Chapter 130: Foundation of Command

The young emperor really did act—though what he sent was just gifts.

After the last palace robbery, the young emperor promoted Chu Danqing to First Rank, Five Armies Grand Coordinator.

But Chu Danqing refused it—was he tired of being idle?

He was solely focused on completing the hidden mission of suppressing bandits.

For the next half-month, he kept receiving gold, silver, jewels, antiques, and beautiful women.

The first two categories were not recognized by the Paradise, so he used them solely as military funds for bandit suppression.

He speculated this might be due to item properties—the criteria for treasure-class items could be more complex, not merely based on quality or value.

He returned the women outright—why waste his prime years on wine and lust?

Aren't Paradise Points, Attribute Points, and treasure chests the things that make you stronger?

He pulled his thoughts back to reality.

Last night, Kui Yun was escorted to the capital and imprisoned for interrogation.

The rest of the gang had already been captured and interrogated.

They were all waiting for Kui Yun's arrival to be executed together and displayed publicly.

This group ultimately failed to escape death.

Second, Chu Danqing's bandit suppression progress officially reached 60%.

The Paradise prompted him whether to settle now—if he settled, the mission would be complete.

But if he didn't settle and kept accumulating progress, he'd earn more Paradise Points.

Each additional 1% granted 200 points.

He'd already been prompted once at 50%, but he chose not to settle then.

Killing these bandit chieftains would boost progress by at least 5%, no doubt.

As for 100% progress? The likelihood was negligible.

Progress changed dynamically in real time, decreasing as new bandits emerged.

Chu Danqing had experienced several drops in percentage before.

"My lord, noon is upon us—the bandit chieftains have been brought to the execution ground," a guard reminded Chu Danqing.

Previously, Chu Danqing had said he would carry out the executions himself.

Since he was going to settle, the treasure chest accumulation would also halt.

This treasure chest's quality would surely be high—at least worth a basic skill.

Though he hadn't personally struck the blows, the sheer number made up for not landing the final kills.

"Let's go." Chu Danqing took Da Bao and headed straight for the execution ground.

All previous bandit chieftains were present, held down awaiting beheading.

They saw Chu Danqing—some cursed, others begged for mercy.

Chu Danqing ignored all their words; Da Bao picked up the executioner's blade and began beheading.

Kui Yun was kept for last—Chu Danqing needed the basic skill on his person: Command Foundation.

Though weak in power, he'd rapidly gathered such a large gang—this skill was directly responsible.

Moreover, in this trial world, he was an anomaly.

Most others focused on Close Combat Foundation and Ranged Combat Foundation, then branched into fists, weapons, and similar basic skills.

Kui Yun did have those too, but his levels were low.

Whether he could unlock them? That remained to be seen.

As Da Bao killed each bandit chieftain one by one, leaving only Kui Yun, the bandit suppression progress bar jumped to 65%.

"Commander Chu, 'Merit overshadowing the sovereign'—that's my final warning to you," Kui Yun sneered as Da Bao approached, moments before execution: "I'll be waiting for you below."

Crunch~

Kui Yun's head fell; the bandit suppression progress bar surged to 70%. Chu Danqing immediately settled.

From his corpse rose a shimmering, rune-etched Excellent-tier treasure chest.

【Mission Complete. You have received: Paradise Points ×14000, Attribute Points +4】

Chu Danqing gained 20% additional progress; each 1% converted to 200 points, so beyond the base reward of 10, 00, he earned an extra 4, 00 Paradise Points.

"I didn't expect you to be such a figure," Chu Danqing said, gazing at Kui Yun's headless corpse, his expression tinged with regret: "What a pity."

He regretted that the chest hadn't reached Fine quality.

The chest's quality determined what quality of resources it could yield.

An Excellent-tier chest could not yield Fine-tier items; a Fine-tier chest would never drop lower than Excellent.

This was a safeguard mechanism.

He put away the chest and left with Da Bao.

The crowd, holding rare white-flour buns they'd bought, surged forward.

On the way back, Chu Danqing opened the Excellent-tier treasure chest.

【You opened: Treasure Chest (Excellent-tier). Received: Skill Book (Command Foundation), Paradise Points ×2900, Paradise Points ×2900, Paradise Points ×2900】

【Skill Book: Command Foundation】

【Type: Basic Skill】

【Quality: None】

【Effect: After use, acquire the skill Command Foundation—reduce maintenance cost of summoned units, enhance their compatibility】

Chu Danqing narrowed his eyes—this basic skill belonged to the Summoning and Lord systems' army stream.

Since Chu Danqing was in the Summoning system, the description was adjusted to "summoned units" from his perspective.

Summoning Foundation was on par with Close Combat Foundation and Ranged Combat Foundation—core foundational skills.

The Summoning Art Foundation and Command Foundation were on par with fine-category skills such as Fist Technique Foundation or Sword Technique Foundation.

