86 Onward to Cloudy Mountain (2/2)
”Y... Yes!”
Zhou Lai understood, having taken part in planning the operation from its inception. He quickly gave orders to Zhao family members while letting Chen Wentian and Zhou Ziyun continue their private conversation.
The Zhao family members and soldiers divided up the mercenaries and divided the supplies. There were food, medicine, clothes, and tools. It was enough to feed several thousand people. The first group got ready and arranged themselves on the teleportation platform.
The raised platform was constructed of marble and had four runic pillars carved out of a mysterious jade stone. There was enough room for four carts and about twenty people to fit onto the platform at any one time. As the final person squeezed onto the platform, the entire array lit up with light and spiritual energy and they were sent away in a flash.
”Next!”
The process repeated itself as one group after another disappeared.
”Why did you need to hire those mercenaries?” Chen Wentian asked as he watched the procession.
”I need them. The Zhou clan doesn't have that many guards to begin with.” Zhou Ziyun said, ”It's only a short term investment.
”Well, they have to pay for their way back. I'm not giving them a free ride again.” Chen Wentian muttered in complaint.
He said this because teleportation arrays required spiritual energy to operate. For Spirit Initiate Realm cultivators, only higher level ones could teleport anything other than themselves. They would have to expend a majority of their spiritual energy to do so. Another option was to use spiritual crystals to power the runic inscriptions. This method was expensive and cost upwards to ten taels of gold per person. The last option was what Chen Wentian was currently providing; he was powering the array using his own vast stores of spiritual energy. This method allowed Zhou Ziyun to transport everything from an army to supplies to horses for free. However, an immortal's time was not free and actually the most expensive of all.
”Don't worry. I have more business opportunities for the mercenaries so they wouldn't want to come back even if you forced them.” Zhou Ziyun said.
She looked around and noticed all the group had gone. ”Master, our turn. Let's go.”
Chen Wentian nodded and gathered everyone left onto the platform and teleported them away to the Cloudy Mountain Province. They were gone in a flash of light and it only took a few seconds for them to arrive in a crowded city square.
”Mistress is here!” ”She's here!” Several Zhao clan members called out upon seeing Zhou Ziyun appear.
Zhou Ziyun opened her eyes and took in the situation. They were in a strange looking city which was constructed out of black stone. The air was cold and there were a few snow flurries drifting down from the cloudy skies. Her men were already organized into their groups, awaiting her command.
She rode in front of them to give a final speech, ”Quiet! I am Zhou Ziyun of the Zhou Clan. Listen to my commands!”
Her voice enhanced by spiritual energy spread across the square. The attention of everyone in the city square was soon focused on her. She looked dashing and eye catching atop of her black stallion with her red Winged Sentinel armor, like a beautiful female general ready to lead her troops into battle. There were many young men who couldn't help but have idle and improper thoughts about her.
”Operation Spring is simple. Millions of people are fleeing westward from the monster invasion. They will seek refuge in the neighboring provinces as it is the only option for survival they see. They will be at the mercy of the lords of those provinces will never be able to regain their original lives. There, they will be oppressed, enslaved, or even killed.”
”Our goal is to provide another escape route for people fleeing the chaos, somewhere where they will be able to thrive. Our Dragon Flower Province will welcome all refugees from this province and other one's under attack. They will be given land grants or resources based on their ability and talents, all completely for free. They will also be provided free teleportation to the Dragon Flower Province which is completely safe from the monster invasion.”
”You all have been separated into five groups that will spread into five directions to find refugees. No amount of refugees is too much. We will accept all. Aid the refugees with the supplies on hand. More supplies will arrive when you run out. Protect the refugees from harm. Guide them back here to Black Rock City. The refugees will be citizens of our province so you absolutely cannot mistreat them. No robbery, extortion, sexual assault, murder, or anything else!”
”This operation will last until there are no more refugees. Those that perform well will be rewarded. Those that break the rules... will be punished with extreme prejudice. Understand?”
”Yes!”
”Good!” Zhou Ziyun pulled out her Flying Swallow saber and brandished it towards the city gate. ”Set forth!”