Chapter 80: Five-Year Plan

Originally, when Lando only ate one of Li Xie's palms, he advanced. Now, with Li Xie directly cutting to the elbow, he had twice the amount of flesh. Li Xie believed that if his flesh could indeed help the beast advance, then half an arm would surely be enough for the Golden Feather War Chicken to advance.

Just like various magical items in novels, Li Xie's hand entered the Golden Feather War Chicken's mouth and naturally transformed into a warm current that spread throughout its body.

The Golden Feather War Chicken was initially going to say a few words, but just as it was summoned and had something shoved into its mouth, it was naturally annoyed. However, before it could speak, its eyes were filled with shock, followed by excitement.

"Cluck."

"Cluck cluck cluck..."

The Golden Feather War Chicken raised its head and crowed, "I feel a strange sensation, my body is suddenly filled with power, as if it's about to explode, no, I'm about to advance."

"Cluck..."

With a long crow, a wave of energy spread out from it as the center, the powerful shockwave causing objects in the room to scatter. Jack used his Qi to resist the impact, while Li Xie was sent flying backward, but luckily, he wasn't as weak as when he first arrived in the Divine Continent, only being pushed back a few meters.

Then, the Golden Feather War Chicken's entire body changed into golden light, which grew brighter and brighter until it was blinding, before gradually softening. Then, the golden light surrounding the chicken began to expand, approximately doubling in size.

"Caw..."

As the golden light receded, the Golden Feather War Chicken's form reappeared, with no difference from before, except that its size had doubled. Originally half a meter long and half a meter tall, it was now a full meter long and a meter tall. Even its comb, one of the few parts of its body that wasn't gold, had turned into a faint golden color.

"I've advanced," the Golden Feather War Chicken said in disbelief, "I've advanced just like that. Why didn't I even feel the descent of divine light?"

"Hehe, I told you, being Jack's beast companion, you'll have unexpected gains. I'll advance you to the ninth rank immediately. Isn't this a big gain?" Li Xie smiled, but inwardly, he was bitter.

His flesh could actually help beasts advance, making him like a Tang Monk of the otherworld. Why was this happening? Such a bizarre thing, if it were to spread, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Beside him, Jack was already dumbfounded, his earlier doubts shattered by the Golden Feather War Chicken's advancement, leaving only shock.

The fact that such magical things exist in this world, that human flesh can help beasts advance, how did this flesh grow? It's all human flesh, yet it can have such an effect.

Jack's eyes narrowed as he looked at Li Xie: Could it be that, Lord, you're not human?

Suddenly advancing, the Golden Feather War Chicken felt inexplicably happy, not asking why it advanced but instead continuously thanking Li Xie and Jack.

At this moment, the proud look in its eyes was unmistakable.

"For anyone who dares to say that being a human's beast companion means losing freedom, losing dignity, this chicken will immediately peck them and tell them to stop talking nonsense."

Li Xie glanced at the Golden Feather War Chicken. "You only behave when you get benefits. Now, let's talk about business. You go over there."

Seeing Jack about to store it in the beast companion space, the Golden Feather War Chicken hurriedly said, "No, I'll go out and show off. Where's the little cat? I'll challenge it."

"It should be by the fish pond in the garden, watching fish and drinking. Go find her." Li Xie, with a look of pity, watched the Golden Feather War Chicken head towards its pitiful fate.

"Lord," Jack looked at Li Xie with a strange look, "Are you human?"

"...," Feeling a bit annoyed by the question, Li Xie thought that indeed, he couldn't really be considered human anymore. He replied, "If you think it's more reasonable to say that I'm not human, then just consider me not human."

"Lord, that's not what Jack meant. I just... I just find it hard to accept such earth-shattering things for a while."

"Alright, let's get to the point," Li Xie said solemnly. "I'll be going to Manny City this time, it's certain for a couple of months, but I can't say for sure how long exactly. During this time, you'll be fully in charge of Juhua City. Also, about the matter of you being brought to me by the Emperor, did he specify the exact purpose?"

Jack shook his head. "The Emperor only told me to listen to you."

"Well, let's put it this way. I don't get along with the Prime Minister, everyone in the dynasty knows that. I don't need to say more. The assassins this time must be his doing. I'm usually polite and don't like to cause trouble, but if someone messes with me, I'll fight to the death. If he wants to kill me, I'll kill his whole family. Do you understand what I mean?"

Jack smirked coldly. "Of course, Lord, such actions are what Jack admires the most. Even if it's the Prime Minister, if he dares to make a move, he must bear the bloody consequences. Lord, what do you want Jack to do? Just give the order, and Jack can bring a thousand elites to secretly infiltrate the Imperial Capital and wipe out the Prime Minister's entire family without a trace."

"I know you used to be the deputy commander of the Forbidden Army, so sneaking into the Imperial Capital isn't difficult," Li Xie sneered. "But killing the Prime Minister won't quell this matter. The real target is..."

"The Cheetah Legion," Jack, who had long resided in the Imperial Capital and had an understanding of the situation, interjected. He knew well that Marquess Pansen and the Prime Minister had been acting in concert.

"More precisely, it's the Cheetah Legion of Sunflower City, a total of one hundred thousand troops. What are the chances of success?"

