Chapter 337, The Stratagem

Words : 1333 Updated : Oct 7th, 2025

Regarding the intelligence on Taihang Mountain Stronghold, it was a thick stack. Chu Ming picked it up and carefully examined it. It took him an entire stick of incense time to finally let out a sigh of relief. The strength of Taihang Mountain Stronghold far exceeded his imagination. Above, there were five chiefs and ten vice chiefs. Below, there were positions such as great captains, some of whom were Guiyuan Realm First or Second Layer martial artists, and some were True Dao Invincible Martial Artists. In this way, just the Taihang Mountain Stronghold alone had more than twenty Guiyuan Realm martial artists. No wonder, even if the Demonic Organization gathered in the Bianyuan Kingdom, Taihang Mountain Stronghold showed not the slightest fear. At the very least, their power was only slightly weaker than the Demonic Organization. However, after reviewing the intelligence, Chu Ming was not without any gain. At the very least, from the intelligence, he knew that there was a discord between the Great Village Chief and the Second Village Chief of Taihang Mountain Stronghold. The Great Village Chief of Taihang Mountain Stronghold was named Zhi Buyou, and the Second Village Chief was named Xu Nian. Perhaps twenty years ago, the two were still good brothers. But as the second generation grew, the conflicts between them had been infinitely intensified. Although the strength of the Great Village Chief was top-tier within Taihang Mountain Stronghold, the Second Village Chief was not weak either. At least in the Guiyuan Realm Fourth Layer, he was among the strong. Moreover, the Third Village Chief, Tie Hu, and the Fourth Village Chief, Gu Lang, intended to approach the Second Village Chief, making the Second Village Chief’s power swell to a level that could threaten the Great Village Chief. The Great Village Chief was already old. The next Great Village Chief would be chosen soon. At this moment, among the younger generation of Taihang Mountain Stronghold, two stood out the most: one was Zhi Hua, the son of the Great Village Chief, Zhi Buyou; and the other was Xu Long, the son of the Second Village Chief, Xu Nian. If nothing unexpected happened, the next Great Village Chief would be one of these two. As fathers, both naturally hoped their sons would become the Great Village Chief, controlling the fate of the entire Taihang Mountain Stronghold. Therefore, unconsciously, a rift arose between the two. As for Zhi Hua and Xu Long, in the Bianyuan Kingdom generation, they were both top geniuses, almost impossible to distinguish the winner from the loser. Moreover, Zhi Buyou deliberately avoided Xu Nian when handling major affairs. For example, in maintaining contact with the Demonic Organization in the Bianyuan Kingdom, Zhi Buyou acted alone and did not consult with the other chiefs, causing a vague anger among the other chiefs. A hazy plan formed in Chu Ming’s mind. However, to implement it, careful planning was necessary. Chu Ming carefully reviewed Xu Nian’s information, furrowing his brow. However, when he saw the martial technique Xu Nian practiced, his eyes couldn’t help but light up. Xu Nian was originally from a humble background and had not received systematic training from any sect or family. Therefore, even though Xu Nian was already a Guiyuan Realm expert, he still practiced the Profound Level Middle Tier ’Eagle Claw Technique.’ The ’Eagle Claw Technique’ was only a Profound Level Middle Tier, and its explosive power was limited. However, Xu Nian had painstakingly cultivated the ’Eagle Claw Technique’ to the Transformation Realm over twenty years, making its explosive power not weaker than a Profound Level Top Tier martial technique. Although the ’Eagle Claw Technique’ was rare in the martial world, with Chu Ming’s prestige, it could still be found. Whew! Chu Ming tossed the thick intelligence onto the table, looked at Wang Qi, and said flatly. "Go and secretly search for a martial technique called the ’Eagle Claw Technique.’ Whether you steal it, buy it at a high price auction, no matter what means you use, you must find it for me within three days. Remember, the fewer people who know about this, the better!" "Yes, Sir!" Wang Qi cupped his hands and respectfully left the secret chamber. Although he was curious why Chu Ming wanted a Profound Level Middle Tier martial technique, he knew that Chu Ming must have his reasons for doing so. After Wang Qi left, Chu Ming re-entered his cultivation state. With the upcoming battle, he had to improve himself every moment. ... Far away in the Bianyuan Kingdom, over a hundred thousand miles away, it was not peaceful. When the Demonic Organization shrank back in the Bianyuan Kingdom, the entire kingdom was on edge. Although the Demonic Organization remained quiet and did nothing out of the ordinary, people still felt uneasy. Although Taihang Mountain Stronghold was referred to as a stronghold, it was actually located on a plain. It was far more than just a stronghold; it was a giant city spanning hundreds of miles. The city’s walls were made of black stone, enough to withstand the full-force attack of an ordinary Transcendence Realm martial artist. Outside the city, several Fourth Level Low Tier arrays continuously operated, with streams of light flashing from time to time. Martial artists came and went, creating a bustling scene. The five chiefs of Taihang Mountain Stronghold held a status akin to that of emperors within the stronghold. Each had their own residence, complete with artificial hills and flowing water, and thousands of servants and maids. At this moment, in the main hall of Xu’s residence. "Second Brother, why does Elder Brother insist on allowing the Demonic Organization to shrink back in the Bianyuan Kingdom? Now, Chu Ming and the Demonic Organization are like water and fire. If Chu Ming is provoked, our Taihang Mountain Stronghold will be doomed!" Three middle-aged men sat upright in the center of the hall, with no one else around. The speaker was a burly man with broad shoulders and a loud voice. His eyes had a fierce glint, and from his body came faintly the sound of a tiger’s roar. Dressed in a yellow robe, he exuded a tiger-like majesty. This man was the Third Village Chief of Taihang Mountain Stronghold, Tie Hu. Tie Hu was straightforward in character. Though his combat ability was strong, his mind was simple. "Hehe, our elder brother has treated us like monkeys this time!" In the first seat was a slightly fat middle-aged man. His gaze was sharp like an eagle’s, wearing a grey robe. The most noticeable feature was his rough hands, with calluses forming at the joints. This man was the Second Village Chief of Taihang Mountain Stronghold, Xu Nian. Xu Nian’s position as the Second Village Chief was already solid. However, to pave the way for Xu Long’s future, he had specifically brought Third Village Chief Tie Hu and Fourth Village Chief Gu Lang over to his side. As for Fifth Village Chief Zhang Ping, he had talked to him many times, offering enticing terms, but Zhang Ping remained unmoved, and he had no other means. "Second Brother, stop keeping us in suspense and share with us!" Gu Lang, as his name suggested, had a cold and stern face, cold as a wolf. His back was hunched, exuding a lupine nature, as if ready to pounce on his opponent at any moment. He was the one who had just spoken. "Do you know why Elder Brother allowed the Demonic Organization to stay in Bianyuan Kingdom?" Xu Nian gave a cold smile, with a trace of mockery in his eyes. "Why?" Tie Hu and Gu Lang both stared at Xu Nian. "Because of an Ice and Fire Grass!" Xu Nian said calmly. Then, he gently picked up a teacup from the table and took a sip. "What?" Gu Lang’s expression changed. Unlike the simple-minded Tie Hu, Gu Lang was quick to understand. With just a hint from Xu Nian, anger subtly emerged in his eyes.

Chapter 337, The Stratagem

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