Chapter 179: Grain Transport Official Zhao Xing, City 92, Chance Encounter with Fatty

"You're out?" Long Xiao looked delightedly at the pale blue vortex, seeing a tall figure slowly fly out from within.

"Zhao Xing!" Long Xiao waved and shouted.

Zhao Xing nodded toward Long Xiao, then bowed to Lu Bang: "Thank you, Master Lu, for your guidance."

"No need for formalities; you earned it yourself." Lu Bang smiled slightly, then pointed at Long Xiao: "This fellow has been waiting impatiently; go ahead."

Zhao Xing clasped his hands, then quickly flew out of the Taicang Courtyard with Long Xiao.

"Zhao Xing, you seem different." Long Xiao looked at Zhao Xing's appearance; though his face was the same, his aura was utterly distinct from when they were in Yun City. Previously in Yun City, Zhao Xing's aura had been fierce and sharp, like a sword drawn from its sheath, heavy with killing intent.

Now, however, he possessed an otherworldly feel; his entire presence was completely restrained. Sensing carefully, Long Xiao could perceive that astonishing vitality, like a volcano poised to erupt.

"There have been some changes." Zhao Xing nodded; he knew this himself clearly. Previously, having just entered the Earth Fiend Realm, neither his physical seven souls nor his primal energy had fully refined away the fiendish qi, naturally giving people a very fierce and sharp impression.

However, over this month-plus of tempering and comprehending the Dao, especially after leaving the Primordial Dojo, he could now completely control the fiendish qi, achieving perfect fusion.

The hidden dangers of leveling up too quickly were finally resolved by him.

"Lu Bang said you were comprehending the Dao; what exactly did you comprehend? It took so long." Long Xiao asked curiously.

"A high-level technique of the Benwo Sect: Instant Primordial."

"I've never heard of it."

"It belongs to high-level Essence Analysis Arts; few people know it." Zhao Xing explained. "It can break through the growth constraints of plant life."

Long Xiao nodded, half-understanding: "I hope this technique of yours is truly powerful. For it, you've delayed quite a bit; the Campaign Against the Barbarians Merit List has already been open for over half a month!"

"No rush." Zhao Xing smiled. "Sharpening the axe doesn't delay chopping wood; how far can half a month advance things?"

Wars below the fifth grade have been fought for several years; lacking these half a month doesn't hinder matters at all.

"How far can it advance? Heh, you truly underestimate the Great Zhou's strength."

"A fifty-thousand-li border line, advancing comprehensively; in half a month, the front line has already advanced ten thousand li. The section slightly closer to the border line is already four thousand li away." Long Xiao said. "South of the Canglan River, excluding the Nine Heavens Ying Yuan Prefecture, over three thousand new cities have been built!"

"Judging solely by territory, they have already captured the lands of five Ying Yuan Prefectures!"

Long Xiao expected Zhao Xing to become anxious upon hearing this, but Zhao Xing showed no reaction.

Ten thousand li, for someone just entering the ninth grade, was indeed very far; but now, with Zhao Xing's mobility greatly increased, he naturally knew that ten thousand li was not such a distant distance.

Additionally, the three thousand-plus cities were purely 'Emperor Jing-style reporting'.

The report couldn't be said to have watered-down content; the numbers were definitely real.

The Artisans' family builds cities quickly, but these three thousand-plus cities, Zhao Xing estimated, were mostly grain cities for supply, logistical cities, or cities occupied from under the Southern Barbarian Wang Ting's command.

This war result, for the Great Campaign Against the Barbarians, could only be said to add some excitement.

It was not yet the time for Zhao Xing to be anxious.

If there were large-scale casualties at the sixth and seventh grades, then Zhao Xing would truly need to be anxious, because that would mean the window period for grabbing merit was about to close.

"Where have I been assigned?" Zhao Xing asked. "What is the new appointment?"

"You were in seclusion; how could we assign you?" Long Xiao said. "The Marquis didn't have anyone disturb you; we'll discuss it after you came out."

