Chapter 546: The Main Headquarters of Qinghua City |
Qingtan Village's original surname was Su, with over eighty percent of the entire village sharing the Su surname. If one were to trace back, the ancestors of these people were actually the village's founding ancestor from a hundred years ago, Su Qingfang.
The grace of a gentleman lasts for five generations before fading.
The same principle applies to clan relationships.
Although Qingtan Village had continued for over a hundred years, its location deep within Evergreen Valley was essentially isolated from the outside world. Resources were not abundant, and everyone struggled to survive. Naturally, no concept of a family clan had developed.
Although Su Qingfang's abilities weren't great, possessing only Warmth Realm cultivation, he had numerous offspring, with over thirty sons alone. The various branches developed from there, leading to the current populous state of Qingtan Village.
The population was thriving, but poverty remained. Those thirty-plus sons passed down their lineage for another hundred years, resulting in roughly four or five generations. While they acknowledged a common ancestor, the relationships between them had essentially grown distant.
Strictly speaking, Su Xing'er and her three siblings were Su He's cousins. However, as the Su clan hadn't developed any strong family concepts, and the village was full of people surnamed Su, when the four siblings' parents passed away years ago, their father, Su Lie, did not give them any special treatment.
Qingtan Village was a settlement struggling on the edge of subsistence. Situations like that of the four siblings were far too common in the village. Even if their father Su Lie had the desire to take care of them, he simply couldn't manage it all.
But this didn't mean Su Lie completely abandoned them. Orphaned children in Qingtan Village would receive a ration of food from the village, supporting them until they reached adulthood at fifteen.
The four siblings had some ambition and were unwilling to rely solely on the village's food rations to get by. So, four years ago when the Prefectural Guard Army came to their door and they learned they could seek a livelihood in the city, the four siblings immediately signed up.
Su He actually had a deep impression of Su Xing'er and her siblings. The reason was that after their parents died unexpectedly years ago, his father Su Lie had suggested that he adopt the four children.
Su He flatly refused. His own cultivation talent wasn't high, as evidenced by his current cultivation still being at the Digging Realm Extremes. Moreover, he himself had six children to raise. Adding four more in one go—how could he possibly manage?
The group that escaped back from the Bone-Erosion Path four years ago didn't just reveal the truth about the Prefectural Guard Army tricking them into becoming fodder for the Abominations. They also described the entire process of their narrow escape.
According to those people, a powerful young man in black suddenly emerged from within the Bone-Erosion Path. Before they could even react, that black-clad figure had already slaughtered most of Caiqiu's Prefectural Guard Army.
"Su Jing and his siblings probably encountered a great opportunity. That black-clad young man must have taken a liking to them..."
Those people's accounts were vague, but Su He could roughly infer that since Su Jing and his siblings were usually clever and quick-witted in the village, it was indeed a possibility.
Of course, it was just a possibility.
Over these past four years, whenever Su He thought of the four siblings, he would only sigh softly.
The so-called "being favored by a powerful figure" was ultimately just speculation. If it were that easy to be noticed by a major figure, why would Qingtan Village have remained stuck in this barren land for over a hundred years?
However, at this moment, seeing Su Xing'er and her three siblings, along with the roughly thirty-plus people behind them, Su He's pupils contracted violently. He suddenly realized that the speculation from four years ago was probably true.
The material of the clothes worn by Su Xing'er and her siblings was something he had never even seen before. Not to mention, the auras of all thirty-plus people in the room, including the four siblings, felt stronger to him than his father Su Lie's.
And much stronger at that!
"Xing'er, you all..."
"Uncle He, don't overthink it. We actually returned a long time ago. On the 25th of last month, that batch of beast meat and beast blood at the village entrance was delivered by us. We didn't show ourselves because it wasn't convenient to make contact with you at the time."
Upon hearing this, Su He was momentarily stunned, his expression immediately becoming somewhat agitated.
During the day on the 25th of last month, a batch of supplies suddenly appeared at the village entrance: 150,000 jin of beast meat and 10,000 jin of beast blood. The supplies even came with a letter stating it was a gift from an old friend. For Qingtan Village, this was like manna from heaven. His father Su Lie was so happy he couldn't sleep well for several days, constantly guessing who it could be.
