"Her strategists and martial generals rotated shifts until waves of them collapsed from exhaustion, yet she was completely unfazed. It went on like that all the way until they repelled the two allied nations' armies and Panlong City achieved a great victory."
"Aside from her distinguished first-class merits, that was another reason everyone firmly believed General Red was a divine general. After all, that was simply not something a mortal could achieve—not even cultivators."
"Later, Commander Zhong caught wind of the bet the soldiers had made, and he came out in person to explain that General Red possessed the body of a demigod and no longer had mundane, worldly needs."
"The body of a demigod, huh?" He Lingchuan stroked his chin, pondering for a good while. "Then does she not take baths either?"
"..." Broken Saber's questions always struck straight at the soul.
Hu Min rolled his eyes. "How would I know? But no matter how damaged General Red's battle armor gets during a fight, it's pristine and like new before long. That has to be at least a precious artifact, right? It might even be a divine artifact bestowed by God Mitian. I've heard that ancient treasure robes and the like have self-cleaning powers. Perhaps... it's the same for her armor?"
That night, General Red left men behind to handle the mine tunnel's aftermath while she personally escorted Headman Hu and the ferry whelp's corpse back to Panlong City.
Wounded and exhausted, He Lingchuan fell asleep the moment he returned to his wood-grade house.
The courtyard next door remained pitch-black.
The next two days were calm and uneventful, with everything in Panlong City proceeding methodically.
Yet he always felt an undercurrent surging beneath the invisible surface of the water.
He also found an opportunity to visit Duan Xinyu. The man had been crushed by falling boulders when the underground palace reverted to a mine tunnel, but he had survived emergency treatment and was now awake. His leg bones had been shattered into several pieces, but fortunately they were set back in place; his recovery would just take a rather long time.
Having gone through life and death together, his impression of He Lingchuan had improved considerably, and he no longer gave him the cold shoulder.
Being straightforward and outspoken, He Lingchuan asked him point-blank, "I never offended you before, did I?"
Duan Xinyu hesitated before finally admitting that his fiancée had watched the Ring Seven matches and became utterly infatuated with 'Broken Saber.' She couldn't stop talking about this ringmaster, to the point of losing sleep and appetite.
Seeing his future wife turn into a mindless fan of Broken Saber, how could Duan Xinyu have harbored a good impression of He Lingchuan?
He Lingchuan twitched his ears, then suddenly burst into loud laughter. "A woman like that has brains clogged with cosmetic powder—either stupid or dull. Brother Duan, you have money and good looks; wouldn't it be far better to find a considerate, attentive girl? Panlong City has countless beauties, so why hang yourself from this one scarred tree? If you actually marry her, what if the son she bears turns out just as stupid as she is?"
The moment the words left his mouth, a loud clatter came from outside the door, sounding like a bottle had been knocked over.
Then came the sound of hurried footsteps receding, accompanied by faint weeping from a woman.
"Y-You!" With his broken legs, Duan Xinyu couldn't give chase. He was so furious he could barely speak.
He Lingchuan listened for a few breaths, then gave a light cough. "There. Your fiancée will never look at me favorably again." He had heard the sneaky footsteps outside the door a moment ago.
Duan Xinyu was stunned. He Lingchuan patted him on the shoulder and walked out the door, laughing heartily.
Afterward, he donned his one-eyed disguise and went to drink with a few of his teammates.
Door Plank had not yet recovered from his injuries, and Willow took meticulous care of him. The way they exchanged glances made it plain that romance was brewing thick between them.
Skinny told him that the higher-ups had called him in for a detailed debriefing on the battle in the mine tunnel, focusing especially on each person's performance.
Door Plank and Willow had also undergone such questioning.
Only He Lingchuan was never approached.
Two days later, battle reports came from the northwest, and General Red led the army out of the city.
He Lingchuan finished his martial arts practice, felt his belly growling, and was just about to head out to forage for food when someone knocked on the door.
He opened it to find Merit Officer Liu from the Pengcheng Office.
"Ah, Old Liu, why did you come in person?" He was a regular at the Pengcheng Office and was well acquainted with Merit Officer Liu.
Merit Officer Liu, who rarely smiled, let his lips curl up in a rare grin. "I'm here to bring you good news."
"Oh?" He Lingchuan stepped aside. "Please, come in!"
"No need, no need. I'm here on official business." He waved his hands repeatedly. "The Pengcheng Office has a rule: messengers of good tidings do not cross the threshold."
This was to prevent officials from accepting gifts in people's homes.
Merit Officer Liu cleared his throat with a cough and announced in a clear voice, "He Lingchuan is wise, brave, decisive, resilient, and steadfast—a talent of great promise. Recommended by Xiao Maoliang and reviewed and approved by General Red, he is hereby granted an exceptional promotion into the Gale Army's Hundred-Fold Regiment, under Captain Xiao Maoliang!"
"Here are your command token, military uniform, and boots. Please receive them." He pointed at a chest at his feet. "These are two sets of winter attire; there will be two more sets for spring and summer."
He Lingchuan stared in surprise, then was overcome with ecstasy. "I'm promoted? Old Liu, I got promoted!"
"Yes, you've been promoted!" Merit Officer Liu cupped his hands. "Congratulations, hearty congratulations! How many months have you been registered in Panlong City? You've already caught up to years of striving by others."
He Lingchuan opened the chest and stroked the dark red armor of the Gale Army. He had always envied Hu Min's uniform, and now he finally had his own.
He could hardly bear to let it go.
It was brand-new, and every copper stud exuded the scent of metal.
Even the leather felt thrilling to the touch.
"Take your time admiring it." Merit Officer Liu had seen this kind of reaction and expression many times before and knew it was time to make his exit, leaving He Lingchuan alone with the gear. "I'll be heading back."
