Castle of Black Iron

The new year's eve of the 905th year of Black Iron Calendar arrived too early. After returning to Blackwater Base for 3 days, the last day of the 904th year of Black Iron Calendar had slid away unconsciously...

After heavy snow overnight, many provinces in Peacewest Military Region had been covered with snow. The east side and the west side of Helan Mountain Range were both covered in heavy snow. Even the flowing Weishui River had been frozen with thick ice.

Due to the dull weather, people couldn't see the Faerie-Dragon Star that rose from the east. However, the loud drumbeats that drifted from Xuanyuan Fortress last night cheered these Hua knights up and reminded them of the arrival of a new year.

Besides knights who executed routine inspection and performed tasks, all the knights in Xuanyuan Fortress and the other bases welcomed a rare 2-day leave since they entered the Western Theater of Operations.

Both scholars and fighters should be relaxed. During this period when demons slowed down their attack, knights in Taixia Country also welcomed their first new year in the theater of operations. All the knights finally had a chance to relax themselves.

Because they were forbidden to leave Xuanyuan Fortress and the other bases too far away, all the bars and likewise places across Xuanyuan Fortress were filled to capacity at once.

...

"Weiji General? Commander-in-Chief appointed you as Weiji General?"

After hearing Zhang Tie's words, Feng Cangwu stopped drinking immediately as he tilted his head and watched Zhang Tie with widely opened eyes who was looking at the scenery outside the crystal French window in an interesting way.

Feng Cangwu and Zhang Tie were in the Brilliance Tower inside Xuanyuan Fortress. This tower was the most boisterous place in Xuanyuan Fortress. Like that brilliance tower in Lion Fortress, this brilliance tower also had a lot of functional areas. Knights inside this theater of operations could exchange for element crystals with their booties here. The 81-storey tower was also matched with the largest knights' bar and dining hall across Xuanyuan Fortress, where knights could consume and relax themselves. Of course, as for many people, the most attractive place in the entire Brilliance Tower were two huge military exploits rankings in the lobby of the Brilliance Tower.

The military exploits of top 1,000 knights could be manifested on the rankings. The entire rankings were divided into rankings for black iron knights' military exploits; rankings for earth knights' military exploits and rankings for shadow knights' military exploits. The 3 rankings could cover over 99% of fighters joining the battle in the Western Theater of Operations. Their military exploits would be confirmed as long as they were confirmed and counted.

As for heavenly knights' military exploits, it was hard to manifest them on the rankings simply. In fact, as long as a heavenly knight was in the base or the fortress, he would shock demons greatly. Additionally, as heavenly knights had supreme positions, every movement of them might be related to the confidential affairs. It was evidently irreverent to rank heavenly knights here. Additionally, confidential affairs might be leaked by ranking heavenly knights' military exploits. Therefore, there were no rankings of heavenly knights' military exploits in all the Brilliance Towers.

The accumulated points of military exploits indicated one's battle strength and honor. Besides, they could also exchange for anything they wanted with these accumulated points inside Xuanyuan Fortress such as element crystals, wealth, land even various advanced cultivation methods and battle skills collected by the royal households of Taixia Country which were very practical and enticing.

The highest cultivation method which could be exchanged by these accumulated points were duke-level classics. Of course, those knights couldn't cultivate another cultivation method. However, if possible, that knight could designate one of his posterities or disciples to accept the enlightenment of the duke-level cultivation method. So many knights and major clans exerted their full efforts to fight demons for this reward.

Additionally, such rankings were almost a rehearsal on the Heavens Fortune Rankings later on, through which people who ranked top would be conferred with dukedom. As long as they left their names on the rankings, most of them on the rankings might become noblemen and benefit their offsprings; even be conferred as dukes. All the people on the rankings would be the pillars of Taixia Country in the future.

The square of the Brilliance Tower was always crowded with knights who were here to observe the rankings. Of course, the figures on the rankings became the focus of the public too.

In each holy war, Taixia Country would set the military exploits rankings in the theater of operations. Such a method was simple, direct and effective. Even the figures among the top 7 sects would like to compete in front of the rankings. No matter what they were pursuing for, fame, benefits, face or vanity, they could always find a reason to pay attention to this military exploits rankings.

Watching those knights commenting the figures on the rankings, Zhang Tie finally knew that the copycat military exploits that he saw in crystal fortress originated from here...

