Chapter 582: Ice Sculpture King
Ice Sculpture Capital.
Within an alchemy laboratory.
The coffin-like healing pod opened its lid, immediately releasing a thick cloud of mist.
From the pale green mist, Hua Tang slowly sat up, then rose and stepped out of the chamber.
“Cough, cough.” He coughed twice, a faint metallic taste of blood immediately filling his mouth.
“Your injuries require two more treatments before full recovery,” Mei Lin's voice came from the alchemy broadcast device in the corner.
Hua Tang frowned. “Long Fu is clearly only silver level, yet his attack power is entirely at the gold level.”
“This contradicts the intelligence.”
Hua Tang had reviewed the duel footage between the dragonman youngster and Teng Dong Lang.
Mei Lin dismissed this with indifference. "He also killed the Axe Gang leader, Jia Bing, and Lin. Personally, I suspect his fight with Teng Dong Lang was a carefully staged spectacle, performed under the spotlight."
“You genuinely believe he's only silver level?”
Hua Tang nodded slightly. “Perhaps you're right.”
“He possesses remarkably sophisticated disguise techniques. His true strength extends far beyond this.”
“Who knows? He might publicly announce his ‘promotion’ to gold level soon enough.”
At this point, Hua Tang sighed deeply. “I acted recklessly this time.”
“I should have heeded your advice, rested, adjusted my condition, and then launch a surprise attack.”
“Now it's too late. The mistake is done, and the commotion I've stirred will inevitably trigger a major investigation by the Kingdom's authorities.”
Mei Lin tried to console him: “Hua Tang, you really shouldn't blame yourself so much.”
“Truthfully, you didn't have many opportunities.”
"Even if you rested, could you have fully unleashed your combat power? In that surprise attack just now, you simply didn't have enough time."
“And I cannot mobilize military forces to help you breach the Li Jian Clan's defenses or pinpoint Long Fu's exact movements.”
“So, waiting longer won't grant you a suitable moment to strike either.”
"You know as well as I do that the National Ceremony is imminent. The capital's defenses will only tighten, and your status severely limits your options."
“That's precisely why I agreed to your attack.”
Hua Tang raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Wasn't it because I was seething with rage at the time, and you knew you couldn't force me to obey?"
Mei Lin chuckled softly. “Of course, I admit that played a part too.”
She continued, “I'm quite satisfied with the outcome of this mission.”
“You uncovered crucial intelligence.”
“For instance, Long Fu secretly worships the Empire's War God, not the Justice God he ostensibly serves.”
“This faith deepens his suspicion. I now strongly doubt the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps is backed by arms dealers, it might be the Empire itself.”
Hua Tang's expression hardened. “You mean they could be secret agents of the Sheng Ming Empire?”
Mei Lin replied, “My suspicions began when I saw they landed at Snow Bird Harbor.”
“Within the kingdom, the political faction led by Snow Bird Harbor City Lord is explicitly pro-Empire.”
“Now, the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps are collaborating with the Li Jian Clan, their partnership is unusually close.”
Hua Tang pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly in agreement. “Indeed, their involvement in this matter is highly suspicious.”
“Once my injuries heal, I will continue my pursuit!”
Mei Lin countered, “Hua Tang, among all duelists, you are unique.”
“Cease your reconnaissance efforts.”
“Judging by the severity of your wounds this time, Long Fu possesses the capability to eliminate you.”
“With the National Ceremony approaching, the capital's defenses and surveillance will reach peak levels. It's not the time for you to continue operating so openly.”
“Your gains from this operation are already substantial.”
“Long Fu has been struck by your Flower Willow battle skill. That's not something easily dispelled.”
Hua Tang immediately protested, unwilling to accept this: “You want me to stop now?”
“Then what was the point of me rushing back through all this hardship?”
“While the Flower Willow battle skill is unique and hard to counter, killing Long Fu outright is the most reliable solution, isn't it?”
Mei Lin sighed deeply. “We can't solve problems too directly.”
“Based on current intelligence, the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps is likely the Imperial Secret Spy Agency's representative force abroad!”
“If we eliminate Long Fu and wipe out the mercenary corps outright, we'll likely draw fierce retaliation from the Empire's spies.”
“And with the Empire's vast resources, dispatching another mercenary corps like this would be effortless for them.”
Hua Tang fell silent.
Their assumptions were wildly off the mark.
But it wasn't surprising.
For up until now, the strength and methods the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps had displayed to the outside world had clearly surpassed those of ordinary arms smugglers.
In Mei Lin's view, which clandestine faction possessed such capabilities?
Within the Ice Sculpture Kingdom, aside from the duelists, only the Imperial Secret Spy Agency possessed such capabilities.
Zi Di could never have imagined that during her moments of tension, her adversary, Mei Lin, whom she perceived as the mastermind behind the mysterious forces—was equally anxious, even hesitant to act for fear of unintended consequences.
Mei Lin stated, “To counter the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps, we must employ subtle tactics.”
