Demon Sword Sect’s Undercover
Chapter 633 - 633 632 Dragon River Water Mansion 1

633: Chapter 632 Dragon River Water Mansion 1 633: Chapter 632 Dragon River Water Mansion 1 Dragon River Water Mansion, located within Pingliang State, is the largest river within the state; the water systems in the Southwest area are incomparable to those in the Northern Territory—they are genuinely wide and deep, with dragons lurking beneath.

Certainly, it could not yet be considered a grand water system, but merely a branch of the largest river in the Southwest.

The Dragon River Water Mansion is the Water Clan’s center along the hundreds of miles of the Dragon River within Pingliang State.

Strictly speaking, it should be called a branch water mansion, mainly filled with Water Demons at the Tongtian Realm level, with few at the Golden Core Realm.

What no one expected was that these mining thieves had not gone far but were hiding within the Dragon River Water Mansion.

No wonder the cultivators of Pingliang State couldn’t find any trace of them—they were hiding in such an overlooked place.

Once the news arrived, an immediate reaction stirred among the three offices of Zhongqing City.

In the Military Command office, Li Laixian occupied the chief seat, with Lan Zaitian and Hou Niao beside him.

Li Laixian’s eyes gleamed intensely,

“Gentlemen, the bandits’ whereabouts are exposed, we must act swiftly and decisively.

If they escape again, where shall we find them?”

Lan Zaitian smiled silently, while Hou Niao slightly closed his eyes; no one took the initiative to speak up, leaving Li Laixiang internally resentful, yet he still had to remain courteous,

“The theft of the mine rafts is a heinous event not seen in Pingliang State for a century.

Once precedent is set, if we can’t handle it properly, Pingliang State will never have peace again.

I suggest that our three offices join forces to eradicate the Water Mansion and return peace to Pingliang State.

What are your thoughts on this?”

Lan Zaitian’s smile hinted at irony, “The duty of the Mu Shuai office is not to eliminate bandits, but to manage the State office.

Don’t confuse these roles, Li in the Military Command.”

Li Laixian, who had known him for many years and understood deeply, dared not hope too much.

He turned his gaze to Hou Niao, “Capital Commandant?”

Hou Niao, calmly adjusting his stance, “Since it’s a discussion among the three offices, we should clear up the relationships here; otherwise, if authority is unclear and priorities are not distinguished, it will be difficult to coexist in the future.”

After drinking some tea, “The duty of the Mu Shuai office is to manage the State, protecting peace is the focus of the Military Command, and the task of the Capital Commandant’s office is to conduct thorough investigations… Now, with the efforts of my Capital Commandant’s office, the Dragon River Water Mansion has been thoroughly investigated.

The task is complete; surely, the remaining matters don’t concern us much, do they?”

Li Laixian suppressed his anger, having to admit that, considering only the scope of official duties, the argument of the two cunning figures, old and young, was not wrong.

But being in the same state, how could these matters be so clearly divided?

In a regular Shan Country state office, for matters like these, the Military Command would not consult the other two offices and would directly send troops.

However, the Military Command of Pingliang State was not your typical command; it resembled a commercial alliance, a guild in nature, completely distorted and lacking the militant, iron-blooded temperament.

For a merchant, it all comes down to interests.

“Thus, let my Military Command take the lead, and your two offices support us.

You will each take a twenty percent share of the profits, a proportion not to be taken lightly.”

Lan Zaitian continued to daydream, Hou Niao remained distracted, making Li Laixiang’s teeth itch with irritation.

The news came abruptly, and a confidential report warned that the bandits had become alert and would likely not stay long at the Dragon River Water Mansion.

This left him no time to ask for backup from the forces behind him, fearing any delay might miss the opportunity to catch these elusive robbers.

The strength of the Central Military Mansion is only nominal.

