Chương 188: Preparations

Sea of Clouds Pavilion. Yun Shan enthusiastically led Song Que into the reception room, personally pouring him a cup of fragrant tea.

"Young Master Song, you are too polite! These are just worthless items; you didn't have to go through so much trouble."

"Haha, it was just on the way! But I truly didn't expect that Jiang Wuxia would do such a thing over a few hundred taels of broken silver! How truly shameful!" Looking at the scroll of painting and calligraphy in his hand—which was said to be worth less than a thousand taels of silver—that Young Master Jiang had insisted was a fake. After pressuring Yun Shan for a long time, he took it at a cheap price! With such character, it was hard to know what to say.

If he didn't have the Jiang family backing him, a piece of trash like this probably wouldn't survive a few days on the streets! But then again, maybe not! People with such personalities only knew how to bully the weak and fear the strong; they were actually quite shrewd in choosing their targets!

"It wasn't worth offending the Jiang family over such a trivial matter." Hearing Grandee Song's tone, clearly understanding Jiang Wuxia's background, Yun Shan shook his head and sighed. Naturally, their Yun family didn't need to fear a declining faction like the Jiang family! But it was his nature that 'one less trouble is better than one more trouble,' so he treated it as spending a small sum to get rid of a beggar.

"It's nothing. Debts don't weigh down the body when there are too many! No need to worry that far ahead!" Hearing this, Yun Shan could only smile wryly.

"Young Master Song, tell me a secret: are you certain you can break through to the First Tier within five years?!" Pondering for a moment, Song Que still answered straightforwardly:"Within three years, I will definitely reach the First Tier."

"Really?!" Yun Shan's eyes burst with brilliant light, his voice uncontrollably rising a few pitches! Seeing Boss Song nod, his clear and bright eyes filled with confidence, Old Yun clutched his chest, feeling a sharp pain in his heart:"This is truly a massive loss! If the Family Head knew I missed out on a First-Tier martial artist with boundless prospects, he would definitely beat me to death!"

"Haha, Manager, aren't we close allies now? Why dwell on what-ifs?"

"Fortunately, that is the case," Yun Shan sighed.

"I wonder what brings Young Master Song to me?" Yun Shan thought this young man across from him was feeling scared and wanted the Yun family to step forward and restrict the Lingjiang Gang! But he was wrong.

"I wonder if the Sea of Clouds Pavilion still has saltpeter and sulfur?"

"We should still have reserves of those in the warehouse. How much do you want, Young Master Song?" After thinking for a moment, Yun Shan gave a definite answer.

"I want it all! However much you have, I'll buy it! Please prepare it for me, Manager; this lowly one has an urgent need."

"Alright, no problem! Please wait a moment, Young Master Song." Feeling somewhat suspicious—though he wondered what this big shot wanted to buy these things for—Old Yun still immediately stood up, called for someone, and had them prepare the items for Song Que....

While drinking tea and waiting, Yun Shan couldn't help but ask:"Young Master Song, if our Yun family steps forward to resolve the issues with the Lingjiang Gang and the Jiang family for you, and the previous conditions remain unchanged, would you consider working for the Yun family for five years?"

"I'd rather be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix! My stubborn nature has disappointed you, Manager! Please do not bring this matter up again."

"Then that is truly a pity!" Seeing Song Que's resolute gaze, Yun Shan couldn't help but sigh in regret. Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

"Rest assured, Manager! I still remember the kindness you and Miss Yun Xi have shown me! Whenever you need it, this lowly one will definitely lend a helping hand! I will always be your most reliable ally!" Hearing this, Yun Shan felt much better. He couldn't help but admire his Young Miss's wise decision:"Haha, indeed! We will always be the best allies! Rest assured about today's matter, Young Master Song!

The Sea of Clouds Pavilion will step forward to pressure the Lingjiang Gang so Du Ruhui won't do anything too outrageous!"

"Thank you, Manager." Although he wasn't sure how effective it would be, Grandee Song still noted this favor.

"One more thing: this lowly one needs a large batch of medicinal herbs and low-tier pills that aid in breaking through realms! Please prepare them for me, Sea of Clouds Pavilion; the more, the better!"

"Alright, leave this to me! You can rest assured, Young Master Song." Old Yun patted his chest and guaranteed; this was something they could definitely do.

"Then thank you, Manager!" Chatting with Yun Shan for a long while, waiting until a cartload of items was prepared below, Song Que finally stood up to bid farewell and brought the cart back to the Fierce Tiger Gang.... Fierce Tiger Gang Headquarters. In a heavily guarded courtyard, the shouts and curses of Gang Leader Song frequently rang out from inside.

"Foolish Bear! How many times do I have to tell you?! Be gentle! Be gentle, understand?! Grind it lightly, evenly, and very finely for me!"

"Hehehe, yes, Young Master!"

