Chapter 119: General Xu Yin

After returning to the territory of the Flame Tiger clans led by Rooney and resting for a night, Dulong and his companions prepared to depart.

Before leaving, he instructed Rooney, “Rooney! Gather the three major Flame Tiger clans as soon as possible. Except for the elders and the young who will remain, station twenty percent of the prime-age Flame Tigers here to guard the territory. The rest of the prime-age Flame Tigers should be deployed to the former territory of the Gale Winds! I will soon establish a secret training base there.”

“Understood! Rooney will see to it promptly!” Rooney replied respectfully.

“Excellent! There is an underground magma cavern in Little Flame’s territory. The space inside is vast enough to accommodate thousands of Flame Tigers comfortably. You can reside there and cultivate at a good pace,” Dulong continued.

“Got it! Thank you for your concern, my lord!” Rooney responded.

With Rooney’s respectful send-off, Dulong mounted Little Flame with the two women and flew northeast. It had taken several days to tame two types of beasts this time; if they did not hurry back, many would surely worry about their safety.

Though the journey was long, thanks to Little Flame’s terrifying speed, after half a day, they crossed the Beast Swamp and arrived at the outskirts of the Beast Forest on the other side.

Without rushing to return to Fengli County, Dulong rode Little Flame swiftly to the Black Obsidian Iron Mine. Over several days, the once chaotic camp had transformed remarkably.

A sprawling encampment covering several miles stood at the foot of the Black Obsidian Iron Mountain, surrounding the secret cave at its base. Over a thousand elite cavalry soldiers were stationed there; some guarded the camp, while others expanded defensive barricades along two directions of the mountain, all based from the encampment.

The Black Obsidian Iron Mountain was of critical importance. Before departing, Dulong had instructed Sun Lin to arrange personnel to continue developing this secret restricted zone according to his specifications.

“Major General! You’re back! There’s been no word for days; I was truly worried!” Upon hearing the news of Dulong’s return, Sun Lin immediately came out with several subordinates. It was clear he was anxious about his lord’s safety amid the perilous Beast Forest.

“Rest assured! We only roamed the safe outskirts of the Beast Forest. Nothing happened,” Dulong said dismissively, waving his hand.

After a thorough inspection of the camp, he hurried to the secret cave used as a weapons factory.

As soon as they entered, the clang of hammer striking iron echoed—clearly, the weapons factory had begun operating after several days of preparation.

Eagerly stepping inside, Dulong saw smelting furnaces burning, figures forging weapon components in orderly fashion. The entire factory was running smoothly.

“Dulong, brother! You’re finally back!” A shirtless, dirt-smudged man appeared—Ouyezi, whom Dulong hadn’t seen for days.

Though no longer young, Ouyezi’s bronze muscles rivaled those of his younger apprentices, bearing the marks of years spent in harsh forging labor.

“Heh, Ouyezi, brother! It’s only been a few days, but it seems things here are gradually getting on track,” Dulong smiled.

“What track? This is just a trial run. We’re far from normal operations! Didn’t you see only a few of my apprentices mining? Most furnaces haven’t even been lit!” Ouyezi complained. “If you don’t hurry and recruit more miners and blacksmiths, don’t blame me when production falls behind!”

“Brother, I’m truly sorry! I’ve been busy with some important matters these past days, which I’ve just finished. Rest assured, I’m heading back to Fengli County now. When I return in a few days, I will bring skilled miners and blacksmiths,” Dulong apologized.

“Hmph! Make sure it’s quick!” Ouyezi tossed the remark before rushing back to his work, leaving Dulong and the others behind.

Knowing the temperament of these forging fanatics, Dulong could only smile wryly. He left the cave with Sun Lin and others, returning to the newly built council hall inside the camp.

This council hall was the only fully wooden structure in the camp; the rest were temporary tents for lodging.

“Sun Lin, have the provisions from Fengli County arrived?” Dulong inquired about logistics, and Sun Lin answered each question.

Due to the hurried timing and the location within the Beast Forest, transporting supplies was difficult. For now, logistics could only support basic living needs; nothing was fully established.

Understanding the situation, Dulong realized he must return to Fengli County soon. The territory’s full support was necessary for logistics; without it, nothing could proceed.

