One person: I, Daoist Master, am a cultivator of immortality!

Sun Yao brought Yue Qiluo and Xiaobaiqi with him on this trip to Shacheng. After all, with their current strength, there are very few people in the world who can deal with them. Especially Yue Qiluo, whose strength has increased many times over since she reached the sixth level of Qi Refining.

As for Xiaobaiqi, she is now capable of creating illusions. All the disciples on Longhu Mountain, except for Zhang Zhiwei and Tian Jinzhong, have been tricked by her, including Zhang Huaiyi.

With Yue Qiluo on his left hand and Xiao Baiqi perched on his shoulder, Sun Yao fired a signal flare into the sky as soon as they descended Longhu Mountain. There was no way he could travel on his own; wouldn't it be foolish not to take advantage of the advantages of the Unloading Ridge technique?

Less than 10 minutes after the signal flare exploded in the sky, a military off-road vehicle drove up to the foot of Longhu Mountain and came to a steady stop in front of Sun Yao.

In the three years that followed, Chen Yulou successfully secured his position as Governor-General of Huguang, and his 10 bandits were transformed into a regular army. Not only that, he also recruited more soldiers. In just three years, his army had grown to nearly 30. The wealthy and powerful Chen Yulou equipped his troops with uniform American weaponry; in a direct confrontation, even the Nationalist army would likely be no match for him.

Actually, German military equipment was more famous worldwide during this era, while American military equipment is still considered to be of good quality and low price. The price of American equipment only went up when Season 2 started.

Chen Yulou managed to snag a bargain under Sun Yao's guidance, since he himself had initially planned to buy German military equipment. However, he had to be told that American equipment was just as good as German equipment, and even cheaper, offering better value for money. Only then did Chen Yulou choose to purchase American equipment.

What's even more interesting is that the person who facilitated Chen Yulou's purchase of American military equipment was named Qiu Dekao. Clearly, Qiu Dekao had been active in the domestic market as a secondhand arms dealer for quite some time, even before the Old Nine Gates era.

Sun Yao pulled Yue Qiluo to sit in the back seat of the car. "Let's head to Shacheng. I'll also send a message to the chief commander. I'll be meeting him in Shacheng."

"Yes, Master Dao!"

Upon hearing Sun Yao's words, the driver immediately started operating the radio in the passenger seat. After a few beeps, a telegram was sent to the Huguang Governor's Office in Shacheng. He then went about his business, driving Sun Yao and his party to Shacheng.

Although there were cars, the roads were not easy to travel on in this era, so even though Sun Yao and his group traveled by car, it still took them a whole day to get from Longhu Mountain to Shacheng.

Upon arriving in Shacheng, they found a large crowd waiting for them at the city gate. Among them were Hong Guniang, Hua Maguai, Zhang Qishan, and Er Yuehong, and even Governor Chen Yulou himself had come to greet them.

"Master Dao, how have you been?"

"I haven't even congratulated the Governor-General on stabilizing the situation in Huguang yet. Now he is the rightful Governor-General of Huguang."

"It's all thanks to Master Dao. If it weren't for Master Dao's help, I'd still be a bandit on Changsheng Mountain!"

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Sun Yao and Yue Qiluo entered the city surrounded by people. The first place they went after entering the city was not Chen Yulou's governor's mansion, but a large house with a plaque that read "Sun Family Mansion".

"Chief, where is this?"

"This is the house I arranged for you in Shacheng, Master Dao. It's a former Qing Dynasty prince's mansion. This house is of very high standard. After I acquired it, I had people carefully maintain it, just waiting for you to come and stay."

"The chief has been very thoughtful, even going so far as to prepare a residence for a layabout like me. In that case, I shall accept it without hesitation."

"That's how it should be. As long as Daoist Master doesn't look down on us, the Unloading Ridge Sect, and is willing to stand with you forever, Daoist Master can have absolute authority in our Unloading Ridge Sect!"

Seeing that Sun Yao had accepted the gift he had prepared, Chen Yulou immediately beamed with joy. He had been preparing this house ever since Hong Guniang returned, and the preparation had taken a full three years.

This house was indeed a former Qing Dynasty prince's residence, but over the past three years, Chen Yulou had invested a considerable amount of resources into it. He renovated what needed renovation and rebuilt what needed rebuilding, and he also brought back many novelties from abroad to install in the mansion. He even brought back a prototype air conditioner refrigeration unit from America to install a central air conditioning system in the residence.

Of course, in his opinion, it was all completely worthwhile, especially for Sun Yao alone. After Hong Guniang returned, she told Chen Yulou everything she and Sun Yao had seen and heard on their trip.

Chen Yulou was greatly shocked after hearing this. He was proud of himself for having traveled all over the country for so many years and had seen a lot, but he never expected that there were so many secrets in the world that he did not know.

It was this information that solidified Chen Yulou's resolve to cling tightly to Sun Yao. For the next three years, whenever he needed to make a major decision, he would telegraph Longhushan for Sun Yao's advice. For instance, regarding the previous purchase of military equipment, Sun Yao recommended buying American weaponry, a decision that now appears to have been incredibly wise.

As Sun Yao and his group entered the mansion, a massive screen wall came into view. Only after passing the screen wall did they enter the interior of the house. Behind the screen wall were ponds and covered walkways reminiscent of those in Jiangnan gardens; beyond these were the main reception halls of the mansion.

The group filled the reception room, and the maids began to pour tea and water. After the maids had all left, Chen Yulou raised his teacup and said, "I wonder what important matter brings you to Shacheng this time, Daoist Master?"

"I have come here this time to find a treasure, which is also a great fortune for the Unloading Ridge."

"Oh? I wonder what kind of treasure it is that would make you, Daoist Master, go to such lengths to find it? And what good fortune could you possibly share with our brothers of the Unloading Ridge?"

Chen Yulou's words already subtly revealed his intentions; the word "we" implicitly categorized Sun Yao as belonging to the Unloading Ridge faction. However, Sun Yao did not refute this. Chen Yulou clearly intended for him to be one of the leaders of Unloading Ridge, and even for him to be of a higher rank than the various commanders of Unloading Ridge.

"There's a mine on the outskirts of this Sand City, and inside the mine is a human-shaped tomb. However, it's a tomb of the dead, and it would be extremely difficult for ordinary tomb raiders to plunder it. But for the Unloading Ridge, such tombs are practically a piece of cake. This is the tomb of Qing Wuzi, a master of the Feng Shui lineage. You can imagine whether there are any good things inside. I need one material from inside, and the rest of the treasures will belong to the Unloading Ridge."