Enter the Hound Guard

Wei Dao Si had weathered more than three hundred years since its founding.

To secure a place within Wei Dao Si and wield a certain amount of influence, the various great clans, dynasties, and sects often sent their younger generations to join it.

As a result, the various factions within Wei Dao Si were intertwined, and their relationships were tangled and complex.

Thus, martial artists like Xia Qi'an, who had no status or backing, were exceedingly rare.

Most of the trainees in this camp came from great clans, dynasties, and sects. Only a scant few had been recruited because they possessed special talents, and these martial artists were all considered outstanding among the younger generation of the Great Li Dynasty.

Although this tournament had forbidden martial artists from using their true strength—the power of qi and blood—and the results could not fully represent their future achievements,

taking the top spot in such an absolutely fair contest was enough to prove that Xia Qi'an possessed extraordinary talent.

After the tournament ended, the great clans began secretly investigating Xia Qi'an's background to determine whether he was worth winning over and cultivating.

Thus, Xia Qi'an gradually gained some fame within Wei Dao Si.

Of course, this was limited to certain people merely knowing that such a person existed.

After all, Xia Qi'an was still only in the Early Blood Refining Realm, and he was not yet worthy of notice from the truly great figures.

After returning to Jinling, Xia Qi'an hurried home at the first opportunity to check on Xiao Cao.

When he saw a female Snake Guard sitting in the courtyard and teaching Xiao Cao to read, the stone in his heart finally dropped.

Upon seeing Xia Qi'an return, the female Snake Guard took the initiative to bid farewell and leave.

However, this gave Xia Qi'an some inspiration.

Xiao Cao was still young. He could not keep her cooped up at home all the time. Perhaps he could find a school for her to attend.

Even though demons ran rampant in this world and danger lurked everywhere, learning to read and studying cultural knowledge was still very necessary.

As for whether she would practice martial arts, he would wait until she was a little older and see what she wanted for herself.

Afterward, Xia Qi'an played with her in the courtyard for a while before taking her out onto the street.

Early that morning, Xia Qi'an had returned from the training camp.

By the time he got home, it was nearly noon—the perfect time for a meal.

Now that he had silver, he naturally had to treat himself to something good.

Thus, Xia Qi'an took Xiao Cao to the best restaurant in Jinling City and feasted.

Afterward, he bought Xiao Cao some writing brushes, toys, and other things, then took them home.

He then went alone to Chu Shiqing's residence.

While he had been strolling through the streets, he had received a message from the Snake Guard.

Chu Shiqing wished to see him.

When he arrived at the Chu residence, he saw Chu Shiqing, as usual, leisurely drinking tea and flipping through a book while being attended by maids.

"Greetings, my lord!" Xia Qi'an hurried forward and saluted Chu Shiqing.

Chu Shiqing cast him an unconcerned glance and slowly said, "Mm... not bad. In just one month, you've already cultivated Blood Refining Four Times. You truly are a promising talent!"

Xia Qi'an said humbly, "It was all thanks to your lordship's support. Without you, this humble one would never have had such an opportunity!"

"Mm!" Chu Shiqing nodded slightly, then continued, "I called you here to ask whether you wish to join the Hound Guard or the Snake Guard under my command?"

"Since your lordship is the Snake Guard Commander, this humble one naturally wishes to join the Snake Guard and serve you," Xia Qi'an replied at once.

"That was my original plan as well. But you were too conspicuous at the training camp, and some of the clans in Jinling City have already taken notice of you. Besides, your martial talent is exceptional. Making you a Snake Guard would be wasting your talents!"

"So... after careful consideration, I have decided to place you under the Hound Guard. What do you think?" Chu Shiqing said this, but in truth, he was merely using the matter to put Xia Qi'an in his place.

Xia Qi'an should have joined the Hound Guard from the beginning. Chu Shiqing was making such a fuss only to let Xia Qi'an know that he could decide whether Xia Qi'an stayed or went.