“We can leverage the Alchemy Guild or use Mi Fang to influence the Jing Xiang Clan, launching a full-scale blockade against the dragon rider potion trade.”
“I also plan to deploy a large number of silver level fighters to challenge Long Fu.”
Most gold level duelists were unwilling to risk challenging Long Fu. Mei Lin couldn't command them effectively either.
Besides, Mei Lin didn't want to take excessive risks, these gold level fighters were precious assets.
Her side had already suffered heavy losses.
Hua Tang's injuries served as a stark reminder to Mei Lin. Even a formidable fighter like him was now gravely wounded. What would happen if more gold level fighters arrived?
Gold level fighters were unusable, but silver level fighters were viable. Even if they suffered casualties, it wouldn't be a major issue. Such losses were bearable.
After pondering, Hua Tang approved Mei Lin's follow-up plan: “This plan is sound. The National Ceremony is imminent.”
“The National Ceremony Grand Duel will draw all aspiring warriors.”
“Long Fu has been the most prominent figure in the kingdom lately.”
"Facing a silver level challenge, he won't back down. If he refuses the duel, his reputation will plummet, losing his current favorable position."
“The reason Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps' potions sell so well is largely because buyers recognize Long Fu's strength.”
“Should he avoid the fight, potion sales will inevitably plummet.”
“But if he accepts the duel, he'll have even less time to find a solution for the battle skill, Flower Willow.”
“Exhausting him with constant battles, weakening him step by step until the Flower Willow blooms, that will be his end!”
Mei Lin smiled. “There's no need to wait that long.”
“Once he's weakened sufficiently, other gold level fighters can step in and publicly challenge him.”
“Perhaps we won't even need our own people to intervene.”
“A national duel of this scale, has any ever failed to attract outsiders of gold level?”
The Ice Sculpture Castle served as the residence of the Ice Sculpture Kingdom's royal family and the political heart of the entire realm.
It stood atop the Ten Millenia Ice Lake, at the very heart of the Ice Sculpture Capital.
White ice bricks formed towering walls and soaring turrets, embodying the architectural aesthetic of the snow elves.
A study.
The Snow Elf King slowly placed the intelligence report before him on the desk.
As ruler of the Ice Sculpture Kingdom, he possessed the striking beauty of a pure-blooded snow elf alongside the sternness befitting a ruler.
His snow-white eyebrows were slender yet straight as swords.
Beneath them, his eyes radiated a cold, piercing light.
This cold light fell upon the figure standing across the desk, an elderly snow elf clad in white robes, his temples frosted with silver.
“Teacher,” the Snow Elf King inquired, “should we continue to retain the Wisteria Merchant Alliance?”
After the Wisteria Merchant Alliance was divided among the major factions of the Sheng Ming Empire, most of their holdings within the Ice Sculpture Kingdom were likewise seized by local powers.
Only one Wisteria shop remained, the one in the royal capital.
The royal family had withdrawn.
They had detected the movements of imperial spies.
Facing the king's inquiry, the snow elf elder replied slowly, “Enemies in the open are always easier to deal with than those lurking in the shadows, Your Majesty.”
This snow elf elder was none other than the Royal Family Grand Magician.
Like the king, they were both transcendents of the saint level.
"The imperial spies struck within the shop. Who were they targeting? Do you have any idea, Teacher?" the king pressed.
The elder shook his head slightly. “With the National Ceremony approaching, it's no surprise rats have infiltrated.”
The king grew impatient, his voice rising slightly. “Teacher, you know what I mean.”
The royal grand magician sighed softly. “Your Majesty, you wish to ask: since they are enemies of the Imperial Secret Spy Agency, might they be useful to us? Is that correct?”
“But I believe, with the National Ceremony approaching, it is unnecessary to abandon the main objective for minor details.”
The king shook his head. “I want to achieve success in both the minor details and the main objective!”
“Intelligence indicates that combat didn't occur solely within the Wisteria shop. Subsequently, the secret agents initiated a teleportation, continuing their clash within the alchemy laboratory at the ice lake.”
“The target that could provoke such a major operation from the Imperial Secret Spy Agency is no ordinary matter.”
“Follow-up investigations revealed the alchemy lab was breached by a micro-submarine, followed by a chase sequence.”
“The Imperial Secret Spy Agency failed to intercept the micro-submarine. They likely withdrew voluntarily, concerned about causing too much commotion.”
"To survive an ambush, evade the Imperial Secret Spy Agency, and still receive backup, I find this faction highly intriguing."
The Royal Grand Magician nodded. “A force capable of clashing with the Imperial Secret Spy Agency is indeed formidable.”
“Your Majesty, you suspect they might be an enemy nation opposing the Sheng Ming Empire, correct?”
“But forming alliances and shifting partnerships is no simple matter.”
“Your thirteenth brother is about to return.”
The Snow Elf King's expression darkened slightly. “With the National Ceremony approaching, he ought to make an appearance.”
He turned back to the subject at hand, “I hope I can contact this power as soon as possible.”
“I have a premonition; this faction is far from ordinary.”