Dumpling stood in the center of the stage, all the lights and gazes fixated on her.
She was a secretary. Under normal circumstances, she had to walk behind the leader. She could only rush ahead when opening the elevator or car door to let the leader know she was there, while also ensuring it was best if others didn’t know she was present.
But now she stood at the very front, feeling a bit scared, yet also somewhat excited.
"Where did the Fortress Lord go? When will he be back?" Wu Yongchao sat at home, chin in hand, a worried frown on his face.
Home Cultivator Li Zhijuan said, "If that fake Foreign Devil actually defeats the Fortress Lord, are we going to follow his lead from now on?"
Home Cultivator Hu Fangyuan said, "What else can we do? He’s challenged us right to our doorstep."
Dick Chen, accompanied by Da Boyins, arrived at Iron Gate Fort, calling for the Fortress Lord to come out and exchange martial arts skills.
A group of Home Cultivators actually thought it was a martial arts contest. With the Fortress Lord absent, they even considered taking his place in the exchange.
It was only after they inquired further that they understood the opponent’s intentions.
The visitor hadn’t come all this way for a duel; he came to seize their territory.
Dick Chen proposed that if he won, Iron Gate Fort would belong to him, and he would become its Fortress Lord.
If he lost, he would surrender his entire fortune of six hundred thousand Ocean Dollars.
The situation unfolded so abruptly that it caught the group of Home Cultivators completely off-guard.
This wasn’t the Home Cultivators’ fault for being naive. Anyone faced with this situation would have been caught off-guard. After all, such a thing should never have happened at Iron Gate Fort.
Iron Gate Fort was geographically isolated. Its Home Cultivators weren’t adept at management. Beyond their basic livelihood, they possessed only meager savings. Although years of effort might squeeze out some minor profits, risking six hundred thousand Ocean Dollars here was utterly illogical.
Regardless of its worth, the challenger had arrived, and the Fortress Lord was not in the fort. How could they possibly respond?
The elder Home Cultivator Jin Yuan Kang said, "He came to our door to issue a challenge. If the Fortress Lord doesn’t go out to fight, it naturally counts as a loss. According to the rules, that man named Chen will be our new Fortress Lord."
The others exchanged glances, feeling that Jin Yuan Kang had a point.
But Wu Yongchao disagreed. "You just mentioned ’according to the rules.’ Whose rules are you referring to?"
Jin Yuan Kang replied, "Aren’t these the standard rules in Jianghu?"
Hu Fangyuan added, "The elder has traveled Jianghu and is experienced and knowledgeable. He certainly knows more about these rules than we do."
"Nonsense!" Wu Yongchao suddenly became clear-headed when it came to the rules. "This isn’t Jianghu; this is Iron Gate Fort! The rules of Jianghu don’t apply here. We have our own rules!"
Li Zhijuan nodded in agreement. "Exactly. Our Fortress Lord established rules for us."
Outside the house, Li Banfeng lowered the brim of his hat and silently vanished into the night.
In the village outside the fort, Dick Chen rented a residence and organized the magical treasures he carried, preparing for the next day’s battle.
Da Boyins found it hard to understand Dick Chen’s thinking.
With the action against Iron Gate Fort scheduled for the morrow, Dick Chen finally revealed the full story to Da Boyins. "I’m here for that top-tier weapon you acquired."
"Are you referring to Long Spear Zhao Xiaowan?"
Dick Chen nodded. "So far, this weapon has only displayed impressive power, but it hasn’t revealed much more of its combat capabilities."
Da Boyins explained, "That’s because the weapon itself is of such a high tier. Some of its powers are still beyond our ability to control."
Dick Chen smiled. "Da Boy, I’ve told you before, we are close comrades-in-arms. When problems arise, you don’t need to rush to justify yourself to me; I’ve never doubted your abilities.
"Long Spear Zhao Xiaowan holds exceptional significance for us. Many of our upcoming operations will revolve around this weapon.
"My purpose in coming here is to ascertain the weapon’s origin, thereby verifying its authenticity, and also to learn how to wield it properly.
"Xiao Zhenggong purchased Long Spear Zhao Xiaowan from Iron Gate Fort at a high price. We must investigate how Iron Gate Fort came into possession of this spear, starting our inquiry at the fort itself.
"I don’t know this new Fortress Lord of Iron Gate Fort. However, I do know that he killed the former Fortress Lord, Zhou Anju, and also a group of Grass Bandits from Flying Eagle Mountain.
"Such a person won’t cooperate easily with our investigation, so we must employ extraordinary measures. Fortunately, he’s not currently in Iron Gate Fort, which presents a perfect opportunity for us. I plan to seize Iron Gate Fort first. Then, after he returns, I’ll question him about the spear’s origin."
"If this Fortress Lord tells the truth, will you return Iron Gate Fort to him?"
"Not necessarily," Dick Chen shook his head and chuckled. "The Home Cultivators of Iron Gate Fort also have their uses."
Da Boyins looked worried. "Iron Gate Fort is easy to defend but difficult to attack. Capturing it probably won’t be a smooth process."
Dick Chen sighed. "Da Boy, I’ve told you many times that we need to build an entirely new Puluo State. But first, you must gain a thorough understanding of the current Puluo State.
"Why is Iron Gate Fort easy to defend and hard to attack? Is it merely due to its geographical conditions?"
Da Boyins replied, "The main reason is the Home Cultivators within the fort. That Taoist Sect inherently excels at defense."
Dick Chen nodded. "You’re right, the focus is on these people. But do you know the origins of Iron Gate Fort’s Home Cultivators?
"They are Home Cultivators who couldn’t survive elsewhere. With a Fortress Lord present, they can form a formidable fighting force.
"Now that the Fortress Lord isn’t here, they are nothing. A few threatening words will be enough to greatly intimidate them. By tomorrow, we’ll see the outcome.
"This battle won’t be too difficult; we should be able to completely take Iron Gate Fort within a few hours. If anything unexpected happens, I have a backup plan. I’ve enlisted a helper, and he should be arriving soon."
A little after five in the morning, the ringing of a rickshaw bell echoed outside the rented house.
Dick Chen opened the door and smiled at the Coachman outside. "Come in and rest for a while?"
The Coachman shook his head. "No need. I’ll sleep on the rickshaw. Just call me when it’s time to work."
PS: Don’t underestimate the Coachman; he remains a formidable figure from Above the Clouds.