Castle of Black Iron

“In the past months, since its founding, Dragon’s Teeth Army would consume over 30,000 element crystals a month. According to Commander-in-Chief Huang, the Dragon’s Teeth Army would hold over 2,000 people. It means that the entire Dragon’s Teeth Army would consume over 50,000 earth crystals a month, about 600,000 element crystals a year!”

“Previously, Earth-Treasures Department kept over 300 element crystals warehouses. In the heyday of Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace, each warehouse contained 1 million element crystals, which meant hundreds of millions of element crystals in total. However, the number of element crystals in the warehouses of Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace had not replenished during the past years. Actually, most of the element crystals in the warehouses of Earth-Treasures Department had been consumed. By the end of last month, there were only 28 element crystals warehouses available across Earth-Treasures Department while the total amount of element crystals was 28 million, the lowest level in the history!”

“However, there’re totally 7885 immortal generals in Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace, which means almost 100,000 element crystals per month. As Your Majesty wants to expand the scale of Dragon’s Teeth Army, the monthly payment of element crystals from Earth-Treasures Department would increase by 20%, reaching over 120,000 element crystals per month. Aggravating the problem facing Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace…”

“If we couldn’t replenish element crystals, Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace would run out of element crystals in 3 decades. As a result, we would not be able to attract immortal generals anymore!”

“Time flies. As the incumbent president of Earth-Treasures Department, I have the responsibility to warn you, Your Majesty…”

In the assembly hall of Heavenly Safe Building, Zhang Tie was sitting on the throne, head slightly tilted and listening to the words of the president of Earth-Treasures Department while stroking his face by hand. Meanwhile, he threw a casual glimpse at Ji Yuelan and Jiang Ruoxin every once a while.

Opposite to Zhang Tie, Guan Minjun, as the president of Earth-Treasures Department, was talking about the “severe situation” facing Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace to Zhang Tie loudly and clearly. In conclusion, her words contained three meanings: First, Zhang Tie was too extravagant; second, the current situation facing Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace was severe; third, warning Zhang Tie that Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace would soon “go bankrupt” if Zhang Tie couldn’t work out any solution…

Dozens of years was not a long period of time for an immortal palace in Motian Realm.

As new powers being promoted by Zhang Tie, Ji Yuelan and Jiang Ruoxin were requested to “prove” the worse situation facing Earth-Treasures Department at present by Guan Minjun.

When Guan Minjun talked about it, Ji Yuelan and Jiang Ruoxin remained silent. When some data were mentioned, they looked at her and nodded seriously which proved that the incumbent president of Earth-Treasures Department was telling the truth.

To be honest, none of the females in Motian Realm was ugly; especially female immortal generals, whose looks were all above average. As a water immortal general, although Zhang Tie didn’t know how old was Guan Minjun, given her look, she was just at her 40’s. With a good figure and tight skin, she was charming. With a classical slightly oval face, willow-shaped eyebrows, delicate five sense organs and a shrewd look, she was delightful. Except for the colors of her hair and skin, her look and temperament especially her shrewd qi of an able woman was pretty similar to that of Olina…

Therefore, when Guan Minjun talked, even Zhang Tie couldn’t help glancing at her stealthily every once a while.

Guan Minjun’s words were indeed out of Zhang Tie’s imagination. Previously, Zhang Tie thought that the stockpile of element crystals in Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace could at least sustain 100 years for the entire immortal palace. Actually, the stockpile could not even sustain for 30 years. Zhang Tie really wondered what those elders being in secluded cultivation were thinking about at that time. How dared they sigh a century-long contract with the new immortal generals of Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace?

‘Perhaps they have other arrangements, such as continuing to sell cities or population within Dragon Emperor Big Domain. At that time, they only considered stabilizing Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace for the time being. However, they all left the awful mess to me now. What old d**chebags!’

‘If I’ve not made countermeasures timely or thought about staying long in Motian Realm, anyone else who takes my position would be in trouble. If an immortal palace lacks element crystals, it would lose the support from immortal generals. By then, it would not work even if I’m the master of the former Dragon Emperor, not to mention that I’m the disciple of the former Dragon Emperor.’

