Castle of Black Iron

Zerom and Captain Kerlin had been in Xuanyuan Hill for almost 3 months. During this period, although they both knew that Zhang Tie was receiving medical treatment in Xuanyuan Hill, they couldn’t have a chance to meet Zhang Tie, even those who were familiar with Zhang Tie.

Milton was the deputy president of Nordinham Commercial Federation, which had a good relationship with Rhesa Republic on the Western Continent. Precisely, Rhesa Republic provided protection to Nordinham Commercial Federation to a certain degree. As one of the most powerful countries on the Western Continent, Rhesa Republic could almost match Sacred Light Empire in overall strength. Its overall strength was far greater than that of Nordinham Commercial Federation; they were not on the same scale at all.

Taixia Country had established an official diplomatic relationship with Rhesa Republic. They had dispatched embassadors mutually. By comparison, because Nordinham Commercial Federation had just risen for dozens of years, such as small force on the Western Continent had not established an official diplomatic relationship with Taixia Country. Actually, it only had a small office in Xuanyuan Hill.

After realizing that Zerom and Captain Kerlin couldn’t have a chance to meet Zhang Tie, Milton even dreamed about having Rhesa Republic’s diplomat in Xuanyuan Hill to facilitate the relation so that Zerom and Captain Kerlin could enter emperor’s imperial city to meet Zhang Tie.

However, such a request was absolutely a big joke for the Rhesa Republic’s diplomat in Xuanyuan Hill.

The Rhesa Republic’s diplomat in Xuanyuan Hill was aware of Zhang Tie’s influence and social status in Taixia Country. How would he dare to guarantee two strange guys to enter the emperor’s imperial city without doing any harm to Zhang Tie, who was receiving medical treatment? If an emergency occurred, all the Rhesa Republic’s diplomats in Xuanyuan Hill would be sentenced to death; even Rhesa Republic as a whole couldn’t bear the fury of Taixia Country. Even the speaker of Rhesa Republic posed the request, their diplomats in Xuanyuan Hill should also confirm it with their domestic authorities before making a decision, not to mention the deputy president of Nordinham Commercial Federation.

Therefore, Milton couldn’t have a chance to meet Rhesa Republic’s diplomats even though he had tried so many times that he even became emaciated.

After learning the situation from Zerom and Captain Kerlin, Zhang Tie became hesitant for a few seconds before asking, “How’s Milton Clan’s power in Nordinham Commercial Federation?”

“Milton Clan have one city, some towns and some small mines in Nordinham Commercial Federation. Additionally, they control over 7 million people and have a federal army of about 50,000 people. According to the rankings on wealth issued by Nordinham Commercial Federation, Milton Clan had about 12 million gold coins last year. In addition, they employed a clan knight…” Zerom answered.

Stroking his jaw, Zhang Tie continued, “How’s the power of Nordinham Commercial Federation?”

“Nordinham Commercial Federation has totally 87 members of parliament, which represent 87 cities. Anyone who has one private city is qualified to join Nordinham Commercial Federation and become a member of the parliament of the federation. The clan of Angor the speaker has an experienced black iron knight and 6 seats of members of parliament in Nordinham Commercial Federation. They’re the most powerful one in the federation. There’re 5 deputy speakers. Milton Clan has one, who ranks 3rd among the 5 deputy speakers. This man is ambitious, insightful and adventurous…”

“They could employ one knight with one city?” Zhang Tie became amazed, “I remember that all the clans which could employ a knight in Waii Subcontinent are unusual. Many knights were No. 1 knights of countries. Andaman Federation had 17 cities; however, they couldn’t afford a knight!”

Zerom forced a bitter smile, “Erm, there are a bit more knights on the Western Continent. Cities and countries are a bit more prosperous over there, which could not be matched by Waii Subcontinent. Additionally, these knights employed by small clans don’t take too many compensations. Accordingly, they have greater freedom and discretion. Generally, they would not interfere with the common disputes of these clans. Conversely, these clans are a tool of these knights. Actually, employed knights could have these clans do something for them for the sake of convenience. Each takes what they need. There’re also many No. 1 knights on Western Continent. Being similar to those in Waii Subcontinent, their compensation are in line with their efforts!”

After hearing Zerom’s explanation, Zhang Tie had given up meeting Milton. In Zhang Tie’s eyes, this deputy speaker was absolutely a trivial role who had not seen the world. What to negotiate with such a person? Based on the power of Milton Clan, they could at most run a Fiery-Oil Production Base with an annual output of 500,000 tons. It was unnecessary for Zhang Tie to negotiate with him on it.

Like how Zerom had concluded, although Milton was ambitious, insightful and adventurous, such a kind of person could be found almost everywhere across the Western Continent. This guy was just lucky enough to meet Zerom and Captain Kerlin and wanted the two people to introduce him to Zhang Tie for profit. Therefore, they came to Xuanyuan Hill. Such a person was useful; however, it was not necessary to expect too much from him or respect him too much.

