At that moment, Zhou Tu desperately wanted to ask if Huang Tian had broken through once more. Yet feeling their relationship was not close enough to pry into such secrets, he held his tongue. After a few casual pleasantries, Zhou Tu rose and took his leave.
Leaving Qinghui Garden, on the road back to Zhenhua Ward.
Zhou Miaosu pursed her lips. "Uncle, he remains as confident and fearless as ever. It seems very likely that he has broken through, just as you surmised—or perhaps he possesses some means to deal with multiple rank-two experts."
Zhou Tu gave a slight nod and let out a long sigh. "Whichever it is, the fact that he can handle the likes of Niu Kuanyu is utterly astounding..."
Zhou Miaosu fell silent. Indeed, regardless of what means he possessed, the ability to contend with the combat prowess of multiple rank-two Grandmasters was breathtaking—especially since only a few months had passed from the time Huang Tian entered the Guard Academy to begin cultivating until now!
For anyone else, managing to enter the ranks in a matter of months was already an extraordinary feat.
She said softly, "People truly cannot be judged by the same standard..."
The setting sun sank toward the horizon, casting orange-red clouds across the sky.
In Baoqing Ward, down an alleyway, lay a modest courtyard.
Clutching an invitation in his hand, Instructor Xu was overcome with uncontrollable excitement. Striding into the house, he began rummaging through chests and cupboards.
"Father, what are you turning everything upside down for?" In the main hall, a youth of sixteen or seventeen looked over with curiosity.
Without even looking up, Instructor Xu answered, "Looking for new clothes! Where did your mother put the new set she bought me last month? Why can't I find it anywhere?"
The youth was puzzled. "Father, what do you need new clothes for? It's not New Year's or any festival."
Just as Instructor Xu was about to answer, his wife heard the commotion, laid down her needlework, and stepped out from the side room. Seeing Instructor Xu tearing through the cupboards like a bear making a mess, she snapped in annoyance, "What are you digging around for new clothes for? Don't tell me you're off to meet some sweetheart?"
Instructor Xu was left speechless, replying crossly, "Where would I find a sweetheart? I'm going to a banquet!"
At these words, the youth jumped up. "Father, what banquet? Can I come?"
Instructor Xu waved his hand dismissively. "Go on with you! Come my foot! I'm going alone."
His wife shot him a glare, stepped up to the disheveled wardrobe, and with two brisk rummages produced a clean set of new clothes. Handing them to Instructor Xu, she said, "I have no idea how you search for things. A martial artist, and you can't even see clothes right in front of your eyes!"
Instructor Xu took them with a sheepish grin. "I was just too excited to notice, that's all."
While tidying the cupboard, his wife teased, "Whose banquet could get you so worked up? Master Liu's from our ward, or Master Song's from Zhenhua Ward?"
Neither family was considered a prominent clan in the commandery city, but both held modest prestige. With their high standards, they normally looked down on an eighth-rank martial artist like Instructor Xu.
Instructor Xu grunted twice and proudly waved the invitation. "Them? They aren't even qualified to receive this!"
The youth leaned in curiously. Instructor Xu smiled smugly and unfolded the paper.
"Qinghui Garden... Huang Tian—"
The youth read the words softly, and his eyes flew wide. "Father, it's Huang Tian?! He sent you an invitation, asking you over to his manor for a gathering?!"
His wife, still folding clothes, looked up in shock. "Is that for real?!"
Among the common folk of the commandery city, who didn't know the name Huang Tian? Who was unaware of his miraculous cultivation journey?
Setting aside the clothes entirely, she hurried over.
Instructor Xu set the invitation on the table and huffed, "Look closely, it's genuine! Would I lie to you? What good would lying do me?"
He crossed his arms and lifted his chin slightly. "Did you forget? When Huang Tian first entered the Guard Academy, I was his very first instructor! His martial prowess—ahem, while it might not have much to do with me, I was the one who gave him his martial initiation! Our relationship is hardly ordinary!"
His wife was both astonished and overjoyed. "To think an important figure like him would still care about old ties! No, I mean, he actually still remembers you!"
To her, the difference between the two was like heaven and earth. One was a mere eighth-rank martial artist, while the other had slain multiple rank-three Grandmasters and held sway over the entire commandery. The gap was simply too immense.
Instructor Xu was also deeply moved. "Huang Tian is a man who values loyalty and sentiment."
Otherwise, with his current status and renown, a minor figure like himself wouldn't even register in his sights, let alone be invited to dine at Qinghui Garden.
His wife said, "You've never visited Qinghui Garden before, right? It wouldn't do to go empty-handed for a first visit. What gift should we buy?"
Instructor Xu scratched his head. "Well... what gift could we buy? He lacks for nothing."
"Oh, you! He lacks for nothing, true, but presenting a gift is a token of your regard, isn't it?" she replied. "Forget it, don't strain your head. I'll see to it. We can't afford precious pills or spirit herbs, but we can certainly manage some fine pastries and seasonal fresh fruits."
