Playing both sides

The Demon Hunting Team's council hall abruptly fell silent.

Never in his wildest dreams had Xiang Qinglong imagined that Chen Shi'an would dare speak to him like this.

Fu Qingyang, Ye Xicheng, and Qianshan Xue were clearly taken aback as well. They had never expected Chen Shi'an to be so fierce that he would disregard even Xiang Chuxiong's nephew.

It took Xiang Qinglong a long while to recover. His sickly pale face twisted with rage.

"Insolent! Chen Shi'an, you're dead! No one can save you, no matter who they are!"

At that, he turned toward Fu Qingyang. "Commander Fu, Chen Shi'an is one of your men. You owe me an explanation!"

Fu Qingyang chuckled softly and simply closed his eyes.

Xiang Qinglong froze, his face twitching with anger.

Then he turned his gaze toward Ye Xicheng. "Commander Ye, does your Demon Hunting Team intend to ignore this matter?"

The corners of Ye Xicheng's mouth lifted. "Of course we'll deal with it. Otherwise, why would we be sitting here?"

Xiang Qinglong pressed him. "If you're going to deal with it, why haven't you said a word when Chen Shi'an is being so insolent?"

"Insolent?"

Ye Xicheng sneered. "Xiang Qinglong, aren't you the one who's truly being insolent?

"Allowing you to sit here so brazenly was already a concession to City Lord Xiang.

"Who gave you the nerve to go after one of our Demon Hunting Team members right in front of me?"

Xiang Qinglong faltered, his face flushing crimson. "Ye Xicheng, you...!"

"What about me?"

Ye Xicheng snorted. "Chen Shi'an tried to reason with you, and you tried to throw your weight around.

"Do you think the Demon Hunting Team is a place where you can throw your weight around?

"Our Demon Hunting Team has taken this matter on. Whatever you want to do, come straight to me, Ye Xicheng."

Veins throbbed on Xiang Qinglong's forehead. "Ye Xicheng, just you wait! This isn't over between me and you, or your Demon Hunting Team!"

With that, he swept his sleeve forcefully and stormed out of the council hall.

"Thank you, Commanders!" Chen Shi'an bowed respectfully to Fu Qingyang and the other two.

"If you hadn't shown some backbone just now and upheld our Demon Hunting Team's prestige, I wouldn't have bothered with you."

Ye Xicheng curled his lip. "You really are a trouble magnet. On your very first day in the Demon Hunting Team, you've already offended City Lord Xiang's nephew."

Chen Shi'an looked ashamed.

Fu Qingyang waved a hand lightly. "You two may leave. I have a few things to say to Chen Shi'an."

Hearing this, Ye Xicheng and Qianshan Xue rose and left the council hall side by side.

Qianshan Xue had not spoken a word throughout. Before leaving the council hall, she repeatedly swept her gaze over Chen Shi'an.

"Xiang Qinglong is City Lord Xiang's own nephew. Do you know the consequences of treating him like that?"

Fu Qingyang lifted his eyelids slightly.

Chen Shi'an replied gravely, "Commander Fu, you said earlier that if I was in the right, I could handle things in my own way.

"What I did just now was follow the deputy commander's instructions and stay true to my heart."

"You're not afraid, even if you offend City Lord Xiang?" Fu Qingyang added.

Chen Shi'an's voice was firm. "The people from the Four Directions Gambling House insulted my elder brother. I don't regret striking them. Xiang Qinglong tried to force me to apologize. I couldn't do it."

Fu Qingyang looked straight into Chen Shi'an's eyes. "If you offend City Lord Xiang, aren't you afraid your future in the Demon Hunting Team will end here?

"You might not even be able to remain in the Demon Hunting Team."

Chen Shi'an shook his head. "I've always respected City Lord Xiang. If he blames me because of Xiang Qinglong, there's nothing I can do."

"A newborn calf has no fear of tigers."

Fu Qingyang laughed heartily. "Chen Shi'an, I wasn't wrong about you.

"Rest assured, you're one of our Demon Hunting Team now. Not only will I protect you when you're in the right, I'll stand by you to the end even when you're not.

"Don't worry. I'll smooth things over with the City Lord regarding today's incident."

Delight spread across Chen Shi'an's face, and he respectfully cupped his hands toward Fu Qingyang. "Thank you, Commander!"

Fu Qingyang nodded, took a black-covered book from inside his robe, and handed it to Chen Shi'an.

Chen Shi'an accepted it respectfully and opened it.

On the book's first page were three bold, archaic characters: Flowing Flame Saber.

"I obtained this saber technique in the Desolate Ruins not long ago.

"In terms of grade, it is no inferior to the cultivation method I practice myself. In fact, it may even surpass it."

Fu Qingyang cleared his throat. "If I hadn't already gained a certain depth of understanding in my own cultivation method, I would definitely switch to the Flowing Flame Saber Technique.

"Now you get to reap the benefit."

Ecstatic, Chen Shi'an bowed respectfully to Fu Qingyang again. "Thank you for the gift, Commander!"

Then a puzzled look appeared on his face. "I haven't earned the slightest merit, yet you've given me such a great reward. I feel deeply apprehensive."