Being accustomed to luxury and rarity of battles, it’s uncertain who would lose or win against fierce bandits; thus, it would be best to leverage the advantage in numbers and seek support from both Mu Shuai’s and Capital Commandant’s mansion under the current circumstances.

“Being in Pingliang together, we should share honor and disgrace!

Thus, you each take thirty percent, I’ll take forty percent, but each of your families must contribute at least ten cultivators to help eliminate the bandits, to justify this profit, right?”

Lan Zaitian found it awkward to refuse further, as they were colleagues living in the same city, and some things were too excessive to do; maintaining a portion of goodwill for future interactions was necessary.

“In that case, I, from Mu Shuai’s Mansion, will provide ten cultivators and one Water Repelling Boat to assist Li Laixiang’s military in subduing the bandits; however, I am old and weak, not suitable for campaigning, so I will not annoy others.

All actions will be directed by Li Laixiang’s military,” he proclaimed.

Hou Niao followed suit, “With that said, my Capital Commandant’s Mansion will also contribute one Water Repelling Boat and ten cultivators, all following Li Laixiang’s military arrangement; hmm, on my recent trip to Anhe, an incident weakened my primordial energy, so I will stay in the mansion waiting for Li Laixiang’s triumphant return, then we’ll celebrate with a banquet.”

Neither of them was willing to go in person, which is also a case of ‘a mountain cannot accommodate three tigers.’ Having three leaders in one team could inevitably lead to mutual obstruction and unclear commands and responsibilities, which is an important factor for successful operations.

Although somewhat disappointed, Li Laixiang knew he couldn’t ask for more.

As Hou Niao had privately said, since they monopolized the profits in normal times, it was impossible to expect others to dedicate themselves fully in times of need; the exchange of interests is the principle of this world, everywhere is the same.

“Thus, we should not delay, prepare briefly, and depart at night.”

With the matter settled, they marshaled their forces and dispatched officers; Hou Niao returned to the Capital Commandant’s mansion, summoned Su Lingyun and Li Shipeng, recounted the results of their discussion in broad terms, and sought their opinions.

“Ten cultivators, I’m not familiar with the personnel in the mansion, who do you think should be sent?”

Su Lingyun was still somewhat confused, a genuinely nice person by nature, lacking grand ambitions, and not particularly sharp or ruthless in temperament.

It was indeed a mystery how he infiltrated the Capital Commandant’s Mansion?

With his personality, managing personnel in Mu Shuai’s Mansion might actually be a better use of his talents.

“If it’s about subduing bandits, naturally, the strongest fighters should be sent.

I am somewhat familiar with the cultivators’ abilities in the mansion…”

Li Shipeng tactfully added, “With more monks than porridge, and enticing benefits,an improper allocation could easily cause discord among the subordinates?

Perhaps, let them volunteer themselves and we select the best among them?”

Hou Niao considered, “Ultimately, the battle should be led by the Central Military Mansion, and I don’t think a mere band of thieves could be very capable?

With dozens of cultivators closing in, no matter how formidable the bandits, they would have to surrender.

Whether the fighting power is strong or weak doesn’t seem very crucial?

Don’t steal the limelight from the Central Military Mansion; we’ll end up with various troubles thereafter…

Thus, let’s go with voluntary principles, everyone bears their own fortune or misfortune?

I hear that recently in the Capital Commandant’s Mansion, cultivators not from Shan Sect have often been dissatisfied with their recent treatment.

Although everyone has different origins, we all serve in the same mansion, it’s not good to spoil relationships.

Why not allow those cultivators who feel neglected to seize this opportunity?”

Li Shipeng was well aware of why Hou Commandant said this, “Commandant, rest assured, the selection will definitely be most suitable; over the years, many cultivators from our Commandant’s Mansion have become very close to the Central Military Mansion.

Why not go with the flow and give them this favor?

Maintaining good relationships will ensure mutual support…”

Between their questions and answers, their intentions were very clear, even the typically obtuse Su Lingyun could sense something…

This was clearly harboring ill intentions.