I Have Medicine

Chapter 541 - (The New Guardian) Is he really the guardian?

Translator: I received feedback that the previous translator used “Tianlong Guard” instead of “Heavenly Dragon Guard.” I checked the previous chapters, and for some reason, I thought the translator had used “Heavenly Dragon Guard,” so I stuck with it, lol. However, after checking again, I couldn’t find that name anywhere, lol. So, I changed it to “Tianlong Guard.” 😊

As the surge drew nearer, the people of Eight Desolations City finally saw clearly—this was no tide. It was a mass of pitch-black spirit-grade desolate beasts, each ridden by formidable warriors!

The arriving forces were divided into ten groups.

The left wing, center, and right wing each held three squads.

Every warrior wore armor, moving like the wind, swift as lightning.

On the outermost positions of both flanks were squads of heavily armored warriors, each with the body of a human but the head of an ox, their physiques burly and powerful. They rode massive, dark Earth-Rending Elephants, totaling four hundred in number.

On the inner flanks, two squads on each side wore black armor, with long tails and pointed ears—dog clans. Each squad consisted of about two hundred riders on Unicorn Blacklight Tigers, totaling eight hundred.

At the forefront of the central path, there was a squad of slender Shadow Cats, clad in light armor and mounted on Shadow Gale Leopards, numbering two hundred.

Also in the center, two squads of young humans with distinguished appearances, though their presence was slightly less imposing than the other groups. Yet, they exuded a brash vigor and a bold sense of valor.

In the skies above, nearly obscuring the heads of the warriors below, flew a squadron of human warriors in vine armor, riding Black-Feathered Cloudburst Eagles. Although their looks weren’t as striking as the young humans or the Shadow Cats, and their aura wasn’t as fierce as the other non-human squads, they embodied a blend of everyone’s strengths. Their calm demeanor and keen eyes gave them an air of undeniable prowess.

This was a massive army, numbering no less than two thousand, each armored warrior at least in the Immortal Realm. Together, they formed a force like a raging gale—a torrential, unstoppable wave surging forward with ferocity.

What was even more fearsome was that, though composed of ten distinct squads, each squad’s aura blended seamlessly with the others, displaying a formidable unity. This cohesion made the entire army an unbreakable entity.

Yet, the most eye-catching figures were not the army itself, but the few individuals leading it.

The leader at the front wore a regal sapphire-blue robe, his features as flawless as jade and breathtakingly handsome. Just by appearance, he seemed like a noble scion from a prestigious family, with not the slightest hint of arrogance or brutality in his aura. Yet, somehow, his presence seamlessly melded with the entire army’s momentum. At a single glance, one could sense that he commanded every soldier there.

Beside him stood a slightly shorter youth dressed in a black robe, with a refined, pure gaze and a handsome face. At first glance, he seemed innocent, as if untouched by the world’s harshness. But on closer inspection, one could see an invisible connection binding him tightly to the blue-robed noble, their bond complex and inseparable, though he seemed detached from the army itself.

Following behind them were a few others.

These individuals appeared humble and silent, their auras restrained and their cultivation levels indiscernible—evidence of profound power kept in check. Their strength was surely formidable.

The people of Eight Desolations City were astonished by this scene, each quietly calculating in their minds.

From the bearing and formation of these ten armored divisions, it was evident they were no inexperienced militia, nor weaklings. Such an imposing arrival—who could they be? And that distinguished-looking leader, who was he?

Standing beside Wu Zhenhuang, the scholarly-looking man, Luo Qiushuang, hesitated before speaking. “Could that leader be the warden sent this time?”

The gaunt and resolute Huo Gui nodded, “Qiushuang may be right. Today, we heard the warden was due to arrive. And just as we waited, this individual appeared—it seems highly likely.”

The stern-faced Zhou Huangjian added, “From what I see, many of these armored figures bear non-human traits. Rumor has it that the Ten Ultimates Sect commands an elite division, where powerful figures enslave foreign tribes to fight and labor for them. Given the unusual appearances among these armored troops, could they not be those battle slaves?”

Their advisors’ speculations seemed reasonable enough. But the deputy commanders wore looks of disbelief:

“The guardians sent by the Ten Ultimates Sect in recent years have never had such grandeur. Something feels off.”

“This is the border wasteland, and in the past, some noble heirs have come here for training, bringing their subordinates along. This person’s appearance is unusual—could he be one of those heirs from a prominent family on a training expedition?”

“City Lord, I too believe that’s unlikely.”

Wu Zhenhuang listened to the debate among his subordinates but did not comment. After a moment of thought, he spoke, “Once they arrive, we will naturally have to interact with them, and then we’ll know the truth.”

The others agreed, feeling that his words made sense, so they ceased further speculation.

After about a short tea break, the wave of armored warriors drew near.

