Youlan Pavilion, Feng Qingxue

The method for promoting within the Imperial Guard relies entirely on earning merit points through missions; these points can also be exchanged for secret manuals.

The Great Shang Dynasty's armory is all-encompassing, stocking every martial arts secret manual imaginable. The capable advance, and the weak fall behind.

"I want to check the missions for the past three days."

Su Changqing stepped forward and presented his Centurion's waist token, speaking calmly.

The attendant disciple was startled and quickly got to his feet. It was the first time he had ever seen a Centurion without any attendants by his side.

He took a booklet from a nearby stack and handed it to Su Changqing.

"The missions for the last three days are all here."

Su Changqing examined them closely.

"Patrol Anyang Street, 10 merit points."

"Investigate the East Factory's Eighteen Levels of Hell, 300 merit points..."

"Hunt down the notorious Scarlet Blood Scholar in the jianghu. This individual is proficient in the Yin-Yang Steps, enjoys drinking, frequently lodges at Youlan Pavilion for carnal pursuits, has a penchant for beauty, wields a soft sword, and is incredibly fast. 180 merit points."

Su Changqing's eyes narrowed, and he quickly made his decision. "I'll take this mission."

The Imperial Guard were masters of assassination, investigation, and intelligence gathering. This Scarlet Blood Scholar had once massacred an entire family in a single night before escaping, his movements as elusive as ghosts thanks to his mastery of the Yin-Yang Steps.

Yet, all of his information had been thoroughly investigated by the Imperial Guard.

They even knew his exact location, a testament to the terrifying capabilities of the Imperial Guard.

"Understood, Centurion Su. I will register it for you immediately," the attendant disciple nodded.

"Wait, I'll take this mission!"

Just then, a voice suddenly called out. Su Changqing turned to look.

He saw a man about twenty years old, tall and imposing, with a Spring Embroidered Saber at his waist, accompanied by several others.

Ye Ronghuo, at the second layer of True Qi.

The opportunity Su Changqing had seen was with this person.

"Is this what they call 'opportunity backlash'?"

Su Changqing's brow furrowed as he pondered.

A person's Life Script was predetermined by fate. However, since he could view Life Scripts, he could naturally alter them.

Any alteration would result in backlash from the other party, leading to conflict.

He was destined to be a villain; if he didn't seize opportunities, he would surely die.

"I've already accepted this mission to hunt the Scarlet Blood Scholar,"

Su Changqing stated calmly, meeting Ye Ronghuo's gaze.

"You've already offended Chen Mo and Iron Claw Flying Shadow. Do you intend to offend me as well?" Ye Ronghuo's eyes blazed as he sneered at Su Changqing.

"Ye Ronghuo is already quite strong. He has a younger brother named Ye Tian, who is the true prodigy of our Imperial Guard!"

An Imperial Guard nearby sighed softly.

Ye Tian, a Centurion of the Imperial Guard, was at the seventh layer of True Qi. This man was the renowned prodigy of the Imperial Guard, truly astonishing and exceptionally talented.

"I have already accepted this mission and it's been registered. What do you intend to do?"

Su Changqing had heard this as well, but his gaze remained unchanged as he asked Ye Ronghuo.

"Those two are nothing. If you offend me, that will be your true path to destruction!"

"Give me this mission, cripple both your arms, and leave the Garrison, and you might have a chance to live!"

Ye Ronghuo looked at the mission booklet in Su Changqing's hand, his heart cold.

Once a mission was accepted, unless Su Changqing voluntarily abandoned it or failed, no one else could take it.

Shaolin Temple's Muscle Tendon Pill was renowned throughout the world for its ability to alter one's aptitude, possessing a similar effect to Enlightenment Tea Leaves.

Su Changqing, who had been weighing his options moments before, immediately smiled upon hearing this and turned to walk away.

"Even if I give up this mission to you right now, I've already offended you. Since that's the case, why should I give it to you!"

