Chapter 63

War is a way to get rich, and Guchen Sha deeply understood this point. The wealth in the thousand chests underground had not been fully counted, but it was certainly estimated to be in the millions. Although such a huge amount of wealth could not compare to the centuries or even millennia of accumulation of the noble families, it was still far beyond what ordinary tycoons could match.

Of course, if it weren't for the Sun and Moon Altar space, where he could quickly store the wealth, it would have been difficult for him to take it all. If he had tried, the princes would have certainly contested it under the name of the court, and now, by pretending to be unaware, no one could investigate.

However, even though he had become rich, he was not satisfied, as his future expenses would not be small. First, there was the cultivation of the 243 warriors, their food and drink, and later, they would all need their own families, wives, and children, and he would have to support and reward them. In addition, the training, weapons, and salaries would be a significant monthly expense.

In noble families, true warriors and armored soldiers did not do miscellaneous tasks; they practiced martial arts every day and carried out their masters' orders, and even had servants to attend to them. If they were true experts, they would have their own estates and be considered upper-class.

Maintaining such a soldier would cost at least several thousand silver taels a year, not including rewards.

As for Liu Yu and the other five, Guchen Sha would definitely grant them houses and small estates upon his return, allowing them to establish their own families. This was the rule of the nobility; only by granting land and estates could one show that they were loyal and irreplaceable vassals who could not betray. If they did, they would be despised and unable to hold their heads high.

Everything was prepared, and Guchen Sha jumped out of the underground. "Yiming, from now on, you must hide your strength and not show yourself. Under no circumstances should you expose yourself."

"Understood." Yiming concealed his aura and was no different from the other 243 people.

As expected, before the inventory was even completed in two days, countless cavalry appeared on the main road, their dust rising to the sky like a dragon's wrath.

The leading hundreds of people were all full of overwhelming momentum. The one at the front wore a cloak, not armor, and a purple-gold crown, riding a huge golden horse. It was the Third Prince, Gufansha.

The huge golden horse had scales all over its body and a horn on its head, more majestic than the thunder beast of the barbarian general.

"Surround the county, search house by house, and bring out all the wealth. No private hiding, or you will be killed without mercy!" Upon reaching the outskirts of the county, the Third Prince issued a murderous order. Guchen Sha and Shi Zhongtie's faces changed, as this was clearly directed at them, warning them not to hide anything.

"The Third Prince is so arrogant," Guchen Sha sneered. "But I had anticipated this move. You can search, but it will be like drawing water with a bamboo basket—futile."

He had fought to the death, breaking through the county, and the Third Prince, Gufansha, had just arrived to take the wealth.

Gufansha had originally been wary of the barbarian divine messenger and had not sent troops. Now, seeing no danger, he had come to reap the benefits. Although this behavior was despicable, it was a common practice in the bureaucracy.

The soldiers immediately rushed into the county like wolves and tigers, not even bothering with Shi Zhongtie and Guchen Sha, who were resting nearby, and began searching everywhere.

"Ha ha ha ha..." The Third Prince, Gufansha, laughed as he entered the city, walking toward Guchen Sha. The surrounding soldiers subtly surrounded the thousand people, preventing them from moving. "Nineteenth Brother, you really know how to take advantage. When Taixian exploded, you immediately rushed over and got the credit for reclaiming Taixian."

Upon hearing this, Guchen Sha knew that the Third Prince was very cunning, portraying his actions as opportunistic, implying that he had only reclaimed Taixian after the barbarian army retreated following the explosion.

However, he did not argue with the Third Prince, as it was pointless. As long as he handed over the body of the barbarian general, he would achieve great merit and be granted the title of Duke.

Guchen Sha was indifferent, but his subordinates were not, feeling very angry. However, he had instructed them to remain silent and only follow orders, so they did not move.

"Nineteenth Brother, your subordinates are not simple. They are even wearing the Horned Dragon armor, which I don't have. I heard that the Marquis of Giant Rock gave you three hundred sets. Since you don't have many people, why not lend me the extra sets? I will equip my soldiers to prevent them from getting injured in the upcoming battle with the barbarian army. For the sake of the soldiers' lives, Nineteenth Brother, you wouldn't be so stingy, would you?"

"Third Brother, the Marquis of Giant Rock only lent me the armor, and I don't have three hundred sets. I only have two hundred and some sets, which are just enough. After the campaign, I have to return them to the Marquis. How can I lend you any extra sets?" Guchen Sha firmly denied it, inwardly sneering. Gufansha was already making things difficult for him, but he would not fall for it.

"Shi Zhongtie, is what Nineteenth Brother said true?" Gufansha looked at Shi Zhongtie.

"Reporting to Third Prince, everything is as the Marquis ordered. I am here to serve and fight the enemy." Shi Zhongtie, a shrewd man, knew what to say and what not to say. His words were as hard as iron.

