Chapter 120 The Hunt Begins

“This outer hunt will have a total of one hundred and twenty transcendents leaving the city.”

“The neutralist-assembled High Wall Patrol currently has four hundred low-level transcendents.”

Chen Mei was in charge of the action dispatch for this hunting mission.

Most of the transcendents who came south to support were from the Dadu District and belonged to the Chengxin Society. Chen Mei had extremely high prestige in the Dadu District. In such matters, no one could compare with him except Song Ci.

The final lineup for the hunt was decided, with Su Cha and Qi Lu accompanying Gu Shen and Bai Xiu out of the city.

He, on the other hand, would stay at the Southern Cave with Lao Er and Lao Si to guard against accidents.

The main force for this great hunt was still "East Continent."

The "Patrol" assembled by neutralists mainly consisted of low-level transcendents—the transcendent realms of these local residents of Sangzhou Cave were generally only in the first to third layers of the Deep Sea Zone. As for the Storm Church in the rear, they were even less reliable.

After the personnel were assembled, Gu Shen carried out detailed grouping plans.

According to the "combat formation" established by the East Continent Tribunal, six people formed a squad. In this southern mission, there were also combat personnel from the Nagano Dispatch Tribunal, Prison, and Command, who were familiar with the combat system of the three divisions. They were responsible for higher-level command... In the recent Frozen Lake mission, the Nagano encirclement team used this combat system to defeat and annihilate the [Snow Cage] criminals.

...

...

“Bishop Yuan, good morning.”

Outside the high wall of S12 district, the Origin Energy Boat hovered over the wilderness. Yuan Shuocheng's expression was complicated. He looked outside the red-silver glass, at a black-shirted figure stepping on a flying sword, suspended beside the airship, almost level with him.

"Gu Shen?"

If he remembered correctly, Gu Shen should be a mental-type transcendent… Was this guy's "levitation" phenomenon a mental-type telekinetic ability?

"It's time to set off."

Gu Shen stood on the iron sword, his expression calm, transmitting a mental message, "How did you sleep last night?"

Yuan Shuocheng chuckled.

How did he sleep? How dare this kid ask!

He was a respectable fourth-order, who no longer needed sleep. It was just that after the meeting last night, looking at the high wall in front of him, he was filled with resentment… The Holy City had no intention of truly contributing to this mission.

The Cadaverous Saint gave the Archbishop very broad authority.

Since Gu Shen treated him so slightingly, he would naturally return the favor.

“Thank you for your concern, Little Gu.”

Yuan Shuocheng squeezed out a sincere smile and slowly said, "I don't know why, perhaps it's because of acclimatization, many of the clergy feel 'uncomfortable.' The church's main task this time is to support the rear… Since East Continent is ready, they should lead the way. We will catch up soon."

The most disgusting way to deal with someone was to stall.

You want me to set off.

I refuse. I just want to stall!

Gu Shen saw it all, but his expression remained unchanged.

“Bishop Yuan is sure he doesn't want to leave?”

Yuan Shuocheng smiled, “It's not that I'm unwilling, but unable…”

“In the New Calendar 625, under your connection, the Holy City Church completed its first transaction with Central City, buying four Origin Energy Boats at a total cost of 1.23 billion.”

“In the New Calendar 626, the second transaction, a large Origin Energy Boat, cost 3.5 billion.”

“Since then, transactions have continued… The saints in the church have all found you to purchase ‘Origin Energy Boats’ from Central City.”

Gu Shen slowly transmitted the message.

Yuan Shuocheng's expression underwent a subtle change.

“Relying on your strong cooperative relationship with Central City, your position within the Storm Church has risen steadily, eventually reaching the position of ‘Archbishop’ step by step.”

Gu Shen smiled and said, “Am I right?”

“I don't understand what you mean…” Yuan Shuocheng lowered his voice and said coldly, “What I, Yuan, have done is not a secret. Representing the Holy City in transactions with Central City is the trust the Saint bestows upon me, and the recognition of the God Seat!”

"Yes."

Gu Shen said indifferently, "So what I just said is all public information that can be found in the [Deep Sea]… Buying and selling Origin Energy Boats is no small matter, requiring special approval from the Central City's Privy Council. Duke Zhuxue is responsible for conducting transactions with the Holy City. Of course, this also requires the Empress to nod. Such a major transaction is naturally news known to the whole world."

“…”

Yuan Shuocheng was silent for a few seconds, narrowed his eyes, and asked impolitely, "So what exactly do you want to say?"

“The first transaction, actually paid 1.15 billion.”

Gu Shen said, "The second transaction, 3.2 billion. The third time..."

