Chapter 166: The First Mission Is So Intense with Immediate Combat?

The sky was dark, and the river water seemed to turn black, with turbulent waves. The Traveling Hall swayed with the multistory boat on the river. The characters "Inspectorate" on the plaque of the side hall were inverted on the river's surface. Inside the hall, the two Censors on either side held commands: one for "Execution" and one for "Arrest."

An "Arrest" command token was stuck into Zhao Xing's back. Its dark gold glow locked away all his vital energy.

Light could not penetrate the gloomy hall. Candles flickered on both sides, and a massive figure sat on the main seat, exuding an aura of oppressive power. Half of his body was shrouded in shadow, revealing only half of his face, which was strangely withered and straw-like. His eyes were open, revealing pure black eyeballs, and a few blades of green grass grew where his eyelashes should have been.

"Are you Zhao Xing, the Level Two Transport Commissioner of the Lanjiang Transport Office?"

"Yes, your humble subordinate. May I ask why Your Excellency intends to apprehend me?"

"As the Lanjiang Transport Commissioner, you have embezzled 749,000 *shi* of fifth-grade supplies. Additionally, three 70%-new multi-story boats were forcibly decommissioned by you and sold off cheaply to Yi Zhijie of the Leiyang Chamber of Commerce, from whom you received kickbacks. Do you plead guilty?"

"Your humble subordinate pleads guilty and is willing to return the illicit gains and pay the fine..."

"Since you plead guilty, immediate execution!"

"What?! I am an Auxiliary Fifth Rank official. How can I be executed without trial? Lord Liu's actions violate Article 362, Section 7 of the Great Zhou Law—"

*Thud!*

Before Zhao Xing could even argue, he saw his own kneeling body, now headless.

"Damn it, what rotten luck! I finally managed to climb up with the help of my guild brothers, only to be beheaded by this guy again..." Zhao Xing's last thought flashed through his mind before everything went dark.

***

"Zhao Xing, Zhao Xing, wake up! It's time to go!"

A familiar voice rang in his ears, and then Zhao Xing felt his face wet.

Opening his eyes, he saw it was Ao Tian, the wildcat, licking his cheek.

Zhao Xing sat up from the bed, his eyes a little bewildered.

Was that a dream of a thousand years? What year is it now?

"Still not enough sleep? You've been asleep since the hour of Mao the day before yesterday. It's been 27 *shichen* now. Are you alright?" Long Xiao asked, curious, as he came to the bed when he saw Zhao Xing awake.

"I'm fine." Zhao Xing's eyes instantly cleared. That's right, I am now Zhao Xing of the Divine Might Army, about to leave the Ten Suns Grotto-Heaven and head south of the Canglan River to the Nine Heavens Responsive Yuan Prefecture to complete the military duties assigned by the Military Bureau.

"I heard you only slept one *shichen* a day during training, never stopping for a year. It seems that was true," Chen Shijie said, staring at Zhao Xing. "You were too fatigued. Now that your mind has relaxed, you've slept for 27 *shichen*. So, did you sleep well?"

"Very well." Zhao Xing nodded, raising a hand. Clouds swirled in his palm, automatically forming a cloud basin.

Water appeared with a splash, and a towel floated in on the breeze. He then proceeded to wash up right in front of Chen Shijie and Long Xiao.

Seeing this, Chen Shijie's eyes couldn't help but flash with admiration.

An expert discerns the true skill. From the intricate details of his cloud manipulation, it was clear that Zhao Xing's magic had truly reached mastery.

"Meow!" Ao Tian padded over to drink from the basin.

"Ao Tian, what are you doing drinking that?" Long Xiao quickly pulled the wildcat away. "It's not clean."

"Meow!"

Ao Tian struggled free from Long Xiao's hand and went back to the basin.

"No, I want to drink it!"

Zhao Xing chuckled, gently nudged Ao Tian's head away, and conjured another cloud filled with water, gesturing for it to drink that.

Ao Tian immediately turned its head obediently.

Long Xiao felt a pang of dejection.

