The iron mine near Profound Dragon Pass is called Donglin Iron Mine, located on the side of a vast forest, covering a large area, and is rich in a high-quality iron stone known as primal iron.
It is said that any weapon mixed with a piece of primal iron can greatly enhance its quality, making the weapon sharper and more resilient.
Therefore, the importance of this iron mine is self-evident.
When Jiang Shi and others arrived, dozens of people were already stationed in the entire iron mine, without exception, all wearing red armor, with large statures and imposing figures.
The leader was a burly man with a pair of mouse-like whiskers. When he saw Chi Huo Daoist leading a group of disciples from Zhenwu Temple arriving, his face immediately lit up with joy, and he hurriedly approached.
"You finally arrived. These days, I've been on edge, constantly worried about being suddenly attacked by the enemy army. With this number of men, if we were to encounter the enemy army, we'd probably be wiped out instantly."
Chi Huo Daoist's face immediately showed doubt and said, "The iron mine is so important, why doesn't the General send more people over?"
"You don't know. Everywhere is in chaos now. The Red Turban Army is like ants, getting into everywhere, greatly dispersing our forces. Besides, there are numerous bandits emerging everywhere, and our manpower is already far from enough. Otherwise, we wouldn't have recruited you sects."
The thin man spoke, "By the way, I'm Xiong Kaishan. May I know what this Daoist's name is?"
Xiong Kaishan?
Many disciples from Zhenwu Temple behind showed surprised expressions.
This fellow looks skinny as a twig, with a shriveled body, and yet he has such a domineering name?
"I am Chi Huo!"
Chi Huo Daoist saluted.
"Are you the Chi Huo Daoist from Zhenwu Temple?"
Xiong Kaishan's eyes sparkled with joy, he said, "Good, good. With you here, I am more at ease."
He turned around, waved his hand, and said loudly, "Men, prepare a feast to entertain the experts from Zhenwu Temple today!"
"General Xiong, the matter of the iron mine is of great importance, drinking is not advisable... "
Chi Huo Daoist's expression changed slightly.
"Don't worry, we're just using water instead of wine."
Xiong Kaishan smiled.
"That's good, that's good."
Chi Huo Daoist's expression slightly eased.
Subsequently, Xiong Kaishan enthusiastically entertained Jiang Shi and a group of disciples from Zhenwu Temple.
Nearby, Liu Si, Li San, and others also relaxed immediately.
"Boss, it seems like the Red Flame Army is quite easy to get along with."
Liu Si laughed.
Jiang Shi nodded slightly and said, "Not bad."
It's not that they're easy to get along with; it's just that everyone has something they need.
Xiong Kaishan wants to rely on their power to fight against the enemy army that could invade at any moment, which is why he is being cordial to them.
If he knew most of these people were non-Power Inner Sect disciples, what kind of expression would he have?
The night fell.
The feast ended.
Inside a cabin made entirely of wood.
Xiong Kaishan's expression changed, listening carefully to the news his confidants had just gathered.
"So, you're saying that most of the arriving Zhenwu Temple disciples haven't trained in power?"
Xiong Kaishan asked.
"Yes, General, only less than twenty have trained in power."
A young officer gritted his teeth and replied.
The others also had gloomy expressions, their fists clenched tightly.
Xiong Kaishan sighed and said, "It seems Zhenwu Temple isn't foolish either."
"What should we do? Should we report this to the General?"
The young officer gritted his teeth and asked.
"Report? How? Just say that Zhenwu Temple is being passive? But what evidence do we have? Zhenwu Temple insists that these are their Inner Sect disciples, and what can we do about it?"
Xiong Kaishan said, "Never mind, even if they haven't trained in power, there are still a few hundred of them. If something goes wrong, they can at least hold the line for a while. At least that Elder Chi Huo is not weak, already at the tenth stage of Entering Strength."
He pondered slightly and said, "In the coming days, don't show dissatisfaction towards them. Continue to host them warmly as before."