"F*ck! A'Xin, are you trying to kill your big brother?! Why are you lighting a candle?! Put it out immediately!"

"Big Brother, it's getting dark." Li Xin pointed aggrievedly outside, where dusk had already fallen.

"So what if it's dark?! As long as you can see, that's enough! Keep working!"

"Yes!" The kid pouted, deflated.

"Be careful! You must be extremely careful! Do not disturb me while I'm mixing the ingredients!"

"Understood, Big Brother."...

"Hehehe, yes, Young Master." Hearing the two kids' distracted replies, Boss Song gritted his teeth. Having no education is truly terrifying! He was currently concocting gunpowder! With this pile of powder in the room, the slightest carelessness would be enough to send all three of them 'transmigrating'! He had to be careful! Song Que had tried making a bit of this stuff before, but the results were truly uncomplimentary, so he didn't stockpile it in large quantities!

He was waiting until the construction at Plum Manor was completed so he could design a dedicated laboratory to refine the chemicals and increase the explosive power before making more. But time waits for no man! With Old Du pressing in aggressively outside, Grandee Song had no choice but to prepare! Since the quality isn't good enough, I'll just compensate with quantity! I need at least some kind of trump card, right?!

Waiting until he had mixed and blended a whole barrel of pungent black powder, Boss Song finally stopped in satisfaction.

"Big Brother, what is this stuff for?" Seeing him finish, Li Xin couldn't help but approach and ask.

"Naturally, it's to help others feel happy and joyful! Why are you so curious, kid? I'll teach you how to use it later." Li Xin pouted. Did he not know his Big Brother's personality? Seeing the constant despicable smiles on his face just now, he already knew this wasn't anything good! He just didn't know how it was used! Song Que ignored him, shooing the two of them out before storing the barrel in his spatial ring!

Only then did he happily call the two youngsters to prepare the horses and rush back to the Black Iron Stronghold that very night!... Black Iron Stronghold. Hearing the news of Song Que's arrival, Knife and Bucktoothed Su hurriedly led people out to welcome him.

"Greetings, Stronghold Leader!"

"No need for formalities! Knife and Bucktoothed Su stay; the rest of you disperse."

"Yes, My Lord!"

"Wait! Have someone go and call Mo Yang here to see me!" Just as the group turned to leave, Song Que remembered and called out.

"Obey your command, My Lord!" Leading Knife and Bucktoothed Su up to the villa on the mountainside, while waiting for Mo Yang to arrive, Boss Song inquired:"Have there been any problems in the Stronghold these past few days?"

"To answer My Lord, everything is smooth! The brothers don't have anything to do in the Stronghold these days and can freely play and drink! They are overjoyed!" Bucktoothed Su couldn't help but step forward to answer.

"Mhm, very good! Now that the wind has passed, we can resume operations! Tomorrow, you can open the Stronghold gates for business again!"

"Obey your command, My Lord!" Chatting with the two for a bit longer, before long, Mo Yang, hearing the summons, came running, panting heavily. Seeing everyone was present, Boss Song finally began giving orders.

"Mo Yang, how many military crossbows have we manufactured in the Stronghold now?"

"To answer My Lord, including the ones we captured from One-Eyed Dragon, we currently have twenty military crossbows!" Old Mo knew these things like the back of his hand, answering immediately without needing to think.

"Good! Pack them all up and load them onto a cart for me! I have an urgent need for them!"

"Yes, My Lord!" Song Que nodded. He took out the two halves of the Black Iron Saber from behind his back, handed them to Old Mo, and said:"Go back and prepare the items now. And while you're at it, repair this saber for me."

"Obey your command! This subordinate takes his leave." Coming quickly and leaving quickly. Waiting until Mo Yang had left, Boss Song turned to the other two and ordered:"You two gather a unit of thirty martial artists for me! Be prepared to listen to my deployment orders at any time!" Hearing Boss Song's words, it wasn't hard for the two to guess that a fierce battle was approaching! Neither dared to hesitate, immediately putting on serious faces and guaranteeing:"Obey your command! Please rest assured, My Lord!"

Giving them a few more instructions, waiting until Mo Yang had prepared the items, Song Que and his two companions immediately drove the cargo cart through the night, rushing back to Plum Manor! At the same time, in a hidden corner behind the Unnamed Mountain, a fighter jet named 'Lightning' secretly took off at some unknown time! Carrying a tiny passenger on its back and bearing a sacred mission, it headed East!

By the time Boss Song's group safely returned to Plum Manor, Lightning had also reached its destination. It continuously circled in the sky above Lingjiang City, searching for a target to strike! Boss Song was returning an eye for an eye! Since Du Ruhui had sent people to smash his shop, he naturally had to be prepared for retaliation! His motto was: revenge does not wait overnight! If I can take revenge, I will take it immediately; leaving it for too long easily leads to complications!