The Human Emperor (200-400)

C227: Basic Swordsmanship Training!

“How did the Yao Clan learn of it?”

A mysterious light flashed across Wang Chong’s eyes. He always regarded any knowledge of the Hyderabad ore to be of utmost importance and rarely revealed it to anyone.

For several months, no one knew the origins of the Wootz steel sword, neither its materials nor its methods. Yet, the Yao Clan was actually able to trace the matter back to the ‘Hyderabad ore’.

Deng Mingxin’s two words had pointed to a whole host of problems.

“Where did you hear of the Hyderabad ore from?”

Wang Chong finally focused his full gaze on Deng Mingxin.

“I happened to overhear the matter from Zheng Xuan when he was talking to another person.”

Deng Mingxin gnashed his teeth. He would have never dared to reveal this under normal circumstances, but since Zheng Xuan had already abandoned him, he had no qualms about doing the same in turn.

“Zheng Xuan?”

Wang Chong frowned.

“I don’t know much about this matter. All I could discover was that King Qi and the Yao Clan intend to deal with you, and it should be related to some Hyderabad ore or something.”

Deng Mingxin confessed to everything that he knew of.

“I understand.”

Wang Chong waved his hand.

“I’ll give you my promise. However, you are not to meddle with Sun Zhiming or the Sun Clan anymore. Otherwise, I believe you know what outcome awaits you and your father.”

Soon, Deng Mingxin left. He was just an insignificant figure in Wang Chong’s eyes, and it was unlikely the other party could cause anything as long as he was around. However, the information provided sent Wang Chong into deep thought.

Deng Mingxin didn’t know the importance of the Hyderabad ore, but Wang Chong did. At the current moment, the Hyderabad ore was his and the Wang Clan’s ‘lifeline’.

It was only due to this ore that the Wang Clan managed to overcome its greatest flaw and bring itself up to become a clan of equal standing to the Yao Clan, or perhaps even exceed them.

But that wasn’t all.

At its root, war was a battle of resources. Without sufficient funds, no matter how powerful an individual was, they wouldn’t be able to change anything at all.

“I already have 300 jun of Hyderabad ore on hand, and I’ve also established a partnership with the Zhang Clan. Even if the Yao Clan has learned of the existence of the Hyderabad ore, there’s little that they can do about it in the short term. But still, since they were able to uncover the name, they must be up to something.”

Wang Chong thought.

He had already built connections throughout the royal court. His big uncle’s opinion of him had changed, and he could mobilize experts under the latter’s control whenever required. Furthermore, with his relationship with Imperial Army Marshal Zhao Fengchen, he could even have the night patrol route of the Imperial Army changed to strengthen the defenses of the Wang Clan.

Even if King Qi and the Yao Clan were up to no good, there was very little that they could do.

“Still, I should keep my guard up.”

Wang Chong concluded.

After sending away the grateful Sun Zhiming, Wang Chong settled his thoughts and immersed himself back into cultivation.