Chapter 939: The Ancient Instrument and the Yu Wang Ding
Chapter 939: The Ancient Instrument and the Yu Wang Ding
Lu HaiKong seemed to have a better option compared to the mysterious ancient instrument, and that was the Yu Wang Ding he obtained from the Shen Bing Pavilion.
Unlike the enigmatic ancient instrument, the Yu Wang Ding's origins were much clearer. As one of the Nine Tripod Cauldrons, this artifact undoubtedly held the qualifications to be a true lord's item.
However, to Lu HaiKong's slight disappointment, the Yu Wang Ding in his possession was the Ji Zhou Ding, and he needed to conquer Ji Zhou to truly make the Yu Wang Ding his lordly artifact.
In other words, at this moment, the Yu Wang Ding was in his hands, but it did not belong to him. Only after Lu HaiKong conquered Ji Zhou could he truly transform the Yu Wang Ding into his lordly artifact.
In this situation, Lu HaiKong could only use the ancient instrument for now. As for the Yu Wang Ding, he would deal with it later after conquering Ji Zhou. After all, there was no rule stating that one could only have one lordly artifact.
With Lu HaiKong's preparations, deciding to use the ancient instrument as a lord's item was a relatively easy choice.
Lu HaiKong, embracing the ancient instrument, entered the main hall of the Beifeng City Lord's Mansion, where he sat alone in meditation for an entire day, pouring his dragon energy into the ancient instrument without reservation, essentially completing the task.
Next, Lu HaiKong only needed to place the ancient instrument in the lord's hall, and it would naturally fuse with his dragon energy. After some time, it would fully transform into his lordly artifact.
This was when Lu HaiKong received a new skill upon his transformation into a lord, a skill that could be considered a professional ability.
After dealing with the ancient instrument, Lu HaiKong took a short rest. Then, he received news about a group of people from Chang'an.
Upon hearing this news, Lu HaiKong's eyes flashed with determination. He already had a good idea why this group from Chang'an had come.
During the [Feudal Lords' Rebellion], Lu HaiKong had defeated Hua Xiong, and recently, with the completion of the [Heavenly Prison], he had sent Hua Xiong to be imprisoned there. For some time, Hua Xiong had been locked up in the [Heavenly Prison].
Given Lu HaiKong's understanding of Dong Zhuo, it was clear that this visit was to secure Hua Xiong's release.
Of course, there might be other intentions, such as seeking reconciliation or forming an alliance.
Regarding this, Lu HaiKong was not opposed.
As the saying goes, there are no eternal interests, only eternal friends. In this situation, it was not suitable for Lu HaiKong and Dong Zhuo to be at odds. Reconciliation would benefit both parties.
Therefore, if Dong Zhuo's side showed sufficient sincerity, Lu HaiKong would not mind reaching a reconciliation and returning Hua Xiong to him.
After all, in this world, Dong Zhuo was not the same as his historical counterpart. There was no doubt that Dong Zhuo cared deeply for his subordinates. In this world, if Dong Zhuo wanted to turn Hua Xiong against him and have Hua Xiong follow Lu HaiKong, the difficulty of such a task was not ordinary.
Even if Hua Xiong was successfully turned, Lu HaiKong would not dare to heavily rely on him before Dong Zhuo's downfall. Who knew if Hua Xiong would play a treacherous game? In this situation, if Dong Zhuo showed enough sincerity, Lu HaiKong returning Hua Xiong to him was not entirely impossible.
Thus, upon receiving the news, Lu HaiKong immediately ordered the group waiting outside Ji Zhou to enter the region, and he dispatched a team of soldiers to 'escort' them.
On Dong Zhuo's side, the leader of this visit was Li Su, a well-known figure. In the novel, he was the one who persuaded Lu Bu to defeat Sun Jian on behalf of Hua Xiong.
Although Li Su was a military man, he possessed remarkable eloquence and strategic thinking, making him a rare talent.
