Planet Pulverizer: A Mortal's Ascent-Chapter 311: Service

An hour later, Wen Yusheng and Wen Xingchen returned to Li Pin's room.

"This time, we owe it all to you, Martial God Li. Without your help, the consequences would have been unimaginable," Wen Yusheng said, full of gratitude.

"Is this related to the incident in Xiangshi Territory last time?" Li Pin asked.

Wen Yusheng nodded. "Yes."

"Last time, we nearly went to war with Xiangshi. Fortunately, Xingchen and Yuanshan infiltrated their territory and intimidated Cui Sheng enough to make him back down.

"However, it's clear Cui Sheng hasn't let it go. This time, he intentionally brought people from the Dragonfist Sect, trying to use the same method we used to scare him, to intimidate us into paying up."

"Xiangshi... Those close to the water get the moonlight first," Li Pin remarked.[1]

The Dragonfist Sect was established in Xiangshi Territory. In fact, the sect itself operated like a small territory. With its considerable strength, boasting dozens of Martial Saints, and proximity to Kanyun Country, any pressure from Molong Country could easily push them into forming an alliance with Kanyun.

Because of this, despite Molong's long-standing desire to subdue the Dragonfist Sect, they could never find the right opportunity.

Over the decades, the Dragonfist Sect had become deeply entrenched. Many of its disciples held key positions within Molong, making it increasingly difficult for the royal family to uproot them. All they could do was watch as the sect continued to grow in power.

"The tax collectors will be here soon, which is why Cui Sheng is anxious. Once we get through this month and pay this year's taxes, he'll calm down,"

Wen Yusheng continued, pausing briefly. "Of course, we haven't been idle. We've expanded our defense troops to 1,200 men. The only issue is that the newly recruited 600 soldiers lack sufficient weapons, so they haven't been officially integrated into the guard force."

There were many arms dealers in the Great Moon region, but arming 600 soldiers was no simple task. A rifle alone might cost a measly 200 Royal Empire Gold Yuan, but with ammunition, training, and other expenses factored in, maintaining 600 additional troops would add about 3 million to the annual military budget.

Xiangye City's annual tax revenue was less than 10 million, with 70-80% being directly taken by Molong Country, the city was left with only 1 to 2 million.

Even with creative accounting, their actual annual surplus was only around 4 to 5 million. Maintaining the current army of 600 was already a burden; trying to recruit another 600 could financially cripple their territory.

"Speaking of the army," Li Pin glanced at Wen Yusheng, "If we were to take control of the Black Gold Mine, how many troops do you think it would take?"

"Take control of the Black Gold Mine?" Wen Yusheng was briefly taken aback but quickly began to think it over. "The Black Gold Mine covers a vast area, stretching across Xiangye, Fenglin, and Hanmu territories, with four exits in total.

"Because of the demonic creatures running rampant within, occupying it wouldn't cause too much of a stir. However, three of the exits lie within the other two territories. It would be nearly impossible to station troops there to enforce a complete blockade without their consent."

He shook his head. "Unless we can defeat both territories."

"And what kind of power would it take to defeat them?" Li Pin asked.

Wen Yusheng looked at Li Pin, unsure of the purpose behind the question. Wen Xingchen, however, immediately stepped forward and solemnly promised, "Martial God Li, if you deem it necessary, Xiangye Territory is willing to fight for you."

Li Pin glanced at him, slightly surprised.

Wen Yusheng, realizing the direction of the conversation, quickly added, "Fenglin and Hanmu aren't very strong. If we can fully arm our 1,200 men, defeating them wouldn't be difficult. The real concern is Xiangshi; they might sabotage us. But if it's on your orders, Martial God Li, I can mobilize our forces immediately."

Li Pin smiled, seeing that Wen Yusheng wasn't joking. "Lord Wen, your words make it sound like you're ready to follow my lead."

"If I had still known you as Martial Saint Li and not Martial God Li, these words might seem presumptuous. But now...." Wen Yusheng paused before firmly stating, "You're more than capable of turning Xiangye and the surrounding territories into a quasi-nation that even Molong Country would have to recognize, much like the Dragonfist Sect has done."

"I'm surprised. We've only known each other for two months," Li Pin remarked.

"Two months is enough to see a person for who he really is. I believe that if you became the new ruler of these lands, you wouldn't impose the same harsh policies as the Molong Royal Family. At the very least, the 300 thousand people of Xiangye wouldn't have to struggle just to meet their basic needs."

Wen Yusheng gave a bitter smile. "Do you know how much tax we have to pay this time?"

He didn't wait for Li Pin to guess. "10 million."

"10 million?"

Li Pin understood at once.

"Xiangye Territory's reported total revenue for this year was only 9.8 million, but... all lords fudge their financial reports. The difference is just in the amount. The higher-ups turn a blind eye because they know lords need to maintain a comfortable lifestyle.

