Chapter 330: Capturing the King?

In the Fifth Battalion's main camp of the Xuanhu Army in the Da Chen theater, many soldiers were gazing toward the Second Battalion's encampment.

Before the encampment of the Second Battalion of the Fifth Battalion, nearly a thousand soldiers had gathered and refused to disperse.

This was the quarters of Deputy Supervisor Ning Yuchan, who had just returned; two female personal guards, injured to different degrees, stood watch outside. Not long after, two more female personal guards emerged from the quarters, carrying basins of blood and shredded, bloodstained uniforms.

Zhang Fang, the battalion commander of the Fifth Battalion, hurried forward, and Yuan Jing, captain of the personal guard, exclaimed urgently, "Commander, Deputy Supervisor Ning's injuries are severe—the sixth-rank alien star force is entrenched in her body. I've already used three low-grade Star-Healing talismans, but they only stabilize her condition; they cannot improve it."

Please, Commander, use a mid-grade Star-Healing talisman to save Deputy Supervisor Ning!"

Commander Zhang Fang helplessly rubbed his hands. "I want to use one too, but I've run out of mid-grade Star-Healing talismans! I've already submitted a report—higher command says they're mobilizing more, but it'll take time."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Jing, captain of Ning Yuchan's personal guard, grew both frantic and furious. "Commander, if not for Deputy Supervisor Ning holding off the sixth-rank alien, over half of the Second Battalion's troops would be dead! Why can't you urgently requisition even one mid-grade Star-Healing talisman?"

"The headquarters says star force consumption during the Nine-Star Tide has been enormous, and they're temporarily requisitioning supplies—but it requires time," Commander Zhang Fang replied.

"But if Deputy Supervisor Ning doesn't get a mid-grade Star-Healing talisman, the alien's strange power will keep worsening her injuries—she won't last much longer! Or, could we summon a seventh-rank…?" Yuan Jing's voice trailed off mid-sentence.

A seventh-rank expert might save Deputy Supervisor Ning, but seventh-rank experts are rare and hold exalted status, especially during wartime.

They couldn't even requisition a single mid-grade Star-Healing talisman—how could they possibly summon a seventh-rank expert?

At that moment, another weak voice spoke up: "Commander, shouldn't the headquarters have spare mid-grade Star-Healing talismans in reserve? How could they possibly be completely depleted? Commander, why not go to headquarters yourself?"

The speaker was Cui Chongguang, supervisor of the Second Battalion of the Fifth Battalion.

During this battle, while guarding the Star River passage, they unexpectedly encountered a sixth-rank expert; as a late-stage fifth-rank supervisor, he was gravely wounded in less than three breaths.

He had thought he was certain to die, but Ning Yuchan stepped forward and held off the sixth-rank alien, buying them precious time.

Eventually, they repelled the sixth-rank expert through coordinated artillery fire from their battle formation and completed their mission—but Ning Yuchan was left critically injured.

Her body was now infested with a stubborn, ink-green star force that continuously damaged her tissues; even after exhausting all their low-grade Star-Healing talismans, the damage persisted.

"But headquarters says they're depleted—"

Before he could finish, Zhang Fang noticed the soldiers of the Second Battalion staring at him with changed eyes. He immediately corrected himself: "Fine, I'll go myself! It'll take about a day round-trip."

"I still have three low-grade Star-Healing talismans—give them to Deputy Supervisor Ning to sustain her. Make sure she holds on."

With that, Commander Zhang Fang departed, hurrying out of the encampment with his personal guard, flying toward Yangdu War City, the headquarters of the Da Chen Xuanhu Army.

As he left, Zhang Fang wiped away a cold sweat.

Ning Yuchan had only been with the Second Battalion of the Fifth Battalion for a few months, yet she had already earned immense popularity.

He realized now: if he didn't go this time, and Ning Yuchan died because of it, the soldiers of the Second Battalion would hate him.

It could even shake the morale of the entire Fifth Battalion and destroy his own authority.

So, regardless of whether it would help, he had to go.

After leaving the camp, Zhang Fang sent a starlight message to the Left Secretary of the headquarters, urgently demanding a mid-grade Star-Healing talisman.

Ning Yuchan's critical injury didn't just stir uproar within the military camp—it ignited a storm across the entire Xingyang War City.

The reason was simple: two freelance mercenary squads were offering high prices for mid-grade Star-Healing talismans!

"Brothers! We're paying top price for mid-grade Star-Healing talismans! If you have any, name your price—we'll sell everything we own to buy them! Or, if any brother knows a source, please help us contact them—we'll reward you handsomely!"

Several fourth-rank freelancers shouted this in the busiest district of Xingyang War City; their leader was a fifth-rank, eighth-layer freelancer named Li Tian, captain of the Green Forest Mercenary Squad.