Several young officers around him reluctantly nodded.
···
Time passed.
The following days went without any incidents.
In the blink of an eye, ten whole days passed.
Within ten days, Jiang Shi's strength increased by another 1000 pounds, reaching 5100 pounds, able to move with an immense, overwhelming force.
Now he himself didn't know which stage of Entering Strength he was equivalent to.
The only thing that frustrated him was that his physique hadn't changed.
He was still skinny and frail.
"Damn, will I be like this my whole life?"
Jiang Shi frowned, looking at his fist.
This scrawny appearance was really quite ugly!
Bam!
He punched a large tree, causing it to shake violently, nearly breaking.
"Brother Jiang, have you eaten? I've come to drink with you again!"
Suddenly, a hearty laugh sounded from a distance.
Jiang Shi turned around and walked outside.
He saw a strong man with a face full of bristle and a large stature, carrying a big jar of wine, walking towards Jiang Shi.
Alongside him were Liu Si, Li San, and others.
"Boss, General Pan is here again!"
Liu Si shouted.
"General Pan is really too courteous."
Jiang Shi walked out of the yard and said with a smile.
"Hey, how many times have I told you, what the hell with this general or that general, I'm just an unremarkable foot soldier like you all. Let's drink and enjoy while we can, who cares about anything else."
The burly, bristle-faced man spoke with boldness.
Besides carrying a big jar of wine, he also had several wild hens and a grilled fish hanging from his waist.
Liu Si, Li San, and others were also carrying wild rabbits they had just caught, all with broad smiles.
As the saying goes, mice have their ways, and snakes have their roads.
Liu Si, Li San, and others, who were of ruffian origins, upon arrival, used their skills to suck up to a Red Flame Army soldier and quickly became close with him.
With interactions back and forth, they became more acquainted.
In ten days, they spent seven or eight days drinking together, and soon became good friends who talked about everything.
And Jiang Shi, being the leader of Liu Si and Li San, was naturally always included in these drinking sessions.
As for this Red Flame Army soldier, he had a resounding name.
His name was Pan Feng!
"Brother Jiang, drink!"
Pan Feng personally filled Jiang Shi's cup, then filled everyone else's and shouted.
"Let's all drink together!"
Jiang Shi raised his bowl.
The group drank it all in one go, then immediately began tearing into chicken legs and rabbit legs voraciously.
"By the way, General Pan, how is the battle at the frontline now? I heard the casualties are severe, is that true?"
Liu Si asked while gnawing on a rabbit leg.
"Sigh."
Pan Feng sighed, set down the chicken leg, and said, "Isn't it? Damn, the Red Turban Army is gaining momentum now. Not counting their own elite, they've gathered 600,000 refugees. It's like a flood. How many do we have in the Red Flame Army? Just 100,000, and that doesn't count those who died in these ten days. We've already engaged the Red Turban Army four times, losing over 20,000 brothers!"
"More than 20,000 people?"
Liu Si and the others were shocked.
"Yes, but I'm sure the Red Turban Army has lost quite a few too."
Pan Feng said, "But the biggest issue right now is still logistics. The Desolate State has already rotted to the core. We're fighting the bandit army on the frontline, while the back is being ravaged by bandits and mountain bandits, having already slaughtered four small towns and two cities, killing countless people."
"Damn, is it that serious?"
Jiang Shi frowned.
"Isn't it? Damn, maybe one day the bandit army will suddenly attack our iron mine, so we should enjoy while we're alive, take it one day at a time."
Pan Feng said.
"Didn't the Court send other reinforcements?"
Liu Si asked in surprise.
"The Court? The Court is even more rotten, the aristocrats and nobles are all desperately grabbing money. Moreover, rebellions are happening all over Great Xuan, the Court can't handle all of them. Even if the Court has plenty of elite troops, how many can they send to each place? Forget it, let's not talk about it. Let's keep drinking."
Pan Feng said.