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Chapter 192: Weaving Maiden Crafts Fireproof Clothing, Night Climb of Flame Mountain
🕑 Added 2024-11-01 17:35:34 +0000 UTCUpon hearing the figure of five hundred, Jin Ming was immediately stunned.
He stared at Xia Jing in disbelief and asked, “Could the general be joking?”
Xia Jing replied calmly, “As a commander of the Dragon Cavalry Camp, I do not joke about military matters.”
Jin Ming’s breath caught. Both Dong He and Zhao Xing had started their tasks simultaneously.
In fact, Zhao Xing’s setup seemed to have fewer resources.
Yet Zhao Xing had already cultivated five hundred plants!
It was unbelievable!
Could it be that Zhao Xing had foregone external assistance not to concede but because he feared that Dong He would slow him down?
Was it possible that Zhao Xing wasn’t worried about the Xuanjia Army stealing credit, but rather that they would be too inefficient and drag things down?
As this thought crossed his mind, Jin Ming felt his face burn with embarrassment.
They had truly judged Zhao Xing with the heart of a petty man.
“General…”
“Address me as Commander!” Xia Jing cut him off, his expression stern. “There is no prince in the army. Do not make this mistake again.”
Jin Ming’s heart trembled, and he immediately corrected himself. “Commander, may I have your permission to observe Zhao Xing’s method firsthand? Perhaps we can learn from it and improve the cultivation efficiency of the three armies.”
Xia Jing, aware that Jin Ming still harbored some disbelief, did not expose him. Instead, he nodded lightly and said, “Go ahead, and take the heads of the Shennong Camp with you to observe.”
“Take a good look and see how it’s really done.”
“Yes, Commander.”
Jin Ming and his men flew from the north side of the volcano to the south to observe.
Chen Shijie, noticing the arrival of the allied forces, smiled and shook his head slightly.
He knew of Xia Jing’s intention to use Zhao Xing to humble his prideful subordinates.
Zhao Xing had only just begun cultivating a new batch of Earth Fire Lotus, and already Xia Jing was eager to compare results.
From the hurried way Jin Ming and his group had rushed over, Chen Shijie could tell that the difference in results must be substantial.
What remained to be seen was how effective Xia Jing’s strategy would be.
As Jin Ming’s group approached, Zhao Xing, aware that his good friend wanted to make a point, increased his efforts.
How could he let his brother down at a crucial moment?
With his energy fully unleashed, Zhao Xing pushed the formation to its limits, causing Wang Ji to nearly lose his footing from the rapid pace.
But the results were undeniable.
Jin Ming watched in shock as Zhao Xing, within the span of one hour, caused one hundred fourth-rank Earth Fire Lotus to undergo secondary growth, elevating them to the fifth rank.
“What kind of method is this? How is it so powerful?”
“Is this the Reinforcement Technique? But how could a high-level Reinforcement Technique be so effortless?”
“No, if it were the Reinforcement Technique, this Gong family formation couldn’t withstand it!”
“Is it the Condensation Technique? The Deflection Technique? Neither seems to fit…”
“It’s the Extraction Technique, one of the most difficult high-level techniques from the Self School!”
“One hour… this is terrifying! How advanced is his cultivation?”
“A high-level technique at the level of mastery... Is Zhao Xing really just a seventh-rank Shennong? This is terrifying!”
The Shennong of the Xuanjia Army were completely stunned.
Zhao Xing, determined to help Xia Jing make an impact, had pushed the limits of his spellwork.
His Primordial Instant was originally at the sixth transformation, but with the formation set up by Wang Ji and the support of five hundred Shennong, its power was comparable to that of a seventh transformation spell.
Although the difference seemed small, it was the difference between basic mastery and true mastery of a spell.
Thus, the expressions on Jin Ming and the others' faces were filled with disbelief.
Compared to Zhao Xing’s effortless grace, Dong He’s efficiency seemed abysmally slow.
While Zhao Xing stood in the sky, casually waving his hand and exuding a relaxed, graceful air, Dong He had to dive into the magma, working arduously to reinforce the Earth Fire Lotus.
Still not convinced, Jin Ming circled around, inspecting the formation materials.
He was searching for any signs that Zhao Xing might have used some powerful external aid.
What he found only made him more frustrated.
There was nothing unusual—all the materials were of average quality. The formation, the resources, the personnel—everything was a grade below what Dong He had been provided.
Jin Ming and the Shennong of the Xuanjia Army left in disgrace.
