Chapter 119: Jiang Assistant Regional Commander

"Conceal Qi and return to origin, guard your true nature; the spirit platform is clear and bright, hidden from the mortal world. The posture of the flying dragon is concealed within; the Great Dao has no form, yet transforms heaven and earth."

Li Rui gazed at the small characters on the "Flying Dragon Soaring Through Heaven" diagram.

The scroll also contained a human figure marked with acupoint dots.

Dense lines of text annotated the path of true qi flow.

Guiding qi is extremely dangerous.

One misstep, and true qi will reverse, causing qi deviation; at best, severe injury and a fall in realm, at worst, sudden death.

Thus, the creator of this qi-guiding diagram left extremely detailed markings.

After studying it for a while, Li Rui folded up the qi-guiding diagram.

He carefully tucked it into his robe, then checked the weapons depot register as usual.

He had lived this long.

Of course he needed composure.

Rushing won’t let you eat hot tofu.

Desiring to cultivate is natural, but that’s after work—right now, you do what your duty demands.

Fulfill your role where you stand.

Cao Wei and Jiang Lin are at odds.

Both factions are watching each other closely; if someone catches you with a slip-up and reports you for dereliction of duty, even if you don’t lose your post, it’s still a nuisance, isn’t it?

Li Rui acted as if nothing had happened, guarding until the hour of Yin had passed.

Only then did he leave the weapons depot.

The only difference? His steps home were just a little faster than usual.

As usual, he ate dinner with Yang Yong and Wang Zhao, then returned to his room.

Even these two who lived with him daily noticed no anomaly.

Inside the room.

Li Rui sat cross-legged on a mat.

Eyes closed, five points toward heaven, he quietly activated the Xuanqing Qi within.

The qi pathways from the "Flying Dragon Soaring Through Heaven" diagram surfaced in his mind.

Just fifteen minutes.

The Xuanqing Qi completed one full cycle according to the diagram’s instructions.

Li Rui focused his mind, gathering his qi, carefully sensing the changes within.

"It truly works!"

Ge Hong once said the "Flying Dragon Soaring Through Heaven" diagram demands extremely high true qi; most people cannot even complete one cycle, yet Li Rui succeeded on the first try.

Eighth-rank Jade Bones naturally align with the dragon’s form.

Added to that, Xuanqing Qi is no ordinary true qi—hence the ease.

Li Rui’s heart stirred slightly:

"With relentless day and night practice, the dragon’s form is within reach!"

Outside Qinghe City, the relay station.

Ning Zhongtian and a martial officer, seemingly in his forties, stood outside the station, each on horseback, their bodies dusted with morning dew.

The officer’s name was Lu Jun.

Like Ning Zhongtian, he was a Garrison Commander and also aligned with Jiang Lin.

Ning Zhongtian glanced at the sky gradually emerging from behind the dark clouds.

"The clouds part, revealing the sun."

In the distance.

A figure appeared calmly on the road.

Seeing him, Ning Zhongtian and Lu Jun both stiffened.

"Jiang Elder."

Both bowed in unison.

"No need for such formalities."

Jiang Lin waved his hand: "I encountered a Green-Faced Envoy of the Ghost Ming Sect on the road and dispatched him casually—it delayed me a bit."

Ning Zhongtian’s mouth twitched.

Qinghe locals might not know, but in neighboring counties, the Green-Faced Envoy’s reputation rivaled that of the Ten Thousand Ghosts Mother.

He was a fearsome figure in the martial world.

And Jiang Lin had casually killed him.

"Jiang Elder, wise and mighty."

Ning Zhongtian flattered without restraint.

Strictly speaking, he was under Lei Yong, not Jiang Lin; yet because an enemy’s enemy is a friend, he had become a staunch supporter of Jiang Lin’s faction.

But this was his first time meeting Jiang Lin. After flattering him, Ning Zhongtian stepped forward to introduce himself.

Jiang Lin: "You’re Ning Zhongtian. Lei Yong’s martial skill is mediocre, but his eye for talent is sharp."

"Jiang Elder speaks truly."

Ning Zhongtian understood his place.

Lei Yong couldn’t hear him anyway—now he followed Jiang Lin’s lead.

Lu Jun glanced at Ning Zhongtian, neither subservient nor arrogant: "Disciple Lu Jun greets Jiang Elder."

He said "Jiang Elder," not "Jiang Official."

Because he came from Huaqing Sect.

Huaqing Sect has trained countless experts, many absorbed into the imperial court as officials; Lu Jun had joined the Annan Army twenty years ago and rose to Garrison Commander.

Only recently, when Jiang Lin became Assistant Regional Commander of Anning Guard, was he transferred here.

He was naturally Jiang Lin’s trusted subordinate.

=9+ Shu _ Ba

His composure came not from needing to prove loyalty—his origin was loyalty itself.

"So you’re Master Lu’s disciple."

Jiang Lin smiled faintly.

When he was still a prodigy of Huaqing Sect, Lu Jun was there too; in terms of seniority, Lu Jun’s master was the disciple of Jiang Lin’s master’s disciple—thus Jiang Lin was Lu Jun’s senior uncle.

His lineage simply took disciples late.

Seniority naturally rose higher.

After greetings, Jiang Lin asked: "What has Cao Wei been doing lately?"

Ning Zhongtian recounted everything he knew.

Jiang Lin learned Cao Wei was aggressively purging Ghost Ming Sect demons.

He nodded in satisfaction:

"Not foolish."

Everyone assumed he was sent by the Emperor to balance the Fifth Prince—but everyone was wrong.

The current Emperor was the ruthless man who led armies to conquer ten nations in his youth.

He is now at the peak of his vigor; why would he fear a prince still unestablished?

The answer lies in the question itself.

The one seated upon the Central Dragon Throne truly intends to uproot the Ghost Ming Sect, this poisonous tumor—no emperor tolerates rebellion beneath his nose.

Even if it’s insignificant, it cannot be allowed—how can one sleep soundly with another snoring beside his bed?

Jiang Lin was sent to Qinghe.

To supervise Cao Wei, ensuring he earnestly fulfills his duty against the Ghost Ming Sect, not scheming for power.

If Cao Wei, because of such ambitions, neglects his true task,

his official career is finished—even the Fifth Prince cannot save him.

Too much cleverness in the eyes of true power is merely stupidity, and invites disdain.

Personal motives are acceptable, but the task must be done well.

Otherwise, how can the great Yu Empire govern the world?

Jiang Lin said to Ning Zhongtian and Lu Jun:

"Let’s go. Take me to meet Assistant Regional Commander Cao."

Qinghe New City.

Military camp, Li residence.

Evening.

After dinner, Li Rui closed his door and returned to his room.

He sat cross-legged on the mat, closed his eyes, and circulated his qi—one cycle, then another.

Guiding qi is like strengthening the body—both require one word: practice.

Only through hard training can progress be made; there are no shortcuts.

At most, a genius may advance faster—but even Jiang Lin must personally endure hardship; otherwise, even the finest talent is wasted.

Three parts talent, seven parts effort.

Cultivation knows no passage of time.

Three hours passed.

True qi circled within Li Rui’s body a full thirty-six times—that is, thirty-six heavenly circulations.

In the dantian.

Two streams of Xuanqing qi were clearly distinct: one a chaotic sphere, the other shaped like a dragon.

The instant the dragon-shaped true qi settled in the dantian—

A sudden anomaly occurred.

The dragon-shaped true qi crossed the invisible boundary.

It slowly coiled around the chaotic sphere!

Li Rui immediately held his breath.

(End of chapter)