Discussion in the Academy, Patrol Beyond the City

Seeing Chen Mu take the matter so seriously, Liu Qingcang's expression turned solemn as well.

"What is it? Go on, tell me."

"Yes!"

Chen Mu then proceeded to tell a story.

Truth and lies were mixed throughout. He explained how he had offended Ma San, how Zhao Dong had become involved, and the grudge with the Red Whale Gang.

Naturally, he omitted many details of the fights.

Chen Mu took the opportunity to claim that he had encountered some strange fortune and swallowed some unknown heavenly treasure, causing his Blood Essence to surge.

That was how he had turned the tables and slain those villains.

The story took the time of half a cup of tea to tell. Chen Mu spoke smoothly, and his fabrication sounded convincing enough.

At last, Chen Mu came to the attack on A-Ning's hiding place.

When he rushed over, not only had he failed to find her, but he had also been spotted by Red Whale Gang lackeys and hunted down.

He had narrowly escaped death time and again before finally getting away.

In his desperate struggle, he had wounded several of them in return, and had nearly been killed by a poisoned arrow in the end!

"That's outrageous!"

By this point, Liu Qingluo was already beside herself with rage, flames blazing in her bright eyes.

"Those Red Whale Gang bastards are truly detestable!"

"Don't be afraid, Junior Brother. I'll go gather some men and help you vent this anger!"

As Liu Qingluo spoke, she actually grabbed her short sword, looking as though she were about to storm out and settle the score.

Seeing her make a scene, Liu Qingcang could not help slapping the table.

"What kind of behavior is this? Sit down!"

Liu Qingluo jumped in fright. She did not dare move, and hugged her sword as she dejectedly returned to her seat.

Chen Mu's eyelid twitched beside her, and he inwardly cursed. This is bad.

Had he overdone the sob story?

If this young lady rushed out now, she might just see the Red Whale Gang corpses strewn all over Rubble Ward.

"Ahem... there's no need for that..."

Chen Mu coughed awkwardly. After persuading Liu Qingluo to stay, he turned to Liu Qingcang at the head of the hall and said,

"That is the matter, Master. This disciple asks for nothing else now."

"I only wish to borrow the academy's eyes and ears to seek my wife's whereabouts. Only then can I practice martial arts with peace of mind."

Qin Tieya and the other direct disciples were not particularly surprised by what had happened to him.

No one was a fool.

Other than Liu Qingluo, that little girl who had yet to see much of the world, everyone present could tell that Chen Mu's account had left much unsaid.

What martial artist who had made something of himself in this world had clean hands?

All of them had fought their way through bloodshed.

Liu Qingcang did not care much about that. After hearing him out, he merely said,

"Tie Ya, since this concerns your junior brother, leave it to you."

"I will speak to Zhao Dong and have the Patrol Office assist with the search."

"Later, take some men to the Red Whale Gang and ask where she is. Remember, do not lose your manners. Rescuing her is the priority."

Hearing Liu Qingcang's arrangements, Chen Mu let out a great sigh of relief.

Excellent!

With the Patrol Office helping to search, there would surely be news of A-Ning soon.

As for the Red Whale Gang...

Though Chen Mu had already concluded that A-Ning was not in their hands,

with Qin Tieya paying them a visit, they would not dare trouble him again anytime soon.

Chen Mu immediately put his worries aside and cupped his fists in thanks. "Then sorry for the trouble, Senior Brother Qin."

Qin Tieya did not show much reaction. He waved a hand and said,

"Master, the other two junior brothers are out slaying demons. They may not make it back today."

"Why not make the arrangements first? That way, I can go help Ninth Junior Brother find someone sooner."

Hearing this, Liu Qingcang had no objection and nodded.

"Since that is the case, call them in and let them hear it together."

"Yes!"

Qin Tieya immediately answered and had someone go outside to summon them.

Before long, over twenty registered disciples arrived before the hall, standing in a dense black mass.

Including Chen Mu, there were only six people seated in the hall.

Chen Mu had quietly asked Liu Qingluo about them earlier.

That bald senior brother was named Yuan Hong. He ranked third and came from a wealthy family in the city, having practiced martial arts since childhood.

He had now reached the peak of the Qi Accumulation Realm. His true qi had long since reached perfection, and he was only one step away from Meridian Opening.

Chen Mu could not help being startled. No wonder the man's aura was so vast and majestic.