Upon returning to the north side of the volcano and facing Xia Jing again, Jin Ming and his men dared not show any arrogance.
They had come to aid Xia Jing, taking great pride in their ability to cultivate treasures.
Now, after seeing the results, they realized they were no match for the relatively unknown Shenwei Army.
To speak frankly, if Zhao Xing were transferred to the Xuanjia Army, they could easily be replaced.
And considering Xia Jing's close relationship with Zhao Xing, such a possibility wasn’t far-fetched.
“So, what did you learn?” Xia Jing asked.
“Beyond mountains, there are higher mountains. Beyond men, there are greater men,” Jin Ming replied, shaking his head. “We can no longer underestimate the heroes of the world.”
“In the future, we will humbly accept your guidance, Commander.”
“It's good that you have the heart to improve,” Xia Jing said with a smile. “With diligence, your mastery of these techniques will eventually reach higher levels. For now, go prepare to transplant the fifth-rank Earth Fire Lotus that Dong He has cultivated.”
“As you command.” Jin Ming led his men to their task.
Before today, Xia Jing hadn’t been able to fully command Jin Ming’s team. Most of the Shennong, under Jin Ming’s leadership, had followed Dong He’s orders rather than Xia Jing’s.
They had referred to Xia Jing as "the young prince" instead of addressing him as “Commander,” viewing him as someone who had risen to his position due to his noble lineage rather than through merit.
Now, after today’s events, they no longer had any reason to challenge his authority.
Xia Jing didn’t mock them for their earlier arrogance. Instead, he encouraged them, showing magnanimity.
A person’s behavior and capacity for tolerance often determine their success.
For the first time, Jin Ming and the others reevaluated Xia Jing’s abilities since he joined the army. His leadership, tolerance, wisdom, and connections—all of it was impressive, proving he was worthy of his position as Commander of the Dragon Cavalry Camp.
Watching as Jin Ming’s team obediently followed his orders, Xia Jing smiled with satisfaction.
“My brother, you’ve done me a great favor.”
At this point, it didn’t matter whether Dong He accepted him or not.
Xia Jing had already secured control over the Shennong Camp. As long as he didn’t lead them into defeat, his influence would only grow.
“Zhao Xing is truly indispensable.”
“Why didn’t the Xuanjia Army recruit him directly? Instead, they went looking for people like Ge Jinsong and Cheng Qingming to negotiate. What a foolish move.”
Xia Jing felt a sense of regret. If Zhao Xing had joined the Xuanjia Army directly, they might have conquered Fire Dragon Pass by now.
Three days passed, followed by another three. Zhao Xing and Dong He continued their cultivation efforts around the Dongshang Volcano for half a month.
By now, it was already the thirteenth of September.
On the northern side of the volcano, Dong He was abruptly pulled out of his spellcasting.
“Master Dong, please come up for a rest.”
Dong He opened his eyes to find Xia Jing standing before him. “Thank you for your concern, Commander, but I can still continue.”
Dong He was truly a workaholic. Since the beginning, he had worked tirelessly without sleep or rest.
For half a month, he had barely left the lava lake. When he was tired, he would nap on the ground, and when he was hungry, he’d eat whatever the eighth-rank Shennong around him ate. Despite being a sixth-rank Shennong, he refused to accept any special treatment.
Despite his temperament, his dedication was undeniable.
Xia Jing spread his hands, saying, “I’m not here just to check on you, Master Dong. The first batch of Earth Fire Lotus has already been turned into fireproof garments.”
“We’ve reached the necessary amount. Of course, if you wish to keep working, I won’t stop you.”
“However, it’s best to let the Shennong take a break and prepare for the upcoming battle.”
Dong He looked at Xia Jing, confused. “Wasn’t the first batch supposed to be ten thousand? We’ve only cultivated three thousand plants so far, and we need to reserve some as seeds, so only a portion will be turned into garments…”
Dong He trailed off as Xia Jing’s amused expression caught his eye.
“You mean…”
Xia Jing nodded. “The Shenwei Army has already cultivated fifteen thousand fifth-rank Earth Fire Lotus.”
“Fifteen thousand…” Dong He muttered, his eyes dazed. “The Shenwei Army doesn’t have many more resources than we do, so Zhao Xing’s speed was five times mine.”
“Don’t dwell on it too much, Master Dong. The task is complete, and now you should rest.”
At that moment, Jin Ming flew over and landed beside Xia Jing. “Commander, the Shennong from the Nine-Section Camp, Divine Bamboo Camp, and Heavenly Thunder Camp have arrived at Zhiyou City. The Heaven’s Gift Camp is now under your command and awaits orders.”