After a simple lunch, he entrusted the guard duties to one of the thousand-strong unit’s deputy commanders. Without resting, he departed Black Obsidian Iron Mountain with Sun Lin and two capable subordinates, heading straight for his domain in Fengli County.

The following afternoon, Dulong and company arrived at the Fengli County lord’s manor, dust-covered and weary. Before resting, he summoned the steward, Fu Bo.

“Fu Bo! How is the preparation going?” Dulong asked eagerly as soon as Fu Bo entered.

“Young master, we’ve recruited over fifty blacksmiths these days. Miner recruitment continues daily; we’ve accumulated over two hundred fifty miners. As for provisions, we have ample supplies thanks to large purchases from neighboring counties and military rations delivered. It’s enough for tens of thousands for a year,” Fu Bo reported roughly.

“Excellent!” Dulong nodded with satisfaction. “Fu Bo, from today on, General Sun Lin will be the chief intelligence officer for Fengli County. He reports only to me. I hope you will cooperate fully and support him in every way.”

“Yes, young master!” Fu Bo readily agreed. “By the way, the dozens of officers sent by the lord arrived days ago and have been waiting for your orders.”

“That soon? Wonderful!” Dulong nodded. “Sun Lin, assembling the intelligence team is urgent. Select five hundred elite soldiers from the camp under your direct command immediately. Remember, you have only three days to weed out all problematic personnel from the cavalry corps. It’s better to mistake than to let a single suspicious person slip through.”

“In three days, prepare a force of two thousand absolutely without issues. I will lead them into the Beast Forest for a secret mission.”

“Yes, I understand, sir!” Sun Lin respectfully acknowledged and left.

“Fu Bo, summon all the officers sent by grandfather. I want to meet them,” Dulong instructed.

“Yes, young master. I’ll bring them here at once,” Fu Bo replied and quickly left the reception hall.

Nearby, Princess Fire Phoenix and Xia Qinglian gazed at Dulong with shining eyes, admiring his commanding presence. To women, a man was at his most handsome when confidently leading.

During the quiet wait, Dulong appeared contemplative but was actually communicating constantly with the mysterious Spirit Guardian lady. Many of his arrangements were guided by her; without her, he would not have the insight or power to perfect all matters.

“Young master! The generals have arrived!” Soon, Fu Bo led a group of officers into the hall.

Fortunately, the hall was spacious, so the arrival of dozens of officers did not feel crowded. Dulong politely greeted each one.

“The undersigned is Xu Yin, reporting to Major General!” The first was a striking figure with crimson hair and beard, imposing and dignified. The Spirit Guardian lady quickly relayed his strength and background to Dulong: a terrifying presence at the mid-level of the Gangdan stage.

Xu Yin outwardly showed respect to Dulong, a loyal scion of his family, but his eyes revealed a trace of reluctance. Being assigned to such a remote, desolate territory felt like exile to him.

He could not understand why the venerable General Du, whom he revered, would dispatch a Gangdan-level warrior like him to this small backwater. With his strength, he was a cavalry colonel commanding tens of thousands in the Loyal Martial Legion.

“General Xu Yin! I’m pleased you could come to this remote Fengli County,” Dulong greeted with a smile, aware of the faint dissatisfaction in Xu Yin’s eyes but choosing not to call it out.

“Thank you, Major General,” Xu Yin replied coolly, his expression indifferent as if going through the motions.

Dulong paid no mind and continued meeting the other officers. Besides the formidable Xu Yin, there were two lieutenant generals at the full Qihai stage, over a dozen ordinary generals at the Qihai stage, and twenty officers at the Qixuan stage.

All appeared disheartened; none had come to Fengli County willingly. Bound by orders and the venerable Du’s prestige within the Loyal Martial Legion, they had little choice.

Dulong understood their feelings well. In the past, he might have felt apologetic, but after the gains made in the Beast Forest, his confidence grew greatly. He no longer felt indebted to them.

He looked forward to seeing their expressions once they witnessed his true capabilities.

“Heh! Generals, you have traveled a great distance from the Loyal Martial Legion to Fengli County. Normally, I should host a banquet in your honor, but recent affairs are pressing! In three days, I will lead the army into the Beast Forest. That means you have only three days to familiarize yourselves with your subordinates!”

“Therefore, consider this banquet a debt I owe you. I will make it up to you when time allows. I hope you will not take offense,” Dulong said politely, bowing to these officers deeply loyal to his grandfather.