Good People

"Le City County Princess?"

Someone so young yet already wielding such power was either royalty or a noble of meritorious rank. Although she had said she would uphold justice, Yan Qing would never truly place his hopes in her. Justice was never bestowed by others; it could only be fought for.

In this unfamiliar world, that was even more true.

"He framed me," Yan Qing replied.

Ying Ru Shi had not yet spoken when a general beside her loudly cursed, "What does a country bumpkin like you amount to? The Hundred-Guard General of the northern border wanted to crush you, so he could crush you. Why would he need to frame a Central Plains man like you?"

Aside from those wearing masks, most people in the military camp had broad faces, long noses, and luxuriant beards. As "Yan San" was the default male face in a modern game, his appearance naturally adhered more closely to modern aesthetics. Even with his height, muscles, and every other attribute adjusted to the maximum, "Yan San" could still be considered a heroic and imposing figure. On top of that, he had no beard, so the people here could tell at a glance that he was not of their own tribe.

Yan Qing was not surprised by this ethnic discrimination either. Perhaps this was also why Uwan Ryu dared to act so recklessly. After all, if he framed someone from another ethnic group, fewer people would naturally care.

"Wait."

Ying Ru Shi cast a glance at the general beside her, and he immediately retreated.

She looked at "Yan San" and asked, "Why did Wu Huan Battalion Leader frame you?"

"First, he didn't tell me anything about the demons in the secret realm, causing me to nearly lose my life. Since he harmed me, he was naturally worried that I would seek revenge. Second, today was my first time entering the secret realm, yet I already changed class to a messenger. He was jealous of me."

"How dare you! You actually dare deceive an honored person!"

"Does a country bumpkin like you even deserve to be a messenger?"

"Do you think you're some noble? You changed class to a messenger at your age?"

"County Princess, this man is spouting nonsense now that he's at the end of his rope. There's no need to pay him any mind!"

The officials following behind Ying Ru Shi either mocked or refuted "Yan San" when they heard his words. Almost no one believed him.

Only Ying Ru Shi looked toward the silent Uwan Ryu.

"Wu Huan Battalion Leader, he says he changed class to a messenger inside the secret realm. Is that true?"

"Yes," Uwan Ryu replied. "After he defeated the Demon King, his blood and qi surged powerfully throughout his body, and his injuries healed instantly. Those are indeed signs of a class change."

Even through the screen, Yan Qing could see that the northerners beside Ying Ru Shi were extremely shocked, followed by disbelief, then contempt, jealousy, and disdain. He guessed that these people were probably officials from Ping City. Most of them likely were not messengers. Naturally, they felt terrible upon seeing a Central Plains man become a messenger who had transcended the mortal realm.

Ying Ru Shi then looked toward the quartermaster beside the instance entrance, and her expression immediately grew stern.

"You truly can't find the Swift Thunder Saber Technique manual?"

The quartermaster immediately fell to his knees. "It really can't be found. That's the only thing missing from the large chest."

"That Central Plains barbarian must have coveted it and taken it. Search him!"

"How could you find it? He must have already used it!"

"You can't trust Central Plains people!"

Everyone offered their suggestions, so indignant that it was as if "Yan San" had murdered their entire families. Ying Ru Shi remained silent for a moment before suddenly looking at the general beside her.

"Are there any spare Swift Thunder Saber Technique manuals here?"

"Yes, yes, yes. We've stored all the items collected these past few days. County Princess, are you planning to transport them back to Evernight Sky?"

"Bring me one."

The command of a marquis was carried out with the utmost speed. Before long, a Swift Thunder Saber Technique manual was placed in Ying Ru Shi's hands.

Ying Ru Shi beckoned to "Yan San." "Come here."

Yan Qing did not move. He had always maintained a distance of three meters from Uwan Ryu.

Seeing this Central Plains man being so insolent, the others began cursing him again. Ying Ru Shi, however, was not the least bit angry. She raised a hand to signal for everyone to stop, then walked to "Yan San" under the protection of the Evil Spirit Warriors and handed him the Swift Thunder Saber Technique.

"Take this saber technique and silently think about learning it. If you didn't secretly learn the manual from the secret realm, you'll be able to learn it. If you did, then naturally you won't be able to."

The general beside her was astonished. "County Princess, this is a secret-realm manual. How can you bestow it so casually upon a Central Plains man... He isn't even a Hundred Guard Cavalry member registered with the military government!"

