Sparring Sabers with Heng Feijing

"Yeah, after joining the Dragon Guard, we actually see each other less often!" Kou Zhong sighed. "Thank goodness you still remember us, Brother Shuang."

"Although we're all from the Yu Unit (camp), you and Brother Shuang are in the Divine Department investigating cases, while we patrol the streets for the Ghost Department. Our daily work barely overlaps," Xu Ziling sighed, then looked at Qin Shuang with a strange expression.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Qin Shuang felt a prickle of unease under Xu Ziling's gaze.

"Brother Shuang, Kou Zhong and I have known you for more than a year or two. We know your temperament inside and out. Just tell us what you need, and if we can do it, we won't even bat an eye," Kou Zhong said.

"That's right, Brother Shuang, you're not one to keep things bottled up. Just say what's on your mind!" Kou Zhong chimed in, nodding in agreement.

"Alas, people don't visit the temple without a reason. I won't beat around the bush. I've come to invite you to join my team. What do you think?" Qin Shuang saw their reactions and decided to be direct.

"Brother Shuang just completed the assessment for his promotion to Squad Leader. He'll be a Squad Leader in a few days and can pick his own men!" Jiang Xiaoyu added, explaining further.

Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling exchanged a look, both expressions filled with disbelief. It was Xu Ziling who spoke first, "You're inviting the two of us?"

Seeing Qin Shuang nod, Xu Ziling continued, "Brother Shuang, it's not that we lack confidence, but you come from a hereditary Dragon Guard family, and your martial arts are among the best of the younger generation. Why would you take an interest in us two?"

"As you said, we've known each other for a long time, and I know your characters well. Kou Zhong is clever and resourceful, with a chivalrous heart. As for you, Ziling, you are content with a simple life and are honest and sincere. I've also seen your brotherhood over the years, sharing hardships and supporting each other. Even after joining the Dragon Guard, you've both maintained your integrity. Honestly, I've always believed that martial arts can be trained, but a person's character is very difficult to change. Therefore, compared to those arrogant and bullying individuals, I value you two more."

Xu Ziling nodded inwardly, knowing Qin Shuang was speaking the truth. Many people, after joining the Dragon Guard, gradually became blinded by power, using their Dragon Guard status to act recklessly and tyrannically.

"If we join, what specifically do you need us to do, Brother Shuang?" Xu Ziling was tempted, but still wanted to understand the details more thoroughly.

"To punish corrupt officials and scoundrels with us, to rectify the order of the jianghu, and to maintain the long-term peace and stability of Great Shang! At the same time, I need you to use your past connections to open up channels and cultivate a base of grassroots forces that can be used by us, and to gather intelligence in the imperial capital."

"You all know how Brother Shuang treats his brothers. So, what do you say? Are you joining or not? Give us a clear answer!" Jiang Xiaoyu chimed in, adding to the pressure.

Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling glanced at each other, reading positive signals in each other's eyes. They nodded in unison, "We are willing to join!"

"We were unemployed ruffians in the imperial capital. We don't know what good deeds we did in our past lives to be fortunate enough to join the Dragon Guard. But we have no background and no strength. Normally, besides a few people like Brother Shuang, no one else bothers with us. Today, Brother Shuang personally invited us, so we have to accept this honor. From now on, we'll follow Brother Shuang through fire and water, without hesitation!"

"Good! From now on, we're all brothers. We'll share fortune and face hardship together!" Qin Shuang was overjoyed to see them agree and slapped the table.

"Think about what I've said these past few days. When the transfer orders arrive, we'll gather again to discuss in detail."

"Okay, Brother Shuang."

After bidding farewell to Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling, Qin Shuang and Jiang Xiaoyu walked through the streets of Chaoge City. Looking at the endless stream of people brushing shoulders, they suddenly felt a sense of aimlessness.

"How about it? Have you thought of any suitable candidates?" Qin Shuang asked Jiang Xiaoyu.

"What about Heng Feijing?" Jiang Xiaoyu pondered for a moment.

"Heng Feijing? That troublemaker from the Yellow Unit (camp)'s Electric Department?" Qin Shuang frowned.

"You can't really call him a troublemaker. I've looked into it. The reason he joined the Dragon Guard was for the Dream Slaying Saber Technique. So after joining, he continuously challenged saber experts. In just half a year, he's basically swept through the West of the Yellow Unit (camp)'s Cloud, Rain, Thunder, and Electric divisions. Those who spoke ill of him and spread rumors about him are all people who lost to him," Jiang Xiaoyu seemed to like Heng Feijing a lot and defended him.

"He uses a saber?" Qin Shuang's interest was piqued when he heard Heng Feijing's weapon was a saber.

"Yes."

"Is he very strong?"

"Very strong. He's seventeen, and his cultivation is between a first-class martial artist and the peak of the Houtian realm, similar to you. Besides you, I can't think of anyone his age who could defeat him!"

"What about Xiao Ding?"

"It'll be tough. Although they haven't fought, in my opinion, he'd at best be evenly matched," Jiang Xiaoyu said solemnly.

Qin Shuang was itching to meet this Heng Feijing, eager to test him out. "What saber technique does he use?"

"I don't know. It's a saber technique that uses emotions to drive its power. It's very strange, but definitely powerful!"

"Good, we'll go find him right now. I'm determined to have him!" Qin Shuang declared decisively.

At the training ground of the Yellow Unit (camp) of the Dragon Guard Yamen.

Heng Feijing leaned against a wooden post, watching two people sparring in the arena, his eyes filled with undisguised contempt.

However, despite his arrogant demeanor, he was inwardly burning with anxiety. He remembered his master's dying words: If I don't achieve the Overlord Saber by eighteen, I'll have no hope for life!

Heng Feijing picked up a saber at five, studied saber manuals at six, mastered the way of the saber at ten, and killed his master to emerge into the world at thirteen. He wandered the jianghu for three years, intuitively grasping the Seven Styles of Heavenly Saber. Under his saber, enemies fell like withered leaves. At sixteen, he surveyed the jianghu and found no other saber users worthy of being called his opponent. Thus, he resolutely joined the Dragon Guard, hoping to use the renowned Dream Slaying Saber Technique as a whetstone for his saber, to achieve another breakthrough in his saber path!

With only half a year left until his eighteenth birthday, if he couldn't break through to the Xiantian realm and step into the Overlord Saber realm, it would undoubtedly be a massive negation of his over a decade of saber cultivation.

And now, he hadn't even fully reached the peak of the Houtian realm!

How could he not be anxious!

Just as Heng Feijing decided to find a way to scout for other saber experts in different units (camps) of the Dragon Guard for sparring and exchange, a saber intent, filled with aggression, arrived from afar and headed straight for him. That intense, provocative aura clearly told him, "Don't go anywhere, come and fight!"

A slight smile appeared on Heng Feijing's lips, his hands even trembling slightly. This was not fear, but uncontrollable excitement!

Such an undisguised, sharp saber intent was precisely the opponent Heng Feijing had long yearned for!