I Can Strengthen Everything

Chapter 57: Chapter 57: Qualified Enough?

Xu Qingshan’s voice reached everyone’s ears.

On the surface, his words were inspiring.

But the reality of the situation could not be ignored.

This disparity in strength wasn’t something that could be overcome with sheer passion alone.

The five magnates remained silent, offering no response.

Zhang Chen and Lin Zheng also remained silent.

Xu Qingshan’s strategy had a very low chance of success.

Sending anyone of average skill would be a suicide mission.

But what expert at the Neutralizing Force Level would be willing to take such a risk?

After all, it was no easy feat to cultivate to the Neutralizing Force realm.

This was no child’s play.

If the city were to fall, it wouldn’t be too difficult for a Martial Artist to escape.

Though they would only do so as a last resort, life was still more important than their family fortunes.

Silence filled the Inner Hall.

No one spoke.

Xu Qingshan frowned, his gaze sweeping across the room. It landed on the completely unperturbed Fang Xing, and his eyes lit up. "Lord Fang, what are your thoughts?"

Hearing Xu Qingshan’s question, Fang Xing thought for a moment.

"The chance of success for this raid is slim, but it’s not impossible."

"Hm?"

At his words, the gazes of the five magnates fell upon him, and Zhang Chen’s eyes lit up as well.

"Lord Fang, you approve of this plan of action?" Ning Jiangbo asked in surprise.

Fang Xing nodded slightly. "With things as they are, it’s an undesirable but necessary last resort."

"It’s risky, but if we assemble our top-tier forces, it becomes feasible."

At this, a smile appeared on Xu Qingshan’s face.

The faces of the five magnates, however, darkened.

Zhang Chen and Lin Zheng frowned. They weren’t optimistic either, but for the moment, they couldn’t think of any other solution.

The disparity was clear.

Without reinforcements from the Court’s army, their defensive forces were simply too weak.

"So, Lord Fang intends to organize the operation?" the Wang Family Patriarch asked, looking at him.

Fang Xing glanced at the Wang Family Patriarch and said nonchalantly, "The operation must proceed, but I will require the assistance of you gentlemen."

The five magnates were startled.

Fang Xing continued, "We will assemble a small team of our top-tier forces for this operation. They must be Martial Dao Masters."

"If each of you contributes one Neutralizing Force Martial Artist, I believe our chances of success will increase dramatically."

At his words, all five magnates shot to their feet, their eyes locked on Fang Xing.

"Lord Fang, if you’re trying to use this as an excuse to weaken our forces, then what’s the point of defending the city? We might as well just evacuate now."

The Sun Family Patriarch’s face was dark, his expression utterly grim.

The others’ expressions were just as foul.

Yet, hearing this, Fang Xing’s expression remained perfectly calm, without the slightest ripple of emotion.

"Is that what you gentlemen think of me? It truly pains this official."

Fang Xing’s words left the five magnates speechless.

"Lord Fang, we have no problem sending a Neutralizing Force Martial Artist," Patriarch Ning said. "But shouldn’t the Government Office contribute an expert of equal caliber?"

"That’s right. Lord Zhang said we would face this together. If we each provide a Neutralizing Force Martial Artist, then the Government Office must do the same."

The Wang Family Patriarch chimed in.

Fang Xing calmly picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then raised his eyes to the three remaining magnates.

"Do you gentlemen share this opinion?"

"We do."

The three magnates nodded.

Fang Xing smiled faintly. "In that case, I will personally lead the team on behalf of the Government Office. Am I qualified enough?"

!!!

The moment he spoke, the Inner Hall fell deathly silent.

Shock, astonishment, utter disbelief...

All eyes were fixed on Fang Xing, unblinking.

’You’re leading the team!?’

The five magnates had never expected Fang Xing to be so decisive.

For Fang Xing to go himself was tantamount to throwing himself into harm’s way!

Even for a squad composed entirely of Neutralizing Force Martial Artists, the danger was still extremely high.

The slightest misstep could mean death during the raid.

"Lord Fang, you can’t be serious? I don’t think this is necessary. We can still discuss it."

Xu Qingshan immediately spoke, breaking the silence.

