The Rebel

“Ding Ning, Wang Lin, what brings the two of you back this time? Could it be for the Longxiang Martial Feast?”

“Master, you misunderstand.”

Wang Lin, dressed in sharp black robes and radiating a piercing aura, stood and cupped his fists. “We did not return to Changyun to compete in the feast, but rather under orders to track down a traitor!”

“A traitor?”

Mei Shuangfeng set down her teacup, her brows arching slightly in surprise. “Who could possibly warrant the two of you pursuing them all this way?”

Beside him, Ding Ning’s smile vanished, replaced by a solemn expression. “To answer Master, the man is named Tian Ping’an. His cultivation is unremarkable—merely at the Great Perfection of the Mingjin Rank. However… he was born here in Changyun County. He is a fellow townsman.”

Across from them, Jiang Qinghong asked curiously, “A fellow townsman? Why did he desert? Is he not afraid of implicating his family? Military discipline is strict; desertion is a capital offense.”

“Junior Sister, you don’t know the full story…” Wang Lin shook his head and took over the explanation. “A month ago, a sudden conflict erupted between Great Qi and Yue State at the Bianzhou border. This Tian Ping’an was a Centurion in the Tabai Camp, skilled in scouting, reconnaissance, and ambushing. He held an important post, and according to military law, he was forbidden from leaving his post.”

“Yet, for some reason, he insisted on requesting leave to return home. After his request was rejected by the Vice General, he conspired with several confidants to steal military treasures and manuals. He even killed and wounded several of his colleagues before deserting under the cover of night!”

Wang Lin paused for a moment before continuing. “Senior Sister and I were ordered to pursue him to the Nanxiang region. We have determined that Tian Ping’an’s final destination is Changyun County!”

“Therefore, we sought out First Senior Brother and rushed back together to investigate. We later learned that the traitor Tian’s parents are both deceased. His only remaining relative is his older brother, who used to work for a gang in the Outer City. He hasn’t been seen for a long time and is likely dead…”

At this point, Ding Ning sighed and shook her head. “So, my junior brother and I suspect that Tian Ping’an’s insistence on returning home is likely because he wants to avenge his brother.”

“Hmph! I can understand wanting revenge…” Wang Lin let out a cold snort, his eyes glinting with a chilling light. “But I cannot understand murdering his colleagues, inciting others to desert, and stealing military treasures and manuals. No matter how great his difficulties may be, he must be held accountable to the end!”

A heavy silence settled over the hall.

Seeing this, Ding Ning quickly changed the subject. “By the way, Master, we have also heard some rumors regarding the Longxiang Martial Feast you mentioned.”

“This feast was personally planned by the Zhendong General. He specifically sent Colonel Zhenyue to preside over the event, bringing along the spiritual artifact, the Taidi Dragon-Binding Lock. Rumors in the army say… the General himself places great importance on this feast!”

Mei Shuangfeng fell into thought. “Who is this ‘Colonel Zhenyue’? What is his cultivation level?”

Ding Ning replied, “Colonel Zhenyue is from Qingzhou, named Zhao Zheng. His cultivation has reached the mid-stage Huajin Rank. He serves as the Camp Commander of the Zhenyue Camp and has a reputation as a fierce general.”

There were five main camps in the regular army of the Longxiang Army. The Camp Commanders were all Colonels, and the minimum cultivation requirement for a Colonel was the Huajin Rank!

The Anjin Rank involved opening nine acupoints, while the Huajin Rank required enduring the Three Refinements.

The Three Refinements referred to the Three Barriers: Qi Tempering, Essence Tempering, and Spirit Tempering!

Zhao Zheng being at the mid-stage Huajin Rank meant he was at the Essence Tempering stage.

Mei Shuangfeng pondered for a moment. “It seems… the Wang family is truly getting serious this time. I wonder what they are planning, to be willing to let outsiders use the Dragon Blood Essence-Infusing Pool…”

Wang Lin and Ding Ning exchanged a look, and the former shook his head. “Master is right; I am also confused. That treasure is incredibly precious and has always been reserved for the regular army’s own use. There isn't even enough to go around, and people have to wait in long lines for a turn.”

