Chapter 56: Entering the World of Martial Arts
Chapter 56: Entering the World of Martial Arts
"Brother Hao, which mission are you going to choose?"
Li Yuanzhao finished reading the mission sheet and immediately asked Li Hao, clearly wanting to go with him for mutual support.
"The Qizhou mission", Li Hao said, a hint of coldness in his eyes.
Li Yuanzhao glanced at the mission and, without much thought, nodded and said, "Then I'll choose this one too."
"You're both going to Qizhou?"
Du Qiuyue looked over and immediately asked, "Can I join you? I'm heading there too."
"Me too, I'll go with you", Zheng Bai quickly added. Being able to go on a mission with the Young Master of the Divine General Manor was a rare opportunity to build a good relationship.
If he could become friends with the Young Master, it would be a significant boost to his network.
"Brother Hao, what do you think?"
Li Yuanzhao chose to consult Li Hao first.
"I don't mind", Li Hao replied.
"Since Brother Hao has no objections, you can all go together", Li Yuanzhao said upon seeing his reaction.
Du Qiuyue and Zheng Bai exchanged a glance, both showing signs of delight in their eyes.
At that moment, Su Yehua suddenly spoke up, "Now, let's go over the rules. Each mission can have a maximum of five people. I'll call out the missions one by one. The first mission is to assist at the Cangzhou Demon Suppression Office in dealing with a village infested by demons. The mission is worth five credits. Who wants to go?"
"I do."
"I do."
Immediately, seven people raised their hands.
Among these missions, the one with the highest score was worth 15 points, and it was also the most difficult. The mission brief stated that there was a high probability of encountering a Perfection Realm demon.
The first mission, however, was expected to involve demons at the Zhou Tian Realm levels two to five, making it relatively easier.
"Too many people. You can either discuss among yourselves or decide based on the Martial Arts Rankings. Those with lower rankings should choose other missions", Su Yehua said.
The seven people looked at each other, and two of them sat down voluntarily.
Su Yehua then continued to announce the other missions. People raised their hands one after another, with some missions attracting three people, some one, and others none at all.
"Brother Hao, they're going to Yunzhou for a mission. The area was recently cleared of demons, and they are assisting in cleaning up the remaining ones."
Li Yuanzhao was particularly concerned about the Li Yun siblings. Seeing them choose a 15-point mission, a worried look flashed across his face.
Although they often didn't get along within the manor, they had grown up together, and he didn't want anything to happen to them.
"Tell them to be careful and not to rush into things", Li Hao glanced at the siblings, who looked eager and excited, and said with a frown.
"Sure."
Li Yuanzhao nodded, planning to remind them after they had chosen their missions.
Soon, Su Yehua mentioned the Qizhou mission.
Li Hao immediately spoke up, and Li Yuanzhao, Du Qiuyue, and Zheng Bai all raised their hands as well.
At the same time, two others raised their hands, a boy and a girl.
"She's going too?"
Du Qiuyue was taken aback when he saw the girl raise her hand. She was Ren Qianqian, the daughter of a master, ranked fourth in the Martial Arts Rankings, and a prodigy in sword techniques.
Zheng Bai's expression changed as he looked at the boy, who was not a freshman but an upperclassman and ranked higher than him in the Martial Arts Rankings.
Now, there were six people, which meant that Zheng Bai, who was ranked last, would have to step back.
Of course, there was also Li Hao, who was at the bottom of the Martial Arts Rankings.
However, they had chosen the Qizhou mission mainly because of Li Hao's decision.
If Li Hao backed out, Li Yuanzhao might follow suit.
Zheng Bai looked at Li Hao, his eyes showing a hint of hope that he would choose a different mission.
Meanwhile, Ren Qianqian and the boy also noticed Li Hao and his group. Ren Qianqian glanced at them, her expression unchanged, as she was determined to go.
The boy, however, was stunned for a moment before a smile spread across his face.
"Too many people."
Su Yehua looked around and said, "You need to discuss among yourselves. Who is willing to step back? If no one volunteers, we'll follow the rules."
Ren Qianqian sat down, not bothering to intervene. She was determined to go.
The boy glanced at Li Hao, knowing that the Young Master of the Divine General Manor was not someone he could afford to offend. Even though he was at the bottom of the Martial Arts Rankings, he wouldn't be in Alpha Court if he were weak; he just hadn't shown his true strength yet.
His gaze shifted to Zheng Bai beside him, and he smiled, "Qizhou is dangerous, and it's my hometown. I can guide them. How about you step back?"
Zheng Bai's expression changed. If he insisted, he would be seen as unreasonable.
"Alright." Zheng Bai's expression fluctuated, but he quickly composed himself and said to Li Yuanzhao and Li Hao, "Wish you a smooth journey. Maybe we can work together another time."
"Alright then." Li Yuanzhao, hearing this, put aside his thoughts of persuading the boy and patted Zheng Bai on the shoulder to console him.
