Chapter 212: A Sudden Calamity? Or Fortune!

The Military Advisor's Hall, main chamber.

"Brother Li, I never expected this to happen."

Jiang Lin looked up, a rare bitter smile on his face.

"It's the Duke."

He said.

Li Rui and Ning Zhongtian both frowned at the name.

Ning Zhongtian had come to Li Rui today to say Jiang Lin had summoned them both.

They hadn't anticipated the post of Trade Company Commander could be tied to the Duke.

Jiang Lin: "Originally, Brother Li's appointment had already been approved by General Xue, awaiting only the Ministry of Personnel to complete the formalities—yet the Duke personally submitted a petition, requesting His Majesty appoint his grandson Qi Ze as Trade Company Commander."

"The Duke represents the old dynasty; many from the former Xuan state fled to Wu state, so His Majesty is wavering."

Li Rui stared at his nose, his nose at his dantian.

He simply listened in silence.

What manner of man is the Duke?

He is the leader of the old dynasty's remnants. Though the former Xuan state's power has utterly faded, a dying camel is still bigger than a horse—still far beyond the reach of a lowly official like him.

Not even a sixth-rank Company Commander—let alone a fifth-rank official—would be denied if the Duke spoke; the Emperor would nod without hesitation.

To those great figures, fifth and sixth ranks mean nothing; it's all the same who holds the post.

Failing to secure the Trade Company Commander post is a significant loss—though revealing part of one's strength isn't critical, this delay means waiting at least seven or eight more years for promotion.

But compared to offending the Duke, it's nothing.

Li Rui has always viewed gains and losses lightly.

He's waited seventy years; a little longer won't matter.

Jiang Lin looked at Li Rui: "Brother Li, I know what you're thinking, but this time, we must fight for it."

Li Rui hadn't spoken yet.

Ning Zhongtian spoke first: "Head Jiang, the Duke's family is vast and powerful—we can't afford to provoke them."

Jiang Lin slightly narrowed his eyes and pulled a slip of paper from his sleeve.

Li Rui and Ning Zhongtian stared at it.

Just one character: "Sheng."

The writing was terrible, with no brushstroke discipline.

Li Rui stared at it, growing more familiar by the second—then he remembered where he'd seen it before.

"I am greatly pleased."

Yes.

He'd seen the exact same script on an imperial decree.

Li Rui's pupils widened slightly.

It was the Emperor's personal handwriting!

Though only one character, its weight was immense.

More importantly, this imperial edict had clearly bypassed Annan Town—meaning Jiang Lin could communicate directly with the Dragon Throne.

That was extraordinary.

"So the rumors are true—Jiang Lin truly has deep ties to the Emperor."

Otherwise, this personal edict could never have reached his hands.

It should have been sent by fast courier to Annan Town, then issued by General Xue Gui.

Li Rui understood perfectly.

But Ning Zhongtian was full of questions.

"Sheng?"

Who wins? Who is to be defeated?

Jiang Lin spoke: "This is His Majesty's personal edict. The Emperor couldn't refuse the Duke outright, so he's arranged a martial contest—the winner becomes Trade Company Commander."

"His Majesty's intent is for you to defeat the Duke's grandson."

"Us?"

Ning Zhongtian was no fool.

His earlier confusion came from incomplete information; now, with Jiang Lin's explanation, it all clicked.

No wonder he'd been summoned too.

So he was to compete as well.

Clearly, Jiang Lin feared Li Rui might not be a match for the Duke's grandson, hence bringing Ning Zhongtian along.

As for Lu Jun, he was expendable.

Lu Jun's strength paled beside Ning Zhongtian's—if Ning Zhongtian lost, Lu Jun's participation would be useless, and he'd earn the Duke's enmity for deliberately obstructing him—no benefit, only risk.

Jiang Lin's gaze sharpened:

"I'm giving each of you fourteen Major Merits. Choose what you need—but remember: this battle must be won!"

The Emperor had outwardly agreed to the Duke's request, yet left a loophole, secretly sending this message—his intent was unmistakable.

He didn't want the Trade Company Commander post to go to the Duke's lineage, though he couldn't fathom why the Emperor cared so much about a mere sixth-rank post.

But if it was the Emperor's will, it must be fulfilled.

Ning Zhongtian and Li Rui both stiffened.

They knew Jiang Lin had issued a death order.

And rightly so.

This was the Emperor's direct command—if they failed, Jiang Lin would be punished too.

Ning Zhongtian's eyes blazed with martial fervor:

"Head Jiang, rest assured!"

Li Rui nodded: "Understood."

He didn't say anything about giving his all—that would be asking for reprimand; Jiang Lin wanted only certainty now.

Seeing their confidence, Jiang Lin nodded in satisfaction:

"The contest is set for ten days from now. Go prepare."

With that,

he waved them off.

"Brother Li, do you know what level that grandson is?"

Ning Zhongtian asked the moment they stepped out.

"."

Li Rui thought Ning Zhongtian was insulting him, but had no proof.

He paused, then said:

"I heard he just broke through to sixth rank two years ago. Qi Ze is one of the Duke's most favored grandsons."

The first Duke was the former dynasty's imperial uncle—originally surnamed Qi.