"In reality, our true revenue this year was around 15 million. But about 4 million was used for road repairs, housing projects, and orchards to help the people get through the year. After paying this tax, we won't even be able to arm the 600 new recruits.

"We might have to cut some of the existing 600 guards. One soldier can support a family of seven or eight. If they're laid off, it wouldn't just mean hundreds of unemployed men; it would also create hundreds of impoverished families."

Military pay in Xiangye wasn't high, but there were hidden benefits. Wen Yusheng had used many similar methods to reduce poverty without drawing the tax officials' attention.

Unlike the so-called poverty standards in Tianyuan or Taibai, poverty in Xiangye meant a real risk of people starving to death. What Wen Yusheng provided them with was a basic guarantee of survival.

"Your taxes were only 8 million last year. How did they rise to 10 million so quickly?" Li Pin asked.

Wen Yusheng glanced at him. "Maybe Cui Sheng is behind this. He's likely trying to weaken Xiangye and break the people's morale through such methods."

"A territory with a population of 300 thousand could be brought to its knees by a few million..." Li Pin muttered. "There's definitely a problem."

He wasn't interested in the power struggles on the Great Moon's land, but... the treasure in the Black Gold Mine was something he couldn't give up on just yet.

If it was confirmed that every Ghoul King would drop those transparent crystals... then he would've really hit a goldmine. The price of those crystals would rival even rare astral equipment.

With a treasure trove like this under his grasp, he could get all the Primordial Electric Crystals, Spirit-Restoring Incense, and Essence-Gathering Pearls he could possibly need. They would all be in abundant supply.

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It had already been a while since he finished organizing his martial arts system, yet the strength of his magnetic field had increased by less than a single point.

In other words, to forge his Lifeform Force Field into an Celestial Magnetic Field and become a High-Class Martial God would take at least another year! Refining his qi and blood to then reach the level of a Top-Tier Martial God would take even longer!

Previously, he didn't feel the time pass while organizing his martial arts system, but over the past month, with his training settling into a routine, he genuinely felt slow! Too slow, in fact!

That was why he was adamant on having this Black Gold Mine firmly in his grasp.

"If I remember correctly, the strongest in Molong Country is its ruler, Wu Muxuan, a Top-Tier Astral Cultivator. Besides that, he commands nine generals and twelve lords..." muttered Li Pin.

He pondered silently, One Top-Tier, twenty-one High-Class, over a hundred Ordinary Astral Cultivators, and more than two hundred Martial Saints. It's quite a formidable force. However, they may not all be loyal to the ruler.

Whether it was the nine generals or the twelve lords, their relationship with him seemed more like an alliance.

It was similar to the Tianyuan Dynasty and the Taibai Kingdom; both belonged to the Tianyuan Federation, but they each had their own rulers with significant internal control.

However, that was besides the point. Only one thing mattered.

"A Top-Tier Astral Cultivator...." Li Pin murmured.

Wen Yusheng and Wen Xingchen exchanged glances, anxiously awaiting his decision.

In the end, a smile appeared on Li Pin's face, and he repeated, "Top-Tier Astral Cultivator.... So he's just a Top-Tier Astral Cultivator."

He wasn't even a Master Astral Cultivator, nor was he anywhere near a Legend or a Legendary Mage of Great Shang.

Li Pin lifted his head and looked at Wen Yusheng and Wen Xingchen. "Will you really not come to regret this? If I can't protect you, you won't even keep your titles as lords."

Hearing Li Pin's words, the father and son smiled together.

"If we lose the title, so be it. If not for our deep love for this land and our desire to change it, would being the lord of Xiangye even matter?"

"I may not be an Astral Cultivator, but as a Martial Saint, my abilities would allow me to live comfortably in any country, even the Six Extremities."

Li Pin warned, "That's not certain. By switching your loyalty from the Molong Royal Family to me, you're effectively betraying them. I doubt they'd show mercy to traitors. Even if you flee to another country, your safety wouldn't be guaranteed."

"Then let them come. Worst is we die in battle," said Wen Xingchen calmly. "As a martial artist, why fear a fight to the death?"

Wen Yusheng spoke with confidence as well. "I'm fifty-six this year. Not exactly old, but more than half my life is behind me, and I've wasted much of it, not achieving anything. I grew up on this land. With these remaining years I have left, I want to do something for it, no matter the outcome."

"Then it's time to show what you're capable of." Li Pin stood up and patted Wen Yusheng's shoulder. "My first request is simple: take over the Black Gold Mine. Absorb the surrounding lands into Xiangye. You may face some resistance, but..."

He paused.

"If necessary, I will intervene."

1. It means people who are in a position to benefit from something easily often do so. ☜