Castle of Black Iron

As Huang Baimei resigned from the position of branch head of Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace and went to Blacksilver Snow Mountain in the northernmost part of Dragon Emperor Big Domain for ascetic cultivation, new immortal generals of the branch of Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace in Heavenly Square City made their own decisions.

The banquets came to an end.

Leng Manxue followed Huang Baimei away.

Zhang Tie was not shocked by Leng Manxue’s decision. After joining Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace for so many days, Zhang Tie had gradually known that the relationship between Leng Manxue and Huang Baimei was like that between master and disciple, between superior and subordinate and between foster father and adopted daughter. Therefore, it was nothing strange for Leng Manxue to follow Huang Baimei away.

Huang Baimei was actually bidding farewell to them in Flyingdragon Manor. After that noon, Huang Baimei and Leng Manxue had already left Dragon Emperor City. Zhang Tie, Jiang Ruoxin, Ji Yuelan, Liu brothers and all the other immortal generals of Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace in Flyingdragon Manor went to the airport of Dragon Emperor City to see them off; even Zhou Baifei hurriedly came there from Dragon Emperor City out of courtesy.

“Head Huang has already told me what you told him…” Leng Manxue took a complex look at Zhang Tie as she told him using his battle qi when the others were bidding farewell to Huang Baimei on one side before boarding the airboat.

Zhang Tie just replied with a smile.

“Is that true?”

“It’s just a guess. The reality might not be like that!”

“What if it’s true?”

“I’m just a sha…water immortal general!” Zhang Tie hid his smile as he watched Leng Manxue seriously, “General Deacon Leng, do you feel a freshman of Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace like me could change anything or win the trust of the public? Nobody is almighty. Each of us is just doing our own job well for our personal objective and dream. However, our dream might be trivial in this world, Head Huang, you and me, even the elders and grand justices of Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace. Now that they’re in those positions, they’re not idiots. They should have already considered what they might face. Do you believe that some of them might have already realized what I’ve told Head Huang?”

“Ah? But why…”

“People could always tackle problems as long as they made necessary preparations for it. If someone was killed by demons coincidentally, doesn’t it mean that others would lack competitors? People of the other immortal palaces might have already realized it. However, as for the other immortal palaces, if Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace perishes, the entire Dragon Emperor Big Domain would be a big piece of fat, which is many times larger than that deserted by Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace. On this occasion, the largest crisis facing Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace would be neglected by people on purpose…” Zhang Tie’s reply was like an icy bloody saber which could even freeze the bright sunshine at noon.

Leng Manxue suddenly heaved a sigh, saying, “Do you always doubt people in this way? After hearing your words, it’s already meaningless for Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace to exist.”

“Forgive me, I always carry the greatest hope for the bright side of humanity; however, I always stay alert about the dark side of humanity. As for those whom I’m not familiar with, I don’t regard them as benign and uncontentious persons who would like to sacrifice themselves for others’ sake!”

“The brain disease and loss of memory thing is just a lie, right?”

“Everyone has his own secret, Isn’t it?” Zhang Tie refuted Leng Manxue as he blinked his eyes.

“Alas, I really wonder how did you hide your information in Motian Realm before. If not have checked your bloodline myself, I would even start to doubt that you’re a disguised demon!”

“I’m not a benign and uncontentious person either; however, at least I’m not a bad guy. I’ve killed a lot of people and demons. However, I have never betrayed humans. Neither did I betray my friends and relatives. One should not impose on others what he himself does not desire. It’s what my parents taught me since I was young. I always bear it in mind…”

‘One should not impose on others what he himself does not desire’, this classic proverb made Leng Manxue tremble slightly as she couldn’t help repeating it.

“My dream is to avenge my parents one day. What about your dream? Don’t tell me that you want to be an immortal emperor. Each immortal general would like to be an immortal emperor. I’m asking what do you want to do after being an immortal emperor. Is it your secret?”

“My dream is to…go back home!” Zhang Tie put it straight tenderly and emotionally, causing Leng Manxue dumbfounded at a stroke. However, given Zhang Tie’s voice, Leng Manxue could sense that Zhang Tie was not telling a lie.

“Let’s go…” Huang Baimei came over here as he took a complex look at Zhang Tie and wanted to say something; however, he slightly shook his head and didn’t say it.

After staying with Zhang Tie for so many days, Huang Baimei gradually felt that he couldn’t see through this person. As a result, he didn’t even know what to say to him before leaving.

“Take care of yourselves…” Zhang Tie smiled as he waved his hand toward them.

“Take care!”

“Wish you could go back home earlier!” Leng Manxue finally told Zhang Tie using her battle qi.

…

After a few minutes, watching the airboat flying off towards afar, Zhang Tie knew that this was the last union of all the immortal generals of the branch of Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace in Heavenly Square City. After today, the branch of Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace in Heavenly Square City would disband completely. People here might not have the second chance to reunite with each other. They finally came to the crossroads.

