Chapter 274: Chapter 218: Black Wolf, Don’t Start a Fight

"Farewell, County Duke."

Ying Rushi came out of the military town, with a guard holding an umbrella for her in the drizzling rain.

Along the way, all the Baibao Guards Officers who saw her lowered their heads solemnly, silently standing in the rain. Wherever she went, it was silent; the previously noisy military camp was now extremely quiet, making the sound of the rain even more pronounced.

The way the Qi Kingdom pays respect to people differs from that of the Zhou Kingdom and Liang Kingdom, especially in the Nocturnal Military Town under the Celestial Monarch’s rule. The greatest reverence is silence, and the best is for no rumors to spread. Because in the Nocturnal Heaven, there is only one sky, that is the Emperor; and only one person can summon the wind and rain, that is Ying Le.

Those who dare to share this glory, the better outcome is being visited by the Baibao Guards at night, while the worse outcome... is encountering Ying Le on patrol during the day.

To live on this land, from commoners to Third-Turn Commanders, the first thing to learn is to be careful in speech and actions. In the eyes of someone who has achieved Mortal Foundation Establishment, everyone is equal; there are no distinctions between high and low classes, for none are considered human.

The Nocturnal Heaven City was shrouded in a somber fog amidst the rain. The gatekeeper saw Ying Rushi’s carriage from afar and immediately drove the passersby to the sides of the road. As the carriage passed through, civilians knelt on both sides, their foreheads touching the ground. However, unlike their usual fear and humility, their faces were filled with respect when they looked at the carriage. There was even an old lady clasping her hands in prayer, seeking blessings.

At the same time, a large double-horse cart emerged from the thick fog with a rumble. The steel wheels rolled over the cobblestone road with a dull sound, akin to advancing thunder. The civilians by the roadside bowed their heads lower, trying to make themselves resemble weeds and stones.

Only the Evil Ghost Hundred Guards from the palace dared to gallop through the Nocturnal Heaven City. They represent the Emperor’s decree, the unchallengeable divine will! Even Ying Rushi’s carriage had to make way; otherwise, the Evil Ghost Hundred Guards would not hesitate to ram into it.

Without even opening the curtains, Ying Rushi could smell a familiar pungent scent, the stench of flesh becoming charred under burning oil, mixed with a lingering putrid odor—a bizarre amalgamation of burnt and decaying scents. She lifted the curtain to observe the steel cart, noticing some dark, dirty liquid seeping from its bottom as it moved, trailing from deep within the rainy fog to outside the city. A single cloth covered the cart’s top, with a small, pale hand—seemingly a child’s—protruding from beneath the cloth’s edge.

Only when the steel cart disappeared from sight did the civilians and even the gatekeeper take a deep breath; they had instinctively held their breath just now.

Suddenly, a little girl ran up to the carriage holding a garland. Her mother, seeing this, was shocked and quickly rushed over to make her kneel in apology. Ying Rushi lifted the curtain, stopping the mother’s actions, and reached out to take the garland: "Did you make this?"

The little girl nodded vigorously, her face dirty, biting her nails and saying, "Big sister, you made grandpa better... Grandpa will make eggs for Xiaoqiu..."

Ying Rushi smiled faintly and took out a piece of candy from the carriage to give to the little girl: "Your garland is beautifully made. This is your reward."

The little girl accepted it and immediately put it in her mouth. Her mother expressed countless thanks, taking the girl back and spanking her, telling her to share it with her sister. Ying Rushi smiled with pursed lips and lowered the curtain, feeling a weight lifting from her heavy heart.

The Heaven-Swaying Sword at her waist was unassuming and humble; no one could tell it was a Legendary Token.

For the past half month, Ying Rushi had been very busy, doing just two things: training the Baibao Guards and treating patients. Training the Baibao Guards was the top priority. Ying Rushi spent five hours daily guiding five Baibao Guards in martial arts. This way, the Heaven-Swaying Sword’s Legendary Authority could be fully utilized. Over these fifteen days, more than seventy First-Turn Baibao Guards Officers have benefited, their Qi, soul, and dexterity nearly doubling, and not only have their abilities almost reached the Second-Turn level, but understanding Advanced Techniques has also become easier.

