I Can Strengthen Everything

"Lord Fang, congratulations!"

Just as he stepped out of the Marshal’s Mansion, a voice called out.

Fang Xing looked over and saw several figures.

Pang Tong, Duan Ye, Bahuang Yi, and Zhou Yu were all there.

The men hadn’t left; it seemed they were waiting specifically for Fang Xing.

Seeing Fang Xing emerge, they came forward to congratulate him again.

"Congratulations on your promotion, my lord. This is a joyous occasion. You’ll have to treat us to drinks, or we won’t be leaving," Zhou Yu said with a broad smile.

Hearing this, Fang Xing smiled. "Drinks are a small matter. When I get the chance, I’ll definitely treat you all to a proper meal. But not right now. The Marshal just assigned me a mission, and I must complete it before I can treat anyone to drinks."

"Is that so... Well, it seems we’ll have to wait then." The men sighed.

Seeing their reaction, Fang Xing casually took out a pouch of money and handed it to Zhou Yu.

"Commander Zhou, consider the money in here a treat from me. When I have some free time in the future, I’ll treat you all to drinks properly."

Zhou Yu accepted the pouch, smiling as he cupped his hands. "Many thanks, my lord."

"Many thanks, my lord!" the others chimed in, also bowing.

They naturally wouldn’t refuse Fang Xing’s gesture. A temporary Vice Marshal was still their direct superior.

Besides, with his immense power, it was only a matter of time before the word "temporary" was removed from his title.

After all, anyone could see how highly Hong Miaojin regarded Fang Xing.

Such an unconventional promotion was a first in the entire Celestial South.

"My lord, do you need our help with your mission? If you have need of us, we will certainly do our best," Bahuang Yi asked, looking at Fang Xing.

The other men also looked at Fang Xing.

Seeing their expressions, Fang Xing gently shook his head. "Thank you all, but this mission is a test for me from the Marshal. For now, I don’t need your help."

Hearing this, they nodded in understanding.

’He needs to prove his merit!’

Only with achievements would his position be secure.

Zhou Yu smiled and cupped his hands again. "Then we wish you success in completing your mission ahead of time."

The others followed suit with bows and well wishes. Fang Xing smiled and nodded. "Thank you all. There will be many opportunities for us to work together in the future."

"If you have any orders for us in the future, my lord, we will be sure to obey."

...

After parting ways with the men, Fang Xing left the Observatory and returned to Qingfeng Villa.

He completed the Refinement of his new Identity Token and then transferred his Merit.

Inside his room, Fang Xing looked at the golden Destiny Decree. Though it was unopened, he could feel the immense power contained within.

Once unleashed, its power would be enough to shatter heaven and earth!

A single strike capable of overwhelming anyone beneath the Celestial realm—the mere thought of such power was terrifying.

’With this Holy Decree, I won’t have to worry too much about my safety, at least.’

Fang Xing was filled with emotion.

His potential was undoubtedly great, but receiving such treatment from Hong Miaojin also brought with it a form of invisible pressure.

He felt that failing to complete the mission would be an insult to the favor she had shown him.

’The Black Death Sect...’

Putting away the Destiny Decree, Fang Xing carefully reviewed the mission details again.

Unlike previous missions, this time, the Black Death Sect’s infiltration involved collusion with a Court official.

According to the mission description, the Black Death Sect was currently entrenched within a county town’s territory.

And the County Magistrate of this town had been bought by the Black Death Sect.

This mission required not only finding the Black Death Sect’s stronghold and uprooting them completely but also eliminating the County Magistrate.

As for the aftermath of dealing with the County Magistrate, he didn’t need to worry about it; other departments of the Court would handle it.

’Black Mountain County... Heh, the name is quite similar to the Black Death Sect.’

After reading through it carefully one more time, he put the mission documents away and pondered for a moment. Soon, a rough plan began to form in his mind.

’The County Magistrate... he would make a fitting bait.’

A glint flashed in Fang Xing’s eyes. After reviewing the plan in his mind, he set out.

It was better to act sooner rather than later!

Leaving Qingfeng Villa, Fang Xing headed straight for the city gates.

Once outside the city, Fang Xing activated his Zongyi Ascension Step. Surrounded by True Qi, he vanished without a trace in a single step.

...

Black Mountain County was a county town under the jurisdiction of White Dragon County in Cang Province.

It was a county town surrounded by mountains on all four sides.

The setting sun was the color of blood. On the official road outside the county town, a figure approached on foot.

’Black Mountain County...’

Staring at the not-so-distant Black Mountain County Town, a streak of gold flashed through Fang Xing’s pupils.

His Golden Eyes of Truth swept over the area. Above the county town, the mortal fire representing the luck of the mortal world burned fiercely.

It was a sea of crimson.

A strong mortal fire also represented a prosperous and populous county.

The more prosperous a place was, the stronger its mortal fire.

On the surface, nothing seemed amiss, but under the gaze of his Golden Eyes of Truth, Fang Xing could see everything clearly.

Discerning falsehoods, observing the luck of heaven and earth—Fang Xing had become increasingly adept at using the abilities of his Golden Eyes of Truth. Even when observing a city as large as a Province Mansion, he no longer triggered a Celestial response as he had in the beginning.

As his gaze burned, Fang Xing saw faint wisps of black qi swirling within the mortal luck.

The black qi was mixed within. It was Demonic Qi!

The appearance of Demonic Qi usually meant one of two things. First, that Demons and Monsters were hiding in the city.

Second, that there were Demon Path Demons or the like who cultivated some Evil Skill or demonic art.

Furthermore, only the kind of monstrous evil that committed mass slaughter and inhumane acts would generate Demonic Qi.

However, there were always exceptions.

There was a third possibility: members of an Evil Cult.

No matter the Evil Cult, they all worshiped an Evil God. As long as they were Cultists, they would carry a certain amount of Demonic Qi.

Of course, he would have to be face-to-face with them to discern the qi on an individual. If they were hidden, he could only detect it if the Demonic Qi was amassed in large quantities, such as from hundreds or even thousands of Cultists gathered together.