Chapter 237: The Shock Brought by the Military Shennong with Zhao Xing

"The residents of Twin Island, about seven hundred and sixty thousand households, mainly live on the smaller bay island. The bay is shallow, with the deepest point reaching only forty zhàng. Most residents travel by small boats."

"The larger land island is home to a variety of exotic beasts, totaling more than three million five hundred seventy thousand, with only a little over a thousand reaching an acceptable grade."

"Separated by a bay approximately seven kilometers wide, the area has several additional government bodies compared to mainland counties."

"The county office has established a Patrol Division, while the Shennong Office added the Dragon Horse Directorate. The Tiangong Workshop added a Sea Vessel Repair Division, the temple introduced the Sea God Shrine, and the Market Supervisor established a Maritime Trade Division…"

On the deck of the tower ship, Ji Zixuan introduced the situation of Twin Island to Zhao Xing.

Although Zhao Xing had once held office on an island in his past life, he listened patiently to Ji Zixuan's explanation, aware that different times and places came with distinct differences.

The Dragon Horse Directorate held a high status on Twin Island, not under the jurisdiction of the Twin County Shennong Office. Instead, both Directorates operated independently, reporting directly to the Shennong Monitor of Chongming Prefecture.

The Shennong Office on Bay Island still oversaw departments such as Tilled Lands, Taxation, Granary, and Peacekeeping.

On Land Island, however, the Dragon Horse Directorate's responsibilities were solely to oversee the management of exotic beasts.

"The Dragon Horse Directorate of Twin Island has set up Left and Right Chief Officers, who are assisted by various deputies."

"The Left Chief Officer serves as the highest authority, with the Right Chief Officer assisting in the management of departments such as the Tuoquan Palace, which houses the exotic beasts, the Chenghua Directorate for the ceremonial performances of the beasts, and Divine Feed, which handles the dietary needs of these beasts."

To ingratiate herself with Zhao Xing, Ji Zixuan had done extensive research. She knew that Zhao Xing had risen from the ranks directly to Military Shennong and had no experience with civil Shennong affairs, especially not on an island.

Ji Zixuan thought Zhao Xing might not even be aware of all the departments under his purview. However, as she continued her explanations, she realized her assumptions were not entirely accurate.

"Why didn't you mention the Divine Selection Office?" Zhao Xing asked. The Divine Selection Office was responsible for the selection and training of exotic beasts, a critical department for his own advancement due to its authority over participation in the grand competition of myriad beasts.

Ji Zixuan replied, "Senior Brother, the Twin Island Dragon Horse Directorate has not had a Divine Selection Office for many years."

"Why?"

"Because for sixty-five consecutive years, the Twin Island Dragon Horse Directorate failed to pass the pre-selection competition and lost its qualification to participate, leading to the department's eventual abolition."

Zhao Xing was at a loss for words.

If the Four Seas Competition was considered an international event, the East Sea Competition would be akin to a regional qualifier. The pre-selection rounds held on the islands of the Purple Cloud Archipelago served as qualifiers, and yet, he realized that he did not even have the qualifications to enter the qualifiers.

Calculating, he figured Twin Island had likely been on the decline for about sixty-five years, which coincided with the period shortly after the end of the last Dragon Court Ancient Land event and overlapped with the rule of Prince Liang of the Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture.

"Has no one tried to revive it over the years?" Zhao Xing asked.

"Yes," Ji Zixuan replied, "The previous Left Chief Officer worked tirelessly for eight years, all with the aim of regaining the pre-selection qualifications."

"And then?"

"He failed and was eventually reassigned to develop Minghuang Island."

"…"

Zhao Xing fell silent. Minghuang Island was a remote and barren land, a place where one was as good as exiled. The East Sea contained numerous such islands and small landmasses, collectively known as the Eastern Seas, inhabited by tribes and kingdoms even more backward than the Southern Wilderness.

Being assigned to develop Minghuang Island was akin to exile, far removed from the bustling world of human civilization. Official positions there might not even be fully functional, and few would be willing to take on such posts even at the fifth rank.

The previous Chief Officer's reassignment to Minghuang Island was thus not much different from being demoted and exiled.

"After putting in eight years of effort, he ended up with such a fate. What exactly did he do?" Zhao Xing asked.

"In his determination to restore the Divine Selection Office, he decided to breed a group of powerful exotic beasts."

"His approach became too extreme. In the first five years, he only intensified the beasts' training, which, although strict, wasn't overly risky. However, in the last three years, he confined the exotic beasts in the Dragon Horse Directorate, forcing them to fight in a competitive selection process, hoping to breed the strongest."

"This led to a drastic reduction in the number of exotic beasts within the Dragon Horse Directorate, so much so that they couldn't meet the basic supply requirements for the Dao Academy, the military, or the royal family. And still, they failed to regain qualification, leading to his reassignment."

"This man truly gambled his future," Zhao Xing remarked, feeling a mixture of admiration and dismay. "No wonder there are only a little over a thousand graded exotic beasts left among the over three million."

Three million might sound like a large number, but it was actually pitifully low.

In Bixian County, large-scale livestock farms could release tens of thousands of ungraded pigs each year. Just last year, Zhao Xing arranged for Xia Jing to manage cattle and sheep breeding in the county on behalf of Zhao Ruide, and they now had over ten thousand head of livestock on his own estate.

The exotic beasts in the Twin Island Dragon Horse Directorate were certainly of higher quality, yet the Directorate's breeding capability seemed to be in a whole different league from the mainland.

It was no wonder the previous Chief Officer was sent to an isolated island as punishment. There were barely over a thousand graded beasts left, and only around three million ungraded beasts—definitely not enough for any large-scale selection or training.

Zhao Xing couldn't help but mutter to himself, "What a mess!"

He had no choice but to seek help from Princess You Ruo.

Initially, he didn't want to trouble her, but with the state of Twin Island's resources, it would take at least ten years to restore it to full strength. Without her assistance, he wouldn't have a chance to accomplish anything substantial.

"Master, please save me!" Zhao Xing cried out, running into Princess You Ruo's Yonghua Hall even before the tower ship had fully docked.

"What happened? Why are you suddenly calling for help?" Princess You Ruo looked up from the official documents she was reviewing, smiling at his dramatic entrance.

There was no fear that he was in any real danger—after all, who would dare to attack her in these waters?

