Chapter 064: Rear Base

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"Fei Feng Ridge is not a simple matter either. Feng, the leader, is a disciple of Baihua Abyss. Though we have some relations, when it comes to the unification of the mountain strongholds, I fear she won't be so easy to persuade," said Ye Hongxiu. The three of them were merely acting; among the Qingyun Stronghold, only a handful of close associates knew about Fang Xian's relationship with Feng Ling.

"Third Brother, after you finish counting the population and harvest of Taoshan Stronghold, I'll need you to make another trip to Qingyang City. Besides requesting the reward for our annexation of Taoshan, you must report our difficulties to Marshal Hong. Unifying the last two strongholds won't be easy," Ye Qingyun instructed Huang Yuantao.

"Yes, Eldest Brother." Huang Yuantao agreed, though bitterness lingered in his heart. It had been less than a month since he last went to request supplies—he wondered if Marshal Hong would be annoyed.

Still, as per previous agreements, every time Qingyun Stronghold annexed another, Marshal Hong would support them with supplies, offsetting their losses and appeasing the newly acquired population.

Yet, since annexing Wo Hu Stronghold, followed by seven or eight small strongholds, and now Taoshan, Qingyun Stronghold had hardly suffered losses—on the contrary, their gains were considerable.

Although Huang Yuantao could report this to Wei Qian, and perhaps refuse Qingyun more supplies, Ye Qingyun's attitude was always firm. If Marshal Hong ceased to aid them, nothing further could be accomplished.

Taoshan Stronghold's population and supplies were immense—relocation took three full days. The people of Taoshan were settled in the outer stronghold, while Feng Sanshun and other early defectors, along with their families, were placed in the inner stronghold.

Now, the original Qingyun Stronghold was called the Inner Stronghold, home to its original people. The expanded area became the Outer Stronghold, where the former residents of Wo Hu Stronghold had all moved as well.

With the addition of defectors from other small strongholds, the Outer Stronghold now held over thirteen thousand people. The leaders of various factions and their families were permitted to reside in the Inner Stronghold.

The Inner Stronghold was both safer and better provisioned; children received free education and training, while in the Outer Stronghold, all daily necessities had to be earned, and only the most basic supplies were distributed.

Of course, the stronghold's reward system was clearly defined, giving hope to those in the Outer Stronghold. For example, anyone advancing to the rank of second-rate warrior could move their family into the Inner Stronghold.

Furthermore, those who fought bravely and achieved great deeds—even if they fell—would have their families cared for and brought into the Inner Stronghold, their children trained free of charge as soldiers.

After dispersing Taoshan's thousands among the ten thousand residents of the Outer Stronghold, half a month had passed before Huang Yuantao finally set off for Qingyang City.

Once Huang Yuantao was gone, Fang Xian brought Ye Hongxiu and Ye Qingyun to Fei Feng Ridge, and Zhu Jiu Chong arrived with his entourage. The three parties formally met to settle their alliance and affirm the grand vision Fang Xian had previously proposed, which would now become the ultimate goal of the three strongholds.

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Ye Qingyun and Zhu Jiu Chong were old friends, once saving each other in the martial world, so there was genuine camaraderie. That was why, when Ye Qingyun was poisoned, he left instructions for Qingyun Stronghold to seek refuge with Nanli Stronghold if necessary.

"I've long heard of the famed leader Feng, and today, at last, I meet her. She truly is young and capable," Ye Qingyun said, meeting Feng Ling for the first time. As they shared the same level of strength, they were exceedingly polite.

"You flatter me, elder. I am but a novice, and must learn much from you. Sister Hongxiu, I've heard you are the greatest beauty among all the strongholds, the goddess in many hearts. Now that I see you, your reputation is indeed well-deserved," Feng Ling replied with a smile, then took Ye Hongxiu's hand and began to chat.

"Feng Sister, your words embarrass me. In all the strongholds within a hundred miles, who else but you could claim the title of greatest beauty? I've often heard Brother Xian speak of you; you truly prove that women are no less than men. I must learn from you how to manage a stronghold," Ye Hongxiu responded, charming and witty.

"These young people have much to talk about—let's have some tea," Zhu Jiu Chong said, smiling at Ye Qingyun.

"I hear your younger sister is only nineteen and is about to break through to the Master Realm? Seeing these young ones makes me feel old," Ye Qingyun sighed.

"We're not old at all; we're only around forty. If we have the chance to advance again, living another forty years is no problem. We must guard them until they grow and surpass us," Zhu Jiu Chong replied with a laugh.

"Indeed. The stronghold is flourishing, my daughter's marriage is settled, and now I have but one wish: to train and protect them, leaving the future for them to create," Ye Qingyun nodded.

The meeting lasted three days, after which Ye Qingyun and Zhu Jiu Chong returned to their own strongholds, having reached many agreements—connecting the three strongholds, sharing intelligence, and supporting each other.

Moreover, Fang Xian and the three leaders decided upon a major undertaking: to find a suitable, defensible location within the Great Ba Mountains and establish a rear base. Fang Xian had already found such a place, deeper in the mountains than the three strongholds.

It was information brought back by the Falcon King after reconnaissance. Fang Xian and Ye Hongxiu had inspected it; it was about fifty miles from the three strongholds, with a flat area of more than ten square kilometers, a river running through it, and around it, twenty to thirty formidable peaks encircling the site.

Fang Xian planned to establish a base there, able to sustain a population of one hundred thousand, with the surrounding peaks fortified as military outposts, layers upon layers protecting the central base.

"Troubled times are coming. There are countless refugees among the Five Kingdoms. We can quietly gather them and bring them to our stronghold. With the new base and our three strongholds, we could house tens of thousands. When that day comes, it will be our capital for contesting the world," Fang Xian said, outlining his vision for the future.

"With such opportunity, and comrades like us, I believe our future will be bright," Ye Qingyun replied with a smile.

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"Indeed. If heaven will not give, we must take it ourselves. For our descendants, for an era of peace, why would we hesitate to fight?" Zhu Jiu Chong laughed heartily.

"I am but a woman, with no great ambition. But since Brother Xian has such resolve, I shall follow you all and see what the future holds," Feng Ling said, her smile radiant.

...

In a military camp in Qingyang City, Huang Yuantao returned after more than a month. He found the camp filled with more soldiers, and in the distance, many were training, voices echoing in the air.

"Chief Huang, Deputy Commander Jin requests your presence," Wei Qian greeted him at the gates and led him toward a large tent. Along the way, Huang Yuantao saw squads of soldiers in shining armor pass by. The squad leaders were nearly all third-rate warriors, and many officers were second-rate experts.

"General Yan, this is Huang Yuantao, Chief of Qingyun Stronghold, highly valued by Marshal Hong. Chief Huang, this is General Yan Kaizhi, who serves beside Marshal Hong," Wei Qian introduced them outside the tent.

"Greetings, General Yan," Huang Yuantao saluted courteously.

"I've long heard of Chief Huang, and I understand you've been appointed as a roving general. We are colleagues now; let's share a drink sometime. Deputy Commander Jin awaits inside. Please go ahead," Yan Kaizhi, sensing Huang Yuantao's strength, nodded with a smile.

Inside the tent, Huang Yuantao saw an elderly man, hair and beard white, standing before a massive topographical map, deep in thought. Around him stood four or five generals, all exuding powerful presence, each a first-rate expert.

"Deputy Commander Jin, Qingyun Stronghold's Huang Yuantao, General Huang, has come to report," Wei Qian announced respectfully, saluting the elder as he entered.