Although Qingtan Village was remote, prices were generally equivalent to those in Qinghua City. The lowest grade beast meat cost 1 tael of silver per jin, medium grade 3 taels, and high grade 10 taels. Beast blood was even more expensive; medium-grade beast blood usable for cultivation cost 15 taels per jin, and high grade cost 30 taels per jin.
They had estimated that the total value of the supplies at the village entrance was at least over 350,000 taels of silver. Forget Qingtan Village, probably no one in the entire Qingyu Gully area had ever seen so much money.
What kind of old friend would send such a massive batch of supplies for no reason?
If not for the accompanying letter, his father Su Lie probably wouldn't have dared to even touch that batch of supplies.
The problem was, Qingtan Village had never produced any major figures in the past, had it?
Now, the mystery was finally solved.
Of course, Su He's current agitation wasn't solely due to learning the origin of the supplies. The key point was that Su Xing'er and her siblings could send such a large batch of supplies to the village. On one hand, it proved the speculation from four years ago was true. On the other hand, it showed the four siblings still held some affection for Qingtan Village.
This was what truly excited him.
"Xing'er, Uncle He thanks you all. Back then, I was blind... That's wonderful... truly wonderful. By the way, you four siblings, were you really taken under the wing of a major figure?"
Su He's emotions were too agitated, a mix of gratitude and apology, making him somewhat incoherent. Yet, he finally voiced the biggest question in his heart.
"Uncle He, you had many children of your own. I understand perfectly well what the situation was back then. If we held any grudge against you, we wouldn't have sent such a large batch of supplies..."
Su Xing'er gave a faint smile. Su He's unwillingness to adopt the four of them was completely due to understandable circumstances. She had never held it against him. Moreover, looking back now, she should be grateful. If Su He hadn't refused to adopt them, where would the opportunity to later meet their master have come from?
After a moment of thought, she looked up and continued, "My three brothers and I have indeed become disciples under a major figure. Our return this time coincides with our master arranging some tasks for us..."
As Su Xing'er slowly explained their purpose, the agitation on Su He's face gradually faded, replaced first by shock, then ultimately by sheer astonishment. By the time Su Xing'er finished speaking, he was already completely stunned.
Su Xing'er wasn't in a hurry. She gave him ample time to react. Only when Su He's expression slowly returned to normal did she speak again, "Grandfather Su Lie secretly joined the Frost Ash Society long ago. Branch leaders from various locations have already secretly mobilized rebel forces within the laborer conscript teams. However, the number of troops Caiqiu is sending south this time is simply too large—a full 200,000. The rebel forces currently have less than 40,000 people in total. Worried the numbers are insufficient, I ordered Wu Heng to employ some methods to push Caiqiu into continuing to conscript able-bodied men..."
She paused here, then continued, "Qingyu Gully is the last stop for Caiqiu's army before entering the Bone-Erosion Path. The army arrives tonight. Our plan is to wait until dawn on the 3rd, once they enter the Bone-Erosion Path, for the rebel forces to quietly move out from behind and block the entrance to the Bone-Erosion Path..."
"Xing'er, this... this... Caiqiu's 200,000-strong army, they are all Warmth Realm soldiers! What use is it even if you rally a million-strong rebel force from the laborer conscripts?"
Unable to contain the astonishment in his heart, Su He finally interrupted Su Xing'er.
In the eyes of everyone in their Evergreen Valley, Caiqiu's army was no different from celestial soldiers and generals. Taking Qingtan Village as an example, the entire village only had 13 Warmth Realm cultivators. Meanwhile, even the most ordinary soldier in Caiqiu's army possessed Warmth Realm cultivation. Was there any comparison?
The entire Evergreen Valley population was just over 1.2 million. According to Su Xing'er's plan, pushing Caiqiu to continue conscripting laborers, even if the final laborer conscript force reached 400,000, and half of them were willing to rebel, that would still only be 200,000 people.
