Recruitment

Shen Xiuhan exhaled, stepped onto the black-awning boat, and gripped the wooden sculls with both hands.

His blood qi surged through his arms as the sculls sliced through the water, churning up waves of white foam.

The black-awning boat shot forward like an arrow released from a bowstring, cutting through the waves as it sped toward Yunyi Island.

A brief moment later, the boat hit the shallow ripples and came to a steady halt by the shore.

With a quick shift of his feet, Shen Xiuhan soared into the air like a massive bird and landed lightly on the wooden boardwalk.

The moment he landed, several figures carrying swords and sabers dashed out from the nearby dense forest, sprinting toward him while panting heavily.

They were the members of his own Team C, along with the men from Team A.

The person leading them was none other than Ji Yuande, who was dressed in embroidered practice robes.

“Patrol Envoy!”

“Patrol Envoy Shen is back!”

Upon seeing Shen Xiuhan, Yan Chuan, Hu Zhi, and Ruan Linhuan felt as though they had found their pillar of support. They gathered behind him, letting out a collective sigh of relief.

Luo Feng also silently took his place by Shen Xiuhan's side.

Shen Xiuhan did not waste any words and asked quickly, “How is the situation on the island?”

Yan Chuan shook his head and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. “The Cloud-Flint Arrow was fired from the waters patrolled by Team B. We were just about to head over there, so we don't have details on the enemy yet...”

Shen Xiuhan frowned slightly and made a prompt decision.

“Then let's not waste any time. We must support Team B's waters immediately!”

“Yes, sir!”

“Oh, why the rush, Patrol Envoy Shen?”

Just as everyone was about to set off, Ji Yuande stepped in front of them, blocking their path with a leisurely smile.

Before Shen Xiuhan could speak, Yan Chuan frowned beside him and said solemnly, “Patrol Envoy Ji, the enemy threat is urgent! Whatever you have to say can wait until after we drive off the water bandits!”

Ji Yuande glanced at him, let out a soft snort, and did not even bother to reply.

“You!”

Yan Chuan's face instantly flushed red.

But because he feared Ji Yuande's status, he ultimately grit his teeth and did not dare say another word.

Shen Xiuhan stared at Ji Yuande calmly.

Ever since they had crossed swords at the banquet last month, Ji Yuande had always looked down his nose at him whenever they crossed paths on the island, never taking the initiative to speak.

Yet today, he had approached with a sly grin on his face. He was likely up to no good!

Ji Yuande completely ignored the others, his gaze scanning Shen Xiuhan up and down.

With his hands clasped behind his back, he slowly stood before Shen Xiuhan and said in a measured tone, “Patrol Envoy Shen... have you ever made plans for your future?”

Shen Xiuhan's eyes flickered slightly, but he did not respond.

Ji Yuande did not feel awkward at all. He smiled and continued, “Shen Xiuhan, you have decent talent. However, the path of martial arts has always been three parts training and seven parts nutrition. High-grade blood qi pills and rare medicinal cuisine are the absolute priorities... I have already looked into your background. You come from a poor family. While you had some talent to reach where you are today, that is not enough. You relied mostly on your willpower, determination, and... the monthly support my family provides you.”

At this point, a smile curled at the corner of his lips as he remarked with a sigh, “However, the further you go along this martial path, the more massive resources and connections you will need. That meager support is far from enough for you to cultivate to the Anjin Rank. If you do not make plans early... this Bone Tempering stage will be the dead end of your martial path for the rest of your life.”

“Bone Tempering?”

“Dead end?”

Shen Xiuhan laughed inwardly, but his expression remained calm as he said, “What are you trying to say?”

Ji Yuande turned to face the vast lake, deliberately leaving his back to the crowd.

“Shen Xiuhan, let's not beat around the bush. You did not back down when facing Qu Bushi, and you even rescued my two younger sisters. In my eyes, you are a loyal person. And loyalty... is the quality I appreciate most.”

