Xuanqing Guard

Just as he returned to the Chief Officer’s residence of the Inspector, Zhang and Gan arrived, having heard the news—Shen had sent someone to notify them.

"How did it go?" Gan Lin was anxious, grabbing Shen’s arm the moment he entered to ask about the result.

"Let’s talk inside."

The three hurried into the study. This time, they didn’t use teacups to disguise the wine; after all, each had just downed half a jar before, and to drink again would be a bit indecent—besides, the matter at hand took priority.

"I met Master Wushan, told him everything—no problem."

Shen didn’t beat around the bush. This was about the guarantee for Zhang Qian and Gan Lin once they left the pass; he knew the two had no mind to joke about this. After he finished speaking, he clearly saw smiles emerging and growing strong on their faces, until they burst into hearty laughter.

Master Wushan is an absolute boss within the Sect. The fact that Shen Hao got to meet him is already a huge honor, and getting Master Wushan’s personal promise—what’s there to worry about now?

Zhang Qian and Gan Lin could already envision entering the battle arrays after leaving the pass, with Gui Mountain Cultivation Institute’s experts occasionally at their side to assist. This kind of fight, they’d go in with confidence—at least, they wouldn’t have to worry about getting wiped out by the Barbarian Race cultivators. As for sheer battles in the array, they’d never shown any weakness against those Southern Barbarians.

After their laughter, Zhang Qian asked, "Gui Mountain Cultivation Institute wouldn’t just help you because of your friendship with Deacon Nie, would they? Not to mention, it’s Master Wushan who met you in person. What’s the price? Spill it. Old Gan and I may be stingy sometimes, but we’re not broke. You shouldn’t toil for us and pay out of pocket."

"Exactly! Shen, just tell us. We can’t let you help for nothing and walk away with your advantage."

With the matter settled, Zhang Qian and Gan Lin naturally thought about the price Shen paid to get it done. They might have thick skin, but they weren’t shameless enough to take advantage of a friend. Besides, with Master Wushan himself stepping in, the price surely couldn’t be small.

Shen waved his hand and said, "One hundred jars of Wuliangye. Not much of a price."

One hundred jars of Wuliangye? Though this stuff isn’t easy to get, it’s worth about ten thousand silver coins at most—and Shen is the master of the liquor shop, so his costs are even lower.

By Zhang Qian and Gan Lin’s logic, Shen’s favor with Master Wushan should’ve required at least spirit stones—as in, dozens or even hundreds wouldn’t be surprising. But it’s just one hundred jars of Wuliangye? That’s it?

The two were suspicious; Shen kept smiling as he took the small silver gourd hanging from his waist and handed it over: "Really, just a hundred jars of Wuliangye. Though getting it delivered was a bit of work. And from now on, I’ll have to wear this all the time to have the privilege of gifting Master Wushan."

Zhang Qian and Gan Lin felt a bit bewildered on hearing that. Zhang Qian took the small silver gourd—it was an unfamiliar design, but on sensing it a little, he found a strange mana fluctuation coming from the gourd.

"This is a Magical Artifact. The mana on it feels a bit familiar, doesn’t it?" Gan Lin muttered doubtfully.

The confusion on Zhang’s face gradually turned to shock, and finally, he stared wide-eyed at Shen: "Brother, is this—is this Gui Mountain Cultivation Institute’s token?"

Gan Lin heard the change in Zhang’s voice, quickly focused to sense the small silver gourd, and sure enough, that mana fluctuation was exactly the unique token of Gui Mountain Cultivation Institute! He was shocked, and like Zhang, stared at Shen in disbelief, hoping for an explanation.

"This was originally given by Deacon Nie Yun back at Sword Emperor’s Tomb to deal with those Sect cultivators. It was basically a ruse. Afterwards, when I was invited to Chang Baifeng for the ceremony, I used the name Gui Mountain Cultivation Institute Named Disciple to blend in.

I thought it was just Deacon Nie giving me convenience, never imagined it’d be recognized by Gui Mountain Cultivation Institute. But this time I met Master Wushan—without ’disciple’ status, he wouldn’t help, nor accept anything I offered. No choice, I had to formally join Gui Mountain Cultivation Institute via Master Wushan, officially earning this ’Named Disciple’ identity.

So, the wine given counts as ’greetings,’ and helping you two is one less layer of connection."

"No choice? You..."

Zhang Qian and Gan Lin were stunned, a wicked fire building with nowhere to vent, made manic by Shen’s "no choice."

The story was made clear, though a bit vague in words; still, the gist was understandable. And because of it, Zhang Qian and Gan Lin felt a bit uneasy hearing it all.

"So, you’ve managed to become a Named Disciple of Gui Mountain Cultivation Institute?"

"Yes. For you two, I had to sacrifice a little of myself. It’s nothing, really; don’t worry about it, brothers."

The grinning Shen looked especially annoying to Zhang Qian and Gan Lin—like someone playing humble while pocketing the windfall. But there’s nothing to say; he really was forced to accept entry into Gui Mountain Cultivation Institute. Claiming it was for their sake and a "sacrifice" wasn’t wrong. Sometimes, comparing people really is aggravating.

Zhang Qian opened his mouth several times, but couldn’t get a word out in the end.

Gan Lin rolled his eyes at Shen and said irritably, "Others break their backs to get into Gui Mountain Cultivation Institute and never succeed; you, though, moan about being forced in? Fine, this favor’s noted. We don’t even know how to pay it back—just owe it for now. If you ever need something, just say the word."

"Just now, as I headed back, saw a colleague who was promoted along with us had already led his group to break camp. We’re probably close—likely headed out to Zhuo Huo Pass in the next day or two. Take care of yourself. In my estimate, if the situation along Jianchuan, White Head Gorge, and Hu Zhu Yuan gets stuck, Marshal Zuo’s central army will likely move out of the pass to pressure forward, then gradually reinforce the front. That’ll roughly be your time to head south out of the pass.

Remember—inside the central army, say less and watch more. You don’t understand military affairs, so don’t comment recklessly. Just focus on your own section. Also, once you leave the pass, best not to provoke Marshal Zuo. Anything small you can handle, handle yourself. Otherwise, if trouble comes, it’ll land on you."

Shen nodded in response, saluted, and the three parted ways.

Shen escorted them to the door, watching them ride away, feeling rare sentiment: Who knows when they’ll meet again—or even if fate allows it at all. Matters of life and death all at the mercy of the heavens. Indeed, the currents of this world are impossible to escape.

The next day at noon, Shen heard from his subordinates that Zhang Qian and Gan Lin had led their forces away from Beach Stone toward Zhuo Huo Pass. Alongside them were three other Households Officers, all Deputy Generals promoted just before the war like Zhang and Gan. So, in just one day, ten thousand troops were assembled at Zhuo Huo Pass.

And this was only a beginning; as the Inspector’s people began to infiltrate the main structures of the Border Army, the most immediate change was that news about various deployments multiplied rapidly, quickly giving control over most of the Border Army’s movements.

In just five short days, over sixty thousand troops at Beach Stone were transferred below Zhuo Huo Pass.