Chapter 56: Entering the Jianghu
“Brother Hao, which mission are you choosing?”
After reading the mission list, Li Yuanzhao immediately asked Li Hao, clearly intending to stick with him so they could look out for each other.
“The one in Qizhou,” Li Hao replied, a trace of coldness flashing in his eyes.
Li Yuanzhao glanced at the mission but didn’t think much of it and nodded. “I’ll pick that one too.”
“You’re both heading to Qizhou?”
Nearby, Du Qiuyue glanced over and quickly said, “Can you take me along? I want to go there too.”
“Count me in as well!” Zheng Bai said hurriedly. Being able to join the same mission as the young master of the Divine General Mansion was a rare opportunity to grow closer to him.
If he could become friends with someone like Li Hao, it would be an invaluable connection.
“Brother Hao, what do you think?”
Li Yuanzhao waited for Li Hao’s opinion before responding.
Li Hao said calmly, “I don’t mind.”
“In that case, since Brother Hao has no objections, let’s all go together,” Li Yuanzhao decided.
Du Qiuyue and Zheng Bai exchanged glances, both unable to hide the joy in their eyes.
...
At that moment, Su Yehua, standing at the front, suddenly announced, “Let’s go over the rules now. Each mission can only be taken by a maximum of five people. I’ll call out the missions, and you raise your hand if you’re interested. The first mission is to assist the Demon Subduing Division in Cangzhou to handle a village disturbance caused by a demon. The reward is five academic points. Who wants to go?”
“Me.”
“Me.”
Seven people raised their hands immediately.
Among all the missions, the highest reward was 15 points, but those missions also had the highest difficulty, with reports suggesting they might involve Zhoutian Realm demons at the pinnacle of their power.
In contrast, the first mission was expected to involve Zhoutian Realm demons between the second and fifth levels, making it relatively easier.
“There are too many applicants. Either discuss amongst yourselves or decide based on the Martial Arts Rankings. Those ranked lower will have to pick a different mission,” Su Yehua said.
The seven applicants exchanged looks. Two of them backed down voluntarily.
Su Yehua continued listing missions, with people raising their hands to choose. Some missions had three participants, others only one, and a few remained unselected.
“Brother Hao, they’re heading to Yunzhou for their mission. The area was recently cleared of major demons, and this mission is to help eliminate any lingering threats,” Li Yuanzhao said, his expression showing a hint of worry as he watched Li Yun and Li Zhining choose a mission with a maximum reward of 15 points.
Though they often didn’t see eye to eye within the mansion, they had grown up together, and he didn’t wish them harm.
“Tell them to be cautious and not to overreach,” Li Hao said, glancing at the siblings, who looked eager and excited. He frowned slightly.
“Got it.”
Li Yuanzhao nodded and planned to check on them after accepting his own mission.
Soon, Su Yehua called out the Qizhou mission.
Li Hao immediately raised his hand, followed by Li Yuanzhao, Du Qiuyue, and Zheng Bai.
At the same time, two others also raised their hands—a man and a woman.
“She’s going too?”
Du Qiuyue was momentarily stunned when she saw the young woman, Ren Qianqian, who was ranked fourth on the Martial Arts Rankings and renowned for her exceptional swordsmanship.
Zheng Bai’s expression changed when he noticed the man. The latter was a senior student ranked higher than him on the Martial Arts Rankings.
Now there were six people, meaning the lowest-ranked person—Zheng Bai—would have to give up their spot.
Theoretically, Li Hao, ranked last, should have been the one to step aside. However, their choice of the Qizhou mission revolved entirely around Li Hao. If Li Hao withdrew, Li Yuanzhao would likely follow suit.
Zheng Bai looked at Li Hao with a hint of hope, wishing he might switch to another mission.
Meanwhile, Ren Qianqian and the senior student noticed Li Hao’s group. Ren Qianqian merely glanced at them without a change in her calm expression.
The senior student, however, froze for a moment before his face lit up with delight.
“There are too many people,” Su Yehua said, scanning the group. “You can discuss among yourselves who will withdraw. If no one is willing, we’ll follow the rules.”
Ren Qianqian sat down without hesitation, determined to go no matter what.
The senior student’s gaze swept over Li Hao. Despite knowing he couldn’t afford to offend this young master of the Divine General Mansion, he felt some assurance that someone ranked so low wouldn’t be a threat.
His eyes shifted to Zheng Bai, and he smiled. “Qizhou is dangerous. It’s my hometown, and I can guide the others. Why don’t you give up your spot?”
Zheng Bai’s face turned pale. If he insisted on staying, he’d offend the senior student.