Zhang Tie might be interested in such rankings before; however, he didn't have any interest in it now. Even though his name also appeared on the rankings about military exploits of earth knights, Zhang Tie still didn't feel thrilled about it.

Zhang Tie's name appeared on the rankings 2 days ago. Xu Baoan the Cheji General of Wuzhou Province reported Zhang Tie's military exploits of killing 2 earth knights and 2 black iron knights to Xuanyuan Fortress. Besides Xu Baoan, there were other witnesses at present when Zhang Tie killed those demon knights. Therefore, after Xuanyuan Fortress approved it, Zhang Tie's name and his military exploits appeared on the rankings.

Additionally, if Zhang Tie could present other demon knights' heads, his rank would be higher on the rankings. However, Zhang Tie didn't feel like doing that at all.

In different realms, people would have different thoughts and demands. Someone might feel pleased with the rankings; however, Zhang Tie didn't think such rankings was meaningful to him. He didn't even want to catch people's attention.

However, after his name and military exploits appeared on the rankings, Taiyi Fantasy Sect's face was slapped forcefully in an indirect way too. Feng Yexiao couldn't even find a reason to find Zhang Tie trouble for Wen Qingkong anymore.

...

After hearing Feng Cangwu's words, Zhang Tie moved his eyes onto Feng Cangwu as he asked with a smile, "Are you surprised?"

"Of course surprised. If you leave the theater of operations, even though this position looks supreme, you've lost the chance to make more military exploits in the theater of operations. What will you use to compete with others if knights are requested to drop their blood on the tester to manifest their military exploits on Heavens Fortune Rankings for dukedom in the future? You should know that the only condition for conferring people with dukedom is the number of demons they kill. It doesn't work no matter how well you serve as Weiji General. Even if Taixia Country win this holy war by driving demons back to the underground world, whose name do you think will be remembered by people, Zuoqiu Mingyue or your name as Weiji General? Don't tell me that you don't want to be conferred with a dukedom or strive for a noble dukedom for your sons..." Feng Cangwu said while frowning.

As the private room of the bar on the 28th floor of Brilliance Tower was installed with a special device for the sake of rest, drinking and chat for knights, Feng Cangwu and Zhang Tie didn't need to worry about leaking the information to the public.

Feng Cangwu's attitude made Zhang Tie's heart pound as he recalled the event that Taiyi Fantasy Sect had already been preparing for the "doomsday grain seeds" secretly which was told by Lan Yunxi. 'However, it seems that the talented apprentice of Heavens Fortune Sect is still thinking about the affairs after humans win the holy war. Do the 2 top sects of Taixia Country have an utterly different judgment on the consequence of this holy war?'

"Do Heavens Fortune Sect feel that humans could still win the holy war in the end?" Zhang Tie asked Feng Cangwu straightforwardly.

"Have you heard other judgments?" Feng Cangwu also asked Zhang Tie straightforwardly. Given their bosom relationship, they indeed didn't need to talk in a roundabout way.

After considering it for a second, Zhang Tie said, "Someone among the top 7 sects might not think that humans could win this holy war!"

After hearing Zhang Tie's words, Feng Cangwu revealed a faint sneer at his mouth corners as he said, "Starting from the Catastrophe, in each holy war, there would be someone who felt that they had already seen the doomsday. However, Taixia finally survived all the doomsday fears. In each holy war, demons would be more powerful than last time; similarly, Taixia would also be more powerful. All the sects have their own strengths. However, speaking of heavens fortune, who else could match our Heavens Fortune Sect? As long as over 2 decades ago when this holy war broke out, some elders in our Heavens Fortune Sect had run the Heavens Fortune Rankings to only get one sentence——Hua people and Taixia Country would be vigorous forever. Therefore, we're confident to defeat demons in the end!"

"Hua people and Taixia Country would be vigorous forever. Is this the heavens fortune that Heavens Fortune Sect got?"

"Of course!" Feng Cangwu bottomed up his drink and made another cup for himself. Closely after that, he said, "According to elders of Heavens Fortune Sect, humans' heart has endless and mysterious strength; although humans would exhaust their strength physically, they would always have endless spiritual strength; heavens fortune is humans' heart. when humans' heart changes, the heavens fortune would change. If humans' heart is vigorous, humans would be vigorous forever; if humans' heart is lifeless, humans would lose the battle in the end. If humans' heart doesn't die, Hua people would not be exterminated. If demons want to exterminate humans, they have to kill humans spiritually. If demons want to subjugate Taixia Country, they have to wipe out their history."