Instructor Xu opened his mouth, hesitated, and finally muttered, "All right, do as you see fit."
***
The following day, as night fell, Qinghui Garden was ablaze with lanterns, bright as day. Dozens of charming maidservants carried serving trays through the hall, laying out dishes, fresh fruits, and fine wine.
Guided by two servants, Instructor Xu placed his modest gift aside and walked toward the main hall.
Upon entering, he found several people already present: Yu Jingcheng, Bai Yuanfu, Xia Hong, Nie Kun... practically every one of them was his superior.
Fortunately, there were also a few familiar faces among them, such as Jiang Hou and Luo Chan. Breathing a sigh of relief, he exchanged formal greetings with Yu Jingcheng and the others, then joined Jiang Hou and the rest to chat and laugh.
As the host, Huang Tian naturally did not neglect anyone. He conversed with one guest for a while, then moved on to reminisce with another.
Under his easy manner, everyone gradually loosened up, drinking wine, eating meat, and chatting about recent events.
From Instructor Xu and Head Instructor Liu, Huang Tian learned that Zhao Changming, the young boy from the Feihong Sect who had wanted to become his disciple, had indeed found a way into the Guard Academy.
Moreover, after entering the academy, Zhao Changming had trained with ferocious diligence day and night. In little more than half a month, he had successfully developed force!
Even after developing force, he grew no more boastful. Instead, he trained harder than ever. Every morning, he was the first to arrive at the drill grounds to practice stance work and temper his qi and blood; through the afternoons and evenings, he never allowed himself to slacken.
The other martial arts students sharing his dormitory were driven to their wits' end by his relentless pace. Unable to take it any longer, they asked him why he trained with such life-or-death intensity. Without hesitation, he replied, "I must work hard! Harder still! Until the day I am worthy of becoming Assistant Commissioner Huang's disciple!"
Once those words spread through the Guard Academy, they drew mockery from many students.
Who was Huang Tian?
A peerless genius born once in centuries throughout Kunyun Commandery!
And what right did an ordinary person of mediocre bone structure and average comprehension have to dream of becoming his disciple?
Facing their sneers, Zhao Changming paid them no mind, focusing solely on his cultivation.
Such grit had earned the admiration of Instructor Xu and Head Instructor Liu, which was why they made a point of mentioning it to Huang Tian at the banquet.
Huang Tian smiled faintly. "Where there's a will, there's a way. Let us see whether this is merely a fleeting surge of zeal, or something he can sustain over the long haul."
If the boy truly could persevere, giving him a chance would not be out of the question.
The banquet lasted more than two hours, bringing pleasure to both host and guests.
When it concluded, Huang Tian personally saw everyone to the gate and presented each of them with a parting gift.
Tipsy and carrying his gift, Instructor Xu returned home.
The moment he crossed the threshold, his son sprang up, eyes gleaming. "Father, you're finally back! What did you see? Was the banquet lively?"
Instructor Xu placed the gift on the table. "Lively? Of course it was! Before I even entered Qinghui Garden, dozens of carriages were jammed outside the gate, filled with people trying to deliver gifts, yet not a single one could get in! Heh, they could only watch as I walked straight through. You have no idea how incredible that felt!
"As for inside, there weren't many people—just those close to Huang Tian. Grandmaster Yu from our Martial Restraint Guard, Pacification Commissioner Bai, Battalion Commander Xia—"
With every name he uttered, the youth's eyes widened, lost in endless yearning, as if he were the one who had attended the banquet.
"What's this?" At that moment, Instructor Xu's wife walked over, eyeing the exquisite box on the table with curiosity.
Instructor Xu took a seat, poured himself a cup of water, and gulped it down. "That's a parting gift from Huang Tian."
"Did you see what's inside?"
"Not yet. Open it and look."
She stepped forward and opened the box, revealing five porcelain bottles.
"These... must be pills, right?"
She picked up one bottle labeled "Blood Condensation Pill." Uncorking it, she found six pills radiating a fresh, pleasant aroma.
Setting that bottle down, she examined the others. Three more were Blood Condensation Pills. Only the last bottle bore three small characters: "Qi Gathering Pill."
The moment she read "Qi Gathering Pill" aloud, Instructor Xu choked on his water, coughing repeatedly in shock. "A Qi Gathering Pill?!"
This was one of the most renowned and potent medicinal pills of the lower three ranks. It helped martial artists at the three changes of qi and blood sense and absorb spiritual qi, moderating its turbulence. In the past, Huang Qian had consumed a single Qi Gathering Pill to successfully draw qi into his body, overcoming the greatest hurdle before reaching rank six.
Instructor Xu took the bottle from his wife's hands, opened it, and was met with the sight of a lustrous, rounded pill.
"It really is a Qi Gathering Pill!"