With growing experience and ability, Zhang Tie’s horizon was far greater than that a few years ago. Even the halos priest of Sacred Light Empire had to kneel down in front of him and become his puppet and piece, not to mention a deputy speaker of a small organization on the Western Continent. In Zhang Tie’s eyes, the overall strength of the Milton Clan was so weak that it could even be ignored.

After looking at Zerom and Captain Kerlin, Zhang Tie became hesitant for a few seconds before saying, “Do you want to settle down in Taixia Country. If you want, I could make an arrangement for you. You could settle down wherever you want, even in Xuanyuan Hill, not to mention Guizhou Province and my private territory. If you want, I could have Golden Roc Bank bring your wives and family members here by airboat today!”

After exchanging a glance with each other, Zerom and Captain Kerlin shook their heads at the same time.

“Although Taixia Country is great, I prefer Western Continent. Like how you Hua people like Hua people-populated places, I would also feel comfortable on the Western Continent. Additionally, we could have more chances on the Western Continent. What could we do in Taixia Country?”

Zerom said as Captain Kerlin kept nodding forcefully on one side.

“In many cases, I couldn’t even understand people’s words here. I’m afraid that I couldn’t even find a job in Taixia Country!” the Cyclops let out a sigh as he continued, “There’s not even a mercenary regiment here. Even if I want to be a watchdog for rich people, very few people would employ me. Even though I don’t have to worry about my daily needs, I don’t want to live out my life in retirement so fast. I’m already LV 10; I might make a few more progress in the future…”

Zerom and Kerlin were both enterprising and didn’t feel like being average for the rest of their lives. Although Taixia Country was great, they still felt that it would be a bit easier to develop a great undertaking on the Western Continent.

“Hmm, I see…” Zhang Tie considered it for a few seconds before taking out a remote-sensing finger ring and ten gold checks from his space-teleportation finger ring. Each gold check was worth 10,000 gold coins. Closely after that, he gave them to Zerom and Kerlin as he said, “Take them. You could contact me whenever you want. You’d better live in Xuanyuan Hill for the time being. I will make arrangements for you. Don’t worry about that…”

Many people might not be able to make a gold check worth 10,000 gold coins for their whole lives. Even Zerom and Kerlin barely saw gold checks of such a big denomination. At the sight of those gold checks, they both felt thirsty. As for the remote-sensing finger ring, it must be a senior communications device matched for knights. Zerom and Kerlin had not seen such a delicate device before at all. What they had seen were as large as alarm clocks and hourglasses.

“Is this a remote-sensing communications device?” Zerom took that remote-sensing communications mithril finger ring and fondled with it seriously.

“Yes, its usage is as same as that of common remote-sensing communications device. Its communication code is the universal code that we used in Wild Wolf Valley!”

After gazing at those gold checks for a few seconds, Captain Kerlin finally moved his eye away from them as he stammered, “It’s…too much, more than we could spend…”

Zhang Tie replied with a smile as he blinked his eyes, “In Xuanyuan Hill, it’s not too much. Just take it. I promise that you will not feel it’s too much soon!”

After having enough drink and talk, Zhang Tie had already made a decision inside. Therefore, he told the neighboring room, “Qing’er, Suxian, come over here to see my two teachers. They saved my life in Wild Wolf Valley!”

Sitting in the neighborhood, of course, the two female knights could hear Zhang Tie’s words. Actually, all the contents of their dialogue had entered their ears.

“Ahh, you’ve got friends here?” Zerom and Kerlin uttered with an amazed look in unison.

“We’re traveling to the peach mountain today. Soon after we arrived here, I’ve heard Captain Kerlin’s voice…” Zhang Tie gave an explanation.

Bai Suxian and Yan Feiqing had already entered the room when Zhang Tie explained it.

At the sight of the looks and qi fields of Bai Suxian and Yan Feiqing, Zerom and Kerlin were shocked so much that they hurriedly sprung up as they held their breath.

“This is Mr. Zerom whom I’ve talked to you about. This is Captain Kerlin, the most powerful man in the hearts of all the male students in No. 7 National Male Middle School…” Zhang Tie introduced them, “This is Bai Suxian, the princess of Lord Guangnan’s Mansion, a black iron knight; this is Yan Feiqing, the owner of Fantasy Women Palace, Cloud Dream Mountain, Wuzhou Province, a heavenly knight. They’re both my wives…”

Zerom and Kerlin were both dumbfounded by the identities of Bai Suxian and Yan Feiqing as they didn’t know what to say. One was the princess of Lord Guangnan’s Mansion; the other was a heavenly knight. They were absolutely legendary existences in the hearts of Zerom and Kerlin.

“Thanks for saving my husband!” Bai Suxian and Yan Feiqing exchanged a glance with each other before lowering their bodies and tilting to one side elegantly.