He Lingchuan wanted to offer him a small token of gratitude, but Merit Officer Liu hastily refused. "I came in good faith to bring you good news—are you trying to make me lose my post? Out of the question!" With that, he turned and climbed into his carriage, departing.
Before the sound of horse hooves faded, the neighbors who had been leaning against their doorways listening came over one after another to offer congratulations. A Gale Army soldier coming from their alley was an honor for the whole neighborhood; when the children came home from school, they would have a role model to look up to.
Eager parents even rushed home to fetch meat, wine, or pickled vegetables as tuition gifts, wanting to ask He Lingchuan to instruct their children.
After finally dealing with the crowd, He Lingchuan closed the door, wanting nothing more than to roar to the heavens.
Being in the residential district, he couldn't disturb the neighbors, so he pounded his fists into the wall seven or eight times with loud thuds.
Incredible!
Of course, he didn't dare use too much force, afraid of collapsing the courtyard wall of Sun Fuling's house.
His stage-one goal was achieved: he had finally joined the Gale Army!
He Lingchuan exhaled a long breath, feeling his chest broaden with relief. Flourishing his blade now, the arc of light seemed far more nimble.
This exceptional promotion was likely due to his strong performance in the mine tunnel, on top of his accumulated battle merits and perhaps the boost from successfully defending the ring, which together prompted General Red to grant her approval.
Otherwise, he would have had to work his way up to a squad leader in the Patrol Guard just to qualify for selection into the Gale Army—and that was merely qualifying; whether he would actually be chosen was another matter entirely.
A new chapter in his adventures within the Panlong dreamscape was about to unfold.
Thinking of this, he felt all the steadfast persistence of recent days had finally paid off.
Right then, the Fusheng saber at his waist suddenly vibrated. He grasped the hilt—scalding hot!
What was happening? Wasn't he sitting here safe and sound?
Had he forgotten something?
He had gone through all those twists and turns in the dream and finally achieved what he wanted; but out there, it seemed...?
Wait, he hadn't escaped danger in reality yet!
He Lingchuan snapped his eyes open. What met his gaze was a hideous, ghastly face, and he nearly threw a punch.
Fortunately, he caught himself the very next second, remembering that this was no ghost, but Dong Rui without his mask.
"What are you doing?" Even though Dong Rui's wrists were dislocated, he had somehow produced a jade vial, pressing it against his chest with his arms. His head was bent low, and he was about to bite the stopper off.
This fellow truly couldn't be underestimated for a single second.
Dong Rui took fright, his hands trembling. Before he could pull the stopper free, He Lingchuan snatched it away.
In terms of agility, he was no match for this man.
"Give it back to me."
He Lingchuan shook the medicine vial. "What is this?"
"Jellyfish food, in liquid form." Dong Rui tried hard to keep his face calm. "Otherwise, we've been inside its belly for two days—why do you think we haven't been digested?"
"Is that so?" He Lingchuan hadn't missed the drastic change in his expression the moment he was caught in the act. "Then should I pour it out now?"
"We don't have to feed it either." Dong Rui instantly acted as if nothing had happened. "It's about time for us to go ashore."
Internally, however, he cursed his bad luck. The poisoned water in this vial killed without shedding blood; it was just a little slow-acting. He had intended to send He Lingchuan on his way while the young man was asleep.
He had fallen asleep after He Lingchuan and woken up before him, but his hands refused to cooperate. Just getting this vial out had taken him nearly an entire shichen!
An entire shichen!
Was this kid an owl? Why couldn't he wake earlier or later, but had to wake right before he was about to pull the stopper and release the poison!
He Lingchuan leisurely drew his precious blade. "I believe I told you before: pull any more dirty tricks, and you won't be needing those hands."
With that, he decisively slashed down at his hands!
Two flashes of light, one red and one green, burst in rapid succession from Dong Rui's body.
These were the glows of protective magic artifacts activating and shattering.
"Oh? You were hiding protective magic artifacts?" He Lingchuan twirled his blade unhurriedly. "Again. Let's see how many artifacts you have left to burn."
This fellow was actually chopping off his hands! Dong Rui screamed in terror, "I won't dare! Never again! I swear to Heaven, before we both return safely to the mortal world, I will never plot against you or raise a hand against you again!"
He Lingchuan asked him, "Truly?"
"Truly, truly!" With that, Dong Rui swore a vicious oath invoking eight generations of his ancestors.
In this world, oaths carried real power.
"Fine then." He Lingchuan gave him a faint smile and sheathed his saber.
Just as Dong Rui let out a breath of relief, a fist abruptly slammed into his diaphragm.
He instantly curled up like a shrimp, his mouth gaping wide for a long while, unable to close.
He wanted to vomit, but nothing came out. Only violent beads of sweat popped from his forehead, dissolving into the surrounding water.
"A small punishment as a warning. Don't let there be a next time."
Dong Rui finally gave up all hope.
He Lingchuan glanced outward. Ah, so the giant jellyfish had left the violent main currents of the Han River and entered calm, deep waters. No wonder this fellow was in such a desperate hurry to make a move—he had wanted to escape to shore as soon as possible.
Good thing the broken saber had sounded the alarm, or he truly would have fallen into the trap. He Lingchuan didn't expose the matter further, merely asking, "How long were you asleep?"
"About the same as you." The pain had not yet faded, and Dong Rui slowly caught his breath, his words filled with utter dejection. "I only woke up a short while ago myself. The jellyfish's natural paralytic toxin induces deep sleep. It isn't strong, but we've been soaking in it for a long time."
Was this kid his natural bane? Every time their paths crossed, he ended up eating dirt.
He Lingchuan looked around, trying to discern their current location.
Chapter 318