"Now, the combat sequences of all camps are fully assigned; there aren't many positions suitable for your seventh-grade official rank left. The Nine-Section Commanders are completely full; I estimate you won't have many combat opportunities."

"Gaining merit doesn't necessarily require being a Nine-Section Commander." Zhao Xing was quite open-minded. This Great Campaign Against the Barbarians simply didn't lack opportunities to gain merit.

Bringing Ao Tian Miao, Zhao Xing and Long Xiao boarded an Arrow Fish Flying Boat and hurriedly headed for Xiercheng, the Shenwei Army's base.

Zhao Xing now belonged to the Shenwei Army; now he was here to pay respects to Yang An.

Six hours later, the two landed in Xiercheng.

Yang An's residence in Xiercheng was named Boping Manor.

Boping Manor was heavily guarded, with spears like a forest; the two arrived at the Military Affairs Hall, the place where the main general usually handled military matters.

Outside the hall was the parade ground, densely packed with knives, spears, swords, and halberds; every soldier wore battle armor and war robes, iron helmets on their heads, faces stern.

On the steps outside the palace, Jia Pu held a precious sword, its hilt inlaid with gems, emitting a faint glow under the sunlight.

He stood motionless, like a statue; when passing soldiers glanced at him, they couldn't help but look at the entrance.

They knew the Military Advisor was waiting for a Farming Official named Zhao Xing, and had already waited three hours in advance.

They didn't know what abilities this Zhao Xing possessed to receive such treatment.

"He's here." Jia Pu suddenly looked up; Long Xiao and Zhao Xing's figures appeared at the entrance.

He immediately descended the steps.

When Zhao Xing and Long Xiao approached, Jia Pu had just reached the bottom of the steps.

"Greetings, General Shenwei." Upon seeing Jia Pu, Zhao Xing immediately clasped his hands and bowed. Since Yang An had demoted himself to a common soldier, the one currently temporarily assuming the position of Shenwei Army's main general was this person before him.

"Zhao Xing." Jia Pu smiled and lightly supported him. "No need for excessive courtesy; you have been in seclusion for many days; have you gained anything?"

"Replying to the General: I have achieved slight success."

"That is good." Jia Pu said. "The Marquis is currently not in Xier Commandery, so your appointment will be issued by me in his stead. Is there any place you wish to go?"

"I will go wherever the General orders." Zhao Xing said. "Wherever the General sends me, I shall go."

"The Marquis specifically instructed me, saying Zhao Xing is a versatile talent in the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven, capable of both fighting and farming, and that we must first listen to your thoughts." Jia Pu took a Mirage Pearl from his robe. "Inside this is recorded the locations of all our Shenwei Army camps in the Southern Wasteland; you may choose any."

Choose any? Long Xiao muttered; the combat sequences were already full; did they intend to add a camp specifically for Zhao Xing?

Seeing this, Zhao Xing no longer stood on ceremony and looked at it seriously.

The Shenwei Army currently had many sixth-grade officers fighting on the front lines, also building cities in the Southern Wasteland as supply and rest bases.

The one advancing fastest now was a Commandant named 'Liao Liao Rulong', who commanded eight camp units including the Five Elements, Divine Mechanism, and Nine Sections, totaling twelve thousand people; Chen Shijie, including Long Xiao, were serving under Liao Liao Rulong.

Currently, Liao Liao Rulong was resting in a place called 'Macang City', having already penetrated over six thousand li into the Southern Wasteland, fighting against the 'Wolf God' tribe under the command of the Jin Yu Wang Ting, because Macang City was originally the territory of the Wolf God tribe.

"Reporting to the General: This subordinate wishes to serve under Commandant Liao Liao Rulong." Zhao Xing gave his answer; he wanted to go to a stronger unit. With Old Chen and Long Xiao both there, having acquaintances was certainly much better than going to a completely unfamiliar unit.

"The seventh-grade martial officer positions under Liao Liao Rulong's command are only the Grain Transport Official left; under other Commandants, there are still Nine-Section Commander positions." Jia Pu said. "If you wish to command a camp yourself, I can also arrange for you to be the main general."