Ji Yuande whipped around, finally revealing his true intention, “But with your background, it is indeed difficult to go further in martial arts. Why don't you... become my subordinate? If I rise in the world, I certainly won't treat you poorly. What do you think?”

Shen Xiuhan's expression froze slightly, and he stared blankly at him. “Become... your subordinate?”

“Exactly!”

Seeing his hesitation, Ji Yuande assumed Shen Xiuhan was tempted but was too proud to admit it. A trace of contempt flashed through his eyes, and his smile grew even more arrogant.

“This martial path only gets harder the higher you go. Never mind an Outer City kid like you; even a noble family heir like me needs a few trusted lackeys to run errands and handle chores, so that I can focus all my mind on my martial arts.”

“You are an honest person, and you already rely on my Ji family to make a living. I also know your background well. Staying by my side as a young master of the Ji family is a step up in social status, making you part of the Ji family's direct line.”

“In the future... if you perform well, I might even bestow upon you...”

“the surname Ji. How about it?”

Once he finished speaking, he looked at Shen Xiuhan with a beaming smile, waiting for his response.

Shen Xiuhan stared fixedly at Ji Yuande for a full three breaths.

During these three breaths, he seriously confirmed one thing.

This idiot wasn't joking.

“Sigh...”

Shen Xiuhan let out a sigh.

Too lazy to even utter a word of sarcasm, he simply waved his hand at Yan Chuan and the others behind him, “Let's go.”

Without giving Ji Yuande another glance, he sidestepped past him and sped off toward Team B's direction.

Luo Feng, Yan Chuan, and the other three looked at each other. They cast strange glances at Ji Yuande, whose face had frozen in shock, before quickly catching up with Shen Xiuhan.

A cold wind swept across the empty clearing.

Ji Yuande's fists clenched so hard his knuckles turned white, his face instantly twisting into a purplish-red. Staring at Shen Xiuhan's departing back, he gritted his teeth and roared, “You bastard named Shen... I gave you a chance, but you didn't appreciate it! Just wait until I return and report this to the family head to cut off your monthly support... When that time comes, I hope you can still be as arrogant as you are today!”

As his words fell, Ji Yuande took a deep breath to suppress the raging fury in his chest.

Then, he glared at the three members of Team A who were trying their best to shrink out of sight. With a cold snort, he quickly headed toward the west shore.

At the west dock of Yunyi Island, a burly man in black practice robes, built like a bear, sat in a commanding posture against the blue stone steps, cradling a nine-ring thick-backed saber in his arms.

The Blood Fiend Blade!

Tang Jin!

Standing behind him was a man wearing a black cloth mask.

Although his face could not be seen, his eyes were gloomy and cold, and the killing intent rolling off him was completely unconcealed.

Behind them stood dozens of fierce, heavily armed water bandits holding sabers and spears, completely packing the dock area.

On the opposing side, dozens of Ji family guards stood with their sabers drawn, waiting in high alert.

Their leader was a short, stocky middle-aged man.

The Team B Patrol Envoy, Wang Jindao!

He gripped a broad-bladed saber, the veins on the back of his hands bulging. Though he was short, his lower body was as solid as an iron stake, and his tight-fitting practice robes were stretched taut by his bulging muscles.

At this moment, Wang Jindao took a step forward with a grave expression, shouting sternly, “Tang Jin! The County Magistrate and the masters of the Wang family have strictly decreed that Anjin Rank experts must not start wars on their own! Today, you brought a large group of men to force your way into our Ji family's territory. Do you intend to openly break the agreement?!”

“Break the agreement?”

Tang Jin stroked the thick-backed saber in his arms, a mocking sneer appearing on his face. “The agreement established between the Huajin Rank masters and our First Chief is that 'Anjin Rank experts cannot personally join the fray.' Open your dog eyes and take a good look. I am standing right here with my saber in its sheath, and my hands are clean of blood. How is that breaking the agreement?”