Core skills formed the foundation, then branched into details, nourished by inherited and conventional skills.

He truly had no resources to upgrade incompatible basic skills like Close Combat or Ranged Combat.

But Summoning system basic skills were different—he'd sell his pots and pans to upgrade them.

【Command Foundation: LV1】

【Skill Effect: Summoning cost reduced by 1, summoned unit compatibility increased by 10%】

（Note: Cost cannot be reduced below 1 point; cannot reach zero）

Immediately, knowledge flooded his mind—roughly one-fifth of it overlapped with Summoning Foundation.

This meant that if Chu Danqing mastered the remaining four-fifths using this as a springboard, he could raise Command Foundation to LV2.

Summoning cost reduction was straightforward—whether summoning directly or maintaining summoned units, each consumed 1 less mana point.

For example, the repeating crossbowmen previously cost 20 mana to summon; now they cost only 19.

Summoned unit compatibility made his summoned units more attuned to Chu Danqing, allowing better control and deployment.

Though expressed as a percentage, like Summoning Art Foundation's potential and growth bonuses, it included unquantifiable data such as loyalty and favor.

Moreover, the 10% compatibility increase didn't activate instantly—it required time to gradually rise.

Like dew moistening silently.

Even so, it was extremely powerful.

Perfectly suited to the army stream's weakness: the inability to individually cultivate loyalty. As long as Command Foundation's level rose and troops remained under his command long enough, loyalty was no longer a concern.

And army stream skills were mostly high-cost; reducing cost by 1 point seemed minor, but Command Foundation wasn't limited to just its base tier.

"I wonder if summoning cost reduction applies to Blood Oath Covenants," Chu Danqing muttered.

He'd test it when he got the chance—if it worked, it would save him many Paradise Points.

With his gains secured, Chu Danqing returned to his office to arrange follow-ups and handovers.

He held considerable power—if he wished, he could become an Ao Bai or Dong Zhuo.

Leaving without proper arrangements would trigger severe consequences.

Chu Danqing could hold things together; others might not.

After finishing, he wrote a list and a resignation letter, then went to see the young emperor.

"Commander Chu, you've come in such haste—is there an urgent matter?" The young emperor feigned surprise perfectly.

"Your Majesty, I'm leaving," Chu Danqing cut straight to the point, gesturing for the eunuch to deliver the resignation letter and list.

This stunned the young emperor.

He wanted to reclaim his authority, but knew his repeated blunders had shattered his prestige—he still needed Chu Danqing's support.

In other words, Chu Danqing still had value; the young emperor dared not move against him until that value was fully squeezed dry.

"Commander Chu, have I done something wrong? Please speak plainly," the young emperor hurriedly said.

"Your Majesty misunderstands," Chu Danqing knew the emperor's words were half-truth, half-deception, yet replied: "When the late emperor passed, I already intended to leave."

"But Your Majesty was young, and the Tai Chang dynasty faced bandit threats and internal unrest—so I stayed to assist."

"Now the bandits are no threat, Your Majesty possesses virtue—gentleness, humility, and forbearance—and also the strength of thunder. You no longer need my aid."

"It is time for me to depart," Chu Danqing said, sounding noble.

In truth: You're patient and bold now—here's your power back. Play with it yourself. I'm done.

The young emperor fell silent as Chu Danqing placed the seal and official robes aside: "When I arrived, I already properly arranged the Imperial Guard, the Secret Police, and the Capital Garrison."

"Your Majesty only needs to send someone to take over."

Chu Danqing had no intention of rebellion—he never cultivated loyalty, only handled affairs fairly.

He handled the cleanup well, and with imperial influence, the young emperor had no trouble taking over.

"If Your Majesty feels indebted, perhaps you might give me something as a memento."

"Whether much or little, I won't turn it down." Chu Danqing was demanding severance compensation; if the young emperor refused or offered something unsatisfactory, Chu Danqing wouldn't hesitate to make his own arrangements.

The young emperor came to his senses, realizing Chu Danqing's resolve to leave, and immediately ordered the resignation letter, the list, and the imperial seal to be accepted.

"Since Minister Chu is so generous, I cannot be stingy." The young emperor paused briefly: "Go fetch the scroll of Grand Emperor's 'Discourses on Cultivating Correctness.'"

"This scroll was written by Grand Emperor himself during his uprising, to correct the bad habits among his troops."

"Later, Emperor Taizong, Emperor Renzong, and others added their own insights and teachings."

"Now it is circulated only within the palace, used to instruct the Crown Prince and the Grand Heir."

"If you seek a memento, this is most fitting." As the young emperor spoke, a eunuch hurried off to retrieve it.

Chu Danqing intended to first examine this so-called 'Discourses on Cultivating Correctness'; if it was a knowledge-type item, he would accept it.

If it was merely an ordinary book, he would demand something else.

At the very least, it had to be a treasure-type item—after all, Paradise Points were hard currency.

(End of Chapter)