it must utilize its inexhaustible geothermal energy. This place will surely become a mecca for Weapon Forging Masters. However, this city is still too young, its cultivation too low.”
