Chapter 256: The Lord of Manggu City, Lady Lingluo

Anning Wei had become much quieter; the soldiers who used to stroll in groups, chatting and laughing, were nowhere to be seen.

"Li Tou'er, you got sick at the worst possible time."

Tan Hu wandered listlessly through the guard post.

"When the old man lost his horse, who knew it wasn't a blessing?"

"What horse?"

"Never mind, I didn't say anything."

Li Rui hadn't expected his already low level of education to give him a chance to crush someone else.

Tan Hu was deeply frustrated.

Cao Wei and Lei Yong led over fifteen hundred men out of Anning Wei; they'd likely reach the checkpoint by tomorrow, then ride hard across the battlefield.

How exhilarating that would be.

He'd already steeled himself to charge into battle, but only three garrison commanders were selected to join—Li Rui wasn't among them, so he naturally lost his chance to fight.

Tan Hu didn't blame Li Rui.

He firmly believed that if Li Rui hadn't accidentally suffered qi deviation, he'd have made it into those three names.

Haven't you seen how Li Rui used to beat Qi Ze like a child?

Li Rui chuckled.

He certainly wouldn't tell Tan Hu.

Not going to the Wu Kingdom battlefield was deliberate.

Staying safe is good enough.

"Huizi, peace is fortune."

Tan Hu sneered: "Brother Li, you can't think like that. At seventy, a man's still fit to charge into battle."

Li Rui added:

"I'm already eighty."

"."

Tan Hu realized he'd underestimated Li Rui—even more so in age and strength.

Li Rui: "By the way, General Cao and others have gone to Wu Kingdom. The rebels there might strike back; keep a close eye on the trade routes with more men. I've already spoken to Lord Lu—you can just go and request them."

"Got it!"

Tan Hu's eyes lit up instantly.

If he couldn't fight on the battlefield, killing a few petty bandits inside Yu Kingdom would still be satisfying.

Watching Tan Hu sprint off eagerly,

Li Rui smiled and shook his head: "Young men, full of blood and vigor."

He gazed far southward.

He could already picture battlefields buried under sand and bones.

This time, it wasn't just Anning Wei—even not just Annan Town—but also Jianchuan Town was involved.

How could a matter personally overseen by Viceroy Yuan be small?

To put it bluntly, anything under twenty thousand troops was just petty skirmishing—not worth Viceroy Yuan's attention.

Cao Wei and Lei Yong were merely one detachment in the grand army.

Yu Kingdom's aid to Wu Kingdom in quelling the rebellion was far larger than he'd anticipated.

The top figures in Yu Kingdom clearly intended to exploit the situation and expand it—no doubt even Wu Kingdom's court hadn't foreseen this scale.

This was an open strategy.

Yu Kingdom's Emperor had long wanted to interfere in Wu Kingdom's affairs.

He'd tried before, but had to withdraw due to the new Wu Emperor's ascension.

Now he'd seized another chance.

Of course he'd seize it hard.

Wu Kingdom's court knew—but what could they do?

The southern frontier was in dire straits; they truly needed Yu Kingdom's troops. Sure, the dead were Wu citizens and the losses were Wu property—but at least they weren't their own.

Before final victory, any price was worth paying.

This situation was common.

Back when the founding Emperor fought for dominion, Wu Kingdom had done nearly the same thing.

On the surface, they were cordial; underneath, they were cursing.

As always: interest is the best friend.

"All under heaven bustle for profit."

"Damn it, useless fools, useless!"

Wu Kingdom.

In the Lord's mansion of Manggu City, furious curses rang out.

Yuan Gao was beyond enraged.

"Zhuang Renhe, when I return, I'll slaughter your entire Zhuang family!"

The plan had been going perfectly.

The Blood Shadow Ancestor had already persuaded the Nine Souls Dharma King to act; all they needed was a way to lure Jiang Lin out of the city, then capture him alive to fulfill the Immortal Lord's orders.

Now look what happened.

Zhuang Renhe was dead.

Dead was dead—but the blame for his murder was pinned on the Qi clan of the southern frontier. Now the Qi clan was fully occupied with war and had no time to care about the Immortal Lord's mission.

How could he not be furious?

Yuan Gao finally suppressed his rage and gradually calmed down.

He knew perfectly well that the Qi clan hadn't killed Zhuang Renhe.

Zhuang Renhe was officially a Yu Kingdom county magistrate, but his true identity was a spy for the Ghost Ming Sect. Now the Ghost Ming Sect was allied with the Qi clan of the southern frontier—there was no reason for them to kill Zhuang Renhe.

Yuan Gao's eyelids twitched:

"Then who killed Zhuang Renhe?"

