The Nine Cauldrons
chapter-129

When Teng Qingshan was young, Teng Jia Village and Li Jia Village had sent out many of their strong men to have three rounds of competition in order to fight for water.

Back then, Li Jinfu from Li Jia Village had shocked the people from Teng Jia Village. Teng Qingshan could still remember the fierce dude and the Wolf Fang Mace which weighed one hundred and twenty-two Jin. "Lieutenant Teng, you, do you know me?" Li Jinfu was a little surprised. Of course he knew who Teng Qingshan was. Teng Qingshan's reputation in the Black Armored Army was very great. Secondly, he has spent many years in the Black Armored Army. After he got married and had a son, he would go back and visit the Li Jia Village once every two-to-three years.

Of course he had heard of the genius Teng Qingshan from the neighboring village.

However, Li Jinfu just couldn't figure out how Teng Qingshan knew him. Li Jinfu had left his hometown from the age of eighteen and it had been about thirteen-to-fourteen years now. Teng Qingshan was only seventeen years old this year, which meant that he was only about four years old when Li Jinfu joined the Black Armored Army.

How could a four-year-old child still be able to remember him? And recognize him at first glance!

"Li Jinfu! Back then, when your Li Jia Village and our Teng Jia Village fought for water, you had defeated my uncle. I remember it very clearly." Teng Qingshan smiled and said. "I did not expect that we'd be able to see each other here after so many years!"

"Lieutenant Teng, you really have a good memory. It's been so many years, and you actually still remember." Li Jinfu smiled.

Over ten years had passed and Li Jinfu was no longer that man that was filled with a beastly aura. He had become more calm and mature.

"Haha... Qingshan, so you're from the same hometown as Jinfu!" Ji Hong smiled and said. "Jinfu is the sergeant of my personal guards and his spear arts isn't bad either. In terms of abilities, he can match up to an ordinary Centurion. Alright, let's go. The two of you can have a good chat in the future. Let's go in first!

The group moved toward the hall.

It was only then did Teng Qingshan knew that Li Jinfu was the sergeant of Ji Hong's personal guards.

There were one thousand and five hundred people in each division, which was further were divided into fifteen hundred-man teams. The most elite of them was referred to as the Commander's personal guards. Since they were the personal guards, of course they were elites!

The sergeant of the personal guards was even stronger than the sergeant in other ordinary hundred-man teams.

******

In the spacious hall, over eighty people were gathered and Commander Ji Hong sat in the seat of honor while Commander Guan Lu and Teng Qingshan sat on his left and right respectively.

In this hall, other than Ji Hong, Guan Lu, and Teng Qingshan, there were only eight other people seated. They were either Centurions, sergeants of the personal guards, or a few people who had higher positions amongst the core disciples. All the others stood at the side.

"Li Jinfu? Haha, I'm Teng Qinghu, from Teng Jia Village." Teng Qinghu spoke softly and friendly to Li Jinfu. Li Jinfu was clearly also very happy to see someone from his hometown and the two of them chatted softly.

"Cough!"

As a deep cough rang out, the entire hall immediately became silent. Commander Ji Hong swept across the group with a cold face before saying out in a cold voice, "This time around, the news of the adolescent Red Scaled Beast's emergence has been spreading like wildfire. And the adolescent Red Scaled Beast appeared in this Blazing Mountain which isn't far away from Qingzhou. This time around, the people attracted to the Blazing Mountain will most likely be experts who come from Yangzhou and Qingzhou!

Therefore... There would be countless powerful experts. The members of Gui Yuan Sect mustn't be acting arrogantly. However, we mustn't hold back if anyone had provoked us intentionally! Do you understand?"

"Yes!"

All the soldiers answered loudly.

"Mmmmm," Ji Hong nodded. He then looked toward Teng Qingshan and then toward Guan Lu and a smile appeared on his face. "Qingshan, Guan Lu, our Sovereign had ordered us to seize that Black Fire Spirit Fruit, Black Fire Spirit Root, and the Red Scaled Beast's scale armor. What plans do you guys have? Speak up."

