Chapter 134: Found it!!

In the depths of the forest:

The terrain within the forest region was quite uneven. A varied topography like this created the best areas for having a hideout. Although there would be a need to eliminate the beats around the location, once formed, it would become an important strategic location. 

The organizations interested in having their hideouts in these areas were mostly bandits and assassins. Both 'Shadow Moon' and 'Black Dagger Hall' acquired a sanctuary in the forest regions. It was not until sometime later that these hideouts decided to merge.

The human resource in the combined operation was vast, and the location developed into a cardinal operation base for either of the groups.

Within the depths of the hideout, a secret meeting was taking place.

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" According to your status report, your organization and its allies were utterly annihilated. I would have been justified if the Jiao clan took action with its full force, but the reports say otherwise." The tone didn't have any emotion within it. 

" How could you lose to a single person. You had a numerical advantage; we managed to infiltrate deep within the Jiao clan's structure. We had control over the market, the royal guards, the finance, etc. But all it took was one man to sabotage the whole operation down. We would like to hear a valid reason for this failure."

The man who was being accused was none other than the leader of 'Shadow Moon' stationed in the Jiao city. 

" I have nothing to justify my incapability. I request the organization to allot a specified punishment for this carelessness." His choice of words was going to determine his future.

"All I have to report is some personal impressions regarding the enemy and actual survey reports which we conducted." The file containing information regarding the event was forwarded to the judges.

" The enemy is cunning, creative, and extremely ruthless. He managed to sneak upon us and sabotage the operation we had for the peace convoy. Jiao Mingue managed to survive due to him."

" He managed to get his hand on information regarding the moles placed inside the palace. He wiped the whole group out within one night all by himself."

"I manage to learn some information regarding it. We didn't have a strategic advantage as of now. Hence I decided to regroup first. But he already played his second move. On the same night, a group o assailant killed multiple operatives of our organization."

" The regrouping was unsuccessful, and each of the groups was terminated one by one. He first went for the operatives, the for the financers, and finally for the strategist."

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After a formal report was complete, the judges began to examine the details of the whole vent.

" I confronted him on multiple occasions. I was bested strategically, numerically, as well as physically. The last time I confronted him, he was at the peak of the Qi master level. I presume him to have broken through the Qi general level by now."

One of the leaders decided to cross-examine him. " Why didn't you try to find his weak points. We could target him through those."

" In my evaluation, this guy doesn't possess a weakness. He doesn't have a family bond. His squad is like a group of expendable pawns for him, and there were no findings on an emotional connection."

"he is going to be the biggest threat to our plans. I suggest the high-council to take immediate action to clear this threat out. I hope my punishment is finalized. I want to get on the field as soon as possible and re-establish my worth."

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The Crimson Lord world-

" Is there any new gains after the break-through." The Keeper had to formulate a new training regime for Long Tao. 

" The Qi general part of the Hell Forging art is now open. Blood tempering art didn't provide any new add-ons. The Omnipotent soul manual provided a new mantra, which seems to be the next version of a soul replenishing art. Its called 'Soul Qi suction.'. The 99 stances of Beast god didn't provide any new set of art forms. The same goes for the rest of the arts."

" You should start the creation of the new avatar." " There seems to be a restriction. I can't divide my soul any further than this. IT is mentioned within the Omnipotent soul that nay more than this could result in permanent damage to my soul." 

The Keeper didn't expect restrictions to arise. But it was logical to have them. The Avatar art was quite over-powered by itself. If one could create more and more number of avatars, the power would become uncontrolled.

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" I do have some good news for you. The schematics you provided me after the creation of the so-called ' Qi bombs,' proved to be useful. I managed to alter the proportions and get them to be more productive.

" I can't expect my soldiers to start creating these new structures. How fast can we make them, and what is the enhancement ration?"

" The effective blast-radius improved by at least 2 meters, with the destructive impact rising by around five times.". Long tao was shocked to hear this. A five-time upgrade would mean these mines would be effective against Qi generals. 

" We can produce around ten per day." " start productions immediately. We need to take care of an enemy base.

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The sub-station-

The punishment was about to be announced. The jury decided to execute the guy for his incompetency. " We now order you-. " The speech was halted due to the arrival of a message from one of the spies. 

After reviewing the contents, one of the leaders stepped up. " your luck seems to be burning bright. The man who sabotaged your whole operation is here in a stake-out mission for the Jiao country. He already managed to terminate numerous spies sent by us."

" He is currently progressing towards this base. Your punishment is to lay a trap in here and lure him in. If you manage to take him out of the equation, a pardon will be granted."

The news of his worst nemesis heading towards him brought a ray of hope in his eyes. It was his chance of getting revenge.

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The black-buck hideout-

Long tao was verifying the results of previous searches within the forest regions. The arrival of one of the messengers broke his proceedings.

" We have some positive news, sir. Team 2 managed to find a location that matches the characteristics of being a substation. " 

Long Tao's eyes glittered with hope. It was time for some spy hunt.