Chapter 56: Entering the Jianghu

“Big Brother Hao, which mission are you choosing?”

After reading the mission paper, Li Yuanzhao immediately asked Li Hao, clearly wanting to go with him for mutual support.

“Qizhou,” Li Hao said, a flicker of coldness vanishing in his eyes.

Li Yuanzhao glanced at the mission, didn’t think twice, and nodded: “Then I’ll take this one too.”

“You’re all going to Qizhou?”

Du Qiuyue, beside them, looked over and quickly said: “Can I come too? I’m heading there as well.”

“Count me in,” Zheng Bai hurriedly added. Being assigned to a mission with the Young Master of the Divine General’s Mansion was a rare chance to build closeness.

If he could become their friend, it would be an immense connection.

“Big Brother Hao, what do you think?”

Li Yuanzhao chose to ask Li Hao first.

Li Hao said: “I don’t care.”

“Since Big Brother Hao has no objections, then you all go together,” Li Yuanzhao said.

Du Qiuyue and Zheng Bai exchanged glances, both seeing delight in each other’s eyes.

At that moment, Su Yehua spoke up from the front: “Now, the rules: each mission can have at most five people. I’ll announce them one by one. First mission: assist the Demon Suppression Office in Cangzhou, resolving a village disturbance caused by a demonic entity. Credit: five points. Who’s going?”

“Me.”

“Me.”

Seven hands shot up immediately.

Among these missions, the highest reward was fifteen credits—and the highest difficulty. Intelligence suggested a near-certain encounter with a fully cultivated Zhou Tian demon.

This first mission, however, only predicted demons of Zhou Tian Second to Fifth Realm—relatively easy.

“Too many applicants. Either negotiate among yourselves, or decide by Martial Rank. Those ranked lower must choose another mission,” Su Yehua said.

The seven exchanged glances; two sat down voluntarily.

Su Yehua then continued announcing other missions.

Those interested raised their hands one by one; some missions had three applicants, some one, and a few went unclaimed.

“Big Brother Hao, they’re heading to Yunzhou. That area was just cleared of demons recently—they’re going to assist in mopping up remnants.”

Li Yuanzhao paid close attention to Li Yun and his sister. Seeing them choose a fifteen-credit mission, a flicker of worry crossed his face.

Though they disliked each other in the mansion, they’d grown up together—he didn’t wish them harm.

“Tell them to be careful. Don’t rush for glory,” Li Hao glanced at the siblings, saw their eager excitement, and frowned.

“Mm.”

Li Yuanzhao nodded, planning to check on them after collecting their mission.

Soon, Su Yehua reached the Qizhou mission.

Li Hao immediately declared his choice; Li Yuanzhao, Du Qiuyue, and Zheng Bai all raised their hands in unison.

Meanwhile, two others raised their hands nearby—one male, one female.

“She’s going too?”

Du Qiuyue stared at the girl raising her hand—she was Ren Qianqian, ranked fourth on the Martial Rank, daughter of a Grand Master, whose swordplay was peerless.

Zheng Bai’s expression shifted as he looked at the boy—he wasn’t a freshman but a senior, ranked higher than him on the Martial Rank.

Now there were six. That meant Zheng Bai, last in rank, had to drop out.

Of course, there was one person ranked even lower than him: Li Hao.

But they’d chosen the Qizhou mission precisely because of Li Hao’s decision.

If Li Hao withdrew, Li Yuanzhao would likely follow.

Zheng Bai looked at Li Hao, his eyes filled with silent hope—he wished Li Hao would pick another mission.

Meanwhile, Ren Qianqian and the boy noticed Li Hao’s group. Ren Qianqian glanced once, expression unchanged, calm as ever.

The boy, however, froze, then broke into a smile.

“Too many.”

Su Yehua scanned them and said: “Work it out yourselves. Whoever’s willing to step down, speak up. If no one does, follow the rules.”

Ren Qianqian sat down, ignoring them—she was going, no matter what.

The boy’s gaze swept over Li Hao—he knew this was the Young Master of the Divine General’s Mansion, someone he couldn’t afford to offend. Even if ranked last on the Martial Rank, anyone in the Jia Academy was no ordinary person—just hiding their strength.

His eyes shifted to Zheng Bai beside him, and he smiled: “Qizhou is dangerous—it’s my hometown. I can guide them. Why don’t you step aside?”

Zheng Bai’s face darkened. If he insisted now, he’d be offending someone.

“Fine,” Zheng Bai’s expression shifted, then he calmed himself. He turned to Li Yuanzhao and Li Hao: “Wish you all safe travels. Maybe we’ll team up again someday.”

“Alright then,” Li Yuanzhao said, abandoning his urge to persuade the boy. He patted Zheng Bai’s shoulder in comfort. “Be careful elsewhere,” Du Qiuyue added.

Zheng Bai smiled and nodded.

Though disappointed not to join Li Hao’s group, it was only their first mission—there’d be other chances.

After confirming the numbers, Su Yehua continued distributing other missions.

