More than a hundred slaves tied in thick metal chains were slowly being pulled by the Fang Imperial Family’s people. The slaves were in groups of twenty and were separated randomly.
“Stupid pigs, move faster! Can’t you see that our dear friends here are in haste?!” A soldier from the Fang Imperial Family’s side took out a whip from his hips and waved it around to scare the slaves.
More than ninety percent of the slaves were males and they all look emaciated and weak. Their eyes looked hollow and lifeless as if they had completely lost the will to live. But under the intense intimidation from the soldiers, they hurriedly moved to avoid themselves from getting into trouble.
Sword Three glanced at the slaves with a calm look, but he was inwardly excited since this would be the last batch of slaves that the Xue Family needed.
As of now, they might look like people who are at the end of their ropes, but after they would receive the strict training of their Xue Family’s instructors, these slaves would definitely turn into elite soldiers in just several months!
It was many years ago since the Xue Family had started their secret transaction with the Fang Imperial Family of the neighboring Blue Fang Empire. Of course, the latter thought that they were members of the Beiming Family.
It was part of Elder Ming’s plans to frame up the Beiming Family and create a rift between them and the Silveria Imperial Family of the Silver Wing Empire. Thus, they came up with this strategy of masking their identities as people from the Beiming Family.
After they have trained all the slaves that they got from the Fang Imperial Family, they would then commence the final part of their plot!
As Sword Three was occupied in his thoughts, a deep voice echoed beside him, stunning him a bit. “Friend, it is nice doing business with you.”
The towering man from the Fang Imperial Family was seven feet tall and had a rather buff physique. He gave off an intimidating air but it was nothing to Sword Three.
The latter glanced at the tall man and nodded his head slightly.
“My name is Fang Shi and if you ever need help from our Fang Imperial Family, just come to the Blue Fang Empire and tell them my name.” Fang Shi smiled and extended his thick arms to express his friendly intentions. Of course, he also had a hidden motive in trying to befriend the person in front of him.
Fang Shi knew that this masked knight was an expert at the 7th-rank Emperor realm. They were on the same level but he had a strange feeling that this knight in front of him might be capable of besting him in a one on one fight!
By helping their group, their Blue Fang Empire might gain another ally. But of course, they still have to win the war against the Silveria Imperial Family.
Sword Three smiled beneath his mask and grabbed Fang Shi’s hand and shook it firmly. And with a calm voice, he said. “I will remember your words, Lord Fang.”
Fang Shi smiled widely and patted Sword Three’s shoulder before he walked away with his men. “Soldiers of my Blue Fang Empire! Let’s head back!”
Sword Three glanced deeply at their receding figures before he commanded his people in his usually emotionless voice. “Put these slaves inside the caravans and make sure that their lips are sealed tight! I don’t want to hear them whimpering as we go back home!”
The ’merchants’ stood neatly in attention and gave Sword Three a respectful salute as they answered in a sonorous voice. “Yes, Lord Three!”
After that, they started bringing the slaves inside the now empty caravans and they also sealed their mouths with a piece of cloth. It was to prevent them from attracting unwanted attention when they reach the periphery of the Silver Wing Empire.
Everything must be done meticulously or everything that they had planned for many years might go down the cesspool.
After putting the slaves inside the caravan, Sword Three led his men on their way back home.
* * *
Inside Jiu Shen’s store.
Master Fengzi and the four Alchemy Emperors sat respectfully as they looked at Jiu Shen who was drinking a bottle of wine.
“Hestia, bring me one Deep Sea Spring Dew. And ah, don’t worry. These gentlemen will pay for it.” Jiu Shen said calmly as he handed Hestia the empty bottle of wine in his hands.
Master Fengzi and the other four alchemists’ lips twitched when they heard his words but they didn’t dare disagree. Who knows…perhaps Jiu Shen might change his mind if they don’t agree with him.
After hearing no response from the alchemists, Hestia covered her lips and let out a faint chuckling sound as she walked towards the wine storage.
“So, what do you want to hear from me, you little brats of the Alchemy Hall?” Jiu Shen cut down the chase and asked in an indifferent voice.
Master Fengzi and his group were momentarily stunned at Jiu Shen’s straightforwardness. Their throats trembled and they almost forgot what they had come for.
Jiu Shen glanced at them with a blank look making these usually flamboyant high-ranking elders of the Alchemy Hall to become flustered.
“Ehem! Wine Master Jiu, I was fortunate to witness your magnificence when you concocted the 8th-grade Invigorating Meridians Pill some time ago! You were even able to summon the Pill Aurora of the legends! In all my life, it was the first time I saw someone capable of producing that kind of phenomenon when concocting pills! I would never forget that moment, even in my dying breaths.” Master Fengzi said with a look of fanaticism. His aged voice was trembling and everyone could see the genuine excitement he was feeling.
The four Alchemy Emperors’ eyes were filled with reverence as they tried to imagine the glorious scene of Jiu Shen concocting the pill. They might not have witnessed the process, but they heard everyone who had seen the event talk about it animatedly.
’If only I was there to witness everything.’ Each of them thought to themselves.