With all thirty-six streams of true qi perfected, round and unified as one, endlessly circulating, he would scarcely ever face the problem of exhausting his true qi in battle.

The other senior brother, the one holding an abacus, ranked fifth and was named Xiao Wenbin.

He had been an accountant in his early years. Only after his family had been massacred by the Northern Barbarians did he abandon letters for martial arts.

He now possessed late Qi Accumulation Realm cultivation as well. Though he looked refined and gentle, he bore the martial world nickname Iron-Hand Butcher.

He often killed with abacus beads and practiced a Crushing-Heart Palm, his methods exceptionally vicious.

This time, they had heard news of the Northern Barbarians and ended their demon-slaying patrol outside early, hurrying back at top speed.

As for the other direct disciples who had received the news later, they would likely need more time to return.

Liu Qingcang therefore waited no longer. Once everyone had gathered and the hall had quieted, he spoke.

"Surely you have all heard that the Northern Barbarians will head south this winter."

"I do not demand that all of you possess the ambition to defend your homes and country."

"Yet we martial men stand between Heaven and Earth. Without the spirit to charge forward in the face of hardship, one will find it difficult to achieve greatness in an entire lifetime."

"This is also why I usually have you go out on patrols, slaying demons and eliminating evil..."

At this point, his gaze paused on Chen Mu, and he singled him out.

"Ninth, you are the youngest and have only recently entered the academy. There are certain rules you must remember."

"Please instruct me, Master. This disciple will bear them firmly in mind." Chen Mu did not dare slight the matter and immediately lowered his head to listen respectfully.

Liu Qingcang nodded, then slowly addressed those registered disciples.

"Just as well that you hear this too. Azure Dragon Martial Academy will never force people onto the front lines to die."

"But our academy's founder, Patriarch Liu Yunji, came from the military in his early years. He once served as chief instructor of the White Snow Dragon Cavalry, the central army of the Northern Protectorate Prince's Palace. Your master also has some connections in the army."

"Now the war in the north grows urgent year after year, and the calamity of war is at our doorstep. Every direct disciple under my command must shoulder the task of clearing out enemy bandits."

"Taking Everlasting Prosperity Town as the boundary, the surrounding villages and towns, as well as the rearward docks and relay stations, must all be guarded and patrolled."

"If you encounter demons, monsters, or evil entities on the road, you may kill them to temper your martial skills."

"If you encounter Northern Barbarian scouts plundering along the way, you must wipe them out. Under no circumstances may you let them escape beyond the pass."

At the end, a cold gleam suddenly burst from his eyes as he shouted down at the hall.

"Do any of you object to these arrangements?"

When the registered disciples heard that they were to leave the city to assist in its defense and eliminate the Northern Barbarians' pathfinding vanguard, every face grew heavy.

Some of the older ones had encountered similar events two or three years ago, and had personally seen fellow academy members die miserably in military formations.

Now, cowardice filled their eyes, and they did not dare meet Liu Qingcang's gaze.

Chen Mu had only recently entered the academy and naturally had never witnessed the Northern Barbarians' brutality. Yet the rumors among the people alone told him they were not to be provoked lightly.

Hearing that he too would have to leave the city on patrol, he could not help feeling alarmed, but he had no intention of shrinking back.

He had long understood that there was no such thing as a free lunch under Heaven.

Entering the academy as a disciple of an Innate Realm expert and seeing a chance to cast off his lowly status was naturally a tremendous blessing.

But he could not evade the responsibilities and dangers that came with it.

At once, under the gazes of the new disciples, Chen Mu rose on his own initiative and cupped his fists.

"Master's intentions may be witnessed by the sun and moon. How could we refuse?"

"This disciple is willing to lead a team beyond the city, patrol the villages, slay demons and eliminate evil. Should foreign enemies invade, I will certainly kill them with all my strength!"

Seeing him become the first to rise and state his position, satisfaction appeared in Liu Qingcang's eyes.

Among the registered disciples, Liu Meng saw Chen Mu speak and rose as well. "Academy Master! This disciple is willing to leave the city too!"

"We are willing as well! We swear to wipe out the Northern Barbarians and make sure those beasts never return!"

After all, the disciples practiced martial arts year-round and were brimming with youthful vigor. Their heroic fervor had now been stirred, and they all raised their voices to declare their willingness to leave the city and fight.