Chapter 99

November 11, 7:00 AM.

The sky was already clear and bright.

Zhao Xing took Zong Shichang's carriage and returned to the city with the officials.

"...I fell asleep last night, and when I woke up, it was already 3:00 AM. At first, I didn't know what was going on, but when I heard the teacher say that the Profound Heaven Sect appeared last night, I was almost scared to death!"

"Fortunately, you let me sleep at the entrance, oh no, plant at the entrance. As soon as I woke up, I was discovered by the Donghu Army. It is said that there was no battle in that area." Zong Shichang covered his chest, lingering in fear.

Zhao Xing listened to his recounting, unable to say anything. Zong Shichang was eroded by the dream-entering soul, yet he actually slept until 3:00 AM?

Was it good luck, or was he ignored?

The Profound Heaven Sect didn't bewitch all officials.

The vast majority of Agricultural Official officials were eroded and then slept soundly, unconscious.

The ones they really targeted were only Zhao Xing, Li Chengfeng, Wen Nanxing, Xiao Ze, and those on the A-list for a long time.

But wasn't Zong Shichang also on the A-list for a long time?

Why did he get the treatment of a vegetable?

"Young Master Zong, Young Master Zong, I really don't know whether to be happy or sad for you." Zhao Xing thought in his heart.

Seeing him talk non-stop, Zhao Xing interrupted: "Brother Zong, allow me to rest for a while."

Seeing this, Zong Shichang immediately stopped: "I understand, I won't ask, rest assured, I will silently remember this favor."

Zhao Xing closed his eyes and entered a dream instantly.

He used the dream-saving method to reproduce the scene of these three days and three nights, and did not let go of every detail.

After the review, the reason for the reappearance of the Blood Spirit Venerable was roughly determined.

"I'm afraid it's because I practiced the Great Dream Spring and Autumn, which was seen by him."

In fact, the moment the Blood Spirit Venerable appeared, Zhao Xing thought of this possibility.

Because he had no other place that could attract the other party to appear in person.

At that time, Zhao Xing also wanted to cover it up, and didn't even release his biggest killer move, the Sleepy Bug.

But thinking about it now, it didn't matter whether he released it or not.

The other party didn't intend to do anything at all, just came to confirm.

"Then what did he come to confirm? Confirm whether I really practiced the Great Dream Spring and Autumn? Thought I got the Great Dream Spring and Autumn and am a descendant of the Nightmare Sect?"

"That's not right. The Profound Heaven Sect and the Nightmare Sect have no connection. There is no need to come and see me specifically... Then was he for the Great Dream Spring and Autumn technique?"

"Maybe it's not just the technique, but also the Soul Armor?" Zhao Xing pondered for a moment and left the dream.

"Standing from the perspective of the Blood Spirit Venerable, whether I am a descendant of the Nightmare Sect or obtained it by chance, it has great attraction to him. I'm afraid he wants to hunt me and take my treasure."

After thinking clearly, Zhao Xing felt relieved instead.

He is not afraid of trouble, but afraid of not knowing what the trouble is.

Anyway, the Profound Heaven Sect is a hostile camp, and it will be inevitable to meet in the future. Whether it is the Blood Spirit Venerable or the Water Spirit Venerable, there is no difference.

He wants to hunt himself, who knows the Profound Heaven Sect quite well, and the difficulty is not ordinary. He is going to the Divine Might Army soon, where there are many strong people, and the Blood Spirit Venerable cannot come to kill him and take the treasure.

As for the future? Then it's unclear who kills whom.

He is not worried about the Blood Spirit Venerable, but rather worried about whether there will be strong people in Great Zhou who covet him.

After all, external enemies are not terrible, internal enemies are terrible.

"As I get more and more treasures from the Great Dream Academy, one day it will be exposed."

"But since I dare to accept this opportunity, I must accept this cause and effect." Zhao Xing's eyes were firm.

Afraid of this and that, what's the point of seeking immortality? Might as well die early!

As long as one becomes strong enough, one will naturally be fearless of all challenges!

"After this matter, it's time to talk to Old Chen."

"Becoming an official is a sure thing for me, and there will be a selection opportunity immediately after. If we don't discuss it in advance and I am arranged to be an official elsewhere, that would be troublesome."

"Wait for Old Chen to deal with this matter first."

November 11, Gucheng County Office posted a notice.

The Profound Heaven Sect monsters intended to commit treason in Nanyang Commandery on the night of the 10th.

There were four county towns where monster chaos appeared.