Zhao Xing shook his head: "This subordinate's talents are shallow; it is more appropriate to first familiarize myself with the environment."

Old Chen and the others have advanced too deep; although the Military Farming Official can grow grain, that is only for temporary consumption; many supplies still cannot be grown quickly in such harsh environments.

Thus, the Military Realm cast cities in the Southern Wasteland; the Duty of the Equal Transport Commissioner is to forge key treasures required by the great army—'medicinal herbs', 'artificer equipment materials', 'restorative supplements'—and organize personnel to deliver them to the army's location.

This position is very important; the Southern Wasteland's massive retreat aims to stretch the battle line, thereby exhausting the Great Zhou.

There are too many opportunities for the Equal Transport Commissioner to earn merit, even more than those fighting on the front lines, because the various tribes of the Southern Wasteland will occasionally raid the supply cities.

Furthermore, Zhao Xing going to serve as Chen Shijie's backing is also to prevent this old brother from dying in the Southern Wasteland.

"Since that is so, follow me!"

Jia Pu led Zhao Xing into the hall, where a statue of a deity stood.

"Zhao Xing, receive the order!"

"Your subordinate is here!"

"By imperial decree of the Military Realm, I appoint you Equal Transport Commissioner of the Long Ru Dragon Division of the Divine Might Army, in charge of the Divine Might Army's No. 92 Grain City! Responsible for the great army's grain and fodder supply, effective immediately!" Jia Pu waved his hand, and a golden document appeared from the furnace below the statue; subsequently, Jia Pu stamped it with the main general's seal of the Divine Might Army.

"I obey!" Zhao Xing knelt before the statue and respectfully accepted the document.

In the army, any transfer of a Seventh Rank official requires consultation with the Military Realm; if the transfer order is too absurd, such as sending a Seventh Rank martial general to charge the camp of the Jin Yu Wang Ting, the Military Realm would have a Yin Spirit question the order's rationality.

Of course, under normal circumstances, the Military Realm does not intervene.

After the process was completed, Jia Pu said solemnly:

"Zhao Xing, Long Xiao, on this journey to the Southern Wasteland, do not disgrace the name of the Divine Might Army."

"Yes."

On June 20, they arrived in Xi'er Commandery to accept the appointment; that same day, Zhao Xing and Long Xiao crossed the river with the appointment.

"Now, Yuncheng has become the hinterland of the Nine Heavens Ying Yuan Court."

The Arrow Fish Flying Boat shuttled through the high sky; Zhao Xing looked down at the ground below.

He had secluded himself for one month and twenty days, and the Pingman Merit List had been open for eighteen days; the changes were indeed considerable.

Originally, Yuncheng was a border city of the Nine Heavens Ying Yuan Court.

But now, south of Yuncheng, one hundred and twenty new Shancheng cities have been opened, and powerful beings have altered the surrounding heavenly circumstances.

It seems they intend to turn this area into cultivated land.

"South of Yuncheng, they have enclosed an area of six commanderies, and this is no small-scale operation; they have already moved the boundary markers over and are proceeding to establish commandery-level temples."

When the Great Zhou expands its territory, whether it is wild land or cultivated land depends on whether a temple has been established!

If no temple has been established, or if the established temple is of low specification, it proves it is wild land, representing that this area may experience reversals, or be easily conquered, or that the environment is harsh, and it might be abandoned in the future.

"Over three thousand cities, with three-tenths cultivated land, and expansion is still proceeding rapidly," Zhao Xing thought to himself. "The Southern Wasteland wants to lure the enemy deep and stretch the battle line; the Great Zhou will cast cities step by step to swallow the territory, shortening the supply line. No one is stupid."

"Let's look at the Merit List."

Zhao Xing took out the Earth Mirror and opened the Merit List.

【Divine Might Army Zhao Xing: Official Seventh Rank Lower】

【Merit: 0】

【Rank: 5518712】

The Merit List jumped in real time; the next second, Zhao Xing dropped several hundred ranks.

