With the Blade

"What? You want us to bring back Grand Tutor Du?"

When he first received this task, Shan Bing was bewildered, and after pondering over the task requirements, he became even more confused.

He hadn’t done anything wrong recently, had he? Although being outpaced by those civilian warriors in slaying the monsters was indeed a bit of a disgrace for a Commander, he wasn’t the only one who had their prey stolen, and besides, wasn’t the matter resolved already?

Or was it possible that his killing of civilians during the monster subjugation was discovered by the higher-ups? But hasn’t no one ever been held accountable for such things before? Why was he being dispatched?

"It’s not a dispatch."

In the chief seat, the elderly eunuch in a dark red robe gently shook his head.

The thick, almost tangible scent of blood made Shan Bing, who was about to defend himself, fall silent.

Facing the number one in the Hundred Weapons Chart, and indeed the best in the world, he’d best learn to maintain a basic level of respect—otherwise, just smelling that scent of blood should make one understand that the elderly eunuch had probably just killed a number of people before coming to see him.

No, calling him an elderly eunuch is not appropriate, he should be respectfully addressed as Director Cao.

"I said it’s not a dispatch."

Seeing Shan Bing’s somewhat shrinking demeanor, the elderly eunuch sighed.

"Sending you to find someone is a legitimate task. If you manage to find Grand Tutor Du, even if he doesn’t agree to come back and assist, as long as you can learn a few tricks from him, you’ll benefit immensely for a lifetime..."

"Uh, I think it would be better to learn a few moves from you, Director."

Shan Bing thought for a moment and decided to say something flattering first.

"Director, your martial prowess is unrivaled, and you’re the number one in the Hundred Weapons Chart. If you could offer me one or two pointers, I would truly benefit immensely."

As for Du Chengfeng... who is he?

There’s no such figure in the Hundred Weapons Chart. The events of the past are somewhat distant; at least for Shan Bing, this so-called Grand Tutor is merely someone he knows of by name.

As for the other’s skills... not even on the Hundred Weapons Chart; what skills could he have?

On the contrary, it’s the Director Cao in front of him who is universally acknowledged as the best in the world.

"Me? The best in the world?"

Hearing Shan Bing’s flattery, the elderly eunuch seemed to recall something distant, yet showed a bit of self-mockery on his face.

"Where is the best in the world? It’s all just a false reputation... However, if you insist on some guidance, I can find some flaws in you."

Saying this, the elderly eunuch raised his hand and pointed to the large shield at Shan Bing’s side, which never left him.

"Your skills, I have always observed, but if someone breaks through that large shield of yours, what will you do then?"

"This... Thank you for your guidance, Director."

Shan Bing quickly stood up and cupped his hands in thanks.

If it were someone else, perhaps they would feel this was unfounded doubt, but only Shan Bing himself knew that this elderly eunuch was really teaching him something valuable—though he had always relied on his shield to block all attacks and then use his cunning short sword with his right hand for surprise attacks, he had always faintly felt that this method had potential risks.

And now, the elderly eunuch in front of him pointed out the worry in his heart.

Whether using a strange power to bypass his shield or using immense strength to shatter it, at those times he would be completely defenseless, and without the protective barrier, his capabilities with just the short sword would greatly diminish.

Furthermore, the elderly eunuch was also tactful not to mention a direct solution, leaving it to him to resolve—though this was not the kind of guidance he imagined, the words spoken were indeed sufficient. Otherwise, if Director Cao actually provided a solution, could he even sleep at night?

It’s not always good to be known too well by others; some things are better left unexplored, for everyone’s benefit.

"Also, for this task, Jiang Wenyuan, the Mountain-stabilizing Iron Ruler, will accompany you."

Seeing Shan Bing slightly more at ease, the elderly eunuch continued.

"Jiang Wenyuan comes from the capturers, and he also has past ties with Grand Tutor Du in Yizhou, so this search is actually led by him, but the road is treacherous, and he’s alone, so danger is unavoidable. That’s why you’ll go along, using your Unbreakable Iron Wall to protect him."

"So you had everything planned out, Director."

Shan Bing quickly cupped his hands again in thanks.

Got it, completely understood now. Jiang Wenyuan, the Mountain-stabilizing Iron Ruler, he had heard of—this man transitioned from being a Chief Constable and did things with precision, achieving numerous great merits after becoming a Commander. Clearly, such a person could not be sent on a mere dispatch with him.

This means it’s a legitimate task, even a very important and beneficial mission.

As long as there’s no need to confront those monsters, it’s all a beneficial mission. As for the dangers on the road, for Shan Bing, that’s actually manageable—no matter how fierce people are, they can’t be fiercer than monsters, and his large shield restrains many weapons. If danger really arises, just raise the large shield, and who could possibly harm them?

"Then I shall take my leave now."

"Go ahead."

The elderly eunuch waved his hand, indicating that Shan Bing could leave.

The current situation of that Grand Tutor Du, the elderly eunuch didn’t know, but he only hoped that for the sake of the Grand Tutor’s position, the other would lend him a hand—even if he didn’t need Grand Tutor Du to fight on the frontline, as long as he was willing to stabilize the rear, and give him a bit of time, he could quell the current chaos in the world.