Chapter 69 - 68: City Guard’s Mansion and Conflict

On their way back, Xu Guang ran into an acquaintance. It was a stretch to call him that, as they had merely crossed paths a few times and were just familiar faces to each other. The man appeared to be around forty years old and possessed an extraordinary, scholarly elegance. In this world where martial prowess reigned supreme, intellectuals of his kind were a rare sight. Xu Guang had a deep impression of him and greatly admired his speech and demeanor. This was the exact same person who claimed to be a staff member at the City Guard’s Mansion, the one who had told Xu Guang the location of the complaint box.

"My young friend, we meet again."

Xu Guang chuckled. "Greetings, old sir. Out for another stroll, I see."

They weren’t particularly close, after all. However, just before parting ways, Xu Guang asked a question as casually as if they were old friends. "I am thinking of seeking a position at the City Guard’s Mansion. Do you have any advice for me, sir?"

Hearing this, the elegant middle-aged man gave Xu Guang a somewhat surprised look. "Hahaha, you are no ordinary person, my young friend. The Lord City Guardian is desperate for talent. If you go, he will welcome you with open arms."

Xu Guang did not reply, simply watching the middle-aged man’s retreating figure with a thoughtful look in his eyes. From the information he had gathered and verified from multiple sources, it seemed that this Lord City Guardian truly treated his subordinates well.

Just then, Ji Xiaolu finished her shopping and walked over. "Husband, who was that?"

"Just an acquaintance."

"Oh."

The next day, Xu Guang’s calling card was delivered to the City Guard’s Mansion.

This was Xu Guang’s first time visiting the City Guard’s Mansion. Unfortunately, Li Zongkang was not around, so he didn’t get to meet him. Luckily, Xu Guang had come prepared and had someone pass along a letter detailing the purpose of his visit.

During his period of seclusion, although he rarely went out, he knew that the atmosphere in the city had grown eerie. It was particularly strange that Feiyun City was actually recruiting Expert in Refining Viscera Martial Arts who had turned to banditry. This gave him confidence in his bid to become a Marshal. After all, compared to those Refining Viscera practitioners who had fallen into thievery, he was a true-blue native of Feiyun City.

On the third day, the City Guard’s Mansion sent someone back with a reply. The message instructed Xu Guang to go to the City Guard’s Mansion the following day to discuss the matter of the Sixth Marshal.

Early the next morning, Xu Guang stood at the entrance of the City Guard’s Mansion, watching the Feiyun Guard personnel coming and going. His eyes were downcast as he sensed that something was amiss. He wondered if Li Zongkang had changed his mind.

Before long, a Feiyun Guard member walked out. "Are you Lord Xu? Lord Ming and the Marshals are currently in the discussion hall. Please come in."

"Xu does not deserve the title of Lord."

The Feiyun Guard was unsmiling and did not respond, merely following behind Xu Guang.

This was Xu Guang’s first time stepping inside the City Guard’s Mansion. This center of the city could truly be called a city within a city. Its towering walls and massive gates reinforced with refined steel pillars said it all. Furthermore, there were actually armed Feiyun Guard patrols walking along the tops of the walls. The watchtowers at the four corners and the bunkers on the walls were bustling with movement, clearly garrisoned with troops.

The entrance procedures were also incredibly strict, requiring repeated verification of Xu Guang’s identity before he was allowed inside. If not for the Feiyun Guard escorting him, Xu Guang would have even been forced to remove his headband. He couldn’t help but marvel inwardly at the security.

Of course, taking off his headband wouldn’t affect him now anyway. After obtaining the Painted Skin Bloodline Power, hiding the Blood Eye on his forehead was actually quite easy.

The City Guard’s Mansion was enormous. Following the Feiyun Guard soldier, Xu Guang’s horizons were certainly broadened. Inside, the grounds were crisscrossed with paths and dotted with separate courtyards. Through the relatively low walls, he could see pavilions and towers. An artificial lake, drawing water from some unknown source, was faintly visible in the distance, with beautiful female family members playing and rowing boats on it.

