Chapter 64: Clammy, Commissioner, Peak-Selecting Official?

After finishing reading the manual of the "Eight-Step Cicada Chase," Xia He still harbored some doubts regarding several obscure and difficult passages within it.

He originally intended to consult Yang Qing'er about the parts he did not understand. However, when he opened the door, the sight before him left him momentarily stunned.

Yang Qing'er's cheeks were flushed like radiant sunset clouds, and tiny beads of perspiration dotted her forehead, as if she had just engaged in an intense physical workout.

Seeing this, Xia He felt a secret sense of astonishment, and his brows furrowed deeply.

Could it be that feeding her poison every day had finally pushed her physical endurance to the limit? That shouldn't be the case!

Right at that moment, Yang Qing'er suddenly began to murmur softly, "He... Brother He!"

Her voice was both clinging and slightly trembling, as if squeezed out from the very depths of her heart. Once she realized her unseemly behavior, she was frightened out of her wits, her already crimson face instantly turning a sickly shade of pale.

Xia He scrutinized her from head to toe, and then spoke in a straightforward tone, "Demonstrate the Eight-Step Cicada Chase technique for me once again, personally."

Hearing this, a fleeting trace of imperceptible disappointment quickly flashed across Yang Qing'er's face, but she still nodded obediently and replied, "Ah? Okay..."

...

"Useless trash, you can't even handle a small task like this. What use does the Military Commissioner have for you?!"

Inside the military tent, the atmosphere was so heavy it felt as though it could condense into water.

A middle-aged man stared with wide, angry eyes, his face completely flushed and veins bulging on his forehead as he flew into a towering rage.

Standing below him, Thousand-Household Fan had a face as dark as iron, his body trembling slightly. Although there was dissatisfaction in his heart, he did not dare to show even the slightest hint of disrespect.

"Lord Surveillance Commissioner, please be sure to convey to the Military Commissioner that some completely unexpected circumstances have indeed arisen recently. However, your subordinate is willing to commit a meritorious service to atone for these faults!"

Zhen Jie took a deep breath, struggling to calm the surging, violent anger within his chest, though in the end, he still could not help letting out a cold snort.

"According to what you're saying, there's a fellow surnamed Xia who has been quite prominent lately, and you suspect he meddled in this? But this person possesses such extraordinary martial arts talent that he was promoted to a military household in a mere two months, and commands everyone's respect?"

At this, Zhen Jie could not help frowning, a flicker of doubt and surprise flashing through his eyes.

Thousand-Household Fan hurriedly nodded in affirmation, reporting the details to Zhen Jie: "Reporting to my lord, this kid is indeed exceptionally gifted. It was merely two months ago that he first began to touch upon martial arts."

"Yet who could have imagined that in less than ten days, he successfully broke through the skin-refining realm."

"Following that, he rapidly developed vital energy and blood, and even killed a Wolf Guard to render a great service, which is why he was exceptionally promoted to a military household."

Zhen Jie felt a secret surge of astonishment, truly not expecting that such a remote place could actually give birth to such a martial arts prodigy.

Since Thousand-Household Fan dared to openly spread rumors of the bloody plague in this small town and brazenly amass wealth on a grand scale, if he did not have a powerful backer supporting him, he wouldn't have had the guts—even with ten lives—to act in such a manner.

Therefore, almost without thinking, one knew that the Military Commissioner was Thousand-Household Fan's solid backing!

Thousand-Household Fan offered an ingratiating smile and explained, "From this subordinate's perspective, this Xia He is merely a greenhorn who has just entered the world. Even if he unintentionally disrupted our plans, given such talent, as long as we can bring him under our command, presumably the Military Commissioner will no longer pursue past matters."

Upon hearing these words, Zhen Jie pondered for a moment, and surprisingly felt that this statement was not entirely unreasonable.

Consequently, the anger that had originally accumulated in his heart dissipated by a large margin.

