Gathering Momentum

At Fugui Mountain Villa's plaza, all members under Qin Shuang were present, except for Cheng Lingsu and Mu Wan Qing, who was out on a case.

After a long absence, everyone's martial arts had progressed rapidly. Jiang Xiaoyu, Ding Ning, Gao Jian Fei, and Heng Feijing had all successfully broken through to the Innate Realm.

Huai Mie, Huai Kong, Guo Jing, and Yang Kang were all at a bottleneck in the Postnatal Peak, just a step away from the Innate Realm.

It was rumored that Mu Wan Qing was in a similar situation.

The other young members had also made their own gains, living up to the title of prodigies of the Dragon Guard.

Qin Shuang handed a strange red fruit to Destroy Ghost God. "Old Ghost, your eyes were injured during the last mission. This fruit might be able to heal your injuries."

Destroy Ghost God took it casually, muttering a thanks, but inwardly scoffing. His eyes were severely injured, and even the divine physician of the Dragon Guard's Cosmos Unit had been helpless. He no longer held any hope.

"Blood Bodhi!" Miao Changfeng, who had roamed the jianghu in his youth and was well-traveled, exclaimed upon seeing the red fruit in Qin Shuang's hand emitting intense heat.

"Section Leader Miao, you recognize this fruit?" Qin Shuang asked curiously.

"General Qin, where did you obtain this fruit?" Miao Changfeng retorted with a question instead of answering.

"Chuanzhou, Lingyun Mountain, within Lingyun Cave," Qin Shuang replied truthfully without hiding anything.

"That makes sense," Miao Changfeng nodded. "Legend has it that Lingyun Cave is home to an ancient beast, the Fire Qilin. Where its blood drips, a peerless exotic fruit grows. It's as red as blood, extremely hot, and is called Blood Bodhi. It heals grievous wounds and boosts cultivation for those unharmed!"

"Are you saying this fruit is that Blood Bodhi?" Destroy Ghost God interjected, his voice trembling.

"That's for General Qin to say!" Miao Changfeng replied.

"Based on Section Leader Miao's description, I believe this fruit is indeed Blood Bodhi. I've also consumed one before, and it was remarkably effective for healing. You can try it later," Qin Shuang told Destroy Ghost God.

"Thank you, General Qin, for this second life!" Seeing hope for recovery, Destroy Ghost God could no longer hide his excitement.

After a few brief pleasantries with the others, Qin Shuang finally got to the main topic of the day.

His expression turned stern. He surveyed everyone and said, word by word, "I have always believed that the Dragon Guard is a unified entity. While upholding the Great Shang's imperial power, we must all stand together and watch out for each other. I would never resort to infighting unless absolutely necessary. However, in any large collective, there will always be a few rotten apples that affect the whole team! In the past, I was just an ordinary Dragon Guard, and I could turn a blind eye and endure it. But this time, they directly put Cheng Lingsu under house arrest. If we don't react, they'll dare to touch any one of us tomorrow. Since they've provoked me, I absolutely will not stand idly by! I've decided to eliminate these tumors. Who agrees? Who opposes?"

"Brother Shuang, of course, we'll listen to you!" Jiang Xiaoyu was the first to voice his support.

"Brother Shuang, just tell us what you want us to do next!" Ding Ning also pledged his unwavering support.

Qin Shuang waited for a moment, seeing no objections. Then, in an unquestionable tone, he said, "Good. Then I will begin assigning tasks. From now on, all tasks assigned to our unit by the higher-ups will be handled by Section Leader Mu and Section Leader Li. If you're overwhelmed, come to me for more manpower."

Li Sheng Nan was taken aback for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

Qin Shuang continued, "Xiao Ding, take your team and keep a close eye on Shi Wanchen, Murong Jingyue, Jiang Tieshan, and Xue Que. I want to know their every move and investigate their pasts by any means necessary. Dig up all their dirty secrets!"

"Alright, no problem!" Ding Ning readily accepted.

Qin Shuang finally looked at Shen Hu Chan, his eyes filled with killing intent. He said coldly, "Brother Hu, lead your team secretly to Miao Prefecture. Whatever means you use, I want the Medicine King Sect of Miao Prefecture to disappear within a month!"

"Good!" Shen Hu Chan's words were few, but his promises were always kept!

Inside Cheng Lingsu's small building in the Moon Unit of the Cosmos Unit (Camp), a simple mourning hall was set up, sparsely decorated.

A somber atmosphere permeated the entire building, weighing heavily on one's heart.

In the center of the mourning hall lay a nanmu coffin, covered with a white cloth embroidered with a blooming red begonia, symbolizing the purity and impermanence of life.

Around the coffin were placed flowers and candle holders. The flowers emitted a faint fragrance, bringing a touch of life and warmth to the hall. The candles flickered with a dim light, illuminating the hall as if trying to pierce the sorrow and longing in Cheng Lingsu's heart.

Cheng Lingsu knelt in the center of the mourning hall, offering her final prayers for her master, praying for the end of karma and peace for the departed.

Qin Shuang, Jiang Xiaoyu, and Mu Nianci strode into the courtyard. Two Dragon Guards from the Moon Unit of the Cosmos Unit (Camp), dressed in black brocade martial attire, immediately stepped forward.

One of them raised a hand to block them. "You..."

"Ah..."

Before he could finish speaking, Qin Shuang's State Stabilizer sword was unsheathed without hesitation.

A flash of cold light, and the man's arm was severed.

"Bang! Bang!" Jiang Xiaoyu, who had been holding back his anger after being questioned by Qin Shuang, surged forward. His legs flew, directly kicking the two men out of the courtyard.

Hearing the commotion, Cheng Lingsu slowly emerged from the building, intending to see what was happening.

Seeing Qin Shuang and the other two, she was surprised yet knew it was inevitable. She understood Qin Shuang's character; upon hearing about her situation, he would surely come. As a Dragon Guard, Qin Shuang lived amidst swords and blades, constantly facing life-or-death tests, inevitably leading him to act coldly and ruthlessly at times. However, towards his brothers and friends, he had always been loyal, righteous, and benevolent!

Thinking this, Cheng Lingsu's eyes turned red. She forced a smile, feigning a relaxed demeanor. "Brother Shuang, you've arrived!"

Seeing Cheng Lingsu's haggard face and vacant eyes, devoid of her usual confidence, Qin Shuang's heart ached slightly. "I'm here. With me here, no one can bully you!"

Hearing Qin Shuang's words, the sorrow, grievances, and helplessness that Cheng Lingsu had suppressed for days, the emotions she dared not show, suddenly found an outlet. Tears streamed down uncontrollably.

Cheng Lingsu threw herself into Qin Shuang's arms, burying her face in his shoulder, sobbing uncontrollably.