The upper echelon of the elite team was in charge of discussing the strategy.

Ji Hong clearly also deemed Teng Qingshan to be a member of this elite team's upper echelon. In fact, Teng Qingshan was a lieutenant, and when compared to Ji Hong's and Guan Lu's position as commanders, he was one rank lower. However, Teng Qingshan's battle achievement had caused the entire Gui Yuan Sect to see him in a different light.

An expert listed on the "Earthly Ranking" no longer required to prove themselves with their positions.

"The Red Scaled Beast's scale armor?" Teng Qingshan looked at Ji Hong, feeling doubtful. "Commander, it is not likely for us to kill the Red Scaled Beast after it has eaten the Black Fire Spirit Fruit, right?"

"Haha, Qingshan. The Sovereign's intention is that if the Red Scaled Beast hasn't eaten the Black Fire Spirit Fruit, then we'll kill the Red Scaled Beast and get its scale armor. If it had eaten the Black Fire Spirit Fruit, then we will think of ways to take the black scale armor it would have shed when it evolved." Ji Hong explained in greater detail.

Teng Qingshan nodded.

"Martial Granduncle!" Guan Lu finally spoke. Her voice sounded very cold and there were no changes to her expression either. "When will we be setting off?"

"There's no hurry." Ji Hong smiled and said, "Based on our information, that adolescent Red Scaled Beast is still growing and it'll take at least one month or so before it matures and reach a height of over two Zhang. That Black Fire Spirit Fruit will only mature after the adolescent Red Scaled Beast grows up. This is the natural order of things. Therefore, we'll still have at least one month."

The law of nature was very mysterious.

When the Red Scaled Beast was born, it was completely black. Then, it would slowly change as it grew at a rapid rate, reaching a terrifying mass in a mere few months.

After it ate the Black Fire Spirit Fruit, its body would turn from black to crimson red, and it would truly become a terrifying demonic beast feared by even innate experts. The Black Fire Spirit Fruit was also black before it matured, turning red only after it had ripened.

It was true that the Red Scaled Beast and the Black Fire Spirit Fruit came together.

"Martial Granduncle," Guan Lu said, "I think it's better for us to go earlier. No matter if that Red Scaled Beast can eat the Black Fire Spirit Fruit, the scale armor that we're going to fight for will be the black one. Therefore, I think that we should go earlier. It'd be best if we can kill the adolescent Red Scaled Beast before it matures! Although the scale armor will be slightly worse off than when it has matured, at the very least, we'll be able to ensure that the adolescent Red Scaled Beast won't be able to eat the Black Fire Spirit Fruit! Moreover, it's also hard to deal with a Red Scaled Beast that has grown to a height of over two Zhang!"

Ji Hong was stunned.

He then broke out laughing, "Guan Lu, you're right! Young people really have better brains. There're only benefits and no disadvantages for us to kill the adolescent Red Scaled Beast right now!"

Teng Qingshan threw a glance toward Guan Lu, feeling slightly surprised. She was also looking toward Teng Qingshan, saying coldly, "Lieutenant Teng, what do you think?"

"I agree with Commander Guan Lu." Teng Qingshan replied.

Ji Hong immediately spoke out in a loud voice. "Everyone listen up! We'll be setting off for the Blazing Mountain early tomorrow morning! Have a good rest today. For the Black Armored Army soldiers, there's no need to wear the heavy armor tomorrow. There's no way to ride on the horses on the Blazing Mountain. There's no need to bring any horse or wear heavy armor. It'll suffice to just wear an inner armor."

"Yes, Sir!" Everyone present answered, accepting the command.

"You can take your leave." At his order, the group of people in the hall immediately left while the attendants outside led them to their own respective living quarters.

Only Teng Qingshan, Ji Hong, and Guan Lu remained in the hall.