"Not a single inch of merit earned, directly at the bottom," Zhao Xing thought to himself. "Even a common soldier ranks higher than me, but as long as I go to No. 92 Grain City, I can rise quickly."

His starting point is a Seventh Rank Equal Transport Commissioner; as long as he begins the 'Daily Military Duties', he can easily rise several hundred thousand ranks in a day.

"Let's see who is number one on the list."

Zhao Xing flipped to the very front.

【Merit List First Place: Divine Thunder Army Lu Yuanwei; Official Sixth Rank Upper; Merit: 1041015】

"Already one million merit points?" Zhao Xing silently whistled in admiration, truly fast. "The name Lu Yuanwei seems somewhat familiar. Divine Thunder Army... a Wang Hou scion from Liangzhou?"

"Long Xiao." Zhao Xing pointed to the first place on the Merit List. "Do you know who this Lu Yuanwei is?"

"Isn't it written right there? Of the Divine Thunder Army."

"..."

Truly, listening to your words is like hearing a lecture.

"Is he from Liangzhou?"

"How would I know that? I don't pay attention to such things." Long Xiao shook his head. "It should be; the Divine Thunder Army ranked one hundred and sixteenth in the last Military Realm martial arts tournament. To serve as a Commandant in such a powerful army is no simple feat."

"Fine, go pet the cat then." Zhao Xing knew asking was futile, so he looked at it himself.

He skipped the Sixth Rank directly and looked straight at the Seventh Rank martial general classification list.

Promoting officials ultimately follows the list, picking the top talents for promotion.

Therefore, as long as Zhao Xing can rank among the top in the Seventh Rank, he can advance to Sixth Rank in the phased conferral of honors.

The same applies to other ranks.

In addition, merit also involves conferrals of various honorific titles such as land, peerage, and scattered ranks.

For Seventh Rank and above, with outstanding merit, even family members will be rewarded together.

For example, if Zhao Xing can take first place in the Seventh Rank list, his wife or mother, according to the 'Mingfu' rank, can be conferred the title 'Seventh Rank Wu Hua Ruren'.

Such imperial conferrals can also increase lifespan, luck, grant the right to cultivate, and even help improve the Ju Yuan stage.

The Gaoming Ladies of First to Fifth Ranks are also very formidable in combat, because their rank follows their husband's position.

"In the Seventh Rank, there are actually so many unfamiliar names?"

"Xia Jing has actually ranked beyond the two thousandth place."

Zhao Xing was somewhat surprised.

Xia Jing is currently also Official Seventh Rank Lower, but his position on the Merit List is over two thousand eight hundredth.

However, Xia Jing's ascent speed is very fast; in the blink of an eye, he rose three ranks.

"The competition is huge."

"The new generation Seventh Rank and the old Seventh Rank are all competing together."

Zhao Xing saw Long Xiao and immediately understood.

Because Long Xiao's ranking is five hundred places higher than Xia Jing's, he is a Zheng Qi Pin Shang Brave Captain.

Moreover, combat power and the Merit Board are not entirely the same thing; one might have bad luck and be assigned a tough nut to crack, so going ten-plus days without establishing a single merit is possible.

Furthermore, merit does not only increase and never decrease.

If one loses a battle, or suffers heavy losses, merit will be deducted.

"The Military Realm regulations state that whenever casualties exceed half in a war, merit is not increased under any circumstances; depending on the situation, merit is reduced, except in special cases."

Zhao Xing looked again at the top ten of the Seventh Rank rankings.

Beyond the fiftieth place, the rankings change quite frequently.

But the top twenty are relatively stable; it might take several days before a change even occurs.

【Merit Board (Seventh Rank):】

【One: Zhao Yuan Army 'Qi Yuan Jun', Zheng Qi Pin Shang, Merit 272142】

【Two: Yuan Hua Army 'Yi Yue', Zheng Qi Pin Shang, Merit 250145】

【Three: Huan You Army 'Nangong Ye', Zheng Qi Pin Shang, Merit 242514】

【Four: Zhao Yuan Army 'Pang Zheng', Zheng Qi Pin Shang, Merit 240211】

【Five: Yuan Hua Army...】

【Ten: Hu Jiao Army Wei Hong, Zheng Qi Pin Shang, Merit 215475】

【Twenty: Lie Yang Army He Lian Lie, Zheng Qi Pin Shang, Merit 172451】

Not until the tenth place did Zhao Xing see a familiar name.

