Exposure (Seeking Recommendation Votes)

Exposure (Seeking Recommendation Votes~)

Huangfu Yun beckoned to the Demon-Suppressing Army standing quietly in the middle of the training grounds. The line of soldiers walked over at an unhurried pace, the faint rustle of armor growing steadily closer.

The leading soldier carried a long box in his hands. A complicated look flickered in Huangfu Yun's eyes as he took it and opened the lid.

Inside lay eighteen translucent jade tokens, each half a palm long and three fingers wide, with a faint tinge of red. The words "Demon Suppression" were engraved on the front of each one.

"These are Demon-Suppression Tokens. Drip your blood onto one, and your names will be recorded in the Imperial Court's Demon-Suppressing Army register. After that, every monster you slay will be recorded as a military achievement... If you fall in battle... your names will also be inscribed on the Memorial Stele of Fallen Heroes, enduring through the ages!"

Huangfu Yun waved his hand. The soldier took the box and walked past the gathered martial artists, each of whom took a token.

The jade felt warm and smooth in their hands. It had been carved from fine warm jade.

As soon as Jiang Li and Yan Shan received their tokens, they cut their fingers without hesitation and let a drop of blood fall onto them.

Shi Lan held her token, hesitating. She knew that once she let her blood fall, there would be no turning back.

Quite a few others reacted much as Shi Lan did, all of them hesitating.

"I hope you'll give a little more thought to your families and loved ones," Huangfu Yun reminded them calmly.

At his words, some of the hesitant martial artists made up their minds and dripped their blood onto their Demon-Suppression Tokens.

Shi Lan stared at the jade token in her hand for a long while. At last, she cut her finger.

In this world, no one was born owing anyone else kindness. She owed Shi Feng too many favors; she would consider this a chance to repay him. Du Yue'er had a once-in-ten-thousand-years red aptitude, enough to take Du Baisheng aboard the Cloudsoar Treasure Ship. Shi Lan needn't worry about them.

After thinking it all through, Shi Lan realized she had nothing left to worry about. She shook her head, finding it faintly amusing.

Her blood quickly seeped into the Demon-Suppression Token, and Shi Lan felt a strange connection form between her and the token.

She focused on sensing it, and a stream of information entered her mind. First came a string of names—the token's previous owners, all of whom had evidently passed away.

Once those names disappeared, the space below was left blank. Shi Lan's thoughts stirred, and the words "Shi Lan" appeared there. Beneath her name was a record of military achievements: "Zero."

Apart from this information, Shi Lan faintly sensed a special subordinate bond forming between her and Huangfu Yun through the token. She could sense his location without even looking.

The instant Shi Lan dripped her blood onto the token, Huangfu Yun's expression turned slightly strange, but he quickly became expressionless again.

All eighteen had offered their blood and stayed behind for the two spots aboard the Cloudsoar Treasure Ship.

When they had all finished, Huangfu Yun grew solemn. He clasped his hands, bowed deeply, and said, "Demons and monsters show no mercy. The sages of old declared: 'When demons and monsters are swept away, the land will know peace!' Today, you join my Demon-Suppressing Army and pledge your hot blood to the human race. The annals of our people will forever remember your great sacrifice!"

Every word rang out like a hammer, striking the ground with force.

The gathered martial artists seemed to feel their blood ignite. The resentment and dissatisfaction that had lingered before vanished without a trace.

"If it were possible, I would hope none of your names ever appeared on the Memorial Stele of Fallen Heroes. The annals of our people are for our comrades who have already fallen in battle. They have nothing to do with us."

With that, Huangfu Yun straightened. His solemn expression disappeared, and he grinned. "Your armor will be delivered to you shortly. For now, you may spend time with your families and loved ones... Cherish these next two days."

The martial artists soon dispersed. Shi Lan was about to leave the training grounds when Huangfu Yun called out to her.

Huangfu Yun sent the squad of Demon-Suppressing soldiers away as well. Now only he and Shi Lan remained in the training grounds.

"You're a woman?"

Huangfu Yun's very first question stunned Shi Lan.

Seeing the look on Shi Lan's face, Huangfu Yun took a green Demon-Suppression Token from his robes. "The token you put your blood on belongs under the one I hold. I can see your basic information."

Shi Lan was flustered. She didn't know how to handle the situation.

"You don't need to worry. There are plenty of women in the Demon-Suppressing Army, and female high-ranking officers aren't particularly rare. I won't take back the two spots that belong to you," Huangfu Yun said reassuringly, thinking that Shi Lan was worried about her places aboard the Cloudsoar Treasure Ship.

Huangfu Yun could also guess why Shi Lan had disguised herself as a man. In these chaotic times, it was indeed much more convenient to travel under a man's identity. That was why he hadn't exposed her outright just now.

"Thank you, Centurion." Shi Lan let out a breath and bowed.

"Shi Lan, there are some things I need to make clear. On the battlefield, there's no distinction between men and women. Nor will I give you any special treatment just because you're a woman."

"In the army, orders must be obeyed, and military commands are as weighty as mountains. If you lose your nerve in battle, cower before the enemy, or shrink back, the sword in my hand, Huangfu Yun's, won't show you mercy."

Shi Lan said nothing, but she felt much more at ease. Huangfu Yun's words had actually put her at ease.

"That's all I have to say. You can go back now," Huangfu Yun said, waving a hand.

Shi Lan bowed again, turned, and left the training grounds. She headed straight for the room where Shi Feng was staying.

As she walked, more doubts stirred in Shi Lan's heart. She probably wouldn't be able to keep her identity as a woman hidden for much longer.

At the thought, Shi Lan's expression suddenly turned distant. Given her circumstances, who did she still need to hide it from?

After a long pause, Shi Lan shook her head, finding the thought rather ridiculous. She didn't even know how long she would live. Worrying about such pointless things was just a waste of time.

Halfway there, someone suddenly stepped into her path.

"Brother Shi, I have a favor to ask. Do you have time to talk?"

Shi Lan looked at Jiang Li, considered it for a moment, then nodded.

Jiang Li breathed a sigh of relief and followed Shi Lan to the room where Shi Feng was staying. After asking the two maids to step outside, Shi Lan got straight to the point. "What is it you wanted to discuss with me?"

Jiang Li was silent for a while. "I heard Brother Shi only brought one injured person into the City Lord's residence. Is that true?"

"Yes," Shi Lan nodded.

"Besides the injured person, do you have any other relatives or friends who need to board the Cloudsoar Treasure Ship?"

Shi Lan shook her head.

Jiang Li's face lit up. "Then could you give me the other spot, Brother Shi? Of course, I'll offer you a price you'll find satisfactory."

"The spots can be transferred?" Shi Lan asked, surprised.

"Of course. I just went to ask City Lord Nie," Jiang Li confirmed with a nod.