Chapter 19: If You Can't Beat Them, Join Them

"Changqing, I have to say, your luck is really incredible."

In the inn, Sun Ju and Sun Lin walked into the room. Looking at the two books on the table, Sun Ju spoke, "First, memorize these martial arts and techniques, but don't rush to start practicing them. In two days, we will head to the Border Mountain Range."

"So soon?" Changqing was a little surprised.

"Well, that's how lucky you are," Sun Ju replied. "The Town Prison Division announced today that they're offering a higher price than usual for the bounty on the demonic creatures in the Border Mountain Range. They also want to investigate the Demon Path cultivators. If we can find a person named Li Qianfan, the Black Sword Youth, the reward will be comparable to hunting demonic beasts."

"Black Sword Youth? Li Qianfan?" Changqing silently memorized the name.

"Yes, but don't worry. Li Qianfan is only at the Sixth Layer of the Spirit Awakening Realm. Although my cultivation is a bit weaker than his, we won't have to fight him. Once we report his whereabouts, the Town Prison Division will send a Ninth Layer Spirit Awakening Realm Yellow-Level Prison Officer to capture him."

As he spoke, Sun Ju threw Changqing a piece of silver, "Take this ten liang of silver, buy some supplies for yourself, and make sure you're well prepared."

The two of them quickly left. They had only come to check on Changqing and make sure he could be trusted to pull his weight.

Changqing pocketed the two silver ingots and walked back to the window. His ears perked up as he listened to the chatter of passersby on the street below.

"So, they were worried I might run away," Changqing said.

Nearby, Dongfang Lan couldn't help but laugh.

On the street, the Town Prison officers seemed to be "recruiting," telling cultivators they had worked with before that they needed to head to the Border Mountain Range. Those eager to join the Town Prison Division for steady work were in high demand.

Being able to join the officers made the trip to the Border Mountain Range feel much safer. It would strengthen their relationships, earn them a handsome reward, and provide a chance for fast cultivation.

"If their cultivation can improve, they won't even need to wait in line in Pingchuan City. They could go to a big city in the inland area and work as mercenaries."

"Something feels off about this mission. When do you plan to take action?"

"When they are separated," Changqing said.

"With such an organized group heading to the Border Mountain Range, there must be something special about Li Qianfan. Either his identity is crucial, or... does the Town Prison Division know where the safe zones are in the Border Mountain Range?"

Dongfang Lan thought for a moment, "The spiritual energy tide has passed for a year now. There must be quite a few spirit beasts in the outer regions of the Border Mountain Range. Someone once suggested using this as an opportunity to provide space for young cultivators to grow, but the plan was never implemented."

"Looking at it now, the real obstacle is the bottom-tier system in the Town Prison Division. Prison officers and mercenaries have no hope of promotion. Even if they go to the Border Mountain Range to train, they will still have no competitive advantage compared to cultivators from inland cities... No hefty rewards, no reason to take risks."

Changqing smiled, "Just doing the bare minimum, huh? You seem pretty concerned about this mission. Is there anything more than just Li Qianfan?"

Dongfang Lan's expression grew serious.

She sighed, "Only the military would know the safe areas of the Border Mountain Range. The fact that the Town Prison Division is organizing this trip means they must have inside information. This is a very sensitive matter. The Town Prison Division and the military have always kept a clear distance from each other."

Dongfang Lan looked worried.

The national advisor, Zhao Zhen, had colluded with the remnants of the Great Demon Soul. Only she knew about it in the entire Qingyun Kingdom. Even the emperor, Dongfang Mo, might not know.

In fact, they might not even know about the existence of the Great Demon Soul in the royal palace's underground chambers!

If the military were involved too, things would become even more complicated.

On the street, Liu Shanhe looked up at the window of the inn. He hadn't expected the genius he wanted to meet to be so young. He also hadn't expected that in just half a day, this genius had mastered the Wind Gathering Sword to perfection.

Martial arts and spells come with different levels of proficiency:

Getting a glimpse: Basic understanding, can be used.

Mastery: Full understanding of the essence.

Perfection: Complete combat power unleashed.

Peak mastery: Able to freely change forms.

Achieving the fourth level of proficiency is not something that can be done through simple hard work. It requires extremely high talent and comprehension. Even an obscure martial technique could reach the peak with the right skills.

Liu Shanhe stroked his beard. He had never heard of a non-mainstream martial technique reaching perfection.

He was eager to go upstairs, but then he suddenly realized that this "genius" was muttering to himself. However, after listening for a while, it seemed like he was talking to someone.

Using his spiritual sense to scan the room, Liu Shanhe found nothing unusual.

Changqing and Dongfang Lan also noticed the strange old man.

The street was busy, but the only one who was staring directly at Changqing was this old man.

When Dongfang Lan saw him, her expression turned puzzled. She thought for a moment, then her eyes widened in surprise.

"Could it be him? How is he still in the Liuyun Continent?"

"Who?" Changqing asked.

"The Border General, Liu Shanhe!"

Dongfang Lan said in a low voice, "Once every ten years, the Liuyun Continent holds the 'Wind and Cloud Arena,' which is a stage for young geniuses. The top 100 can be transported to the Heavenly Realm. But this is not the only way to reach the Heavenly Realm."

"The Wind and Cloud Arena is located in the Boundless Cloud Sea. There's a stone stele called the Cloud Sea Stele Mountain. By climbing this stele, one can also reach the Heavenly Realm, but the journey is perilous..."

Dongfang Lan was puzzled. Even if she met National Advisor Zhao Zhen here, she wouldn't be this surprised.

Now, seeing Liu Shanhe, who was supposed to be on his way to the Heavenly Realm, Dongfang Lan was starting to think that perhaps he had failed or never even tried to climb the Cloud Sea Stele Mountain.

"You may be facing more than just National Advisor Zhao Zhen and the remnants of the Great Demon Soul," Dongfang Lan said bitterly. "In the Liuyun Continent, even the Celestial Realm cultivators can't control everything. No matter how powerful one's personal combat strength is, it can't compare to an army."

"Why would I stand against an army?" Changqing shrugged. "If I can't beat them, I'll join them."

At first, Dongfang Lan might have thought that Changqing was about to "betray" them, but after getting to know him better, she realized that while Changqing had a rebellious streak, he was a person of integrity.

He was planning to lie low.

But then, Changqing said something that completely stunned her, leaving her speechless.

Changqing looked out the window at the old man still staring at him and said, "General, you've been listening for so long. Why not come up and talk?"

Dongfang Lan was shocked. Liu Shanhe, standing outside, was equally dumbfounded.

"General? This kid knows me?"