Supreme Emperor of Mist

"What? The boys didn't go to the nearby town recently to sell the ores they've mined from the Precelestial Essence Vein?" the boss of the Black Wind Bandits crushed the wine jar in his hand due to anger.

"Bunch of kids... Where the second stronghold leader?" he asked.

"The second boss is likely in the town's brothel right now. Should we go there and get him back?" a loyal subordinate of the boss with the right to speak in this room replied.

"No. Leave him there. You'll take some men and go over to the mine to have a look. If the boys there are really messing with us, kill them all and collect the valuables back. We shouldn't waste our time with a half depleted Precelestial Essence Mine that's located near the Crimson King's territory." the boss of Black Wind Bandits said.

"I have something to report, boss!" a young bandit came knocked and came into the room.

"Speak. What happened?" the boss of Black Wind Bandits asked. His hand reached out to a new jar of wine sitting on the table.

"Outside... There are two scouts from the Thunder Roaring Palace asking for an audience with you, boss!" the young bandit reported. From the way he looked, they're likely engaged in a fight and lost.

"That a**hole Yang Yuan! How dare he cause trouble with my men! What they want?" the jar of wine ends up as the victim this time as it is unable to escape the fate of getting broken.

"What's wrong with the Black Wind Stronghold? Did you have not enough men? Should we sent a few disciples from the Thunder Roaring Palace to give you a hand or two?" one of the two scouts said as they entered the room without an invitation.

"Speak what you want and get the hell out of my stronghold. Or else, don't say that I don't give any face to your boss, Yang Yuan!" the leader of Black Wind Bandits stares at the two scouts with a pair of eyes as sharp as a blade.

"Our boss asked if you've changed your supply route. If you did, shouldn't someone inform us first so we can allocate our men somewhere else?" the scouts answered the question arrogantly.

"We're clueless about that too. If you want an answer, just follow my men and go to the mine to check what happened. Don't come and knock on my door without anything important!" the leader of Black Wind Bandits said.

"Sure! So when are we going? Let's make it as soon as possible so we can return to our camp before nightfall." the scouts said.

"Then... I'll excuse myself first, boss. These two experts from the Thunder Roaring Palace, please come with me." the loyal subordinate casually invited the scouts to follow him as he's preparing to leave.

...

...

...

"We have two days to go... After that, the Crimson Battlewolves will no longer honor the deal between us. To be safe, we should depart half a day before the time is up." Qin Lan said.

They're currently having a meeting in private right now, as the collection of Precelestial Essence Ore inside the mine is not as positive as they've thought.

Even Qin Lan could do nothing regarding this because the forming of Precelestial Essence in nature is different from what he had done using the blessings from the Department of Heaven and Earth. And based on the condition of this mining vein, a few months would be enough to exhaust its supply.

"Is there no other choice for us to extend the peaceful period with the Yao Beast?" Sun Wu Jian asked. Looking at how peaceful it is right now, Sun Wu Jian wishes that they can continue with this a little longer. After all, it wasn't easy for them to get an opportunity like this.

"No. A peace exchange that was made using the Department of Peace is different from a treaty between mankind. There's more than just an offering, and a deal is made." Qin Lan shook his head as he answered Sun Wu Jian.

"So...One and a half-day, that's all we have?" Sun Wu Jian asked.

"Yes. After that, everything will be different." Qin Lan nodded. Although the final decision still belongs to Sun Wu Jian to make, he wished that Sun Wu Jian would not be blinded by the small profit before his eyes now.

Sun Wu Jian clenched his fists together as he sat on a wooden chair nearby. Many questions went through his mind at this moment while everyone patiently waits for his decision.

In a critical moment between his dilemma, a faint bluish light flashed once near his chest. Only Qin Lan noticed the light amongst them.

Suddenly, Sun Wu Jian released his fist and gave himself a big slap. He looks awake from the confusion out of sudden as the light of confidence belonged to a prince returned to his gaze once more.

"We'll follow brother Qin's word. Let us depart tomorrow afternoon. Those that no longer in the shift should get as much rest as possible. Those that are still working right now shall start tidying up so we can leave when ordered." Sun Wu Jian instructed.

"Miss Li Dan. I'll have to bother you a little longer after we returned to Fuyun City. Don't worry, I will cover the expenses during your stay with us." Sun Wu Jian said.

"Brother Qin, brother Shan... If there's anything else, please let me know," he added before allowing Huang Ping and Wang Xun to deliver his order to the other experts.

...

"NO!" a scout with attire similar to Sun Wu Jian's forces begged for his life before a sword stabs through his neck. Behind him were two of his other companion, who shared the same fate as he does.

His eyes were opened wide as he falls dead on the ground. Reflected in his eyes is the sight of over a hundred experts. Even the weakest in their rank was at least a fifth-level Flesh Refining cultivator.

Three leaders were leading this group. And half of them are likely the bandits based on the way they dressed. As for the others, there was a similarity in all of them.

All of them were sword users. Engraved on the body of their sheath is the word "Lei-Hao."

"One of you... Go back to the camp and inform the captain. Tell him that there are some rats from the Yunshan Province is here," one of the two scouts said.

"I'll go right now, senior brother!" the junior of his quickly left.

"Tsk... I wonder what kind of goods can we expect this time..." the scouts secretly laughed.