Zhuang Renhe wasn't just a magistrate—he was a fifth-rank Sea-Viewing expert.

In Qinghe, very few could kill him—perhaps only a handful.

As Yuan Gao pondered,

a woman's voice spoke: "Master Yuan, why be so furious? We still have opportunities."

Yuan Gao turned toward the voice and saw a pale-skinned woman in a blazing red gown walking gracefully forward.

Beside her stood an old man—Qi Rui.

"Madam Qi, what do you mean?"

Yuan Gao regarded the beautiful woman with caution.

Lady Lingluo didn't bear the surname Ling; her surname was Qi.

She was the Lord of Manggu City.

Ten years ago, she was merely the Lord's wife; after the Lord died, she became the new Lord.

Rumor had it she killed her predecessor.

The rumor might be false, but Lady Lingluo's venomous heart and cruel ruthlessness were real.

He'd witnessed it himself during his stay in Manggu City.

Lady Lingluo: "He's just a company commander from a guard post. When Master Yuan brings the Dharma King, I'll have my own way to lure him out—then the Dharma King's hand will be enough to seize him."

She smiled, her lips curving like a storm.

Yuan Gao sneered inwardly:

'Seductive vixen.'

Lady Lingluo clearly had no intention of revealing her plan yet.

Over these past days, he'd already clashed with her; every time they met, she brought up the Nine Souls Dharma King.

He knew exactly what she wanted.

She was hoping the Dharma King would come and guard Manggu City for her.

The Qi clan of the southern frontier had powerful experts,

but those experts were stationed in major cities. If Manggu City had a Land Immortal to guard it, its stability would rise dramatically.

Her calculations were practically flying into his face.

"The Dharma King has already headed south and will arrive in Manggu City soon. I hope you won't break your word then."

Yuan Gao spoke coolly.

To capture Jiang Lin, the Ghost Ming Sect alone couldn't manage it—they needed the Qi clan's help.

"Naturally."

Lady Lingluo's crimson lips curled slightly.

"Then I'll take my leave."

Saying this,

Yuan Gao had no interest in lingering—he turned and walked out of the Lord's mansion.

Watching Yuan Gao depart.

Qi Rui finally spoke slowly: "Governor, are you truly certain?"

Capturing Jiang Lin alive is no easy task, let alone now that the Yu Kingdom's army is only a hundred li from Manggu City.

A hundred li is but a day's march for the Yu Kingdom's troops. Yet Jiang Lin is still a thousand li away in Qinghe—how could he possibly lure him here?

Qi Rui gazed at this young scion of the Qi family.

By lineage, Lady Jingluo was even his granddaughter's generation.

Yet Qi Rui willingly served as her deputy in Manggu City.

Why?

Wasn't it because Lady Jingluo had a seven-orifice, exquisitely clever mind—the kind folks say is born with brilliance?

And her martial roots were exceptional: ruthless toward others, even more so toward herself.

At just sixteen, she married the then three-hundred-year-old former governor of Manggu City, becoming a laughingstock of the Qi clan—yet quietly, without a word, she seized the governor's seat.

Since then, no one dared mock Lady Jingluo again.

"It's damned strange—how come all the Qi men are useless?"

Lady Jingluo's smile vanished entirely; she became as cold as an ice mountain: "The Yu Kingdom truly thinks the Qi clan is so easy to bully? You will pay dearly!"

"Uncle Rui, rest easy."

"Big Brother, I beheaded thirty today—all went smoothly. Hope for a swift victory and return."

Li Rui stared at the short scrap of paper in his hand.

It had come with Ning Zhongtian's battlefield report.

Ever since he went to Wu Kingdom, Ning Zhongtian sent a note back every so often.

According to the letter, he had achieved much on the battlefield.

He had now accumulated no fewer than a dozen major merits.

For a Garrison Commander, that was no small number.

No wonder the battlefield is where soldiers earn glory and rise swiftly—Ning Zhongtian's kills alone could net him dozens of major merits.

Such a quantity of major merits was truly extraordinary.

Of course.

Li Rui did not believe things were as easy as Ning Zhongtian's letter suggested; if it were truly that simple, the imperial court would have raised the merit requirements for Annan Town long ago.

The court's rewards aren't blown in by the wind—you must trade your life to earn them, especially on the battlefield.

Military promotions move fast; you often see generals as young as twenty.

Yet few realize.

That's all built on heaps of corpses—a teenage general's back rests on countless skeletons.

And furthermore.

How do you know who stands behind that teenage general?

Youth, don't be misled by appearances and let Rexue cloud your judgment.

Li Rui handed the letter to Wang Zhao: "Xiao Zhao, take this letter to the Heaven and Earth Alliance. Have your senior brother deliver it to Lord Huang."

