Chapter 38: Preparation

Li Rui submitted the name of Ying Liu.

A hot potato turned into a spiritual elixir.

Huge profit!

Li Rui had already heard the news of Liu the Constable’s murder; clearly, that Huaqing Sect disciple’s target was him.

Even now, stepping outside means facing a celestial net woven by the county Ya and the Huaqing Sect.

It’s still dangerous.

The leader of the Heaven’s Alliance branch is a peak eighth-rank expert; with the leader present, hiding within the branch is safest.

He certainly had no intention of actually carrying out the mission.

That would be like a lamb walking into a tiger’s mouth.

Even without the Ying Liu incident, he would feign illness to request leave, refusing to go no matter the punishment.

Fighting and killing should stay far away from this old man.

That evening.

Li Rui was just about to finish work and head home when Liang He burst into his room right at quitting time.

He gasped for breath:

“Chief, I heard the Huaqing Sect has a mission?”

Li Rui nodded.

Seeing Li Rui confirm it, Liang He’s face lit up with delight: “Chief, I want to go.”

“.”

Li Rui fell silent for a moment: “Give me a reason.”

Liang He met Li Rui’s gaze firmly: “Chief, you told me that those who seek great achievements must first endure hardship.”

“!!!”

Am I really the reincarnation of Lu Xun from another world?

Li Rui’s expression turned strange.

He firmly denied ever saying such a thing—enduring needless suffering was stupid; the highest wisdom was to reap benefits without effort.

His insight still wasn’t enough.

Martial training is far more than just fighting and killing.

“Alright.”

Li Rui nodded, finally agreeing to Liang He’s request.

Young people must suffer a little; enduring hardship on a Huaqing Sect mission will show them how cruel the world truly is.

As for him—

An old man’s teeth are weak; soft food suits him just fine.

It’s hard for a chief to snatch a spot, but ordinary disciples can get one easily, since Huaqing Sect ordinary disciples never get to meet their high-ranking elders.

Liang He will most likely just get a beating.

“Old Brother Li, you’re really not going?”

Wu Tu spotted Li Rui’s name missing from the list of Huaqing Sect mission participants and immediately came knocking.

He counted on Li Rui to watch his back during the mission.

Li Rui: “I’m old, useless now.”

“.”

Wu Tu sneered inwardly.

Useless?

Even Ying Liu was tamed into a docile dog by Li Rui’s hand—and he still calls himself useless?

Wu Tu didn’t believe a single word of it.

He sighed lightly: “Old Brother Li, you’re missing a great opportunity. We’ve got confirmed intel—the Huaqing Sect disciple will appear near the Heaven’s Alliance branch, and Huaqing Sect elders will intervene. You’re turning down free merit.”

Li Rui nodded in agreement, murmuring regrets.

But inwardly, he thought the opposite.

Why must that Huaqing Sect disciple come to the Heaven’s Alliance branch?

Isn’t it because of him?

He’s barely managing to hide—how could he possibly walk right into their arms?

Seeing Li Rui stubbornly refuse to act, Wu Tu could only sigh in disappointment.

With Li Rui’s help, his chances of earning merit would be far greater.

This was a guaranteed victory; the only variable was how much merit he’d gain.

If he caught the Huaqing Sect’s eye and became a disciple himself, that would be glory for his ancestors and a path to soaring success.

“By the way, one of my young disciples is going too—if you have time, please keep an eye on him.”

“His name is Liang He.”

“Understood.”

Wu Tu nodded. A mere ordinary disciple—happy to do Li Rui a favor.

Saying that, he turned and left.

Ghost Ming Sect members might strike tonight—he had many things to monitor.

On the training ground, all chiefs and disciples selected for the Huaqing Sect mission had gathered.

Wu Tu and Liang He were both there.

But Liang He stood among the crowd, while Wu Tu stood on the raised platform.

On the platform, three figures stood at the forefront.

One of them was Kong Xian Nian.

He scanned the crowd:

“Are all present?”

Zhao Wei nodded.

Kong Xian Nian turned to the hawk-nosed middle-aged man beside him: “Chief Dao, we rely heavily on your Alliance tonight.”

The man standing in the center was Dao Xiong, leader of the Heaven’s Alliance’s Qinghe branch.

Dao Xiong’s bark-like face broke into a smile: “It’s our duty.”

He glanced at the Huaqing Sect disciple on the other side.

“Chief Liu, any adjustments needed?”

The handsome young man to his right smiled and shook his head.

Dao Xiong then withdrew his gaze.

From their positions alone, it was clear the two Huaqing Sect members were at odds; as leader of the Heaven’s Alliance, he naturally avoided favoring either side.

Getting involved in Huaqing Sect’s internal feuds? He’d die without knowing why.

Dao Xiong hadn’t reached his position as leader by being foolish.

He casually glanced again at the Liu disciple of Huaqing Sect, thinking inwardly:

“I heard this man has powerful connections.”

Kong Xian Nian, seeing Dao Xiong trying to stay neutral, snorted: “Ghost Ming Sect may strike tonight—be extra cautious. You could lose your life at any moment.”

He deliberately stretched out the last three words.

His mission tonight was only to capture the traitor Xu Hua; Liu Zhen’s was to exterminate the Ghost Ming Sect.

The danger levels were incomparable.

He actually hoped Liu Zhen would die in the chaos with the Ghost Ming Sect.

For now, it was merely a disclaimer.

Liu Zhen still smiled: “No need for Brother Kong to worry about this.”

Dao Xiong rubbed his temples and interjected at the right moment.

He truly couldn’t stand being caught between them.

“Gentlemen, since we’re ready, why not deploy our forces now? Let the criminal have nowhere to flee.”

“Makes sense.” *2

Both men nodded at Dao Xiong’s words.

No matter their personal grudges within the sect, their goal—capturing Xu Hua and eliminating the Ghost Ming Sect—was aligned.

With a command from Dao Xiong,

Heaven’s Alliance disciples were split into over ten squads, hiding in buildings surrounding the branch.

Upon spotting Xu Hua, they were to signal with a whistle arrow.

Then Dao Xiong and the two Huaqing Sect members stationed at the branch would rush in to kill Xu Hua.

Liang He was assigned to a civilian house on the western side of the branch.

Coincidentally, his squad leader was Wu Tu.

“You’re, you’re, you’re—”

“Liang He.”

“Yes, yes, Liang He—stick close to me. Old Brother Li specifically told me to look out for you.”

When Liang He heard Li Rui greet him, his heart warmed.

"Thank you, Wu Zhishi."

Wu Tu waved his hand: "It's nothing."

He had some memory of Liang He—when he first joined, his innate talent was strong, and three Hall Masters took notice, eventually sending him to the Civil-Military Hall.

It seemed he had offended someone, which led to his demotion to Tianyi Hall.

But now, Liang He didn't seem as aloof as the rumors claimed.

"Strange. I'll ask Old Feng another day."

Old Feng was the Hall Master of the Civil-Military Hall.

Both were under the jurisdiction of Zhang Fuzhuan, so they got along well.

As the two chatted, a rapid series of footsteps suddenly sounded outside the door.

Liang He: "It's the government officials."

(End of chapter)