Translator: AnubisTL
The situation unfolded as Gu Feng had anticipated. With the crackdown in the first two months, the smugglers in the swamp area had sensed the danger, and their numbers visibly decreased.
Sometimes, there would be no trace of smugglers for three consecutive days. Even when they appeared, they were often experts at the peak of the Innate Realm, at the eighth or ninth level.
Whenever such experts appeared, chaos inevitably ensued, resulting in numerous cultivators getting injured.
Since the smugglers held the initiative, even Chu Youhuan, the strongest in their team, couldn't intercept them and could only watch helplessly as they forced their way through.
Given the increasing number of casualties, Gu Feng decisively ordered a slowdown in the capture operations, shifting the focus to personal cultivation improvement.
On this day, Sima Juncong returned to the swamp area once again.
"How did it go? Did you get the document?" Gu Feng immediately approached him and asked eagerly.
"It's not that fast. This thing needs to be sent to the capital for approval. It'll take at least ten days to half a month before we get a response!" Sima Juncong replied with a shrug.
"Can you ensure the document will be approved?" Chu Youhuan stepped forward, voicing her doubts.
This document could essentially determine the outcome of the two factions' competition in guarding the border. The approval process was extremely difficult, with constant back-and-forth. Under normal circumstances, it could take years to reach a conclusion.
"Hehe, if it were handed over to the relevant departments, of course, it wouldn't get approved. But I didn't take the conventional route!" Sima Juncong smiled mysteriously, with a hint of pride.
"What method did you use?" Gu Feng asked curiously.
"Hahaha, I secretly stamped the application with my father's seal and slipped it into his monthly military report sent to the capital. The report goes directly to the Emperor."
Sima Juncong proudly explained, his method sending chills down Gu Feng and Chu Youhuan's spines.
Military reports were sacred, related to the nation's border defense. They passed through checkpoints directly to the imperial court, and no one dared to question them along the way.
Your audacity is truly something—not only did you secretly stamp Grand Marshal Sima's seal, but you also slipped it into the military report. This matter could be big or small. If someone were to accuse you, it wouldn't be excessive to sentence your entire family to death.
"Relax, I'm my father's only son. He'll definitely be furious, but in the end, he'll have to grit his teeth and accept it!
The Northern Frontier Marshal has the authority to set up border checkpoints. As long as my father acknowledges it, it's an impeccable, officially approved procedure!"
"Uh—your strategy of acting first and reporting later, forcing your way into the position, is quite impressive," Gu Feng said, scratching his nose, at a loss for words.
"Why don't you ask me what confidence I have to ensure the Emperor's approval?"
"I don't know, tell me!"
"I wrote in the application that establishing border checkpoints in the swamp area wouldn't cost the nation a single coin. Instead, it would generate revenue and pay taxes to the nation, estimated to be no less than 1 billion annually!"
"1 billion? Low-grade Spirit Stones?"
"Of course, Mid-Grade Spirit Stones!"
"Isn't that a lie? 1 billion Mid-Grade Spirit Stones equals 100 billion Low-grade Spirit Stones. The total annual revenue might not even reach that amount!" Chu Youhuan rolled her eyes, nearly fainting. Deceiving the Emperor—that's a serious crime.
"I said 'preliminary estimate,' which means 'uncertain.' Gu Feng, don't you think I did a great job?" Sima Juncong shot a disdainful glance at Chu Youhuan before turning to Gu Feng, asking proudly.
"Very well, since it's just a 'preliminary estimate' and 'uncertain,' you should directly write 100 billion.
The position you stand in isn't high enough; 10 billion isn't very attractive to a nation, but 100 billion is a different story!
Next time, if there's such an application, make sure to exaggerate as much as possible—don't stop until you scare people to death!" Gu Feng said in a lecturing tone.
"Understood!"
Watching the two of them with their heads together, giggling, Chu Youhuan felt as if the head on her neck was swaying.
After fantasizing about the future for a while, they began to feast on Spirit Wine and roasted meat.
Not long after they started drinking, Sima Juncong, as if possessed, suddenly slapped his forehead, "How could I have forgotten about this!"
Gu Feng, sitting across from him, gave him a puzzled look, "What's gotten into you? You scared me so much I spilled my wine."
"First, let me make it clear—you can't take this treasure. It belongs to my father, the Grand Marshal, and must be returned after use."
Sima Juncong opened his Storage Ring, carefully closed it again, and spoke to Gu Feng with utmost seriousness.
"What do you take me for? Didn't I return the 'Hundred Birds Glazed Carriage' to you? If you insult me like this again, I really will start taking things by force!" Gu Feng clenched his fist, causing Sima Juncong to shrink his neck.
"Take a look, what is this?" Sima Juncong took out a pitch-black ring-shaped object, dotted with stars, several times larger than an ordinary bracelet.
"A top-grade Mystic Artifact?" Gu Feng shouted, reaching out to grab it, but then, remembering his earlier words, he awkwardly scratched his head.
"Exactly, a top-grade Mystic Artifact. Do you know what special function it has?"
Without waiting for Gu Feng to answer, Sima Juncong demonstrated. He took off his Storage Ring, placed it several meters away, and then channeled Spiritual Power into the bracelet. A miraculous scene unfolded—the bracelet instantly sucked the Storage Ring back.
"This 'Night of Stars' is a Mystic Artifact my father conceived a few years ago. Its function is very simple: to absorb weapons.
My father said that in large-scale wars, the greatest casualties aren't caused by high-level cultivators, but by Spiritual Arrows!
Spiritual Arrows raining down like a storm are incredibly powerful. Even if you're a Spirit Nurturing Realm cultivator, it's hard to withstand them, and for lower-level cultivators, it's even more devastating.
