Newbie Village, Shanjin Town

When Yang Yuncong heard Qin Shuang's voice, he chuckled and looked up, examining him closely. "Xiao Shuang, you're here. You look energetic, your martial arts must have improved!"

"Uncle Yang, you flatter me. You know my mother, she's incredibly strict. If I don't practice diligently, her Asura Blade will come down on me."

Yang Yuncong glanced behind Qin Shuang, making sure Qin Hongmian wasn't with him before replying, "I know, I know. If she didn't have such a temper, with her skills, why would she still be just a Garrison General!"

"Uncle Yang, I'm here to pick up the assessment mission for my promotion to Squad Leader." Qin Shuang boldly picked up the teapot on the desk and poured himself a cup of tea, speaking as he drank.

The promotion mission for the Dragon Guard was another benefit granted by the Great Shang Dynasty to its two hundred and sixteen hereditary families, a special path established specifically for the sons and daughters of these families to advance. After two years of service, one could apply for promotion to Squad Leader, and after five years, to Garrison General. The assessment missions were relatively simple. However, promotions beyond Garrison General required the same normal assessments as other Dragon Guards, or the achievement of special merits.

"I've already prepared it for you." Yang Yuncong pulled out a scroll from the pile of documents on his desk. "On Mount Dawen within Jiashan County, Hongnong Commandery, a group of bandits has gathered. They've colluded with local officials, wreaking havoc on the countryside. Go investigate, gather relevant evidence, and arrest all those treacherous officials!"

"Alright!" Qin Shuang agreed without hesitation.

"That group of bandits is quite numerous. Be careful, and remember, complete the mission alone. Absolutely no cutting corners!" Yang Yuncong cautioned.

"I understand, Uncle Yang!"

"Go on!" Yang Yuncong waved his hand.

Qin Shuang turned, changed into his own clothes, retrieved his sabers Yong'an and Changning, picked out a fine horse, and immediately set off.

Another notable characteristic of the Dragon Guard was their standard issue dual sabers.

This wasn't to say that Dragon Guards could only use dual sabers. Yang Yuncong, for instance, was famous for his swordsmanship, the commander of the 'Yu' unit was renowned for his palm techniques, and many of the recruited members had their own unique skills and secret arts.

But those were skills they learned elsewhere. The Dragon Guard's inherited martial art was a dual saber technique called Dream Slaying!

The martial arts cultivation in this world was divided into nine major realms: Third-rate Warrior, who had just begun to glimpse the path; Second-rate Warrior, who had achieved minor success; First-rate Warrior, who had entered the hall and achieved mastery; Postnatal Peak, who had achieved complete understanding; Innate Realm (divided into early, mid, late, and peak stages), who had reached the stage of perfection; Grandmaster Realm (divided into early, mid, late, and peak stages), who had reached the stage of divine transformation; Great Grandmaster Realm (divided into early, mid, late, and peak stages), who had reached the peak of achievement; Origin Return Realm, who had returned to simplicity; and Heavenly Human Realm, who could act at will.

From the age of seven, Qin Shuang had been a disciple of the Old Man of Three Absolutes, studying for nine full years. He had learned one of his three absolute skills, Heavenly Frost Fist, along with the corresponding footwork, Frost Steps on Thin Ice, and the internal energy technique, Heavenly Frost Qi.

After returning to Chaoge City and joining the Dragon Guard, he also practiced the Dream Slaying Saber Technique day and night. Furthermore, by a fortunate coincidence, he was chosen by a mysterious masked figure who secretly taught him martial arts.

However, Qin Shuang kept this as a trump card and had never displayed it in front of anyone, so its true power was unknown.

Currently, Qin Shuang's realm was between First-rate Warrior and Postnatal Peak. The question he had been pondering on his journey was, to what extent had his martial arts truly reached?

In the past two years in Chaoge City, Qin Shuang hadn't exactly been idle. He had participated in dozens of missions, big and small. However, wearing the uniform of the Dragon Guard, he never encountered much resistance, so he had never had a clear grasp of his own martial prowess.

This solo investigation and bandit suppression mission was a good opportunity to test his own strength.

Hongnong Commandery, like the imperial capital Chaoge City, was located within Si Province. Mount Dawen in Jiashan County, Hongnong Commandery, could be reached in about seven to eight days by fast horse.

Qin Shuang arrived at Shanjin Town at the foot of Mount Dawen on the evening of the seventh day. Seeing the evening glow fading, he knew that finding the bandits' specific hiding place within the vast mountains would be difficult. Moreover, he had no idea which level of official was colluding with the bandits, leaving him with no starting point. Therefore, he decided to find an inn to stay in, gather some information, and then act.

"Lion King's Pride?" The moment Qin Shuang saw this peculiar name, his heart inexplicably stirred. Though he didn't know why, he unhesitatingly chose this inn.

"Welcome, honored guest. Are you here for a meal or to stay?" A waiter greeted him as soon as he reached the entrance.

"Dinner first, then lodging!" Qin Shuang said, handing the waiter a small silver ingot. "Serve me good wine and good food!"

"Certainly, honored guest, please come in!" The waiter took the silver ingot, then took the reins and led the horse to the stable.

Upon entering the inn, there was a long table that could seat ten people. Behind it was the counter, and next to it was the staircase leading to the second floor. On either side of the main hall were two square tables. For a town like this, the establishment wasn't small, nor was it particularly large.

At this time, three tables of guests were already dining. One table had four young men dressed as constables, drinking and chatting boisterously. The other two tables were occupied by middle-aged men with travel-worn appearances. Judging by their attire, they seemed to be traveling merchants and their guards.

Qin Shuang casually chose a seat by the wall, his position directly facing the entrance, allowing him to see everyone's movements in the hall without turning. His dual sabers were wrapped in canvas and placed by his feet.

It was unavoidable; the Dragon Guard's dual sabers were too conspicuous and could easily reveal his identity.

"Brother Zhu, finish your meal and get some rest early. We'll set off at the hour of the ox and be out of Jiashan County before dawn." One of the merchants lowered his voice.

"In such a hurry? Pinghu County isn't far away!"

"You don't know, but a group of bandits has appeared on Mount Dawen recently. We should leave here as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary trouble."

"Alright, alright, I'll do as you say, Brother Cheng."

Their voices were not loud, but how could they escape Qin Shuang's ears?

Qin Shuang's thoughts stirred, and a plan began to form in his mind.

The next day, at the hour of the ox, the world was dark and obscure. A strange crescent moon hung in the night sky, casting a faint, pale light.

A group of several people, driving four supply carts, traveled through the darkness. They were the merchants who had stayed at the "Lion King's Pride" inn earlier.

The convoy left Shanjin Town and had traveled only a few miles when dozens of torches suddenly lit up by the roadside. Thirty to forty bandits, dressed haphazardly but all wearing black scarves, emerged with various weapons and surrounded the convoy.

The leader, with his head wrapped in a black cloth and wearing coarse linen, had sunken eyes and a dull gaze. He bared a row of yellow teeth and pointed his saber at the convoy, saying, "Leave the carts, and you may go. If you dare resist, you'll find that my saber, Third Master Zhu's, is not to be trifled with!"