"In my eyes, there is no distinction between northerners and Central Plains people. There are only people of Qi." Ying Ru Shi's voice was solemn as she swept her gaze around. "If a person of Qi can change class to a messenger upon entering the secret realm for the first time, then what harm is there in bestowing a manual upon such exceptional talent? If we cannot fairly promote outstanding talent, then who will defend the mountains and rivers of Qi?"

After Ying Ru Shi made her position clear, everyone lowered their heads. Yet even through the screen, Yan Qing could tell that they had not been persuaded. They were merely submitting to the power of Le City County Princess.

"Yan San" took the manual, but he did not learn it. Instead, he stored it in his personal warehouse and then transferred it to the public warehouse. To Ying Ru Shi and the others, however, it simply looked as if the manual had vanished. There was no difference from having consumed it by learning it.

"Since he was able to learn the manual, that proves he didn't steal anything from the secret realm." Ying Ru Shi looked toward Uwan Ryu. "Wu Huan Battalion Leader, do you accept this result?"

Uwan Ryu lowered his head. "I accept."

"This matter ends here, but only this once!" Ying Ru Shi's voice suddenly turned stern. "The Ping City Secret Realm is a vital national resource. His Majesty entrusted me with managing the secret realm, and I will never allow anyone to disrupt its operation! If anything like this happens again, I will investigate it thoroughly. If I cannot find the culprit, then every Hundred Guard who cleared the secret realm that day and every Auxiliary Soldier who looted it will be hanged. Their families will be demoted to military slaves. Do you hear me clearly?"

"We hear you clearly!"

Everyone dropped to their knees. When they saw that "Yan San" was still standing, they could not help shouting curses at him. "You barbarian, hurry up and kneel to thank the County Princess for her grace!"

"I nearly forgot." Ying Ru Shi looked over. "I haven't had time to ask. What is your name, warrior?"

"Yan San."

"Yan San, I now promote you to Hundred-Guard Captain. Your monthly salary will be six hundred hundred-jade units, and you'll be rewarded with one hundred jade for every time you clear the secret realm. You may borrow items such as the Evil Spirit Mask, a First Rank Token, from the Great Qi Secret Treasury, but you'll need to clear the secret realm over a hundred times to repay them." Ying Ru Shi paused. "Commander Gai Lou, the Yan Captain will come under your command. Is that acceptable?"

The old general who had remained silent beside her nodded. "Who wouldn't want such a fierce general? Thank you, County Princess."

"Yan San, are you satisfied?"

"Satisfied."

"If you have any other requests, feel free to state them."

"I hope I can come clear the secret realm every day."

Ying Ru Shi and the other generals exchanged glances, looking rather surprised.

"I have to say, you've given me a great surprise. Even among messengers, many are unwilling to clear secret realms. Very few are willing to fight demons that do not fear death... I'll give you a hand order. As long as you are willing, you may join the team clearing the secret realm that day. But you'd best still act within your limits. Battle is not the only way to train."

"Thank you." Yan Qing replied, "County Princess, you're a good person."

Ying Ru Shi was clearly stunned, then smiled. "That's the first time I've heard someone describe me that way. Thank you."

After dealing with this matter, Ying Ru Shi still had many things to attend to, so she led everyone away. Uwan Ryu had remained silent throughout the entire process. Only now did he stand up. When he raised his head, he saw "Yan San" standing before him.

"Although it probably means nothing, I still want to ask." Yan Qing looked at the Evil Spirit Knight on the screen. "Why?"

In truth, Yan Qing wanted to ask many other questions as well. For example, why had he casually killed Yan Er when he had been walking along the road? Why had he not told Yan San Zheng Shan's information? And why...

Uwan Ryu's answer seemed capable of resolving all the questions he had left unspoken—

"Because I felt like it." Uwan Ryu's voice was calm, but to Yan Qing's ears, it carried a demonic malice. "Don't think you've won. This is the northerners' territory. If we want to crush you, it will be as easy as crushing an ant."

With that, Uwan Ryu held his head high and strode past "Yan San," heading toward the Hundred Guard Cavalry waiting for him.

They wore heavy armor, carried sabers and bows, and had their faces concealed by demon masks. From a distance, they looked like a group of evil spirits walking among the living.