On the surface, the numbers seem similar to Caiqiu's army. The problem is, how many among these 200,000 would be at the Warmth Realm? Probably over ninety percent would be at the Digging Realm or Lumberjack Realm. Judging by the conscription situation in Qingtan Village tonight, Digging Realm cultivators might only make up ten to twenty percent.
A few thousand Warmth Realm, over ten thousand Digging Realm, and 180,000 Lumberjack Realm—what use are they against Caiqiu's army?
Su He actually knew about the Frost Ash Society. His father Su Lie told him as soon as he joined two years ago. He was a bit afraid at first, but later discovered the Frost Ash Society not only didn't demand anything from them but even periodically distributed cultivation resources. This allowed him to relax slightly.
Of course, Su He wasn't foolish. The Frost Ash Society was clearly a rebel force. Being so generous with investments meant they would certainly need them to act in the future.
He had always been curious about when the Frost Ash Society would finally call upon them.
Now that the moment had finally arrived, hearing such an earth-shattering matter, while his heart was filled with trepidation, there was also a strange sense of excitement. He even quickly helped Su Xing'er analyze the situation, concluding the likelihood of success was too low.
"Uncle He, dealing with Caiqiu's army doesn't rely on our rebel forces!"
However, Su Xing'er had obviously been prepared long ago.
After speaking, she smiled, a glint of cold light flashing in her eyes as she said, "Caiqiu's 200,000-strong army marching south is to oppose our master. The rebel forces are merely a backup plan. The army under our master's command is currently stationed on the other side of the Bone-Erosion Path. They are the main force dealing with Caiqiu's army!"
Hearing this, Su He's pupils trembled slightly, feeling both shocked and intensely curious about the master Su Xing'er spoke of.
To command an army, one must be a ruler of a territory. To engage in direct conflict with a powerful feudal town like Caiqiu... could it be that Su Xing'er's master was also the lord of a feudal town?
Had Su Xing'er actually become a disciple under a Fang Bo?
Gulp...
Intense envy suddenly rose within Su He's pupils, and even a trace of jealousy stirred in his heart.
But he quickly suppressed that inappropriate emotion, tightly clenched his fists, and said in a deep voice, "If that's the case, then I have nothing more to say. Xing'er, tell me, what do you need me to do?"
Although his father had only joined the Frost Ash Society for a year, he was utterly convinced of its ideals. Su He felt the same by extension. He never had any fondness for Caiqiu to begin with. Adding to that, this forced labor conscription had thrown the village into turmoil, and he harbored resentment in his heart.
His father Su Lie was a member of the Frost Ash Society. Such a major event affected everything. Su Xing'er's identity was clearly not simple. She had brought so many people personally to his door; he had no room to refuse.
Of course, the most important thing was that Su Xing'er's status was different now. Her specific visit to Qingtan Village to find him at this time proved he was useful. This likely concerned the future of Qingtan Village.
Su Xing'er had most likely become a disciple under a Fang Bo. If so, regardless of the outcome of this great battle, she would certainly be safe. Protecting a single Qingtan Village would be effortless for her, wouldn't it?
If the great battle was victorious, Qingtan Village might just follow Su Xing'er and her siblings onto a broad, prosperous path!
Thinking of this, Su He's heart grew considerably warmer. Facing Su Xing'er's instructions, he naturally became more enthusiastic.
What Su Xing'er needed him to do wasn't complicated: disguise the thirty-plus people she brought as able-bodied men from the village so they could blend into the laborer conscript team.
Such a small matter was naturally something Su He could handle well.
After Su Xing'er finished her instructions, Su He nodded, planning to go out and make arrangements. Suddenly remembering something, he turned back to look at Su Xing'er and asked in a low voice, "Xing'er, what is your position within the Frost Ash Society?"
Being able to arrange for all the branches in Evergreen Valley to rise up together clearly indicated Su Xing'er's identity was not simple. Su He was too curious, hence the question.
Su Xing'er remained silent for a moment before answering, "Headquarters Chief of the Qinghua City Frost Ash Society."
Su He's body trembled. He nodded and quickly walked out.
