NOVEL NEXT Chapter 84 - The Cornucopia
Within the room, everyone fell silent upon hearing Xia Chen’s words, utterly stunned by what he had said.
“Is military strategy truly that powerful?”
Even Xia Wen was shocked. Though young and not particularly fond of military strategy, as a legitimate scion of a marquis’s household, it was a foundational subject he’d been required to study from childhood.
Thus, in terms of theoretical mastery of military strategy, he already surpassed many across the realm.
“Of course it is. The art of military strategy is vast and profound—a grand and righteous path. In direct confrontation, martial arts, Confucianism, sorcery, witchcraft, and the like all fall short!
A formidable master of military strategy, leading an army, unites the entire force—soldiers’ spirits linked as one, forming a cohesive whole. Some exceptional generals can even manifest an army’s soul. Once this soul emerges, all evils retreat; even an Upper Third-Rank expert, if careless, could be slain on the spot!”
Xia Chen spoke earnestly, revealing this secret to them in advance.
“Third Brother, are you talking about relying on military formations?” Xia Wen’s eyes lit up, though a trace of doubt lingered within.
Their marquis’s household naturally possessed numerous military formations, some of which he had learned and mastered. These formations indeed enhanced an army’s combat strength, but as for manifesting that so-called army’s soul, Xia Wen had never heard of such a thing!”
“You’ll understand in time. Study military strategy diligently and build a solid foundation—when the moment arrives, you’ll see what I mean!”
Xia Chen’s gaze was far-reaching; he smiled as he spoke, refraining from further elaboration.
Yet Xu Xingchen and Yu Shaoqian silently committed Xia Chen’s words to memory.
Xia Chen then turned his attention to Shen Xueyan, who had been standing quietly off to the side.
“Do you know what task I intend to entrust to you?”
“Having rescued me from the dungeon, you must have recognized my expertise in commerce, Division Head. I’m willing to serve you loyally!”
Shen Xueyan bowed his head and replied earnestly. Among those in the room, he was the eldest and the most eager to prove himself.
In this era, merchants were looked down upon—especially in a room filled with either Imperial Academy scholars or offspring of the capital’s elite, making his status appear even more lowly. Thus, he seized every chance to display his shrewdness and demonstrate his worth.
“Excellent. I have 1,000 taels of silver here. Tomorrow, I’ll have the Lamplighters collect some ‘merit money’ from the capital’s gangs to round it up to 5,000 taels. Do you have the confidence to forge a golden cornucopia for me?”
Xia Chen asked with a smile.
“So long as you shield me, Division Head, and fend off the pressures of the capital’s nobles, granting me free rein—within half a year—no, within three months—I’ll ensure you see results!”
Shen Xueyan clasped his fists, his voice resolute and unwavering.
“Haha, go ahead and act boldly. Matters of commerce I leave to you; everything else, I’ll handle!”
Xia Chen laughed, his mood visibly bright. As of now, counting Lu Shen, he had six talents under his command. Though they weren’t yet fully loyal, they were in his grasp—and he had no fear of failing to win them over.
With this thought, Xia Chen rose and stepped alone into the inner courtyard.
“System, begin the upgrade!”
Xia Chen hadn’t forgotten the system’s earlier prompt about an upgrade. He studied the panel carefully, then made his decision without hesitation.
“System upgrading to Dynasty Contention version. Time required: one day!”
No sooner had Xia Chen spoken than a line of small text appeared on the system panel.
Xia Chen remained unperturbed—after all, it was just a day’s wait.
By dusk, Hallmaster Li from the dungeon proved his efficiency, personally delivering three release documents to Xia Chen’s courtyard.
“Thank you for your efforts, Hallmaster Li!”
“It’s my honor to serve you, Lord Xia!”
Li Yugang beamed like a peach blossom in full bloom, the epitome of a seasoned workplace professional.
Li Yugang didn’t linger at Xia Chen’s residence; after making his presence known, he tactfully took his leave.
“Here are your documents. From this moment, you’re free men!”