He had raised it for a year, yet it listened better to its new master's words. Sigh.

***

After washing up, Zhao Xing, Long Xiao, and Old Chen went to the side hall to eat.

"No one else you need to see, right?" Chen Shijie asked.

"No," Zhao Xing shook his head. The day before yesterday, he had gone to the Ten Thousand Laws Palace and met the last person he needed to see.

He hadn't expected to dream of so many scenes from his previous life while sleeping, including the moment Liu Tianning beheaded him. It seemed he should visit the Ten Thousand Laws Palace less often in the future.

"Since there's no one else, let's depart after eating," Chen Shijie said. "There's no need to do much with the Eighteen Locust and Willow Courtyard; you'll be back anyway."

"Alright." Zhao Xing indeed had nothing to pack.

After eating, they stepped out. A swordfish flying boat was parked on the lawn.

However, the three people and one cat were not in a hurry to board but were waiting for something.

*Thump-thump-thump!*

Gao Ming, riding a bamboo horse, galloped from the horizon and stopped outside the courtyard gate.

"You're here." Zhao Xing stepped forward to greet him. "Brother Gao Ming."

"Zhao Xing." Gao Ming dismounted and handed over a box. "These are the mission items issued to you by the Yangcheng Military Department."

"Thank you for seeing me off, Brother Gao." Zhao Xing took the small box. Inside were new secret seals, a Geo-Mirror, and other related credentials for military duties.

"May your future be bright and your career soar," Gao Ming said, cupping his hands.

"Thank you, and I wish you prosperity in your business as well," Zhao Xing returned the gesture.

"Hahaha, I'm off!" Gao Ming remounted his bamboo horse and galloped away with a *thump-thump-thump*.

***

Datong Prefecture, Ten Thousand Peaks Mountain Range.

The calm, mirror-like lake surface suddenly rippled in circles, the patterns growing denser until, at a certain moment, the central area suddenly arched upward.

*Splash!*

A sharp prow pierced through the cresting water, and a scale-covered hull emerged.

*Whoosh!*

Like a swordfish leaping from the water, the flying boat rapidly ascended at an angle, reaching a hundred meters in the sky before its hull leveled out.

A military flag fluttered, embroidered with ten suns.

"Zhao Xing, once we leave the Ten Suns Grotto-Heaven, you should see the first task issued to you by the Military Bureau. If the destination doesn't pass through Xier County, I won't go with you," Chen Shijie said.

He still had to return to Xier County, where the Divine Might Army was currently concentrated.

Military garrisons were stationed along the Canglan River. The Nine Heavens Responsive Yuan Prefecture, as a stronghold, pierced through the Canglan River like a needle. However, the Great Zhou's border south of Pinghai Province was long, and formal warfare had not yet begun. Therefore, all garrisons, except for the permanent combat-ready forces in the Nine Heavens Responsive Yuan Prefecture, were mostly awaiting orders north of the Canglan River.

Zhao Xing opened the box Gao Ming had given him and took out the new Geo-Mirror to check it. Sure enough, the first-ring task had already been issued.

However, after seeing the first-ring task, Zhao Xing's expression subtly changed.

"What's wrong?" Chen Shijie asked.

"The first-ring task's location is Xier County."

"Isn't that perfect? Old Chen can return with us, it's on the way," Long Xiao said carelessly, until he noticed Zhao Xing and Chen Shijie's expressions were off, and then he reacted. "Your first-ring task isn't related to the Divine Might Army, is it?"

Zhao Xing remained silent.

Chen Shijie's face grew even more grim. "Is it that serious?"

So serious that both of them needed to avoid any appearance of impropriety, and couldn't know the task content?

Zhao Xing nodded slightly.

Long Xiao's mouth also fell open. "You... your first task isn't an inspection task, is it?"

"Don't ask anymore," Chen Shijie said in a deep voice. "Hand over your Geo-Mirror."

"Oh, okay." Long Xiao took out his Geo-Mirror from his懷.

Then Chen Shijie took out his own and handed both to Zhao Xing.

