Very well, Fong Hao responded, continuing to instruct the maids to bring forth wooden barrels.

Turning to the little creatures, he commanded, "All right, five of you into each barrel.

Let us get moving.

" The ironclaw rats comprehended the command, though the concept of five eluded them.

Some barrels remained vacant, while others overflowed.

Fong Hao and his companions had to meticulously extract each one and allocate them into their respective barrels.

Once all the ironclaw rats were secured within the barrels, sufficient skeletal trolls were summoned to perch upon the back of a bone dragon, each cradling a barrel.

The moment the bone dragon took flight, Fonggha exhaled a sigh of relief.

The territory is secured.

In truth, the ironclaw rats posed no significant threat.

Their introduction indicated they could assist in cultivation.

However, they required supervision and direction, for neglecting them could yield dire consequences.

For now, allowing these ironclaw rats to excavate the mountain was prudent.

Subsequently, they would be sent to Jeang Bin, where the villagers could tend to them, aiding in breaking stones and loosening soil, a notion most beneficial.

With the little spirits dispatched, Fong Hao could finally rest easy.

He returned to his chamber, briefly perused the regional channel, and then succumbed to a deep slumber.

On the following morning, after a brief wash, Fongo emerged from his room.

He adhered to his daily routine of morning jogging and push-ups, striving to enhance his physique.

Why is it that after consuming the magical enhancement elixir, one cannot also partake in the physical enhancement potion, are we not taught that moral, intellectual, and physical development should be comprehensive? He mused aloud while jogging, harboring a deep-seated grievance over the prohibition against the strength enhancing elixir.

My lord, my lord.

As he passed the taylor's shop, he was called to a halt by the tailor.

Sir, huh? What is it, Soya? Fongghao asked, wiping the sweat from his brow.

My lord, regarding the design draft you provided me.

I perceive significant issues and would like to discuss them with you before proceeding with production.

Sawyer stated, "Ah, indeed, where lies the issue?" The two sat down beside each other, and Fong How inquired with curiosity.

Sui produced a draft adorned with design sketches and remarked, "My lord, the stockings you mentioned seem utterly feudal to me.

Crafted from the exquisite sacred snow silk, they merely serve to protect the feet, lacking in both defense and warmth.

I perceive this as an immature design.

Since it was Fongo's proposal, Su Yi chose his words with care, merely labeling it as an immature design rather than a failed one.

No, Sui, do not focus on the aspects of defense and warmth.

Rather, consider the allure and elegance.

Much like the crown upon a king's head, do you believe it possesses defensive qualities or alleviates migraines? It is not, Fong House stated, "Who would employ stockings for protection, especially when one should be able to tear them apart with bare hands if necessary? Yet such items once created would undoubtedly find a market within the Lord's channel.

If possible, I am even contemplating venturing into the local noble market.

For those aristocrats who are always eager to embrace novelty would be more inclined to accept these fresh concepts.

My lord, how can one compare stockings to crown? Chapter 183.

The mass grave in a mountain's heart.

The two sat upon a long bench engaged in a prolonged discussion regarding the matter of stockings.

Sawuropine that stockings were utterly superfluous, deeming it a waste to utilize the finest silk available within their territory for such a purpose.

He argued that ordinary wool could sufficiently provide warmth.

Conversely, Fongghao held a differing view.

Although the Saint Snow silk was indeed rare, it currently served no practical function.

Moreover, it was possible to procure Saint Snow silk from the merchant Tavoc, rendering their situation less dire in terms of conservation.

After an extensive debate, Sawyer ultimately acquiesced to the proposal of producing two sets initially to assess their market viability.

Should they prove successful, further production could be arranged.

If not, it would be prudent to cease efforts early.

Fonggho concurred with this approach.

The market for stockings existed yet to penetrate the aristocratic segment of this world.

A catalyst, and some promotional efforts would be requisite, with Sawyer persuaded, Fongo returned to the Lord's manor.