"Wei Hong is Wei Yuan's fourth son; he is also of the Hu Jiao Army."

"He Lian Lie and Wei Yuan both tried to recruit me before."

Zhao Xing remembered these two; among them, Wei Yuan and his teacher Tian Shan were old friends, so he naturally knew about Wei Yuan. Wei Hong is Wei Yuan's fourth son.

His first three sons all died in battle during the early expansion of the Jiu Tian Ying Yuan Fu.

"The armies within the other four Cavern Heavens rank higher than the eight armies of the Ten Yang Cavern Heaven. Only the Hu Jiao Army can stand alongside the powerful armies of the other four Cavern Heavens; the Xuan Jia Army, Lie Yang Army, and Zhen Hai Army rank somewhat lower."

"Shi Yong and Zhuang Ziqing are also doing quite well in the Hu Jiao Army; they are already close to entering the top ten thousand of the Seventh Rank rankings," Zhao Xing thought silently.

"Compared to the Sixth Rank, there are more Seventh Rank personnel; being within the top ten thousand is already considered good."

As for the Sixth Rank, estimating based on the total number of Sixth Rank participants from the five Great Cavern Heavens, the Zheng and Cong ranks combined amount to roughly fifty thousand people.

Mainly, the Cong Liu Pin of strong armies are numerous; if placed in a weak army, a Cong Liu Pin could command the main general's authority. However, in strong armies, there have even been cases of Liu Pin serving as commanders; for instance, in the Shen Wei Army, a Ba Pin is generally at the commander level.

After crossing the river, the Arrow Fish Flying Boat continued to advance at an extremely high speed.

Because the Ping Man Legion is advancing comprehensively, the Military Realm is not in a hurry; the front lines are all pushing forward together.

From Yun City southward for four thousand li, it is basically safe.

The slightly dangerous areas are those beyond four thousand li.

The progress of each army's advance varies; it is very possible that the Four Wang Ting of the Southern Man will bypass the strong armies and break through the weak armies' defenses by striking at specific points to shatter the whole.

In about four shichen, Zhao Xing had already crossed the 'four thousand li' safety line.

The weather began to become unpredictable.

Long Xiao also walked out from the cabin: "Is there any situation?"

"Nothing detected for now."

Zhao Xing shook his head.

"If there is a situation, stop for a moment," Long Xiao said. "To come find you, I delayed for several days. If you encounter small enemies, don't let them go; those are living, breathing merits."

"Rest assured, I'll keep watch for you," Zhao Xing smiled.

With Zhao Xing and Long Xiao's combination, even if they encounter a squad entirely of Seventh Ranks, as long as it does not exceed five hundred people, it is basically slaughtering fodder.

Of course, if the opponent also has geniuses, that is another matter.

However, on the front line between four thousand and eight thousand li, that is unlikely to happen.

Because the current grand strategy of the Southern Wasteland is to fight while retreating; the Four Wang Ting are unlikely to send out geniuses chosen one in ten thousand. If such a one were lost, it would be very painful.

They flew another thousand li safely and soundly.

At this time, Zhao Xing had already lowered the Arrow Fish Flying Boat's altitude to the low sky below three thousand meters.

Because above three thousand meters, violent winds (Gang Feng) rage from time to time, and it is very difficult for a Seventh Rank Di Sha Realm cultivator to fight in such an environment.

The Southern Wasteland's harsh environment is not entirely due to innate reasons; the Tian Wu of the Southern Wasteland also actively cast spells to deliberately disrupt the weather, using it as a protective belt to hinder the Great Zhou's advance.

The Arrow Fish Flying Boat is a Fifth Rank Lower Grade warship; flying in the Gang Feng would reduce its speed, and the core driving materials of the warship would be consumed faster.