"Guan Lu!" Ji Hong wore a bright smile while patting Teng Qingshan on the shoulder. "Qingshan has really earned a great reputation for our Gui Yuan Sect! Having killed an expert from the "Earthly Ranking" ... Haha... Right now, who would still dare to say that the juniors from our Gui Yuan Sect are useless? Guan Lu, you'll have to learn well from Qingshan."

Guan Lu looked at Teng Qingshan and suddenly stood up and said, "Lieutenant, I heard that your spear art is amazing. I'd like to seek your guidance!"

Teng Qingshan quickly stood up and looked toward Ji Hong with a helpless smile.

However, Ji Hong smiled and said, "Qingshan, Gui Yuan Sect is one of the rare few experts amongst the younger generation of our Gui Yuan Sect. She cultivates the Earth Class secret manual "Profound Ice Sword Art". She is a notch stronger than even Zhuge Yun and Yue Song. You should have a spar with her. I'm also interested to see your spear art."

To be able to assume the position of commander, how could Guan Lu possibly be weak?

"Commander Guan, have you reached thirty years old?" Teng Qingshan asked abruptly.

It was a little rude to be asking a lady of her age. Guan Lu frowned a little but Ji Hong replied, "She hasn't reached thirty!"

"Commander, it's better not to spar with Commander Guan for now. Injuries are unavoidable; it won't be good if there are any injuries. Moreover, we'll be fighting for the Black Fire Spirit Fruit very soon! It's better for us to conserve our strength and energy." Teng Qingshan said. Guan Lu had yet to reach thirty years old, but her name was not listed on the "Young Phoenix Ranking".

Since she was not even able to be listed on the "Young Phoenix Ranking", Teng Qingshan had no interest to compete with her.

Now that Teng Qingshan had reached such a level, he no longer considered people who could only display a strength of fifty or sixty thousand Jin like Zhuge Yun or Yue Song as his opponents. Teng Qingshan was only interested in fighting people who were as strong as Meng Tian.

He was still unable to forget the power of the Blood Moon Saber.

The power of Meng Tian's saber art was similar to the power of his spear art. Because his Reincarnation Spear was longer, he was able to deal a severe injury onto Meng Tian. This allowed him to be slightly more superior over Meng Tian.

He had been able to kill Meng Tian with a single blow purely because he had a terrifying strength!

"Lieutenant Teng!" Commander Guan's expression darkened.

"Commander Guan, we'll be setting off early tomorrow morning. It's better for us to have an early rest." Teng Qingshan then turned to look at Ji Hong.

Realizing why Teng Qingshan had asked that question, Ji Hong stood up and said with a grin, "Guan Lu, Teng Qingshan is right. We have important things to do tomorrow. In a spar, injuries are unavoidable. Mmm, since there isn't anything else, both of you can head back to get some rest."

Guan Lu threw a cold glance toward Teng Qingshan, "When the matter concerning the Black Fire Spirit Fruit is over, I'll make sure to seek guidance from Lieutenant Teng on your spear art. I'll see what kind of means Lieutenant Teng has!" With that, Guan Lu took great strides and left.

Ji Hong threw a glance toward Guan Lu and then smiled and said to Teng Qingshan while smiling, "Qingshan, it's not a good thing to reject Guan Lu. Are you not interested in sparring because her name isn't listed in the "Young Phoenix Ranking"?" Ji Hong had gained great experience with his age and could tell Teng Qingshan's intention with just a single glance.

Teng Qingshan looked at Ji Hong and said smiling, "Commander, Commander Guan won't target me secretly, right?"

"She won't." Ji Hong shook his head. He then asked curiously, "Qingshan, I heard that the Blood Moon Saber is with you? Can you lend it to me so I can take a look at it?"

"No problem." Teng Qingshan nodded.

Ji Hong quickly said, "Alright, bring me to your place." Ji Hong appeared to be very anxious. "Right now?" Teng Qingshan was a little surprised, but he still led Ji Hong back to his place. he handed the Blood Moon Saber which had a great reputation to the old commander, who was over one hundred years old, to take a long and careful look.