Just when everything was ready, all that was missing was the east wind. (Meaning: all preparations were complete except for a crucial final element.)
The convoy transporting pills ran into trouble.
To break into Greatsword State in one move, this escort convoy carried a full five hundred third-grade Breakthrough Pills and a thousand fourth-grade Profound Pills, plus several thousand other pills.
This batch of pills was worth a fortune, so the convoy was led by a Grandmaster-level expert.
For someone to successfully swallow up the entire convoy without a single message leaking out—and for it to happen inside Rift-Heaven Sword Sect territory—the culprit is obvious.
Rift-Heaven Sword Sect is famous for being domineering. All the family powers in their territory keep a very low profile, and there are only a handful that can even field a Grandmaster.
Heh! Rift-Heaven Sword Sect, so unreliable!
Ian Song’s smile was cold. He’d already given Rift-Heaven Sword Sect plenty of face by trading third-grade Breakthrough Pills and fourth-grade Profound Pills with them, and now they dared to hijack his pill convoy? Did they really think Ian Song was made of mud?
Someone, go invite Elder Duanmu!
Soon, Cole Chong Duan arrived.
Sect Master, do you have any instructions? Cole Chong Duan asked respectfully.
Ian Song didn’t say anything, just handed the intelligence report straight to Cole Chong Duan.
After reading the report, Cole Chong Duan’s expression darkened. “Sect Master, do you have any suspects?”
Ian Song nodded. “It’s probably Rift-Heaven Sword Sect.”
Cole Chong Duan nodded. “Indeed, they’re the most suspicious.”
Do you have any ideas on how to handle this, Elder Duanmu? Ian Song asked again.
Cole Chong Duan frowned. “Rift-Heaven Sword Sect is powerful, and we’ve only just stabilized. It’s not wise to clash with them. Why not have the Chamber of Commerce withdraw from their territory?”
Hearing this, Ian Song secretly shook his head. Cole Chong Duan’s idea of retreating to advance was indeed cautious, but if the Chamber of Commerce backed down now, other sects might see it as weak and start hijacking pill convoys just like Rift-Heaven Sword Sect.
Exchanging Spirit Medicine for pills costs something, but hijacking a convoy is pure profit.
If this starts, nine out of ten sects will probably take the risk.
That’s why this time, we have to kill the chicken to scare the monkeys—let Rift-Heaven Sword Sect and the other sects see what the Alliance Chamber of Commerce can do.
When are the Alliance pill shops in Greatsword State scheduled to open? Ian Song asked.
Cole Chong Duan replied, “Since we’re worried about delays, the escort teams always set out three days early. There are still about fifteen hours before the two shops open!”
Ian Song serves as Alliance Leader, overseeing everything.
The two Vice Leaders, Jason Chen and Cole Chong Duan, assist Ian Song in commanding the Alliance Army.
Cole Chong Duan helps Ian Song manage all Chamber of Commerce affairs.
Ian Song nodded. “Then send another batch of pills!”
Hearing this, Cole Chong Duan couldn’t help showing worry. “Sect Master, isn’t this too risky? What if the second convoy gets hijacked too?”
I’ll escort them myself! Ian Song said, eyes narrowed with a cold gleam.
Hearing that Ian Song was going to personally deliver the pills, Cole Chong Duan was shocked and quickly urged, “Sect Master, you can’t! It’s too risky. Let me go instead!”
No need to persuade me, Elder Duanmu—I’ve made up my mind. Besides, I’ll bring a Copper-Mask with me! Ian Song said, waving his hand.
Hearing this, Cole Chong Duan suddenly remembered that his Sect Master had three Martial Saints under him.
With a Martial Saint along, there was nothing to worry about.
An hour later.
A team of more than twenty set out from Pristine Way Sect toward Greatsword State.
Ian Song was accompanied by Old Ox, but both had changed their appearances. At Ian’s request, Old Ox suppressed his cultivation to late-stage Grandmaster.
Of the more than twenty companions, twenty were Grandmaster-level martial artists. The other two, Elder Warren and Elder Hu, had once escorted Ian Song to Sea Emperor City.
Because the journey was long, the convoy split into two flying Spirit-Bird beasts.
Back then, Elder Warren and Elder Hu escorted Ian Song to Sea Emperor City when he was still an Inner Sect disciple. Now, Ian Song was Sect Master of Pristine Way.
Seeing Ian Song again, both elders were quite emotional.
The Spirit-Bird beasts were extremely fast; by evening, they’d reach Spirit-Sky City in Greatsword State.
Since Ian Song and Old Ox had changed their appearances, only Elder Warren and Elder Hu, the public leaders, knew their identities. The rest of the team was unaware.
Flying was boring work, so apart from one or two keeping watch, most sat cross-legged on the beasts’ backs, cultivating.
In a flash, more than five hours passed. The team entered Greatsword State, with just half an hour left to reach Spirit-Sky City.
Up ahead was a huge valley, shrouded in mist all year round.
Ian Song activated his Clairvoyant Vision, eyes turning cold. He quietly signaled Elder Hu and Elder Warren, who, catching his hint, began circulating their true qi, ready for action.