"Master, your disciple only just arrived at Twin Island, and I find the Dragon Horse Directorate in utter disrepair. It's as if I've been sentenced to death," Zhao Xing dramatically flopped to the floor, covering his face in mock despair.

"Twin Island is my territory, yet I've never seen it in such poor condition as you describe," Princess You Ruo said, setting her book aside.

Indeed, Twin Island belonged to Princess You Ruo. She had delegated administrative powers to the local government, but the land still belonged to her, and everyone on the island essentially worked for her. Even the county office had to pay rent, as the land for their buildings was part of her estate.

The prefect of Chongming had to be mindful of her influence because every new prefect needed her support. Without it, they would likely face demotion or even removal after just one term.

"The Dragon Horse Directorate, which should operate at the prefecture level, only manages a mere three million ungraded beasts and barely over a thousand graded ones. Even the Divine Selection Office has been abolished!" Zhao Xing began listing grievances.

"I've finally secured a role as Chief Officer after transitioning from military to civil duties, only to be left with a half-baked mess. Within a few years, I'll probably be dismissed… How is this not a death sentence?"

"Enough of that." Princess You Ruo chuckled, shaking her head, "Crying like this hardly suits a man of your stature."

"Master, I'm truly aggrieved!" Zhao Xing continued in a pitiful tone.

She couldn't help but laugh, for this was exactly the approach that worked on her. She appreciated Liu Tianning's strength and determination but preferred a sense of being needed from her disciple.

With a slight smile, she said, "Now that you're on my territory, there's no need for you to suffer. Once you officially take office, I'll arrange for a batch of well-bred young beasts to be sent to you."

"As for rebuilding the Divine Selection Office, raise these beasts until next autumn, then submit a request to Lord Wang of Chongming Prefecture. I'll personally inform him to expect it."

"And the pre-selection qualifications…?"

"As long as your performance is not lacking, I'll ensure you have some entry slots for the competitions."

"Thank you, Master!" Zhao Xing's mood did a complete turnaround as he bowed deeply in gratitude.

"You sly little fox!" she chided with a smile. "You're nothing like your teacher."

"Master's wisdom and guidance are impeccable."

"Now, go freshen up. The tower ship is about to descend."

"Yes, I'll take my leave."

Zhao Xing exited the Yonghua Hall with newfound confidence, delighted with the outcome.

The old master was generous indeed, quick to grant him what he needed to solve this problem.

Outside, Ji Zixuan looked at him with admiration, clearly impressed.

She had always thought she knew how to appeal to authority, but her senior brother had surpassed her, taking it to an entirely new level.

To play up one's helplessness this shamelessly—now that took some real skill!

"Why are you staring at me like that?" he asked.

"I observe that not only are you undefeated in strength, but you also possess another peerless quality."

"You're talking about my shamelessness, aren't you?"

"Senior Brother, you are indeed wise beyond compare."

"…."

Zhao Xing shot Ji Zixuan a sidelong glance. This young woman was becoming bolder, even daring to tease him.

"Your progress in the last training session was impressive but a bit unstable. I'll create a training regimen for you to help stabilize your foundation," he said, feigning a serious tone.

"Oh?" Ji Zixuan ignored the underlying threat in his words and instead responded eagerly, "What kind of training plan will you devise for me?"

"There's a technique used in the military called the 'Gluttony Method,' which involves eating and drinking to boost cultivation and fortify internal organs."

A hint of a smile played on Zhao Xing's lips. "I'll design a personalized plan for you. Whenever you have free time, feel free to come find me. I guarantee it will leave a lasting impression."

"Deal!" Ji Zixuan's eyes sparkled with excitement.

...

Meanwhile, as Princess You Ruo's tower ship prepared to dock at the Twin County Tower Ship Division, the County Magistrate, Sun Shizhao, a fifth-rank official, promptly ordered all department heads to prepare for her arrival.

The message reached the Dragon Horse Directorate, where Right Chief Officer Tao Anchun and Chenghua Official Dong Yuanqiu were drinking in silence. They had just learned that the previously vacant position of Left Chief Officer in Twin County, unfilled for three years, had finally been decided. But it wasn't awarded to either of them. Instead, an outsider named Zhao Xing had been appointed.

Tao Anchun had harbored high hopes for the position, lobbying for it tirelessly over the past half year. Though the Dragon Horse Directorate had lost its Divine Selection Office and had few exotic beasts, it still held some value.

As Chief Officer, he could at least earn a slightly higher salary and bonus.

Dong Yuanqiu had also hoped for Tao Anchun's promotion, as it would mean advancement for the rest of them as well.

"Tao, do you know anything about this Zhao Xing? What's his background?"

Tao Anchun shook his head. "The officials said he's from the military and has roots in the Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture. Beyond that, I couldn't find out much. He's still young, around twenty-four or twenty-five."

"So young?" Dong Yuanqiu was surprised. "That's unusual. If he's a young noble from an influential family, why would he come to Twin County? Did he offend someone in the military and get sent here as punishment?"

"I heard he offended the faction supporting Prince Liang and had to escape to the sea."

"That's bad news. Prince Liang is Princess You Ruo's uncle. Offending his faction is a dangerous thing. If one of us had been promoted to Chief Officer, we'd at least have a chance at restoring Twin Island's Dragon Horse Directorate. But now…"

"Indeed. He might know about combat, but what does he understand about raising exotic beasts? He'll likely make a mess of things."

"Alas, the future of Twin Island's Dragon Horse Directorate looks bleak," Dong Yuanqiu said with a sigh.

The two men had completely misjudged Zhao Xing, assuming the worst about him.

In reality, Princess You Ruo held little affection for her uncle, Prince Liang. When he formed the Black Dragon Army, he extracted many resources from her territory, including the powerful dragon species from Myriad Beasts Island and Yalong Island.

Their complaints were interrupted by a document officer rushing in.

"Urgent news from the county office!"

"What is it?"

"Princess You Ruo's Bi You tower ship is descending on Twin County! Magistrate Sun has ordered all department heads to greet her at the Tower Ship Division."

"What?!" Both Tao Anchun and Dong Yuanqiu were shocked, sobering up immediately.

"Hurry and inform all the division heads. Prepare the Yunyu tower ship and head to the Tower Ship Division on Bay Island immediately."

