The Governor-General's Test

"Don't joke around."

Qin Lie slowly shook his head.

No one in the entire Qingzhou knew better than him how difficult it was to reach the Dao-Infant Realm.

"Qingzhou stopped allocating the resources needed to break through to the Dao-Infant Realm a long time ago."

"Over the years, the salary has been decreasing year by year, and we can't even gather enough precious materials and spiritual items. The path to the Dao-Infant Realm in Qingzhou has been cut off."

"Without sufficient foundation and resources, how can you break through to the Nascent Soul stage?"

Qin Lie's voice slowed down. He turned his head and saw Yang Xiao listening attentively, so he began to explain a few words.

"After the Mystic Core Perfection, one must break it open with one's own power, and a Mystic Core Dao Infant will be born when the Core shatters."

"This step is not difficult, but it requires a solid foundation to successfully break the core; even the slightest deficiency will make it impossible."

"When I formed my Nascent Soul, I used a batch of spiritual artifacts allocated by the imperial court, and I secluded myself for a full three years."

"Now those things..." He raised his eyelids, thinking of the court's neglect of Qingzhou over the years, and gave a dry laugh, "Qingzhou can't produce a single one."

He paused, his voice turning somber.

"If you force yourself to shatter your core and form your nascent soul, you will only damage your future foundation."

Pei Xuance pursed his lips and remained silent, a hint of determination flickering in his eyes.

He knew better than anyone that Qingzhou was lacking in resources.

He sat by the Canglan River for so many days, but his attempt to break through to the Dao Infant stage failed, and was instead interrupted by Yang Xiao's sudden appearance.

That time, the approach was to force a breakthrough.

But Yellow Wind Mountain was still there, the old dragon was dead, and the internal troubles of Qingzhou had been quelled. If we wanted to secure a future for Qingzhou, Yellow Wind Mountain, who was blocking our way, had to be eliminated sooner or later. This step had to be taken sooner or later.

It's only a matter of time.

Qin Lie looked at him for a long time, but ultimately did not try to persuade him further.

Some paths, you can't change no matter how much you try to persuade them.

He then shifted the topic to Yang Xiao, a smile playing on his lips.

The Cold Iron Mystic Armor and Blood Baleful Intent Cloak suited the young man quite well, giving him a resemblance to his own youthful charm.

"There have been thirteen Demon Suppression General in the Thirteen Commanderies. This is the first time in so many years that a fourteenth has been added."

Congratulations!

Qin Lie chuckled lightly, "Since you've chosen him, I naturally have no reason to object."

Pei Xuance looked at him, waiting for him to continue.

"However, even though we're dressed in armor, there are still a few things we need to do."

"It will also let the generals see, and let those Demon outside know that Qingzhou has gained a new Demon Suppression General."

Yang Xiao understood the implication in the words and sat up straighter.

"Governor-General, please give your orders."

There's no need to rush to respond.

Qin Lie smiled and waved his hand, then turned to Li Hanguang in the distance.

"Among the Demon Plague reported by various prefectures, are there any suitable cases for him to visit?"

"Let the general of that prefecture who is still waiting in the office go with him, so that we can look out for each other."

Li Hanguang responded and walked over from the corridor, handing over the minutes of the morning's parliamentary summary.

Qin Lie took the case file and turned the pages one by one.

Some are too small; Demon with a Core Condensation is like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

Some are too far away, and the round trip is often fraught with difficulties.

Some were already locked in a stalemate with the local generals; rashly intervening would only disrupt their plans.

His fingertip turned to a certain page and stopped.

That page recorded strange events recently reported by Sanbao Commandery.

In the southwest of the prefecture, the Leopard Demon that had been entrenched for many years in Leopard Ridge suddenly gathered up the scattered demons in the surrounding area in the past two months.

Lu Zhengyi saw a group of demons heading northwest towards Yellow Wind Mountain, and also saw Demon King from Yellow Wind Mountain entering the territory of Leopard Ridge. The two may have some kind of secret conspiracy.

Qin Lie tapped his finger on the page.

"Sanbao Commandery."

Yang Xiao looked up.

