Chapter 271: Chapter 226: Mobilizing the Masses, Opening the Ore Vein

"Ordinary Martial Artists, Martial Masters, and Grand Martial Artists. There is no limit on the number—the more, the better! Of these, the higher the proportion of Martial Masters and Grand Martial Artists, the better!"

"Mortal Martial Artists?" Zhao Tieying and Sun Lie, the two Demon Hunting Leaders, exchanged a look, a realization suddenly dawning on them.

"Exactly!" Lu Zhao declared, his tone firm. "Mining the ore vein is mostly manual labor."

"Martial Artists have strong physiques and great stamina. With a little training, they’ll be more than capable of handling basic tasks like digging and hauling."

"Before, we would have had to consider that Martial Artists are too weak and could be easily wiped out. But now, with the Puppets, they are no longer helpless against Demon Beasts. We can send them into the Wilderness to mine ore."

"As for the Cultivators, they only need to maintain the Arrays and handle the final refining and purification. This will free up their strength to the greatest extent, allowing it to be used for more important matters."

His gaze was piercing as he looked at the five of them. "As for distribution, that’s also simple. All the associated Spiritual Materials extracted will be distributed according to the number of Martial Artists each family brings—especially the proportion of Martial Masters and Grand Martial Artists!"

"The more Martial Artists you provide, the greater your contribution, and naturally, the larger your share!"

His words struck them like a boulder dropped into a calm lake.

Wang Zhen, Xu Kui, and the others instantly understood Lu Zhao’s intention! He planned to use the vast population of Mortal Martial Artists to leverage the entire mining operation!

The distribution method was a blatant appeal to self-interest—whichever family could mobilize more and stronger Martial Artists would get to cut a larger slice of the cake that was the associated ore!

"Elder Lu, your insight is profound!" Zhao Tieying of the Qingyang Demon Hunting Team was the first to react. He had a frank and hearty personality, and his eyes now shone with a keen light. He cupped his fist and announced, "My Qingyang Demon Hunting Team has many affiliated villages and towns, with numerous Martial Artists! When I get back, I’ll immediately issue an order to mobilize every last one we have!"

"Martial Artists, Martial Masters, and Grand Martial Artists—I’ll leave none behind. I’ll send them all!"

Sun Lie of the Red Fire Demon Hunting Team, not to be outdone, quickly declared, "The same goes for my Red Fire Team! I will bring every Martial Artist under our jurisdiction to await your command, Elder Lu!"

The three Patriarchs—Wang Zhen, Xu Kui, and Han Song—were even more sharp-witted. ’Mobilizing Mortal Martial Artists? For families like ours, deeply rooted in the region, it’s as easy as flipping a hand!’

Their family territories contained numerous villages and towns, with a vast population of Martial Artists.

In the past, these Martial Artists created limited value, serving only to guard villages and perform menial labor. Even recently, with the Puppets, some of them could threaten First and Second Layer Qi Cultivation Cultivators, but the Cultivation Clans still didn’t pay them much mind. After all, that power wasn’t so much their own as it was a gift from Elder Lu.

In their eyes, these Puppets were actually similar to Blood Refining Spiritual Artifacts, just without the enormous price that had to be paid.

But now, they had unexpectedly become key bargaining chips in the fight for shares of precious Spiritual Materials!

"The Wang Family accepts your command!" Wang Zhen’s voice was resonant, tinged with excitement. "My Wang Family governs no fewer than several thousand Martial Artists! We also have several hundred Martial Masters and Grand Martial Artists! We will pour all our efforts into serving you, Elder Lu!"

"The Xu Family concurs!" Xu Kui followed right after. "My Xu Family can also mobilize a great number of Martial Artists. We will not be left behind!"

Han Song took a deep breath, suppressing the shock in his heart, and said solemnly, "The Han Family will obey Elder Lu’s command! We will do our utmost to gather our Martial Artists!"

Seeing the five of them scrambling to declare their support, a satisfied smile appeared on Lu Zhao’s face. ’This was exactly the effect I wanted. Profit is always the most direct motivator.’

"Very good." Lu Zhao nodded slightly, then his tone shifted, carrying a hint of deeper meaning. "However, an opportunity like this is not for the five of you alone. Within the borders of Broken River Castle, any Cultivation Clan or Demon Hunting Team, regardless of size, may participate."

"Zhao Xiaoshu."

"I am here!" Zhao Xiaoshu quickly responded.

"Immediately send word throughout the castle. Announce this news far and wide: any faction belonging to Broken River Castle may dispatch Martial Artists to participate in mining the Sharp Pattern Copper Ore."

"Distribution of shares will likewise be determined by the quantity and strength of the Martial Artists they bring. In half a month’s time, everyone is to assemble on the plains east of the castle!"

"Yes, sir!" Zhao Xiaoshu respectfully accepted the order, took the Token, and hurried away.

This move by Lu Zhao was undoubtedly intended to make the pie bigger, while also introducing competition throughout all of Broken River Castle. The smaller clans and Demon Hunting Teams might not have many Martial Artists, but many drops make an ocean. Together, they could form a considerable force.

More importantly, this would prevent unnecessary friction that might arise from the five major factions monopolizing mobilization rights, focusing everyone’s attention on how to rally more Martial Artists instead.

Upon hearing this, Wang Zhen and the others felt a slight stir of unease, but they understood this was Lu Zhao’s way of maintaining balance. Besides, they were confident that with their own foundations, the number of Martial Artists they could mobilize was far beyond what any smaller faction could muster. Therefore, they had no objections. On the contrary, it instilled in them a greater sense of urgency, making them fear that latecomers would eat into their shares.

"Gentlemen," Lu Zhao finally looked at the five leaders, his tone solemn. "The ore vein is in a treacherous location, deep within the Wilderness and surrounded by Demon Beasts."

"The assembly and transport of the Martial Artists, the establishment of the mining site, and its daily defense will all require your full cooperation, with each of you carrying out your duties. During the mining process, if anyone slacks off or engages in infighting, leading to delays or significant losses, do not blame me for being unforgiving."

His plain words carried the grim chill of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

A shiver went through the five of them, and they quickly bowed in assent. "We will work together with one heart and will not disappoint you, Elder Lu!"

"Go." Lu Zhao waved his hand. "You have half a month. I trust you will not disappoint me."

The five bowed again. Filled with irrepressible excitement and a powerful sense of urgency, they hurried from the hall.

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