Wind and Snow Night Returnee, Name Shakes Capital City

The night in Capital City had never been so fervent.

The gates of Qianjin Platform were almost burst open by the frenzied crowd.

"He won! He really won!"

A gambler with a pockmarked face waved his silver notes like a flag, his voice hoarse, "Fifty to one! I bet ten taels! Five hundred taels! I won't have to worry about money for the rest of my life!"

Just an hour ago, he was being mocked by his companions for throwing his money away. Now, those who had mocked him were slumped on the ground, their faces ashen.

Beneath the red sandalwood plaque in the main hall, the bookie's face was uglier than a pig's liver. Several of the fans he held had already been snapped.

The Qin Family's message was "stop at the right moment," but at the gambling table, blood meant victory or defeat. The scar on Qin Wuji's face had not only disfigured him but also ruined countless gamblers and delivered a harsh blow to Qianjin Platform.

"Ji Ye... Bushou Sword..."

The bookie gritted his teeth and made a heavy stroke in his ledger.

"This is no nameless nobody, but a ferocious dragon crossing the river."

A butcher with a face full of scars slammed a blood-stained cleaver onto the table, waving a crumpled silver note in his other hand. He had gotten drunk yesterday and bet his entire fortune on the "Ji Ye" that no one had high hopes for. He had thought he'd just go all out and accept whatever came, but he woke up a wealthy man.

"Pay up! Pay me! Fifty to one! If you short me a single cent, I'll tear down your gambling house!"

The fat on the bookie's face trembled, but his eyes shone terrifyingly.

While instructing his staff to pay out money, he fanned himself and whispered to the accountant beside him:

"Send out word, the next betting round has begun."

"Bet on what?"

"Bet on whether this Attendant Scholar Ji can survive the winter."

Overnight, the name Ji Ye spread like wings to every corner of Capital City.

"You should have seen that sword strike!"

In a teahouse, a former servant of the Qin Manor was gesturing wildly, saliva flying, surrounded by listeners.

"Young Master Qin's sword was as fast as light! Before our eyes could even blink, it was at Mr. Ji's face."

"And then? And then?"

"Then?" The servant slapped his thigh hard, "Mr. Ji just lightly raised his hand, and that broken sword seemed to grow eyes, making a ding sound! Young Master Qin's sword was flicked away! And then..."

He lowered his voice and made a throat-slitting motion.

"Young Master Qin's face gained a red line. The blood flowed so terribly, it dyed his white clothes red!"

"Hiss—"

Everyone gasped.

"Who exactly is this Attendant Scholar Ji?"

"I heard he's a wandering swordsman, and the sword in his hand is just a piece of junk he picked up."

"Junk? That's Divine Sword Concealment! Can a sword that injured Qin Wuji be junk?"

Rumors spread like snow, growing larger and larger.

Teahouses, taverns, brothels, and secluded chambers.

People were talking about the young man in the plain blue robe, about the fierce sword full of cracks, about how he had left an indelible mark of shame on the face of the arrogant Qin Family Prodigy.

Overnight, the young man who always wore a blue robe and carried a broken sword became the most mysterious and dangerous legend in Capital City.

Grand Princess's Manor, Tingxue Tower.

The clamor outside did not penetrate here at all.

Ji Ye sat by the window, holding a coarse cloth, wiping his sword.

The Bushou Sword lay across his knees.

After last night's battle, the cracks on the sword seemed to have lessened, and its dark gray body faintly revealed an eerie dark red.

It had drunk blood.

Though it was only a drop, it was the vital essence of a Half-step Grandmaster.

"Good sword,"

Ji Ye praised softly.

This sword was like a hungry beast, tasting blood and beginning to awaken.

"The sword is good, and the person is even better."

A lazy voice came from behind him.

Xiao Hongxiu had entered at some point. She had changed into a purple palace dress, holding a hand warmer, a hint of weariness in her eyes, but unable to hide the inherent charm that emanated from her very being.

Ji Ye did not turn around, still focused on wiping his sword.

"Did Your Highness not sleep well last night?"