Fu Qingyang smiled faintly. "During yesterday's selection, I could already tell you were a promising talent, worthy of the Demon Hunting Team's investment.

"The Flowing Flame Saber is exceptionally effective at tempering the body, and its accompanying method of circulating energy has its own distinctive strengths.

"Perhaps it can help you cultivate origin force and enter the ranks of the Martial Dao."

Chen Shi'an had been wondering how to obtain a cultivation method for origin force. He had never expected Fu Qingyang to simply hand him one.

A pillow delivered just as he grew sleepy, charcoal brought in the midst of snow!

Naturally, he was beside himself with joy and thanked him repeatedly.

Fu Qingyang waved his hand. "All you need to know is that once you join our Demon Hunting Team,

"the Demon Hunting Team becomes your home. It can shelter you from wind and rain. No matter who tries to harm or target you, the Demon Hunting Team will be your strongest backing."

Chen Shi'an's expression grew solemn. "Rest assured, Commander. I, Chen Shi'an, will do everything in my power to win glory for the Demon Hunting Team.

"Even if I must plunge into boiling water and blazing fire, I won't hesitate!"

Fu Qingyang looked satisfied. "You must keep my gift of this cultivation method secret. Don't let anyone find out."

"Yes, sir. I'll keep my lips sealed!" Chen Shi'an replied gravely.

Fu Qingyang waved a hand. "You may leave now. Have your men prepare. We must set out for West Mountain Hollow first thing tomorrow morning."

Chen Shi'an nodded respectfully and slowly withdrew from the council hall.

As he emerged from the council hall, he happened to see Iron Bull coming toward him.

"Squad Leader Chen, everything all right?" Iron Bull asked in his deep, rumbling voice.

Chen Shi'an shook his head and asked, "Brother Iron Bull, does our Demon Hunting Team forbid drinking?"

Iron Bull's eyes lit up. "You enjoy a drink too?"

Chen Shi'an smiled faintly. "I only met my men today, so I thought I'd get some wine to treat everyone and help us grow closer.

"Besides, we're heading to West Mountain Hollow to risk our lives tomorrow morning. It'll serve as a send-off for everyone."

"Squad Leader Chen, you know how to treat people right!

Iron Bull gave him a thumbs-up. "As long as we're not on a mission, our Demon Hunting Team doesn't forbid drinking.

"Still, we're leaving first thing tomorrow morning, so take it easy. Don't drink yourselves senseless."

Chen Shi'an kept smiling. "Don't worry. I know my limits.

"If you're free this evening, Brother Iron Bull, please do me the honor of stopping by my tent and having a couple of drinks."

Iron Bull laughed heartily. "Certainly. If I'm free, I'll be there."

Back at his tent, Chen Shi'an immediately called Pi Hou inside and handed him a handful of silver pieces. "Take a few brothers and buy some good wine, some sliced cooked beef, some fried peanuts, and a few braised dishes.

"We'll have a proper get-together this evening."

Pi Hou was overjoyed and snatched the silver into his hand.

But soon, he frowned again. "Is drinking in the military camp allowed? We shouldn't break military regulations on our very first day."

Chen Shi'an shook his head. "Don't worry. I've already asked. As long as we're not on a mission, our Demon Hunting Team doesn't forbid drinking."

Delighted, Pi Hou turned to leave.

Chen Shi'an added another instruction. "Try to keep it out of other people's sight. Don't make a big show of it."

Pi Hou chuckled. "Boss, I understand. We'll quietly drink our wine and eat our meat, leaving those jealous types with nothing to turn green over."

Setting the Flowing Flame Saber Technique on the desk, Chen Shi'an sank into thought.

Fu Qingyang had not only stood up for him and embarrassed Xiang Qinglong, but had also given him the Flowing Flame Saber. His intention to win Chen Shi'an over could hardly have been clearer.

Yesterday, it had been Lu Chenyang and Xiang Chuxiong. Today, it was Fu Qingyang.

With these important figures of Windrise Stronghold flocking to recruit him, it would have been easy for Chen Shi'an to fall under the illusion that he had become a prized delicacy everyone coveted.

Fortunately, he knew his own worth.

He understood perfectly well that Xiang Chuxiong and Fu Qingyang were locked in a power struggle. He certainly wasn't the only person they were trying to win over.

Tu Gou, for instance, was a man who played the pig to devour the tiger. His strength was considerable, making him a promising prospect. Xiang Chuxiong and Fu Qingyang would certainly not miss the chance to recruit him.

He had more or less begun to discern the outlines of this chess game.

Fu Qingyang held the Demon Hunting Team in his hands, and his prestige grew by the day. Xiang Chuxiong was already finding him difficult to control.

Thus, Xiang Chuxiong intended to use the Demon Hunting Team's recruitment drive to extend his reach inside and plant his own agents within its ranks.

These newly appointed squad leaders had therefore become the ideal targets for both men's recruitment efforts.

Chen Shi'an had not refused either side's overtures, nor did he dare to.

His current position could be described as playing both sides, or as dancing on the edge of a blade.

Neither Fu Qingyang nor Xiang Chuxiong was someone he could afford to provoke.