“Fine,” Zheng Bai said after a moment of hesitation. He quickly composed himself and said to Li Yuanzhao and Li Hao, “Good luck on your mission. We can team up another time.”
“All right,” Li Yuanzhao said, patting Zheng Bai on the shoulder in comfort.
“Take care on your mission too,” Du Qiuyue added.
Zheng Bai nodded with a faint smile.
Although he regretted not joining Li Hao’s team, this was only the first mission of the term. There would be more chances in the future.
Once the group for the Qizhou mission was finalized, Su Yehua proceeded to assign the remaining missions.
Soon, all tasks were distributed, and those sharing the same mission gathered.
“When should we set out?” the senior student, Yu Wei, asked while looking at Li Yuanzhao and Ren Qianqian.
“Now,” Ren Qianqian replied calmly.
Du Qiuyue, however, turned to Li Hao.
“Brother Hao, what do you think?” Li Yuanzhao asked.
“Now. The sooner, the better,” Li Hao said.
“Got it. I’ll prepare the carriage,” Li Yuanzhao said.
Li Hao shook his head. “Prepare five Crimson Blood Horses instead. A carriage is too slow.”
Li Yuanzhao blinked, then nodded.
Yu Wei was surprised, noticing how deferential Li Yuanzhao, ranked sixth on the Martial Arts Rankings and possessing eighth-grade battle physique talent, was toward Li Hao.
After arranging for the horses, Li Yuanzhao approached Li Yun and Li Zhining.
“Brother Hao said to be careful and not to overreach,” he told them.
Li Yun raised an eyebrow and snorted. “Mind your own business.”
Li Zhining turned to glance at Li Hao, who was speaking to the others. Her eyes flickered slightly as she said, “Thank you, Brother Yuanzhao. You all take care too.”
Li Yuanzhao grinned. “You too, Sister Zhining.”
With their warnings delivered, Li Yuanzhao returned to Li Hao, and the group set off.
Riding their Crimson Blood Horses, the five of them sped out of Qingzhou.
...
The swift steeds carried them through the wilderness at incredible speed. Yu Wei and Li Yuanzhao felt exhilarated, like they’d been released from a cage.
“These battlefield horses are amazing. No wonder they’re worth a fortune,” Yu Wei exclaimed, watching the scenery blur past.
“Crimson Blood Horses aren’t for sale. Owning one privately is punishable by death,” Li Yuanzhao said proudly.
Du Qiuyue, trying to maintain composure, blushed with excitement despite her efforts.
Thanks to the Crimson Blood Horses, they would reach Qizhou in less than two days.
Above Qingzhou, a black bird flew, its sharp eyes reflecting the five riders on the desolate official road below.
Suddenly, the bird’s eyes blinked, noticing two figures trailing about four or five li behind the group.
What was unusual was that the two figures weren’t riding horses but running on foot. Despite their leisurely pace, they kept up effortlessly with the riders.
The bird’s eyes blinked again, letting out a low cry before it soared higher into the clouds.
Moments later, the black bird plunged downward, diving into a dense forest below.
It landed gracefully near a black water pond and transformed into the figure of a seven- or eight-year-old child with a crest of feathers atop its head. The child dashed toward the pond and called out:
“Lord Xuanjiao, that person has left!”
Its voice echoed into the pond’s depths. Suddenly, a massive shadow emerged from the still water, breaking the surface to reveal a gigantic flood dragon’s head. Its forked tongue flicked out menacingly, and its sharp fangs glistened with a savage gleam.
“Did you see clearly? Is it the son of Marquis Xingwu?”
“I saw him. My Thousand Divine Eye Technique could never be mistaken,” the child replied, shivering slightly as it bowed its head respectfully. “Also, there are two people following them from behind. It seems they’re hidden protectors. One is in the Spiritual Wandering Realm, but the other… I cannot discern.”
As the child finished speaking, the black water churned, and another shadow appeared. This one belonged to a slimmer flood dragon with a streak of white scales on its belly.
“It’s been four years. Since we were sent here to assassinate the son of Marquis Xingwu, we’ve been waiting for this opportunity,” the slender flood dragon said.
“After the failed assassination attempt by that human slave, the alert was raised, making it impossible to infiltrate the Divine General Mansion. Anyone too powerful would be noticed by the Li family’s elders, and anyone too weak couldn’t get close enough to succeed.”
The two flood dragons conversed as their enormous bodies rose from the water. In a flash of dark light, they transformed into a pair of humans—a man with a wicked face and a woman with a bewitching allure.
Both retained a touch of their serpentine nature, their forked tongues flicking out as they licked their lips and smiled cruelly.
“They probably think we’ve given up. But we demon cultivators, with our lifespans of a thousand years, have no shortage of patience...”