Armory Choosing a Saber

Princess Jinxi breathed a sigh of relief upon entering the armory.

"That scared me to death. Father Emperor was so fierce, I almost thought he was going to slap you to death."

Ye Kang smiled and shook his head. "Your Majesty is wise and mighty, with eyes that see everything. Naturally, he wouldn't bother with a small fry like me."

"You're no small fry. You helped me resolve the Mengzhou rebellion. In return, I'll let you pick the best weapon."

Princess Jinxi, with a proud look, strode into the weapons repository.

Numerous weapons were displayed within. Those placed here were all divine weapons and sharp tools collected by the Imperial Court from various regions.

Not only the Imperial City Department, but other departments would also place confiscated weapons here after apprehending criminals. It could be said to be a motley collection, with many weapons no less inferior to the Golden Saber.

Seeing the princess's confident expression, Ye Kang looked questioningly at Leng Ruyi beside him.

"Lord Leng, the princess seems very familiar with this place?"

Leng Ruyi clasped his hands behind his back and smiled. "That's only natural. Her Highness has loved all sorts of weapons since she was young. She's personally tested most of the weapons here and understands them better than I do."

"So that's how it is."

"Found it!"

Princess Jinxi picked up a black long saber, her eyes filled with satisfaction.

"This is a Demonic Saber. Its former owner was the infamous Blood Bodhi, a demon king who roamed the jianghu. Later, Father Emperor sent several people to surround and kill Blood Bodhi, and this saber was left behind. Try it."

Princess Jinxi tossed the saber over, and Ye Kang caught it steadily.

At first glance, the saber was exceptionally long, similar to the Miao Dao wielded by Jia Qian Jushi in Embroidered Spring Saber. The scabbard had peculiar plant-like patterns, and the hilt was long and ancient, simple yet grand.

The saber weighed at least a hundred jin. Of course, for martial artists like them, the difference between a hundred jin and one jin was negligible. On the contrary, the heavier it was in their hands, the better the grip, and it wouldn't feel flimsy.

Even before drawing the saber, Ye Kang knew it was extraordinary, in a completely different league from the standard steel sabers of the Imperial City Department.

His eyes narrowed, and the long saber was suddenly unsheathed.

The black saber had a string of blood-red bodhi seeds carved in the middle of the blade, with no other decorations.

But the expressions of the three present were slightly shocked. As soon as the saber was drawn, its sharp qi caused the surrounding air to move without wind. Many weapons simultaneously began to tremble, emitting the sounds of swords humming, sabers singing, and spears whistling.

Ye Kang was overjoyed and channeled his Imperial True Qi into the saber.

The next second, the saber's edge emitted a cold glint, and the blade instantly turned blood-red. Countless wisps of blood qi drifted out, accompanied by faint, mournful cries that pierced through, causing great horror.

Leng Ruyi's eyes turned cold.

"Blood Bodhi was called a demon king for a reason. His saber alone has caused the deaths of countless innocent lives to nurture such a Demonic Saber."

Ye Kang nodded repeatedly.

"Excellent, excellent! This saber is the most extraordinary one I've ever seen. Although that Golden Saber is heavy, it's definitely no match for the divine might of this saber. What a treasure!"

Sheathing the Demonic Saber, Ye Kang couldn't put it down.

Princess Jinxi tilted her head. "Well, am I not a good judge of character?"

Ye Kang repeatedly cupped his hands. "Thank you, Your Highness. I absolutely love this saber."

"No need for thanks, this is my token of appreciation for you. Also, this Demonic Saber has too much evil energy. You'd best be careful not to be influenced by its killing intent."

Upon hearing this, Leng Ruyi wore a strange expression.

"Your Highness, Lord Ye's killing intent is no less than that of this Demonic Saber."

Indeed, since Ye Kang's debut, he had killed an unknown number of people.

The Mengzhou battle alone had claimed the lives of at least several thousand martial artists.

The Ninth Princess recalled the grandeur of that day and couldn't help but feel a slight headache.

Leng Ruyi continued, "Since Lord Ye has obtained a treasure saber, don't rest. It's not peaceful everywhere. The Imperial City Department will rely on Deputy Commander Ye's saber from now on."

"Wait! I just got promoted and I have to work? At least let me have a promotion banquet!"

"The positions in the Imperial City Department are not like others; such grand displays are not allowed and would attract gossip."

"That's true. Then, Lord Leng, I'd like to ask if there are any recent missions near the Jiayang River?"

Ye Kang thought of what Dai Huanhuan had said.

Since he had to go on an external assignment anyway, he might as well check if there was anything to gain.

Leng Ruyi pondered for a moment. "There is. Come to headquarters tomorrow to meet with a few lords, and I'll give you the file."

"Understood."

Ye Kang said no more. After bidding farewell to the princess, he went straight home to rest.

The next day, at the Imperial City Department headquarters.

Ye Kang arrived at Leng Ruyi's office. Zhu Cong and Zhang Gong were also inside.

Seeing Ye Kang, their expressions were quite telling.

A mere jailer, promoted so quickly, now on par with them in just a few days? This was too surreal.

Especially Zhu Cong, whose eyes held a trace of undisguised panic. With Ye Kang's promotion, he was naturally the one most affected.

Ye Kang didn't pay attention to the two of them and directly cupped his hands, saying, "Lord Leng, regarding the Jiayang River mission you mentioned yesterday, I'd like to hear the details."

Leng Ruyi nodded and then pulled out a file.

"Jiayang River has always been occupied by water bandits. Recently, the major water bandit factions have suddenly merged to form a Jiayang Water Stronghold. These people, under the guise of acting on behalf of Heaven, are plundering wealthy merchants and slaughtering government soldiers. Someone needs to handle it."

As soon as she finished speaking, Zhang Gong, standing beside her, chuckled and said, "They're just a bunch of water bandits. For such a small matter, I don't think it's necessary to trouble Deputy Commander Ye specifically, right?"

Leng Ruyi shook her head.

"It's not that simple. This stronghold has backing, involving more than one Innate expert. If it weren't for the sudden rise of Deputy Commander Ye, this case would have been handed over to someone else."

After Leng Ruyi finished speaking, Zhu Cong and Zhang Gong exchanged a look, both seeing the helplessness in each other's eyes.

There was nothing they could do. The Imperial City Department had a big name, but not much strength. Neither of them had reached Innate level yet, so they were completely unable to get involved in cases of this scale.

If Ye Kang didn't take it, a case of this level would definitely be handled by that group of more professional people.

And it would have nothing to do with the Imperial City Department.

Ye Kang, however, was indifferent. He glanced at the file, specifically looking for descriptions related to Qinggong.

As expected, although there were no Qinggong masters in the Jiayang Water Stronghold, there had been many flower thieves in Jiayang City recently, and they hadn't been caught.

Needless to say, flower thieves must have good Qinggong.

Ye Kang nodded. "Leave this matter to me. Lords, there's no need to worry. Just give me a team."

Soon, one hundred elite members of the Imperial City Department were ready, awaiting Ye Kang's orders.

Since he had just been promoted and didn't have his own confidantes, these people were all close subordinates of the two Deputy Commanders, and they were to be commanded by Ye Kang's old acquaintance, He Zhi.

After assembling the men and equipment, Ye Kang brought along his only personal attendant, Jin Baobei, and the group set off on swift horses towards Jiayang River.