Chapter 600
Opening Eyes
Xu Qianjing's gaze swept across the entire room before he finally gave his evaluation. Although his voice was gentle, it carried an undeniable weight.
"Although this young man is only at the Human Gang Realm, his true combat strength is enough to rival the best among the Heaven Gang Realm experts. Calling him a young powerhouse is no exaggeration. Everyone, please do not... underestimate him."
Upon hearing this, the entire hall fell into a deathly silence.
Everyone's expressions became incredibly interesting. Their previous disdain and doubts were shattered by Xu Qianjing's reasoned, well-founded, and information-confirmed words! They finally understood why Chi Cangmei valued that boy who was thousands of miles away so much.
This is not a pushover to be easily manipulated, but a hidden dragon lurking in the shallows, already beginning to reveal its ferocity!
Chi Cangmei took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in her heart, and looked intently at Xu Qianjing, her tone more solemn than ever before.
"Senior Brother Xu, now that you understand how troublesome this boy is, what are your thoughts on the interception plan? Cangmei would like to hear the details."
Xu Qianjing's sallow face remained expressionless. He stretched out his slender fingers and gently tapped the table, his voice warm yet carrying an undeniable professionalism.
"Strategic planning is not just empty talk. If you want Qianjing to offer advice, you must first know how many troops and supplies Miss Cangmei can mobilize this time?"
Chi Cangmei didn't hesitate at all, clearly having prepared thoroughly. She recited a series of numbers in a deep voice.
"I can mobilize two thousand elite cultivators from the family's peripheral and affiliated forces! Among them, there are three hundred at the Heavenly Gang Realm, five hundred at the Earthly Gang Realm, and one thousand two hundred at the Human Gang Realm! I can also call upon six of the family's newly launched 'Purple Hero-class' spirit-patterned warships! Equipped with sixteen batches of short crossbow spirit weapons, one hundred in each batch! In addition, there are marching equipment worth fifty thousand gold coins and various healing and recovery pills, which can be used at any time!"
"hiss--!"
As soon as she finished speaking, a collective gasp filled the hall! The noblemen all looked horrified.
Two thousand elite cultivators! Among them were three hundred Heavenly Gang Realm cultivators and five hundred Earthly Gang Realm cultivators! And six brand-new Purple Elite warships! With such power, let alone intercepting a mere Heavenly Gang Realm youth, they could probably even besiege a renowned expert in the mid-to-late stages of the Spirit Sea Realm! Chi Cangmei's level of attention to Jiang Xuan was simply outrageous!
However, Xu Qianjing did not show the slightest emotion after hearing the numbers, as if these astonishing figures were already within his expectations.
He closed his eyes slightly, his fingers still tapping lightly on the table, as if he were rapidly calculating and deducing something.
A moment later, he opened his eyes, a glint of light flashing in his clear eyes, and spoke.
"The manpower and basic equipment are barely enough."
However, two points need to be added.
First, I need at least thirty 'Wind Shadow Hawks' to build a reconnaissance and intelligence network covering five hundred miles along the three routes. I need to keep track of Jiang Xuan's every move after he left Yanxia City.
Second, compile detailed information on those two thousand elite soldiers, including their respective specialties in cultivation techniques, spiritual skills, combat styles, and even past mission records, into a booklet and hand it over to me.
Chi Cangmei nodded without hesitation.
“Sure! The Wind Shadow Hawks can be mobilized within half a day. I will have someone compile the personnel information overnight and send it to your residence first thing tomorrow morning.”
Xu Qianjing nodded, and for the first time formally glanced at the young men and women beside Chi Cangmei who looked surprised, and asked in a calm tone.
Who are these people?
Chi Cangmei gave a concise introduction.
“They are all outstanding members of my Chi family’s affiliated families. In this operation, they will serve as your deputies, assisting you in mobilizing manpower and relaying orders.”
The young men quickly bowed to Xu Qianjing with respect, but their eyes still held some lingering shock and slight discomfort with Xu Qianjing's almost harsh demands.
Xu Qianjing merely glanced at them indifferently, without saying anything more, then stood up and addressed Chi Cangmei.
“Miss Cangmei, since you have agreed to my conditions, then I, Xu, will accept this matter. I owe the Chi family a favor, and I will do my best this time.”
However, one thing must be made clear: if things ultimately don't go as planned and I fail to stop Jiang Xuan, the responsibility... I, Xu Qianjing, will not bear it.
After saying that, he didn't wait for Chi Cangmei's response, but turned around, pushed open the door and left. His figure quickly disappeared at the end of the corridor.