Watching Guan Minjun, Zhang Tie suddenly felt like looking at Olina as endless nostalgia occurred to his mind, moving him in a daze…

…

“Your Majesty, are you listening to me?”

Guan Minjun abruptly raised her voice, waking Zhang Tie up at a stroke. Zhang Tie found she was looking at him with a bit fury, face slightly flushed. At the same time, Ji Yuelan and Jiang Ruoxin were watching him with interest.

“Ahem…ahem…of course I’m listening to you; of course…” Zhang Tie pretended to cough twice as he hurriedly replied.

“Your Majesty, what’s your solution then?”

“Won’t the element crystals in Earth-Treasures Department sustain for 30 years? No matter what, Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace is not short of element crystals now. Don’t worry!” Zhang Tie said perfunctorily with a casual look.

“Your Majesty…” Guan Minjun suddenly raised her eyebrows as she raised her voice greatly again, “Three decades would pass fast. If the other immortal generals in Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace know that our immortal palace is running out of element crystals, I’m afraid that the immortal palace would be in big trouble before we completely run out of element crystals. Your Majesty, you should be serious about that…”

“Haha, what’s your solution then, President Guan?” Zhang Tie asked casually.

“To gain more element crystals or to conserve the use. As for conservation, Your Majesty, you’d better control the population and scale of Dragon’s Teeth Army first. As for the gaining more element crystals, as the Mountain Ruins is going to open, more and more humans and demons are heading there this year. Your Majesty, it depends on you how to carry out the details!”

“Everything about Dragon’s Teeth Army is still dominated by Commander-in-Chief Huang, I don’t plan to curtail the population and scale of Dragon’s Teeth Army. As for the daily expenditure of Dragon’s Teeth Army, Earth-Treasures Department should prop up it at your full efforts. You should timely distribute military supplies in case of influencing military plans.” Zhang Tie replied with a smile as he vetoed Guan Minjun’s suggestion about conservation at once, “As for gaining more element crystals, Mountain Ruins is indeed a means; however, as the old man doesn’t care about Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace anymore, I shouldn’t disturb him with such a trivial affair. We should solve it depending on the current overall strength and capability of Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace. However, as Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace doesn’t have a supreme immortal general, we could barely defeat demons and the other immortal palaces in Mountain Ruins…”

Guan Minjun let out a sigh as she continued, “It was just my suggestion. Hopefully, Your Majesty could work out the solution!”

“Hahaha, don’t worry, President Guan. Perhaps, this problem would be easily solved within a couple of years…” Zhang Tie said casually.

After taking a deep look at Zhang Tie, Guan Minjun felt profound about Zhang Tie given his casual deed. She wondered why Zhang Tie was so confident.

Given the atmosphere, this meeting should come to an end.

“Now that Your Majesty has known the recent situation facing Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace, this humble subordinate would leave then!” Guan Minjun stood up as she said. After exchanging a look with each other, Ji Yuelan and Jiang Ruoxin also stood up.

Zhang Tie raised his hand while Hong Yukun came out of the back of Zhang Tie who then walked the three females out of Heavenly Safe Building. When she almost left there, Jiang Ruoxin suddenly turned around and took a look at Zhang Tie. She wanted to say something; however, Zhang Tie didn’t say anything even let Ji Yuelan and her stay, Jiang Ruoxin finally didn’t say it. With a bit of disappointment, she left the Dragon Emperor Pavilion.

Lowering his head, Zhang Tie was kneading his temples as if he was thinking about something.

Zhang Tie didn’t see how Jiang Ruoxin looked back at him; however, he felt it. Zhang Tie knew what Jiang Ruoxin was longing for. However, Zhang Tie didn’t have time to play any love game with females for the time being.

Over the past half a year, Zhang Tie only thought about stabilizing his throne as the new Dragon Emperor.

As for Zhang Tie, the position of Dragon Emperor definitely meant more.