Qin Lie looked at the case file and slowly said to Yang Xiao, "In the territory of Sanbao Commandery, there used to be a Core Illumination Realm Leopard Demon that had been locked in a standoff with the county general until now, with neither able to do anything to the other. But recently it seems to have gotten involved with Yellow Wind Mountain."

"If it only guards its own little territory, Qingzhou can still keep an eye on it, but if it colludes with Yellow Wind Mountain... it could very well bring great trouble."

Qin Lie's usually calm voice turned cold as he sat down:

"I will not let this go unpunished!"

The Leopard Demon of Sanbao Commandery, Yellow Wind Mountain.

Yang Xiao sat there, his mind racing.

Behind Yellow Wind Mountain lies Lotus Flower Temple, and the Leopard Demon may be entangled with Yellow Wind Mountain. This mission happens to be the entry point in the direction of Yellow Wind Mountain.

The matter the Governor-General chose is no simple one.

"Yang Xiao obeys."

He nodded in agreement without hesitation.

"Alright." Qin Lie put down the case file and instructed Li Hanguang, "Take him to find the Demon Suppression General of Sanbao Commandery. Explain the situation in Sanbao Commandery to him in detail along the way."

"Yes."

Li Hanguang bid farewell to Qin Lie and left the courtyard with Yang Xiao.

After walking a distance, Li Hanguang slowed down and lowered his voice.

"The general of Sanbao Commandery is named Lu Zhengyi. He had many doubts about you at the meeting this morning. He has guarded Sanbao Commandery for seventy-nine years, keeping a close watch on that Leopard Demon and preventing it from setting foot on an inch of Sanbao Commandery's territory. He is known for being extremely stubborn."

Yang Xiao did not stop walking.

Li Hanguang said slowly, "His suspicion of you isn't out of personal grudge; he's afraid that a person of unknown origin might emerge in Qingzhou and disrupt the Qingzhou's order."

"When we meet, there's no need to rush into arguing with him. Let's let our strength speak for itself when we get there."

From the first time I surrendered my Yao Qi to today, I donned my armor and stepped onto the stage.

He knew better than anyone how this young man had gotten to where he was, and therefore had great confidence in Yang Xiao.

I believe in you.

"Clear."

Yang Xiao nodded, not revealing much emotion. Along the way, he had seen too many doubts, but they were all shattered after he took action.

After the two left, the courtyard became quiet.

Qin Lie looked at Pei Xuance, his previously solemn demeanor now tinged with a hint of teasing. "I picked a rather difficult task for him, aren't you going to interrupt me?"

He knew Lu Zhengyi's personality well; he was stubborn and wouldn't dare to contradict Pei Xuance to his face at the meeting.

He put a young man, whom he had previously questioned, in his place.

If Yang Xiao shows weakness or messes up his job in Sanbao Commandery, it will likely spread among the generals, and even Pei Xuance, who vouched for him, will be affected.

This pool of water is not easy to wade through.

Pei Xuance, on the contrary, seemed completely unconcerned.

"Just watch."

Yang Xiao followed Li Hanguang through several corridors and courtyards, stopping in front of a secluded courtyard.

The Demon Suppression Guard on duty at the entrance went in to report.

A moment later, a sound came from inside.

"Enter."

The two entered the courtyard, Lu Zhengyi stood by the stone table under the tree.

With his back to the courtyard gate, dressed in a short shirt, standing on a stone bench, he was slowly and methodically sharpening a sword, pressing a whetstone onto the table.

The blade reflected the sunlight, shining inch by inch.

He paused wiping the blade only when the crimson cloak reflected off it.

Not just anyone is qualified to wear this armor. It's on a young man who's been with the company for less than a year. He'd like to see how long the young man can keep it up.

Lu Zhengyi did not respond immediately, but instead focused on wiping his long sword.

He ran his thumb along the blade, from the base to the tip, inch by inch, making sure the thickness was even before he stood up.

He put the whetstone into the wooden box on the corner of the table, hung his sword back on his waist, and moved at a leisurely pace, as if he were tidying up farm tools in his own yard.

He turned around and took in the young man's appearance in just one glance.

He said in a measured tone, "General Yang, I've long admired you."