[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-eternal-green-immortal-sovereign":3,"chapter-eternal-green-immortal-sovereign-eternal-green-immortal-sovereign-chapter-212":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},2270220,4432,"Chapter 212: A Sudden Calamity? Or Fortune!","eternal-green-immortal-sovereign-chapter-212",212,"\u003Cp>The Military Advisor’s Hall, main chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Li, I never expected this to happen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Lin looked up, a rare bitter smile on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s the Duke.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui and Ning Zhongtian both frowned at the name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Zhongtian had come to Li Rui today to say Jiang Lin had summoned them both.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They hadn’t anticipated the post of Trade Company Commander could be tied to the Duke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Duke represents the old dynasty; many from the former Xuan state fled to Wu state, so His Majesty is wavering.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui stared at his nose, his nose at his dantian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He simply listened in silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What manner of man is the Duke?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To those great figures, fifth and sixth ranks mean nothing; it’s all the same who holds the post.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But compared to offending the Duke, it’s nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui has always viewed gains and losses lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’s waited seventy years; a little longer won’t matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Lin looked at Li Rui: “Brother Li, I know what you’re thinking, but this time, we must fight for it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui hadn’t spoken yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Zhongtian spoke first: “Head Jiang, the Duke’s family is vast and powerful—we can’t afford to provoke them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Lin slightly narrowed his eyes and pulled a slip of paper from his sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui and Ning Zhongtian stared at it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just one character: “Sheng.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The writing was terrible, with no brushstroke discipline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui stared at it, growing more familiar by the second—then he remembered where he’d seen it before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am greatly pleased.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d seen the exact same script on an imperial decree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui’s pupils widened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the Emperor’s personal handwriting!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though only one character, its weight was immense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More importantly, this imperial edict had clearly bypassed Annan Town—meaning Jiang Lin could communicate directly with the Dragon Throne.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was extraordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So the rumors are true—Jiang Lin truly has deep ties to the Emperor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, this personal edict could never have reached his hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It should have been sent by fast courier to Annan Town, then issued by General Xue Gui.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui understood perfectly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Ning Zhongtian was full of questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sheng?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who wins? Who is to be defeated?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“His Majesty’s intent is for you to defeat the Duke’s grandson.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Zhongtian was no fool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His earlier confusion came from incomplete information; now, with Jiang Lin’s explanation, it all clicked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder he’d been summoned too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he was to compete as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, Jiang Lin feared Li Rui might not be a match for the Duke’s grandson, hence bringing Ning Zhongtian along.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Lu Jun, he was expendable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Lin’s gaze sharpened:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m giving each of you fourteen Major Merits. Choose what you need—but remember: this battle must be won!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor had outwardly agreed to the Duke’s request, yet left a loophole, secretly sending this message—his intent was unmistakable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if it was the Emperor’s will, it must be fulfilled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Zhongtian and Li Rui both stiffened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They knew Jiang Lin had issued a death order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And rightly so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the Emperor’s direct command—if they failed, Jiang Lin would be punished too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Zhongtian’s eyes blazed with martial fervor:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Head Jiang, rest assured!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui nodded: “Understood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t say anything about giving his all—that would be asking for reprimand; Jiang Lin wanted only certainty now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing their confidence, Jiang Lin nodded in satisfaction:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The contest is set for ten days from now. Go prepare.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he waved them off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Li, do you know what level that grandson is?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Zhongtian asked the moment they stepped out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui thought Ning Zhongtian was insulting him, but had no proof.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, then said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard he just broke through to sixth rank two years ago. Qi Ze is one of the Duke’s most favored grandsons.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first Duke was the former dynasty’s imperial uncle—originally surnamed Qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after surrendering, he voluntarily changed his surname from Qi to Qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The founding Emperor had been delighted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Precisely because of the Duke’s loyal conduct, his family has endured to this day, with considerable power still intact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Zhongtian rubbed his chin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sixth rank.