Xia Chen handed the three release papers to their recipients.
“Thank you, Division Head!”
The trio glanced at the documents, then spoke in unison with a surge of excitement, gaining a more visceral sense of power in that moment.
“It’s about time—let’s go. Office hours are over! You three have just been released from prison, and as it happens, I bought the courtyard next to mine yesterday, originally for Xu Xingchen and his family. You can stay there tonight!”
“Thank you, Division Head!”
The three bowed in gratitude once more.
“And you—returning to the Imperial Academy tonight, or…?”
Xia Chen’s gaze shifted to Xu Xingchen.
“Naturally, I’ll join my colleagues!” Xu Xingchen replied with a quick laugh. His sharp intellect told him this was no time to stand apart.
Xia Chen nodded approvingly!
The sky is most beautiful when it hovers between light and dark!
As Xia Chen left the government office after work, the sun had fully set, and night was slowly enveloping the land.
Xia Chen and his group rode horses, traveling from the Central Avenue into Weiyang Street, then onto Changle Street. Upon entering this street, they were not far from Xia Chen’s home.
“Who’s there!”
Just as Xia Chen’s party prepared to turn from Changle Street into an alley, they spotted a figure dressed in black standing within.
Xia Qian immediately spurred his horse forward to shield Xia Chen, his right hand slowly reaching for the blade at his waist.
Xia Wen, meanwhile, wore an excited grin, brandishing his iron fists and urging his horse a few steps ahead.
Zhang Wenliao, lingering behind Xia Chen, glanced around nervously before realizing—he was supposed to be the guard! He hurriedly stepped forward from the group, though his heart thrummed with tension. Whoever dared block Lord Xia’s path exuded the aura of a formidable expert. As a mere Ninth-Rank novice fresh from prison, could he be beaten to death so soon?
“No need to be alarmed, Lord Xia—I bear no ill intent. My master has words he wishes to share with you. Would you dismount for a talk?”
Xia Chen, seated atop his reddish-brown steed, cast a thoughtful glance at the black-clad figure before dismounting.
“Young Master, no! Their identity’s unknown, and they’re a skilled fighter!”
Xia Qian tensed, but Xia Chen smiled and replied.
“It’s fine—I sense no killing intent. If they bore me malice yet could conceal it so perfectly that I detect nothing, they’d be at least Fourth-Rank. At that level, whether I’m mounted or not makes no difference!”
Xia Chen laughed, his demeanor calm and composed, prompting even the black-clad figure to give him an appraising look.
Xia Chen’s boldness stemmed from his breakthrough to the Sixth Rank. While many outside still pegged him as Eighth-Rank, few knew he’d surged past two ranks in a short span.
Now, Xia Chen felt confident facing even a Fifth-Rank opponent!
As for Upper Third-Rank powerhouses, sneaking into the capital unregistered would trigger the wrath of Abbot Long Shu and the Elder Celestial Master the moment their presence was revealed.
Xia Chen approached the black-clad figure, who scanned their surroundings before speaking softly to him.
“Division Head, I come with no malice—I’m here on behalf of my master to extend greetings to you!”
The black-clad figure nodded with a smile.
“Is your master residing over there—or perhaps there?”
Xia Chen pointed toward the east and northeast, asking with a smile.
“Lord Xia is indeed astute. My master resides over there!”
The black-clad figure pointed eastward, mildly surprised. He hadn’t yet disclosed his master’s identity, yet Xia Chen had already guessed!
“Then what does your master seek from me today? Could it be to ask for leniency?”
“My master would never wish to trouble you, Division Head, and understands that your actions today weren’t of your own volition. He holds no blame against you for today’s events.
Back then, my master merely placed an idle chess piece, though it carried some risk. Now that this piece has been exposed, it’s naturally obsolete.
However, this idle piece has caused a ripple too large to probe deeply—lest it prove detrimental to all. Thus, my master requests a small favor: could you assist him in removing this piece?”
The black-clad figure pointed to his neck, then drew his hand across it like a blade!