"Yes, Master."

Wang Zhao nodded.

Ning Zhongtian wasn't just his brother—he was closer to Huang Chui and Fei Laosan; he couldn't know and not tell them.

It was merely to report his safety.

Having spent time with them, Li Rui could feel it.

Huang Chui and Fei Laosan already regarded him as their Alliance Master, and Ning Zhongtian as a brother.

Li Rui felt no resentment over it; maintaining surface respect was enough—it wasn't necessary, nor reasonable, to force all into brotherhood.

The timing was wrong, the context was wrong—this lifetime held no such possibility.

Who has ever seen a superior treated as a brother, after sharing hardship with true brothers?

Though all three were Alliance Masters, Li Rui was, in essence, their superior.

Li Rui knew he had no gift for being universally liked.

Battle reports kept arriving.

All good news.

Today they slew so many, tomorrow they captured so many cities—utterly unstoppable.

These were posted on the guard battalion's public notice board.

Causing every garrison soldier to stare with envy.

Undoubtedly, if the victory was glorious, they wouldn't just gain battlefield merits—upon return, if the Emperor was pleased, he might grant an additional reward.

A free bonus.

Tan Hu, watching, grew even more envious.

He'd been leading patrols daily, yet hadn't encountered a single enemy.

Frustrated, he led his men into the forests and slaughtered several bands of bandits.

"Lord Li, Elder Jiang requests your presence at his residence."

A Huaqing Sect disciple knocked on the door.

Originally, there were many Huaqing Sect disciples in Anning Guard; now, aside from those on duty, you could only find them at Jiang Lin's residence.

"Alright."

Li Rui nodded.

He immediately followed the Huaqing Sect disciple to Jiang Lin's Assistant Regional Commander's residence.

When he entered the main hall,

he saw Jiang Lin seated on a grand armchair, Jiang Yan standing obediently beside him.

"Elder Jiang."

Li Rui bowed.

Jiang Lin smiled and waved: "I just wanted to chat casually with Brother Li—no need for formalities. Sit, Yan'er, serve Brother Li tea."

As Li Rui sat down, a fragrant breeze brushed past.

He was taken aback.

Jiang Yan serving him tea—he'd never received such treatment.

Jiang Lin: "Brother Li, I visited Elder Tie recently—he often speaks of you."

Li Rui's heart stirred slightly.

He knew Jiang Lin had a good relationship with Tie Kuang.

Li Rui sipped his tea.

It was mediocre—Jiang Lin never cared for comforts; among Qinghe's officials, he was a rare stream of purity.

"I merely helped Elder Tie with a small favor—he's just kind-hearted and remembers it."

Jiang Lin's lips curled slightly: "Forging a celestial weapon—that's no small merit."

Li Rui's hand paused as he set down the teacup.

'This tea is indeed scalding.'

He'd guessed Jiang Lin's invitation—calling him 'brother,' having his precious daughter serve tea—was never just about tea.

"It was Elder Tie's exceptional craftsmanship—I merely lent a hand."

Li Rui wasn't surprised Jiang Lin knew about the celestial weapon.

The matter would inevitably become known.

Jiang Lin learning of it early wasn't unusual.

But what Jiang Lin said next was startling.

"Brother Li, we're family—no need for pretense. Zhu Renhe… was it you who killed him?"

Li Rui's heart jolted, yet his expression didn't change: "Elder Jiang, I have no such ability."

Jiang Lin chuckled, didn't press further, and turned to Jiang Yan:

"Yan'er, there's a jar of wine hidden in my room—fetch it for me."

"Oh."

Jiang Yan softly replied and stepped out.

The main hall was left with only Jiang Lin and Li Rui.

Jiang Lin spoke on his own: "I examined Zhu Renhe's corpse—it was slain by a celestial weapon."

Li Rui raised an eyebrow.

"Brother Li, don't worry—only I could spot the traces, and I've already erased them all. No one will trace it back to you."

Li Rui narrowed his eyes and spoke slowly:

"Elder Jiang, thank you."

Jiang Lin smiled faintly: "A small favor—and I've long wanted to kill that Zhu."

The two exchanged a knowing smile.

Then they chatted for a full hour.

Jiang Lin sipped his tea and sighed deeply:

"Old Man Li, I awakened at three and began sword training at five; I've never lost to anyone at the same realm, and it often leaves me confused and lonely."

Li Rui blinked his eyes:

"Why would Brother Jiang feel this way?"

Jiang Lin narrowed his eyes:

"Anything I set my mind to, I accomplish. Anyone I decide to kill, I eventually kill. The prodigies can only see my back."

"So sometimes I can't help but ask myself."

"Am I just too talented?"

Li Rui: "."

(End of Chapter)