Gufansha's expression was cold as he sized up Shi Zhongtie. He was used to having life and death in his hands, and even a governor would sweat and tremble under his gaze. Shi Zhongtie, however, remained calm and composed.

"Very well, Shi Zhongtie, I order you to lead your troops to attack Chaxian and the barbarian forces there. I will arrive soon, and you will be the vanguard," Gufansha suddenly ordered.

"Reporting to Third Prince, before I came, the Marquis ordered me to follow Nineteenth Prince's command," Shi Zhongtie remained unyielding.

"What did you say? Say it again," Gufansha narrowed his eyes.

"I follow Nineteenth Prince's command," Shi Zhongtie said loudly.

"Good, very good, bring him in!" Gufansha's voice rose, his killing intent and authority making everyone around him hold their breath.

"Third Brother, there's no need to get angry. The Marquis of Giant Rock's orders are like mountains, and Shi Zhongtie dare not disobey," Guchen Sha spoke up. "Since Third Brother's strategy is to send us to Chaxian, I will lead my troops there. We are all serving the court, so there's no need to be estranged. Shi Zhongtie, pass my order to prepare and set out for Chaxian!"

"Yes!" Shi Zhongtie, like a wooden puppet, faithfully executed the order.

"Third Brother, I'm leaving now. I'll leave Taixian to you to defend," Guchen Sha led his troops, preparing to leave Taixian.

The area was surrounded, but the generals, seeing him lead his troops, looked at Gufansha, unsure whether to stop him or not.

Gufansha frowned, thinking for a moment. "Nineteenth Brother, if you rush ahead and miss the opportunity, even with great merit, it can be erased."

"Third Brother, I understand," Guchen Sha nodded.

Gufansha waved his hand.

The surrounding soldiers made way, allowing Guchen Sha's troops to pass and head toward Chaxian.

"Third Prince, why let him go so easily?" a trusted general asked. "We should at least get those three hundred sets of Horned Dragon armor."

"That's the Marquis of Giant Rock's gift to win over Nineteenth Brother. Seizing it openly would invite criticism, and the Marquis of Giant Rock is not easy to provoke," Gufansha watched the group leave. "I deliberately pressured him to see if he would defy me. He killed the four great demons and broke through Taixian, so he must have strong backing. But he deliberately showed weakness, and I could sense no fear in him, which gave me confidence to let him go."

"Prince, I searched the area thoroughly and found no wealth, only many swords and leather armor left by the barbarian soldiers," a general reported.

"Prince, we found an underground treasure vault, but it was empty, as if everything had been moved," another reported.

"What?" Gufansha was surprised. "I let Nineteenth Brother go so easily to get this treasure. There were reports that the barbarian army had stored many supplies here. Nineteenth Brother didn't take anything when he left, and I had been monitoring him. It's impossible for him to transport so much wealth. How could it be gone now?"

"Prince, it's indeed gone," his subordinates also looked grim, as they had hoped to get rich but found nothing.

"There must be at least tens of millions of wealth here, and many rare treasures that money can't buy, and they just disappeared for no reason?" Gufansha's face turned pale. "What's going on? Are you sure Nineteenth Brother didn't move the wealth?"

"Third Prince, I'm sure," a general knelt. "We have spies everywhere. It would take thousands of people to transport this wealth, and he doesn't have enough people. The wealth was in thousands of large chests, each requiring five or six people to carry, and even carts. There are no wheel marks here, so Nineteenth Prince couldn't have taken it."

"This is strange. Did the barbarians take the wealth back when they retreated? No, the portal is one-way and can't be used to return." Gufansha paced. "And what happened to the divine messenger and the general? Did they die in the explosion? It's very suspicious. Nineteenth Brother is very strange."

"Third Prince, what should we do now?" the generals gathered around, waiting for orders.

"Send people to closely monitor Nineteenth Brother. He left so easily, so there must be something strange." Gufansha's killing intent was chilling. "This wealth cannot fall into anyone's hands. With this wealth, I can do many things."

At this time, deep in the mountains, Guchen Sha's troops were resting. They had not gone to Chaxian but had turned back into the mountains to regroup.

"Nineteenth Prince, are we not following the Third Prince's orders?" Shi Zhongtie asked.

"Third Prince wants to command me, but it's not that easy," Guchen Sha deliberately said, knowing that the Marquis of Giant Rock and the Third Prince were in conflict. Showing strength in front of Shi Zhongtie would make it easier to gain the Marquis's support. "Third Prince rushed here just to get the wealth left by the barbarians, but he's out of luck."

Shi Zhongtie was also puzzled. He hadn't seen Guchen Sha take any wealth. Being a smart man, he wouldn't ask about secrets but would report back to the Marquis of Giant Rock truthfully.

"Nineteenth Prince, what are our plans next?"

"Simple, write a memorial stating that I broke through Taixian, killed thousands of enemies, and beheaded the barbarian general. I will present the general's body to gain great merit. Third Prince wants to compete with me, but let's see how he can do it," Guchen Sha smiled.