As one of the top three emperor-level immortal palaces, Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace had a great influence across Motian Realm. It was a heaven-sent opportunity for Zhang Tie to persuade everyone else to believe in the return of the former Dragon Emperor and make himself the successor of the former Dragon Emperor. In Motian Realm, Zhang Tie could definitely smoothly promote to a heavenly knight and semi-sage level knight and realize another essential progress in the easiest way in the shortest period of time.

‘As long as I could stabilize the throne of Dragon Emperor and control the entire Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace firmly, my success is just a matter of time.’

‘In order to fulfill this objective, it’s worthwhile even if I’m as tired as a dog, being obsessed with a lot of otherworldly affairs all day long and couldn’t even spare a few hours for cultivation a day.’

Grinding a chopper will not hold up the work of cutting firewood.

…

“Your Majesty, the three people have already left Dragon Emperor Pavilion…” Hong Yukun had already returned to Heavenly Safe Building as he reported to Zhang Tie in a low voice.

“Hmm, I know…” Zhang Tie put down his hands as he looked up, saying, “Is there any more immortal generals waiting outside? Let them in…”

“No more for the time being!”

“Ah? No more?” Zhang Tie was shocked.

“Your Majesty, don’t you remember that? The two branch heads and immortal generals in Silvermaple City and Strongwind City had been received this morning. They were the last branch heads and immortal generals being received by Your Majesty. Over the past half a year, Your Majesty has already received all the branch heads and immortal generals in almost 1,000 branches of Dragon Emperor Immortal Palace across Dragon Emperor Big Domain. Your Majesty’s diligence and fame have already spread across Dragon Emperor Big Domain…”

After thinking about it for a second, Zhang Tie suddenly burst into laughter. “Hahaha, I’ve received all of them. I’ve finally ended up a big deal. That’s great! That’s great! From today on, I could be a bit relaxed…”

“Your Majesty, as you’ve been busy for many hours, do you want to take a short rest or appreciate some dance and music…”

“No need. I will take a walk outside and check the Forbidden City. By the way, I need some fresh air…”

“I will make an arrangement right away…”

“No need. I only need some bodyguards to go with me in metal wings. We will set off by air…” Zhang Tie said as he stood up and walked out of Heavenly Safe Building.

After a short while, five people had left Dragon Emperor Pavilion for the north of Dragon Emperor City. In more than 10 minutes, Zhang Tie and four immortal generals had already arrived above the Forbidden City.

No airboats that transported building materials and goods could be seen above Forbidden City anymore. With the common efforts of tens of thousands of able craftsmen, it only took them less than half a year to basically complete the construction of a complex of palaces which was bigger than Dragon Emperor Pavilion, except for some final procedures.

This Forbidden City was a Hua complex from the world where Zhang Tie came from according to his memory.

“Your Majesty…” Soon after Zhang Tie’s group arrived above the Forbidden City and hovered there for a short while, Leng Manxue in metal wings had already arrived at his side.

“How’s everything going? How long until Forbidden City is completed?” Zhang Tie asked.

“Some palaces in Forbidden City are already available now. Some palaces and houses have not been completed yet. Forbidden City would be fully available in half a month!” Leng Manxue answered.

“Good, I appreciate you for your hard work!”

“It’s my pleasure!”

Zhang Tie wanted to say something else. However, he suddenly stopped as he received a message from Dragon Emperor Pavilion through his portable jade plate——a special envoy of Star Emperor Immortal Palace suddenly paid a visit to Dragon Emperor Pavilion and wanted to meet Zhang Tie accompanied by the general manager of Emperor NvWa’s Palace in Dragon Emperor City.

Although Zhang Tie had been waiting for it for half a year, the arrival of the representative of Star Emperor Immortal Palace was still a bit earlier than that was predicted by Zhang Tie…

Previously, Zhang Tie thought that the representative of Star Emperor Immortal Palace would contact him after the Forbidden City was completely put in use. Given the current situation, the powers in Star Emperor Immortal Palace couldn’t wait anymore.

After receiving the message, Zhang Tie remained unchanged superficially; however, he couldn’t stand bursting into laughter inside.

After being busy for half a year, he would finally make an achievement…