"Be careful wherever you go", Du Qiuyue added.
Zheng Bai smiled and nodded.
Although he was disappointed not to be in the same group as Li Hao and the others, it was just the first mission of the semester, and there would be other opportunities in the future.
After confirming the number of people, Su Yehua continued to distribute the other tasks.
Soon, everyone had made their selections.
Those who received the same task gathered together under Su Yehua's instructions.
"When do we leave?" The young man, Yu Wei, recognized Du Qiuyue but looked at Li Yuanzhao and Ren Qianqian as he spoke.
"Right now."
Ren Qianqian replied calmly.
Du Qiuyue, however, looked at Li Hao.
"Hao Ge, what do you think?" Li Yuanzhao asked.
"Let's go now; the sooner, the better." Li Hao said.
"Alright, I'll go prepare the carriage."
Li Hao shook his head. "Prepare five Crimson Blood Horses; the carriage is too slow."
Li Yuanzhao was slightly taken aback but nodded.
Yu Wei was puzzled. From Li Yuanzhao's demeanor, it seemed like he was a small follower of Li Hao.
But Li Yuanzhao was the sixth-ranked in the Martial Arts Rankings, a prodigy with an Eighth-Rank War Body Potential. He was only slightly inferior to the true prodigies.
After arranging things within the estate, Li Yuanzhao walked over to Li Yun and his sister, who were preparing to leave the mountain.
"Hao Ge told you to be careful and not to rush headlong into danger", Li Yuanzhao said to the siblings.
Li Yun raised an eyebrow and coldly snorted, "Mind your own business."
Li Zhining turned her head and glanced at Li Hao, who was talking to a few others. Her eyes flickered, and she said to Li Yuanzhao, "Thanks, Yuanzhao Ge. You all be careful too."
Li Yuanzhao smiled. "Take care, Zhi Ning."
After giving his instructions, Li Yuanzhao returned to Li Hao's side, and the group immediately set off down the mountain.
Riding the Crimson Blood Horses, the five of them galloped out of Qingzhou.
The young men, paired with their horses, wielding swords, Yu Wei and Li Yuanzhao's faces were filled with joy and excitement, a sense of freedom from the confines of their usual lives.
"Truly the top horses on the battlefield, what incredible speed. I've heard they're priceless", Yu Wei looked at the scenery flying past and couldn't help but exclaim.
This was Du Qiuyue's first time riding a Crimson Blood Horse. Though she was a senior, she was still just an eighteen-year-old girl. She tried to maintain her composure in front of the freshmen, but the slight flush on her cheeks betrayed her excitement.
"Crimson Blood Horses aren't for sale. It's a capital offense for private individuals to own one", Li Yuanzhao said, his youthful pride and superiority evident in his eyes.
Yu Wei and Du Qiuyue looked envious. Some people were born standing at the finish line that others could never reach. That was the difference.
With the speed of the Crimson Blood Horses, the journey from Qingzhou to Qizhou would take less than two days.
High above Qingzhou City, a black bird resembling a crow flew by.
Its eyes reflected the five fast-moving figures on the wilderness road below.
Suddenly, the bird blinked and noticed two figures following the five riders, about four or five miles behind. Surprisingly, these two figures were moving on foot, yet they were keeping up with the riders without any difficulty.
The bird blinked again, let out a low chirp, and flew higher into the clouds.
Then, the black bird emerged from the other side of the clouds, plummeting rapidly into a forest.
On landing, the bird transformed into a child, about seven or eight years old, with a feathered crown. The child ran to the Black Water Pond.
"Black Dragon Lord, the person has emerged."
The child called out to the Black Water Pond.
The sound reached the bottom of the pond, and suddenly, a deeper black shadow emerged from the still, dark water. It broke the surface, revealing a large dragon head, its tongue flicking and teeth bared, looking quite fearsome.
"Did you see clearly? Is it the son of Marquis Xingwu?"
"I recognized him. My Thousand Eyes Technique never fails."
The child shuddered slightly and quickly bowed respectfully. "Additionally, two more people are following them, seemingly providing covert protection. One is at the Divine Wanderer Realm, and the other... I couldn't discern."
As the child spoke, the Black Water Pond stirred, and another black shadow emerged, a slightly slimmer black dragon with a white scale on its belly.
"It's been four years since we were sent here to assassinate the son of Marquis Xingwu. We've been waiting for four years."
"Ever since the human Meat Seed assassination attempt failed and alerted them, it's been too difficult to infiltrate the estate. Those with too much power risk alerting the Li Family's first generation, and those with too little can't get close to the boy."
The two dragons spoke in human voices, then their forms shimmered, leaping out of the water and transforming into a black-robed couple. The man's face was demonic, and the woman's cheeks were alluring.
They retained some of their snake-like traits, their long tongues flicking out to lick their lips and chins as they smiled.
"They probably think we've given up, but we demons have been practicing for a thousand years. What we lack most... is patience."
(End of Chapter)
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