“Ahh, pleasure, pleasure, Zhang Tie is favored by the god. He was not destined to die!” Zerom hurriedly answered fluently as Captain Kerlin couldn’t utter a word due to shock.

Given Zhang Tie’s introduction, Zerom realized that the two women were both very dignified. If not meet Zhang Tie here, they were not even qualified to run an errand for Bai Suxian and Yan Feiqing, not to mention receiving their thanks.

After having Bai Suxian and Yan Feiqing greet Zeron and Kerlin, Zhang Tie stayed in the private room for a few more minutes. After saying some words, he left the tavern with Yan Feiqing and Bai Suxian.

Not until the three left for a few minutes did Zerom and Kerlin recover their composure as they exchanged a glance with each other.

The Cyclops swallowed his saliva forcefully before saying, “The moment the two women entered, I’ve felt pretty intense and couldn’t run my battle qi smoothly. I even felt breathless and head buzzing. One of them is a princess; the other is a heavenly knight. Am I right?”

“Yes, you’re. Zhang Tie indeed said so!”

The Cyclops scratched his head as he asked, “What does a princess in Taixia Country mean?”

“Is Waii Subcontinent large?” Zerom asked.

“Yes!” The Cyclops nodded.

“I’m afraid that that princess’ private territory is 5-6 times that of Waii Subcontinent. Her father is a lord. I’m afraid that her family has tens of hundreds of knights and hundreds of millions of soldiers!”

“Is she Zhang Tie’s wife?”

“Yes…” Zerom’s voice turned ethereal like a somniloquy, “The other woman is a heavenly knight. Given battle strength and influence, that woman might even match that princess’ father. For the sake of your comprehension, that woman might be like a pope of Sacred Light Empire or a sage of Rhesa Republic who’s responsible for the national security!”

“Am I…dreaming…” The Cyclops pinched himself forcefully.

“No, you’re not dreaming. Do you remember what I told you in Wild Wolf Valley?——I feel that Zhang Tie might be a person out of our imagination in the future like today…” Zerom fondled with the remote-sensing communications finger ring meticulously as he gave the gold checks to the Cyclops and said, “Take them. It might be safer if you take them. At least I don’t have to worry about being robbed in Xuanyuan Hill…”

“I also remember that you said that Zhang Tie would never be an average person based on his talent on flirting with girls!” the Cyclops watched Zerom with a bit of admiration.

“Yes, we two won’t be average either from then on…” Zerom said as he meticulously put on the finger ring before observing it carefully, revealing a bizarre smile.

“Ahh, how? 100,000 gold coins are unable to make us famous!” Captain Kerlin asked as he kept scratching his head with a dubious look.

After hearing Kerlin’s words, Zerom rolled his eyes on him at once. He could only raise the remote-sensing finger ring in front of Kerlin along with his face as he said carefully, “Look at this using your remaining eye carefully.”

“It’s just a senior remote-sensing finger ring, why?”

Zerom patted his own forehead as if he was passing out. He then rolled his eyes on Kerlin again as he said, “Alright, listen, if I go to Western Continent and tell others that I could contact Zhang Tie directly and help people pass one message to him at the price of 100,000 gold coins, people who need our help would queue up all the way from here to the hotel. Do you believe that we would accumulate more wealth and acquire higher social position than Milton Clan in one month by doing nothing else but passing messages for others…”

“Ahh, how could we make so much money only by passing messages using a finger ring?” Captain Kerlin watched Zerom with a dubious look——I didn’t read too many books. Don’t cheat me.

Zerom became speechless. He could only let out a sigh again as he said, “Alright, it might be a bit difficult for you to understand it. I will deal with the part which requires intelligence. I could only tell you that we don’t need to depend on Milton’s favor anymore. On the contrary, Milton should depend on our favor. Let’s go back to the hotel. I will let you feel being in the limelight today…”

After saying that, Zerom walked outside the room.

“Hua language is too difficult to learn. How could the same meaning be expressed in so many ways? What’s “in the limelight”? Shouldn’t it be showing our face in the public on the Western Continent?” The Cyclops muttered as he walked outside.

Hearing Kerlin’s words, Zerom almost fell down.

Zerom turned around as he watched the Cyclops helplessly, “Kerlin, you could describe those women who were in the most time-honored professions near the railway station of Blackhot City as showing their face in the public but not us…”

“Really? But I feel it’s good. When I saw Zhang Tie’s two wives, I even wanted to speak highly of their “tiger backs and bear waists”. They really have good figures and great power. However, I didn’t say it due to intension…” Captain Kerlin said with a pitiful look.

Zerom oozed sweat as he sighed, “Alright, you’d better not speak Hua language when I’m with you; especially Hua idioms. You’re really not suitable to live in Taixia Country. I’m afraid that you would be beaten to death sooner or later!”

…