Their attitude was clear: We support you, do what needs to be done.

Zhao Xing thought for a moment and said, "You can keep yours. I trust you."

"It's not about trust," Chen Shijie said firmly. "The Military Bureau's evaluation begins the moment you leave the Grotto-Heaven. Every single one of your actions will be observed. Keep them. Return them to us at the Xier County Inspectorate."

"Alright." Zhao Xing put away Chen Shijie's and Long Xiao's Geo-Mirrors.

The swordfish flying boat sliced through the air. Chen Shijie piloted it from outside, while Long Xiao went into the cabin. Zhao Xing, with Ao Tian, entered another room.

Since Zhao Xing's first destination was Xier County and it was an inspection task, the atmosphere became somewhat heavy.

Thus, the three of them did not communicate further throughout the journey.

***

After flying for most of the day,

At one point, Zhao Xing suddenly looked out of the cabin.

The Water elemental energy in the world became denser.

"We're almost at our destination." Zhao Xing sat up straight. Xier County was riverside, and the Water elemental energy there was several times denser than outside the Ten Suns Grotto-Heaven.

Observing the sky and sensing the terrain, the water veins within the earth's ley lines also became more vibrant.

Taking out his own Geo-Mirror, Zhao Xing re-examined the task.

First-Ring Military Duty: Inspect the Divine Might ArmyLocation: Xier CountyMilitary Bureau Intelligence: Xier County is a critical border town, but prolonged peace has led to lax management. Numerous illegal activities have festered within it: smuggling, illegal border crossing, corruption, sexual assault, murder, forced seizure, kidnapping, and assault, totaling 1,423 individuals.Below is the specific list, along with each person's crimes. You must convict and punish those on the list.After completing the task, you can submit it via the Geo-Mirror.

Zhao Xing opened the list and quickly reviewed it.

Hong Tai: Current Changshui Commandant of the Divine Might Army, Junior Seventh Rank, lower grade. Previously served as the Jitian Administrator of Taoxian County, Xier County for five years, returning to his post after the Divine Might Army's reorganization. Crimes: Sexually assaulting fourteen individuals, causing the deaths of five. After Marquis Boping was reinstated and reassigned, he killed all fourteen victims' family members to cover his crimes.Qi Shan: Current Zhonglei Commandant of the Divine Might Army, Auxiliary Seventh Rank, upper grade. Previously served as the Pinghuai Administrator of Fubu County, Xier County for three years. Illegally set up checkpoints and received bribes totaling 3.42 million taels from various merchant associations.Fan Geng: Current Nine-Section Commander of the Divine Might Army, Junior Eighth Rank, upper grade. Previously served as the Grand Granary Agricultural Assistant of Heyuan County. Abused power for personal gain, occupying three mountains, two lakes, and estates totaling 14,800 mu of farmland.He Cheng: Current Nine-Section Commander of the Divine Might Army, Junior Eighth Rank, lower grade...Chang Sihai...

The list was long. After quickly scanning it, Zhao Xing closed his eyes in thought.

Marquis Boping had lost his position as commander of the Divine Might Army five years ago.

He had also returned to his fiefdom.

During those five years, the Divine Might Army existed in name only.

Without its commander, most of the soldiers were dispersed to serve as officials in various places. Old Chen's five years in Gucheng, Nanyang County, was due to this reason.

A year ago, which was when Zhao Xing began his training, Marquis Boping Yang An was reinstated to his original position and reappointed as the commander of the Divine Might Army. This was an Auxiliary Fourth Rank martial general. Regardless of Yang An's original strength, as long as he was the Divine Might Army's commander, he would certainly be at the Fourth Rank realm.

If the war against the barbarians began, he could even temporarily possess Junior Fourth Rank combat power. This was a characteristic of the Dynasty of Destiny system.

No matter what your inherent strength was, once you held a certain official position, your strength would definitely match that rank.

When the Divine Might Army was reorganized, many soldiers who had been dispersed to serve as officials in various places returned to Xier County.