“Master Dong, would you mind coming out of the lava so we can discuss matters further? You’ve worked hard.” Xia Jing said, smiling. “Jin Ming, help persuade Master Dong.”
Jin Ming glanced at Dong He. “Master Dong, heed the Commander’s order and take a break.”
Dong He hesitated for a moment, then nodded and flew out of the lava lake.
Faced with the reality of the situation, Dong He accepted it without further inquiry into Zhao Xing’s methods, knowing it would only be self-humiliation.
At last, the stubborn old master lowered his proud head and addressed Xia Jing, “Yes, Commander.”
He realized that the true authority over the Shennong Camp now rested in Xia Jing’s hands.
And it was all due to this unspoken competition with Zhao Xing, in which Dong He had lost decisively, forfeiting his influence.
With a faint sizzling sound, the scene shifted to the northeast corner of Zhiyou City, where a large ship rested, its surface shimmering with a faint frost. The Ice Frost Loom hummed as it continuously turned, emanating a cold air that contrasted sharply with the fiery heat of the Earth Fire Lotus being processed within.
Numerous delicate hands moved swiftly within the loom’s cold confines, guiding the fire-red threads spun from the Earth Fire Lotus into sheets of fabric. Fire and ice, two opposing forces, wove together harmoniously, producing a material capable of resisting the searing heat of Flame Mountain.
The chief Weaving Maiden, Huang Canying, walked calmly through the weaving chamber, carefully overseeing every aspect of the production process. Though she was already fifty-seven years old, as a weaving master at the upper sixth rank, she maintained the youthful appearance of someone in her thirties.
Hundreds of Weaving Maidens were working busily under her supervision. Passing through the long corridors, Huang Canying descended to the lower level of the Weaving Ship.
“Gurgle, gurgle…”
Large cylindrical vats lined the floor, each filled with viscous liquid mixtures. Next to them were neatly stacked fiery red lotus leaves of the fifth rank, ready to be processed. Huang Canying inspected the room, ensuring all operations were running smoothly, before making her way to the top level of the ship.
Upstairs, things were much quieter. The noise of the machinery had faded, and the workers here were fewer in number. These were the finest Weaving Maidens, meticulously stitching the final fireproof garments by hand.
Huang Canying approached one of the Weaving Maidens, a seventh-rank weaver named Tu Yao, who was diligently working at her station. Nearby, the rack held eighty-nine completed fireproof garments, each crafted to perfection.
Huang Canying picked up one of the garments, gently rubbing the fabric between her fingers before bringing it close to her nose to sniff. Satisfied, she nodded approvingly.
“Yao Yao, your skills are improving by the day. You’ve already completed eighty-nine fireproof garments, and the day’s not even over yet,” she praised softly.
“Teacher,” Tu Yao responded, quickly standing up to show respect.
“There’s no need to get up. Continue your work,” Huang Canying said gently, patting Tu Yao’s shoulder. “When our task in Zhiyou City is finished, I will recommend you for a promotion and introduce you to some of the military officers. You’ll be in charge of your own Weaving Ship soon enough, and it’s important to build those relationships.”
“Thank you, Teacher.” Tu Yao nodded gratefully and resumed her weaving, focusing diligently on her task.
As Zhao Xing arrived in Zhiyou City with his group, he caught sight of the Weaving Ship docked on the eastern side of the city. Vibrant figures flitted to and fro around the ship, their clothes shimmering in the sunlight. These were the Weaving Maidens, their seven-colored radiance dazzling the soldiers nearby.
A group of single soldiers nearby couldn’t help but cheer at the sight. With the Weaving Maidens taking a break, several bolder soldiers even approached with food, attempting to strike up a conversation.
Among them was none other than Wang Ji, the keen-eyed Mechanist.
“Boss, when will we get a chance to chat with the Weaving Maidens?” a Shennong beside Zhao Xing asked with a mischievous grin. “Look at Wang Ji over there—he’s already found an excuse to head to the ship twice in the last three days!”
“You just want to take a look at the ladies, don’t you?” Han Bing scoffed. “The Shenwei Army didn’t bring you here to gawk at girls.”
This Shennong, Che Shi Hai, wasn’t originally part of the Shenwei Army. With the ongoing battles and inter-army cooperation, soldiers were often borrowed or reassigned between units. Che Shi Hai had earned some fame during the Straw Puppet Class and was considered an exceptional talent from the Taicang Academy. He had participated in a mock breakout drill with Zhao Xing before and was later transferred to the Shenwei Army.