"Yes, sir."

The two exchanged a glance before rising in haste.

"Could it be that all your efforts to establish a connection with the Princess's household have finally paid off?" Dong Yuanqiu asked Tao Anchun as they hurried to prepare.

He knew that Tao Anchun had spent months trying to connect with Princess You Ruo's office, sending numerous letters to improve the conditions of Twin Island's Dragon Horse Directorate.

"I don't know," Tao Anchun replied, shaking his head. Despite his attempts to contact the Princess, he had never received a response.

As a mere sixth-rank Shennong, he hardly warranted the Princess's attention. No matter how many letters he sent, it felt like casting stones into the sea.

But now that Princess You Ruo was indeed coming to Twin Island, he couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.

"Could she really be here because of me?"

This possibility filled him with anticipation.

In the East Sea, Princess You Ruo owned over two hundred thousand islands, of which more than twenty thousand were counties. It would take nearly sixty years for her to spend even one day on each of these islands.

Naturally, Twin County's officials were all exhilarated, feeling as if they were like concubines in the palace finally receiving the emperor's favor after a long wait.

"Quick, fetch my Cloud Sea Crane garment!"

"Are you out of your mind? We're Shennong officials. Why would you dress so splendidly? Wear that old, slightly worn robe instead, and maybe smudge it a bit with dirt to add character."

"Hah, Brother Dong, your advice is indeed wise!"

...

As Princess You Ruo's Bi You tower ship descended onto the spacious docks at the Tower Ship Division, County Magistrate Sun Shizhao led the officials in kneeling to greet her.

"I, Sun Shizhao, along with the civil and military officials of Twin County, welcome Your Highness!"

"Welcome, Your Highness!"

"Rise," Princess You Ruo commanded, standing atop the deck and gazing down at the officials. A soft glow emanated from her, and mystical visions of black-feathered birds, golden dragons, phoenixes, and auspicious clouds surrounded her.

"Thank you, Your Highness!" Sun Shizhao stood up, bowing once more. "May Your Highness proceed to inspect Twin County."

The officials echoed his words, awaiting her instructions.

"Very well, I'll take a brief look around. Sun Shizhao, lead the way," she replied.

"Thank you, Your Highness!" Sun Shizhao felt a surge of excitement and immediately ordered an entourage to accompany her procession.

Zhao Xing, observing from the side, was somewhat surprised. He hadn't expected Princess You Ruo to actually disembark.

Originally, she only intended to see him off on her way, not to make an official stop. However, she decided at the last moment to step ashore and spend the day on Twin Island to lend Zhao Xing additional prestige.

Her presence here would significantly bolster his standing on the island.

Zhao Xing thought, "With this, not only will I have an easier time managing my responsibilities here, but I'll practically have free rein over this place."

His prediction proved accurate. As soon as Princess You Ruo disembarked, the officials noticed the young man beside her, wearing the cloud-topped gold bamboo official hat, indicating his sixth-rank position.

Normally, an official of such a modest rank wouldn't stand out, especially next to Princess You Ruo. However, his sixth-rank status immediately drew attention precisely because of its unusual proximity to her. For the island officials, it raised questions and curiosity.

Dong Yuanqiu and Tao Anchun were especially intrigued, scrutinizing the young man repeatedly.

"Could he be one of Princess You Ruo's appointed nobles?" one muttered.

"Is he a relative or perhaps a disciple of the Dao Academy?" another speculated.

"Or maybe he's…"

"Watch your tongue! Even whispering rumors about the Princess is asking for trouble," someone scolded.

"I wasn't going to say anything improper…"

…

When they arrived at the county office, Princess You Ruo addressed the gathered officials.

"Are the Chief Officers, Deputies, and Commanders of the Dragon Horse Directorate present?"

Tao Anchun's heart leapt with joy. He stepped forward promptly, saying, "Reporting to Your Highness, I, Tao Anchun, serve as the Right Chief Officer of the Dragon Horse Directorate. All our division heads are present, awaiting your guidance."

His voice trembled slightly as he spoke, as he believed that he was on the cusp of a grand opportunity. After all, why would the Princess inquire specifically about the Dragon Horse Directorate unless she was here because of him?

"Good," Princess You Ruo said, gesturing toward Zhao Xing beside her. "I've brought your new Left Chief Officer of the Dragon Horse Directorate with me."

Her words left everyone momentarily stunned.

Sun Shizhao couldn't help but glance at Zhao Xing beside her, as did Tao Anchun and Dong Yuanqiu, who both looked utterly dumbfounded.

"His name is Zhao Xing, and he is the newly appointed Chief Officer of the Dragon Horse Directorate. Why haven't you paid your respects yet?"

Her statement sent ripples of surprise through the group. Even officials from other divisions of the Shennong Office rose from their seats to offer congratulations.

"Congratulations on your new post, Lord Zhao!" they chorused.

The Dragon Horse Directorate officials, including Tao Anchun, Dong Yuanqiu, and the others, were especially shocked.

It wasn't just Zhao Xing's sudden appointment that surprised them—it was also the way Princess You Ruo herself had personally escorted him here and instructed them to honor him publicly. This level of support went beyond a mere endorsement; it was akin to treating Zhao Xing as her kin.

"Subordinate Tao Anchun pays respects to Lord Zhao."

"Subordinate Dong Yuan Qiu pays respects to Lord Zhao."

"Subordinate Bao Shi Qiu pays respects to Lord Zhao."

Every official in attendance from the Dragon Horse Directorate, regardless of rank, bowed respectfully to Zhao Xing.

Seeing this show of deference, Zhao Xing was equally taken aback. Princess You Ruo's display of support had an unexpected effect; some officials were even performing a kneeling salute typically reserved for superiors of noble lineage or significant authority. Her influence over the Eastern Sea territories was even stronger than he had imagined.

"No need for such formality, please rise, everyone," Zhao Xing said, quickly returning their gesture.

He was kneeling at the head of the hall as well, bowing in return as a courtesy. Given the significant number of veteran officials present, including some with status and rank that rivaled his own, he couldn't act aloof.

"Alright, Dragon Horse Directorate officials, you may return to your duties," Princess You Ruo declared. "Zhao Xing, I'll see you off from here."

"Thank you, Your Highness, for escorting me," Zhao Xing bowed again to her.

