Prefect Xu's Special Mission!

Everyone present showed expressions of shock after hearing Prefect Xu's task.

Cleaning out the Northern Wei scouts was far more dangerous than the Martial Examination matches—those scouts wouldn't show any mercy, and one wrong move could cost them their lives.

The Martial Scholars present looked at each other, and even Zhou Yonghua and Lu Wei furrowed their brows slightly.

As direct descendants of the county's noble families, they naturally knew the strength of the Northern Wei scouts.

These scouts were at least at the First-Rank Martial Master realm, with no shortage of higher-level Martial Masters among them.

With their Fourth-Rank Martial Master cultivation, they could at most protect themselves—wiping out the scouts in Baiyue County was pure wishful thinking.

Prefect Xu swept his gaze across the crowd, seeing the hesitation on their faces, and spoke seriously.

"Everyone, although this task carries some danger, as Martial Scholars of the Great Yan Dynasty, you have a duty to drive out foreign enemies!"

"However, if you truly do not wish to go, this official will not force you."

As his words fell, embarrassment flickered across most faces.

But just then, a voice suddenly rang out from the crowd, "Prefect, I accept this task. This Humble One has long been fed up with Northern Wei!"

Hearing this, everyone turned to look, seeing a man with a resolute face step forward.

He was not from a noble family nor an official's descendant, but a son of a humble household.

Seeing someone step up to accept the task, Prefect Xu immediately broke into a smile, "Haha, good! This is how a Great Yan martial artist should be!"

With that son of a humble household taking the lead, other Martial Scholars without backgrounds also stepped forward to accept the task one after another.

But the disciples from noble and powerful families remained silent.

It wasn't that they were cowardly—they simply valued their lives more.

After all, even if they didn't accept Prefect Xu's task, their status as Martial Scholars wouldn't be revoked.

Lu Feng, who had been observing from the side, raised his hand and asked, "Prefect, how exactly is this task of cleaning out the enemy scouts considered complete? After all, we still don't know where these scouts are hiding?"

As Lu Feng spoke, Zhou Yonghua, Lu Wei, and several noble family disciples turned their gazes toward him.

As the first-place winner of this Martial Examination, his active inquiry about the scout-clearing task already indicated his intent.

If the top Martial Examination candidate was willing to take the task, then it would be hard for these noble disciples to refuse.

Prefect Xu turned to Lu Feng, a look of approval on his face, "Mm, that's a good question! But this matter involves confidential information—this official can only tell the Martial Scholars who accept the task. Do you understand?"

Lu Feng nodded, "This Humble One understands. In that case, Lu is also willing to accept this task."

From Prefect Xu's words, he could tell that the official already knew the scouts' hideout.

With his current strength, dealing with those Martial Master realm scouts would be quite easy.

If he could wipe out these scouts, it would not only earn him merit but also bring some stability to Baiyue County.

Seeing Lu Feng accept the task, Zhou Yonghua and Lu Wei also cupped their hands to Prefect Xu and agreed to take it.

At this point, out of the twenty Martial Scholars, all nineteen who were conscious had agreed—only the one Lu Feng had knocked out couldn't respond.

Seeing this, Prefect Xu raised his hand and gestured, "Since you've all agreed, follow this official."

With that, Prefect Xu led them into a room within the Prefectural Yamen.

As soon as they entered, everyone saw a map of Baiyue County laid out before them.

Prefect Xu walked slowly to the map and said, "Everyone, this is a map of Baiyue County. Please look here."

He pointed to the center of the map.

There, a city was drawn, with the words "Baiyue County City" written in the lower left corner.

"This is where we are now. According to the intelligence this official has received, the scouts who slipped into Baiyue County have set up a small stronghold on White Tiger Mountain right next to the county city. There are at least twenty scouts inside!"

At these words, many showed surprise.

Zhou Yonghua seemed to realize something, "White Tiger Mountain?! No wonder some merchant caravans have been ambushed near White Tiger Mountain lately—it's those Northern Wei scouts causing trouble!"

Prefect Xu nodded, "Mm, Young Master Zhou is correct! If you can successfully destroy this scout stronghold, this official will report it to the Imperial Court and request merits for you all."

Hearing this, Lu Feng raised an eyebrow and asked, "Prefect, since the government already knows the scouts' stronghold, why not send troops to surround and eliminate them?"

Prefect Xu sighed, "Alas, Lu Feng, you don't understand. If this official dispatches troops to surround them, those Northern Wei scouts will catch wind of it and flee. Then it won't be so easy to wipe them all out."

"I see. It seems this Humble One oversimplified things."

Baiyue County City had tens of thousands of garrison soldiers—surrounding a scout stronghold would be no problem.

But these Northern Wei scouts were all Martial Master realm experts, making it easy for them to escape from ordinary soldiers.

After explaining, Prefect Xu looked at everyone again and said, "Alright, since you now know the target's location, this official will give you three days to rest. On the fourth day at the hour of Chen, this official will wait for you at the North Gate. I hope you won't disappoint me!"

At these words, everyone cupped their hands in salute.

"Yes, we understand!"

After learning the details of the task, everyone left the Prefectural Yamen.

At the main gate of the Yamen, as Lu Feng looked around for Wang Chen, Lu Wei suddenly walked over.

"Lu Feng, congratulations on winning first place in the Martial Examination!"

Lu Feng smiled faintly upon hearing this. "Heh, same joy to you! And congratulations to Miss Lu for taking second place in the Martial Examination!"

Lu Wei remained as composed as ever, as if achieving second place in the Martial Examination was a trivial matter.

"Lu Feng, since you have ties with my cousin Lu Yan, this humble one would like to invite you to gather at the Lu Family tomorrow. Would you be willing to grace us with your presence?"

Lu Feng listened, immediately thought of Chief Clerk Lu Yan, then nodded. "Honored by Miss Lu's kindness, Lu is willing to come!"

Seeing him agree, Lu Wei revealed a sweet smile. "Very well, then. I shall await your esteemed arrival at noon tomorrow."

With that said, Lu Wei led her several subordinates and left the Prefectural Yamen.

Watching her depart, Lu Feng was already pondering what gift to bring when he visited tomorrow.

After all, Lu Yan had helped him considerably, so the gift truly required some thought.

Just as he was lost in thought, Wang Chen's voice suddenly came from behind. "Lu Feng, what are you thinking about?"

Lu Feng turned around and saw Wang Chen holding out a bowl of clear water.

Seeing this, he smiled faintly, took the water, and drank it down. "Thanks, Brother Wang."

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