This 'Night of Stars' was born to absorb Spiritual Arrows.
Unfortunately, it's only a top-grade Mystic Artifact. We couldn't find a Rune Master to add a Rune to it, which would have elevated it to an Earth-grade Artifact!" At this point, Sima Juncong sounded regretful.
The difference between a top-grade Mystic Artifact and an Earth-grade Artifact is just one Rune, but that one Rune is like an insurmountable chasm. Grand Marshal Sima eventually shelved it.
"When I stole this 'Night of Stars,' I tried it out, and to my surprise, it could even absorb Storage Rings!"
"Hahaha, fantastic! With this treasure, we can retrieve the Storage Rings buried beneath the swamp!"
Gu Feng was truly ecstatic. Beneath the swamp lay Storage Rings accumulated over countless years. When he first arrived here, he had thought about salvaging them, but the swamp was bottomless, teeming with poisonous insects and terrifying Black Crocodiles, making it impossible.
Gu Feng had once consulted Zhu Qingyan, who informed him that to retrieve the storage rings from within, one either needed exceptional strength or to craft a corresponding artifact. However, both options seemed far out of reach for Gu Feng.
"Senior Zhu, what do you think of this 'Night of Stars'?" Gu Feng caressed the Night of Stars, silently inquiring Zhu Qingyan in his heart.
"Surprisingly, even in this remote cultivation world, low-level cultivators can have such ingenious ideas. This Mystic Artifact is quite good, but the craftsmanship and the engraving of the runes are subpar. It has reached its limit as a top-tier Mystic Artifact. Adding another rune would cause it to collapse!" Zhu Qingyan's tone carried a hint of regret.
"So, is it feasible to retrieve the storage rings from the bottom of the swamp?" Gu Feng was only concerned about this.
"It is feasible, but with your current strength, it will be quite strenuous!"
"Strenuous is fine, as long as it works!"
At this point, Gu Feng looked up at Sima Juncong: "What are we waiting for? Let's give it a try!"
"Alright!"
All nine hundred cultivators gathered together. Sima Juncong briefly explained the precautions, and he took control of the Night of Stars while the others channeled their Spiritual Power.
"Boom—"
The Night of Stars activated, dazzling and beautiful, with specks of light scattering, illuminating the swamp area, making it seem as if they were under a starry sky.
"Come on!"
"Roar—"
"Everyone, be careful not to exert too much force. A top-tier Mystic Artifact at full power could drain us dry in an instant!"
Whoosh—
Under Sima Juncong's control, the Night of Stars shot out a beam of light, plunging into the swamp.
"Have you sensed any storage rings?"
"Not yet!"
"Then let's move it slowly!"
The diameter of the light beam was only one foot, so it couldn't guarantee that a storage ring would be within its range.
They moved slowly, and after advancing about ten meters, Sima Juncong suddenly shouted, "I've sensed one!"
"Follow my command, lift!"
The swamp area covered by the light beam began to bubble and boil, emitting gurgling sounds.
After pulling for about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, a rusted storage ring flew out of the swamp.
"Hahaha, it really works!"
This sight invigorated everyone!
"Let's open it and see."
The storage ring was ancient, and the Spirit Herbs inside had all decayed, but the Artifact Crafting Materials had withstood the test of time and remained intact.
"Brothers and sisters, this storage ring is worth about two million!"
"Hahaha, great!"
"Let's keep going and retrieve all the storage rings from the swamp."
"..."
With the first experience under their belt, Gu Feng divided the nine hundred people into ten groups, taking turns to activate the Night of Stars. After all, the artifact consumed too much energy, and each group could only activate it twice before needing to return to the Array Formation to recover.
"You should also train a couple of trusted individuals and teach them how to operate the Night of Stars. As a deputy marshal, you shouldn't have to handle such trivial matters yourself!"
Originally, Sima Juncong was reluctant to teach others how to operate the artifact, but Gu Feng's reasoning was sound. As a deputy marshal of the army, he should be stationed at the central command, directing the troops. These minor tasks didn't require his personal attention.
"Chu Youhuan, I will teach you how to use the Dark Night Stars, but you must ensure that this item is not lost!" Sima Juncong approached Chu Youhuan, puffing out his chest and speaking loudly. Due to his short stature, he had to stand on his tiptoes while speaking.
One of the reasons he was willing to become the deputy marshal of the Swamp Army was to have the opportunity to give orders to Chu Youhuan, which he found extremely satisfying.
"Teach me or not, I can't guarantee it won't be lost!" Chu Youhuan retorted with a pout.
"What attitude is that? I am the deputy marshal, the second most prestigious person in the Swamp Army!"
"Sorry, but I'm also a deputy marshal, so we're equals!" Chu Youhuan smiled triumphantly.
"What? You're also a deputy marshal?" Sima Juncong was stunned and looked at Gu Feng in confusion.
"Ahem, the Swamp Army is different from other armies. There are many deputy marshals, such as the 'First Deputy Marshal,' 'Second Deputy Marshal'...
Sima Juncong has contributed the most to the Swamp Army for now, so he is temporarily the 'First Deputy Marshal'!"
First Deputy Marshal, and only temporarily?
Sima Juncong's head was spinning. He felt that his position was somewhat unstable and could be replaced at any moment.
"Fine, I'll teach you. Just try not to lose it."
...
Capital, Grand Harmony Academy.
"Reporting to the Academy Head, today His Majesty approved an application 'Regarding the Establishment of a New Border Checkpoint.'
This has caused a bit of chaos among those on the other side!"
(End of the Chapter)
📚 Read [FD] on Patreon.com/AnubisTL – Up to c234. [+2]
☕ Support me to keep this going.
🎯 Translated [2] Novel [400k+] Words and counting!