“Ahem ahem…” Zhou Baifei pretended to cough twice so as to attract the others’ attention after Huang Baimei’s leave. Watching them turning around at him, Zhou Baifei revealed a confident, reserved smile, saying, “I would have a drink with Brother Shaopeng, a disciple of Elder Shi of Immortal Generals Department today. Do you want to come with me? You could make new friends there. Immortal Generals Department is seeking for talents and recruiting new immortal generals. I’m sure Brother Shaopeng would be glad to see you all…”

Zhou Baifei was roping in them directly. Being recommended by a disciple of an elder of Immortal Generals Department, an important agency of Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace, Lu Tianqiang and Xun Zizhou were both moved to a certain degree.

“Haha, thank you so much, Brother Zhou, I’m worried about that…” Lu Taiqiang said generously.

“Hmm…this…this is great, great, thanks, thank you so much…” Xun Zizhou flattered Zhou Baifei as he peeped at Zhang Tie aside bashfully.

“Wish you good luck, we will reunite when there’s a chance…” Zhang Tie told Lu Tianqiang and Xun Zizhou kindly. Ignoring Zhou Baifei, he directly walked towards the gate of the airport.

Liu brothers threw a glance at Zhang Tie as they hurriedly caught up with Zhang Tie, ignoring Zhou Baifei.

“What about you two…” Zhou Baifei smiled at Jiang Ruoxin and Ji Yuelan cordially.

“Elder Luo who’s in charge of Earth Treasures Department is the only female among the five elders of Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace; additionally, the titles in Earth Treasures Department suit females better. We two have long dreamed about joining the Earth Treasures Department. As we’re going to take a look there today, we will not bother you!” Jiang Ruoxin explained to Zhou Baifei with a smile before leaving with Ji Yuelan.

Jiang Ruoxin’s words fully considered Zhou Baifei’s feeling.

The Church of Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace was composed of five major agencies, namely Immortal Generals Department, Supervision Department, Earth Treasures Department, Heavenly Craftsmen Department and Force Department. Earth Treasures Department was in charge of wealth and grains of Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace. Elder Luo, the head of Earth Treasures Department was a female. Perhaps because of the same gender, Earth Treasures Department always treated female immortal generals well. As a result, Earth Treasures Department was full of beauties. It was the first choice of all the new female immortal generals. Therefore, Jiang Ruoxin’s words were not perfunctory.

“Haha, if so, wish you good luck and hope you become the able subordinates of Elder Luo!” With a sudden stagnation, Zhou Baifei hurriedly smiled. Not until the two women left far away did Zhou Baifei throw a sharp glance at Zhang Tie.

…

“You two want to join Earth Treasures Department?” Zhang Tie slowed down and asked them when Jiang Ruoxin and Ji Yuelan caught up with him from behind.

“Sharp auditory sense…” Ji Yuelan peeped at Zhang Tie amorously as she let out a sigh gloomily, “Even if we want to join the Supervision Department together with you, nobody would recommend us!”

“Nonsense!” Jiang Ruoxin became more sincere and easy-going in front of Zhang Tie. By contrast, she treated Zhou Baifei politely because she didn’t want to offend him. “Supervision doesn’t suit us. Earth Treasures Department is better. Besides nice compensation, we could have more chances to get extra element crystals over there. That’s why all female immortal generals of Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace like Earth Treasures Department!”

“Extra element crystals? Is this the only reason?” Zhang Tie became stunned.

“Of course, with more element crystals, we would make progress in cultivation faster. As immortal generals, element crystals are of great significance to us. If not for element crystals, who would like to work for others?” Ji Yuelan took it for granted, “Additionally, immortal generals in Earth Treasures Department barely fight demons. We’re relatively safer there. Earth Treasures Department has been our target since we joined Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace. A couple of days ago, as Head Huang was with us, our future was bound to him. After Head Huang resigned, of course, we would make a choice. Do you think we’re snobbish?”

“No, never!” Zhang Tie shook his head firmly.

Since he mastered Purgatory Samsara Method, Zhang Tie’s cultivation base had improved fast. He didn’t worry about lacking element crystals anymore. Actually, he didn’t even need element crystals anymore. Not until he heard the two girls’ words did Zhang Tie realize that all the other immortal generals still took element crystals as the only source for them to make progress in cultivation. They could only gain element crystals from immortal palaces. Therefore, element crystals were more important for immortal generals. What he didn’t care about might be dreamed of by the others. Even Jiang Ruoxin and Ji Yuelan joined Earth Treasures Department for extra element crystals.

“Are the element crystals that I gave you in Heavenly Square City enough?”