As he left, a young man dressed in a magnificent blue robe couldn't help but mutter a complaint under his breath.
“Miss Cangmei, this Xu Qianjing is far too arrogant! We’ve mobilized so much power, and he still says there’s ‘something not going smoothly’?”
Chi Cangmei gave him a cold glance, her gaze like an icicle that instantly silenced the blue-robed youth. "He has the right to be arrogant. Since we invited him, we must trust him. All arrangements for this interception will be based on Xu Qianjing's orders! You lot, cooperate fully. If anyone dares to outwardly comply but inwardly resist, or secretly obstruct us, don't blame me, Chi Cangmei, for being ruthless!"
Her voice carried a chilling coldness, and a powerful aura of the Spirit Sea Realm emanated from her, causing the young men to turn pale. They quickly bowed and agreed, daring not to voice any further objections.
……
Two days passed in the blink of an eye.
On this day, following Jiang Xuan's instructions, Xue Jin leisurely went to the City Lord's Mansion to collect the official certificate for the provincial examination on his behalf.
Just as the rumors had spread, Jiang Xuan was unsurprisingly ranked first in the overall score of the Southwest Province Examination! This news had already spread like wildfire throughout the streets and alleys of Yanxia City, and everyone was talking about this young genius who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere, relishing his legendary performance in the examination.
As Xue Jin walked down the bustling street, listening to the endless discussions about Jiang Xuan around him, a trace of emotion flashed in his cloudy old eyes. In less than a year, this kid had grown from an unknown boy in Donglin City to the number one genius who was famous throughout the entire Southwest Province. This speed was truly astonishing.
Today is the day the provincial examination results are officially posted, and the top 100 cultivators receive their certificates. The square in front of the city lord's mansion is already packed with people.
There were onlookers who came to watch the excitement, relatives and friends who came to offer their congratulations, and even more people who were high-spirited cultivators waiting to receive their certificates.
Many people in the crowd were looking around and talking amongst themselves.
"Where's Jiang Xuan? I haven't seen him."
"Yeah, he's number one overall! Shouldn't he come and show off today?"
"Hmph, he probably thinks he's something special and is just putting on airs."
"What nonsense are you talking about! Young Master Jiang Xuan is not that kind of person! He must have been held up by something!"
Just as everyone was speculating, an old man wearing a tattered gray robe, with messy hair and a faint smell of alcohol, pushed through the crowd and walked towards the gate of the city lord's mansion.
He didn't seem to be walking fast, but wherever he passed, the crowded people in front of him seemed to be gently pushed aside by an invisible, soft force, automatically making way for him to move forward easily.
This strange scene attracted the attention of many people. Just as Xue Jin was about to reach the imposing gate of the city lord's mansion, a cold voice suddenly rang out.
"Halt! This is the City Lord's Mansion, a restricted area. Unauthorized personnel are not permitted to trespass!"
The one who spoke up to stop him was a middle-aged man dressed in a scholar's robe, with a thin face but a somewhat sinister look in his eyes.
He was one of the trusted advisors of Grand Commander Liu Wujun, and also a guest of the Chu family in the Forbidden City—Ruan Lingdu.
Ruan Lingdu had already seen Xue Jin, and he also recognized this seemingly inconspicuous old drunkard who often followed Jiang Xuan.
Before the centennial celebration of Shidingzhai, he was ordered to "invite" Jiang Xuan, but he suffered a slight loss at the hands of this old drunkard and has held a grudge ever since. Now, seeing Xue Jin daring to swagger into the city lord's mansion, he immediately jumped out, intending to make things difficult for her.
Xue Jin stopped in her tracks, lazily raised her eyelids, glanced at Ruan Lingdu, and said indifferently.
"I'm here to help that brat Jiang Xuan get his provincial examination certificate."
Upon hearing this, Ruan Lingdu revealed a mocking sneer on his face.
"Help Jiang Xuan collect the certificate? Hmph! The provincial examination certificate is such an important thing, how can it be collected by just any Tom, Dick, or Harry? You say so, but what proof do you have? Why isn't Jiang Xuan himself here? I think you clearly have ulterior motives!"
Xue Jin frowned slightly and patiently explained.
"Jiang Xuan is busy and unable to come in person, so he specially entrusted me to come and collect it on his behalf. If you don't believe me, you can go in and ask Grand Commandant Liu or Dean Wei; they will know the answer."
"Inquire with the Grand Commander and the Chief Justice? You think you can?"
Ruan Lingdu seemed to have heard the biggest joke in the world, his voice suddenly rising, filled with undisguised contempt.