"Stop! Stop! Stop!"

Yuan Shuocheng's pupils suddenly contracted. Although it was mental transmission, he was still horrified when he heard this series of numbers and interrupted Gu Shen. He looked at the young man flying the sword beside him.

His transaction with Central City was a secret among secrets!

How did Gu Shen know about this?!

Gu Shen stopped speaking as he wished.

He said indifferently, “Bishop Yuan, are you afraid? Don't worry, it was mental transmission just now, so it won't be seen by the [Deep Sea], but after that, it's hard to say…”

“Gu Shen!”

Veins bulged on Yuan Shuocheng's forehead.

He saw the indifferent look in Gu Shen's eyes, quickly suppressed his anger, took a deep breath, and asked word by word, "Don't spread it, do you know what kind of impact this will have?"

"Oh?"

Gu Shen rubbed his chin, thought for a moment, and said seriously, "It shouldn't have any impact. The Holy City will eliminate a 'traitor who eats inside and out.' The church values loyalty most. You even dared to touch the God Seat’s oil. You should be skinned and have a sky lantern lit, burning for three days and three nights… Well, you're so fat, it might take seven days and seven nights."

“???”

“As for me, the Storm Church should give me a banner?” Gu Shen smiled and said, “I will actively suggest that they present the four words ‘Punish Evil and Promote Good’… because I, like them, hate traitors the most.”

The word traitor was emphasized by Gu Shen!

Like a heavy hammer, it hit Yuan Shuocheng's heart.

Yuan Shuocheng was still angry at the moment, but he had gradually calmed down.

He said calmly, "These numbers are all fabricated, they are slander..."

"Really?"

Gu Shen said with emotion, "That's great. Anyway, it's fabricated, so it doesn't matter. Why don't we stop using 'mental transmission' now and just talk publicly?"

"You're crazy!" Yuan Shuocheng was so angry that he almost fainted. He widened his eyes, worried, "Cadaverous Saint has the [Tidal] authority! He can hear everything!"

"Heh."

Gu Shen's face changed, and he scolded coldly, "You gutless dog, what are you pretending for? You know to be afraid of Cadaverous, but you don't know to honestly admit it?"

“…”

After a burst of scolding, Yuan Shuocheng was speechless.

At this moment, the entire Sangzhou Cave Island was within the [Tidal] hearing of Cadaverous. As long as Gu Shen said this matter and Cadaverous heard it and became suspicious, and then investigated…

The things he had done could not be covered up!

He couldn't say a word of rebuttal or excuse.

Because what he had done was all true, and every number Gu Shen had just said was very accurate.

Even if it was fake, he would be afraid… because the Storm Church didn't need evidence at all!

They only needed suspicion to threaten his head.

"You..."

Yuan Shuocheng gritted his teeth. He finally gave up struggling and asked weakly, "How did you know?"

He had been extremely secretive and careful about these years of transactions.

The sale of "Origin Energy Boats" with Central City was something only he could do… because he was born in a remote area of Jiangbei and was familiar with the people of North Continent since he was a child. Later, he entered the Storm Church, and his friends who grew up together entered the army.

Yuan Shuocheng had maintained close contact with his friends within the military—

After the Scarlet Tide War ended, the Lin Imperial Family urgently needed a lot of funds. Yuan Shuocheng saw the business opportunity at this time. He offered advice to the small church bishop he was following at the time, revealing a planned "transaction" plan, but it was only the tip of the iceberg.

In this way, Yuan Shuocheng, who obtained the first sum of money, went north to Central City.

He asked his old friend for help and purchased a batch of military supplies that the Lin family needed to eliminate during the Scarlet Tide War… The war promoted North Continent's productivity and technical statements. The fate of this batch of outdated weapons was originally to be scrapped, but at this moment, it could be used on the technologically backward South Continent battlefield. After the Scarlet Tide War ended, the North Continent returned to peace, but the civil war in the South Continent never stopped and was intensifying… The transaction went smoothly. Yuan Shuocheng brought this batch of "outdated" military supplies back to the church, and he was immediately appreciated and soon received a second "transaction" request from the upper level.

Just like that.

Using his identity as an outer court believer of the Storm Church, he gradually became a military arms dealer, step by step approaching the power center of the Southern Continent Holy City. The small church he was in swept the surrounding churches of the South Continent with the support of "advanced weapons."

And he also went from an outer court believer to a bishop.

Finally, Yuan Shuocheng became a well-known "arms dealer" in Central City and South Continent. A "Saint" from the Holy City personally met him and expressed a bold plan—

Purchase Origin Energy Boats!

