Castle of Black Iron

On the early afternoon of April 3rd, it was sunny. Zhang Tie and the elders and presidents of Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace arrived at Cloudriver Valley outside Dragon Emperor City from Forbidden City by airboat.

7 elders of Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace came to Cloudriver Valley with Zhang Tie, namely Luo Yunshang, Xia Yangming, Shi Zhongyu, Hou Moyuan, Wang Laisheng, Long Jiutian and Ying Gucheng together with the presidents of the five major departments of Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace, namely Guan Minjun the president of Earth Treasures Department, Tang Shenghou the president of Personnel affairs Department also known as Immortal Generals Department, Xue Zhongkai the president of Heavenly Craftsmanship Department, Ji Hontao the president of Military Department and Huo Xianlai the president of Supervision Department.

After the 4 elders resigned as the presidents of the four major departments of Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace, they nominated all the new presidents of the four major departments. Zhang Tie appointed these people as the new presidents of the four major departments. Among the four incumbent presidents of the four major departments, Zhang Tie was only a bit familiar with Guan Minjun as he had communicated with her for a few times. As for the others, he just met them for a few times and had some short chats with them. Therefore, he was not familiar with them. As for Zhang Tie, after becoming the new Dragon Emperor, the preoccupation was to enhance his battle strength. As long as he became a real powerhouse, he would be able to solve all the problems. Therefore, he didn’t feel like caring about the affairs of Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace at all, not to mention showing carrots to those presidents of the four major departments.

The semi-seclusion of the elders and grand justices and the successful hand-over of the powers of the four presidents ensured the stability of Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace after Zhang Tie took the throne. Previously, Zhang Tie thought that he could realize a peaceful transition of Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace in this means by helping Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace tide over the toughest period. However, after discovering the existence and purpose of Dark Emperor Immortal Palace, Zhang Tie found that he was too naive.

Superficially, Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace didn’t face any crisis. However, it was actually facing crises from Dark Emperor Immortal Palace. If there was some problem with the loyalty of the elders, there would be a problem with the people that they had recommended for sure. If it was true, it would not be solved by tactics.

Now that he couldn’t solve the problem by tactics, he could only solve it by force. But it required some technology for him to use force on them…

…

The airboat landed on a vast patch of grassland outside Cloudriver Valley. Hong Yukun, some officers and the immortal generals of Dragon Teeth Army were already waiting for them on the lawn.

Zhang Tie got off the airboat first, followed by the 7 elders and the 4 presidents of the major departments.

“Our respects to you, Your Majesty…”

“Get up!” Zhang Tie took a look at Hong Yukun as he found that Hong Yukun was glowing with health, being utterly different than that distressed state a few days ago. Pointing at Hong Yukun, Zhang Tie started to introduce him to the influential figures behind him, “This is Hong Yukun the former head of internal guards of Dragon Emperor Pavilion and the incumbent head of Cloudriver Valley. He’s in charge of the entire Cloudriver Valley and the production of Dragon Emperor Medicament…”

This was the most brilliant moment that Hong Yukun had ever experienced. In Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace, immortal generals like him could be seen everywhere. As elders and presidents in the highest positions of Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace, they might have not even heard about him before. Even if they had heard of him, they could barely remember his name. Even though they could remember his name or were a bit impressed by him, they would never mind it. However, today, so many influential figures came to his territory to see his achievements and the production of Dragon Emperor Medicament. Therefore, he felt a great honor.

At this moment, Hong Yukun appreciated and admired Zhang Tie pretty much from his heart. He really had an impulse of sacrificing himself for Zhang Tie. Without Zhang Tie’s promotion, he might still be living a poor and boring life in Dragon Emperor Pavilion. 2 days ago, Hong Yukun had felt his whole life trajectory was changing. Previously, Hong Yunkun thought he liked that tranquil lifestyle; however, now, he found that it was also nice for him to enjoy the feeling of being flattered and valued by people in such an idyllic life; especially those who valued and flattered him were all immortal generals like him.

After hearing Zhang Tie’s introduction, Hong Yukun took in a deep breath as he bowed towards the elders and presidents, saying, “My respects to you, elders and presidents!”

All the elders and presidents nodded towards Hong Yukun.

“Thanks for your hard work…” Luo Yunshang said politely.

“It’s my pleasure. It’s my pleasure. I’m just doing my job…”

“Well, we’re especially here to visit the whole production process of Dragon Emperor Medicament. Yukun, as the landlord here, just show us around!” Zhang Tie opened his mouth.

“Yes, Your Majesty!” Hong Yukun glanced at Zhang Tie as he made a hand gesture to invite them, “Please come with me, let me show you the fruits that are planted here!”

“It’s unnecessary for us to see the orchards which have nothing to do with Dragon Emperor Medicament!” Elder Shi Zhongyu slightly frowned as he added, “We’ve already seen the orchards in Cloudriver Valley. Lord Hong, please show us around the herbal medicine park. The other elders and I are very curious about the herbal medicines which grant Dragon Emperor Medicament with such marvelous effects!”

After replying with a modest and calm smile, Hong Yukun took a look at Zhang Tie. After Zhang Tie slightly nodded, Hong Yukun opened his mouth, “Elder Shi, you don’t know that the fruits that are planted in Cloudriver Valley are the important ingredients of Dragon Emperor Medicament. As for some herbal medicines that are planted in Cloudriver Valley, although they’re also useful, they’re not main the ingredients!”

After hearing Hong Yukun’s explanation, all the elders and presidents exchanged a stupefying glance with each other. They had already tried the marvels of Dragon Emperor Medicament as Zhang Tie had gifted 100 vials of Dragon Emperor Medicament to each of them yesterday. Even though they were healthy, they still felt something exceptional after taking it. Additionally, they had long known why Emperor NvWa’s Palace purchased Dragon Emperor Medicament from Dragon Emperor. They believed that such a powerful Dragon Emperor Medicament must be made of many rare herbal medicines or rarities. Unimaginably, according to Hong Yukun, its main ingredients were only fruits. This completely subverted their knowledge.

Being driven by curiosity, even Elder Shi Zhongyu didn’t insist on his opinion anymore; instead, they were all interested in the characteristics of the fruits in Cloudriver Valley.

With the guidance of Hong Yukun, they started to look around the orchards in the valley.

Hong Yukun kept introducing them about the situations facing each orchard adroitly.

The closet orchard was less than 100 m away from the airport of Cloudriver Valley. In no time had they arrived at that orchard.

It was a cherry orchard.

In April, cherries were getting ripe. When they entered the orchard, they saw some virgins picking cherries and putting them into bamboo baskets. This orchard was suffused with the alluring fragrance of cherries…