Chapter 138: The Second Pact

After the incident at Jin Feng Tower where he repaid a debt, Chu Danqing arrived safely at the border and met Xiong Zhigang.

The news of Chu Danqing resigning from his post in the capital and the million-gold bounty had spread like wildfire.

Xiong Zhigang knew every detail clearly and had prepared accordingly.

"Master Chu, you've just thrown away your power that once dominated the court," Xiong Zhigang teased upon seeing Chu Danqing.

He actually supported Chu Danqing's resignation; despite Chu's formidable presence, a powerful minister under a weak ruler rarely ends well.

Chu Danqing's safe withdrawal was precisely due to his decisiveness.

"You know, I went to the capital just to earn a living," Chu Danqing shrugged with feigned helplessness: "Who knew fate would lift me so high?"

"It nearly scared me to death."

"So I took the first chance to run," Chu Danqing joked with Xiong Zhigang.

"I wish I could be as carefree as you, Master Chu," Xiong Zhigang's smile gradually turned serious: "But I can't leave."

"Lately, Susen's movements have grown increasingly bold—they seem ready to invade south again."

"It seems tied to the collapse of the million-gold bounty," Xiong Zhigang said.

Even though Chu Danqing resigned, Susen feared he might return to power at any moment.

After all, he's still young—not some decrepit old man.

Since they know he's a threat, they must eliminate him quickly.

Conveniently, Chu Danqing and Xiong Zhigang have now converged; if Susen could kill both at once, even if they couldn't march straight in, they'd severely crush Taichang's morale.

"Don't worry—one of my reasons for coming here is to resolve this," Chu Danqing said. He hadn't come just to discuss the Blood Oath Pact—he also came for revenge.

"Can you make Susen retreat?" Xiong Zhigang's eyes widened instantly.

【Hidden Quest: Make Susen retreat within three days】

【Trial Difficulty: A-Rank (Hero)】

【Trial Reward: Paradise Points ×10000, Attribute Points +4】

【Trial Failure: Paradise Points -20000, Random Attribute -1】

As soon as Xiong Zhigang asked, the quest appeared.

"I can." Chu Danqing accepted the quest and replied to Xiong Zhigang.

The difficulty isn't high—I can just pay Guo Ming to act.

I'll go with Guo Ming, put a knife to Susen's emperor's throat, and order him to retreat.

If that fails, I'll bind the royal family and ministers together and threaten them.

I'll also find out which bastard has been targeting me and kill him.

Chu Danqing won't slaughter indiscriminately in Susen.

The reason is simple: Susen people are people too—he prefers peaceful coexistence.

If Taichang launched a war, he'd do the same.

Whoever wins, the benefits always go to the elite; the cost is always paid by ordinary people.

He knows war spurs development, but that development is built on the corpses of ordinary people.

Some always stand from the perspective of the privileged and call it a necessary sacrifice.

But in truth, the vast majority are ordinary people paying the cost—not the privileged.

Chu Danqing was born ordinary—why should he defend the interests of the privileged?

A speck of dust from an era lands on an ordinary person like a mountain—let alone a brutal war.

Whether eliminating bandits or rooting out spies, it's all to give ordinary people a better life.

Had he had more time to clean up afterward, his methods would've been far harsher and more radical.

Not some patchwork repairman.

"Today? Tomorrow—I'll figure out how to make them retreat tomorrow," Chu Danqing had planned to resolve it today.

But when he looked at the sky, it was nearly dark, and he'd traveled all day—he needed rest.

Besides, with Guo Ming here, there's no rush.

Then Chu Danqing explained the Blood Oath Pact to Xiong Zhigang, naturally omitting the Paradise portion.

Xiong Zhigang thought for a moment, his face filled with resignation.

"I'm willing to sign this oath," Xiong Zhigang said: "But I hold a critical post—I can't leave for long, nor respond at will."

"If Master Chu summons me and I can't respond in time, what then?"

He was willing to help, but he wasn't as free as Guo Ming, who could respond anytime.

Guo Ming only needs to focus on cultivation; as for training?

He's been traveling and training for years since leaving home, and he's still just an ordinary man—his experience and insight are already sufficient.

"That can be resolved," Chu Danqing said: "I suspect the young emperor plans to replace you."

"After all, you're close to me, and he's so controlling—he won't trust you."

"He might recall you to the capital right after we push back Susen," Chu Danqing said.

Xiong Zhigang had little contact with the young emperor, only heard he had the appearance of wisdom.

Chu Danqing had dealt with him more—he knew exactly what kind of man he was.

With Xiong Zhigang holding border military power, the young emperor would never feel secure.

And with Chu Danqing's actions this time, Susen will likely cease hostilities for at least three years, creating more room to maneuver.

"This…" Xiong Zhigang didn't think himself irreplaceable—only that the young emperor was acting so hastily.