He led a small group, only a hundred Xi Liang cavalry, but they pulled several carriages, judging by the deep wheel tracks, indicating they carried quite a lot of items. This showed that Li Su came with sincerity.
Upon entering Ji Zhou, Li Su's attention was fully focused on the region.
Li Su was originally from Wuyuan in Ji Zhou, and he had left home only a few years ago. He still had a good understanding of Ji Zhou.
This time, returning to Ji Zhou, he wanted to witness with his own eyes how Ji Zhou had transformed under Lu HaiKong's rule.
Therefore, after entering Ji Zhou, Li Su's eyes scanned everything, from the basic official roads to the fields and towns they passed along the way.
Due to the presence of Lu HaiKong's soldiers 'escorting' them, Li Su's activities were somewhat restricted, and his understanding of the region was not comprehensive. However, based on the limited information he gathered, Li Su believed he had a good grasp of Ji Zhou.
In his eyes, Ji Zhou's progress compared to a few years ago was indeed limited. Whether it was the official road facilities or the towns' development, there were no significant changes.
"It seems this Lu HaiKong is indeed just a warrior, skilled in battle perhaps, but lacking in construction and development," Li Su thought to himself.
Chapter: The Journey North
As Li Su traveled from the southern region of Bingzhou to its northern counterpart, he witnessed a dramatic transformation unfolding before his eyes.
It was as if he had stepped into a different world. In the south, the basic infrastructure seemed dilapidated, and even the official roads appeared neglected. The towns in the south lacked vibrancy and prosperity.
But upon reaching the northern region, Li Su noticed the well-maintained official roads and various ongoing construction projects, including irrigation works and land reclamation. The towns here were not only more prosperous but also cleaner and more organized compared to their southern counterparts.
Most importantly, the people in the north wore smiles of contentment, a stark contrast to the southerners' faces. These northerners enjoyed a life of abundance and satisfaction, evident in their cheerful demeanor.
The further north Li Su ventured, the more vibrant and bustling the cities became. When he reached Beifeng City, he was truly amazed. The high walls, the bustling trade caravans, and the elite soldiers all showcased the city's prosperity and military might.
Li Su's preconceived notions, formed in the south, were now completely shattered. The differences between the north and south were like night and day.
The Beasts' Transformation
As Li Su approached the Northern City, he couldn't help but notice the pets that Shi Zhi Cai, the ruler of the city, kept. Among them, a creature named Gun Gun, a once-chubby pet, had undergone a significant change. It had grown slightly larger, now roughly the size of two fists. Its fur was soft and fluffy, making it adorably cute.
Another pet, Er Huo, seemed to be on a rebellious path. It had lost weight and now stood with a determined and powerful stance, its eyes gleaming with a newfound intensity.
Lu Hai Kong, initially unaware, gradually noticed Er Huo's transformation. Over time, Er Huo had shed its excess weight and developed a more muscular build. When Lu Hai Kong visited Shi Zhi Cai, he was surprised to see Er Huo's new look. The once-chubby pet had shed its fat, and its lazy demeanor was replaced by a confident and energetic posture.
Gun Gun, who used to lie around lazily, had transformed into a lean and agile creature. It stood with a sense of readiness, its wolf-like eyes gleaming with determination.
Er Huo, with newfound strength and a changed physique, still retained its mischievous nature. It approached Gun Gun and bit it playfully, then shook its head, inadvertently flinging a gold piece that Gun Gun had been holding in its mouth.
Startled by the sudden attack, Gun Gun retaliated by swiping at Er Huo with its soft, furry paw.
"Slap!" The sound echoed as Er Huo was knocked down, and for a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath.
Lu Hai Kong, who had been observing the entire scene, now withdrew his gaze, suppressing the urge to laugh at Er Huo's antics. He silently noted Er Huo's new image and felt a sudden impulse to ride it out and show it off. Despite its strength and physical changes, Er Huo remained true to its mischievous nature.
Chapter end
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