Chapter 1972: From Outlaw to Dragon God Warrior

Fan Shuang also discovered from the accounts that a large quantity of supplies was being transported to the city gates, some of which were marked with codes.

One evening, the father and son discussed privately: "I know what those items marked with codes in the county accounts are now!" He managed the record-keeping in the county government, and some of the material allocations were recorded by him.

Fan Shuang was slightly surprised: "What?"

"On the day of the escort, I went to record the entries. The burlap covering those items had a tear, and I immediately recognized them. They looked like mechanical beasts used to guard city gates!" Father Fan whispered. "I've been to Tianshui City's gate tower before and saw these types of mechanical beasts. They're used to protect city walls and gates, and their power is considerable! I only know that we also have eight here, but I don't know what they look like or how powerful they are."

"Miancheng is also using mechanical beasts?" Fan Shuang exclaimed, clicking his tongue. "How extravagant!" These things were powered by profound crystals, truly gold-devouring beasts.

"Isn't the Emperor's Dew coming soon? It consumes the Emperor's Dew too."

Fan Shuang immediately asked, "Have you mentioned these mechanical beasts to anyone else?"

"No."

"Don't mention it, not a single word! This is a secret."

That evening, Fan Shuang invited Tu Shanfang for a meal.

Although a storm was brewing, outsiders were pouring in, and prices were soaring, Miancheng had not yet been affected by the war. Supplies were still barely sufficient, and inns and restaurants remained open. Fan Shuang thought that if he didn't treat someone now, it would probably be difficult to do so once the war began.

Tu Shanfang looked at the sky and said that eating was fine, but drinking was not, as he might have a mission. "We'll drink another day; I'll definitely treat you well then."

Once seated at the inn, the two had become familiar, and Fan Shuang asked about Guo Baiyu, whom everyone feared.

Tu Shanfang immediately said, "According to the information we've received, the man named Guo is actively claiming to have received help from a celestial deity. Several factions that were previously cut off by the Black Armored Army have actively come to merge with him."

The Dragon God Army's first sweep across Shanjin had largely eliminated the easily conquerable territories. The remaining stubborn forces were like isolated islands in the sea, separated by the Dragon God Army's controlled territories. They knew full well that they would be the next target. Therefore, some forces colluded with each other, preparing to band together against the Dragon God's army. To outsiders, Guo Baiyu claiming the backing of a celestial deity made him more competitive.

Fan Shuang asked, "Which celestial deity?"

"Heavenly King of Vast Listening. Have you heard of him?"

Fan Shuang gasped, "He's also one of the principal deities of the Spirit Void Pantheon, ranked after the Heavenly God Miaozhan. I've heard it said that after the fall of Heavenly God Miaozhan, he became the chief deity of Yaodi."

"So he's very powerful then?"

"In fact, regardless of a celestial deity's rank, once they descend, they are usually irresistible to human power." Fan Shuang frowned deeply. "The Spirit Void Pantheon is notoriously arrogant, so it's very strange that Guo Baiyu could align himself with such a principal deity, a great celestial deity." Principal deities are lofty figures in the heavens; why would they concern themselves with a mere nobody in the human realm?

Tu Shanfang shook his head: "Never mind, these are not for us to worry about. The higher-ups have already marked him."

Fan Shuang was delighted: "Really?"

"Otherwise, why would they send us here?" Tu Shanfang chuckled. "The higher-ups have judged that Guo Baiyu might become a formidable force, so they ordered us to come here to train local militias, assist the city and county, and organize resistance."

Fan Shuang sounded a little disappointed: "I thought the Dragon God... err, I thought the Black Armored Army itself would come. I heard he always personally leads battles." In his impression, He Xiao had always looked like a merchant. He still found it hard to imagine He Xiao in armor, slaying enemies on the battlefield, although he also knew He Xiao's cultivation and martial arts skills were astonishing.

"The Dragon God indeed leads from the front in battle, exceptionally brave and fierce, inspiring admiration in all who witness it. But the Black Armored Army is also divided into several routes. My main army, led by General Tao, is currently dealing with the Wutun tribe in the north. That tribe is far more formidable than Guo Baiyu. Only after they're done there can they head south to support other regions," Tu Shanfang explained. "Not every local populace surrenders at the mere sight of the Dragon God Army. You should know that best."

Fan Shuang nodded. The Yao people had previously dismissed the Great Emperor of Nine Hells, so it was likely the Wutun tribe felt the same way. Resistance forces, existing as tribes or sects, were very wary and resistant towards the Dragon God.

"What about the main Dragon God Army?" Fan Shuang asked. "The Dragon God Army that swept through Shanjin a few days ago, how did it suddenly disappear without a trace?"

"The Dragon God has his own plans, and the army has its own secrets. As soldiers, we only need to obey orders."

Fan Shuang raised his cup, toasting him with tea instead of wine: "The Black Armored Army is renowned for its bravery, and Brother Tu has risen so quickly; you must be an extraordinary person."

Tu Shanfang looked pleased but still offered a modest reply: "Not at all, we are merely humble foot soldiers under the great Dragon God."

Tu Shanfang's eyes, no matter how Fan Shuang looked at them, didn't seem to belong to a good person. Recalling what Tu Shanfang's companion had said before, Fan Shuang finally inquired about Tu Shanfang's past.

With the conversation now open, Tu Shanfang didn't hide anything from him. It turned out that Tu Shanfang had lost many job opportunities due to a hand injury, couldn't even manage farm work well, and his family had also experienced some misfortunes. He concluded that farming had no future for him. After the age of sixteen or seventeen, he became idle, specializing in quick-money schemes. Petty theft was nothing to him, and robbery and murder were commonplace. He had lived this way for over a decade and was now in his early thirties.

Fan Shuang felt a slight sweat on his forehead. To have survived over a decade in Shanjin Plain without having his limbs broken or being boiled in a pot, he truly possessed some skill. But was Tu Shanfang really only in his thirties? His face was weathered, with wrinkles around his eyes as deep as ravines, making him look almost fifty.

On that note, compared to the Yao people, Shanjin natives were generally smaller, with coarse and aged features; many women even resembled rugged men. Some armies, to falsely claim credit, would even decapitate women and present their heads as enemy kills, as their skin and facial features made them indistinguishable. Someone like Lady Wang, even if weathered and haggard from fleeing, would still be recognized at a glance as being of noble birth.

"So how did Brother Tu come to join the Black Armored Army?"

"For money, what else?" Tu Shanfang said, as if it were the most obvious thing.

"..." Was it that pragmatic? Fan Shuang had thought he was inspired by the Dragon God. He had thought too much. This was Shanjin Plain; no one dared to be impractical.

"At that time, the Wuwei Guard was not yet famous. The group of bandits I joined robbed their convoy, and you know what happened then. All the other bandits were killed, but I was spared because someone from the mountain village spoke well of me. After joining Wuwei, the earnings depended on the trips—some more, some less—and sometimes there were bonuses. On average, I could earn over one tael a month; not long after, I won a combat arena match, and then I joined the Black Armored Army."

"Over one tael, that's quite a lot." The average income for Miancheng residents was only three to five qian per month.