Recruitment Notice

The next morning, sunlight spilled over the city gates of Lishan County, where a conspicuous notice had been posted beside the entrance.

The notice drew everyone's attention, and the people gathered around one after another, reading its contents with curiosity:

"Wei Dao Si intends to establish a branch in Lishan County, but is currently short-staffed!"

"We have specially posted this notice to recruit capable and unusual talents from the martial world!"

"Whether you are a martial expert with extraordinary skills or someone possessing unique abilities, you are welcome to visit the Wei Dao Si office for an interview!"

"Once hired, you will receive a monthly salary of one hundred taels of silver, with lodging provided but no meals!"

As soon as the news spread, the entire city of Lishan County erupted.

The common folk surged forward, surrounding the notice and engaging in heated discussion and speculation.

Some excitedly declared that this was a rare opportunity to show what they could do;

Others were filled with curiosity about working for the Wei Dao Si and yearned to learn more details; still others worried whether they possessed enough ability to apply.

For a time, the streets and alleys were filled with all kinds of voices and opinions.

"A monthly salary of one hundred taels would feed my whole family for five years..."

"No way... I've got to go to the Wei Dao Si and give it a try...!"

"Exactly... I've never even seen a hundred taels of silver in my entire life!"

One had to understand that in Lishan County, a farming household spent only twenty taels a year.

Upon hearing this, someone in the crowd immediately retorted, "They're recruiting capable and unusual talents... With those few farming tricks of yours, don't go there and make a fool of yourself!"

"I heard the Wei Dao Si specializes in killing Demons and Monsters. That silver isn't so easy to earn!"

Despite those words, just one hour later, the area before the Wei Dao Si was already packed with people, shoulder to shoulder, with the gates nearly crushed by the crowd.

Though most had merely come to join the excitement, there were also quite a few local experts and passing martial artists who had come for the interview.

After layer upon layer of selection by A'She and Qiu San, only two men and one woman remained. Like cranes standing among chickens, they stood before Xia Qi'an.

The most eye-catching was a burly man named Zhang Biao.

He was thirty-one that year and worked as a herb gatherer.

It was said that when he was young, he had consumed heavenly treasures that had reforged his bones and meridians, allowing him to step onto the martial path. He possessed a Mid Bone Forging Realm cultivation.

Moreover, Zhang Biao had spent years roaming the deep mountains and old forests. He had abundant experience gathering heavenly treasures and dealing with the wild beasts and monsters in the mountains.

The other youth, dark-skinned and dressed much like Qiu San, was named Li Sanjiang. He was Qiu San's disciple.

He was fifteen that year, the same age as Xia Qi'an, and also possessed a Mid Blood Refining Realm cultivation.

Blade Catchers had always operated with one master and one disciple, acting together as a pair.

Now that Qiu San had joined the Wei Dao Si, he naturally wanted to bring his disciple in as well.

However, Qiu San was honest and earnest, so he had Li Sanjiang come to the interview alone.

Though Li Sanjiang was young, his martial talent was quite good. He had fully inherited Qiu San's Gale Blade technique and had passed A'She's selection through his own strength.

Only afterward did Xia Qi'an learn that he was Qiu San's disciple..

The last candidate was a beautiful, gentle-tempered woman who called herself Du Ruo. She was like an orchid in a secluded valley, fresh and refined.

But Xia Qi'an knew that this was the name of a medicinal herb, not her real name.

Du Ruo, however, possessed superb medical skills and was well versed in pharmacology.

Moreover, she had an Early Bone Forging Realm cultivation, making her a truly hidden expert.

Considering that Qiu San and the others would inevitably bleed and suffer injuries on future missions, they happened to be short of a physician.

Thus, Xia Qi'an decided to keep her for the time being. Once A'She had investigated her identity and background, he would make a final decision.

Afterward, Qiu San led Zhang Biao and the others to collect their uniforms and waist badges.

The uniforms and waist badges had all been made after the style of the Wei Dao Si's.

Although they differed slightly from the official uniforms of the Wei Dao Si, they were still quite convincing.

At least they gave the group matching and presentable attire.

Li Sanjiang held the black official uniform in his hands and gently stroked it, as though he had obtained a rare treasure. His face was filled with undisguised fondness.

Qiu San and Zhang Biao felt exactly the same as Li Sanjiang, and they were equally delighted by the new official uniforms.

Their reactions were much like Li Sanjiang's, only less obvious.

Du Ruo, by contrast, remained calm, showing no particularly noticeable reaction.

At that moment, a Hound Guard had already delivered Du Ruo's information to Xia Qi'an.

After reading the letter in his hand, Xia Qi'an kept Du Ruo behind for a private conversation.

"Daughter of the Divine Needle Sect's leader—how did you end up in a tiny place like Lishan County?" Xia Qi'an asked bluntly as soon as he began.

Du Ruo did not find this strange.

After all, as a member of a sect, she had experienced firsthand the prowess of the Wei Dao Si's Hound Guards.

Du Ruo sighed softly. "The Divine Needle Sect no longer exists in the martial world... I only wish to find somewhere to settle down!"

"I wonder, my lord... would you be willing to take me in?"

