Chapter 157: Another Promotion!

Ning Zhongtian's lips twitched wildly.

"That's it?!"

He had assumed Li Rui was once a stable boy with some unique horse-taming skill, only to find it so crude and straightforward.

Li Rui offered no explanation.

Is that really what happened?

Yes, really.

It was his experience gained over years of taming horses for the Zhu family.

The Red Dragon Horse is a demonic steed, but at its core, it is still a horse—and as a horse, it has the nature of a horse.

Taming a horse is much like taming a dog: first, you must be fierce—not just in attitude, but with real killing intent.

Earlier, the Red Dragon Horse dared to kick Ning Zhongtian because it knew Ning Zhongtian wouldn't kill it.

But Li Rui would.

He didn't understand horse language, but killing intent could be felt without words.

This Red Dragon Horse had already been trained and carried demonic blood, making it smarter than ordinary horses and far more sensitive to Li Rui's lethal intent—not feigned.

Would Li Rui really kill the horse?

Of course not—it was a reward Ning Zhongtian had gone to great lengths to obtain.

But he could pretend.

This was a method he'd learned over decades of taming horses, and he hadn't expected it to work just as well on a demonic steed.

Beyond that, he had spent half his life among horses, absorbing an indelible "horse aura," another key reason the Red Dragon Horse submitted so quickly.

In fact, this phenomenon was common.

Even the fiercest dog grows silent and cowed before a dog killer—it's the same principle.

Li Rui patted the Red Dragon Horse contentedly: "Thank you, Chief Ning."

Each profession has its specialty.

Seeing the Red Dragon Horse so docile in Li Rui's hands, Ning Zhongtian finally relaxed.

Just as everyone thought the rewards were over,

Ning Zhongtian's eyes flickered with cunning.

He pulled a sealed pouch from his robe: "Brother Li, I told you—you helped me greatly, so I couldn't let you work for free. I've taken all the credit."

Li Rui understood.

He meant the time Li Rui delivered intelligence about Qi Cheng.

He took the pouch.

His heart stirred slightly.

The pouch bore a seal carved with talismanic symbols, sealed with a paper tag stamped with the words: "Danhua Verified Across the Four Directions."

He opened the pouch.

A yellow parchment edged with dragon script came into view, bearing a red seal: "Guangyun's Treasure!"

Ning Zhongtian smiled smugly: "Congratulations, Lord Li, on your promotion."

In Li Rui's hand was an imperial edict.

An edict—not a decree of appointment.

Generally, imperial documents issued to the public at large were called edicts; those announced within limited circles were called edicts.

Among them, those concerning official appointments were edicts; those praising or reprimanding were edict orders; those granting honors upon retirement or posthumous titles were decrees of appointment.

In short, what Li Rui held was an imperial decree!

Good heavens.

In all his years, he'd never seen what an imperial decree actually looked like.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: In ancient times, sage kings emerged from the mountains to govern the realm. Today, Li Rui of Qinghe, aged seventy, still labors tirelessly for the state. I am greatly pleased. I hereby appoint him to the rank of Junior Sixth Class."

The four characters "I am greatly pleased" differed in style from the rest.

High EQ: The characters flowed like dragons in flight.

Low EQ: The writing was ugly.

It completely ruined the document's elegance.

Li Rui guessed it was written by the Emperor himself.

"This is no small thing!"

Normally, officials below the sixth rank had no right to receive imperial decrees, let alone the rare honor of an emperor's personal handwriting.

With this decree in hand, even the Prefect would address him respectfully as "Old Li."

Ning Zhongtian spoke: "Brother Li, I went out of my way to petition Lord Jiang. He reported your case, and unexpectedly, the Ministry of Personnel informed His Majesty. When the Emperor heard you had previously slain demons and earned a Merit Stele, he was overjoyed and granted this decree."

He had always been generous to his subordinates; ever since Li Rui delivered him such a great service, he'd kept rewarding him in mind.

Gifts alone seemed insufficient, so he gritted his teeth and decided to promote Li Rui half a rank.

That would place him on equal footing with Tan Hu.

But he'd merely hoped for it—he never expected this outcome.

Li Rui was already seventh rank.

Ning Zhongtian was sixth rank; while he had no authority to promote Li Rui to Junior Sixth, he held strong advisory power.

Technically, this matter only required Jiang Lin's approval.

Yet somehow, the Emperor himself took notice—and here we are today.

In short, it was a publicity effect.

After hearing the full story, Li Rui immediately understood.

His seventy-year-old reputation was extremely useful—throughout the Yu Kingdom, there was no second case like his. Naturally, he deserved a grand reward to inspire other young people in Yu.

Look: a seventy-year-old who earned a Merit Stele is now a Junior Sixth Class official.

As long as you work hard, it's never too late.

The court sees clearly—it rewards talent regardless of age or origin.

Hence this "overblown" imperial decree.

Li Rui was overjoyed.

With this decree, once framed and displayed at home, his status would instantly rise to noble distinction.

From now on, whenever any official below third rank visited his home, he could serve tea and recount the story of this imperial decree written by the Emperor's own hand.

"Thank you, Chief Ning."

Li Rui tucked away the decree, still grateful despite his excitement.

Ning Zhongtian waved his hand: "We're brothers—no need for thanks."

The higher Li Rui's rank rose, the more benefits Ning Zhongtian gained.

