Chapter 300: The second mission-1

The damage inflicted by the blast was too huge to even cover-up. Soon enough all the forces within the eastern region were aware of the fact. Many of the organisation sent their messengers and some even began to send their spies secretly, trying the verify the situation within the Mad-lion's base.

"How large is the damage?"

"That bastard planned quite well. He managed to force the men sent with him to become suicide bombers. We didn't manage to find the bombs because they were carrying them with them. Some of our men would have been able to reduce the damage, but those men blew themselves up."

"As of now, the rough estimate stands at half of our base being destroyed and a quarter of what is left is in near rubbles. As for the treasury, he took every single important stuff within it including the elemental stones, high-grade Qi stones, king and emperor level weapons, and the three treasures left by our brother."

"Have we managed to trace his location?" The eldest emperor spoke up.

"There is no trace of him left within the base or the nearby area." Lion Ti was exhausted from all the search.

"What about the location of his group's base?"

"That remains a mystery too. We haven't been able to find any of their members roaming around within the eastern area. I am even starting to feel that they might not be from the eastern area at all. For all we know, they might be a part of some powerful group from other areas."

"The bombs are too absurd a resource. To have something like that within their possession proves their capabilities. I don't even know of anyone who could create something like that. A weapon like that requires one to know weapon refining, alchemy and formations. They should at least be a Qi King to be able to create something."

"The number of resources which goes into the creation of these bombs should also be humongous. Just where could they find so many resources from?"

"I think that they wasted a lot of their inventory in this attack. They might not even have much of it left with them." The second brother but in.

"Even if they used most of their bombs, that doesn't change the fact that they could always make more. It is an incredible weapon if used properly. If the numbers are enough, it might even be able to kill Qi Emperors."

"Send a notice to every group that we are searching for a notorious bandit group who tried to take advantage of us and are hence branded as criminals. Have every yes within the eastern region search for them."

"As you wish" Lion Ti bowed and left for the main hall.

"We need to get our hands on the treasures which brother left behind. He said that they would be the source of endless power for us. How could we let such a powerful treasure be stolen? It would be even better if we could find a way to make the bombs. Our plans would be cut short with the help of those."

.................

The City-

The guards were on alert of an attack on the city walls. The expedition force which comprised of peak Qi Kings returned with most of them exterminated and the rest being severely injured. Except for the peak Qi kings, everyone else was hurt bad. The morale was down due to the immense loss."

"The burnt of this failure ultimately fell on the shoulders of the independent cultivator's associations since they were the ones who initiated the campaign. The vice-leader who was in charge of the quest was heavily penalised and punished."

"I guess we do need something to show to the masses. This would also take out a lot of burden off our shoulder."

"Do it." The leader was pissed at the situation they were in. Never since the establishment of this association did he undergo this type of humiliation.

"We could cut his salary." Someone proposed.

"That is not going to help. He is a valuable resource of the association and a very powerful practitioner at that. This is a time of desperation for our association. We need all the manpower we could gather for the enemies we are going to face from now on."

"Especially the punishment you just recommended is not a feasible option since the loss is quite huge. He wouldn't able to make up for the losses  even if he works his bones off to next ten years."

"We need to use his power for the benefit of our organisation. We could publicize the fact that he is being imprisoned at the prison while using him to conduct covert operations for the benefit of the organization. Agreed is the fact that he will no be provided with any compensation for his work for at least a year or two. How is that for a punishment for the crime."

"We are just p[laying a blame game as of now." The vice-leader insisted on keeping everyone in the team.

The independent cultivator association's leader thought for a moment. This was an adequate option to choose." We will proceed with your idea for now. Order our whole workforce to return to the headquarters. Also, ask them to bring about any resources they can on their way."

"we will organise teams which will go and assist other forces during some of their excursion. Use that as a way to compensate the forces for their losses. We will also actively start spending resources on training our people from now on. We will have to bear the humiliation for now, but I promise every single one of you, revenge will be taken."

"Every single force who dares to shame us will have to pay back the cost of this humiliation added a hundred times. Go and prepare well. Remember I am going to enter secluded cultivation to break through the intermediate QI King level. Once I reach that state, we will start our operation."

"it will be your responsibility to train yourself and every other member of the association to the best of your ability and become strong enough to stand at the top." The vice leader nodded in agreement and left the room.

....................

Near the eastern entrance to Beiyang town, there resided the most famous inn in the nearby area. It was famous for its delicacies and its alcohol. Practitioners, cavalries as well as merchants stopped here to recover from the fatigue of the journey and relax their minds.

The inn was called Red-lily. It was divided into three sections according to the monetary capacity of the guest who came there. The highest floor was reserve for VIPs and extremely powerful Qi experts who would occasionally pass by the inn.

In one of the top roms, there sat a man, sipping a small cup of wine , enjoying the view of a nearby lake. Faint music could be heard throughout the floor, which relaxed the tired mind and rejuvenates it with spirit. The alcohol was some of the finest the inn possessed and the young man was ferocious enough t order the whole batch of today. 

He even went as far as to reserve the whole floor for himself, and no one else was allowed to set foot in here.

At the moment a figure entered the third floor and began to walk towards the room where the young man was seated. He gently opened the door, and a strong smell of wine hit his nose, intoxicating him for some milliseconds.

"You seems to be enjoying yourself, Brother Ren."

"Aah, junior brother you finally manage to reach here. Honestly, I was waiting here for a long time. I had this floor reserved for the two of us for five days in expectations of your coming back fast. We could have enjoyed ourselves before the official date of the second mission begins."

"But, you betrayed my expectations, arriving at the last date. Nevertheless, it's a pleasure to see my favourite brother here. Come sit and have a drink with me."

Li Meng proceeded to pick up the other wine glass and drank a small sip of the wine. Surprisingly, it started to have some effect on his body as he felt mildly intoxicated. Even after practising immunity to positions, the wine was strong enough to affect his brain.

"That is one strong wine."

"It's the best product of the red-lily inn. It is said to have been brewed by a medicine emperor. Hence the strong flavour and powerful intoxicating ability. I have to say, it has proven to be a pain in the ass. I had to exterminate three groups simultaneously to have some peace of mind."

"Were they the enemy you were sent to kill?"

"No. They just distracted me when I was drinking wine by disrupting the peace on the third floor. I replied by killing every single one of them." Li meng felt chills on his bod. This brother of his deserved the reputation of a lunatic. He just killed tree groups, who are sure to have emperor practitioner within them, to have ace while drinking wine.

Li Meng maintained a calm face and replied. "It's true, what they say. The best wines can only be appreciated in absolute isolation or the company of a dear one." He then lifted his cup.  This is a toast to the mood." Ren Wang was surprised at his junior's casual reaction. Even his third and second brother would show a change in expression when hearing such a piece of news.

"You should have just killed everyone within the building except for the workers and owner. Isolation is the best environment." A bloodthirst vibe emanated from LI meng's body as he crushed the glass he was holding.

"So shall we discuss what my next task is going to be?"