Rumor had it that the Marshal of the Feiyun Guard and all the important officials in the city lived within the City Guard’s Mansion. From the looks of it today, those rumors were entirely true. Xu Guang felt a twinge of temptation. Thinking back to the heavily armed soldiers at the entrance, he realized that if his family lived here, their safety would be absolutely guaranteed.

After leaving the residential area and passing by a massive drill ground, Xu Guang finally arrived at the most important place in the City Guard’s Mansion: the discussion hall. To his surprise, a figure was standing in front of the hall. It was his master whom he hadn’t seen in a long time, Zhao Fu.

"Guang, you’re here."

Before they could say much else, Zhao Fu grabbed Xu Guang’s hand and led him toward the discussion hall.

Upon entering, Xu Guang surveyed the people seated inside. Occupying the seat of honor was, naturally, the current Lord City Guardian of Feiyun City, Duan Jue. The man had a classical, unadorned face, resembling a pale-faced scholar. His silk official robes, black and red with an embroidered leopard, gave him a dignified air. Even though his Qi Mechanism was weak, indicating he was just an ordinary Mortal, he still stood out strikingly among the gathering of powerful experts. To his left sat Li Zongkang, widely rumored to be the number one expert in Feiyun City today.

[Li Zongkang (Human), Combat Power: Heroic Level Training Refining Viscera Realm (Can be called Invincible)]

Li Zongkang’s Combat Power Assessment was incredibly high!

Further down were four armchairs, the seats belonging to the other four Marshals of the Feiyun Guard. Xu Guang recognized one of them: the only female Marshal in the Feiyun Guard, Nie Yu. She was built like a brick outhouse, as burly and sturdy as a bull. With her pitch-black skin, she looked more masculine than most men. That was why Xu Guang had found it utterly absurd when Fang Yuanshan had gotten jealous over her previously. However, he had a good relationship with Nie Yu, and she had always maintained a friendly attitude toward him.

These Marshals all possessed Combat Power at the Elite Level.

"Reporting to Lord Ming and the Marshals, Xu Guang has been brought here."

Duan Jue looked at Xu Guang with a peculiar expression, a hint of interest sparking in his eyes. "Mr. Xu, Zong Kang mentioned that you sent a letter expressing interest in competing for the position of Sixth Marshal of the Feiyun Guard. Is this true?"

"It is indeed true," Xu Guang replied.

However, Xu Guang’s own eyes held a strange glint. He had never in his wildest dreams expected that the elegant middle-aged man he had bumped into several times at the Three Guards Department, the one who claimed to be a staff member of the City Guard’s Mansion, was actually the City Guardian, Duan Jue! He quickly realized that all those complaint letters he had submitted had likely been read by this very man. Yet, looking at Duan Jue’s composed expression, it seemed he held no grudges regarding the reports. Xu Guang forced down the panic that had begun to well up in his heart.

Duan Jue’s words quickly drew sidelong glances from the other Marshals. After all, ever since this Lord City Guardian arrived in Feiyun City three years ago, he had always kept a low profile. However, many well-informed people knew that he used to be a high-ranking official in the Court. Normally, someone with that kind of background would thrive like a fish in water in Qing State. But for some unknown reason, his relationship with the State Chief, Lin Yu, was abysmal, resulting in Feiyun City being isolated by many major cities in Qing State.

This did not, however, affect his absolute authority in Feiyun City. Rumor had it that he was backed by powerful experts, and others whispered that Li Zongkang’s rise from a mere Mortal to his current status was all due to Duan Jue’s behind-the-scenes cultivation.

The Marshals lowered their heads, silently pondering the relationship between Duan Jue and Xu Guang. Some couldn’t help but look at Li Zongkang. This undisputed number one expert of Feiyun City was seemingly brought up by Duan Jue, right? Could it be that Xu Guang possessed bravery on par with Li Zongkang? No one knew what these people were thinking.

Li Zongkang looked at Xu Guang. His voice was steady, and he was as sparing with his words as ever. "Refining Viscera?"

Xu Guang did not speak. He simply extended his hand, and a radiant golden hue blossomed on his palm. This was the proof of Vitality from the Golden Willow Skill.

