"Money? What money?" Zhou Ziyun asked the question everyone was thinking.
Black Mountain Stronghold always had a steady income from space-attribute spiritual crystals. But it wasn't enough to make the prior owner, Immortal Black Mountain Liu Chang, excessively wealthy or anything special. His gang was hardly notable among the sea of miscreants in the central region.
He earned a lot of money but also spent lavishly, mostly on his huge harem. Otherwise, the stronghold would not have been in such bad shape. He could have never even dared to dream about purchasing an ordinary teleportation array, let alone a specialized one.
"Master," Zhou Ziyun continued, "We just spent over five hundred thousand taels of gold on the new Red Willow Tower in Thousand Sins City. We have sent around three million taels to the remaining seven gangs for various expenses. That is on top of spending another one million taels of gold to improve the living conditions of Black Mountain Stronghold and its surroundings. Master, frankly speaking, we are truly broke at the moment!"
A silence fell over the hall. The various gang leaders and members all stared at disciple Yimin in shock. They never thought a little nun could be so brave. They were in awe and a little scared, worried that the immortal lord would get angry and punish her.
Instead, Chen Wentian laughed, "Alright, alright. I was never good at keeping secrets. I went to the mine and took a look around. In a sudden burst of inspiration, I came up with a way to increase production. Look."
He rummaged inside his spatial bag and took out a fistful of glowing black crystals.
A few people gasped. Many people's eyes widened in surprise and greed. They had never seen so much wealth held within one's palm before.
"Guo Xiao, you can explain it to everyone, since your contribution to this matter wasn't small." Chen Wentian said.
"Yes, my lord."
A black-haired young woman at the front of the gang members stepped forward. She was Guo Xiao. She used to be the favorite of Liu Chang. Now, she obtained the support of Chen Wentian and was in charge of the whole of Black Mountain Stronghold. With her special ability and some energy from the demonic black spear as bait, they were able to capture far more gloomy wisps than normal.
Guo Xiao turned to the crowd and spoke, "You all should know that our output of space-attribute spiritual crystals was never more than half a kilogram per month. Lord Lin, using his genius, has been able to increase our production to over two kilograms per month. We currently have ten kilograms of space-attribute spiritual crystals ready to sell. The market price for this should be in the realm of twenty million taels of gold. Although it is probably not enough to obtain a special teleportation array on the black market, we may be able to obtain it with a loan if we need it immediately or simply wait until we produce more."
The hall fell silent once again. The numbers Guo Xiao was throwing out far exceeded mortal limits. Twenty million taels was simply a mountain of money and yet it wasn't enough? The world of immortals was one where money flowed like water.
"Good," Chen Wentian gave Guo Xiao a wink and waved her off.
She bowed and returned to her spot among the bandit leaders.
Chen Wentian continued speaking, "I have tasks for everyone. Wang Landi, Red Willow."
"Yes, my lord." Wang Landi bowed.
"My lord." Madam Red Willow bowed.
"The Red Sun Gang and Red Willow Tower will work together on this. Your target is Thousand Sins City. I want a complete story on the local powers and major players within the city. Not just the basics, I want details, especially what kind of backing these people have."
"Yes, my lord!"
"Old Seventh, Xiao Mei!"
"My lord!"
"The Iron Lock Crew and the Blood Hook Gang will set off for Martial Ruins City. Take one million taels of gold with you and use it to recruit the locals under my banner. Aside from recruitment, your task is the same for Martial Ruins City, find out everything about it. You any means that you desire."
"As you command, my lord!"
"White Diamond, Captain Zheng, Huang Tou!"
"My lord!"
The last three gang leaders stepped forward.
"The Diamond Triad, the Black Valley Company, and the Yellow Turban Gang will head out for the Crying Caverns. Same tasks. Take one and a half million taels of gold and split it between you."
"Yes, my lord!"
Chen Wentian nodded in satisfaction, "Mmm. Guo Xiao, you are in charge of Black Mountain Stronghold in my absence."
"Yes, my lord. But… where are you going?" Guo Xiao asked.
"Me? I am taking my disciples and the six beauties to the Temple of the Clouds. We will be doing the same thing as you, taking over gangs and expanding our influence."
"My lord… if may be so bold… what is our goal?" Guo Xiao asked again.
Her question wasn't for herself but for the others as well. None of them expected their immortal lord to make such drastic orders. Thousand Sins City was already a place full of dangers, a den of snakes and scorpions. Martial Ruins City and the Crying Caverns were even more dangerous places that average gangs at the mortal realms didn't dare to enter.
There was even less need to consider the Temple of the Clouds. It was one of the most famous and hotly contested places in the central region. It was a place where even immortal powers from the north and the south came to compete for treasures and fortunes.
"Hahaha!" Chen Wentian patted his wide stomach and looked around with a smile, "I thought I made it obvious. My goal? Our goal? We are expanding. I am not content with just this little fortress in the middle of nowhere. I want to be a bandit lord whose name will shake this land and maybe even the whole Martial Brilliance Continent. And for that, we need more people! Tell these bastards and whores of the central region that Immortal Bandit Sword Lin Huzhong has arrived. They better be obedient and my gang before it's too late!"
"My lord, if we are to recruit so many more people, what should we call ourselves?" Guo Xiao asked.
Bang!
Chen Wentian slapped his wide palm on the arm of the throne, making everyone jump. He then leaped onto his feet and drew an oversized sword.
"Listen and listen well. I am the immortal sword bandit. My way is the way of the sword. Your way is also the sword. Thus, we shall be known as the Million Swords Menace!"
---
Thank you to all my patrons!
Support me and read ahead by 140 or even 280 chapters!
p atreon.com/kigreenwriting
Join my discord for updates, delays, and my ramblings :)
d iscord.gg/dY5UApw