Chapter 802: Chapter 590: Waiting for Reinforcements
Zong Ge asked Zi Di, “With things as they are, what do you think is the best course of action going forward?”
The current situation is that the Imperial Spy Organization has taken control of the Purple Vine Shop. The shop’s Flying Communication Station is definitely unusable now.
Moreover, it’s best not to use the Purple Vine Flying Communication Station on the outskirts of Ice Sculpture Island either.
The scale of the Imperial Spy Organization is extremely large; it’s likely they’ve made arrangements in other directions as well.
Zi Di said, “The Hundred Needle Family has once issued a high-priced bounty through the Bounty Guild in the Empire. I thought we might masquerade as bounty hunters and contact the Hundred Needle Family through the Bounty Guild.”
“But unfortunately, there’s no branch of the Bounty Guild in the Ice Sculpture Kingdom.”
Zong Ge nodded slightly, “There used to be one, but a rebellion more than forty years ago led to the Ice Sculpture Kingdom completely abolishing the empire’s bounty branch.”
Zi Di also knew this. When they first arrived on Ice Sculpture Island, they had purchased a lot of intelligence.
The rebellion from more than forty years ago was a vividly detailed part of that intelligence. It’s also part of crucial information outsiders rely on to understand the Ice Sculpture Kingdom.
Zi Di continued, “So, to leave Ice Sculpture Island, we have to sail quite a distance to find a bounty branch on other islands.”
“Aside from that, we can seek help from the Imperial Navy.”
“The Hundred Needle Family once used their network to have the Imperial Navy help search for Zhenjin and me.”
“But leveraging the Imperial Navy isn’t safe.”
“The current situation of the Hundred Needle Family isn’t good. If our contact with the navy reaches the hands of their political enemies first, it could cause enormous trouble.”
At this point, Zi Di paused, her gaze becoming sharp as she stared at the alchemy communication device before her and tentatively said, “Ultimately, what we lack most is connections.”
“If we can find a key person who can communicate with the empire’s upper echelons through him, we could directly abandon the Hundred Needle Family.”
“But we don’t have anyone who can reach that level.”
Such a level is indeed extraordinary.
It’s someone who can speak in the Holy Bright Empire, with enough authority and power to protect the survivors’ group.
Before, when the Purple Vine Chamber of Commerce was not restructured, Zi Di’s father could barely manage it.
But after Zi Di’s father died, although Zi Di took over, the Purple Vine Chamber of Commerce she was able to manage had been extremely dilapidated, less than one percent of its original scale.
Zi Di’s remarks were probing Zong Ge.
Because from various clues observed before, it seemed Zong Ge’s bloodline was extraordinary, his origins also seemed unusual.
A young lady of commerce, exposed to such environments from an early age, could judge a person’s social status, commercial value, and so on.
Zi Di judged in her heart: Although Zong Ge is a half-beast, he is the most likely among the survivors to come into contact with the empire’s upper echelons.
Hearing Zi Di’s words, Zong Ge fell into a long silence.
Seeing no response from the communication device for a long time, Zi Di had to continue, “Besides these two means, there is a third way that I personally think suits us best at present.”
“We can wait for the Ice Sculpture National Ceremony.”
“The Ice Sculpture Kingdom must have sent invitations in advance; during the ceremony, the empire will definitely send high-ranking officials to come.”
“Very likely, there will be high-ranking naval officers.”
“We could try to make contact with them.”
Although Zi Di almost got ambushed by the Imperial Spy, firstly, the Imperial Spy hasn’t linked the Undead Mage and Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps yet. Secondly, the empire itself is rife with factions and complex internal affairs.
Zi Di said, “The business plan was successful, but only the first stage was completed.”
“Going forward, it’s still very important; we can’t do without people.”
“This is a great opportunity. Elsewhere, we won’t draw much attention.”
“But here, dueling is prevalent. The squad leader previously killed Teng Donglang, making us famous. The cooperation with the Lijian family and the relationship with the City Lord of Snowbird Port also increase the weight of our self-worth in dialogues with the empire’s upper echelons.”
“We can absolutely continue to make waves in the market, showcasing our strength and increasing our confidence for future negotiations with the empire’s high-ranking officials.”
Previously, the survivors mainly aimed to contact the Hundred Needle Family. But with the situation developed to this point, Zi Di went with the flow and changed the plan.
Since going out is laborious and troublesome, it’s better to wait for the empire’s upper echelons to come over.
Zong Ge pondered for a moment, “This method is good.”
“The empire and the Ice Sculpture Kingdom have always paid great attention to maintaining their relations.”
“The Great Emperor even entrusted the young thirteenth prince to the Ice Sculpture Royal Family for upbringing. A strong country willingly offering a hostage to a weaker one is an extremely rare case.”
“It was only a few years ago that the thirteenth prince made his first official return to the empire to visit his father, the emperor.”
“This time during the national ceremony, the thirteenth prince will return, and accompanying him will definitely be high-ranking officials from the empire.”
“In retrospect, when the Great Emperor entrusted a hostage to the Ice Sculpture Kingdom, it was probably in preparation for the present conquest of the Wilderness Continent.”
After expressing this sentiment, Zong Ge formally reached a consensus with Zi Di.
They chose to remain in the Ice Sculpture Royal Capital, waiting for the national ceremony, and the arrival of the empire’s high-ranking officials.
The main plan was set, and what followed were other details.
Zong Ge said, “In this case, I decide we can continue with the mercenaries’ military training.”
“Especially the naval training, it’s very important.”
“The vast ocean separates the Holy Bright Continent and the Wilderness Continent, and future naval battles will definitely be one of the main themes.”
Zi Di frowned, “The funding aspect is no longer a problem now. But is this safe?”
At the Snowbird Port Dock, the mercenaries are protected by the Mage Tower and others, but going offshore for military training might give the enemy an opportunity.
Zong Ge insisted on his suggestion, “We need an escape route, Miss Zi Di.”
“We must consider future retreat.”
“Especially since we are facing two major opposing organizations, it’s very dangerous.”
“The Deep Sea Monster Fish was sailed away by the squad leader and hasn’t come back. In the future, if we must flee Ice Sculpture Island, our main reliance will be on our ships and subordinates.”
“Of course, this is just one retreat path.”
“We can take inspiration from Da Dou’s way to create some hidden transportation tools.”
Zi Di wanted to speak, but at this time Zong Ge added, “I know what you mean.”
“Indeed, they need military training, and they definitely need to be away from the docks.”
“Once the enemy makes a move, this group is likely to be completely wiped out.”
“But we must still do so.”
“Because doing this is the right thing!”
“We can’t stop on the path to self-improvement because of danger or threats!”
From Zong Ge’s voice came a chilling coldness.
“Moreover, based on my understanding of the enemy, their chances of attacking the division are not high.”