“Old Che, are you hoping to marry a Weaving Maiden?” Zhao Xing asked with a chuckle.
“Of course I am,” Che Shi Hai replied eagerly. “Weaving Maidens are skilled, beautiful, and have hearts of gold. They’re the perfect wives.”
“Those Weaving Maidens on that ship are part of a special military unit,” Zhao Xing explained. “They are mobile battlefield weavers, and all of them are at least seventh-rank or about to reach it.”
“You, on the other hand, are still only at the upper eighth rank. If you marry one of them, you’d have to bow to your wife in formal settings. Would you be okay with that?”
Che Shi Hai waved a dismissive hand. “I wouldn’t mind! I’m more than happy to live off my wife’s success. Bowing to her is nothing.”
Han Bing snorted, adding dryly, “And if she orders you to perform your… duties a little more often after the deed, would you be able to handle it?”
Che Shi Hai fell silent at that, while Zhao Xing burst into laughter.
“Han Bing, you really know how to hit the mark with these comments.”
Waving a hand, Zhao Xing said, “If you want to go, take the boys and find a legitimate reason. You’ve worked hard these past few days—you deserve a little break.”
“But remember, don’t cause any trouble. There’s a sixth-rank Mechanist Beast patrolling the ship. If you make any inappropriate moves, and they decide to castrate you, there’s no fixing that.”
“Of course not! I’m no fool!” Che Shi Hai said as he gleefully headed off.
Watching Che Shi Hai leave, Zhao Xing turned to Han Bing and asked, “You’re not going?”
Han Bing shook his head. “Not interested.”
“Not interested?” Zhao Xing raised an eyebrow in surprise.
“It’s just a passing fancy. What’s the point?” Han Bing shrugged. “I’d rather spend my time playing with the guys or working on strategies.”
Zhao Xing chuckled. “Your perspective is certainly unique.”
Han Bing explained, “If it weren’t for carrying on the family line or the desires in one’s pants, I’d much prefer the company of my comrades.”
“Huh? That’s surprisingly insightful,” Zhao Xing said with a laugh. “Alright, if you’re not going, go take a break.”
“What about you?” Han Bing asked.
“I’ve got to attend a military meeting,” Zhao Xing replied in a righteous tone. “There’s no time for distractions. A true man’s goal is to secure glory and rank, not to be weighed down by sentimental affairs.”
Han Bing stared at Zhao Xing intently. “I get the feeling there’s more to it than that, though I can’t quite put my finger on it.”
“You rascal! You’ve trained your Hawk Eye technique to such a fine degree that you think you can read my thoughts?” Zhao Xing teased. “If I weren’t so busy, I’d give you a few lashes for prying into my head!”
Laughing, he sent Han Bing off to relax while he himself headed toward the command hall.
On September 13th, Zhao Xing returned to Zhiyou City, only to be immediately pulled into a military meeting by Liao Rulong.
While the others were free to rest, Zhao Xing had no such luxury.
The meeting hall was already filled with high-ranking officers when he arrived.
“Everyone,” Liao Rulong began, “the first batch of fireproof garments—three thousand in total—was completed five days ago!”
“Over the past five days, our scouts have thoroughly tested the fireproof garments made from the Earth Fire Lotus. They are effective enough to allow our eighth-rank soldiers to safely cross Flame Mountain!”
Liao Rulong’s announcement was met with a wave of excitement.
The seemingly insurmountable Flame Mountain, which had long stood as a barrier to their forces, now had a solution!
Flame Mountain would no longer be the only point of access to the Fire Demon Tribe’s territory!
“Our efforts have paid off. After much preparation, we’ve identified seven concealed routes that can bypass the patrols on the eastern side of the mountain,” Liao Rulong continued, his words stirring the room.
These alternative routes offered a strategic advantage. Flame Mountain was no longer the only means of entering the Fire Demon Tribe’s domain. They had broken the stalemate!
“And tomorrow, the various military commanders will gather to finalize the details of the joint attack on Fire Dragon Pass!”
“But,” Liao Rulong’s gaze swept across the assembled officers, “since the Shenwei Army acquired the Earth Fire Lotus and cultivated it, and since we have produced the materials, we will dispatch a vanguard force of three thousand soldiers tonight to scale Flame Mountain and secretly infiltrate the pass!”
His voice was firm and commanding.
“Who among you is willing to lead this three-thousand-man vanguard?”
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