The Gucheng County Office and the Donghu Army timely stopped the monster chaos in the county, killing a total of 178 Profound Heaven Sect monsters and believers.

As for casualties, the notice didn't mention them, just skipped over them.

Zhao Xing later learned the specific battle report at the Chen Mansion.

"The situation is actually basically the same as what the county office announced." Chen Shijie said: "The purpose of the Profound Heaven Sect's action was to catch people, not to kill people, and because of proper control, the casualties in Anping Town were very small."

"That night, the vast majority of the people didn't even notice the movement at the scene."

"However, there were casualties. When the Donghu Army was chasing, a few people died and a dozen were injured."

"The officials were not injured, but the Agricultural Office lost four officials, and the other departments lost two each. However, this matter was not reported as missing, but directly reported as heroic death in battle."

Zhao Xing nodded. Obviously, the missing ones were abducted.

Reported as missing persons, the family members would get nothing except thinking about this matter all the time.

Reported as heroic death in battle, they could get a pension.

According to the Profound Heaven Sect's actions, the abducted officials could not be found back. They would only appear again after decades, and by then, the relatives would probably be dead.

So it is normal to close the case like this.

Zhao Xing glanced at the missing list. Li Chengfeng was indeed on it. He still couldn't be saved after all.

The other two were also on the A-list, but they were much inferior to Li Chengfeng.

Chen Shijie said: "After the Nanyang Commandery Prince killed that soul, the Profound Heaven Sect's stronghold in Gucheng was completely exposed, and all practitioners and believers were discovered. Overall, Gucheng's performance was the most outstanding."

"Killing foreign monsters has always been a great merit, and all departments involved have merit."

Speaking of this, Chen Shijie showed a smile: "My transfer order was signed before, and this matter happened after, so I can directly count the battle merit. Civil officials will be rewarded, and Li Wen should be given a scattered rank, counted in the political achievements of 'guarding the place'."

As for the officials? These merits are only enough for officials to divide. The participating officials only have a bonus. How much is distributed to each department depends on the conscience of the main official of each department.

But at most, it's only a few dozen taels, and it's impossible for everyone to have so much.

Zhao Xing didn't care. Being able to solve the Profound Heaven Sect stronghold entrenched in Nanyang Commandery and let himself go to the Divine Might Army without worries is good.

With the Blood Evil Bead and the Blood Spirit Needle, he no longer cares about the imperial court's bonus.

"As for the results of the Agricultural Office's Beginning of Winter assessment." Chen Shijie said, "As long as you participated, you are all qualified, and this bonus is distributed to everyone. Those who participated in the exam have it, and each person gets about ten taels."

"Long Xiao and I won't take it."

Chen Shijie didn't mention Zhao Xing either, obviously treating him as one of his own, and he made the decision directly for this small amount of money.

"Then wouldn't I not be able to get an A+?" Zhao Xing said.

Chen Shijie laughed: "Li Wen and I guaranteed you to participate in the temple examination, and Fan Dongping and Ji Ming of the commandery nodded. What kind of evaluation do you still want?"

"You don't even need to participate in the winter evaluation. Just prepare for the temple examination next spring."

The winter evaluation is the assessment at the Winter Solstice, which is also the last assessment of the year.

However, hearing Chen Shijie say this, Zhao Xing doesn't need to spend this effort.

Just wait for the temple examination next spring to pass, and he can become an official.

The temple examination combines actual combat and theory. The imperial court directly sets questions through the temple, and the Yin God and the designated main official supervise the examination together.

After the exam on the day, the results will be out in three days.

Originally there was nothing to do. After thinking about it, Zhao Xing handed the Blood Evil Bead and the Blood Spirit Needle to Chen Shijie: "I have no use for these two things. Please help me exchange them for money."

"Yo? You kid have a good harvest." Just then, Long Xiao walked in from the training ground outside. "These are good things, where did they come from?"

"He killed a deputy hall master." Chen Shijie helped explain. "I didn't even use the Protector Straw Man you rubbed."

"Not bad, stronger than Old Chen the Second back then." Long Xiao praised.

Zhao Xing didn't answer because he saw Chen Shijie's mouth twitching.

But it seems that Long Xiao made a great contribution this time, and Chen Shijie didn't say anything, letting Long Xiao show off.

"I want this bead." Long Xiao picked up the Blood Evil Bead and put it into his arms without ceremony, "When you arrive at the Divine Might Army, I will calculate the points of equal value for you. If you want to buy anything, find me to help you buy it then."

"Okay." Zhao Xing nodded. The army doesn't use gold and silver, but uses a point system instead.