"Specifically arranging for us to join Qingtan Village's laborer conscript team—is it useful?"
After watching Su He leave, Su Jing asked curiously.
Su Xing'er nodded. "Of course it's useful. Although Qingtan Village is insignificant, it's very close to the Bone-Erosion Path and right next to the Administration Office location where Caiqiu manages the laborer conscripts. As long as we can ensure the laborer conscript team here successfully rebels, we can quickly destroy the temporary Administration Office headquarters Caiqiu set up, preventing them from issuing orders to all laborer conscript teams. This way, other locations will face much less control, and the rebellion can proceed more smoothly."
Su Jing pondered for a moment and quickly understood.
Caiqiu's first batch of conscripted laborers in Evergreen Valley numbered 100,000 people. These 100,000 were specifically tasked with clearing snow paths for the army, stretching at least seventy to eighty kilometers from north to south, relatively dispersed. Orders from the Administration Office were delivered by dedicated personnel running from team to team.
If they could eliminate the Administration Office headquarters near Qingtan Village, the laborer conscript teams would be completely unsupervised, making rebellion naturally smoother.
Of course, this was only the first batch.
The second batch of laborer conscription had already begun. Given Caiqiu's perverse actions, conscripting another two to three hundred thousand would probably be normal.
The more people, the harder it is to manage!
Harder to manage means it's easier for us to fish in troubled waters.
After clarifying his thoughts, Su Jing turned to look at the group of Frost Ash Society core members, his tone slightly invigorated, "We've been engaged in small-scale actions all this time. Cai Yunzhou and those several great commanders in Qinghua City don't even take us seriously. If we can coordinate with our master to heavily damage Caiqiu this time, the Qinghua City Headquarters will truly make a name for itself!"
Hearing this, everyone's expressions perked up slightly, including Su Xing'er.
As soon as they returned from Chencang at the end of last year, Su Xing'er immediately used the method provided by Ji Hong to contact the Qinghua City Headquarters of Caiqiu's Frost Ash Society.
The entire Qinghua City Headquarters actually had only eighteen Warmth Realm members, and their strength didn't even reach 10 Zong. The remaining three to four thousand members were all at the Digging Realm.
Compared to Chencang's Frost Ash Society, Caiqiu's branch of the society was indeed too weak.
Although Caiqiu also had a Frost Ash Society, it was an extension from its place of origin, Chencang. The difference in organizational structure and personnel strength wasn't just by a small margin.
Despite this, Su Xing'er wasn't discouraged. Relying on financial support from Chencang, she and her three brothers had, within a few short months, made the Qinghua City Headquarters vibrant and even organized several assassination operations around Qinghua City, targeting, of course, Caiqiu's corrupt officials.
Yet even so, limited by strength, the Qinghua City Headquarters still couldn't accomplish any major feats. Even the Frost Ash Society's reputation hadn't spread. The City Lord of Qinghua City, Cai Yunzhou, and the several Sun Manifestation Level commanders simply didn't take them seriously, not even bothering to pursue them with much effort.
A rebel organization like the Frost Ash Society should, in theory, remain hidden in the shadows and not be too conspicuous.
But that depends on the situation.
For a branch like Caiqiu's Frost Ash Society, which is just starting out and is too weak, it's difficult to recruit members without the support of reputation.
This operation to coordinate with their master against Caiqiu's army marching south is undoubtedly the best opportunity for their Qinghua City Headquarters to make a name for itself.
"Lord Xiang has already taken those people and blended into the laborer conscript team. We just need to wait for dawn, once Caiqiu's army enters the Bone-Erosion Path, to initiate the uprising. Take the Blood-Concealing Pills and set out!"
Seeing Su He return, knowing he had finished the arrangements, Su Xing'er immediately stood up, signaling everyone to take the pills. After some additional disguise, she led the group out.
Those sent by Caiqiu to manage the laborer conscript teams were actually ordinary Prefectural Guard Army soldiers. Although their strength wasn't considered very high, they still needed to put on a good disguise to avoid being recognized, which could affect the timing of the uprising.