"I will do as your lordship commands. This humble one will naturally obey," Xia Qi'an replied.

"However..." Chu Shiqing seemed to have something to say, yet hesitated.

Seeing Chu Shiqing's expression, Xia Qi'an knew he was plotting something again, so he took the initiative to ask, "My lord, is there some difficulty?"

"It can hardly be called a difficulty. It is merely that, although I have the authority to deploy the Hound Guard within Jinling City, they ultimately do not fall under my jurisdiction. You must be twice as careful in your future actions!" Chu Shiqing pretended to be concerned as he offered the reminder.

Xia Qi'an immediately understood his meaning. "This humble one is slow-witted. I hope you will continue to instruct me in the future!"

With those words, Xia Qi'an also made his attitude clear.

Even if he served in the Hound Guard in the future, he would still be Chu Shiqing's man.

"Mm... your uniform, saber, and talisman token have already been delivered. Sign for them shortly, then take them home."

"Tomorrow will be the day you officially step through the gates of Wei Dao Si. You must report to the Wei Dao Si branch. Remember that!"

Chu Shiqing was quite satisfied with Xia Qi'an's attitude. After giving him a few instructions, he sent him home.

After returning home,

Xia Qi'an tossed and turned on his bed.

He thought of the dead Su Mu.

Su Mu had also been a Hound Guard, yet he had likewise worked for Chu Shiqing.

He was not the slightest bit interested in what that letter contained.

He merely had a vague feeling that the waters ran deep.

Moreover, he had always felt that Chu Shiqing was somewhat mysterious. He had no idea what strange schemes the man was secretly pursuing.

He truly did not want to become too entangled with Chu Shiqing. Otherwise, sooner or later, he would end up like Su Mu.

However, on Jinling's turf, Chu Shiqing could be counted among the foremost great figures.

Breaking free from his control would be no easy matter.

The other great figure was Wang Yangshuo, the Hound Guard Commander of Jinling Wei Dao Si.

Wang Yangshuo was also from the Jinling Wang Clan.

He was the uncle of Wang Xie, the good friend Xia Qi'an had made at the training camp.

According to what Xia Qi'an knew, Wang Yangshuo had been cultivating in seclusion for years in order to advance to the Tiger Guard, and rarely concerned himself with Wei Dao Si's affairs.

But when he thought of the clans, an idea suddenly struck Xia Qi'an.

Perhaps he could befriend some of those clan scions and pave a way out for himself in case he turned against Chu Shiqing in the future.

Chu Shiqing thought Xia Qi'an was young and could be handled however he pleased.

But Xia Qi'an had lived two lifetimes. He was no fool.

Since I can't afford to provoke you, and we aren't walking the same road, then I'll simply choose not to play with you. That should be fine, right?

The next morning, sunlight poured down like golden threads.

Dressed in Wei Dao Si's standard uniform, with his saber and talisman token hanging from his waist, Xia Qi'an left for Wei Dao Si to report, radiating heroic bearing.

Wei Dao Si's uniforms were exquisite and luxurious. Their workmanship was delicate, their materials carefully selected, and every piece was extraordinary—impervious to water and fire, and difficult for blades and swords to damage.

The patterns of flowers, birds, fish, and insects embroidered in red brocade thread on the clothes were lifelike.

There were two sets of official attire, each consisting of five pieces: an official hat, robe, trousers, official boots, and belt. After putting on the uniform, Xia Qi'an looked spirited and imposing.

He was already masculine and handsome, with a tall, lean, and sturdy build. Now that he wore this uniform, he displayed even more fully the imposing might of a hound of the imperial court.

Of course, Xia Qi'an did not serve any secular dynasty. The Wei Dao Si he served was more powerful and more complicated than any secular dynasty.

Moreover, the martial artists of Wei Dao Si were officially recognized by every secular dynasty and even enjoyed certain privileges.

At this moment, Xia Qi'an might not count as a prominent figure in Jinling.

But if he returned to Lishan County now, even the honored head of the county would have to treat him with utmost respect.