Upon hearing this, Xia Qi'an pondered for a moment before saying in a deep voice, "I happen to be short of a physician here!"

"If you truly wish to serve the Wei Dao Si with sincerity... you may stay!"

"I guarantee that even Medicine King Valley will no longer dare cause you trouble!"

Du Ruo looked relieved. She immediately declared, "I... am willing to serve you, my lord!"

Xia Qi'an nodded slightly. "Go find A'She and collect your clothes."

Du Ruo looked gratefully at Xia Qi'an, then followed A'She away.

As for the guarantee Xia Qi'an had just given Du Ruo, it was not an empty boast.

Although Medicine King Valley was a second-rate sect in the martial world of You Province, it possessed considerable power.

But if anyone from Medicine King Valley dared trouble the Wei Dao Si, a Hound Guard would come knocking within half a day.

If Medicine King Valley adopted a hard-line attitude and refused to yield,

then the commander-in-chief of the Hound Guards would pay them a visit.

If even that failed to resolve the matter,

and it provoked a Tiger Guard martial artist into action,

then it would no longer be a simple clash in the martial world.

It would be a calamity that wiped out the entire sect.

A Wei Dao Si Tiger Guard had to be a martial artist of the Creation Realm.

But just how many Tiger Guards the Wei Dao Si had in You Province,

Xia Qi'an did not know. He guessed, however, that there were no fewer than ten.

And that was only the Wei Dao Si of You Province.

The world was divided into twelve provinces, all twelve under the jurisdiction of the Wei Dao Si.

Each province was governed by a Kirin Guard, and the number of Tiger Guards under them was even more difficult to determine.

Not to mention the countless martial artists of the other realms under their command.

From this, it was clear just how enormous a force the Wei Dao Si truly was.

Ordinary martial sects of the martial world were utterly insignificant by comparison.

That the Wei Dao Si suppressed everything under heaven was no empty claim.

The next morning.

Xia Qi'an set out early with Qiu San and his disciple, Zhang Biao, and Du Ruo, traveling around the areas between Lishan and Linjiang Counties to conduct an inspection.

Although he governed only two counties, vast stretches of both lay in regions rarely visited by human beings.

Some places had never been explored at all.

Thus, the actual territory under his jurisdiction was exceedingly vast. Governing it would be no easy task.

It was just that this world had low survival rates, and most of the population had gathered in a few designated areas. Familiarizing himself with the local customs, geography, and environment in advance was also preparation for future operations.

The five of them all rode fine steeds and wore matching black official uniforms.

They galloped together at full speed, looking incredibly imposing.

Li Sanjiang was young at heart. Pride shone across his face the entire way as he held his head high and puffed out his chest, looking utterly pleased with himself.

This trip of inspection had been deliberately arranged by Xia Qi'an.

It would not only allow the four of them to become more familiar with one another, but also strengthen the bonds between them.

As expected, the four quickly grew close to Xia Qi'an.

Naturally, they were no longer as restrained as when they had first met him.

They got along harmoniously, speaking freely and enjoying one another's company.

Along the way, Xia Qi'an introduced the four of them to the Wei Dao Si's organizational structure and various rules.

Qiu San, meanwhile, had worked as a Blade Catcher for more than a decade. He had experienced all sorts of strange events and carried a bellyful of bizarre and fascinating stories.

On the road, Qiu San seemed to have opened the floodgates, endlessly recounting his extraordinary experiences like a storyteller and leaving everyone spellbound.

Not only Zhang Biao and Du Ruo, even Xia Qi'an found himself immersed in the tales, clicking his tongue in wonder.

Just as the five were about to enter Linjiang County,

"Rumble..."

With a sudden peal of thunder, the sky darkened in the blink of an eye.

"Patter... patter..."

Then, without warning, a torrential rain came crashing down.

Raindrops as large as beans hammered the ground. The official road, which had previously been choked with dust, quickly turned into a muddy quagmire.

The trees in the distant mountain forests swayed wildly beneath the wind and rain, their leaves fluttering down one after another.

The storm had come so suddenly that it caught them off guard.

The road ahead was soon shrouded in a hazy curtain of rain, making it feel mysterious and oppressive.

Seeing this, Qiu San hurriedly reminded him, "My lord!... I remember there's a courier station a few miles ahead. We can take shelter from the rain there!"

Qiu San had spent many years traveling between the various counties of Jinling and knew the roads in every county like the back of his hand.

Even though Xia Qi'an and the others were traveling along the official road, he could still recite every detail like a family heirloom.

"Then let's go..."

Xia Qi'an squeezed his legs against the horse's belly. Like an arrow loosed from the bow, he shot ahead at a gallop.

Seeing this, Qiu San and the other three also waved their whips and urged their mounts forward, following close behind.

In the past, the four of them had not been qualified to enter official courier stations. They had never even seen what the stations of Great Li looked like inside.

But their identities were different now.

After being registered and recorded by the Hound Guard, they possessed verifiable official identities within the Wei Dao Si.

Even official courier stations would be open to them from now on.

Thinking of his present circumstances, and of the status and standing he now possessed—far beyond those of ordinary wandering martial artists—

Qiu San could not help but feel a surge of heroic pride.