Another squad, the Sword Hero Mercenary Squad, led by Hou Yunzhang, was also shouting in the city despite his own injuries—still offering high gold to buy mid-grade Star-Healing talismans!

Both mercenary squads were frequently hired by the Second Battalion of the Fifth Battalion.

Now both were openly advertising.

Because of this, Zhong Wei learned the news and informed Xu Jin.

As for why Zhong Wei informed Xu Jin—the reason was simple: over the past several days, Xu Jin had repeatedly used Wen Meng to guide Zhong Wei.

Through dreams, Xu Jin implanted two pieces of information into Zhong Wei.

First: Qi Tian Sheng was curious about Ning Yuchan and had asked Zhong Wei to keep an eye on her condition.

Second: when Zhong Wei had previously returned to the mortal realm, someone had entrusted him to deliver a family letter and some personal belongings to Ning Yuchan.

Xu Jin had arranged these two points early on, intending to pass along the cultivation supplies he had prepared for Ning Yuchan, to boost her strength.

As for himself, he still needed to lie low for a while before revealing his identity to Ning Yuchan.

But the first piece of news he received was that Ning Yuchan was critically injured.

And according to current intelligence, although she had returned, she had not yet been saved.

Otherwise, these two mercenary squads wouldn't be offering such high prices for mid-grade Star-Healing talismans.

This struck Xu Jin as odd: although mid-grade Star-Healing talismans were vital strategic resources and extremely rare on the open market, they should still be available within military camps.

How could they be completely gone?

But then again, during the Nine-Star Tide, supply shortages were understandable.

But now, saving a life came first.

When Xu Jin had slain the formidable Flower Queen in the Fanhua Star Region, he had obtained a fourth-rank upper-grade Wood Spirit Star Core, which contained a mid-grade Star-Healing talisman—he could activate it himself.

After thinking it over, Xu Jin decided to sneak in and save her first.

At the very least, he had to save Ning Yuchan.

Under invisibility, infiltrating the camp wasn't difficult.

But once he found Ning Yuchan's quarters, Xu Jin froze.

Too many soldiers and officers surrounded it.

Although only two female personal guards stood guard at the entrance, hundreds of soldiers waited outside for news.

To treat Ning Yuchan, Xu Jin had to enter the quarters and make direct contact with her.

To enter, he'd have to use Wen Meng to hypnotize the two guards, then slip inside.

But under so many eyes, if those two guards suddenly fell asleep, they'd be discovered immediately.

He couldn't infiltrate—this was a real problem.

The Mingji Star Seal could sense Ning Yuchan's aura from afar—it was extremely weak, and still weakening.

Xu Jin's brow tightened instantly.

Saving her was going to be difficult.

Was he really going to have to pose as a high-rank expert and use a mid-grade Star-Healing talisman to save her?

But publicly using a mid-grade Star-Healing talisman might trigger a cascade of unpredictable troubles.

Suddenly, Xu Jin remembered: during his battle in the fifth-rank Lingwu Star Region, he had slain Zhang Yucheng, a secret operative sent by the Tianyang Star Temple, and seized a mid-grade Star-Healing talisman. He immediately decided:

Sell the mid-grade Star-Healing talisman!

Worst case, some people might take notice—but it might not be a bad thing.

Because wherever you go, someone carrying a mid-grade Star-Healing talisman is never ordinary.

Half a minute later, Xu Jin approached Hou Yunzhang, captain of the Sword Hero Mercenary Squad.

"What? Brother, you have a mid-grade Star-Healing talisman? This is amazing! This is a lifesaver! Let me see it—what's your price?" Hou Yunzhang was a towering middle-aged man, taller than Xu Jin by more than a head, with a massive sword strapped to his back like a door panel. At Xu Jin's words, his palm-like hand clamped down on him.

Instantly, Xu Jin felt immobilized—his hand bones ached from the crushing grip; he could only resist with star force.

"Naturally gifted strength!" That was Xu Jin's first thought.

Xu Jin pushed back with star force and wrenched his hand free; only then did Hou Yunzhang realize his mistake and hurriedly apologized.

Xu Jin smiled and pulled out the mid-grade Star-Healing talisman he had seized.

Hou Yunzhang glanced at it and said, "This is a mid-grade, fourth-rank Star-Healing talisman—entry-level. Brother, name your price!"

Hou Yunzhang braced himself for a high price—after all, even an entry-level mid-grade Star-Healing talisman was still a mid-grade Star-Healing talisman.

"Give me market price."

"Market price? Really?" Hou Yunzhang exclaimed in delight.

"Really. I know you're doing this to save a remarkable woman like Deputy Supervisor Ning—otherwise, I wouldn't have brought it out."

Hearing this, Hou Yunzhang rubbed his hands. "Brother, at market price, a Star-Healing talisman's value is increased by one full rank, then doubled.

A fifth-rank talisman usually sells for 1, 00 to 2, 00 strands of starlight—double that.

Four thousand strands of starlight—how's that?"