"That old woman from the Qin family submitted a memorial to the palace overnight."

Xiao Hongxiu sat down opposite Ji Ye, idly poking at the residual ash in the incense burner. "She said she was unwell and needed to return to her ancestral home to recuperate. She also said Qin Wuji is young and impetuous, doesn't understand the rules, and has been confined to his residence for three years of self-reflection."

"A strategic retreat."

Ji Ye stopped what he was doing and looked up at Xiao Hongxiu.

"Old Madam's move was brilliant."

The Qin family had suffered such a significant loss. To have reacted immediately would have been the inferior choice.

Now, by actively showing weakness, Old Madam not only preserved the Qin family's dignity but also garnered sympathy from the Emperor.

The Qin family, loyal subjects for generations, had been bullied to this extent by a retainer of the Grand Princess. To maintain balance, the Emperor would inevitably put some pressure on the Grand Princess's Manor.

"Brilliant, yes, but it also shows they're desperate."

Xiao Hongxiu let out a cold laugh. "Qin Wuji's face was the Qin family's facade. Now that it's marred, the title of 'Prodigy' will likely be discounted."

She looked at Ji Ye, a glint of excitement in her eyes.

"Your sword not only cut his face, but it also shattered the Qin family's golden image."

"Now the entire court is watching to see if this tiger of a Qin family is truly old."

"You can tell if a tiger is old by its teeth."

Ji Ye rewrapped the Bushou sword and slung it over his back. "The Qin family won't let this go."

"Of course not."

Xiao Hongxiu stood up and walked to the map, her finger pressing heavily on the location of the Northern Border.

Luoyan Pass.

It was the last bastion of Capital City.

Once it fell, the Barbarian cavalry would only need three days to water their horses in the moat.

"Hulei in the north is not only a madman, but also a genius."

Xiao Hongxiu poured Ji Ye a cup of tea. "He isn't rushing to attack Capital City, but is methodically advancing, nibbling away bit by bit. Now, his vanguard has already approached 'Luoyan Pass'."

Xiao Hongxiu's finger circled the critical pass, her crimson nail polish looking like a smear of fresh blood.

"That is the throat of Capital City. The Qin family's army is stationed at 'Juma Pass' behind Luoyan Pass, but they are delaying their advance. They are waiting."

"Waiting for what?" Ji Ye took a sip of tea. The lukewarm liquid was just right to soothe the dryness in his throat.

"Waiting for the Barbarians to deplete the Imperial Court's strength, waiting for His Majesty to beg the Qin family to send their troops." Xiao Hongxiu sneered, her eyes filled with frost.

"Encouraging the bandits to strengthen themselves – this is a trick the Qin family has played for a hundred years. As long as the Barbarians aren't eliminated, the Qin family is Da Liang's pillar of support; if the Barbarians are eliminated, they will be discarded like useless tools."

"Therefore, they need a new knife to test the Barbarians' sharpness this time."

Ji Ye put down his teacup.

"I am that knife?"

"You are." Xiao Hongxiu turned around, her gaze intense. "Last night you injured Qin Wuji, and not only did the Qin family not retaliate, but this morning at court, they lavishly praised your martial prowess. They said your swordsmanship was divine, that you were a pillar of the nation, and shouldn't be wasted as a mere Attendant Scholar in the Grand Princess's Manor."

"They recommended you to be the commander of the 'Divine Machine Battalion'."

Divine Machine Battalion.

Da Liang's only firearms unit.

It sounded imposing, but in reality, it was a prickly hedgehog.

Equipped with cumbersome old cannons prone to exploding, and muskets with a range inferior to a strong bow.

When encountering the Barbarian Wolf Cavalry on the plains, the Divine Machine Battalion was just a herd of sheep waiting to be slaughtered.

The average commander of the Divine Machine Battalion lived for no more than three months.

"Killing with praise."

Ji Ye smiled.

This Qin Muzhi was more adept at killing without drawing blood than his sword-wielding son.

He would elevate Ji Ye into a hero, then send him into the meat grinder.

