Chapter 158: Starting Off with a Beheading—Is the First Task Really This Intense?

The sky was overcast, and the river water seemed to have turned black. The waves surged as the military palace moved with the large ship that floated on the river. Reflected upside down on the river surface were the three characters on the side hall plaque: "Inspectorate." Inside the hall, two judges held orders in their hands—one for execution in the left, and the other for capture in the right.

Zhao Xing stood with a black-golden command arrow embedded in his back, locking all his energy. The dim light barely penetrated the gloomy hall, with the candles flickering on both sides. A massive figure sat in the main seat, exuding an intimidating and oppressive aura. Half of his body was shrouded in shadow, revealing only half of his face, which looked as if covered in dry grass. When he opened his eyes, his pupils were entirely black, and several blades of green grass grew from his eyelashes.

"You are Zhao Xing, the second-level transfer officer of the Lanjiang Transport Division?"

"Yes, it is I. May I ask why, my lord, have you arrested me?"

"As the transfer officer of Lanjiang, you embezzled seven hundred and forty-nine thousand stone of fifth-tier supplies. Additionally, three vessels that were seventy percent new were forcibly decommissioned and sold to Yi Zhijie of the Laiyang Merchant Guild, from whom you took bribes. Do you confess?"

"I admit my crimes and am willing to return the stolen funds and pay the fine..."

"Since you have confessed, you will be executed immediately!"

"What?! I am an official of the fifth rank! How can you execute me without a proper trial? Lord Liu, this violates the Great Zhou Law, Article 362, Clause 7..."

Splat!

Before Zhao Xing could finish his defense, he saw his own body kneeling on the ground—without a head.

Damn it. After all the effort my guild brothers put in to help me rise, I've been beheaded just like that... Zhao Xing's last thought flickered through his mind before everything went black.

"Zhao Xing, Zhao Xing, wake up! It's time to go!"

A familiar voice rang in his ear, followed by the sensation of something wet on his face.

When he opened his eyes, he found the mountain cat licking his cheek.

Zhao Xing sat up in bed, his expression somewhat dazed.

A long dream spanning millennia—what year is it today?

"Haven't you had enough sleep? You've been sleeping since the hour of Mao the day before yesterday, and now it's been twenty-seven hours! Are you alright?" Long Xiao asked curiously as he approached the bed upon seeing Zhao Xing wake up.

"I'm fine," Zhao Xing's eyes quickly cleared. That's right. I'm Zhao Xing of the Shenwei Army, about to leave the Ten Sun Cave-Heaven to head south to the Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture to complete the military mission assigned by the Army Realm.

"I've heard you only sleep one hour a day during training and have done so for an entire year. Now, it seems that's true." Chen Shijie stood nearby, watching Zhao Xing. "You were exhausted. Now that you've finally relaxed, you slept for twenty-seven hours straight. How do you feel—did you sleep well?"

"I feel great," Zhao Xing nodded, and with a gesture, clouds gathered in his palm, forming a basin.

Splash! Water streamed into it, and a towel appeared in the air, carried by the wind. He started washing his face in front of Chen Shijie and Long Xiao.

Seeing this, Chen Shijie couldn't help but reveal a trace of admiration.

An expert can recognize skill from subtle actions, and just from the way Zhao Xing controlled the clouds, it was evident that his mastery of the arts had reached an advanced stage.

"Meow~" The mountain cat approached, trying to drink from the basin.

"Aotian, why are you drinking that?" Long Xiao quickly pulled the cat away. "It's dirty."

"Meow!" The cat struggled free and went back to the basin.

I don't care—I want to drink it!

Zhao Xing laughed and pushed the mountain cat's head aside, conjuring another cloud to fill a fresh basin with water, signaling the cat to drink from it.

The mountain cat obediently turned its head to the new basin.

Long Xiao sighed.

I've raised it for a year, and it still listens to you better than me...

After freshening up, Zhao Xing, Long Xiao, and Chen Shijie sat down in a side hall to have a meal.

"Do you have anyone else you want to see before we leave?" Chen Shijie asked.

"No," Zhao Xing shook his head. Two days ago, he had visited the Palace of Myriad Techniques and met the last person on his list.

Though he hadn't expected it, while sleeping, he dreamed of many past events from his previous life, including the moment Liu Tianning had beheaded him. It seemed like he should avoid the Palace of Myriad Techniques for a while.

"Then let's head out after we eat." Chen Shijie said, "No need to pack up the Eighteen Locust Willow Courtyard—after all, you'll be back here later."

"Alright," Zhao Xing agreed, having nothing much to pack.

After finishing their meal, they stepped outside to find a Swordfish Airship parked on the lawn.

However, instead of boarding right away, the three men and the cat waited for something.

Clip-clop, clip-clop~

Riding a bamboo horse, Gao Ming galloped over from the horizon and landed outside the courtyard gate.

"You've arrived," Zhao Xing stepped forward to greet him. "Brother Gao Ming."

"Zhao Xing," Gao Ming dismounted and handed over a box. "This is your mission kit from the Yangcheng Military Headquarters."

