Chapter 615 - 335: Centurion, Qingfeng Temple Servant_2

"Next time we meet, I just hope you won’t be too weak!"

A quarter of an hour later, the training ground was abuzz with military recruitment.

"Zhang Da, Li Mountain..."

"Present!"

"Count me in, Centurion. I want to go too!"

In the bustling training ground, a youthful voice piped up, belonging to a seventeen or eighteen-year-old boy who spoke with determination. A family letter had arrived from his brother a few days ago, stating that their mother was seriously ill and urgently needed money for treatment. He couldn’t wait any longer.

The clamor of the training ground paused slightly, and all eyes turned to the still slightly immature face.

Wang Xuan glanced over with indifference, his voice cold and undeniable.

"You’re too weak."

"Centurion, just give me a..."

In the next moment, an invisible killing intent suddenly released from around Wang Xuan, causing the boy’s face to change slightly. His words were abruptly cut off, and a hint of disappointment appeared on his face.

Wang Xuan remained indifferent, lowering his head to gaze at the crowd below the training ground. A peculiar gleam flashed deep in his calm eyes, as if those standing below were not comrades but something else entirely.

His mouth opened and closed, his voice slightly hoarse as he coldly read out another name.

...

Within Yuguo Pass, the Ancient County.

In the Qingzhou Demon Slayer Bureau, Archives Pavilion.

Since being transferred to the Archives Pavilion, Jiang Yao felt like she was growing mold from boredom. Today, she wandered the streets as the end of the year approached, the festive atmosphere thickening. Many families had begun hanging red lanterns at their doors.

"Papa, are we going to Great-Grandma’s house this year?"

"Of course, we are."

"Should we leave early? Last year, the line of people leaving the city stretched from the East Gate to Willow Leaf Alley on the west side, and it took several hours to get out of the city."

The conversation between the father and daughter was unremarkable, but when it reached Jiang Yao’s ears, her phoenix eyes swirled, and suddenly an idea came to her mind.

Some time ago, her former subordinate Shangguan Ke returned to Qingzhou with some news, making her particularly interested in Wang Chan and the impersonation of the Demon Slayer Bureau.

The former was purely out of curiosity, while the latter made Jiang Yao think of someone, that guy from the remote area of Cyan Cloud, who was supposed to become another Golden Order Blade Catcher under her but ended up rebelliously assassinating an official of Great Yan.

She always felt that this matter might be related to that guy called Li Feiyu. If it weren’t for him, she wouldn’t have been transferred to the Archives Pavilion to idle away her days.

"Everyone returns home during the New Year... a missing one or two people shouldn’t matter."

With that thought, Jiang Yao became more convinced and decided to personally investigate, wanting to see if the one who caused her trouble, Li Feiyu, had three heads and six arms.

As she pondered, a figure dressed in a simple Taoist robe hurriedly brushed past, bringing Jiang Yao back to her senses. She narrowed her eyes slightly, spotting an inconspicuous piece of Cyan Bamboo hanging from the waist.

"A menial disciple from Qingfeng Temple?"

"What are those bull-nosed Taoists doing in the city?"

Jiang Yao immediately gestured and instructed the person beside her, "You, go keep an eye on that guy."

Li Heng hurriedly came to a tavern, where a waiter immediately greeted him.

"Young Taoist, please come in."

Li Heng produced a long list in a flash of spiritual light, "Please prepare these wines and dishes for me. I’ll come by later to pick them up. Here’s the deposit."

The waiter glanced at the list, his eyes brightening at the sight of 20 roasted chickens, roasted pigeons, and quality wines - a big order indeed.

Leaving one tavern, Li Heng muttered as he quickly headed to another. If the Donglai Li Family saw this, they would be utterly astonished.

The dignified third son of Donglai Li Family had become little more than an errand boy.

About half a year ago, Li Heng secretly brought a letter to the Ancient Qingzhou to seek the protection of the Qingzhou Li Family, but with no luck. The gatekeeper of the Qingzhou Li Family drove him away upon hearing he was from the Donglai County.

Having met with rejection, Li Heng was both anxious and frustrated with no solution. He tried various ways to approach the Qingzhou Li Family but couldn’t find the right opportunity.

