Chapter 82 - 77: Third-Class Noble, Division of Management and Struggles in the City Guard’s Mansion

Night fell.

Xu Guang sat at a table with another person. The table was laden with food and fine wine.

"Brother Guan, you didn’t have to be so polite when coming over," Xu Guang said.

Guan Shan burst into laughter. "Brother Xu and I hit it off right away. I felt a sense of familiarity when we first met. Now, only a year has passed, and you have achieved so much. I am truly envious. As the saying goes, fine wine and good meat belong to heroes. This Blood Rhino is a Bone-Forging Alien Species with boundless strength. You should try it, Brother Xu."

His tone was sincere and full of emotion.

Xu Guang smiled, raised his wine goblet, and downed it in one gulp. It was late autumn now, and the bleak night wind rustled the willows in the courtyard.

Xu Guang was somewhat surprised by Guan Shan’s arrival. Previously, when escorting the younger generation of the three major factions back to the Inner City, he had met Guan Shan a few times, but that was the extent of their relationship. As for Guan Shan’s claim of hitting it off right away, he didn’t really believe it.

"This morning, the City Guard’s Mansion had someone prepare your new household registration documents," Guan Shan continued. "Although Feiyun City is half a rank higher than the surrounding counties, Lord City Guardian can only elevate you to a Third-Class Noble at best. Please don’t take offense, Brother Xu."

"It doesn’t matter. I’ve been a commoner for so many years. To be able to step past Mortals and become a Noble is already beyond my expectations."

Guan Shan laughed heartily. "Brother Xu is truly magnanimous."

Xu Guang shook his head with a bitter smile. "Brother Guan comes from a wealthy clan, so naturally you wouldn’t understand the hardships of us commoners."

Hearing this, Guan Shan set down his wine goblet. "Brother Xu must be joking. I am nothing but a Mortal by birth. I don’t have a prominent family backing me, and I don’t even have an heir. I am just a solitary man, far inferior to you, Brother Xu."

This time, it was Xu Guang’s turn to be astonished. He had always thought that someone of Guan Shan’s status and position must have an extraordinary background. It seemed the Brother Guan before him was also a genius.

"Enough of that. The past is like smoke, no need to mention it again," Guan Shan said in a low voice. "The reason I came to bother you today is to ask what plans you have for the future, Brother Xu."

With a tranquil smile on his face, Xu Guang looked at Ji Xiaolu, who was chatting with Xu Chun in the distance. "Honor my mother, take care of my wife, and have a few children."

Guan Shan’s face twitched uncontrollably. He wondered if this guy was kidding. He had broken through to Refining Viscera at such a young age, yet this was all the ambition he had? Since it would be rude to say that out loud, he spoke slowly instead. "Do you have any plans regarding the Martial Dao, Brother Xu? For instance, going to see the scenery above Refining Viscera."

Xu Guang shook his head. "I have only just entered Refining Viscera. I am still far from the Peak of Refining Viscera Cultivation."

"You are wrong about that, Brother Xu. Cultivating the Martial Dao is like sailing against the current. Once you step onto this path, you are destined to provoke countless enemies. If you don’t continue to grow stronger, how will you protect the peace of your family?"

Xu Guang glanced calmly at Guan Shan. "Do you have something in mind, Brother Guan?"

"I wish to seek a Profound Skill to step beyond Refining Viscera and experience the view from the top!" Guan Shan’s face revealed a hint of obsession. He clearly knew a lot. From his words, Xu Guang deduced that reaching the realm above Refining Viscera required a Profound Skill. He wondered what this Profound Skill was. It was probably a higher-level Cultivation Technique than the Golden Willow Skill.

Xu Guang pondered this, but then another question came to mind. "Brother Guan, do you know the origins of those Alien Insects that inexplicably appeared outside the city, as well as the living dead inside the city a few days ago?"

Guan Shan smiled. "I don’t know, but you don’t need to worry, Brother Xu. According to the elders in my sect, those Alien Insects can’t stay for long. They will disappear on their own before long. As for the living dead, it’s actually caused by a bizarre bug that can control the human brain. The three major factions have already found the weakness of these bugs and will announce it to the public in a few days. There is no need to worry."

Xu Guang was somewhat surprised. However, Guan Shan didn’t know the specifics either; he only knew this much. City Guardian Duan Jue probably knew about this too.

"Brother Xu, you should know that my sect has Junior Sister Su. This Junior Sister has a mysterious origin and a powerful background. A few days ago, someone sent a letter inviting her over. If you wish to pursue the limits of the Martial Dao, you can come find me at the Cold Blade Sect." Guan Shan finally revealed his true purpose for visiting Xu Guang today: recruiting him for Junior Sister Su.

Xu Guang was a little surprised and formed some deeper speculations about Su Yuchan’s identity. Still, he shook his head. "My mind is made up. Thank you for your concern, Brother Guan, and please thank Miss Su for keeping me in her thoughts."

After Guan Shan left, Xu Guang stood there for a long time. He was just a small fry who couldn’t see the big picture clearly. All he could do was make himself stronger.

***

Another day passed. Xu Guang quietly went outside the city to take a look. The bizarre bugs had completely vanished without a single trace, as if they had never existed. Only the ancient black stele standing tall above the Wei River proved that something had once been there.

The situation in Feiyun City was also constantly changing. Two of the three major families had been wiped out. The top three factions only took the most lucrative parts, leaving enough for the small families in the city to feast and thrive. As the Sixth Marshal of the Feiyun Guard, Xu Guang had firmly established his footing in the organization. After running around these past few days and showcasing his strength, he had gained the support of Li Xiao and others, as well as the backing of Duan Jue. Naturally, he was also qualified to participate in this feast of spoils.

Xu Guang walked with Ji Xiaolu along the streets of the inner area of the City Guard’s Mansion. It wasn’t exactly bustling here, as there were fewer people. After all, the Mortal World always needed a lively crowd to thrive.

"Uncle Xu, we want candy!"

"Auntie Lu, Xiaodang wants some too."

Soon, this quiet atmosphere vanished. The residents here were all active or retired Feiyun Guards holding at least the rank of Centurion, and naturally, they all had flocks of wives and concubines at home. Ji Xiaolu loved children, and every time she came out with Xu Guang, she would bring some candies for them.