This kind of point system is not only popular in the army, but also in Great Zhou's seventy-two academies and academies. There are also "Three Society Point Method" and "Three Academy Point Method."

It not only retains the evaluation system of "Excellent," "Flat," and "No," but also combines a digital system with strong operability.

If the points are sufficient, one can be promoted from the outer academy to the inner academy, from the lower society to the upper society, and even become a teacher of the academy.

The military merit point system, reaching a certain level, can be promoted to rank, title, and scattered rank.

"I will handle the Blood Spirit Needle for you." Chen Shijie put away the Blood Spirit Needle, "When you go to the Soldier Realm for training, there will definitely be a place where it is useful."

Zhao Xing's eyes lit up: "Going to the Divine Might Army as an Agricultural Official, do you still have to go to the Soldier Realm for training first?"

Long Xiao said proudly: "That's for sure, what do you think any cat or dog can enter my Divine Might Army?"

"You become an official by the way of official transfer, wait a thousand years, and you won't be able to enter the Divine Might Army."

Zhao Xing asked curiously: "What rank did the Divine Might Army get in the last Soldier Realm Army Exercise?"

"Five hundred eighty-seven!"

You are proud of five hundredth place!

Those who don't know would think you are one of the ten forbidden armies!

Seeing that Zhao Xing didn't give a reaction when he heard this number, Long Xiao couldn't help but be anxious: "Kid, don't think that five hundredth place is very bad. Do you know how many armies participated in the last Soldier Realm Army Exercise?"

"How many?"

"There are eight thousand seven hundred ninety-three armies!" Long Xiao said, "My Divine Might Army can rank five hundredth, don't you say it's awesome?"

"Awesome." Zhao Xing nodded cooperatively.

Eight thousand armies, this is still few for Great Zhou, which has a huge population of nineteen states.

During the Taizu period, the number of armies participating in the Soldier Realm Exercise exceeded 50,000. However, during the Wen Emperor period, he did not launch many wars.

The number of Soldier Realm Exercises reached the lowest in history, with only five thousand armies participating.

During the Jing Emperor period, it increased slightly. In multiple exercises, the armies exceeded ten thousand.

The most exaggerated one belongs to the Wu Emperor, who directly broke Taizu's record. The most peak Soldier Realm Army Exercise he held, the participating armies reached an astonishing fifty thousand!

Even for the average number of times, the armies participating in each Soldier Realm Exercise did not fall below 100,000.

The Wu Emperor liked to explode troops and fight, open up territory, and he was not making up the numbers. In fact, the threshold for the Soldier Realm Army Exercise he held was not low. Among the dynasties of Great Zhou, the quality of the armies under his command was second only to the Taizu period, and in some periods it was even higher.

The Soldier Realm Army Exercise has a participation threshold.

Local armies like the Donghu Army are not qualified to participate at all.

"Does the Divine Might Army have its own cave heaven land?" Zhao Xing asked.

As soon as this question came out, Long Xiao was obviously a little discouraged, and Chen Shijie's eyes also dimmed.

"Almost had one."

That is to say, no.

Zhao Xing felt a little disappointed in his heart.

What is the Soldier Realm?

The Soldier Realm is Great Zhou connecting cave heaven worlds one by one on the land of nineteen states.

After the level is raised, whether it is spells or martial techniques, their power and range will also grow exponentially.

The land of nineteen states really can't stand the tossing.

For example, Zhao Xing is now at the ninth-rank realm. Casting the Cloud Swallowing Method can cover half of Gucheng County.

The range of martial artists' secret techniques is not that large, but the power is not small.

Still taking the Agricultural Official as an example, this Earth Advantage faction spell often requires using earth veins to practice, and the Heaven Time method is the same.

Mountains collapse and the ground cracks, winter and summer, who can stand it?

So any army with a relatively high level is usually stationed in a cave heaven world for training.

Cave heaven worlds have all kinds of magical things.

Large space, able to stand the tossing is one aspect, and there are unique and rich products.

For example, there is a book in the Agricultural Official's books called "Cave Heaven Beneficial Things," which tells the magic of "Guangling Cave Heaven."

Spring can plant five grains, spring planting and spring ripening, one ear can feed five people.

Summer can plant hundred-blood vines, summer planting and summer harvesting, vine fruit can supplement hundred-type blood.

Autumn can raise golden beans, autumn planting and autumn harvesting, three days to gather Qi, one month to enter the grade, the price is comparable to gold.

Winter can dig bone-connecting ginseng, ten days to connect bones, hundred days to grow broken limbs.