Yet, several months ago, a letter from the Li Family quickly arrived, informing him the family crisis had been resolved. Li Heng felt both relieved and ashamed, as returning now would bring scorn upon him and possibly trouble for his father.

Li Heng, deciding to stay longer, inadvertently found fortune from misfortune. He happened upon a banquet hosted by the Zhong Family’s daughter, where a Daoist Skill competition took place. Enthralled, he signed up to participate.

After the event, an old Taoist casually tossed him a piece of Cyan Bamboo waist badge, directing him to Qingfeng Temple. Qingfeng Temple, renowned as the Holy Land of Qingzhou’s Taoist Sect, made Li Heng uncertain yet intrigued. He took the badge to the temple and somehow became a menial disciple there.

However, life in the temple was not as idyllic as Li Heng had imagined, filled with leisurely days of studying Taoist Skills. No high-ranking monk taught him any Daoist Skill; instead, he spent his days chopping wood, fetching water, and sweeping the steps.

"Alas."

Li Heng sighed lightly as he left the eighth tavern, but the encouraging and proud words from his father and clan elder upon informing them of his acceptance into Qingfeng Temple spurred him on.

He quickly stepped toward the ninth tavern, across from which a member of the Demon Slayer Bureau stationed outside a pastry shop wore a peculiar expression, stroking his chin.

"I didn’t expect, at such a young age, he’s already a... glutton."

Just then, a figure silently approached from behind. The man sensed it immediately, and seeing it was a colleague, he drew back his hand from the hilt of his Long Saber.

"Old Qiu, what are you doing?"

"Lord Jiang asked me to keep an eye on someone. How about your side?"

"The Academy’s entrance exam has concluded... this time, besides Liu Yang, Li Zhong, and the Inspector’s mansion, there’s also an interesting individual."

"An interesting individual?"

"Indeed, this person wrote a poem that stirred a Literary Qi phenomenon. Several lecturers from the Academy are keen to take him in as a disciple. His name seems to be Tao Yuan."

...

Donglai County, Cyan Fish Gang.

Five days later, in a vast drill ground within the gang, hundreds of elite disciples gathered, along with a disguised Su Mu among them.

Removing the Cyan Fish robe, Baili Feng, clad in imposing Silver Armor, raised his voice.

"Recently, River Bandits have run rampant over the mighty Donglai River, frequently disturbing Cyan Fish Gang’s trade routes. Now it’s time to set out and eliminate these petty villains."

"Set out!"

Without further speeches, Baili Feng announced the expedition. Those departing were the elite disciples loyal to the Gang Leader from the Baili Clan, Cyan Flood Dragon Hall, and several other halls.

With a command, Baili Feng was the first to mount his horse, immediately followed by hundreds of riders heading out of the Cyan Fish Gang.

"Young Master is mighty!"

"Young Master is setting out to suppress bandits again, just like the Gang Leader in his youth!"

"This time, Second Lady is also present. She is remarkable too!"

Along the way, Cyan Fish Gang disciples admired the imposing display of hundreds of horsemen led by the Young Master, feeling deep respect.

At the last Cyan Fish Conference, Young Master Baili Feng clashed head-on with the Vice Gang Leader Gongyang Jue without losing ground. The siblings took decisive actions to crush the rebels, earning immense prestige.

Many already considered Baili Feng the sole candidate for the next Gang Leader.

At the rear of the hundreds of riders, before departure, Baili Hongtang had handed Su Mu the detailed information about the Jiao Blood Gang, the five Great River Bandits on the Donglai River, and the fragmented Ancient Scrolls.

This moment, Su Mu’s eyes discreetly focused on Baili Feng and Baili Hongtang, with both emanating a unique glow of Destiny beyond ordinary people’s reach.

Second Sister Baili Hongtang’s demonic blood-red Destiny had mostly dissipated, while Brother Baili Feng’s Destiny surged and took on an azure hue, faintly condensing into a pillar, the initial sign of a Great Cultivator’s Destiny.

The Destiny of the siblings had both significantly increased recently.

"Big Brother is in a period of rapid advancement after consuming the Little Yellow Court Pill... There are no Great Cultivators among the River Bandits. With Big Brother and Second Sister present, I just need to follow along."