“Although being a lot, they’re still far away from forming our chakras. Additionally, we have…” Ji Yuelan was instantly stopped by Jiang Ruoxin’s stern look.

“Have what?” Zhang Tie asked out of curiosity.

“It’s women’s stuff. You don’t need to understand it! I won’t say it!” Ji Yuelan smiled.

“Well, I will not ask about it!” Zhang Tie smiled too. Like what he told Leng Manxue just now, each one had secrets, including Jiang Ruoxin and Ji Yuelan.

“What about you? Where are you heading for?” Zhang Tie took a look at the Liu brothers.

Liu brothers then became a bit bashful as if they felt sorry for Zhang Tie. After a few seconds’ silence, Liu Meng said, “Erm..previously, we two planned to follow you…”

“Hahaha, well, I know you. I’m not presiding over the immortal palace. Otherwise, if I have chances, I would definitely have you follow me. The problem is that I’ve not found my own reliance yet. Even if you want to follow me, it’s not allowed in the immortal palace. What’s your plan…” after taking a look at them, Zhang Tie continued, “Tell me the truth!”

“Erm…erm…we planned to…to join Military Department!” Liu Meng said as he scratched his head.

“Military Department is in charge of military affairs in Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace. We learned that as long as we could make render meritorious service in this department, we would acquire a lot of powerful secret methods and battle skills…” Liu Yong added.

Watching the two brothers, Zhang Tie heaved a sigh helplessly, saying, “Dragon Emperor has already disappeared for hundreds of years; Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace is contracting its force; however, you think about joining Military Department at this moment?”

“Erm…is there any problem?” Liu brothers asked out of curiosity after exchanging a glance with each other.

The most powerful one in Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace had already disappeared. The entire Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace had already shrunk to Dragon Emperor Big Domain. Therefore, the Military Department of Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace which was in charge of expeditions was at an embarrassing point of time. Liu brothers’ stupid decision made Zhang Tie speechless. However, fortune favored fools. The Military Department of Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace might least need to go on a punitive expedition since ever. Although it appeared dangerous joining the Military Department at this moment, it was not Liu brothers’ turn to be the scapegoats.

After thinking about it for a few seconds, Zhang Tie told the two brothers, “Just take a try. But you’d better bear one thing in mind. Even if you’re enrolled in the Military Department, try your best to work outside the city!” After taking a look at Jiang Ruoxin and Ji Yuelan, he warned, “you too, you’d better not stay in Dragon Emperor City, either!”

“Ahh? Why?” Ji Yuelan asked Zhang Tie out of curiosity.

Zhang Tie directly repeated what he had told Huang Baimei and Leng Manxue, causing the four people to change their faces, “It’s just my personal judgment. Perhaps it won’t happen; however, once it happens, Dragon Emperor City where those elders stay in would be the most dangerous place. If something happens here, you two and Liu brothers might be involved. Therefore, you’d better leave Dragon Emperor City. The battle between high-end immortal generals is out of your imagination…”

“What about you? Where are you heading for?” Liu brothers asked Zhang Tie out of concern.

“Don’t care about me. If something really happens, I could protect myself. If possible, I want to stay in Dragon Emperor City…”

“Ah? You want to stay?”

“Haha, I want to see whether I could find a chance to get some benefits!” Zhang Tie shrugged.

Liu brothers and the two women didn’t doubt Zhang Tie’s words as they knew that Zhang Tie was qualified to get some benefits when something really happened as was mentioned by Zhang Tie.

They soon came out of the airport. In case of embarrassment, Zhou Baifei’s group left on the other side.

There was a cross outside the airport. It was full of vehicles and passers-by while several sounds could be heard everywhere on the roadside, making it pretty boisterous.

“Alright, you’d better go. It’s nice for you to ask around. It looks more sincere if you could be more active. It’s better than just waiting in Flyingdragon Manor…” Zhang Tie told the four people.

“Aren’t you going there?” Liu Meng asked.

“Before leaving, Head Huang recommended me to the Supervision Department. I’ve not received the news yet. I will wait for a while. No matter what, I’m free. If they forget about me for real, I will just settle in Apricot Blossom Village…” Zhang Tie said generously.

As they were all straightforward, after hearing Zhang Tie’s words, they didn’t say anything anymore. Right outside the airport, they bade farewell to Zhang Tie.

Watching the four heading for two different directions, Zhang Tie smiled as he walked towards another direction.

“Uncle, do you want honey fruits? It’s made by my grandma. We plant the fruits. My grandpa raised the bees. It’s yummy. I enjoy eating it. Really…” Zhang Tie was stopped by a little girl with two black braids after walking a few meters forward. Watching Zhang Tie with her big and black eyes, the little girl was introducing honey fruits to Zhang Tie. On one side, there was a booth where a woman was selling various dried honey fruits in different colors such as red, yellow and white. Being packed in paper bags under silk cages, they were pretty attractive, giving out a sweet fragrance.

