"Yeah. After joining the Dragon Guard, we've actually been seeing each other less!" Kou Zhong said with a sigh. "Good thing you still remember us, Brother Shuang."
"Although we're all in the Yu Unit, you and Brother Shuang are investigating cases in the Divine Division, while we patrol the streets and maintain order in the Ghost Division. Our daily work barely overlaps." Xu Ziling sighed, then looked at Qin Shuang strangely.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Qin Shuang felt a chill under Xu Ziling's gaze.
"Brother Shuang, Kou Zhong and I have known you for years. We know what kind of person you are. Just tell us what you need. If it's something we can do, we won't even frown."
"Exactly. You're not the sort of person who can keep things bottled up, Brother Shuang. Just say what's on your mind!" Kou Zhong nodded from the side.
"Well, people don't visit the Three Treasures Hall without a reason. I won't beat around the bush. I came this time to invite you two to join my team. What do you think?" Seeing that, Qin Shuang spoke frankly.
"Brother Shuang just completed the assessment mission for promotion to Squad Leader. In a few days, he'll be a Squad Leader and can choose his own men!" Jiang Xiaoyu explained further.
Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling exchanged disbelieving looks. Xu Ziling was the one who asked, "You're inviting the two of us?"
When Qin Shuang nodded, Xu Ziling continued, "Brother Shuang, it's not that we lack confidence, but you're not only from a hereditary Dragon Guard family—you're also one of the outstanding martial artists of your generation. Why would you take an interest in the two of us?"
"As you said, we've known each other for a long time. I know your characters well. Kou Zhong is clever, resourceful, chivalrous, and kindhearted, while you, Ziling, are content with a simple life, honest and pure. I've also seen the brotherly bond you two have forged through sharing hardships and supporting each other all these years. Even after entering the Dragon Guard, you've remained true to yourselves. To be honest, I've always believed that martial prowess can be trained, but a person's character is very difficult to change. So compared with those who are arrogant and bully others by relying on their power, I value the two of you more."
Xu Ziling nodded inwardly, knowing Qin Shuang was telling the truth. After entering the Dragon Guard, many people gradually let power and influence corrupt their hearts, relying on their Dragon Guard identities to act tyrannically and recklessly.
"If we join you, what exactly would you need us to do?" Xu Ziling was tempted, but still wanted to ask more carefully.
"Join us in punishing corrupt officials, bringing order to the martial world, and safeguarding the Great Shang's lasting peace and stability! At the same time, I need you to use your former connections to establish channels, cultivate a network of grassroots forces we can use, and keep us informed about intelligence from the imperial capital."
"You both know how Brother Shuang treats his men normally. So, are you joining or not? Give us a straightforward answer!" Jiang Xiaoyu urged them from the side.
Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling looked at each other, seeing the positive answer in each other's eyes. They nodded together. "We're willing to join!"
"We were just two unemployed ruffians in the imperial capital. We don't know what good deed we did in our past lives to earn such fortune, but we were lucky enough to join the Dragon Guard. Still, we have neither connections nor strength. Aside from you and the others, no one usually wants anything to do with us. Since you came personally to invite us today, Brother Shuang, we have to show you the proper respect. From now on, wherever you go, we'll follow—through fire or water, without hesitation!"
"Good! From now on, we're all brothers. We'll share blessings and hardships!" Qin Shuang was overjoyed when the two agreed. He slapped the table as he spoke.
"Take a few days to think over what I just said. Once the transfer order arrives, we'll meet again and discuss everything in detail."
"All right, Brother Shuang."
After bidding farewell to Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling, Qin Shuang and Jiang Xiaoyu walked through the streets of Chaoge City. Watching the endless stream of shoulder-to-shoulder pedestrians, they suddenly found themselves at a loss.
"So, have you thought of any suitable candidates?" Qin Shuang asked Jiang Xiaoyu.
"What about Heng Feijing?" Jiang Xiaoyu considered it for a moment before answering.
"Heng Feijing? The troublemaker from the Electric Division of the Yellow Unit?" Qin Shuang frowned.
"It's not quite right to call him a troublemaker. I looked into him. He joined the Dragon Guard specifically for the Dream Slaying Saber Technique. After joining, he kept challenging saber experts. In just half a year, he had practically defeated everyone in the Cloud, Rain, Thunder, and Electric Divisions of the Yellow Unit. The people who speak ill of him and spread rumors about his reputation are all the ones he defeated." Jiang Xiaoyu seemed to like Heng Feijing quite a bit and explained on his behalf.
"He uses a saber?" Qin Shuang immediately became interested when he heard that Heng Feijing's weapon was a saber.
"Yes."
"Is he strong?"
"Very strong. He's seventeen, and his cultivation is between that of a First-rate Warrior and the Postnatal Peak, roughly on par with yours. Aside from you, I can't think of anyone his age who could beat him!"
"What about Xiao Ding?"
"Difficult to say. They haven't fought, but in my opinion, at most, they'd be evenly matched." Jiang Xiaoyu spoke solemnly.
Jiang Xiaoyu's words made Qin Shuang itch to test him. He was eager to meet Heng Feijing. "What saber technique does he use?"
"I don't know. It's a saber technique that uses emotions to drive its power. It's strange, but definitely formidable!"
"Good. Let's find him now. I want this man!" Qin Shuang declared decisively.
The training ground of the Yellow Unit at the Dragon Guard Yamen.
Heng Feijing leaned against a wooden post, watching the two people sparring in the arena. He could barely conceal the contempt in his eyes.
But although he looked arrogant and disdainful, he was actually frantic with anxiety. He had always remembered his master's dying words: "If you cannot master the Overlord Saber by the age of eighteen, you'll have no hope for the rest of your life!"
Heng Feijing had held a saber at five, deciphered saber manuals at six, mastered the saber path at ten, killed his master and entered the martial world at thirteen, and traveled the martial world for three years. He had comprehended the Seven Styles of Heavenly Saber on his own. Under his saber, enemies fell one after another like withered leaves. At sixteen, he surveyed the martial world and discovered that there was no saber wielder left whom he could call an opponent. Thus, he resolutely joined the Dragon Guard, hoping to use the renowned Dream Slaying Saber Technique as his whetstone and achieve another breakthrough in the saber path!
Now, he had only half a year left before turning eighteen. If he could not break through into the Innate Realm and reach the Overlord Saber stage, it would be a tremendous negation of his more than ten years of saber cultivation.
And at present, he had not even fully entered the Postnatal Peak!
How could he not be anxious?
Just as Heng Feijing decided to find a way to inquire about saber experts in the other units of the Dragon Guard and seek an exchange of blows with them, an aggressive saber intent approached from afar, heading straight for him. Its intense provocation was obvious: Don't leave. Come and fight!
A smile rose at the corners of Heng Feijing's mouth, and even his hands began to tremble slightly. It was not fear, but uncontrollable excitement!
Such an undisguised, razor-sharp saber intent was exactly the kind of opponent Heng Feijing had long yearned for!
Before you continue