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, he didn’t even know who Qi Ze was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that he knew Qi Ze’s realm, he was no longer worried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Zhongtian grinned: “Brother Li, don’t worry—that grandson won’t be your match.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui smiled faintly: “Don’t underestimate him, Brother Ning.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Zhongtian nodded seriously: “You’re right, Brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Remember, the first Duke was the Xuan state’s divine general—not just in strategy, but a true martial master in his own right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Zhongtian’s face lit up: “Fourteen Major Merits—Head Jiang really went all out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>=9+shu_ba\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One Major Merit is already immensely valuable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Lin gave both Ning Zhongtian and Li Rui fourteen each—his generosity was extraordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>if they failed, after receiving such a gift, they’d be expelled from Anning Guard—perhaps even driven out of Yunzhou entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The greater the reward, the heavier the burden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Zhongtian was the type who thrived under pressure, utterly unfazed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After chatting a few moments with Li Rui, he hurried off to the Quartermaster’s Office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui went straight to the arms depot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A T-shaped arms depot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A familiar place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too bad, the quiet man on the third floor was gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui found Zhao Guanliang, the current supply officer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Officer Zhao, do you have the latest inventory?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Guanliang recognized Li Rui and immediately beamed with flattery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could he not treat him well?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He, a mere eighth-rank officer, naturally had to curry favor with a superior two ranks above him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he gave a signal to his subordinate, and soon a thick ledger was brought forth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The arms depot kept a ledger recording all current supplies of the Anning Guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was updated daily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui had once been the supply officer—he knew this inside out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calculating the days, it was about time for the inventory update, which was why he came to the arms depot for the new list.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He flipped through the ledger with practiced ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He read quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Low-value or useless items were swiftly skipped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>his turning of pages halted; his gaze fixed on a line of small characters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fourth-rank Jiaolong blood!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui’s interest surged instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had long known the benefits of Jiaolong blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had he not received Jiaolong blood before, the Dragon Form might have taken years longer to awaken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This substance was supreme medicine for anyone bearing the Dragon Form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to the previous Jiaolong blood, this one was even more ferocious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fourth-rank—that meant a beast comparable to a Primordial Martial Artist, its strength beyond doubt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And to carry even a trace of Chilong blood? That was exceedingly rare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With scales: Jiaolong. With wings: Yinglong. With horns: Qiulong. Without horns: Chilong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chilong was a true dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dragon bore nine offspring; the second was Chilong, known as Chilong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui couldn’t help but thank his habit of reviewing supply lists—otherwise he would have missed this item entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This unique drop of Jiaolong blood came from trade between Wu State and Yu State.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Wu State court had specifically sent it to the Annan Army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>General Xue had distributed two drops to each guard battalion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, you heard right—two drops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And each drop cost sixteen major merits!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps that was why no one had rushed to claim it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to that, spending sixteen major merits seemed utterly unjustifiable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>these drawbacks meant nothing to Li Rui.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He already had three major merits, plus the fourteen given to him by Jiang Lin, totaling seventeen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unprecedented wealth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yesterday, he wouldn’t have dared even look at it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such items were clearly meant for veteran Garrison Commanders, Assistant Regional Commanders, or Assistant Regional Commanders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A newly promoted sixth-rank like Li Rui could never afford it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now—he was terrifyingly rich!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s the one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation, Li Rui went straight to the military supply office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the supply office heard Li Rui intended to exchange sixteen major merits for Jiaolong blood, they marveled at his wealth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And inwardly condemned themselves—if they had sixteen major merits, they certainly wouldn’t spend them this way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He obtained the Jiaolong blood as desired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui returned home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze burned as he stared at the small jade vial in his hand, gently pulling the wooden stopper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wild, ferocious stench of blood surged upward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Yinglong within him slowly opened its dragon eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1759,"2026-06-19T22:01:11.003Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","c223f9ee6591d5bea831ec8485dcb51e6451a03a876e76b255d99fba7a2f404d","eternal-green-immortal-sovereign-chapter-213","eternal-green-immortal-sovereign-chapter-211",866,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Feternal-green-immortal-sovereign-cover.jpg"]