"What is there to fear!"

Su Changqing laughed heartily, abruptly turned, and left the hall, never glancing back at Ye Ronghuo.

"This brat is truly asking for death! Stubborn and foolish." Ye Ronghuo's expression instantly turned icy.

He had already intended to take this mission himself, but he hadn't expected Su Changqing to get there first.

"Old Ye, if you hadn't told him to cripple his own arms just now, maybe he would have actually given it to you,"

An Imperial Guard from a distance stood up and chuckled.

"This guy is only at the ninth layer of Body Refinement, alone, and without any subordinates. How could he possibly kill the Scarlet Blood Scholar?"

"When he fails the mission and dies, this mission will still be mine!"

Ye Ronghuo's eyes were cold, his resentment towards Su Changqing growing, his killing intent like a vast ocean. He turned and left with a flick of his sleeve.

Within his own residence, Su Changqing, like all Imperial Guard Hundred-Household Commanders, had a private courtyard.

His room contained only a table and a chair, with no other furnishings.

He sat cross-legged, pondering in his mind.

Everyone, even villains, possessed their own opportunities.

In fact, during that particular opportunity, he was the protagonist, as fate had decreed it was meant to be his.

By seizing opportunities throughout the land and clashing with villains and protagonists alike, Su Changqing was bound to become a major villain himself in the future.

His path was either to become invincible under heaven or to perish on the streets.

He had already developed a sense for this outcome.

With resolute eyes, Su Changqing cultivated in the courtyard, practicing the Overlord Saber, tempering his body, and studying three martial arts classics.

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, three days had passed.

In the courtyard, beneath a large banyan tree with lush branches and leaves, a black-clad youth stood on a thick branch, bending it with his weight.

His eyes were slightly closed, his body hunched like a drawn bow, and he held the Frost Snow Saber.

Suddenly, Su Changqing's eyes snapped open. All his True Qi surged into the saber, which resonated with a hum.

He slashed down.

The saber traversed the air, scattering frost and snow.

The power of this strike was terrifying, like a fierce tiger's roar, with blade light splashing and an ear-piercing sound as it cut through the air.

"The first strike of the Overlord Saber, Death God Slash!"

After three days of solitary cultivation, without venturing out even once, he had not only broken through to the first layer of True Qi but also advanced the first strike of the Overlord Saber.

The Overlord Saber comprised three strikes: Death God Slash, Heartless Slash, and God-Slaying Slash!

This was the true might of the Overlord Saber.

As he packed his belongings and prepared to leave, he suddenly remembered something and casually crushed a flagstone with his hand.

The Eagle Claw Technique was sinister and overbearing, like a millstone grinding the stone into powder, which he then pocketed.

This was an unparalleled tactic: to fling lime at an opponent if he proved stronger.

He was determined to obtain the Muscle Tendon Pill hidden by the Scarlet Blood Scholar.

Youlan Pavilion was a place for pleasure-seeking, one of the three major entertainment districts in Chang'an City.

It was frequented by officials and scholars alike, all drawn by the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

Here could be found chaste courtesans who sold their talents but not their bodies, skilled in singing and playing instruments, as well as fallen noblewomen and officials' wives forced by circumstance to sell their flesh.

The stars were few and far between in the night sky as the Chang'an River flowed, its surface shimmering with faint ripples. Dozens of red boats were moored there, their red lanterns hung high, casting a bright glow.

This place bustled with activity, a scene of spring nights.

Su Changqing strode forward, his saber at his waist. He wasn't wearing the Flying Fish Robe, but a white robe, as pure as snow, making him appear elegant and refined.

"My, my, what noble young master is this? Please, come inside."

The madam's eyes lit up, and she quickly pulled Su Changqing in.

Such a handsome young man was always popular. Observing the Frost Snow Saber at his waist, its cold gleam emanating, and the valuable scabbard, she knew this young fellow was wealthy.