"Transfers and demotions?" Wei Yuefu asked, slightly puzzled.
After arriving at the prefectural capital of Qingchuan Prefecture, they had enjoyed a few days of peace and stability. Wei Yuefu had taken advantage of this lull to finish transcribing the entire Mount Sumeru King Immovable Divine Art.
He had double-checked it just last night to ensure there were no errors, meaning he could officially begin cultivating it today.
During this time, Shen Qianjun and Meng Wei had each visited him once.
They had certainly shown their sincerity. If not for the Descent Mission, Wei Yuefu would have simply sold the Dragon Marrow Blood-Tempering Pill.
However, he could tell that his refusal had pushed them to their limit. Next time, they might resort to harsher methods.
After all, three strikes and you were out. He had to consume the pill today and use it to step through the threshold of the Mount Sumeru King Immovable Divine Art.
Yet the immediate issue was not the pill, but the news Tian Muchuan had brought.
"That's right. The Six Doors of the prefectural capital has no need for so many Bronze Badge constables," Tian Muchuan said. As a Silver Robe head constable, he was naturally privy to more inside information.
"So some will either be transferred to the military or demoted to other counties and towns as bronze badge constable chiefs."
"Rest assured, though. Whatever else happens, I am still a Silver Robe. Protecting you won't be an issue."
"As for the others, my hands are tied."
Tian Muchuan was a newcomer. Although he was a Silver Robe, a mighty dragon could not crush a local snake, and he was powerless to help the rest.
At most, he could only shield his direct confidants.
He had only two or three such men anyway, and the prefectural Six Doors could not go so far as to completely marginalize him.
The main problem was simple: too many people, and not enough spoils to go around.
Thus, the surplus had to be scattered.
"If one transfers to the military, what position would it be?" Wei Yuefu could not help but ask.
Serving in Six Doors was comfortable, but he would command only a handful of constables.
During times of peace, Six Doors was naturally the superior choice, offering ample graft and authority.
Now, however, the times had changed. While staying might not be a complete dead end, trouble was clearly on the horizon.
"You want to join the military?" Tian Muchuan looked somewhat surprised.
"Yes. It's better to keep my distance from Shen Qianjun and his crowd..." Wei Yuefu said. "They've already come knocking twice."
"I told them the pill went bad, but they refuse to believe me." At that, Wei Yuefu pulled a bitter face.
He intended to use this chance as a stepping stone to slip away.
"Currently, if you go to the military, it would either be as a Gate Supervisor or a company commander without troops. Or they might arrange for you to become a county commandant," Tian Muchuan said after a moment's silence.
A Gate Supervisor was responsible for the security of the prefectural yamen. A company commander led a company of five hundred men, serving as a mid-level field officer.
The trouble was the lack of soldiers. With rebellions breaking out everywhere, everyone knew the importance of hoarding military strength.
Anyone who wanted troops had to recruit them on their own. No one would hand men over, reducing the post to an empty title.
A county commandant was comparatively better. Each county had one or two, responsible for local military affairs and public order.
They commanded troops directly and served as the vital force for maintaining stability in the region.
"Most likely, those who transfer will be made company commanders. They'll just toss you a bit of salary—a title in name only," Tian Muchuan said. "The other two options are hard to arrange."
Gate Supervisors were chosen from a leader's personal retainers. As for becoming a county commandant, one might as well wait for a demotion; there were no vacancies anyway, and even if strings were pulled to get in, one would still have to fight for the spot.
"Then company commander it is. Once I leave Six Doors, I doubt Xia Miaozheng can reach me," Wei Yuefu replied.
Pulling strings required money.
Wei Yuefu still had some gold, silver, and jewels on hand, which would be more than enough to recruit a few men.
Besides, accumulating wealth in the Great Jing Dynasty was hardly difficult so long as one held an official post.
Wei Yuefu had entered Six Doors with nothing to his name, yet in no time at all, his earnings had become substantial.
Not to mention he now had starting capital.
Furthermore, while a company was supposed to number five hundred men, in reality it never came close, as pocketing the pay of ghost soldiers was rampant.
More importantly, other commanders did not just pocket phantom pay; they bled their own soldiers dry.
He wondered whether things had improved at all now...
In truth, by this point, Tian Muchuan had already begun to contemplate stepping back.
Once Wei Yuefu left, there would be practically no one among his confidants capable of getting things done reliably. Continuing to butt heads with Shen Qianjun would only invite disaster.
Coupled with the unmistakable signs of a dying dynasty, Tian Muchuan felt it was better to simply coast into retirement.
Having weathered so much turmoil, he was thoroughly exhausted.
"Very well. I will go speak with the others and see what they think," Tian Muchuan said. "I won't force anything."
Since he could not win, and his rivals would not go so far as to kill him, he might as well just lie flat.
At least he could enjoy some peace and quiet. He was a Silver Robe head constable now; why not savor it?
If Wei Yuefu had not captured Yuanxiang, Tian Muchuan would have remained a bronze badge constable chief in Songyang County for the rest of his life.
Rising to Silver Robe was a stroke of good fortune born of circumstances. Going any further was out of the question.
Moreover, he was a total stranger here. Clinging to power as he had done before gave him little hope of a safe landing.
Back in Dingyuan City, he could at least claim to be a local. But here in Qingchuan Prefecture, he was an outsider through and through.
Securing any benefits would require outright plundering.
"I'm glad you see it that way, Lord Tian," Wei Yuefu said with a smile.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Tian Muchuan took his leave.
"Little brother, keep watch for me," Wei Yuefu said to Wei Geci once their guest was gone.
"Ying!" His little brother chirped in agreement, flying up to the roof to stand guard.
While it could hardly be called a completely blind-spot-free perimeter, the high vantage point offered an expansive view. Anyone approaching the house would be spotted immediately.
Wei Yuefu took out the Dragon Marrow Blood-Tempering Pill and swallowed it whole.
With his Whale Swallowing and Silkworm Devouring talent, he rapidly began digesting and assimilating the medicinal essence. A massive surge of qi and blood welled from his stomach and bowels, spreading continuously through his entire body.
"What fierce potency!" Wei Yuefu muttered. Ignoring the notification that his Descent Mission was complete, he began cultivating the Mount Sumeru King Immovable Divine Art.
The unique aspect of this technique lay precisely here: initiating it required an immense surge of qi and blood.
It mattered not whether this surging vigor was one's own or temporarily acquired.
In terms of difficulty, the Mount Sumeru King Immovable Divine Art was far more arduous than the Eight Treasures Golden Body.
The sheer volume of text made that plain.
The Eight Treasures Golden Body was engraved upon a Buddhist statue, whereas the Mount Sumeru King Immovable Divine Art filled a thick, dense secret manual.
"Hoo—" As he cultivated and the vast reserves of qi and blood surged forth, Wei Yuefu panted heavily in ragged gasps, while a scorching, fiery heat tore through his internal organs.
Minutes and seconds ticked away. By the time his cultivation concluded, his entire skin had turned a deep, burning crimson.
At the same time, a new skill appeared on his lingering wish panel:
[Mount Sumeru King Immovable Divine Art (Entry)]
"I need... to rest." A wave of utter soreness and fatigue washed over Wei Yuefu.
Having exhausted so much qi and blood, his final, dormant talent seemed even quieter than before.
He worried he might not be able to awaken it before returning...
Chapter 43