After half a shichen, Zhao Xing lowered the altitude again to one thousand meters.

At this point, they had already arrived at the front line of over fifty-five hundred li.

Originally, Zhao Xing could see many Great Zhou cities during the flight.

But now the number of cities has decreased; following the map, it would take a long time to see even one.

Just as Zhao Xing thought he would arrive safely at Grain City No. 92.

"Hmm?"

Zhao Xing suddenly felt a movement in his heart and looked toward the horizon ahead.

"Long Xiao, come out quickly!"

"Swish~"

Long Xiao immediately rushed out.

"Something's up?"

"Yes."

Zhao Xing pointed in a certain direction.

"Look southeast, raise a hundred meters, and you'll see traces of the enemy."

Long Xiao looked up but saw nothing at all.

Because he simply couldn't spot the enemy.

Zhao Xing offered no explanation, immediately turned the flying boat toward the southeast, sped forward ten li, and ascended a hundred meters to reach the 'Gale Layer'.

"Hoo~"

Zhao Xing cast the Cloud Technique to form a narrow cloud path, attaching it to a spot in the sky.

"Change!"

Zhao Xing commanded the Cloud Technique to turn blood-red—this was the 'Blood Cloud Mimicry' within the Devouring Cloud Technique.

"Do you see it?"

Long Xiao grew excited: "I see it! It's the wake of a General Ming Yan warship."

"Correct." Zhao Xing nodded: "The General Ming Yan warships of the Southern Wasteland are crafted entirely after the Great Zhou's 'Flame-Splitting Warships'. Their Yang Wind Sails and Fire Cloud Sails, along with the Five Elements Flags, can conceal the flying ship's tracks, allowing it to move undetected even within the gales."

"However, the Southern Wasteland uses Nether Rock as their material, which has a flaw: it leaves a faint layer of cloud mist behind the ship's stern, much like water being pushed outward by a boat's wake, creating significant disturbance."

"Although the Southern Wasteland has improved this many times, and the traces are now well-disguised—currently only a twenty-meter-wide trail—they can still be detected within a single double-hour."

"If more than that time passes, I won't be able to detect any anomaly in this Gale Layer either, as it will soon be scattered by the gales."

Long Xiao was a man who had fought many battles alongside Chen Shijie; the moment Zhao Xing spoke, he understood: "So, an alien warship just flew past, less than a double-hour ago?"

Zhao Xing gazed at the long trail, pondering: "Judging by the width and density of the spreading mist, it should have passed only half a double-hour ago."

Long Xiao immediately pulled out a map, sliding his fingertip across it: "Within a three-hundred-li radius to the southeast lies a military supply city belonging to the Zhenhai Army."

"Eight hundred li further ahead, there are three supply cities in total, belonging respectively to the Zhenhai Army and the Black Armor Army."

"Good heavens, the levels of these supply cities are not low; we've stumbled upon a major haul!"

Zhao Xing nodded: "Exactly. If they dare attack these three cities, they must have a Rank Seven commander leading them. The General Ming Yan warship is a Fifth-Grade High-Tier vessel, capable of carrying three thousand-man battalions and transporting massive city-breaking divine weapons... Long Xiao, shall we do it?"

Long Xiao laughed: "You've already pushed the boat to its limits, and you're still asking if I'm in? Of course I'm in! But can we catch up?"

Zhao Xing said: "The Swordfish Flying Boat is a lightweight model; speed is its strength. As for the General Ming Yan warship, to hide its tracks, it certainly cannot move too fast. Within half a double-hour, I should be able to catch them just as they reach the Zhenhai Army's city."

Beside them, Long Aotian howled at the sky: "Meow-wooo~"

Long Xiao drew the great sword from his back: "Hahaha, look, even Aotian is telling us to charge! Hurry up, hurry up! Don't hold back on resources now; taking them down would be a great merit! Quick, push the warship's speed to the maximum!"

There are many holiday matters, and the daytime is too busy; this chapter is only six thousand words, so tomorrow's update will be ten thousand words.