"Thank you, Brother Gao, for delivering it." Zhao Xing accepted the box. It was a small one containing his new seal, Earth Mirror, and the necessary documents for carrying out his mission.

"May your career be smooth, and may you rise quickly," Gao Ming cupped his hands in a salute.

"Thank you, and I wish your business great prosperity," Zhao Xing replied with a bow.

"Hahaha, farewell then!" Gao Ming mounted his bamboo horse again and rode off into the distance.

In Datong Prefecture, within the Wanfeng Mountain Range, the calm lake suddenly rippled with concentric circles, the patterns growing denser. In a split second, the center of the lake arched upward.

Splash!

A ram's head emerged from the crest of the waves, followed by the sharp prow of a ship, its body covered in scales.

Whoosh!

Like an arrowfish leaping from the water, the Swordfish Airship shot up at an angle before leveling out at a height of a hundred meters.

A military flag fluttered in the wind, emblazoned with ten suns.

"Zhao Xing, as soon as we leave the Ten Sun Cave-Heaven, you should receive your first mission from the Army Realm. If the mission doesn't pass through Xier Prefecture, I'll part ways with you here," Chen Shijie said.

He needed to return to Xier Prefecture, where the Shenwei Army was currently stationed.

Along the Canglan River, military garrisons were posted, and the Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture served as a forward base, piercing the border south of the Canglan River like a needle. However, since the Great Zhou hadn't formally gone to war yet, most troops remained stationed north of the river, awaiting orders, except for the standing forces permanently based at the Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture.

Zhao Xing opened the box that Gao Ming had given him, took out the new Earth Mirror, and checked it. As expected, his first mission had already been issued.

But as he read the mission details, Zhao Xing's expression shifted.

"What's the matter?" Chen Shijie asked.

"The first mission is in Xier Prefecture."

"That's perfect! Old Chen can accompany us back," Long Xiao said casually, only to realize something was off when he noticed the expressions on both Zhao Xing and Chen Shijie's faces. "Wait, your first mission isn't related to the Shenwei Army, is it?"

Zhao Xing remained silent.

Chen Shijie's expression darkened. "Is it that serious?"

Was it so serious that even they had to avoid knowing the task?

Zhao Xing gave a slight nod.

Long Xiao's eyes widened. "No way! Is your first mission a patrol task?"

"Stop asking," Chen Shijie said solemnly. "Hand over your Earth Mirror."

"Oh, right," Long Xiao fumbled and handed over his own Earth Mirror.

Chen Shijie took out his own mirror and handed it to Zhao Xing as well.

The message was clear—they trusted him and supported him, no matter what.

Zhao Xing thought for a moment. "There's no need. I trust both of you."

"It's not a matter of trust," Chen Shijie insisted. "Your evaluation in the Army Realm begins the moment you leave the Cave-Heaven. There are eyes everywhere. Every action you take will be observed. Hold onto them for now. You can return them to us once we reach the Inspection Office in Xier Prefecture."

"Alright," Zhao Xing agreed, taking both Chen Shijie's and Long Xiao's Earth Mirrors.

The Swordfish Airship soared through the sky as Chen Shijie steered it from the outside. Inside, Long Xiao rested in the main cabin while Zhao Xing and the mountain cat retreated to another room.

The atmosphere became heavy, given that Zhao Xing's first mission involved the Xier Prefecture and a patrol task.

As a result, the three remained mostly silent during the flight.

After flying for most of the day, Zhao Xing suddenly looked out the window.

The water energy in the air had grown thicker.

"We're getting close," Zhao Xing straightened in his seat. Xier Prefecture bordered the river, and the abundance of water energy in the area far exceeded that of the Ten Sun Cave-Heaven.

Sensing the increased energy in the water veins running through the land, Zhao Xing pulled out his Earth Mirror and reread the mission.

First Mission: Patrol the Shenwei Army

Location: Xier Prefecture

Military Intelligence: Xier Prefecture, a critical frontier town, has grown lax in management after years of peace. Numerous illegal activities have sprouted within the prefecture, including smuggling, human trafficking, bribery, rape, murder, robbery, abduction, and assault—totaling 1,423 known offenders.

The following is a detailed list of individuals and their crimes. You are to indict and punish those on the list.

Submit your report upon completing the mission via the Earth Mirror.

Zhao Xing quickly scanned through the list.

Hong Tai: Current Shenwei Army Changshui Captain, holding the rank of seventh-grade lower. Previously served five years as the Agricultural Officer of Tao County, Xier Prefecture, before being reassigned following the Shenwei Army's reorganization. Crimes: Raped 14 individuals, resulting in the suicide of five. Upon learning of Marquis Boping's reinstatement, he murdered the families of the 14 victims to cover up his crimes.

Qi Shan: Current Shenwei Army Zhonglei Captain, seventh-grade upper. Previously served three years as the Tax Official of Fubu County, Xier Prefecture. Crimes: Established illegal toll gates and took bribes totaling 3,420,000 taels from various merchant guilds.

Fan Geng: Current Shenwei Army Jietong Commander, eighth-grade upper. Previously served as Deputy Shennong Officer in Taicang, Heyuan County. Crimes: Used his position for personal gain, seizing three mountains, two lakes, and 14,800 acres of land for his own estate.