Although Instructor Xu had not yet broken through to rank seven and could not use it for now, he was well aware of its properties. He had always harbored a faint hope of obtaining one once he reached rank seven.
Yet he knew that had been an impossible dream. The value of a Qi Gathering Pill exceeded his entire net worth! Even if he bankrupted himself and borrowed heavily, he could never afford one. To think he would receive one today!
Taking a deep breath, he spoke with solemn gravity: "Not a word of this gift must leave this room, or people will surely turn green with envy!"
Fortunately, it was only a single Qi Gathering Pill. After all, he was an eighth-rank martial artist and an instructor at the Martial Restraint Guard Academy, not to mention his connection to Huang Tian; even if word leaked, he could barely manage to protect it. Still, keeping wealth hidden was always best to avoid inviting needless trouble.
Both mother and son nodded earnestly, fully grasping the gravity of the situation.
After carefully stowing the pill, Instructor Xu murmured, "With these Blood Condensation Pills and this Qi Gathering Pill, perhaps I truly stand a chance of breaking through to rank six!"
His wife sighed with emotion. "It's fortunate you were kind to Huang Tian back then, otherwise how could we have this day..."
***
While the two marveled at their fortune, the other guests of the evening were also examining their respective gifts.
Each gift varied in value, not out of unfairness, but because harboring a treasure beyond one's station was an invitation to disaster. For Instructor Xu, a single Qi Gathering Pill was something he could barely safeguard. Had Huang Tian given him a Precious Elephant Sacred Fetus Pill, the slightest leak of news would have painted a target on his back for countless predators.
The pleasant surprise felt by each recipient went without saying. In the blink of an eye, several days slipped by.
On this day, within the Martial Restraint Guard government office, Niu Kuanyu sat in the seat of honor, with Zhou Tu to his left. Yu Jingcheng, Huang Tian, Bai Yuanfu, and the others each took their respective seats.
With a light cough, Niu Kuanyu spoke: "I have summoned everyone today to discuss sending reinforcements to Funing County."
The men exchanged glances, waiting for him to continue.
Niu Kuanyu went on, "I intend to personally lead a team to Funing to oversee matters, while Brother Zhou remains to guard the commandery city."
Zhou Tu nodded slightly without objection; this had been agreed upon long beforehand.
"With Brother Zhou here, the stability of the commandery city is assured. Meanwhile, the situation in Funing is rather complex, so I plan to take several capable hands with me."
Niu Kuanyu's gaze settled upon Huang Tian. "Huang Tian, come with me. Even across the vastness of Kunyun, your strength counts among the finest. With your assistance, we will surely stabilize the situation in Funing."
Yu Jingcheng spoke up in timely fashion: "Vice Commander, perhaps it would be better if I accompanied you. Though Huang Tian's strength is formidable, he is still young and lacks experience. Furthermore, he has only just returned to the commandery city; sending him out on another assignment so soon hardly seems fitting."
Niu Kuanyu raised a hand. "Ah, it is precisely because he lacks experience that he needs more tempering! Traveling with me this time, with my protection, there is no need to worry about his safety. It is the perfect opportunity for him to gain experience.
"Huang Tian, what do you say? Isn't that right?"
Seated below, Huang Tian met Niu Kuanyu's gaze and offered a faint smile. "The Vice Commander speaks reason. I am willing to accompany you to Funing."
Seeing that subtle smile on Huang Tian's face, Niu Kuanyu felt an inexplicable pang of unease. Things seemed to have gone too smoothly; Huang Tian had agreed immediately without the slightest hint of refusal.
Still, this was a good thing.
Niu Kuanyu waved a broad hand. "Then it is settled. We depart tomorrow at the Chen hour!"
As the words fell, Yu Jingcheng frowned deeply, looking toward Huang Tian with confusion. Yet seeing the young man completely unruffled, his heart soon settled.
*I already warned Huang Tian to beware of Niu Kuanyu. For him to agree so decisively to go to Funing, he must have a plan in mind and confidence to back it up.*
Bai Yuanfu reached the same conclusion, silently breathing a sigh of relief.
With the journey to Funing decided, Huang Tian returned to Qinghui Garden, packed several cultivation pills, and instructed Aunt Qin on managing the household affairs.
The day passed quickly. The next morning at the Chen hour, a light morning mist veiled Kunyun Commandery City. Mounted on a dragon horse, Huang Tian arrived at the entrance of the government office, where several people were already waiting.
Niu Kuanyu, four trusted confidants he had brought from the provincial capital, alongside Nie Kun and Tie Qi from the commandery Martial Restraint Guard.
Counting Huang Tian, there were eight in total.
Niu Kuanyu let a peculiar gaze linger on Huang Tian's face for a few seconds, then offered a faint smile and waved his hand. "Everyone is here. Let us depart!"
*Clop, clop...*
The clatter of hooves pierced through the morning mist as the group rode straight out of the commandery city, galloping toward Funing.
Chapter 117