"If demons want to exterminate humans, they have to kill humans spiritually..." After pondering this sentence for a few seconds, Zhang Tie finally felt being clear-minded as he said, "Thanks, I see..."

"See what?"

"I understand the most important thing that I should do after being appointed as Weiji General!" Zhang Tie smirked.

"Doesn't commander-in-chief favor your ability to produce Fiery Oil and do farming work? As an earth knight, it's amazing that you invented Fiery Oil; however, you're also good at farming work which would make people envy you pretty much. What else do you want to do in that title?" Feng Cangwu asked as he sighed with a feeling.

"I want to invent something that could enable commoners or low-level fighters to kill knights; at least common cities could resist knight-level demon knights..." Zhang Tie said seriously.

"Do you want to deal knights with Fiery Oil? But Fiery Oil is not too destructive to demons even if you use too much of it. Do you want to make alchemist's bombs? Do you know how difficult it is to make an alchemist's bomb?" Feng Cangwu thought about alchemist's bombs at once.

"No!" Zhang Tie shook his head as he said, "But I feel that I should have other methods except for alchemist's bombs..."

Feng Cangwu looked at Zhang Tie for a few seconds. Then, he suddenly burst out into laughter as he pointed at the square outside and said, "If you could really make such a thing, I will marry that woman..."

Zhang Tie looked over there along Feng Cangwu's finger. He then saw a "female knight" standing in front of the rankings about military exploits of black iron knights in an imposing manner. With scarlet lipstick over her lips, jewelry and a big red flower on her head, the woman was even stronger than men. Watching the names on the rankings, she was grinning like a rotten pear.

This woman was followed by some knight bodyguards. At the sight of this "female knight", all the male knights hurriedly gave way to her. Wherever this female knight's eye light reached, those male knights would instantly become mandarin ducks as they would slide away while covering their faces by hand.

"Boring. How could these people always want to catch my attention in this way? Why not something fresh? This lady will not come here anymore..." The female knight stomped her foot as she twisted her body. Zhang Tie couldn't hear what she said due to the sound isolator in this room; however, any knights who had acquired lipreading skill knew what the female knight was talking about through the shape of her mouth. At the sight of that female knight, Zhang Tie immediately felt like vomiting. It felt more afflictive than seeing a tough man with whisker twisting his butt with orchid fingers.

"Who's she?" Zhang Tie hurriedly turned around and asked Feng Cangwu.

"The princess of Lord Jingtian's Mansion. The only daughter of Lord Jingtian's Mansion. It's strange that Lord Jingtian has dozens of sons and only one daughter. Therefore, he treasures her very much. This time, the princess of Lord Jingtian's Mansion is especially here to select her husband. Lord Jingtian has long released the notice that he would at least use 10 Class A cities as his daughter's dowry..."

"Well, I've borne it in mind!" Zhang Tie nodded forcefully as he watched Feng Cangwu with a malicious eye light and said, "If this girl doesn't find her Mr. Right, I really want to be the matchmaker for you and her. As the handsome, talented apprentice of Heavens Fortune Sect, you would definitely be her dish!"

Feng Cangwu changed his face as he asked Zhang Tie, "Wait, are you serious?"

"Of course, I'm serious!"

"How could you have such an insane thought?"

Zhang Tie let out a sigh before saying, "After taking the ancient-well bean curds in Xiangshan City a few days ago, I couldn't help but think about it..."

"After taking the ancient-well bean curds in Xiangshan City, you want commoners and common cities to kill demon knights?" Feng Cangwu was shocked by Zhang Tie's words so much that he fixed his eyes onto Zhang Tie's face.

"Yes, is it a bit insane?" Zhang Tie replied with a smile as he asked in a casual tone, "Do you want to regret? It's still not late if you regret what you've promised now. I will just treat it as nonsense!"

"That's a deal!" Feng Cangwu raised his head proudly after being silent for a half second, "If you could really invent such a thing, I will not even be afraid of feeding tigers with myself!"

"Ahh..." Zhang Tie suddenly recalled something else as he asked, "Do you know why the general being responsible for logistics in the theater of operations is called Weiji General?"

After throwing a serious glance at Zhang Tie, Feng Cangwu replied to Zhang Tie which sounded a bit familiar, "You should read more books..."

Zhang Tie became silent...