"Who do you think you are? Do you think you're worthy to trouble the Grand Commander and the Dean? Without rules, there can be no order! Without Jiang Xuan's personal presence today, no one can collect this certificate on his behalf! You, get out of here right now!"
His words were extremely impolite and carried a clear sense of humiliation, clearly indicating that he was determined to take this opportunity to retaliate.
Xue Jin watched him quietly, the lazy expression on her face gradually disappearing, replaced by a cold indifference that was neither a smile nor a frown.
He shook his head slightly and sighed.
"You think you're so great? You don't even know what's good for you?"
Ruan Lingdu was so angry at these words that his face turned pale, and he was about to lash out.
However, in the next instant, he only felt a blur before his eyes! He couldn't see any movement at all, and a withered hand, like an eagle's claw, easily broke through the spiritual energy shield he had subconsciously erected, and precisely gripped his neck!
"Uh!"
Ruan Lingdu's eyes bulged out, filled with endless terror and disbelief! He was a late-stage Earthly Realm cultivator, a figure of considerable importance in Yanxia City, yet he had no chance to resist this old drunkard!
"Clap! Clap! Clap!"
Xue Jin raised her other hand, the movement seemingly slow but leaving afterimages, and slapped Ruan Lingdu's thin face several times, one on the front and one on the back!
The force contained in those slaps was terrifying. Ruan Lingdu's teeth were instantly knocked out and flew out, spurting out blood. His cheeks swelled up at a visible speed, turning a purplish-red! He let out a shrill scream like a pig being slaughtered, completely stunned and his mind went blank!
"presumptuous!"
"Release Mr. Ruan at once!"
Upon seeing this, the guards standing at the entrance of the city lord's mansion were both shocked and furious. They drew their weapons, activated their spiritual energy, and charged towards Xue Jin!
Xue Jin didn't even turn her head; she simply gave Ruan Lingdu's hand a light, casual shake.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
An invisible yet immense force, as powerful as a mountain, suddenly spread out! The dozen or so elite guards from the city lord's mansion who had rushed up were struck as if by a charging elephant. They coughed up blood, their bodies flying uncontrollably backward. Their weapons flew out of their hands and clattered to the ground. They were scattered in pieces, and for a while, none of them could get up again!
quiet!
Deathly silence!
The once bustling square in front of the City Lord's Mansion was now so quiet you could hear a pin drop! Everyone was stunned by what had happened in the blink of an eye, their minds blank!
Ruan Lingdu! The Grand Commander's trusted advisor, a master of the late Earthly Rank! He was actually... actually being held like a chick by this unassuming old drunkard, being slapped without any resistance? The elite guards of the City Lord's Mansion couldn't even get close before being easily sent flying.
Who exactly is this old drunkard?! Just how terrifying is his strength?!
Xue Jin looked at Ruan Lingdu, who was limp and lifeless in his arms, and said coldly.
"I've killed plenty of trash in my life, but I'm in a good mood today, so I'll spare your life. Watch your eyes in the future; you can't mess with just anyone."
After saying that, he casually tossed Ruan Lingdu into the crowd in the distance, as if he were throwing away trash.
Ruan Lingdu's obese body arced through the air before crashing heavily to the ground. He rolled several times before finally coming to a stop, where he passed out, looking utterly miserable.
Xue Jin didn't even bother to look again. He straightened his tattered gray robe and, under the horrified gazes that seemed to regard him as a ghost, swaggered into the gates of the city lord's mansion, leaving behind a scene of chaos and deathly silence.
After a long while, the square suddenly erupted in chaos!
"My God! Who...who is that senior?!"
"Too...too powerful! Mr. Ruan is like a toy in his hands!"
"He's here to collect the certificate for Jiang Xuan! Jiang Xuan actually has such a terrifying expert hidden among his men?!"
"It's over! With Mr. Ruan beaten like this, Grand Commander Liu will definitely not let this go!"
"This is going to be interesting! It seems Jiang Xuan is no pushover either!"
Countless whispers arose like a tidal wave, everyone speculating about Xue Jin's identity and the ensuing turmoil. What was originally a routine receipt collection turned into a city-wide uproar due to Ruan Lingdu's obstruction and Xue Jin's forceful intervention!
Meanwhile, deep within the city lord's mansion, in a solemn and dignified council hall.
Grand Commander Liu Wujun, Dean Wei Lingzhen of Yanxia Academy, and Du Dongtu, commander of the Purple Feather Army, along with other top figures from the Southwest Province, were seated at the head of the table. Below them stood the top one hundred cultivators who had passed the provincial examination.
They were all excited and full of vigor, waiting to receive the provincial examination certificates that symbolized honor and qualification. (End of Chapter)