Free Web NovelChapter 243: Chapter 141: Taking Stock of the Harvest
The Iron Blood Battle Array was a Military Formation Battle Technique that required its users to wear Heavy Armor and utilize a perfected Chaotic Cloak Saber Technique to unleash its full power.
When six Perfect Martial Artists of the Skin Grinding Realm who had perfected the Chaotic Cloak Saber Technique donned Heavy Armor and formed the Battle Array, they could unleash an offensive Momentum. The power of this attack was comparable to a full-force strike from a Perfect Martial Artist of the Muscle Strengthening Realm.
With twelve people, the offensive Momentum was equivalent to a full-force strike from a Martial Artist at Small Success in the Bone Forging Realm.
With twenty-four, it was equivalent to a full-force strike from a Martial Artist at Great Success in the Bone Forging Realm.
With seventy-two, it was equivalent to a full-force strike from a Perfect Martial Artist of the Bone Forger Realm.
’Truly terrifying.’
The Zhou Family, for all its size, had only managed to train twelve Perfect Martial Artists of the Skin Grinding Realm who had also reached Perfection with the Chaotic Cloak Saber Technique. Thus, the Iron Blood Battle Array was of little use to Chen Cheng himself.
However, this served as a reminder for Chen Cheng to be even more cautious when dealing with the Four Great Clans of the Inner City in the future.
After all, if a family from the Outer City District like the Zhou Family could train the Twelve Black Armor Guards, the Four Great Clans of the Inner City could certainly train similar Swordsmen, and in far greater numbers.
As for a force like the Protectorate Army, they were likely even stronger, possibly possessing even more powerful Battle Arrays. They were not to be provoked.
After carefully putting away the silver coins and the Secret Manual, Chen Cheng wasted no time. He immediately started boiling water to brew medicine for his Cultivation of the Dragon Eagle Muscle Strengthening Technique.
Having gone so long without Low Grade Muscle Strengthening Pills, Chen Cheng had been itching to go. It truly felt like welcome rain after a long drought. He could hardly wait!
「Three days later.」
The case of the Zhou Family came to a close. The family was utterly eradicated, all their properties seized. Their family members were either sold to the Music Department or demoted to slaves and exiled.
And all of this was orchestrated by Shen Qingshuang, the Chief of the South City District City Guard Headquarters.
With the Zhou Family destroyed, the Wang Family lost a capable ally in the Outer City and was naturally furious. However, it seemed the Linji City Guard Headquarters sided with the Shen Family. Since the evidence of the Zhou Family’s crimes was conclusive, the Wang Family could only accept the outcome.
On this day, after checking in for his duties, Chen Cheng had just returned home and was practicing his Deer Cutting Saber Technique when Shen Qingxuan sent someone with an invitation, asking him to meet at the Yun Meng Painting Boat.
This time, Chen Cheng didn’t indulge her. He dismissed the messenger, claiming he was busy with official matters.
Chen Cheng was indeed busy, but not with official duties—it was personal business. After practicing his Saber Technique a while longer, he went to the terrace of his loft. With a single leap, he was like a flood dragon entering the water, plunging into Jishui Lake.
A short while later, with a flip like a carp, he broke the surface, then stepped on the waves and leaped back onto the terrace, now holding a brick-sized piece of Black Gold weighing well over three hundred pounds.
Chen Cheng had just been going through the motions during the Zhou Family case and had long since confirmed that no one had noticed this piece of Black Gold was missing. freēwēbηovel.c૦m
Therefore, Chen Cheng could take this piece of Black Gold to the Blacksmith Workshop at Luo’s Shop to have a weighted Inner Armor forged.
’If anyone from Luo’s Shop asks, I’ll just say I bought it from the Black Market, of course!’
Of course, given Chen Cheng’s relationship with Luo’s Shop, they most likely wouldn’t ask.
Chen Cheng brought the Black Gold to Luo’s Shop, and just as he’d expected, Shu Xiuming didn’t ask about its origin. Or rather, he was too shocked to remember.
"This... this is Black Gold! A piece of Black Gold weighing over three hundred pounds!" Shu Xiuming exclaimed, his eyes wide.
Chen Cheng said calmly, "I want to forge a relatively thin suit of Inner Armor, weighing around three to four hundred pounds. Can the Blacksmith Workshop at Luo’s Shop handle it?"
Shu Xiuming snapped out of his shock and answered with certainty, "Of course we can."
He hefted the Black Gold to gauge its weight and said, "This piece of Black Gold should be over three hundred and sixty pounds. If we smelt it with Profound Iron to create Profound Gold, even if we forge an extremely thin suit of Inner Armor, it will still weigh over five hundred pounds. Mr. Chen, I have a favor to ask, if I may."
Chen Cheng said, "I am a Tributor for Luo’s Shop. Shopkeeper Shu, there’s no need to be so polite. If you have something to say, just say it."
Shu Xiuming said, "Our Young Master wants to forge a pair of Top Grade Dragon Eagle Iron Claws, but he’s been struggling because he doesn’t have enough Black Gold. He’s been trying to buy some for a while now.
This piece of Black Gold is more than large enough. Would it be possible for you to sell ten pounds of it to Luo’s Shop, Mr. Chen?
Of course, we won’t let you take a loss, Mr. Chen. To forge Inner Armor, besides Black Gold, you also need high-quality Demon Beast Tendons for the stitching to bear the weight.
If you’re willing to sell ten pounds of Black Gold to our Young Master, we are willing to provide Tier Four Flood Dragon Tendons to stitch your Inner Armor, free of charge.
Tier Four Flood Dragon Tendons are also extremely difficult to buy on the market, and their price is no less than that of Black Gold. A suit of Inner Armor requires about ten pounds of them."
Chen Cheng waved his hand and said, "It’s no problem. Just spare him ten pounds of the Black Gold. How about we consider it an exchange for the Tier Four Flood Dragon Tendons and the forging fee?"
’After all, I’m a Tributor for Luo’s Shop,’ he thought. ’I’ve already received quite a few benefits from them, so I can’t just keep taking advantage of them.’
"Thank you, Mr. Chen!" Shu Xiuming was overjoyed and quickly bowed with his hands clasped. He then made arrangements for the shop before leading Chen Cheng toward the Luo Family’s Blacksmith Workshop in the Inner City.