This was the most famous and destructive weapon in North Continent!

If one party on the South Continent battlefield could obtain "Origin Energy Boats"... then the next battle would be without suspense. The force with Origin Energy Boats would directly crush the enemy.

At that time, infighting among the Saints within the Storm Church was very fierce, and that Saint needed Origin Energy Boats to stabilize his position.

Yuan Shuocheng seized this opportunity.

The sale of Origin Energy Boats was a "big business" that almost no one dared to imagine. North Continent refused to sell to the outside world, which was something everyone knew.

The reason why the transaction was successful was that he offered an irresistible condition to his acquaintance in Central City—

He only needed to purchase the old Origin Energy Boats left over from the North Continent's Scarlet Tide War.

The Scarlet Tide War was a pain for North Continent, but it was also a drastic change… During the long war, the Lin Imperial Family had many loyal "followers" who devoted themselves to the research of Origin Energy weapons to ensure the success of the Scarlet Tide War revolution. These revolutionaries went to Guangming City, Shang City, Nagano and other places to study, and after returning, they returned to North Continent.

Their appearance, spurt and explosion, made North Continent's "war craftsmanship" begin to lead the world.

In addition, during a chance exploration of the frontier—

Rusty Bones, who was not yet a general, brought back a design drawing of an old-world flying ship.

A large part of this drawing was missing. Later, after continuous research, the first generation of scholars in the underground research institute completed the "invention," simplifying and creating it in the original airship structure.

Thus, the "Origin Energy Boat" was born.

Subsequent relic explorations continued to discover drawings, and the Origin Energy Boat was upgraded generation after generation.

What changed the Scarlet Tide War was actually the "Origin Energy Boat."

When the Lin family developed the Origin Energy Boat, the legions under the Red Emperor were already difficult to resist—

Finally, the Empress ascended the throne, took back the fire belonging to her, North Continent ushered in peace, and the Origin Energy Boat technology did not stop, but further upgraded. The four "medium-sized Origin Energy Boats" that Yuan Shuocheng initially ordered were actually the most basic old models.

The value of such a medium-sized Origin Energy Boat was probably less than 100 million.

However, Yuan Shuocheng initially offered a price far exceeding its value!

Four ships, one billion!

Origin Energy Boats were originally prohibited from being traded... but the other party gave too much. This matter was reported to the military layer by layer, and finally reached Zhuxue's ears. Lin Chou, who was busy building the Central City at that time, personally met Yuan Shuocheng.

Finally, this transaction... was successfully negotiated.

Zhuxue requested the Holy City to offer 1.23 billion, and the Saint finally agreed, but North Continent did not accept all the money, but left a gap of 80 million.

Yuan Shuocheng had to accept this money.

This was a "necessary prerequisite" for the transaction to be reached. If Yuan Shuocheng wanted to bring these four Origin Energy Boats back to South Continent, he needed to agree to Zhuxue's "conditions"—for North Continent, the transaction could be carried out, but everything needed to be in their own hands.

Yuan Shuocheng accepted this money, which meant...

Central City could tear off his "broker" identity at any time.

Forced by the Saint's pressure, Yuan Shuocheng had to agree to this deal. In this way... under the influence of the general trend, he became the third biggest winner in this transaction. The Saint plundered the South Continent's people's wealth and collected all the money to continue purchasing "Origin Energy Boats." The other Saints also followed suit. The Storm God Seat's indifference to the territory made the transactions more and more frequent. The accumulated transaction volume over the years had reached tens of billions.

North Continent only sold the most backward weapons.

As for the main boats, such "ultra-large Origin Energy Boats" worth tens of billions, Yuan Shuocheng also knew that no matter how much money the Holy City took out, Central City would not trade them.

Central City held the technology and would always hold the best weapons in its own hands!

Returning to Yuan Shuocheng's initial question.

"How did you know?"

This Archbishop could not understand how Gu Shen was very popular in the North Continent region. Even the Empress expressed her love for him, but he was from East Continent—

A genuine East Continent person!

The true inside story of this transaction should not be known to more than ten people in the entire North Continent.

"Did Zhuxue tell you?"

"Could it be... is it the Empress?"

Yuan Shuocheng looked at Gu Shen, who smiled slightly, and this smile was his answer.

He never expected that.

In addition to Zhuxue and the Empress, there was one other person in North Continent who knew the transaction like the back of his hand and knew it clearly.

In fact, the "Origin Energy Boats" that Yuan Shuocheng bought all came from the Kobold Fortress.

In a sense, all the airships in South Continent came from his hands.

He was the real seller in this transaction.