Exposure (Seeking Recommendation Tickets)

Chapter 48: Exposure (Seeking Recommendation Tickets~)

Huangfu Yun beckoned to the Demon Suppression Army standing quietly in the training grounds. The soldiers walked over, their armor rustling softly as they approached.

The leader of the Demon Suppression Army held a long box. A complex glint flashed in Huangfu Yun's eyes. He took the box and opened its lid.

Inside the long box lay eighteen transparent jade tablets, each half a palm long and three fingers wide. They emanated a faint bloody hue. The front of each tablet was inscribed with the characters "Suppress Demons."

"These are the Suppress Demons tokens. Drip your blood onto one, and your name will be recorded in the Imperial Court's Demon Suppression Army roster. Afterward, every demon beast you kill will have its merits recorded by the Suppress Demons token... If you fall in battle... your name will also be etched onto the Heroic Spirits Tablet, remembered for eternity!"

Huangfu Yun waved his hand. The Demon Suppression Army soldier took the long box and walked past the martial artists, each taking a token.

The jade tablets felt warm and smooth to the touch, carved from fine warm jade.

After Jiang Li and Yan Shan received their tokens, they didn't hesitate. They immediately cut their fingers and dripped a drop of blood onto them.

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

Quite a few people reacted similarly to Shi Lan, pausing in hesitation.

"I hope everyone will consider their families and loved ones more," Huangfu Yun said calmly.

Hearing this, some of the hesitant martial artists made their decision and dripped their blood onto the Suppress Demons tokens.

Shi Lan stared at the token in her hand for a long time before finally cutting her finger.

In this world, no one was born owing another. She owed Shi Feng too much. This time, she would consider it repayment. Du Yue'er's talent was a one-in-ten-thousand red, enough to help Du Baisheng board the Cloudsoar Battleship, so she didn't need to worry about her.

After thinking it through, Shi Lan found she had no lingering attachments and shook her head with a wry smile.

Her blood quickly merged into the Suppress Demons token. Shi Lan felt a strange connection forming between herself and the token.

Concentrating, Shi Lan sensed it. Information flowed into her mind. First, a list of names appeared – the previous owners of this jade tablet, all of whom were evidently deceased.

After this list of names disappeared, a blank space remained. With a thought from Shi Lan, the words "Shi Lan" appeared in the blank space. Below her name was her combat merit, "zero."

Besides this information, Shi Lan vaguely felt that through this jade tablet, a special subordinate relationship had formed between her and Huangfu Yun. Without looking, she could sense Huangfu Yun's location.

The moment Shi Lan dripped her blood, Huangfu Yun's expression became slightly odd, but he quickly returned to his impassive state.

All eighteen people dripped their blood, remaining for the two spots to board the Cloudsoar Battleship.

After the eighteen completed the blood-dripping, Huangfu Yun's expression turned solemn. He cupped his hands and bowed deeply, "Demons are heartless. The ancient sages said, 'When the demons are eradicated, the world will be at peace!' Now that you join my Demon Suppression Army, shedding your blood for the Human Race, the annals of the Human Race will forever remember your righteousness!"

His words were sonorous and impactful.

The martial artists seemed to have their blood ignited. The vague resentment and dissatisfaction they felt earlier vanished without a trace.

"If possible, I hope your names will never appear on the Human Race's Heroic Spirits Tablet. The annals of the Human Race are for our fallen comrades, not for us."

With that, Huangfu Yun straightened up, his solemn expression gone. He grinned, "Your armor will be delivered to you later. For now, you may go and spend time with your families and loved ones... Cherish these two days."

The martial artists quickly dispersed. As Shi Lan was about to leave the training grounds, Huangfu Yun called out to her.

Huangfu Yun had the squad of Demon Suppression Army soldiers withdraw from the training grounds. Now, only Huangfu Yun and Shi Lan remained.

"You are a woman?"

Huangfu Yun's first sentence stunned Shi Lan.

Seeing the expression on Shi Lan's face, Huangfu Yun took out a green Demon Suppressing Token from his embrace. "The Demon Suppressing Token you dripped your blood on belongs to this one in my hand. I know your general information."

Shi Lan was momentarily flustered, unsure how to handle the situation.

"You don't need to worry. There are many women in the Demon Suppression Army, and female high-ranking officers are not uncommon. I will not revoke your two spots," Huangfu Yun said, trying to comfort her, assuming she was worried about the Cloudsoar Battleship spots.

Huangfu Yun could also vaguely guess the reason for Shi Lan's male disguise. In these chaotic times, a male identity was indeed more convenient when traveling. This was also why he hadn't exposed Shi Lan directly just now.

"Thank you, Centurion," Shi Lan said, relieved, and bowed.

"Shi Lan, there are some things I need to make clear to you. In battle, there is no distinction between men and women. I will not give you any special treatment because you are a woman."

"Military orders are to be strictly obeyed, and military commands are like mountains. If you falter in the face of the enemy on the battlefield, my sword, Huangfu Yun's sword, will not recognize you."

Shi Lan remained silent, but her heart felt a lot lighter. Huangfu Yun's words, strangely, made her feel more at ease.

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

Shi Lan cupped her hands in salute again and turned to leave the training grounds, heading towards the room where Shi Feng was recuperating.

As she walked, doubts arose in Shi Lan's mind. Her disguise as a man might not last much longer.

Recalling this, Shi Lan's expression suddenly became a little dazed. In her current situation, who else did she need to hide from?

After a while, Shi Lan shook her head, finding it amusing. She didn't even know if she would live to see another day, so thinking about these pointless matters was just a waste of time.

Halfway there, Shi Lan's path was suddenly blocked.

"Brother Shi, I have something to ask of you. Do you have time to talk?"

Shi Lan looked at Jiang Li standing before her. After considering for a moment, she nodded.

Jiang Li breathed a sigh of relief. He followed Shi Lan to the room where Shi Feng was staying. After asking the two maids to leave, Shi Lan got straight to the point, "You sought me out, for what reason?"

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

"Yes," Shi Lan nodded.

"Besides the injured person, do you have any other friends or family who need to board the Cloudsoar Battleship?"

Shi Lan shook her head.

Jiang Li's expression brightened. "Then, could you give me the other spot? Of course, I will offer a price that you will find satisfactory."

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

"Naturally, they can. I just asked City Lord Nie," Jiang Li confirmed with a nod.