[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-eternal-green-immortal-sovereign":3,"chapter-eternal-green-immortal-sovereign-eternal-green-immortal-sovereign-chapter-135":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Eternal Green Immortal Sovereign",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2270143,4432,"Chapter 135: Promotion, Patrol Guard Li","eternal-green-immortal-sovereign-chapter-135",135,"\u003Cp>Ten days passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The military and administrative evaluation proceeded steadily and orderly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First the common soldiers, then officers at every level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The five Garrison Commanders were naturally assessed by Cao Wei and Jiang Lin, then submitted to Annan Town.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the officers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next lower rank of officers were directly evaluated by the five Garrison Commanders, finally reviewed and approved by Cao Wei and Jiang Lin; reporting to Annan Town, the Ministry of Military Affairs, and the Ministry of Personnel was merely a formality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as it wasn’t outrageous, approval was guaranteed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was an unspoken understanding between civil and military officials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>General’s Mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the main hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Lin and Cao Wei had already left, leaving only the five Garrison Commanders to continue deliberating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Yu spoke up: “Gentlemen, according to this list, Chang Feng has the longest seniority among the seventh-rank officers and should be promoted—I believe the position of Company Commander in the Ji Battalion is most suitable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guan Xinrong was the first to agree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Reasonable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Zhongtian sat to the side, glancing sideways at the two who were in perfect sync.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chang Feng had long been Feng Yu’s right-hand man, but arrived late and never secured a position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guan Xinrong would never oppose it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Zhongtian said neither yes nor no.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Feng Yu’s faction had finished nominating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Zhongtian spoke calmly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ge Hong and Li Rui have broken through— they deserve appointments, lest we dampen the soldiers’ ambition.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he finished speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Jun was the first to agree: “Agreed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, Guan Xinrong frowned: “Ge Hong is fine, but Li Rui has only just broken through and is already seventy—he’s unsuitable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Yu remained silent, only watching Ning Zhongtian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Jun replied: “Heroes aren’t judged by age. By your logic, should General Xue, at one hundred and thirty, also be deemed unfit?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s sophistry!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guan Xinrong snorted, shifting tactics: “Moreover, this man broke through three realms in three years— even with some fortune, he must have concealed his true condition when joining the guard battalion. Such cunning makes him unfit for a key post.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He no longer wished to dwell on age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Jun had already invoked General Xue—he didn’t want to be accused of disrespecting his superior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Lu Jun was about to retort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Zhongtian suddenly spoke: “I oppose Chang Feng.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guan Xinrong was furious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duan Yu, who had been closing his eyes to rest, watched Ning Zhongtian with interest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Zhongtian’s stance was clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you won’t let me use my people, then you won’t use yours either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come on—let’s hurt each other!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Yu’s gaze turned cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One reason he avoided dealing with Ning Zhongtian was that the man came from the martial world—reckless, unpredictable, unorthodox.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he was also exceptionally strong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And his backer was Lei Yong— even if Feng Yu wanted to move against him, he had no way to act.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, Feng Yu had to speak:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then Ge Hong and Li Rui—no more.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Zhongtian grinned and turned to Lu Jun beside him: “Alright, my turn’s done. Brother Lu, your turn.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Yu’s eyes began to burn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evaluation results posted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A large wooden board was covered in dense small characters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ge Hong, Martial: B+, Performance: B+, Integrity: A, appointed Company Commander of Wu Battalion, commands fifty men.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ge Hong finally saw his name among the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes blazed with joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Company Commander—seventh rank—its authority even surpassed that of a County Magistrate; this was a glory to his ancestors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming also spotted Li Rui’s name: “Old Man Li, look!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui followed Wei Ming’s pointing finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Rui, Martial: C, Performance: B+, Integrity: A+, appointed Patrol Guard.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming beamed and bowed: “Congratulations, Old Man Li, Brother Ge.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had no interest in checking—he’d already been told by Ning Zhongtian his position would remain unchanged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was one of the costs of promoting Li Rui and Ge Hong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, he was already a Company Commander; any other post wouldn’t meaningfully elevate him—better to focus on martial cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ge Hong said in surprise: “Old Man Li, never thought you’d land the Patrol Guard post.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Patrol Guard was not a standard position within the guard battalion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It did not oversee any battalion or key supply depot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It belonged to the Night Scout cadre.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its duties were primarily external—essentially, dealing with sects and other factions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though its troop strength was small, every soldier was elite, tasked with monitoring sects in Annan’s territory, patrolling for demonic disturbances, and reporting directly to Ning Zhongtian—high status, excellent benefits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many had their eyes on this position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet it ended up going to this old man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui hadn’t expected it either—Ning Zhongtian clearly held him in high regard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He must think this old bone is worth something—probably figures sect masters will go easier on an old man like me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming and Ge Hong laughed together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Li Rui’s self-deprecating joke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they guessed Ning Zhongtian’s intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Annan Guard arrived in Qinghe, the Night Scouts had clashed often with surrounding factions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now they needed a Patrol Guard who was even-tempered and knew when to advance or retreat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who better than Li Rui?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a line of small characters appeared before Li Rui’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Congratulations, Host—Achievement Completed: “From General to Minister” (Beginner) Plot—Promotion.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Entering officialdom, your only task is promotion. Only by climbing step by step to the summit can you realize your ambition. Becoming a Patrol Guard is a fine start—keep striving.