Soon, everyone had chosen.

Those assigned the same mission gathered together under Su Yehua’s direction.

“When do we leave?” The boy, Yu Wei, recognized Du Qiuyue but directed his question to Li Yuanzhao and Ren Qianqian.

“Now,” Ren Qianqian said calmly.

Du Qiuyue looked at Li Hao.

“Big Brother Hao, what do you think?” Li Yuanzhao asked.

“Now. The sooner, the better,” Li Hao said.

“Alright, I’ll prepare the carriage.”

Li Hao shook his head: “Prepare five Chi Xue Horses. Carriages are too slow.”

Li Yuanzhao blinked in surprise, then nodded.

Yu Wei was startled—he saw Li Yuanzhao acting like Li Hao’s personal attendant.

But Li Yuanzhao was ranked sixth on the Martial Rank, a prodigy with an eighth-grade Battle Body—only slightly inferior to true geniuses.

After contacting the mansion, Li Yuanzhao walked toward Li Yun and his sister, who were preparing to descend the mountain.

“Big Brother Hao says be careful. Don’t rush for glory,” Li Yuanzhao told them.

Li Yun raised an eyebrow and sneered: “Mind your own business.”

Li Zhining turned, glanced at Li Hao talking with the others, her eyes flickering slightly. She said to Li Yuanzhao: “Thank you, Yuanzhao Brother. You be careful too.”

Li Yuanzhao grinned: “You take care too, Zhining Sister.”

After the exchange, Li Yuanzhao returned to Li Hao’s side. The five immediately descended the mountain and set off.

Mounted on Chi Xue Horses, the five galloped out of Qingzhou.

The boy, armed and riding, felt exhilarated—Yu Wei and Li Yuanzhao both wore grins of freedom, as if breaking free from a cage.

“No wonder these are top-tier battlefield horses—so fast! I heard they’re priceless,” Yu Wei marveled, watching the scenery blur past.

Du Qiuyue was riding a Chi Xue Horse for the first time. Though a senior, she was still an eighteen-year-old girl. She tried to maintain a calm senior’s demeanor before the freshmen, but her slightly flushed cheeks betrayed her excitement.

“Chi Xue Horses aren’t for sale. Buying one privately is a capital offense,” Li Yuanzhao said, his youthful pride showing in his eyes.

Yu Wei and Du Qiuyue stared in envy—some were born at the finish line others could never reach. That was the gap.

With Chi Xue Horses’ speed, they’d reach Qizhou from Qingzhou in less than two days.

High above Qingzhou City, a black bird, like a crow, soared past.

Its eyes reflected the five galloping riders below on the wilderness road.

Suddenly, the bird blinked—its gaze caught two figures trailing five li behind the riders.

Strangely, those two figures moved on foot, not mounted, yet moved with casual ease, keeping pace without falling behind.

The bird blinked again, let out a low cry, and flew higher into the clouds.

Then, the black bird pierced through the clouds elsewhere and plummeted swiftly into a forest.

The bird landed, transforming into a child of seven or eight, crowned with feathered tufts. It ran straight to a black pool ahead.

“Lord Xuanjiao, he’s out,” the child called.

The voice echoed into the pool. Suddenly, a deeper black silhouette rose from the still, lifeless water, then burst forth—a massive dragon head emerged, tongue flickering, fangs bared, terrifying.

“Did you confirm? Is it the son of Xing Wu Hou?”

“Confirmed. My Thousand Eyes Technique never fails,” the child trembled slightly and bowed low: “Also, two others follow behind them—likely their protectors. One is a Shenyou Realm cultivator. The other… I can’t perceive.”

As he spoke, the black pool churned. Another shadow rose—a second black dragon, slightly slimmer, with a white scale on its belly.

“Four years. Since we were sent here to assassinate Xing Wu Hou’s son, we’ve waited four years.”

“Since that human flesh-bag failed to kill him, the alert was raised. Infiltrating the mansion is too hard. Too strong, and we’d wake the Li family’s first generation. Too weak, and we can’t get near the boy.”

The two dragons spoke in human tongues, then shimmered, transforming into a black-robed couple—the man’s face was sinister, the woman’s face was alluring.

They retained traces of serpent nature: long tongues flicked out, licking their lips and chins as they smiled: “They think we’ve given up. But we, demons who have cultivated for a thousand years, have one thing in abundance… patience.”

Since that human flesh-bag failed to assassinate him and alerted the guards, getting into the mansion has become far too difficult—too strong, and you risk rousing the Li family’s first-generation elders; too weak, and you can’t even get close to that brat.

Two jade dragons spoke in human voices, then their forms shimmered and leapt from the pool, landing as a couple clad in black robes—the man’s face sinister, the woman’s cheeks alluring.

Both retained traces of their serpent nature; their long tongues flicked out to lick their lips and chins as they smiled: “They must think we’ve given up, but we demons have cultivated for a thousand years—what we lack least… is patience.”

(End of Chapter)