Of course, some were unwilling, not wanting to fight anymore. Therefore, reserves were needed to replenish the ranks, leading to the selection and transfer process.

Five years was enough time for a brave and capable soldier to become corrupt.

After the reorganization, Marquis Boping Yang An did nothing but consolidate military affairs in Xier County, resuming training to restore the combat effectiveness and morale of these old subordinates.

However, Yang An was not a god. Even though he had screened out many people and conducted a self-rectification within the Divine Might Army over the past year, some still hid well, concealing their illegal activities.

For example, Hong Tai, at the top of the list, remained in Xier County even after the Divine Might Army commander was dismissed.

As a border town, it operated under a military-first system, prioritizing everything military, so his power remained significant.

Upon learning of Marquis Boping Yang An's return, he immediately dealt with his illegal affairs and became a Changshui Commandant (a type of military agricultural official).

"Investigating others is easy, investigating oneself is hard. Self-rectification is difficult to clean thoroughly," Zhao Xing thought to himself. "He might even consider old ties, and even if he knew, he might let old subordinates off the hook, allowing them to atone for their crimes by meritorious service."

The Great Zhou's border army system granted immense power to military town commanders, and the enfeoffed marquises were no different. The authority to handle crimes committed by a marquis's vassals was also left to the respective marquis.

If Yang An discovered illegal activities, as long as he was willing, and as long as it wasn't a heinous crime, he had the right to give his subordinates a pass.

Additionally, the major millennial aristocratic families had all received Iron Scrolls of Exemption from Death during the reign of Grand Ancestor, which was also a type of privilege.

Emperor Wen, during his lifetime, was lenient with the common people and officials. He did not cut down on these systems. But Emperor Jing was different.

He pressured the aristocratic families. Through personal example and internal reforms, he reclaimed a large number of the families' Cinnabar-Written Iron Scrolls under various pretexts. This was the main direction of his reforms during the two centuries of the Jingxin era.

During the Jingxin period, the focus was on reforming the border army. As for the enfeoffed marquises? That was the foundation of the nation; he dared not take such a big step.

"During the Jingxin period, the Military Bureau significantly increased its recruitment of reserves, and such inspection tasks also surged. If I want to get a high evaluation for this task, I must align with the imperial court's grand strategy."

"The best approach is to ruthlessly execute all these people."

"Only then will I meet Emperor Jing's expectations. The 'fresh blood' he wants to inject into the army are people who dare to confront the powerful and are selfless."

"Doing this will surely earn me an A-grade evaluation."

Zhao Xing rubbed his forehead, thinking from the perspective of the task setter, and quickly arrived at the 'optimal answer.'

"But this is the optimal answer desired by the imperial court."

"If I truly act so decisively, it will inevitably provoke discontent among the Divine Might Army soldiers, and perhaps even Marquis Boping. People are like that; if their own interests aren't touched, they'll naturally plead for their brothers when you try to kill them. It's empathy for one's own kind."

"If I kill half and spare half, the imperial court might give me a B, indicating that I have the courage to act but didn't go far enough. But in that case, I might as well kill them all."

"If death sentences are reduced to severe punishments, and severe punishments are handled leniently, with my previous performance, I should still get a C, which means 'passing,'" Zhao Xing pondered.

He didn't even consider the possibility of failing, because even if he did nothing but report the situation to Marquis Boping and submit it, without doing anything else, he would still get a C-minus. This was due to the solid foundation laid during the first half of his training.

Inspection tasks did not involve the personal abilities of a military agricultural official, nor did they involve moral character, because, according to the three aforementioned systems, Zhao Xing was allowed to spare people.

This task merely tested his heart, to see if the heart of this genius was aligned with the imperial court.

However, if he received three consecutive C-minus evaluations, even if he was a top-tier genius before, his path would end after the third-ring task.

At most, he could become an Eighth Rank military agricultural official.

"Am I supposed to behead commandants and commanders right off the bat? Is the first-ring task really that intense?" Zhao Xing murmured, looking out the window.

The swordfish flying boat began to slow down and descend.

Xier County. They had arrived.