But now he had arrived in the heart of his archenemy's Inner Treasury.

There was no need to feel any regret for its loss.

"Sacrifice!"

SIZZLE...

Instantly, within the Inner Treasury, the Black Gold Tiger-Head Hammer transformed into a beam of golden light, seemingly devoured cleanly by some invisible, enormous entity from the void.

It evaporated right there in the Inner Treasury.

[Diagram Master has met one of the Sixth Transformation Map's cultivation conditions (1/6)]

Feeling as though one-sixth of the Sixth Transformation Map's scroll had been illuminated, Chen Ku took a deep breath.

He then looked down at the assortment of Weapons and the remaining two Famous Weapons, thinking it was a pity. If only this transformation of mine allowed me to carry a Storage Bag, I'd bundle everything up and take it away. Even if they're of no use to me, I can't let them become sharp weapons used against Medicine King Hall later on.

He sighed, thinking to himself, Storage Bags are convenient, true, but their downside is also obvious—they still have the drawback of needing to be carried physically. If only I could kill a Fur Bear one day. Its ability to swallow anything, with its stomach adjusting even after transformation, would be so convenient!

Finally, he glanced back at the Inner Treasury.

If he weren't still hoping to succeed with the poison, he would have been tempted to set this place on fire, he thought.

WHOOSH...

Transformed into a Little Bee, he quietly flew out through a crack in the window of the Firewood Iron Shop's Inner Treasury. After surveying the area, he found no sign of Xie Wenyuan and his son within the Firewood Iron Shop.

They must be at the Xie Residence then, Chen Ku mused.

Chen Ku flew from the Firewood Iron Shop towards the Xie Residence, which was only about half a mile away. From the entrance of the residence, it was clear that the Xie Family's defenses were tight.

Just the gatekeepers alone numbered eight guards, each well-built. The sharp glint in their eyes, in particular, indicated that all these guards were experts who had at least entered the Mystic Barrier Realm.

As if no one else was there, Chen Ku flew through a crack in the gate right in front of the eight guards. His tiny form moved through the Xie Residence, following the scent of the Xie father and son, eventually landing on a large potted plant outside the main hall.

At that moment, through the bee's perspective Chen Ku had adopted, three people could be seen inside the main hall.

That's... County Magistrate Qi! Chen Ku's heart trembled slightly as he immediately recalled the news Kou Ming had brought back to Medicine King Hall: the Firewood Iron Shop had made private contact with the government and was transitioning to an official business, aiming to "wear the red robes."

He carefully pricked up his ears, his hearing amplified by his multiple transformations, extending it towards the main hall, some fifty to sixty feet away.

Inside the main hall, two Taishi Chairs were placed opposite each other. Shopkeeper Xie Wenyuan, also known as Elder Xie, sat on the left. To his right was a small table holding two cups of tea. Further to the right sat a tall, slender middle-aged man with a refined, crane-like bearing. He sported a mustache, carried a scholarly air, and possessed an indescribable official aura.

It was none other than Qi Wanshan, the second-in-command of Baojiao County, the County Magistrate.

"Elder Xie..." County Magistrate Qi placed his left hand on the tabletop, tapped gently with his index finger, and said slowly, "Back then, I placed great expectations on the Firewood Iron Shop out of respect for Xie Qingfeng, a rare talent of his generation, hoping to elevate your shop so that one day it could stand proudly and openly. But now, the Firewood Iron Shop's performance has been disappointing."

As he mentioned Xie Qingfeng, the handsome, gentle-looking young man seated in a less prominent position near them remained silent with his eyes closed.

Xie Wenyuan frowned slightly and explained, "Lord Qi, it's simply because Medicine King Hall has produced a prodigious young man. This world does not lack geniuses. Surely you don't believe that the Firewood Iron Shop, with its current momentum, will have its situation reversed just because of one Chen Ku from Medicine King Hall? To tell you the truth, my Lord, following your secret orders, the Firewood Iron Shop has already secretly forged fifteen Divine Force Crossbows. With fifteen Third Realm experts operating them in secret, there's a seventy percent certainty of assassinating even Yang Luochen with a single shot."

"Oh, fifteen crossbows?" Qi Wanshan raised his eyebrows subtly. "That's quite efficient."

"Don't forget, my Lord, on what the Xie Family built its fortune," Xie Wenyuan said slowly. "I dare not boast about other matters, but when it comes to forging weapons and equipment, that is our Firewood Iron Shop's specialty. Moreover, with the 'Ruyi Stone' you secretly gifted us, my Lord, fifteen crossbows in five years is a solid rate."

"Elder Xie's 'Weapon Forging Technique' is considered top-tier even in Qiu Dragon Mansion. After all, you are widely recognized as a 'Great Famous Weapons Craftsman.' With your involvement, fifteen Divine Force Crossbows in five years is indeed fast." Upon hearing about the fifteen Divine Force Crossbows, Qi Wanshan's demeanor softened considerably. He first complimented Xie Wenyuan cheerfully, then changed the subject, "It just so happens that the government is preparing to join forces with Grandmaster Qin Yuxian and Commander Ye Zhong's 'Divine Machine Camp' to go into the mountains and subdue demons. Temporarily requisitioning ten of your Divine Force Crossbows shouldn't be a problem, will it?"

"Ten crossbows? That..." Xie Wenyuan's brow furrowed, and his tone was displeased as he slowly said, "The entire Firewood Iron Shop is preparing to go to war with Medicine King Hall imminently, to settle once and for all who controls the guilds in Baojiao County. Requisitioning ten crossbows at this time... will affect the Firewood Iron Shop's strength. If Medicine King Hall makes the first move, we will lack a powerful trump card."

"What? You're unwilling?" Qi Wanshan gently picked up his teacup and said leisurely, "That's fine. But don't forget, the Imperial Court chose the Firewood Iron Shop simply because you are obedient and willing to submit. This opportunity was given to your Firewood Iron Shop first, that's all. If not the Firewood Iron Shop, it could have been the Fish and Dragon Association or Medicine King Hall. Believe it or not, if the Imperial Court just said the word, they too would be willing to negotiate and pledge their loyalty to the state."

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