Surprisingly, the rampaging beasts, despite their furious charge, stopped steadily a mere two or three yards away from the group.

Then, the leader and his companions all dismounted.

The nobleman in the sapphire-blue robe walked forward and smiled calmly at the people of Eight Desolations City. “I am Gongyi Tianheng of the Ten Ultimates Sect, sent by my master to oversee this area,” he said, then his gaze landed on Wu Zhenhuang. “This must be the famed City Lord of Eight Desolations City, Wu Zhenhuang. It is indeed an honor to meet you in person.”

Wu Zhenhuang was momentarily stunned and did not speak.

Gongyi Tianheng then gestured to the young man by his side. “This is my personal pharmacist, my trusted companion and confidant, whom I hold in the highest regard.” He then pointed to the people behind him. “These are my personal bodyguards, battle slaves with great strength, and they are of tremendous help.” He gestured toward the army behind them. “Those are the elite members of my Blood Dragon Camp, Tianlong Guard, and other selected subordinates, who have come to assist me in this mission.”

After Gongyi Tianheng finished speaking, his companions all greeted the people of Eight Desolations City.

Gu Zuo was more serious than usual: “Greetings to all, and I look forward to learning from each other in the future.”

The battle slaves clasped their fists in salute.

The two thousand soldiers in the rear clasped their fists together and greeted in unison, “Greetings to everyone!”

The advisors: “…”

The deputy commanders: “…”

So… this really is the appointed overseer from the Ten Ultimates Sect!

Yet, he seems quite different from any of the previous ones…

Wu Zhenhuang, as the city lord, quickly composed himself. Noticing that Gongyi Tianheng had finished his introduction while his own subordinates were still in shock, he promptly came to his senses and cupped his hands respectfully toward Gongyi Tianheng and his men. “So, it’s Young Master Gongyi in person. Please, come into the city to talk.”

Gongyi Tianheng smiled, “Thank you! I appreciate City Lord Wu’s hospitality.”

The warriors stationed at Eight Desolations City were straightforward. Although they still harbored countless doubts, it was hard to be unkind in the face of such polite manners. They couldn’t very well respond awkwardly to such courtesy, could they?

Even the deputy commanders who could barely force a smile managed to pull one out, though it looked strained.

Watching these toothache-like smiles, Gu Zuo felt a bit embarrassed. Really, if they couldn’t manage a smile, it’d be better not to force it—their strained expressions only made their unwelcome attitude and confusion even more obvious.

And so, Wu Zhenhuang and the others courteously welcomed Gongyi Tianheng into the city.

Because Eight Desolations City served to guard the border wasteland, the entire city was built from massive stones. The city walls, especially, were enormous and reinforced with various seals, making them nearly indestructible. Just a glance at the dark, crusted bloodstains in the cracks of the stones would intimidate an ordinary onlooker.

Since it was essential for people to come and go frequently, whether fleeing or summoning reinforcements, the city gates were made extraordinarily large. So, when Gongyi Tianheng led his two thousand troops over, the ten divisions entered side by side without being held up outside.

With that, they smoothly made their way to the City Lord’s mansion.

As for Gongyi Tianheng’s living arrangements… just like the previous guardians, he would temporarily settle in the City Lord’s mansion. Once he became familiar with the surroundings, he could choose whether to remain in the mansion or find his own residence, entirely at his discretion.

It had to be said, the City Lord’s mansion was well-versed in hosting guardians. Take City Lord Wu, for instance—he was a peak Ascendant Realm expert and the foremost figure of Eight Desolations City, with a lifespan reaching a thousand years. He had held the position of City Lord for centuries, and with guardians rotations every three years, he had hosted well over a hundred. Over time, he had perfected his reception methods, handling everything seamlessly.

So, when Gu Zuo followed Gongyi Tianheng into the mansion, he naturally joined the welcome banquet prepared especially for the guardian.

As for the two thousand armored soldiers accompanying them, they were guided by members of the City Lord’s mansion to a designated area within the mansion specifically set aside for the guardian’s entourage.

Gongyi Tianheng didn’t say much, accepting Wu Zhenhuang’s welcome with ease as he took a seat almost on par with the City Lord’s. He quickly had Gu Zuo sit by his side, while his accompanying battle slaves discreetly faded into the background. Their swift movements and deep concealment of aura were such that even Wu Zhenhuang didn’t detect their presence; other attendees simply sensed their auras vanish in an instant, which left a chill in everyone’s hearts.

Several advisors exchanged subtle glances.

Originally, City Lord Wu had brought the city’s leaders to greet the guardian at the gates to both show respect to the Ten Ultimates Sect and to test the guardian, perhaps even with the intention of asserting his authority. But this guardian had not only avoided being intimidated from beginning to end; in fact, the whole group found themselves subtly guided by him without even realizing it.