Though he referred to her as "Master" in private, formal occasions required him to address her as "Your Highness," given that she and Liu Tianning were not formally wed. In public, he had to respect her royal title.

As the qilin airship departed from Bay Island and headed toward the Dragon Horse Directorate on Land Island, a few government airships followed, carrying Dragon Horse Directorate officials.

During the flight, Tao Anchun's spirits plummeted. He had thought he'd struck gold, only to realize he was merely an onlooker to Zhao Xing's grand entrance.

Others on board, however, were busy speculating about Zhao Xing's background and his relationship with Princess You Ruo.

Meanwhile, aboard the qilin airship, Zhao Xing took note of the island's natural geography as they approached.

"Twin Island's bay area may be small, but the land island itself is massive," he observed. "The climate here is less stable than on the mainland. Although it's past the autumn equinox, the weather is still unbearably hot, with no sign of cooler temperatures."

"The land's geological features are rather average, too. Though the area is vast, it's less prosperous than places like Nanyang County. I wonder if it can even support the seedlings I've brought."

His thoughts were interrupted when he noticed the leading airship lowering its altitude.

Their destination wasn't far; within about fifteen minutes, they arrived at the Dragon Horse Directorate.

"Lord Zhao," Dong Yuanqiu hurried forward as Zhao Xing disembarked. "This, here, is the main base of the Dragon Horse Directorate."

"Thank you for leading the way," Zhao Xing replied with a polite smile.

The recently dejected Tao Anchun observed Dong Yuanqiu's fawning display and couldn't help but silently criticize him. He hadn't expected Dong Yuanqiu to jump at the chance to curry favor so blatantly.

After Zhao Xing disembarked, Tao Anchun quickly tried to insert himself into the interaction.

"Lord Zhao, would you like to gather all the division officers for an address?"

With few exotic beasts left to manage, the only subjects left to command were people.

"No need for any grand assembly. I've only just arrived and am still unfamiliar with the situation here," Zhao Xing replied. "Until I'm up to speed, there will be no personnel changes or audits of the Directorate's accounts."

"Tao Anchun, since you've been handling the role of Chief Officer for the past three years, I'll have you continue overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Dragon Horse Directorate."

Zhao Xing's words were no surprise to either man. It was expected that he would take time to familiarize himself with the Directorate before issuing orders, especially given his background in the military rather than civil administration.

Seeing his new superior's restrained approach, both men breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed they would retain some control over the Directorate's functions.

...

Upon settling into the Dragon Horse Directorate, Zhao Xing declined all social invitations from Twin County officials. Internally, he made no staff changes either. Instead, he went silent, seemingly burying himself in study or training.

Contrary to the typical expectation that a new official would "start with three fires," Zhao Xing had no fires, not even a spark. He seemed to disappear into the Directorate, paying no attention to political affairs or even basic administration.

So, what was Zhao Xing up to?

He was learning a new art.

"Mastery in specialized fields is essential," Zhao Xing mused. "The techniques required for a civil Shennong's beast-taming are new to me, but I need to master them quickly."

Although he possessed advanced techniques like the Jing Lei Transformation, which could influence the behavior of powerful beasts, such skills were unsuited for the fragile beasts here, none of which could survive the thunderous transformation.

Instead, he focused on civil techniques.

"There are three main categories of beast-taming methods required for a Shennong by the Taipu Temple."

"The first category is called 'Universal Communication,' which enables communication with beasts."

How does one communicate with beasts? By learning their language—this allows complex commands and more refined training.

"The second category is called 'Enslavement Seals.' These are powerful techniques used to compel more dangerous beasts into submission."

Many exotic beasts are naturally fierce and unruly, particularly the higher-ranked ones, making mere communication difficult. Thus, enslavement seals were developed to impose control, especially over powerful and mature beasts.

"The third category is 'Soul Contracts,' which can only be applied once the Divine Selection Office is reestablished."

This soul-bound contract was commonly used in Dao Academies and allowed seamless coordination between master and beast. However, it demanded specific skills, bloodline strength, and spiritual connection.

"The beasts I train here will eventually be distributed among the royal family, the military, or various Dao Academies."

"These three methods each represent a different tier of mastery, so I'll start with Universal Communication."

With this in mind, Zhao Xing opened the Beast Speech Method Manual and took out a special item, the Echo Shell, which recorded various beast calls.

"To learn the Beast Speech Method, certain prerequisites are essential," he noted.

"Voice training, for instance, and proficiency in sound manipulation."

Fortunately, Zhao Xing had previously trained in sonic martial techniques, and with the various elixirs he'd taken in the Dao Academy, his physique had become resilient enough to hear different sound frequencies, fulfilling these prerequisites.

He began studying the Beast Speech Method Manual.

On the first day, the neighing sounds of a purple-horned horse echoed through the estate.

"Neehee"

It wasn't perfect at first, but with his ability to check his progress, Zhao Xing quickly corrected himself whenever he went off-track. Soon enough, he had mastered the Beast Speech of the purple-horned horse.

Once he felt his progress plateau, he switched to the next beast sound.

...

On the second day, Zhao Xing had mastered three types of Beast Speech.

By the seventh day, he had learned eighteen types.

By the fifteenth day, Zhao Xing had thoroughly mastered the Beast Speech of all lower-grade beasts and began studying mid-grade ones, including those of Heavenly Horses, Qilins, Earth Dragons, Tiger Dragons, and more.

...

Days turned into weeks, and soon it was December 15, Jingxin Era, Year 20.

It had been two and a half months since Zhao Xing had taken office, and he finally emerged from seclusion, stepping out of the Chief Officer's residence.

Zhao Xing left quietly, notifying no one.

"Let's start with a visit to the Heavenly Horse Stables in Tuoquan Palace."

For Zhao Xing, ungraded beasts held little interest. With millions of them roaming free on the island, he had no plans to check on them individually. These beasts were primarily fodder and would likely end up on the dining tables of the local aristocracy.

However, the graded beasts had a different status. Only those with certain qualities were housed in Tuoquan Palace, which housed the Directorate's 1,054 graded exotic beasts—those who might one day serve the military or royal family.

"Although the previous Chief Officer left only a few dozen graded beasts three years ago, the Directorate managed to nurse their numbers back up to over a thousand. However, this is still far too few for any meaningful selection or training," Zhao Xing reflected.

