Chapter 382: I

"I don't know him; I took True Dragon Essence Blood, and the True Dragon Essence Blood was given to me by an elder!" Wei Yuning said ambiguously.

"Alright, alright, Lord Ming Huo, don't scare little Brother Wei; you have a grudge with that Jade Dragon, don't take it out on the junior!" the Great Tree Immortal interjected suddenly.

"Yes, Great Tree Immortal!" Seeing the Great Luo Golden Immortal speak, Ming Huo hummed, turned his head, and no longer looked at Wei Yuning.

The Eight-Arm Elder Immortal chuckled and said, "Junior Brother Wei may be young, but his cultivation is already extremely high; becoming a True Immortal is imminent. In the Immortal Realm we'll all be colleagues, Brother Ming Huo, so don't fuss about it!"

Ming Huo pursed his lips helplessly, "With the two of you here, even if I wanted to fuss I lack the courage. Forget it, consider what I just said as if I never said it!"

"Ha ha, that's right—more friends, more paths! Junior Brother Wei may be young, but his merits are considerable! Capturing this Kunkju region from the demonic cultivators went smoothly thanks to him! Marshal Feng Lei Zi also values him highly, but unfortunately this fellow likes to slack off, only hiding in the Heavenly Fire Stove to cook!" Wan Jun interjected promptly.

"Since Junior Brother Wei is a flesh-body cultivator, it would be a waste not to slay the ready demonic cultivators; this time I'll take you with me!" the Eight-Arm Elder Immortal said enthusiastically.

"This time? Where are we going?" Wei Yuning asked with a frown.

"Naturally it's Bai…"

Seeing this, Wan Jun quickly cut off the Eight-Arm Elder Immortal, saying, "Brother Eight-Arm, Wei Junior doesn't need to join this operation; he does an excellent job at the Heavenly Fire Stove. Not only the Right Path army soldiers, but also a batch of mid‑high ranking generals rely on the stove for their meals!"

The Eight-Arm Elder Immortal shrugged and said nothing further.

Wan Jun smiled and nodded at the Eight-Arm Elder Immortal, then turned to Wei Yuning and continued, "Marshal Feng Lei Zi's commendation just arrived, praising your bravery and strategy. In addition to approving my promotion of you, he has elevated you to Deputy Strategist, granting you deliberation rights over major military actions as well as the right to offer counsel!"

"Thank you for Marshal Feng Lei Zi's trust!" Wei Yuning said.

Wan Jun nodded and continued, "However, this honor comes with a condition: because your background isn't entirely clean, you must take a Dao oath not to disclose military secrets to outsiders within the stipulated time; otherwise you retain only the right to advise, not the right to deliberate!"

"Brother Wan, that's wrong! He is my Shenwu Sect disciple, a flesh-body cultivator with a Yang God body, naturally an enemy of demonic cultivators; how can his background be unclean? A Dao oath affects the Tribulation crossing; if Junior Brother Wei were to slip and leak it, that would be a huge loss!" the Eight-Arm Elder Immortal retorted Wan Jun without waiting for Wei Yuning, also explaining to Wei Yuning, fearing he might rashly agree.

Unfortunately, he still didn't understand Wei Yuning; how could Wei Yuning possibly take such an oath? Moreover, deliberation rights over major military actions hold no appeal for him; he avoids such matters altogether.

Everyone's eyes turned to Wei Yuning, waiting to see his decision!

"General Wan, perhaps you could revoke the strategist title as well! I have no interest in warfare; let me return to honestly being a cook!" Wei Yuning said.

"Uh…" Wan Jun's face turned awkward; Wei Yuning not only refused the oath but also didn't want to be a strategist. If Marshal Feng Lei Zi learned of this, he would surely scold him for being incompetent.

The nearby Hei Long Ming Huo, Great Tree Immortal, and Eight-Arm Elder Immortal widened their eyes in disbelief, staring at Wei Yuning.

Positions among the Celestial Soldiers aren't obtained casually; they bring many benefits, including assistance during the Tribulation crossing and conveniences after entering the Immortal Realm, far beyond what a newly entered, rogue little immortal can compare to.

Ming Huo was originally displeased with this "half‑fake same‑clan" individual, but seeing how remarkable he is, Ming Huo's view of Wei Yuning changed dramatically, feeling a mutual respect.

Beast cultivators in the Immortal Realm, though powerful, generally depend on the great human cultivators and often serve as mounts for human cultivators; Ming Huo is a rare relatively independent beast immortal. Though he doesn't wish to leave the Immortal Realm, he naturally resents its bureaucracy, a sentiment akin to Wei Yuning's rebelliousness.

The Great Luo Golden Immortal Ju Mu intended to speak, but seeing the Eight-Arm Elder Immortal's unsettled expression, he remained silent.

"Alright, alright, since Brother Eight-Arm vouches, you needn't take the oath; just remember not to casually spread confidential information. Within the Demon‑Eradication Army, there's no guarantee there aren't demonic scouts!" Wan Jun said.

Hearing this, the Eight-Arm Elder Immortal immediately quit, humming and angrily saying, "Brother Wan, you can't speak recklessly! When did I ever vouch for Wei? Whether he truly is a Shenwu Sect disciple I only heard his side, I don't know the truth! So if you want to use him, use him; if not, send him back to be a cook. Besides, he doesn't even like being this labor‑intensive strategist! This is something your Marshal Feng Lei Zi begged me to do!"

Hei Long Ming Huo, hearing this, laughed and agreed, "Eight‑Arm junior finally said something I can swallow!"

The Great Luo Golden Immortal Ju Mu let out a light chuckle and said nothing.

Wan Jun's previously stern, horizontal brow turned into a "jiong" expression.

Wei Yuning, seeing this, immediately declared, "I promise not to tell outsiders!"

Hearing this, the Demon‑Eradication Army commander finally found a foothold, thinking the kid wasn't completely foolish, he hummed lightly and said, "If so, it's settled then!"

"Thank you, Marshal Feng Lei Zi, thank you, General Wan!" Wei Yuning thanked again.

"Alright, from now on you're considered high‑ranking in the Demon‑Eradication Army, even though… your subordinates are just a few cooks, they're still important, ha ha!" Wan Jun couldn't help but burst into laughter.

In the history of the Demon‑Eradication Army, there has never been a kitchen overseer in the core decision‑making layer; this Wei Zhuang thus set a precedent.

"General Wan, speaking of cooks, I almost forgot! The next meal's provisions still need my preparation; any later and it'll affect the serving time." Wei Yuning said, seizing the chance.

Wan Jun, his beard bristling with anger, shouted, "The deliberations haven't even started; you can't leave! Besides, the Heavenly Fire Stove has dozens of cooks—can it function without you? They can't work?"

"It really can't! The food's ingredients involve my exclusive secret recipe; it must never be disclosed!" Wei Yuning said.

"Why can't it be shared? In the name of the Demon‑Eradication Army, I'll buy the formula; tell me your price, I can pay!" Wan Jun said generously, intending to bind the cultivator with promised benefits.