Even if they do not realize it’s a Legendary Authority, they know it’s a gift of guidance from the Marquis of Lecheng County. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

In principle, Ying Rushi should use the Legendary Authority to build connections with High-Level Commanders and aristocratic scions, which was Ying Le’s suggestion to her. However, to maximize the value of the Legendary Authority, cultivating low-level Baibao Guards is the best choice. Not only can it allow them to demonstrate greater value in the Secret Realm, but even if half of these seventy Baibao Guards can achieve the Second-Turn, it would significantly strengthen the Qi Kingdom’s national power.

Conversely, using it on Second-Turn or Third-Turn individuals neither causes a qualitative change nor increases their chances of advancement, at best embellishing what they already have.

More importantly, what Ying Le can do does not mean Ying Rushi can.

Besides training the Baibao Guards, Ying Rushi also spent half an hour every morning offering free medical consultations.

Half an hour can only minimally trigger the Legendary Authority, which, according to the Thief’s House’s description, adds a bit of Qi, a bit of soul, and a bit of dexterity. But for ordinary people, increasing even a little Qi and soul is enough to cure most of their ailments. Many frail elderly or children have little Qi to speak of.

Though she spent nearly six hours a day on things that held no personal benefit, Ying Rushi felt more fulfilled than ever before. The opportunity provided by the Legendary Authority allowed Ying Rushi to truly open the doors to the lower world. Previously, she felt pity for them, but from a lofty mindset, believing herself, with the Divine Martial Bloodline, to have the responsibility to protect the Qi Kingdom’s subjects.

Only by deeply learning did Ying Rushi discover that the Baibao Guards are not all killing demons; they also worry about their children and parents, and their greatest hope is to spend rest days at home, warming a pot of wine and chatting with their wife. And the people at the bottom do not live in a haze; even in poverty and sickness, they live life to the fullest, finding little joys to hold onto.

Just like the garland in her hand, although it breaks with the slightest pull... why break it at all?

From a young age, Ying Rushi thought about the great righteousness of family and nation, the foundation of the state, and the destiny of the Ying Family. She always pondered what she could do, and now she has finally found it—that is to help others within her ability.

Back at the residence, Ying Rushi rubbed her eyes and reviewed the official documents and letters delivered today. Upon seeing one of them, she raised her eyebrows slightly.

"Has Ye Si made it to the Second-Turn already? And she’s applying to enter the Second-Turn Secret Realm or the Third-Turn Secret Realm again..."

The reason Ping City Military Town opened its internal shopping channels for Ye Si Jiang Shi was entirely thanks to Ying Rushi’s suggestion. Otherwise, no matter how talented they were or how great their battle achievements, given their short time, they would not have qualified for accessing Qi Kingdom’s resources.

It is not that Qi Kingdom is unfair, but rather that they are too extraordinary. For them to reach Second-Turn in less than half a year, no country would have a dedicated advancement system for such prodigies, only relying on benefactors to mentor them... like Ying Rushi.

Yes, Ying Rushi has already confirmed that the ’Jiang Niang’ of the Ping City Military Camp is indeed the ’Jiang Shi’ whose name is now renowned in the Liang Kingdom. Second-Turn, swordman, beauty, along with the timing of Jiang Shi’s disappearance coinciding with the emergence of Jiang Niang, perhaps others wouldn’t make such connections, but Ying Rushi is particularly sensitive to names involving numbers, making it clear once seeking evidence with the answer in hand.

For various reasons, Ying Rushi had never met with them nor promoted them. However, Ye Si has reached Second-Turn, and records show their recent Secret Realm expeditions have noticeably decreased from five or six times at their peak to one or two times now. Either they have grown tired, or the Three Mountain Secret Realm no longer holds value for cultivation.

If they are continuously left unattended, they might seek other avenues to leave.