“Take Tian Ping’an, for example. He had long reached the opportunity to break through to the Anjin Rank, but his seniority was insufficient. If he wanted to use the Dragon Blood Essence-Infusing Pool to break through, he would have had to wait another three to five years for his turn…”

“And now, the General has ordered the Blood Pool to be opened to outsiders. Many military chiefs have been grumbling privately, though they don’t dare speak up openly.”

Upon hearing this, Zuo Guangshu, who was seated on the right, asked curiously, “Master, with such a rich prize for this martial feast, are any of my junior brothers or sisters planning to give it a try?”

Mei Shuangfeng nodded. “Qinghong and Xu Chuan both intend to use it as an opportunity to temper themselves.”

“As for Xiang Yunting, Shen Huai… and Xiuhan, they have not yet attained Tendon Tempering, so going would be futile. However, if they are interested, they can certainly try.”

“Xiuhan?” Ding Ning arched a brow in surprise. “Master didn't mention this person in her letter. Is he a new disciple who recently attained Blood Tempering?”

“That is correct…” Jiang Qinghong took the initiative to introduce him. “Junior Brother Shen’s name is Shen Xiuhan. He joined the academy just over three months ago. At that time, he hadn't practiced even a single day of martial arts. If not for his good luck in catching a Precious Fish, he wouldn't even have been able to afford the tuition fee.”

“But who could have guessed? Only sixteen days after joining, he sensed his blood qi and broke through the Mingjin stage to enter the inner courtyard.”

At this point, Jiang Qinghong took a deep breath, her face filled with wonder. “If it were only that, it would be one thing. But just over a month ago, he actually… attained the Bone Tempering stage!”

“What?!”

“Three months! To break through both the Blood Tempering and Bone Tempering stages!?”

Everyone in the hall was shocked by her words!

Wang Lin and Ding Ning exchanged a glance, both seeing the disbelief in each other’s eyes.

Zuo Guangshu’s fan stopped mid-swing for a beat before he quickly resumed fanning himself, though his rhythm was clearly erratic. “Incredible, simply incredible…”

“With such talent, even in my Bixia Villa, the elders would be fighting to take him as a disciple.”

Ding Ning added, “It would be the same in our Longxiang Army… He could be appointed as a Centurion immediately upon enlistment, regardless of military merit.”

Just as she spoke, a clear, bright voice rang out from outside.

“Master, your disciple Shen Xiuhan requests an audience!”

The voice drifted through the doors.

Inside the hall, Mei Shuangfeng’s expression softened, a hint of a smile appearing on her face. “We were just speaking of him, and here he is… Come in!”

Outside the door, Shen Xiuhan pushed it open and composedly stepped into the main hall.

Before entering, he had already learned from Xu Chuan that two of his seniors serving in the Longxiang Army had returned, so he was prepared.

Thus, even as everyone in the hall turned to scrutinize him—their gazes filled with evaluation, curiosity, or wonder—he remained unfazed, his expression as calm as ever.

Shen Xiuhan straightened his robes, stepped forward, and bowed deeply. “Disciple Shen Xiuhan had a breakthrough a few days ago and has attained the Tendon Tempering stage. I have come today to report this to Master… and to announce that I have decided to participate in the Longxiang Martial Feast!”

“...”

In the instant those words left his mouth, the air seemed to be sucked out of the back hall. It became so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.

Jiang Qinghong’s face froze, her eyes widening in disbelief and her lips parting slightly, unable to make a sound for a long while.

Clack!

Zuo Guangshu’s folding fan slipped from his hand and hit the floor. He didn't even bother to pick it up, staring at Shen Xiuhan as if he were looking at a monster, his handsome face filled with pure shock.

Ding Ning’s breath hitched, and her wrist gave a sudden jerk.

Splash!

Tea spilled from her porcelain cup, drenching her hand, but she seemed completely unaware. She stared blankly at Wang Lin beside her.

Even Wang Lin’s usually cold and stony face was now filled with bewilderment. His brows furrowed deeply as he instinctively looked toward Mei Shuangfeng at the head of the room, as if seeking confirmation.