The moment he finished, Zhang Chen also spoke up. "Fang Xing, this is no small matter. A raid isn’t the only option. We can still defend the city."

"Lord Fang, I believe we can discuss other strategies. There’s no need to take such a risk."

Lin Zheng chimed in as well.

The five magnates snapped back to their senses and stared at Fang Xing, saying nothing.

Ignoring the protests from Zhang Chen and the others, Fang Xing’s expression remained unchanged. He took a sip of hot tea and turned his gaze to the five magnates. "Do we have an agreement, gentlemen?"

The five men were silent. After a long moment, Patriarch Ning was the first to speak. "If Lord Fang is leading the team personally, the Ning Family can contribute one Neutralizing Force Martial Artist."

"If Lord Fang is leading, the Juyi Gang can also lend its strength."

"The Wang Family agrees as well."

"The Sun Family agrees!"

"Same here!"

...

The five magnates had given their answers. Hearing this, Zhang Chen frowned deeply.

But at this point, he could find no reason to interfere.

The risk was immense, but aside from the raid, their only other option was to defend the city.

’Fang Xing had caught the eye of the Observatory. If he could survive this crisis, his future would surely be limitless.’

’But what I don’t understand is, why would Fang Xing agree to this?’

’It’s truly baffling.’

’Based on my understanding of Fang Xing, it’s impossible that he would engage in infighting at a time like this.’

’He’s leading the team himself, while each of the Five Great Forces is only sending a single Neutralizing Force Martial Artist.’

’Even if that person is lost, it won’t shake the core of the Five Great Forces.’

’At most, it will only weaken their forces slightly.’

’There’s no way he doesn’t understand this.’

’Could there be another reason?’

"Good. In that case, I will represent the Government Office’s contribution. Gentlemen, go back and prepare. Bring your men to the County Yamen to assemble at 7:45 PM," Fang Xing said.

At his words, the five magnates nodded and promptly left the Inner Hall.

"Lord Fang, at best, this raid will only cause a minor disruption. It’s not worth you risking your life," Xu Qingshan sighed as he watched the five men leave. freēwēbηovel.c૦m

Fang Xing looked at him, his expression placid. "Commander Xu, would you like to go instead?"

"..."

"Without sufficient force, any disruption we cause will be trivial. The White Lotus Rebel Army will continue its advance, and we will have to face them eventually regardless."

"If we can eliminate some of their Generals, we can deal them a serious blow. Only then will this mission be effective."

Fang Xing’s voice rang out, every word landing clearly in their ears.

Hearing this, Zhang Chen looked at him with a grave expression. "Are you really confident?"

"I’ll give it a try," Fang Xing said lightly.

"..."

’Give it a try...’

’Is this something you can just ’give a try’?’

’If he gets surrounded by the main army, there’s basically no hope of survival.’

’But... if he succeeds and takes out some of their Generals, the pressure on the city’s defenders will be greatly reduced.’

Thinking of this, Zhang Chen fell silent for a moment before looking at him. "Do what you can, but your survival comes first!"

Fang Xing nodded slightly. freewebnøvel.coɱ

"Fang Xing, what... what’s your Cultivation now?" Lin Zheng asked, looking at him.

HUMMM—!

Fang Xing looked at Lin Zheng and released a sliver of his aura. An immense pressure instantly washed over them.

’Peak of Neutralizing Force!!!’

Feeling that wisp of pressure, the three men were shaken to their core.

’A Demon Fiend!’

’This guy... he’s a true Demon Fiend!’

’How long has it been, and he’s already reached the Peak of Neutralizing Force?!’

’In less than a year, he had reached a realm that ordinary Martial Artists could struggle their entire lives to attain.’

"Wait here a moment."

Zhang Chen spoke suddenly, then rose and left the Inner Hall.

Fang Xing was slightly taken aback but said nothing, simply sitting in his chair and waiting quietly.

Lin Zheng and Xu Qingshan both fell silent, their eyes fixed on Fang Xing as if rooted to the spot, unable to look away.

A Cultivation at the Peak of Neutralizing Force... a terrifying rate of progress like this was a once-in-a-century event in the history of Qingshan County.