Playing both sides was only a temporary expedient. It would not work in the long run.

One tiny oversight could offend both sides and bring him to a miserable end.

The only way to break out of this predicament was to become stronger as quickly as possible-strong enough that both Fu Qingyang and Xiang Chuxiong would have no choice but to take him seriously.

The strength of a First-Rank Martial Artist was still somewhat inadequate.

Men like Lu Chenyang and Ye Xicheng were all Second-Rank Martial Artists.

To break free of the situation and seize the initiative, Chen Shi'an's best option was to buy himself time to grow and raise his cultivation to the second rank.

Of course, if he truly ran out of time, he was also prepared to reveal his status as a Ranked Martial Artist at any moment.

The owner behind the Four Directions Gambling House was actually Xiang Chuxiong's nephew.

Chen Shi'an had never anticipated that.

Still, Xiang Qinglong's sudden appearance to demand an accounting had given him an excellent opportunity to offer a pledge of allegiance.

He was certain that if he had not stood his ground against Xiang Qinglong today, Fu Qingyang would most likely never have given him the Flowing Flame Saber Technique.

By a lucky accident, misfortune had turned into a blessing.

As for Xiang Qinglong, he wasn't worried about him either.

Xiang Chuxiong was trying to win him over. With Chen Shi'an suddenly clashing with Xiang Qinglong, Xiang Chuxiong might well think he had done it deliberately to gain Fu Qingyang's trust.

Having sorted out the situation between Xiang Chuxiong and Fu Qingyang, Chen Shi'an turned his attention to what Han Shan had told him.

Several days ago, someone had forcibly infiltrated Windrise Stronghold. He might have come from the Hundred Miasma Forest, or from Desolate Suppression City.

If he was from the Hundred Miasma Forest, his target was most likely Fu Nantian.

If he found Fu Nantian, would he follow the trail to Chen Shi'an and demand the Jade Pendant?

If that were the case, the man's sudden arrival might bring him unpredictable trouble.

If he was from Desolate Suppression City, why had he suddenly come to Windrise Stronghold?

After thinking it over, he still couldn't make sense of it.

Chen Shi'an set the matter aside and turned his gaze to the Flowing Flame Saber Technique on the desk.

He read it carefully from beginning to end.

The Flowing Flame Saber consisted of two parts: saber techniques and a method of circulating energy.

When practicing the saber techniques, the corresponding energy-circulation method drew heaven and earth spiritual energy into the body, tempering the physique while converting that spiritual energy into origin force.

Objectively speaking, in terms of the saber techniques' intricacy and power alone, the Flowing Flame Saber was unquestionably far superior to the Army-Breaking Saber Technique.

Yet compared to Zhao Ling's Seven Star-Chasing Forms, it fell far short.

From this, Chen Shi'an concluded that Zhao Ling's Seven Star-Chasing Forms must far surpass the Flowing Flame Saber Technique in grade.

Unfortunately, he could not become the Zhao Family's son-in-law and learn the complete Seven Star-Chasing Forms.

After quickly running through the Flowing Flame Saber Technique in his mind, Chen Shi'an rose, drew the Horizontal Saber at his waist, and began practicing it.

The Flowing Flame Saber Technique was somewhat similar to the Army-Breaking Saber Technique. Both followed a fierce, forceful approach, using broad, sweeping strikes and emphasizing the principle that sheer strength could shatter ten thousand techniques.

It consisted of six moves, with extremely arbitrary names: First Flowing Flame Strike, Second Flowing Flame Strike... Sixth Flowing Flame Strike.

These six moves had simple names, but they formed a linked sequence. Each move followed the last, their power stacking continuously until it reached its peak with the sixth strike.

If all six consecutive strikes still failed to defeat the opponent, only one option remained: flee for his life.

Once a practitioner cultivated origin force and infused it into the blade, performing the Flowing Flame Saber could release waves of searing heat like fire, intimidating and burning the enemy.

After familiarizing himself somewhat with the Flowing Flame Saber Technique's energy-circulation method, Chen Shi'an slowly channeled the origin force within his body into the Horizontal Saber.

Drawing a light breath, he swept the Horizontal Saber upward at an angle and unleashed the First Flowing Flame Strike.

A sudden rush of wind sounded. A faint red glow appeared on the Horizontal Saber, releasing a scorching, invisible surge of force that rapidly raised the temperature inside the tent.

Since his men's two tents were not far away, Chen Shi'an did not continue testing the Flowing Flame Saber's power.

He dispersed his origin force and continued practicing the saber techniques according to the Flowing Flame Saber's energy-circulation method.

Before long, he clearly felt the heaven and earth spiritual energy inside the tent begin gathering around him before slowly seeping into his body.

More and more heaven and earth spiritual energy entered his body and gathered together, forming a trickling stream in his abdomen that slowly flowed toward his dantian.

Once it entered his dantian, it could be converted into origin force.

Just then, the Mysterious Stone Stele in his mind suddenly trembled lightly.

Immediately afterward, the heaven and earth spiritual energy he had painstakingly gathered scattered, escaped his body, and returned to the world.