Their admirers are not limited to Ying Rushi alone.

In this task, there will be attempts to probe Yellow Dog. If it can be confirmed he sent his subordinates to the Qi Kingdom merely for honing skills without other motives, Ying Rushi wouldn’t mind lending them a helping hand.

Thinking of Yellow Dog and Black Wolf, Ying Rushi couldn’t help but feel a headache. This task is inherently challenging, not only is the target located at the core of the Military Mansion, but there’s also interference from the Divine Marquis Mansion’s constable. In this situation, not only is there a lack of unity among teammates, but there’s also a sense of mutual animosity... Ying Rushi feels that her journey with the Thief’s House might end here.

Yet Ying Rushi finds the situation peculiar.

Black Wolf’s behavior can be understood, as she deems the person in jail to be extremely important. However, lacking the ability to storm the prison, she can only leverage this task—as would Ying Rushi.

What Ying Rushi couldn’t understand was Yellow Dog.

Judging from Black Wolf and Yellow Dog’s attitudes, there is a conflict between them, an unresolved issue, yet the little girl in jail is evidently important to Yellow Dog—at least Black Wolf believes so. Normally, Yellow Dog would either assist Black Wolf or watch indifferently, but there’s no reason to prevent Black Wolf.

This was indeed Black Wolf’s thought, which is why when Yellow Dog threatened her by sabotaging the task, she was puzzled.

One possibility is Yellow Dog was certain Black Wolf would endure; hence he acted aggressively, suppressing Black Wolf’s arrogance, thereby establishing a hierarchical authority, turning her into an obedient subordinate.

Given Yellow Dog’s control over his subordinates, he should be adept at such tactics.

Red Snake seemed to have already succumbed, staunchly siding with Yellow Dog in the Thief’s House.

Ying Rushi is not afraid of Yellow Dog seizing control since that indicates he still cares about the Thief’s House and wants to complete the task. The worst scenario is Yellow Dog leading the Thief’s House, and Black Wolf indeed deserves some suppression.

Her real worry is about the other possibility—that to Yellow Dog, Black Wolf’s life truly outweighs the Thief’s House.

With midnight approaching, Ying Rushi donned the Thief’s Outfit and put on the White Fox Mask, arriving at the Thief’s House with an uneasy heart.

The fate of the Thief’s House hanging in tonight’s meeting.

She was not late, yet everyone arrived before her. Yellow Dog sat at his seat, Red Snake holding flying rings stood beside him, Black Wolf stood imposingly facing him.

Crack!

Suddenly, Black Wolf thrust a dagger into the stone table, as Ying Rushi was about to shout ’Black Wolf, don’t rush into a fight,’ Black Wolf pointed at the dagger, explaining: "Third-Turn Rare Treasure Token, Blood Sacrifice Dagger."

"Upon creating a wound with the Blood Sacrifice Dagger, my blood will continuously amplify the defensive artifacts’ intensity, reducing damage by up to twenty percent, with non-direct damages such as fire, ice, corrosion, and scalding reduced by up to fifty percent."

She unveiled her robe, revealing a sophisticated breastplate underneath: "This is the best armor I could find. It won’t melt in magma, and can withstand seconds before turning to a branding iron."

It’s over, thought Ying Rushi.

Black Wolf’s attitude clearly indicated persistence, and she indeed possessed the configuration capable of crossing the Magma River. Such auxiliary tokens capable of amplifying defensive artifacts are truly rare. Preparing so thoroughly within a day and a half, if Yellow Dog still intended to stop her, she might explode at him.

Unless Yellow Dog agreed, otherwise, the Thief’s House would disband tonight.

"You either agree to let me rescue the Rabbit Heroine," Black Wolf issued the final ultimatum, "or else..."

Are they going to clash? Fight? If witnessing Bingzi Pepper Forest unleashed before the Thief’s House disbanded, this journey wouldn’t be in vain.

"Take the Blood Sacrifice Dagger away now, cutting off my hopes."

Black Wolf looked down at Yellow Dog: "This time, I’ll listen to you."