There were currently 1,054 graded beasts, while the Directorate employed over eight hundred officials.

The number of officials almost rivaled that of the beasts!

To be honest, it was surprising the court hadn't downsized the Directorate. They were operating at a significant loss, as their expenses vastly outweighed the limited output of these beasts.

Without enough high-quality beasts, even students from Dao Academies had little interest in visiting Twin Island for selection.

Zhao Xing approached Tuoquan Palace, where a guard stood, barely awake, leaning on his spear.

At least the guard hadn't abandoned his post—just taken to slacking.

"Awaken!" Zhao Xing snapped his fingers, instantly dispelling the guard's drowsiness.

"Huh?" The guard, suddenly alert, noticed Zhao Xing in his official attire.

"Ah! S-salutations, Lord Zhao!" He stammered, hastily adjusting his helmet and planting his spear firmly in the ground as he bowed.

"What's your name?"

"Your subordinate is named Zhang Tao."

"Do you know the way to the Heavenly Horse Stables in Tuoquan Palace?"

"I do."

"Lead me there."

"Yes, sir."

Zhang Tao carefully led the way, visibly nervous yet reassured by Zhao Xing's calm demeanor.

The Tuoquan Palace complex was vast, composed of numerous interconnected halls. Most of them were empty, gathering dust. As they walked, Zhao Xing passed the abandoned Taotie Palace, which once housed a species of horse called Taotie.

The Taotie horse, coated in blue fur with no wings, was known to cross rivers and scale mountains effortlessly.

The Taotie Horse could travel ten thousand miles in a day without sleep or rest, reaching a speed of ten thousand miles in six hours—a truly remarkable feat of speed and endurance! Even high-speed trains could barely match this pace.

However, Taotie Palace no longer housed the Taotie breed.

Under the aggressive policies of the previous Chief Officer, eighty percent of the one hundred and ten Taotie horses perished in internal elimination rounds, while the remaining twenty percent met their end during the selection for the competitive trials.

Moving past yet another dust-laden palace, Zhao Xing noticed the sign above it, inscribed with the characters Purple Lightning Palace.

This palace was built for another fine breed of warhorse, the Purple Lightning, known for its powerful physique and thunderous hooves.

In the blood-energy war formations, Purple Lightning Horses were classified in the sixth-level array at their peak.

Even back when Long Xiao was at the Seventh Rank, he had slain Qian Shougang using only a fifth-level battle formation.

When a Purple Lightning Horse was ridden into such formations, every strike delivered by the soldiers in the array would carry a thunderous force.

The Purple Lightning was exceptionally resilient, with the ability to absorb some of the rider's injuries. Even outside of formations, Purple Lightning Horses were fierce enough to easily kick a Sixth-Rank warrior to death with a single strike.

Though Purple Lightning ranked lower among mid-grade warbeasts, it was highly sought after by military units.

Its main advantage was its compatibility with war formations, making it more favorable than some Fourth and Fifth-Rank exotic beasts.

But here, Purple Lightning Palace stood only as an empty relic.

Roughly eighty years ago, this place no longer housed Purple Lightning Horses.

"Constructing Purple Lightning Palace must have cost a fortune. Only a palace built from thunderstones could cultivate Purple Lightning properly," Zhao Xing thought to himself.

The absence of Purple Lightning Horses at Purple Lightning Palace could only be attributed to the heavy toll of warfare.

Emperor Jing's two-hundred-year reform era saw great achievements in military campaigns against the Southern Barbarians, expanding the Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture.

However, this expansion came at the expense of many resources accumulated during the rule of Emperor Wen.

During Emperor Wen's era, in the 895th year of his reign (starting from his ascension, not implying he lived for 895 years), peace and prosperity flourished, and resources of all kinds became abundant.

According to the county records Zhao Xing reviewed, at the end of the Yong'an period, Purple Lightning Palace still housed 1,532 Sixth-Rank Purple Lightning Horses and ninety-eight Fifth-Rank Purple Lightning Horses.

Due to the reserves Emperor Wen left behind, the quantity of Purple Lightning Horses continued to grow through the Cheng'an and Yong'an periods.

For Twin County, a mere county to have such a vast number of mid-grade warhorses was impressive.

But by the early Dingxin period, the Purple Lightning Horse population had not only stagnated but began to decline.

By the middle of Dingxin, their numbers dropped sharply.

By the end of the Dingxin period, Purple Lightning Palace was completely sealed off because there were no longer any Purple Lightning Horses left. All had been mobilized for the front lines.

If such depletion occurred under Emperor Jing, the situation only worsened under Emperor Wu, who was even more demanding in his military campaigns.

"Fortunately, the foundation laid by previous rulers was deep enough. Otherwise, by the time of Emperor Wu, there'd have been nothing left to squander," Zhao Xing mused to himself. "If I were the Grand Shennong under Emperor Wu, I wouldn't agree to such wasteful spending. We'd have to be more frugal."

Following Zhang Tao's lead, they soon arrived outside Heavenly Horse Palace.

Currently, Heavenly Horse Palace also stood empty of horses—all had been released for exercise.

"Altogether, there are three hundred and sixty-five Heavenly Horse here, but every one of them is mixed-blood. There isn't a single purebred Heavenly Horse among them," Zhao Xing noted as he reviewed the records.

The term Heavenly Horse referred broadly to any winged horse from the horse species.

Ideally, Heavenly Horse Palace should have housed mid-grade Divine Horse, but this Directorate barely qualified as Dragon Horse due to the lack of quality stock.

Instead, Heavenly Horse Palace's three hundred sixty-five Heavenly Horse were all low-grade beasts with diluted bloodlines, their feathers and coats mottled in various colors.

The highest among them was a mere two-colored Seventh-Rank Heavenly Horse.

"Zhang Tao, do you know who is responsible for overseeing the Heavenly Horse today?" Zhao Xing inquired, casting a stern gaze at Zhang Tao. "Fail to answer, and I will hold you accountable for negligence on duty."

Zhang Tao, wide-eyed with worry, quickly responded, "My lord, from October 15 to December 20, the responsibilities of Heavenly Horse Palace are overseen by Lords Ling Ruoxue and Cao Jiang."