"This time, when I came on an inspection tour, I was carrying Lord An's mission."

"What mission?"

"Lose to the Southern Barbarians!"

"What?"

Thousand-Household Fan found it hard to believe.

War was no child's play; people died in battle. To intentionally seek defeat? What kind of logic was this!

After cursing a few times, Zhen Jie maintained his patience and explained:

"The Crown Prince has come of age and has spent recent years consistently suppressing the Military Commissioners of various garrisons, even attempting to send his own subordinates to replace them!"

"If the garrisons are gone, what will the likes of us live on?"

"If we don't let the imperial court see our importance, do we really just let them do as they please?"

Zhen Jie sneered coldly, then continued:

"This kid is like an untamed steed. If he cannot be harnessed, he must be eliminated as soon as possible. He must never be allowed to enter the Four Elite Camps!"

"This subordinate understands..."

"I won't be staying here for many days. Go and summon that kid right now so I can question him personally!"

"If he refuses to submit, execute him on the spot!"

A chill struck Thousand-Household Fan's heart, and he could only cup his hands and say:

"This subordinate obeys."

...

The town yamen.

A carriage suddenly halted at the entrance.

With a soft rustling sound, the curtain of the carriage was gently lifted by a slender and powerful hand.

Seated inside were a man and a woman, both dressed in profound black robes.

The woman sat quietly with her eyes closed and her legs crossed. Her features were exquisite, with delicate skin that rivaled snow. Without a trace of makeup, she instead exuded an imposing, heroic aura that prevented others from daring to show disrespect.

Unlike the woman, the man could be described as exceptionally handsome, with sword-like brows, starry eyes, and a high bridge of nose. The corners of his lips curved upward in an elusive, faint smile as he looked around with a curious expression.

"Sister, we've arrived. What a desolate dump this place is!"

Dan Ling opened her eyes.

"Once we meet the Chai family members later, you must not be impolite. Although the Chai family has declined, they were on good terms with our grandfather's generation after all. We cannot lose our manners."

Dan Xiong said offhandedly and carelessly, "Hah, that fellow from the Chai family is merely a toad lusting after a swan's meat, trying to attach himself to you, Sister?"

"In my opinion, it was just the old man being muddle-headed back then, insisting on arranging some childhood betrothal... If that fellow hadn't had some self-awareness and voluntarily called off the engagement, I would have marched over there and stomped all over them no matter what!"

Seeing him speak without restraint, Dan Ling frowned, a trace of stern majesty—unbefitting her years—manifesting on her face.

"Nonsense!"

Only then did Dan Xiong shrink his head back and halt his derisive remarks.

Though his sister was only one year older than him, she possessed a natural authority derived from their bloodline that suppressed him.

"Sister, this is merely a selection of top talents in such a remote place. There's no need for the two of us to be sent here, right?"

"There is a need. Resources are scarce in places like this. If a truly good sprout can emerge from here, that is a genuine genius."

"Besides, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has other tasks for us."

"You mean the military deployment coming next spring?"

"These rebellious subjects draw empty pay, pocket silver, and slaughter the local populace. In my view, they should have been disciplined long ago! His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is truly wise!"

"If you ask me, it would be better to transfer our Xuanwu Camp over to thoroughly investigate the matter. Anyone who dares resist should be killed on the spot—why go through all this trouble?!"

"Foolish!"

Dan Ling rebuked him.

"Do you treat state affairs as child's play?"

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's wings are gradually growing, but how many enemies does he have at court? How can we act with such unbridled arrogance?"

The Military Commissioners of these garrisons intended to deliberately suffer defeat in order to reject the Crown Prince's plan to curtail garrison powers.

With deep, profound eyes, Dan Ling thought to herself: "How can we allow them to succeed so easily?"

"Ah? Sister, what exactly did His Royal Highness the Crown Prince instruct us to do? Who are we supposed to kill?"

Dan Ling: "..."