He Cheng: Current Shenwei Army Jietong Commander, eighth-grade lower...

Chang Sihai...

The list was long, and Zhao Xing quickly skimmed through it before closing his eyes in thought.

Marquis Boping had been stripped of his role as Shenwei Army General for five years.

During those five years, many of the soldiers had been scattered and reassigned to various governmental positions. Chen Shijie's own five-year stint in Gucheng, Nanyang County, was a result of this restructuring.

A year ago, around the time Zhao Xing had started his training, Marquis Boping, Yang An, had been reinstated and reassigned as the Shenwei Army's General, a fourth-grade military official. Regardless of his personal strength, as long as Yang An held the title of Shenwei Army General, his rank would ensure he wielded fourth-grade power.

Should the war to pacify the barbarians break out, Yang An might even temporarily gain the strength of a fourth-grade official due to the Qi Dynasty's unique system.

The Shenwei Army had been restructured, and many of the soldiers who had been reassigned to civilian posts during the five-year hiatus returned to Xier Prefecture. Of course, some were unwilling to return to military life and preferred to remain in their cushy government jobs, so new recruits were needed to replenish the ranks, thus the selection process had begun.

Five years was more than enough time for once-brave soldiers to become corrupt.

During the year following the reorganization, Marquis Boping had done little other than to begin training his forces and restoring the battle strength and morale of his troops.

But Yang An wasn't omnipotent. Even though he had purged many from the ranks, conducted an internal investigation, and removed many wrongdoers, some managed to conceal their misdeeds.

For instance, 'Hong Tai,' the man at the top of the list, had remained in Xier Prefecture during the entire period.

Because Xier Prefecture was a crucial frontier town with a military-first system, Hong Tai still held significant power.

Upon hearing of Yang An's return, he swiftly eliminated all evidence of his crimes, rising to the rank of Changshui Captain (a type of Military Shennong officer).

"Investigating others is easy, but investigating one's own is difficult. Self-inspections rarely result in complete purges," Zhao Xing thought. "Even if Yang An knew, he might have shown leniency, allowing his former subordinates a chance to redeem themselves in battle."

The Great Zhou Dynasty's military system gave commanding generals extensive authority, including over the punishment of their subordinates. Enfeoffed marquises held similar power. A marquis could decide whether to forgive or punish a subordinate's crimes unless it was a heinous offense.

Moreover, the thousand-year-old aristocratic families had received imperial pardons during the reign of the founding emperor, granting them immunity from execution—another form of privilege.

Emperor Wen had shown leniency to both the common people and officials during his reign, refraining from challenging these privileges. But Emperor Jing was different.

He had squeezed the aristocratic families through intense reforms, finding numerous excuses to reclaim many of their pardons and privileges during the two centuries of his reign under the "Dingxin" period.

The "Jingxin" period had focused on military reforms. As for the enfeoffed marquises? They were part of the foundation of the empire, and even Emperor Jing hadn't dared take such a massive step yet.

"During the Jingxin period, the number of recruits for the Army Realm greatly increased, and these patrol tasks grew more frequent. For me to achieve a high evaluation, I must align my actions with the court's grand strategy."

"The best course of action would be to execute all these criminals without mercy."

"Only by doing so would I match Emperor Jing's expectations. He wants to replace the 'old blood' in the military with new talent—people who are not afraid to confront the aristocracy and act impartially."

"That would earn me an 'A' rating."

Zhao Xing rubbed his temples, reflecting from the perspective of those assigning the tasks, quickly deducing the "best answer."

"But that's the court's ideal answer."

"If I really went through with such an extreme solution, I'd undoubtedly provoke resentment among the Shenwei Army's soldiers. Even Marquis Boping might take issue with it. That's how people are. When their own interests aren't threatened, they'll plead for mercy for others—when it's their brothers on the chopping block, they'll beg for leniency."

"If I executed half and spared the other half, the court might give me a 'B' rating, showing that I had the resolve but didn't act decisively enough. But in that case, I might as well kill them all."

"If I downgraded death penalties to severe punishments, and handled the serious offenses more lightly, my previous performance might still earn me a 'C,' which is considered passing."

Zhao Xing mused silently.

He hadn't even considered the possibility of failing. Even if he did nothing at all and merely reported the situation to Marquis Boping and left it at that, he would still get a passing grade thanks to the solid foundation he had built during the first half of his training.

The patrol task didn't measure the personal ability of a Military Shennong officer, nor did it assess their morality. From the perspective of the empire's systems, Zhao Xing was fully within his rights to release any of these people if he chose.

This mission was designed to test his character, to see if his ideals aligned with those of the court.

However, receiving three consecutive 'C' grades, even as a top-tier genius, would mean his progress would be capped at the third mission, leaving him stuck at best as a seventh-grade Military Shennong.

"Starting off by beheading captains and commanders... Is the first task really this intense?" Zhao Xing muttered as he glanced out the window.

The Swordfish Airship began to descend.

Xier Prefecture had arrived.