Chapter 719 - 436: Sanshui County Warlord Hu Weibang! All the Unorthodox Sects Attack Lu Xuan

Chapter 719: Chapter 436: Sanshui County Warlord Hu Weibang! All the Unorthodox Sects Attack Lu Xuan

The Kingdom of Xiayu is a feudal-like state formed after the collapse of the previous dynasty’s imperial power, akin to the Republic of China’s era.

It is divided into thirteen states, with counties governing under each state.

Qingzhou, where Lu Xuan is currently located, lies in the southeast at a strategic crossroads for both water and land routes, abundant in resources, and therefore a region fiercely contested by military leaders, with incredibly complex internal factions.

The entire state consists of twenty counties, currently controlled by more than a dozen warlords of various sizes.

Just three days after Lu Xuan returned from General Mountain, a group of uninvited guests dressed in splendid attire appeared outside the city gates of Southern County.

The leading individual was a middle-aged scholar wearing gold-rimmed glasses and a neatly pressed Chinese tunic suit.

He held a mud-gold invitation card and called out loudly to the guards at the city wall, "I am Zhou Zhili, Secretary-General under Commander Hu of Sanshui County, here to pay respects to Marshal Lu and present a personal letter from my commander!"

The news quickly reached Lu Xuan’s villa.

"Marshal, that old fox Hu Weibang certainly acts swiftly." Deputy Mo presented the invitation with extreme caution, "The weasel pays respects to the chicken; surely there’s no good intention."

Lu Xuan took the invitation and lightly brushed the mud-gold lettering with his fingertips, dispersing a faint, sinister chill attempting to penetrate his body.

"A malevolent energy infused in the ink to confuse one’s mind? Such trivial skills."

Then, Lu Xuan unfolded the invitation, revealing Hu Weibang’s slick, humble wording.

The general idea was.

Having heard of Marshal Lu’s recent acquisition of ancient tomb treasures, I am greatly impressed.

However, possessing valuable treasures invites trouble, and with surrounding wolves with gleaming eyes, I fear the marshal may find it difficult to hold on alone.

Thus, I have prepared a modest banquet at "Wangjiang Tower" on the county border, with hopes to ally and strategize on defense against enemies, ensuring peace in our region together, and so forth.

After reading the contents of the invitation, Lu Xuan casually tossed it to Deputy Mo.

Deputy Mo quickly caught it and, along with the nearby Feng Shui Master, closely examined it.

After a moment, both their expressions changed drastically.

"Marshal, you must not go!" The Feng Shui Master was the first to speak, anxiously, "Wangjiang Tower is built by the river, its terrain complex, perfectly suited for ambush!

Moreover, Hu Weibang appears virtuous on the surface but is deceitful within, with his network covering all walks of life. He must have sinister forces assisting him."

"This banquet may well be a Hongmen Banquet, designed specifically to entrap the Marshal!"

Deputy Mo immediately followed with his advice, "Marshal, the Master’s words are spot on! Hu Weibang is nicknamed ’Smiling Tiger,’ infamous for hiding a knife behind his smile."

A hint of ruthlessness showed on his face as he lowered his voice, "His invitation is by no means for alliance but clearly out of envy for our haul from General Mountain and greed for our three counties!"

"He’s just trying to use such a despicable means to defeat our Southern Army!"

"If you ask me, we might as well ignore him, or..." Deputy Mo’s eyes flashed with malice, and he made a chopping gesture, "have our men lead a squad and ambush at Wangjiang Tower in advance, taking the initiative to strike first!

Directly take out that old fox Hu Weibang, then seize the opportunity to annex his Sanshui County!"

Upon saying this, the Feng Shui Master also slightly nodded, evidently seeing it as a good opportunity.

Though the Southern Army occupies three counties, they are mostly barren mountain land with limited yield.

In contrast, Hu Weibang’s occupied Sanshui County has water and land ports, thriving commerce, and fertile lands, being the richest among the neighboring counties, long eye-catching to the Southern Army.

Hu Weibang covets the Southern Army’s three counties and ancient relics, but hasn’t the Southern Army equally ogled his fabulously wealthy Sanshui County?

This chaotic world is essentially a hunting ground of mutual devouring.

From ancient to modern times, the best way to deal with enemies is to hold a meeting.

This method has always proven effective, and how could Lu Xuan not understand this?

Fittingly, he also wants to ease up a bit, and as long as the other party dares to attend the meeting, Lu Xuan guarantees they will find no aid from heaven or earth!

"You two take one thousand elites and wait five miles outside Wangjiang Tower."

"This Marshal will go in person."

"Marshal, you mustn’t!"

Deputy Mo and the Feng Shui Master were stunned at first, then their faces drastically changed, nearly simultaneously blurting in persuasion.

The Marshal personally heading into danger was far too risky.

"This Marshal has his own arrangements."

Deputy Mo and the Feng Shui Master shivered all over, every word of dissuasion stuck in their throats as they quickly bowed deeply.

"Yes! Marshal! We obey!"

It was only then that they suddenly realized—the person before them was no longer the Marshal who once needed their constant protection.

This Marshal was a Land Immortal freely crafting Divine Talismans, tearing Flying Corpses apart, and summoning heavenly might!

Indeed, with many Divine Talismans as protective charms and unpredictable Divine Techniques.

Let alone handling a "Smiling Tiger," he could surely singlehandedly compete for the world!

Their erstwhile worries appeared so redundant and laughable in the face of absolute power.

When the two raised their heads again, their eyes displayed nothing but absolute reverence and fervent faith.

Hu Weibang, the Smiling Tiger, was destined to vanish completely from the world this time.

And that wealthy Sanshui County would undoubtedly fall into the hands of the Southern Army!

The next day, Wangjiang Tower.

The tower stood solitary by the river, offering splendid views, with noticeably more robust "staff" patrolling the premises, sharp-eyed with bulging waists.

In the top-floor elegant room, the riverside window was wide open, the river breeze gently lifting the delicate silk curtains.

The feast was prepared, an array of mountain and sea delicacies beautifully arranged.

Upon seeing Lu Xuan enter, Hu Weibang on the host’s seat noticeably lit up with an almost imperceptible gleam of shrewdness and contempt in his eyes upon noticing Lu Xuan only brought along fifty or so soldiers.

Yet he instantly put on a face brimming with enthusiastic smiles, rising from his seat to greet him.

"Oh, Marshal Lu! Your esteemed arrival truly graces this humble place! Please take the seat of honor!"