He wasn't the kind of superior who resented his subordinates' success—he actually hoped they'd rise even higher than himself.

That way, his own connections would flow even more smoothly.

"Alright, the gifts are delivered. I've other matters—I'll take my leave. Let's drink properly another day."

Ning Zhongtian came and went in a flash.

He truly just delivered the gifts, then vanished with his men in a blur.

After Ning Zhongtian had gone far away,

Liang He and the other soldiers of the Running Tiger Cavalry dared to approach.

They stared at the decree in Li Rui's hand.

"That's the imperial decree?"

"Of course it is—Chief Ning said so himself."

"These characters don't look that impressive."

"Yeah, pretty ordinary," several of them chattered among themselves.

Li Rui thought for a moment, then decided not to tell them that the four characters "I am greatly pleased" were almost certainly written by the Emperor.

If anyone with ill intent overheard that, it would be at least an offense of disrespect.

Fortunately, this wasn't the capital.

Tang Hai rubbed his chin: "I heard imperial decrees are always read aloud by eunuchs—why is this different from what I expected?"

Li Rui smiled but said nothing.

The idea that imperial decrees are always read by eunuchs is a major misconception.

It likely stems from the fact that decrees often appear in the capital, so rumors depict eunuchs chanting "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees."

But in truth, imperial decrees are delivered and proclaimed by imperial envoys or officials designated by the Emperor.

Only because the capital is nearby are they often carried by palace eunuchs.

But once sent to the provinces,

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they are typically entrusted to local senior officials—or, in especially important cases, dispatched by imperial envoys.

Li Rui is a Junior Sixth Class official.

According to protocol, such a rank has no right to receive an imperial decree at all.

It was only because the Emperor was in a good mood that this exception was made.

This is already imperial grace enough—do you expect an official from the capital to personally deliver the edict to old Li Rui?

It was first handed to the Regional Commander of Annan Town, then passed to Jiang Lin, then to Ning Zhongtian, and finally reached Li Rui's hands.

Very soon.

Everyone's gaze fell again on the Red Dragon Horse.

They were all Night Scouts; they naturally had a special bond with warhorses.

Who in the Running Tiger Cavalry wouldn't want a good horse?

But a good horse's value rivals even a divine weapon.

The horses of Liang He and the others were all standard-issue Night Scout mounts—though they carried a trace of demonic beast blood, it was negligible, merely granting slightly greater endurance than ordinary warhorses.

Only Tan Hu's horse could be called good.

But compared to Li Rui's horse, the difference was not the slightest bit.

Ning Zhongtian's own horse was probably no better than that.

"So generous."

Liang He and the others all thought the same thing.

No wonder Ning Zhongtian had such an excellent reputation in Anning Guard.

Such generosity—how could he not be admired?

Li Rui, too, was instantly captivated; rarely did he act so unrestrained—he didn't even need to grab the saddle, leaping effortlessly onto the Red Dragon Horse.

He lightly squeezed with his legs.

"Giddy-up!"

A soft cry.

The Red Dragon Horse snorted, its hooves like a gale—the scenery around them blurred into streaks, rushing rapidly backward.

Four thousand li in a single day!

Li Rui's eyes gleamed.

Only now, as it ran, did the Red Dragon Horse reveal its true power.

Like a streak of red lightning, within mere breaths it circled the Running Tiger Camp's training ground several times.

With this horse,

one would struggle even to be surrounded—its speed was terrifyingly fast.

"Thrilling!"

At that moment, a line of small characters appeared before his eyes.

【Congratulations, Host! Achievement completed: "From General to Chancellor" — Promotion.】

【Task "Promotion" completed. Reward calculation in progress.】

【Task rating: C.】

【Obtained 20 Achievement Points!】

【Name: Li Rui】

【Age: 10】

【Talent: Martial Bone, Exceptional Comprehension, Insightful Eyes】

【Cultivation Technique: Changchun Art, Dragon Soaring Through Nine Heavens】

【Achievements: 60/100】

"Three blessings at once!"

At the other end.

After delivering the items, Ning Zhongtian walked alone through the camp.

Soldiers passing by all bowed respectfully.

He walked as if he saw nothing.

The rank difference was too great—it wasn't worth it. Dozens of soldiers had saluted him along the way—could he possibly reply to each one?

Wouldn't that be exhausting?

Ning Zhongtian was approachable, but not so foolish as to burden himself for the sake of a reputation for humility.

Moments later.

He arrived before a grand mansion.

A vermilion gate bore the plaque: "Assistant Regional Commander's Residence."

He greeted the several Huaqing Sect disciples guarding the residence with familiarity.

Most Huaqing Sect disciples were directly assigned to the Assistant Regional Commander's Office; only the stewards received official posts and became proper Anning Guard officers.

He passed through a covered corridor.

Soon he reached a pavilion shaded by green foliage.

He drew near.

There he saw Jiang Lin seated across from an old Daoist with white hair and a youthful face, exuding an ethereal aura.

Ning Zhongtian halted, startled:

"So powerful!"

Merely from afar, he could sense the terrifying aura radiating from the old Daoist.

Seeing Ning Zhongtian arrive,

Jiang Lin smiled faintly and said, "You're here. I need to speak with you."

He stood up.

Then glanced at the old Daoist beside him: "By the way, let me introduce you."

"This is Daoist Zhang of the Wuxian Tower."

(End of Chapter)