Guangling Cave Heaven has the Guangling Army, which ranks in the top fifty of Great Zhou, stationed there.

Guangling Cave Heaven is still not the largest and most magical. The largest cave heaven world is occupied by the ten forbidden armies.

The Soldier Realm Army Exercise is also held in turns in the ten largest cave heavens.

"A strong army occupies a cave heaven alone. The Divine Might Army didn't even enter the top three hundred, so it can only share one with other armies or even multiple armies."

"But what does Long Xiao mean by almost having one?"

Zhao Xing saw that Long Xiao and Chen Shijie didn't say much, so he didn't continue to ask. He vaguely guessed that this probably involved the core secrets of the Divine Might Army.

"If I go to the Soldier Realm for training, which cave heaven will I go to?" Zhao Xing asked.

"Not clear yet." Chen Shijie shook his head: "Used to stay in Jinting Cave Heaven and Danxia Cave Heaven, but now that the Divine Might Army is reactivated, there will definitely be changes in this regard."

"But wait until next spring, it will be determined. Long Xiao and I will also wait until that time before setting off."

Zhao Xing nodded and asked about other things: "Is the Divine Might Army on good terms with the Lihuo Academy?"

Lihuo Altar, although there are conditions for use, this is not something everyone can borrow.

In the land of nineteen states, the number of armies is as numerous as ox hair, but there are only seventy-two academies.

If you want to borrow, you have to be looked up to by others.

"The Marquis has some relationship with the Lihuo Academy." Chen Shijie said: "In the early years, he studied in the academy for a period of time."

"May I know the Marquis's name and title?"

"Of course." Long Xiao said, "The Marquis's surname is Yang, name An, and he was named Marquis of Boping in the first year of Jingxin."

Not called Marquis of Divine Might? Boping... is it a county marquis?

Zhao Xing was somewhat puzzled. Seeing that Chen Shijie and Long Xiao praised the Marquis, but he was only a county marquis, which was quite strange.

The title of Marquis can show a lot of things.

First-class Marquis, usually with the words "Might" and "Hero," selected by the Emperor, with special deeds or personal characteristics, or expressing expectations and magnificent visions, also counted as first-class.

Second-class Marquis, named after the five virtues of soldiers "Strict, Brave, Martial, Wise, Trust," is the five-virtue title.

Third-class Marquis, usually named after the fief.

Fourth-class Marquis, not in the ranks of martial marquises, the naming is varied, basically there is no fief, only food towns. That is to say, you can only eat some taxes from that piece of land, while the fief not only has taxes, but also can recruit troops, develop mineral veins, etc.

Marquis of Boping sounds like a third-class marquis, but also took a Divine Might Army?

"I don't know what stories are inside. The Marquis of Divine Might and the Divine Might Army that will shake the world in the future are now just a Marquis of Boping County. Is it because the Jing Emperor was too stingy?"

Zhao Xing later asked about some things about the Divine Might Army, such as scale, number of people, battle achievements, etc. He also had a general understanding of where he was going.

Overall, the Divine Might Army is still very consistent with his next step plan.

Few troops and strong generals, so there are many opportunities to make contributions. From the personal quality of Long Xiao and Chen Shijie, one can see it.

What's more, the Divine Might Army will shake the world in the future. Following the Divine Might Army, there is also a lot of room for promotion.

The only hidden danger is that I don't know why it was removed from the list in the end.

"But this is not unchangeable." Zhao Xing thought in his heart, "My appearance will inevitably bring a butterfly effect. For example, the Profound Heaven Sect's action in Nanyang Commandery this time, if it weren't for me, Old Chen couldn't have been alert enough to invite Long Xiao, and notified the Nanyang Commandery Prince."

"True strong people never complain about the environment. Even if the future changes greatly, it cannot change my determination to live long!"

Chen Mansion, after watching Zhao Xing leave, Long Xiao couldn't help but touch his chin: "This kid is not simple. His character is firm. It seems that being a military Agricultural Official is not what you persuaded, but the direction he had already decided."

"He was brave and resourceful in the Profound Heaven Sect incident, able to deduce with you, and dared to take action against the hall master level at a critical moment."

"But during the inspection in Anping Town, even though there was a Protector Straw Man following, he didn't take action for merit."

"Chatting with him, I only said a few words, and he seemed to have guessed a lot of things."

"I have a premonition that he will definitely bring us surprises."

Chen Shijie smiled: "Why are you more optimistic than me? But let's not be too happy too early. Wait until he passes the temple examination."