"Well..." Jack looked troubled. "My lord, we currently have a hundred thousand troops, but apart from five thousand elite soldiers and ten thousand irregulars, the majority can only serve as cannon fodder. To reach the standard of a hundred thousand regular troops, it would take at least three to five years of training. Given our current situation, trying to take on the hundred thousand Cheetah Legion would only result in total annihilation. Additionally, the Cheetah Legion is formidable, particularly because they have beast companions. Beast companions can double or even triple a military force's combat effectiveness. We..."

"In terms of time, we'll start training now. As for the beasts, I'll find a way to deal with them," Li Xie interrupted.

Jack continued, "My lord, the issue with our army is that we have too few Sword Saints and almost no magicians. While we can acquire beasts readily, Sword Saints need cultivation and access to combat techniques. Magicians require even more time for training, and they need mentors to guide them. I can contribute our family's martial arts techniques and teach the lower-level combat techniques, which wouldn't violate our family's principles. However, magicians pose a problem. In military operations, magicians provide long-range, large-scale attack capabilities, which are much more significant than Sword Saints. However, training magicians requires a considerable amount of time. My lord, I dare not hide the fact that with our current situation, it would take at least ten years to assimilate the hundred thousand Cheetah Legion of Sunflower City."

"Ten years..." Li Xie shook his head. "Ten years is too long. Three to five years might be acceptable, but ten years... I fear that the Great Sun Dynasty may invade during this time. By then, the Tudor Dynasty will be caught in a pincer attack, relying only on Duke Rhine and the Imperial Forbidden Army, and there will be a danger of the country being destroyed."

Jack was shocked. "Are you suggesting that the Cheetah Legion is planning a rebellion?"

"It's the Prime Minister and Marquess Pansen who are planning it," Li Xie sighed. "These two guys, instead of being good ministers, are plotting rebellion. Damn it, they're making my life difficult."

Originally, Li Xie didn't care whether the Tudor Dynasty survived or not. However, as he stayed longer as a Duke, he gradually got used to his role. Moreover, with the rift between him and the Prime Minister, if things went sour, and the Prime Minister and Marquess Pansen seized power, Li Xie feared he would be hunted down. He didn't want that kind of life. Instead of being hunted, he would rather see the Tudor Dynasty survive.

That's why he couldn't help but pay attention to the situation of the Great Sun Dynasty. If they attacked, the Prime Minister and Marquess Pansen would surely respond. Therefore, they had to deal with the Cheetah Legion before the Great Sun Dynasty was ready.

"My lord, in that case, I'm afraid we only have five years," Jack said gravely.

"Why is that?"

"I've learned about the situation of the Great Sun Dynasty from the military. They dare not attack the Tudor Dynasty, not because they're afraid of losing, but because they're eyeing the Glass Kingdom to the east. However, within five years, the Great Sun Dynasty will likely have subdued the Glass Kingdom. At that time, they'll surely launch a full-scale attack on the Tudor Dynasty."

"Five years," Li Xie said coldly. "How long will it take for the Golden Feather War Chicken to advance again?"

"It will probably take six or seven years, and that's assuming it doesn't get injured again and can reach the threshold for advancement," Jack replied.

"No wonder Muna advanced to the rank of High Priestess, and His Majesty hasn't recalled Duke Rhine. Relying on beast advancement to overwhelm the enemy entirely is currently not feasible. We need to think of other ways," Li Xie said. "Jack, let's focus our army on preparing and training to defeat the Cheetah Legion of Sunflower City. If we can solve the issues with magicians, Sword Saints, and beasts, then great. If not, we'll find alternative solutions. Also, closely monitor the situation with the Cheetah Legion. Perhaps we won't have to engage them head-on."

"Yes, my lord," Jack replied. "My lord, if defeating the hundred thousand Cheetah Legion is our goal, then we must start stockpiling provisions, forging weapons, acquiring warhorses, manufacturing war chariots, and..."

As Jack spoke, Li Xie felt a headache coming on. He had read novels and knew that to do a job well, one must first sharpen one's tools. Provisions and military equipment were essential, but they needed to be grown and produced. Fields had to be cultivated, and iron ore had to be found...

Currently, Juhua City was in a state of disrepair. Although it was thriving, getting these things done was also a headache.

Li Xie directly took out a crystal card with five hundred million gold coins from his spatial ring and handed it all to Jack. "Get Xiao An's help. Also, continue recruiting. We need all kinds of talents, and if they can be useful, hire them. In five years, there's a lot we can accomplish. Arrange everything accordingly. Also, don't let anyone know that I'm leaving the city to avoid any plots."

"Yes, my lord."

The main purpose of this trip to Manni City was to contact the mainland Chamber of Commerce and see if there were any opportunities for beast-related business. In essence, Li Xie just wanted to broaden his horizons and see if he could establish some connections with Sandor Koch, the branch president responsible for beast-related business. This would make future transactions easier. Therefore, Li Xie didn't bring many people with him. He only brought Fendi Searle and Zennard, leaving Kano, his long-term follower, in Juhua City to help Jack. Even Meow Meow was left behind in Juhua City by Li Xie, as he was afraid she might be forcefully bought. After all, going to a strange city like Manni, his two companions might not be able to protect her.

With this unfortunate beast in tow to conduct beast-related business, Li Xie feared that she might be forcibly purchased. After all, going to a strange city like Manni with only his two companions might not provide enough protection.

So, the three of them secretly left Juhua City and set out on the road to Manni City.