target maltose

Xu Muzhi's announcement marked the decisive conclusion, leaving Tian Shi Territory with no room for further arguments.

"Hooray!"

Weng Ling cheered joyfully, but she soon realized she was the only one celebrating in the entire arena. Blushing, she lay back down.

The handover ceremony proceeded immediately. Due to the injuries on Lolan Territory's side—Weng Ling was heavily injured, Night Sange had a lame leg, Lao Gu couldn't speak, and Bede didn't want to show his face—Sha Wencheng took the stage as their representative.

Although his injuries were actually the most severe...

"As of today, within a week, the property rights of Baiyan Village will be fully transferred, and the residents are free to move, without objection!"

Ouyuan, representing Tian Shi Territory, handed over the land deed of Baiyan Village to Sha Wencheng. After a stern nod to the notary, he left the stage. Sha Wencheng, running his fingers through his luscious hair, elegantly thanked Xu Muzhi and his team.

"So, we lost... Do we still need to pay taxes this year?"

"Hush! Are you silly? Given the Lord of Tian Shi's skinflint nature, do you think he won't collect? I think he might even intensify it!"

"Intensify it? After paying heavy taxes for several years to invite a stronger land deed holder, only to lose again. This time, they might even confiscate our houses, right?"

"So... Should we stay in Baiyan Village or move to Tian Shi City?"

"Obviously, we're moving! Lords everywhere are usually unscrupulous, and those people from Lolan Territory look even poorer. Who knows, they might impose even heavier head taxes. Anyway, if they want you to stay, I'm definitely leaving!"

"It's just a pity about the housing prices in Tian Shi City... Oh, right! I suddenly remembered my mom arranged a blind date for me today. I'll take my leave!"

"Tch, didn't you say that the girl had a round face and onion-like nose, and you wouldn't go even if she beat you to death?"

"But she has three properties in Tian Shi City!"

"..."

The expressions on the faces of the spectators varied between astonishment, sighs, and a hint of concealed delight. While residents could freely move, staying in a familiar place was evidently more desirable. After all, leaving their homeland for other territories might mean struggling to survive if they couldn't find work.

Besides, the land suitable for growing wheat must have been divided up long ago, and there was no possibility of them getting a share. Therefore, most of the spectators from Baiyan Village decided to move to Tian Shi City. At least there, they could work in the stone processing industry and earn a living.

"Sha Wencheng, isn't it?" Lord Lei suddenly called out to Sha Wencheng, who was about to leave.

"What orders does the Lord have?"

Sha Wencheng, brought up with impeccable manners, replied confidently.

"That armor and that..."

"Found them!"

Sha Wencheng imitated Night Sange's tone.

"Uh, forget it. I wanted to ask if you're interested in joining the military. I see great potential in you. With proper training, you could achieve a lot."

Lord Lei smiled at him, a gaze similar to Xu Muzhi's when he looked at Weng Ling.

"This is Lei Anmin, Lord Lei, the captain of the 12th Cavalry Squadron of the 7th Legion of the Southern Public Kingdom," Liao Feifei said, focusing on Sha Wencheng's face.

"If you're willing to join my ranks, I can't guarantee much, but a new recruit as a squad leader is certain. Moreover, if I have time, I'll personally teach you. What do you say?"

The Imperial Army of the Tianwei Empire had a simple structure, consisting of squads, platoons, companies, and legions, with corresponding personnel sizes of a hundred, five hundred, a thousand, and ten thousand. The smallest unit, a squad leader, could command nearly a hundred soldiers. Although only a rookie, Lei Anmin was the captain of the cavalry squadron, meaning he would get cavalry troops.

As cavalry was the main force of the Tianwei Empire, the treatment was the highest among all branches, and coupled with Lei Anmin's promise to personally instruct him, it implied he recognized Sha Wencheng's talent and wanted him as a trusted personal soldier.

Sha Wencheng shook his head. "Thank you for the Lord's appreciation, but I currently have no intention of joining the military. Please forgive my refusal."

While military service offered good benefits, it also came with many restrictions. Joining would hinder his quest to find information about his father, especially considering that man wouldn't let him go so easily.

"Well... if you ever change your mind, feel free to find me."

Lei Anmin sighed, but he didn't persist.

"Thank you, Lord, for your appreciation. Please excuse me; I must return to my teammates."

"Go, this is your moment."

Lei Anmin waved to stop Liao Feifei from speaking further and nodded approvingly at Sha Wencheng's retreating figure.

"Lord Lei, you value him so much, yet he refuses you like this..." Liao Feifei seemed puzzled.

"People have their own aspirations, and you can't force them."

"By the way, with this matter settled, I wonder if Ms. Liu would be interested in accompanying me to Steelback Territory?"

"What do you mean?" Liao Feifei asked in surprise.

"Cough, Lord Lei, are you trying to snatch me away in front of Mr. Xu?" Xu Muzhi joked.

"Master Xu, you're exaggerating. Given the current situation, I think you might have to accompany me as well."

"The situation is already that serious?" Xu Muzhi put away the banter, furrowing his brows.

Lei Anmin didn't speak but nodded heavily.

...

Winning a piece of territory on someone else's turf, even if one were audacious, they wouldn't dare linger. Night Sange immediately had Weng Ling and the others pack up and head home.

However, they faced a dilemma as Weng Ling, despite not having severe injuries, was still hurt. It was inappropriate to let a young girl pull a cart, and Lao Gu and Bede were too weak to do the job. As for Sha Wencheng, if he pulled the cart with his neck, what if his head fell off midway?

"Boss!"

"Oh, you're here. Is everything settled?"

Night Sange turned around and saw the clever Tooth Shop's errand boy, Yu Dafu.

"All sorted out. Here's what you asked for."

Yu Dafu bowed to Night Sange and handed over a package slung over his shoulder.

Night Sange opened it, took a glance, and nodded.

"Well done. By the way, I wanted to ask you about something. Where did the Lord eat that maltose?"

"Maltose?"

Yu Dafu furrowed his brow. "What's that? Oh, do you mean malt rice candy? That was bought by the Lord through someone. It's quite precious. I don't know why a grown man would eat candy..."

"Go away, you

 talk like children have the privilege of eating candy. Quickly, put your drool away." Night Sange teased.

The most common sugar on the Holy Stone Continent was honey, with low natural production. The next most common was this maltose, but it required some processing. However, the technology wasn't complex.

The real difficulty lay in one of its ingredients:

Glutinous rice.