"As for feeding, it is managed personally by Chief Tao Anchun of Divine Feed Palace. Every evening, he arrives punctually after the Heavenly Horse return to the palace at You hour to ensure they finish their meals before leaving. He has not missed a single day in three years."

Zhao Xing nodded. "Good, you're off the hook. But remember, do not fall asleep on duty again."

"Yes, my lord," Zhang Tao replied gratefully before bowing and withdrawing.

Standing guard at Tuoquan Palace may not pay much, but it was a stable job, especially since his family had served here for generations. It was a quiet, steady position close to home, and he was keen not to lose it.

"Tao Anchun seems dedicated, inspecting the Tuoquan Palace every day without fail over the last three years," Zhao Xing pondered.

His intention in questioning Zhang Tao had been to gain an understanding of the Dragon Horse Directorate from the ground up.

If subordinates like Tao Anchun and Dong Yuanqiu proved inadequate, he'd have no qualms requesting Princess You Ruo replace them.

If Zhao Xing was to lead, he needed capable and loyal personnel. Skills could be trained, but the attitude had to be right!

Zhao Xing decided to start by inspecting the Heavenly Horse herd, but as the time reached the first quarter of the You hour, the Heavenly Horse had yet to return to their roost.

Right at that moment, Tao Anchun arrived, just as Zhang Tao had reported, riding a cargo airship to Heavenly Horse Palace.

"My Lord Zhao? What brings you here?" Tao Anchun asked, visibly surprised to see Zhao Xing.

"I just completed my training and wanted to inspect Heavenly Horse Palace," Zhao Xing replied with a smile. "It's a hard job managing the feed. Why not assign it to an officer under you?"

Hearing Zhao Xing's remark, which showed a lack of understanding of the intricacies, Tao Anchun hid a flash of disdain but maintained a polite expression. "Lord Zhao, perhaps you're unaware—Heavenly Horse are extremely picky eaters. To rid them of their mixed colors, they must be fed Fifth-Rank premium feed."

"Every five days, the feed must be changed to maintain a balanced intake of the Five Elements. If not fed correctly, the Heavenly Horse would stagnate or even fall ill."

Of course, Zhao Xing knew this; he'd asked only to confirm Zhang Tao's report and see if Tao Anchun's dedication was genuine or just for show.

He proceeded to ask a few more questions under the guise of consulting, noting that Tao Anchun's answers were thorough and precise. Satisfied, Zhao Xing concluded that Tao Anchun was indeed diligent.

"But, why haven't the Heavenly Horse returned today?" As they talked, Tao Anchun's expression suddenly grew anxious.

It was now the seventh quarter of the You hour, and still, not a single Heavenly Horse had come back.

By usual standards, all Heavenly Horse should be back at the palace by the end of the You hour at the latest.

"There must be a problem," Tao Anchun said decisively, ordering his men to bring in the feed for storage in the palace.

Once the supplies were unloaded, the airship became significantly lighter.

Tao Anchun leaped back onto the airship in haste. "My lord, please wait here while I go find Ling Ruoxue and Cao Jiang."

"I'll come along," Zhao Xing replied, jumping onto the airship swiftly.

Land Island's terrain was vast—ten times the size of Gucheng County. Although most of it was wild, the civil Shennong couldn't use surveillance mirrors in the wilderness, so they relied on the Cloud Law to communicate.

As soon as Tao Anchun boarded the airship, he raised his hand toward the sky.

A Seasonal Qi Command floated up, illuminating the darkening sky.

This technique was called Reverse Heaven Time, allowing the day to extend by an extra hour. By the next morning, another Seasonal Qi Command would need to be used to delay the sunrise by an hour, ensuring the flow of time remained balanced.

At the same time, Tao Anchun activated his Cloud Law.

Cloud formations began to gather, taking the shape of symbols in the sky. These symbols included directional arrows, trigram indicators, and even text, relaying messages to others.

As Tao Anchun spread the call with his Wind Law, he shouted for Ling Ruoxue and Cao Jiang to respond.

However, his reach was limited, and after two quarters of an hour, there was still no response.

After flying for nearly half an hour, they reached Heavenly Horse Lake, the Heavenly Horse herd's frequent roaming grounds, only to find no trace of them.

Neither the Heavenly Horse nor Ling Ruoxue and Cao Jiang could be seen.

By now, the sky had once again darkened.

Being a civil Shennong, Tao Anchun's abilities were limited, and he could no longer sustain the celestial balance.

"What should we do? This is terrible!" Tao Anchun muttered anxiously.

Three hundred Heavenly Horse represented his livelihood and hope. Now, with both the Heavenly Horse and his subordinates missing without a trace, his panic was palpable.

"My turn," Zhao Xing intervened, stopping Tao Anchun before he could harm his own qi by attempting another reversal.

Tao Anchun cast an uncertain glance at Zhao Xing, still unsure but willing to let him try. "Thank you, Lord Zhao."

"Rise!" Zhao Xing extended a hand, sending the Seasonal Qi Command high into the sky.

Hum!

A radiant light akin to the sun's rays illuminated the entire Twin Island. The brightness spread across the island, shocking Tao Anchun with its magnitude.

"This… a second reversal of time to restore three hours of daylight? Lord Zhao's technique is formidable."

"I am a Military Shennong, after all," Zhao Xing said humbly, "so I do have a knack for these things."

As a Military Shennong, Zhao Xing was an elite, a one-in-a-million among his ranks. His prowess far surpassed that of typical civil Shennong officials.

With his display of skill, even Tao Anchun, who had doubted Zhao Xing's abilities, was awestruck.

"Now that the daylight is restored, Ling Ruoxue and Cao Jiang should realize someone is looking for them," Zhao Xing remarked. "Allow me to manage the Cloud Law; I can expand its reach."

As Zhao Xing took control, his mastery over the Cloud Law was astonishing. His cloud symbols spread across the sky, unbounded and visible as far as the eye could see, vastly larger in range than Tao Anchun's attempt.

The sheer scale left Tao Anchun astounded, wondering just how deep the difference was between a Military Shennong and a civil Shennong. This skill far exceeded anything he had ever encountered.

"Lord Zhao, which version of the communication cloud symbols does your division use?" Zhao Xing inquired.

"Oh, we're using the ninth edition issued by Chongming Prefecture. We made some modifications specific to Twin Island," Tao Anchun replied, still visibly impressed.