But after surrendering, he voluntarily changed his surname from Qi to Qi.

The founding Emperor had been delighted.

Precisely because of the Duke's loyal conduct, his family has endured to this day, with considerable power still intact.

Ning Zhongtian rubbed his chin.

"Sixth rank."

And only two years since breaking through—on the surface, victory seems certain. His earlier assurance to Jiang Lin was merely the duty of a subordinate.

In truth, he didn't even know who Qi Ze was.

Now that he knew Qi Ze's realm, he was no longer worried.

Ning Zhongtian grinned: "Brother Li, don't worry—that grandson won't be your match."

Li Rui smiled faintly: "Don't underestimate him, Brother Ning."

Ning Zhongtian nodded seriously: "You're right, Brother."

Though Qi Ze's realm is low, he's a prodigy from the Duke's household—his family's martial heritage is not to be dismissed.

Remember, the first Duke was the Xuan state's divine general—not just in strategy, but a true martial master in his own right.

Soon,

Ning Zhongtian's face lit up: "Fourteen Major Merits—Head Jiang really went all out."

=9+shu_ba

One Major Merit is already immensely valuable.

Jiang Lin gave both Ning Zhongtian and Li Rui fourteen each—his generosity was extraordinary.

Of course,

if they failed, after receiving such a gift, they'd be expelled from Anning Guard—perhaps even driven out of Yunzhou entirely.

The greater the reward, the heavier the burden.

Ning Zhongtian was the type who thrived under pressure, utterly unfazed.

After chatting a few moments with Li Rui, he hurried off to the Quartermaster's Office.

Li Rui went straight to the arms depot.

A T-shaped arms depot.

A familiar place.

Too bad, the quiet man on the third floor was gone.

Li Rui found Zhao Guanliang, the current supply officer.

"Officer Zhao, do you have the latest inventory?"

"Yes, yes."

Zhao Guanliang recognized Li Rui and immediately beamed with flattery.

How could he not treat him well?

Though Li Rui's official paperwork hadn't arrived yet, the news of his promotion to sixth-rank Captain had already spread through the Anning Guard.

He, a mere eighth-rank officer, naturally had to curry favor with a superior two ranks above him.

As he spoke,

he gave a signal to his subordinate, and soon a thick ledger was brought forth.

The arms depot kept a ledger recording all current supplies of the Anning Guard.

It was updated daily.

Li Rui had once been the supply officer—he knew this inside out.

Calculating the days, it was about time for the inventory update, which was why he came to the arms depot for the new list.

He flipped through the ledger with practiced ease.

He read quickly.

Low-value or useless items were swiftly skipped.

Moments later,

his turning of pages halted; his gaze fixed on a line of small characters.

"One drop of fourth-rank Jiaolong blood. This Jiaolong carried a trace of Chilong bloodline, of exceptional quality, originating from Wu State, valued at sixteen major merits."

Fourth-rank Jiaolong blood!

Li Rui's interest surged instantly.

He had long known the benefits of Jiaolong blood.

Had he not received Jiaolong blood before, the Dragon Form might have taken years longer to awaken.

This substance was supreme medicine for anyone bearing the Dragon Form.

Compared to the previous Jiaolong blood, this one was even more ferocious.

Fourth-rank—that meant a beast comparable to a Primordial Martial Artist, its strength beyond doubt.

And to carry even a trace of Chilong blood? That was exceedingly rare.

"With scales: Jiaolong. With wings: Yinglong. With horns: Qiulong. Without horns: Chilong."

Chilong was a true dragon.

The dragon bore nine offspring; the second was Chilong, known as Chilong.

Li Rui couldn't help but thank his habit of reviewing supply lists—otherwise he would have missed this item entirely.

This unique drop of Jiaolong blood came from trade between Wu State and Yu State.

The Wu State court had specifically sent it to the Annan Army.

General Xue had distributed two drops to each guard battalion.

Yes, you heard right—two drops.

And each drop cost sixteen major merits!

Perhaps that was why no one had rushed to claim it.

Those bearing the Dragon Form were already exceedingly rare; while Jiaolong blood greatly benefited ordinary martial artists, one drop was simply too little to make much difference.

Compared to that, spending sixteen major merits seemed utterly unjustifiable.

But—

these drawbacks meant nothing to Li Rui.

He already had three major merits, plus the fourteen given to him by Jiang Lin, totaling seventeen.

Unprecedented wealth.

Yesterday, he wouldn't have dared even look at it.

Such items were clearly meant for veteran Garrison Commanders, Assistant Regional Commanders, or Assistant Regional Commanders.

A newly promoted sixth-rank like Li Rui could never afford it.

But now—he was terrifyingly rich!

"That's the one."

Without hesitation, Li Rui went straight to the military supply office.

When the supply office heard Li Rui intended to exchange sixteen major merits for Jiaolong blood, they marveled at his wealth.

And inwardly condemned themselves—if they had sixteen major merits, they certainly wouldn't spend them this way.

He obtained the Jiaolong blood as desired.

Li Rui returned home.

His gaze burned as he stared at the small jade vial in his hand, gently pulling the wooden stopper.

A wild, ferocious stench of blood surged upward.

The Yinglong within him slowly opened its dragon eyes.

(End of Chapter)