He believed Chu Danqing's words without doubt.

"Very well—I'll sign the pact with you now. If I'm recalled to the capital, I'll resign and retire."

"To lend you a hand!" Xiong Zhigang agreed immediately.

After returning to the capital, his abilities would be useless—better to go back than stay idle.

Chu Danqing naturally wouldn't refuse—he'd observe Xiong Zhigang's situation later to decide whether to cultivate him.

He cultivates real gold and silver, not empty words.

Each summon costs money—the cost is right there.

After completing the signing, Chu Danqing quietly opened Xiong Zhigang's attribute panel to check.

【Blood Oath Pact · No. 】

【Attributes】

【Health: 100%】

【Internal Qi: 450】

【Strength: 6】

【Agility: 6】

【Constitution: 6】

【Spirit: 10】

【Perception: 10】

【Talent】

【Internal Solidification, External Stabilization】

【Skills】

【Fei Xiong Soldier Manual (Legacy) LV. 】

【Military Fundamentals LV. AX】

【Military Proficiency LV. 】

【Tactics Fundamentals LV. AX】

【Tactics Proficiency LV. 】

【Blade Technique Fundamentals LV. 】

【Night Battle Eight Directions Blade (Active) LV. 】

【Equipment】

【Ten Strategies for Pacifying the Frontier · Fragment (Common)】

Chu Danqing glanced at the panel and realized Xiong Zhigang had a talent—he was truly exceptional.

As for the basic skills, they differed from combat-oriented fundamentals.

To Chu Danqing, they were a waste of talent.

Only summoner or lord-type disciples in a legion-focused path could fully utilize them.

He even had a built-in talent—his potential surpassed Guo Ming's.

To unleash his full potential, he needed a suitable summoner or lord disciple.

As for Chu Danqing pursuing a legion path—he wanted to, but lacked the necessary resources.

He needed a complete skill system.

Even now, Chu Danqing was still in the foundational stage—he didn't need to worry about his future path yet.

Besides, it's not the path that's strong—it's the person.

Following someone else's growth route won't grant you their achievements.

Rather than imitating others' paths, Chu Danqing wanted to forge his own.

After all, something built and created by oneself is always the most suitable.

Those who learn from me live; those who imitate me die.

The same trade brings some men overflowing profits, while others sink into crushing debt.

"Alright, done." Guo Ming watched the name Xiong Zhigang appear on the Blood Oath Pact, marking one goal accomplished.

Xiong Zhigang was puzzled: "I feel nothing at all."

"Normal. Guo Ming asked you this same question." Chu Danqing's Blood Oath Pact was only Level 1—barely grasped the basics.

He could understand the summoning portion through basic summoning knowledge, but the rest was incomprehensible.

There was also the contract section, which made it truly difficult for Chu Danqing to understand.

Sometimes he considered finding another contract foundation, but it was only a thought—he had no resources to support another contract foundation.

Summoning and contracts overlap and connect in some areas, but they are ultimately not the same system.

Supplementing with a contract foundation is worse than supplementing with other summoning-based foundational skills.

So what he needed to do was not cultivate another resource-draining contract foundation, but transform the Blood Oath Pact into a pure summoning skill.

That would depend on the exchanges at the Apostle Square—see if he could trade for an item to enhance the Blood Oath Pact's quality.

Exactly how to trade would have to wait until he returned to the Paradise to research the market first.

"I see." Xiong Zhigang didn't press for details, then added: "Master Chu and Da Bao have been traveling hard, and tomorrow you must march against the Suqin troops. Let me arrange proper rest for you first."

He personally assigned Chu Danqing a room.

He had intended to give Chu Danqing and Da Bao separate rooms, but Da Bao refused.

No matter how large Da Bao's frame, his mind was still that of a five-year-old child.

To Da Bao, Chu Danqing was an adult—it was natural for a child to stay with an adult.

Chu Danqing also refused—he was poor in combat and might not react in time if Da Bao were gone.

Who knew if other Apostles or Suqin spies lurked in this frontier?

After arranging everything, Xiong Zhigang ordered wine and dishes brought in, then returned to his duties.

He oversaw all affairs above and below, while guarding against Suqin—his days were inevitably exhausting.

Chu Danqing didn't eat; Da Bao devoured an entire table of food by himself.

He was thinking about his next steps.

Guo Ming had become his resource channel; Xiong Zhigang had talent, but lacked only an opportunity.

Now Chu Danqing could serve as that opportunity—but his temple was too small; Xiong Zhigang would struggle to make full use of it.

Having him command just these few summons was truly wasting his potential.

"Even if I don't go the legion path, I need to find a quantity-based summoning skill or equipment that can synergize with Xiong Zhigang."

"So this is another trump card?"

Chu Danqing was thinking of finding a Level 1 ally.

(End of Chapter)