Having just finished breakfast, blood hunter descended from the skies upon his skeletal dragon.

My lord, he greeted.

Oh, what news? Fonggha inquired.

Last night, I led 505 ironclaw rats to the mountains in search of the ancient tomb, and we should have news this morning.

My lord, we have located the tomb passage.

Blood hunter announced eagerly.

Fonggha's heart soared with joy as he promptly pressed for details.

Can we ascertain what treasures lie within? My lord, I instructed the ironclaw rats to widen the entrance, but we have yet to descend for exploration.

Fongghao realized he had been somewhat hasty in his questioning.

Discovering a tune passage in such a vast mountain was already a stroke of fortune.

"Very well, prepare the troops for departure," he commanded decisively.

"Understood, my lord," Blood Hunter replied.

Based on their previous experiences alongside Dong Ji as exploration of an ancient tomb, it was anticipated that such tombs would harbor a plethora of monsters.

To mitigate risks, it was prudent to ensure their numbers were ample, overwhelming any adversary would be the preferred strategy.

Upon returning to his chamber, Fongo entered a state of divine presence.

Blood Hunter had also readied a sufficiently large contingent of troops, and the army commenced its march towards the mountains.

This time, Fong Ha and Blood Hunter would lead the expedition with Injia remaining behind as a safeguard.

It was essential to have a hero stationed in the territory and blood hunter possessing greater familiarity with the mountainous terrain was compelled to leave Injia in charge before their departure.

Fongghao cautioned Injia to take her time resting in the room.

But she was strictly forbidden from venturing out to play or neglecting her responsibilities towards the territory.

And Jia assured him with a firm pat on her chest, "You can rest easy.

I will handle matters diligently.

" The army advanced in a southwestern direction, traversing dense forests and rivers, taking three to four hours to finally glimpse the rugged mountains in the distance.

Numerous skeletal trolls patrol the area, encircling the entire mountainous region.

No human dared approach the vicinity in search of the bountiful tombs anymore.

Leading the way, Blood Hunter guided them up to the mountain side.

At that moment, they encountered a substantial hole approximately 1 meter in diameter that had been excavated, slanting downwards.

Peering into the depths was akin to gazing into an abyss, dark and profound.

Uh uh.

Fongo called out, and immediately his voice echoed back, revealing that below lay an expansive cavernous space.

Nightlight stones, rope ladder, he declared.

The skeletons behind him brought forth the prepared nightlight stones.

The rope ladder was cast down the opening, and after several seconds, a dull thud signaled its landing.

Confirming that all was well, Fong Hao, accompanied by the skeletal warriors, descended the rope ladder.

Upon reaching the ground, the gentle illumination allowed Fong Ha to finally discern his surroundings.

Within the mountains belly was a space large enough for a football field.

Its walls uneven yet adorned with peculiar patterns.

The designs, though incomplete, faintly depicted a son and a religiously themed army vanquishing a creature with enormous bat-like wings, distinct from the murals typically found in ancient tombs that recount the life stories of their owners.

"Was this not a tomb, but rather a relic?" "My lord, it seems we are fortunate indeed, having directly entered the ancient tomb," Blood Hunter remarked from nearby.

Fong Hao, holding a nightlight stone, circled the space.

Apart from the deep shadowy corridor leading further into the mountain, a massive bronze door loomed behind them.

The door was intricately carved with a keyhole in the center nearly choked by rust.

From the orientation of the bronze door, it was evident that their opening had bypassed it, granting them access to the inner chamber without the need for a key.

A rather fortunate circumstance.

Let us proceed.

This place is rather unsettling, Fonghouse stated.

The group began to assemble, moving deeper into the slender corridor.

The atmosphere grew increasingly oppressive the further they ventured into the mountain.

Every few meters along the walls, lampstands were placed, extinguished for an indeterminate time.

Whether they could be reignited remained uncertain.

Funghow refrained from ordering a flame to be lit.

He recalled tales from novels and television about gases within such places igniting explosively upon contact with fire.