"No need to go over the whole thing; just point out the adjustments," Zhao Xing said, as his fingers began tracing symbols in the sky.

Drawing cloud symbols and reading cloud paths were essential skills for a Military Shennong. In fact, Zhao Xing had used cloud symbols to detect a sneak attack by the Sha Tribe against the Zhenhai Army's city during his journey to his post at the resupply city.

With Tao Anchun's guidance, Zhao Xing quickly sketched a series of intricate cloud symbols in the sky.

Tao Anchun was captivated; Zhao Xing's symbols were clear, precise, and highly efficient. His mastery was apparent in every stroke, which communicated information more effectively than Tao Anchun's own attempts.

What impressed Tao Anchun even more was Zhao Xing's ability to control the color of the cloud symbols. By adjusting light refractions, he could generate a variety of colors, enabling the messages to be read easily against any background.

In no time, Zhao Xing's cloud display surpassed Tao Anchun's in complexity and visibility, demonstrating a remarkable level of control over the Cloud Law.

Seeing this, Tao Anchun finally realized that Twin Island's Dragon Horse Directorate had gained a truly capable leader. Zhao Xing's talents alone, without any special connections to Princess You Ruo, were more than enough to earn him this post.

"Found them." Zhao Xing felt a response to his signal within the tenth breath after his symbols went up. Ling Ruoxue and Cao Jiang had seen the symbols and replied, allowing Zhao Xing to pinpoint their exact coordinates.

"Found them?!" Tao Anchun exclaimed, his face brightening with relief. "Where?"

"Look." Zhao Xing pointed to the sky, where three arrows appeared in the cloud layer, marking the precise location.

With Zhao Xing's guidance, the direction was so clearly marked that even the simplest-minded could follow it.

With this "navigation" in place, the next steps became straightforward.

In just two quarters of an hour, the airship reached Ling Ruoxue's location.

Neigh! Neigh!

Upon arrival at an unnamed lake, Zhao Xing and Tao Anchun found hundreds of winged horses in flight, with another thousand running along the shore.

The vibrant array of colorful Heavenly Horse filled the skies and ground alike.

Outside the herd, Ling Ruoxue and Cao Jiang were calling out a name repeatedly: "Naga!"

"Naga is the name of the Heavenly Horse King," Tao Anchun explained.

"Oh, you mean the lone Seventh-Rank Heavenly Horse?" Zhao Xing asked.

"Yes," Tao Anchun said, scanning the area. "But I don't see her…"

"She's likely up there," Zhao Xing said, pointing to a distant mountain. "She seems to be undergoing an evolution."

"An evolution?" Tao Anchun squinted, unable to see clearly, but Zhao Xing's observation was soon confirmed.

As they approached, Ling Ruoxue leaped onto the airship, exclaiming excitedly, "Uncle Tao, it's Naga! Naga has evolved!"

Ling Ruoxue, who held the Seventh-Rank Tuoquan Palace Heavenly Horse Seal, seemed quite young.

"Ruoxue, this is our new Lord Zhao," Tao Anchun introduced. "You may not have met him before, but I've mentioned him to you."

"Oh, Uncle Zhao!"

Ling Ruoxue's sweet voice nearly made Zhao Xing choke in surprise.

"Mind your manners, Ruoxue," Tao Anchun scolded, holding back laughter. "Lord Zhao here is only twenty-four, younger than you."

"What?!" Ling Ruoxue looked confused. "Then am I no longer the youngest official in the Dragon Horse Directorate?"

Tao Anchun sighed, exasperated by the young girl's whimsical focus.

Zhao Xing didn't mind and simply laughed. "Ling Ruoxue, we can chat about this later. Let's focus on the current situation."

"Oh, right!" Ling Ruoxue's expression turned serious as she recalled the unfolding event. "I was trying to lead Naga and the others back when…"

Through Ling Ruoxue's animated explanation, Zhao Xing finally understood the reason for the delay.

While grazing during the exercise, Naga encountered a herd of Fire Horses roaming on Land Island.

The Fire Horses, a wild species of horse, had been living undetected in subterranean caves for many years, eluding the scrutiny of even the most rigorous Dragon Horse Directorate regimes.

Over time, this hidden population of Fire Horses had grown to include over two hundred graded individuals.

Among them, a Seventh-Rank Fire Horse King had emerged.

In the wilderness, two kings could not coexist. When Naga discovered the Fire Horse King, a battle ensued, with both horse kings rallying their respective herds.

Notably, the Fire Horse King had recently ascended to the Sixth Rank.

Though Naga's bloodline was more prestigious than that of the Fire Horse, she refused to yield, charging headlong into the Fire Horse King's challenge despite the rank difference.

As she and the Fire Horse King clashed, she ignored the calls of Ling Ruoxue and Cao Jiang, charging after the Fire Horse King as he fled deeper into the wilderness.

With their king leading the way, the entire Heavenly Horse herd followed her, leading Ling Ruoxue and Cao Jiang on a wild chase that only took them further from Heavenly Horse Palace.

"Uncle Tao, Lord Zhao, that Fire Horse King is devious! He pretended to be defeated, luring Naga away in an attempt to claim her as his mate!"

"Once she realized the deception, Naga turned on him with fury, rallying her herd to retaliate. During the fight, she even evolved to the Sixth Rank."

"This is an incredible discovery!" Tao Anchun beamed. "The Fire Horse Palace has been sealed for five years. I thought this breed was completely gone."

"We are fortunate indeed," Ling Ruoxue added with a grin. "Lord Zhao must bring good luck to have arrived just in time for such a discovery."

Zhao Xing chuckled, amused by her praise. In truth, Ling Ruoxue's words were not entirely off the mark—his Derivation Five fortune likely played a role in the emergence of these two Sixth-Rank horses.

"However, the problem now is that Naga has once again engaged the Fire Horse King in combat, refusing to heed our commands," Ling Ruoxue said, her face clouding with worry. "Neither Uncle Cao nor I can control her, nor can we subdue the Fire Horse King. Uncle Tao, please bring Naga back before injuries occur within the herd."

"Understood." Tao Anchun nodded, quickly flying toward Naga's position.

"Naga! Return!"

Tao Anchun approached Naga and attempted to cast a binding spell. He soon spotted her—a pure blue Heavenly Horse, her wings of matching color, though her tail still retained a hint of mixed color.