"Fine."

Xu Jin was slightly surprised by the price.

A very ordinary mid-grade Star-Healing talisman could sell for four thousand strands of starlight.

Clearly, wherever you go, things that save lives are always the most expensive!

"Wait!"

Just as the two were about to complete the transaction, a fifth-rank, ninth-layer freelancer stepped forward. "Brother, I'll pay you five thousand strands for that fourth-rank mid-grade Star-Healing talisman!"

Instantly, Hou Yunzhang's face flushed red. "Zheng Guan! We're trying to save a life—why must you interfere now?"

"I'm buying to save a life too! What, only you get to save lives, not me?" Zheng Guan laughed. "Besides, I'm paying real gold—who can stop me?"

"Brother, five thousand strands, after tax—deal now!" Zheng Guan turned to Xu Jin.

"I'll match that—five thousand!" Hou Yunzhang gritted his teeth.

"Six thousand!"

Zheng Guan raised his bid again, adding, "Brother, I see you haven't joined any guild yet. Here's a deal: sell me this talisman, and I'll give you a membership slot in the Seven Kill Sect!

The Seven Kill Sect is the largest guild on the Star River Front, and we even have our own war city!

Think it over."

"Seven thousand!"

Hou Yunzhang shouted his highest bid, then turned to a nearby comrade and ordered, "Go get help—tell them it's an emergency. Borrow me two thousand strands—I'll repay you in two months."

Hearing this, Zheng Guan smiled. "Brother, your strength is clear as day. Who you trade with, who you befriend—do I need to spell it out?"

As he spoke, Zheng Guan confidently pulled out his Star-Taking Token, ready to complete the transaction with Xu Jin.

Xu Jin smiled and shook his head. "Sorry, I took out this life-saving rune specifically to save Lady Ning!"

Not for gold!

And not for any guild slot!"

With that, as Zheng Guan stared in shock, Xu Jin turned to Hou Yunzhang and grinned. "Brother Hou, still interested in four thousand strands of starlight?"

"Buy! Buy! Buy!" Hou Yunzhang was overjoyed and immediately pulled out his Star-Picking Token to complete the transaction.

Suddenly, Zheng Guan's cold voice cut in. "Brother, are you mocking me? You wouldn't sell for six thousand, but now you sell to him for four?"

"It's my item—I'll sell it to whomever I please!"

As he spoke, Xu Jin directly pressed the Mid-Grade Star-Healing Rune into Hou Yunzhang's hand. Hou Yunzhang promptly transferred four thousand strands of starlight—but his actual payment was five thousand strands.

Because he still had to pay the Star-Picking Tower's tax!

The transaction price is after tax!

"Brother, you're a real man! If you don't have a team—or if you want to join a small squad—come find me. Our Sword Hero Squad will welcome you with open arms!"

"Definitely, if the chance arises. Go save her now," Xu Jin replied with a bow and a smile.

Hou Yunzhang hurried off. Zheng Guan glared coldly at Xu Jin, then swiftly left.

Xu Jin didn't care, but Zhong Wei, who was with him, shrank back slightly. "Brother, if you leave the city later and run into Zheng Guan, keep your guard up."

As Xu Jin nodded, Zhong Wei began to eye him with a different look. "Say, Brother Tian Sheng, your background isn't ordinary at all!"

You're carrying a Mid-Grade Star-Healing Rune on your person? Even fifth-rank cultivators or sixth-rank cultivators—and even sixth-rank military officers—don't usually carry one! Be honest with me: are you an heir from some great clan?"

Or are you an imperial prince in disguise, here to train incognito?"

And is there a family expert secretly guarding you?" Zhong Wei's voice rang out loudly, loud enough for many nearby—including Zheng Guan, who had just left—to hear. Several turned to look.

Even Zheng Guan, on his way out, paused and glanced back at Xu Jin, thoughtful.

Xu Jin then realized it too.

Zhong Wei was protecting him—building him up.

Using a single Mid-Grade Star-Healing Rune to elevate his status, to make Zheng Guan wary and hesitate before targeting Xu Jin.

This friend? Not bad. He's genuinely concerned.

But Xu Jin was being a bit dishonest.

Because he'd used Wen Meng on him.

Even Zhong Wei's kindness toward him was partly due to Wen Meng!

Half a quarter-hour later, Xu Jin made an excuse to leave and parted ways with Zhong Wei, returning to the small courtyard.

Back at the courtyard, Xu Jin once again vanished and headed toward the Fifth Battalion of the Xuanhu Army's encampment. He slipped in effortlessly, finding Ning Yuchan's tent.

Upon arrival, he saw the female personal guard and Hou Yunzhang stepping out of the tent, both looking helpless.

Xu Jin's expression darkened.

Could the Mid-Grade Star-Healing Rune have been useless?

Is Ning Yuchan's injury really that severe?"

(End of Chapter)