At the sight of the woman, Zhang Tie had known that she was the little girl’s mother.

The woman watched Zhang Tie with a smile, feeling sorry, saying, “Xiaoyun, come here, just stand on the roadside, don’t get in the way of this uncle…”

“It’s fine; it’s fine. Coincidentally, I’m hungry. I’m looking for food!” Zhang Tie replied as he picked two bags of honey fruits, asking, “How much?”

“Oh, one white crystal per bag!” the little girl replied immediately before her mother.

Zhang Tie then took out two white crystals. Touching the little girl’s head, he gave two white crystals to the woman. After that, he kept one bag and gave the other to the little girl, saying, “Take it, you’re my guest!”

“Ah, you don’t have to do it, sir; you don’t have to do it…” the woman urged as she hurriedly returned one white crystal to Zhang Tie.

“It’s fine. Your daughter is cute. I just want to invite her for a bag of honey fruits. Your daughter reminds me of my childhood. When I was young, my mother sold rice brew when she enjoyed eating it too…” Zhang Tie explained as he shook his head. Without taking the money, he walked away hurriedly. As a result, the woman couldn’t even catch up with him.

“Ah, Xiaoyun, quick, say thanks to your uncle…”

“Thanks, uncle!”

After walking far away, Zhang Tie turned around as he put one honey fruit into his mouth; then, he thumbed up towards the little girl and gave a sweet smile to her. The little girl smiled at a stroke, squinting her eyes into crescent moons.

“Mom, could I eat it?” the little girl turned around as she asked her mother.

“Yes…” the woman said as she found Zhang Tie had already disappeared among the people.

After opening the paper bag, the little girl immediately picked a honey fruit and put it into her mouth. The sour and sweet taste made her drool at a stroke. She then took a stool and sat beside her mother, starting to enjoy that bag of honey fruits…

After a few minutes, when the little girl put her hand into the paper bag, she suddenly revealed a strange look, saying, “Ahh, what’s that?”

As the little girl took her hand out of the paper bag, she was holding a blue crystal coin; instead of a honey fruit. Blinking her eyes, she gave the blue crystal coin to her mother who had just sold one more bag of honey fruits.

Her mother was startled by the blue crystal coin at a stroke as she hurriedly pulled the little girl into her arms, saying, “Ah, Xiaoyun, where did you get it? Did you pick it on the road? Have you seen who dropped it? Quick, tell me, we have to give it back to him…”

“I didn’t pick it up; I took it out of the paper bag. Why this crystal coin is blue. I’ve never seen it before…” the little girl said as she gave her paper bag to her mother.

The woman looked into the paper bag as she saw 7-8 more blue crystal coins among the rest honey fruits. As a result, she held her breath unconsciously.

As for her family, these blue crystal coins were astronomical wealth. One blue crystal coin was equal to 100 purple crystal coins. Their family could at most make 20-30 purple crystal coins a year by selling honey fruits in Dragon Emperor City for one year.

The woman immediately recalled Zhang Tie who bought their honey fruits just now. Nobody else touched this bag of honey fruits besides Zhang Tie.

After looking left and right, the woman whispered to her daughter as she hurriedly put away the paper bag and the blue crystal coin.

She had not imagined that their family could meet such a good person in Dragon Emperor City today…

…

Eating honey fruits, Zhang Tie wandered in the bustling streets. The little girl indeed reminded him of his childhood. Therefore, he couldn’t help adding some blue crystal coins in the little girl’s paper bag.

The honey fruits tasted pretty good. However, a whim suddenly occurred to him when Zhang Tie watched the crowd in the street.

——F*ck, if Dragon Emperor City really becomes the battlefield between sage-level knights and semi-sage knights; if demon powerhouses really choose to start the war inside Dragon Emperor City, how many commoners here would be killed or wounded?

Zhang Tie was transfixed at a stroke.

“Brother Ying, long time no see. I’ve not imagined that we two could encounter once again…”

“Yup, it’s been more than 80 years since we departed from each other in Mountain Ruins!”

“Brother Ying, I wonder what are you here for…”

“Young brother, you know that. Of course, I came here for the same purpose as you. It’s not clarified on the reward list of the Emperor NvWa Palace that we have to decapitate fire demon immortal generals in Mountain Ruins or demon realm…”

“Hahaha, I see. Brother Ying, you’re really well-informed…”

“Hehheh, I’m lucky. If we ambush here, it’s always much safer than fighting demons in Mountain Ruins. Even if we got nothing in the end, we won’t lose anything. Right?”

Zhang Tie didn’t want to eavesdrop it; however, when he was in a daze in the street, he “coincidentally” heard the secret talk between two people in a boite in a lane 100 m ahead…