Her evolution had only recently completed, and her body emitted a faint, ethereal glow.

Her hooves seemed to summon a breeze tinged with blue as she raised her wings, firing feather-like projectiles toward the Fire Horse King.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

Countless feathers, like arrows, whistled through the air, boosted by the force of the wind, making them nearly impossible to track.

Sizzle! The Fire Horse King reared back, its mane ablaze, incinerating the blue feathers in a burst of flames.

It flicked its tail, sending a stream of fire toward Naga, but at the last moment, the flames retracted.

Neigh! Neigh! The Fire Horse King stood on a distant hill, issuing what seemed like mocking neighs.

"Naga! Come back!" Tao Anchun called out again.

Naga looked back briefly before charging at the Fire Horse King once more, her pride refusing to let the mockery slide.

Swoosh!

With a powerful leap, Naga dodged Tao Anchun's binding spell and resumed her pursuit of the Fire Horse King.

"She's much faster and more powerful after evolving," remarked Cao Jiang, who had joined Tao Anchun. He was both elated and frustrated—elated by Naga's progress but frustrated by her defiance.

"If this fight continues, both sides might suffer heavy losses. We should help Naga drive the Fire Horse King away," Tao Anchun suggested.

Just then, a resonant neigh echoed across the landscape.

Both Naga and the Fire Horse King paused, momentarily stunned.

The Fire Horse King grew visibly agitated, pawing the ground furiously, while Naga's gaze turned curious as she looked toward the airship.

Ling Ruoxue's eyes widened in astonishment as she turned to Zhao Xing. "Lord Zhao, how are you influencing Naga?"

Zhao Xing was using the Ten Thousand Beasts True Speech: Heavenly Horse, communicating directly with Naga in the authentic sounds of a Heavenly Horse.

After a few calls, he switched to the Fire Horse King's language, briefly confusing Naga as she mistook him for a rival horse king with a stronger, more sophisticated aura, one that did not rely on brute force but exuded gentleness and sophistication.

"Now!" Tao Anchun seized the moment, casting a powerful spell to bind Naga, bringing her under control and leading her back to the airship.

Meanwhile, after a few defiant calls toward Zhao Xing, the Fire Horse King abandoned the confrontation, leading the Fire Horse herd away into retreat.

"Tao Anchun, we can't let the Fire Horses escape," Zhao Xing declared, excitement evident in his voice. "With over two hundred Fire Horses, our Dragon Horse Directorate has a real chance. They're one of the most suitable breeds for battle."

"Indeed! Lord Zhao, please allow me to pursue them," Tao Anchun replied enthusiastically.

"You stay here," Zhao Xing replied, "I'll handle it myself."

The Fire Horse King had been crafty, attempting to flee the confrontation entirely. But escaping Zhao Xing's grasp would not be so simple.

"Wind, heed my command!"

Zhao Xing summoned the power of the Nine Heavens Gale, riding the powerful wind to close the distance between himself and the fleeing Fire Horse King.

"Lord Zhao's speed… incredible!" Ling Ruoxue exclaimed in admiration. "He's even faster than the Fire Horse King!"

Cao Jiang, watching from the airship, turned to Tao Anchun. "This is the Zhao Xing you mentioned, our new Left Chief Officer?"

"Yes," Tao Anchun confirmed. "He just finished his training, so I managed most of the administrative tasks until now."

"His abilities are exceptional," Cao Jiang remarked.

"Exceptional doesn't even cover it," Tao Anchun said, shaking his head. "I've encountered Military Shennong before, but Lord Zhao is different—he's on another level."

"Really? What makes him so extraordinary?"

"Just look at the clouds. He has maintained the Cloud Law from twenty miles away!"

"What?" Cao Jiang gasped, astonished. "We're at least a hundred miles from Tuoquan Palace. Are you saying his Cloud Law extends beyond eighty miles?"

"Exactly," Tao Anchun confirmed, shaking his head in disbelief.

"That's impossible," Cao Jiang muttered. "No Sixth-Rank Shennong should be able to sustain such a massive cloud field!"

Eighty miles of Cloud Law influence was unheard of. And given that the effect radiated from its caster, this range likely represented only the radius.

If true, Zhao Xing's Cloud Law covered an area of unimaginable scale.

Tao Anchun gestured to the sky, saying, "I wouldn't have believed it myself had I not witnessed it."

"Not only is his Cloud Law mastery unmatched, but his command of the Seasonal Qi Command is equally astonishing. After I reversed the time once, he managed to reverse it again within the same area."

"Take a close look at the brightness—can you tell how many hours he has shifted it?"

Cao Jiang assessed the daylight carefully, his expression one of disbelief. "Has the You hour been turned back to Wu hour?"

"That's correct," Tao Anchun confirmed. "Our current time is well ahead of what it should be."

"An extraordinary feat for a Sixth-Rank Military Shennong."

Cao Jiang and Tao Anchun, both experienced officials, were left speechless by Zhao Xing's abilities. In their eyes, his feats were almost mythical.

As for Ling Ruoxue, she lacked the depth of understanding in Cloud and Qi techniques but quickly realized his skill when she observed his performance firsthand.

"Uncle Tao, Uncle Cao, look! Lord Zhao has already caught up with the Fire Horse King!"

Ling Ruoxue pointed excitedly. "His wind technique has completely blocked the Fire Horses' escape route. Their speed is slowing down!"

All eyes turned to the mountain range ahead, where a towering wall of azure wind appeared—a Wind Wall one hundred zhang high, seemingly moving the entire Nine Heavens Gale down to ground level.

Blocked by the wind barrier, the Fire Horse King and his herd slowed drastically.

"His mastery of the Wind Law is equally extraordinary."

Tao Anchun and Cao Jiang both felt chills run down their spines as they watched.

"Are you certain he's not Fifth Rank?"

"I wish I knew…"

Just then, Ling Ruoxue shouted once more, her voice filled with awe. "He's actually mounted the Fire Horse King! How incredible!"

Both Tao Anchun and Cao Jiang were left in a state of utter astonishment. If his mastery of the Cloud and Qi techniques showcased the difference between civil and Military Shennong, his feat of directly taming the wild, flame-wielding Fire Horse King with his bare hands was simply inconceivable.

This was no ordinary Shennong.