The surrounding people instantly broke into an uproar. Xu Guang looked far too young; for him to have reached Refining Viscera was nothing short of astonishing. However, as a moment passed, they seemed to recall something, and strange looks crept into their eyes. The position of Marshal of the Bengzi Camp had seemingly already been promised to someone else, hadn’t it?

"Good!" Duan Jue tapped his palm lightly against the armrest of his chair. "At a time when we are in dire need of talent, since you are capable of contributing to your hometown, I must naturally show my appreciation. Nie Yu, make some arrangements. Free up a courtyard residence for Xu Guang within the City Guard’s Mansion, and make sure it’s by the water!"

Xu Guang remained silent, a bad premonition rising in his heart. The City Guardian was carefully avoiding any mention of the Marshal position—was he too late? With his current strength, he had no desire to start as a lowly foot soldier. After all, a Marshal and a grunt were completely different. Because of the Searcher, he required a high degree of freedom, and it was common knowledge that grunts had none.

He could hear the protective intent in Duan Jue’s words, suggesting there was some hidden complication, but he didn’t need protection. He just found it strange deep down, wondering why this man harbored such goodwill toward him. At the very least, he clearly didn’t mind Xu Guang’s reckless reporting. Perhaps it was because the Han Family had already offended him. Looking at the big picture, the Searcher’s results were correct: he and Duan Jue were on the same path.

Right at that moment, a commotion erupted outside.

"I want to see which blind bastard is trying to steal my spot! Damn it, do you really think I don’t dare to kill someone?!"

As the voice rang out, a tall, burly man with absurdly wild and explosive hair and beard stormed into the hall. The man’s vulgar language was immediately irritating.

Nie Yu shouted coldly, "Yang Sha! Watch your tone!"

"Lord Ming, didn’t we agree to give me the Marshal position? How come some pretty boy shows up today wanting to be Marshal too? Could it be that the Marshal position in the Feiyun Guard is like a discarded pair of stinky socks in a bandit camp, just handed out to whoever?"

Xu Guang furrowed his brows, growing annoyed. Sure enough, wherever there were people, there would be the Martial World.

Yang Sha walked up to Xu Guang and picked his nose. "Damn it, little baby, you’d better hurry back and suckle at your mother’s breast. You look old enough. If you croak, who knows if your mother will be able to pop out another one."

Hearing this man insult his mother, Xu Guang’s eyes instantly turned cold and sinister.

Yang Sha noticed the shift in Xu Guang’s gaze and gave him a sidelong glance, a finger still digging for boogers in his nose. "What’s the matter, kid? You got a problem?

"Wanna exchange a few blows?"

Xu Guang suddenly let out a laugh and took a step forward. "A mere spar would be a bit boring. How about... a fight to the death? The winner gets to be Marshal."

His voice wasn’t loud, but his words were shocking enough to kill, dripping with a thick, suffocating Evil Qi. He wanted the Marshal position, and this man needed to pay the price for running his mouth. All things considered, today’s matter could only be settled with a fight.

He had endured silently for a long time, and it seemed today was the day he would make his name known. When his strength had been insufficient, he had always held back. But now, with a Combat Power approaching the Heroic Level in Refining Viscera, there weren’t many people in the city he feared.

Yang Sha’s face instantly flushed with anger, feeling as though this pretty boy was mocking him. But what infuriated him even more were Duan Jue’s next words.

"Yang Sha, what do you think?"

Yang Sha immediately gave a heavy nod, a flash of murderous intent appearing on his face. "You greenhorn brat, don’t blame me for being ruthless!"

Duan Jue shifted his gaze to Xu Guang, observing his reaction. His eyes seemed to hold both anticipation and concern. "Xu Guang, are you confident?"

Xu Guang slowly closed his eyes, then suddenly snapped them open. He cupped his fists, a flicker of excitement in his gaze. "Xu Guang will naturally not betray Lord Duan’s trust!"

[Yang Sha (Human) Combat Power: Ordinary Level Training Refining Viscera Realm]