If Ji Ye won, it would be thanks to the Qin family's recommendation and their contribution to weakening the Barbarians; if he died, it would be due to Ji Ye's lack of skill, allowing the Qin family to vent their anger and smoothly take over the remaining forces of the Divine Machine Battalion.

"I accept this official post."

Ji Ye stood up and straightened his collar.

"Not only will I accept it, but I will do so with great fanfare."

The next day, the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Within the magnificent hall, the scent of sandalwood wafted, yet it couldn't mask the pervasive aura of decay.

The Emperor sat on the Dragon Throne, his eyes downcast, occasionally letting out a violent cough. His complexion was sallow, a result of elixir poison from years of taking elixirs.

Civil and military officials stood in two rows, each with their eyes focused on their noses and their noses on their hearts.

"Announce, Ji Ye requests an audience—"

Following the eunuch's shrill voice, Ji Ye strode into the grand hall.

He was still wearing the same plain blue robe.

Amidst a crowd of nobles in purple robes and jade belts, he seemed out of place, yet stood out like a crane among chickens.

"This commoner, Ji Ye, pays respects to Your Majesty."

Ji Ye bowed slightly, not kneeling.

"How dare you!" a Censor was about to step forward and reprimand him.

"Dispensed with," the Emperor waved his hand, his voice weak. "I heard you defeated the Qin Family's Prodigy with a single sword?"

"Luck," Ji Ye replied calmly.

"A fine stroke of luck."

Qin Muzhi, who had been standing at the head of the military officials, suddenly stepped forward. His appearance was refined and scholarly, showing no trace of animosity, but rather a righteous demeanor.

"Your Majesty, Mr. Ji is too modest. That sword strike was astonishing and brilliant; I witnessed it with my own eyes. The northern border is currently in a critical war situation, a time when we need capable individuals. I boldly recommend Mr. Ji to be the commander of the Divine Machine Battalion, to lead the troops to reinforce Luoyan Pass and uphold our nation's prestige!"

"I second the motion."

"I second the motion."

In an instant, nearly half the officials in the court stepped forward.

This was a meticulously woven net, waiting for Ji Ye to leap into it.

The Emperor's clouded gaze swept between Qin Muzhi and Ji Ye, finally settling on Xiao Hongxiu, who had remained silent.

"Imperial Sister, what are your thoughts?"

Xiao Hongxiu stepped forward, her red robes like blood.

"Since Lord Qin values this Princess's man so highly, then let him try. However..."

Her tone shifted, and her gaze, sharp as a knife, pierced Qin Muzhi.

"The Divine Machine Battalion is a vital asset to the nation. If the provisions and military supplies fall short, Lord Qin, as the Minister of War, will be held responsible."

"Your Highness need not worry," Qin Muzhi smiled slightly, the composure of an old fox. "The Ministry of War will not be short of a single grain or a single bullet for the front lines."

"If that is the case."

The Emperor waved his hand, as if shooing away a fly.

"The plea is granted. Ji Ye is appointed Commander of the Divine Machine Battalion and will assume his post immediately."

The decree was issued swiftly.

So quickly that by the time Ji Ye walked out of the Imperial Palace, the Tiger Tally, symbolizing the commander's authority, was already hanging at his waist.

"Congratulations, Commander Ji."

Qin Muzhi appeared beside him at some unknown time, a gentle smile on his face. He lowered his voice and said, "The wind and sand at Luoyan Pass are fierce, Commander. You must protect your neck. Don't end up like my unworthy son, with a scar on his face."

This was a blatant threat.

Ji Ye stopped and turned his head.

Through the perception of [Martial Arts Through Divinity], this seemingly refined middle-aged man possessed a Blood Essence as deep and vast as an abyss.

"Lord Qin."

Ji Ye reached out and adjusted Qin Muzhi's slightly askew official hat.

"The wind and sand are indeed fierce."

"So fierce... it might blind one's eyes, making it impossible to distinguish between the hunter and the prey."

After speaking, Ji Ye let out a hearty laugh and strode away.

Qin Muzhi stood in place, the smile on his face gradually disappearing, replaced by a chilling coldness.

"He courts death."