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Task “Promotion” completed. Reward calculation in progress.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Task rating: B.】【Obtained 30 Achievement Points!】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Name: Li Rui】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Age: 10】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Talent: Martial Bone, Exceptional Comprehension, Spirit Eye】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Technique: Chang Chun Gong, Dragon Soaring Through Nine Heavens】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Achievements: 40\u002F100】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui raised an eyebrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Turns out being an official is better.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just by getting promoted, he gained Achievement Points—double reward!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the Patrol Guard position was closely tied to the martial world, letting him complete the “Famous in the Jianghu” achievement too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One arrow, three targets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>=9+shu_ba\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This post was tailor-made for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Zhongtian was truly someone you could work with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Promotion within Annan Guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only required approval from Jiang Lin and Cao Wei; everything else was just going through the motions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The official seal hasn’t arrived yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui was summoned to the Night Scout camp by Ning Zhongtian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Night Scouts do not belong to any of the twenty-two battalions; they are more like the Garrison Commander’s personal guards—or spies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each of the five Garrison Commanders has their own Night Scouts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Zhongtian’s Night Scouts, also called Runhu Cavalry, are theoretically under the Flying Eagle Cavalry and form an elite unit within the Annan Garrison’s structure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tan Ge, come take care of the guest!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Zhongtian shouted loudly across the camp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not long after.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man over eight feet tall, broad and muscular, crawled out of a house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, crawled out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most front doors in Yu State are seven feet eight inches high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The houses in the military camp were all built to the same standard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So this Tan man could only exit by bending his head low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He first smiled at Ning Zhongtian: “Chief Ning, you’re here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he sized up Li Rui from head to toe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Zhongtian pointed at Li Rui: “This is Brother Li. He’s the Patrol Commander of Runhu Cavalry. You’ll be taking orders from him from now on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The big man scratched his head with a deep, rumbling voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui had memorized the roster of a thousand men in Anning Garrison; though he’d never met this man before, he knew his background.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tan Hu, early forties, born with a diamond bone structure, immensely strong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After joining the Annan Army, he earned numerous military merits through bravery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was favored by Ning Zhongtian and specially brought over from an external prefecture to Anning Garrison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He is the Company Commander of Runhu Cavalry, rank from sixth grade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Officers like Tan Hu are ranked based on military merit; some elite Company Commanders in Annan Garrison even hold equal rank to Garrison Commanders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ultimately, it comes down to the number of troops under command and the extent of authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tan Hu’s rank alone reveals the importance of the Night Scouts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Zhongtian, seeing this, sighed in resignation and added sternly: “Brother Li is steady and composed. You’ll listen to him from now on—no more reckless behavior.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, Jiang Lin secured eleven positions from the Ministry of War.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five of them were Patrol Commanders for the Night Scouts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was because recent demon-hunting operations had caused too many disturbances within Anning Garrison’s Night Scouts—they needed someone steady to rein things in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Tan Hu is from sixth grade and Li Rui is seventh grade, both are commanders of Runhu Cavalry and both have the authority to report directly to Ning Zhongtian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is the charm of checks and balances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, if Tan Hu wants to act impulsively, he must first gain Li Rui’s approval before deploying troops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And vice versa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tan Hu’s broad face twisted into an unwilling grin: “Yes, yes, I’ll listen to Brother Li from now on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Zhongtian nearly laughed in exasperation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tan Hu was a fierce general, loyal to him personally, but his temper was too volatile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to Li Rui: “Brother Li, I’m counting on you to keep an eye on Runhu Camp—don’t let any more chaos happen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Staying steady? He was good at that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After giving Tan Hu a few more instructions, Ning Zhongtian left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sooner had Ning Zhongtian gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dozen heads popped up over the courtyard wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chief?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first to emerge was Liang He.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had previously been sent to the Night Scouts through Li Rui’s connections, and never imagined that just a year later, Li Rui had become a Patrol Commander of the Night Scouts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a twist of fate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Little He.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One company consisted of fifty men; the Night Scouts numbered only thirteen, but all were ranked martial cultivators, each mounted on fine horses—truly an elite setup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tan Hu blinked in surprise: “You know each other?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui: “Little He used to work in my arms depot.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, I see. This kid’s sharp—good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tan Hu praised Liang He a few times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, Liang He had performed well in Runhu Cavalry and earned his commander’s approval.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui said to Tan Hu: “Brother Tan, thank you for looking out for Little He.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tan Hu grinned: “Little He’s a real man—I like him a lot.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui felt if they kept chatting like this, he might be forcing a male bond, so he shifted to the matter at hand: “Brother Tan, where are the patrol records? I’m new here—I’d like to glance through them when I have time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tan Hu: “Easy. Little He, show Brother Li where they are.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The rest of you—come with me for training!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others had been watching the scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Tan Hu mention training, they all drooped like wilted eggplants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1860,"2026-06-19T22:01:09.077Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","8d788b863c7e263c01dc875d3ebc5650f71352b27c0bba22c282fdfc1014f676","eternal-green-immortal-sovereign-chapter-136","eternal-green-immortal-sovereign-chapter-134",866,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Feternal-green-immortal-sovereign-cover.jpg"]