Chapter 57: The Southern Commander of the Brocade Guard at Innate Perfection

Lei Zheng was well aware of the influential figure supporting Wan Feiliang from behind the scenes.

Yet, equally, even if the Eunuch of Nine Thousand Himself were to appear in person, it would not faze Lei Zheng in the slightest—as if he were the only one lacking a powerful backer.

"S-Subordinate understands!"

Clenching his fists in bitter resentment, Wan Feiliang nonetheless lowered his head obediently.

When it came to Lei Zheng, Wan Feiliang truly dared not harbor any rebellious thoughts, knowing full well he was utterly outmatched in raw power.

As for comparing backers.

While he himself had the Eunuch of Nine Thousand supporting him, the Great General of the Border Defense standing behind Lei Zheng was by no means someone easy to trifle with.

In the end, Wan Feiliang could only redirect this surge of fury entirely onto Ye Liuyun.

He turned his head and shot a vicious glare at Ye Liuyun.

"...

What a predictable bully who preys on the weak and fears the strong.

However, facing nothing more than such a glare, Ye Liuyun merely smiled and paid it no mind whatsoever.

"We are truly lucky; we made it back just in time."

Si Nan, who had returned alongside Ye Liuyun, could not help but sigh softly in relief.

He had been deeply worried that Lei Zheng, the Commander of the Northern Guard, might decide to hold them accountable.

Shi Sheng also nodded in agreement; their timing had indeed been razor-thin.

Yet, a thought suddenly occurring to him, Shi Sheng cast a teasing look toward Si Nan by his side and remarked,

"Complaining about your luck again? What, do you plan to go burn incense at a temple once we get back?"

Faced with Shi Sheng's banter, Si Nan merely shot him an indignant glare and couldn't be bothered to respond.

Luck?

Standing at the front and listening to the two of them converse, Ye Liuyun only smiled without a word.

Clearly, he was now someone blessed and protected by the fortune of heaven and earth.

However, Zhao Tian's fate served as a stern reminder to Ye Liuyun: even with the fortune of heaven and earth clinging to one's body, without sufficient personal strength, the risk of being killed remained ever-present.

...

Over the next few days.

Ye Liuyun and his group continued their search through the mountain forests.

Although the spiritual weapon, the Blood Blade, was already in his possession, Ye Liuyun was hardly foolish enough to flaunt it openly. One should be arrogant when the occasion called for it, but prudent and cautious when discretion was required.

After several consecutive days.

No matter how deeply dissatisfied Lei Zheng felt, he eventually realized that the spiritual weapon was no longer anywhere to be found in this region.

"Damn it!"

At this thought, the baleful aura radiating from Lei Zheng grew even heavier.

So oppressive was it that even those subordinates who usually enjoyed a relatively good standing with Lei Zheng dared not utter a word of persuasion.

Fortunately, Lei Zheng had no intention of venting his temper indiscriminately. After unleashing a couple of fierce curses, he gave a sweeping wave of his hand and led all his men in preparations to return to the imperial capital. After all, it was impossible to remain stationed out in the wilderness indefinitely.

Having been out for so many days.

The realization that they were finally heading back caused many of the Embroidered Uniform Guards to inwardly heave sighs of relief.

"We can finally go back."

"So many days have passed, I wonder how Xiao Cui is doing."

"You're still fretting over your Xiao Cui? A courtesan like her was probably bought out by some other man long ago."

"Get lost."

In high spirits, those who were on close terms began to banter and joke with one another.

...

By the time they returned to the imperial capital, it was precisely noon.

Upon returning from such prolonged missions outside the city, all members were required to first check in at the Embroidered Uniform Guard headquarters before they were permitted to disperse.

However,

Scarcely had they stepped back into the headquarters when a figure dressed in official robes similar to those of Lei Zheng, Commander of the Northern Guard, walked out.

A gentle smile graced his face, instantly radiating a sense of warmth akin to a spring breeze.

"Ah, Brother Lei, it has been a long time!"

Upon catching sight of Lei Zheng, the man cupped his fists with a smile and spoke.

"I heard Brother Lei was away on assignment outside the city recently, but I never managed to see you off."

"Hmph, what was there to see off?"

Though his tone remained characteristically blunt, the look in Lei Zheng's eyes as he glanced at the man softened considerably.

Seeing Lei Zheng conversing so familiarly with the newcomer, the surrounding Embroidered Uniform Guards stood quietly in place, not a single one daring to interrupt.

"Who is this person?"

At the rear of the crowd, Ye Liuyun raised an eyebrow as he observed the refined and cultured man chatting with Lei Zheng.

"Target: Qi Yuanliang.
Cultivation: Peak Innate Realm.
Talent Traits: Smiling Tiger (Blue), Swordsmanship Talent (Purple), Transcendent Comprehension (Purple)."

"Smiling Tiger (Purple): Adept at camouflage and disguise, making it difficult for others to perceive his true inner thoughts."

Goodness, two purples and a blue, at the peak of the Innate Realm.

Both purple-tier cultivation talents were entirely related to cultivation, and his realm was merely a single step away from reaching the Grandmaster realm.

Yet, that talent trait of the Smiling Tiger...

It seemed the man's inner self might not be as gentle and refined as he appeared on the surface.

"My Lord!"

Noticing Ye Liuyun's muttered words, Si Nan assumed Ye Liuyun did not recognize the identity of the newcomer.

He leaned in close and whispered beside Ye Liuyun,

"That person is none other than Qi Yuanliang, Lord Qi, the Commander of the Southern Guard."

One could tell simply from their official robes that he held the same rank of Commander as Lei Zheng.

However, unlike when they spoke of Lei Zheng, Si Nan's tone carried a much more relaxed demeanor when mentioning Qi Yuanliang.

"You don't seem to fear this Commander of the Southern Guard?"

Noticing the shift in Si Nan's emotional state, Ye Liuyun cast a curious glance his way.

"Hehe!"

Si Nan smiled somewhat sheepishly. "It's not that I don't fear him, exactly. It's just that the Commander of the Southern Guard has a much better temper and truly cares for his subordinates. I've never seen him punish anyone, and on several occasions, he even stepped in to help subordinates who were facing punishment from the Northern Guard Commander over trivial matters."

Because of such deeds,

the Southern Guard Commander had always enjoyed a very favorable reputation among the Embroidered Uniform Guards, and many were eager to serve under his command.

"It's just a pity that the Southern Guard Commander's cultivation is only at the Post-natal realm, making him inferior to the Northern Guard Commander."

"???"

Ye Liuyun, who had been deep in thought, couldn't help but freeze upon hearing this statement.

"Post-natal realm?"

"That's right, it's something well-known to many. Is something the matter, My Lord?"

Seeing Ye Liuyun's reaction, Si Nan looked at him with curiosity.

After all, quite a number of people within the Embroidered Uniform Guards knew that Qi Yuanliang, the Southern Guard Commander, was merely a martial artist at the Post-natal realm.

"Nothing at all. I merely felt that things have suddenly become much more interesting."

A sudden smile touched Ye Liuyun's lips.

Watching Qi Yuanliang, the Southern Guard Commander, conversing affably and gently with Lei Zheng while deliberately concealing his true cultivation—clearly already at the peak of the Innate Realm and on the verge of breaking through to the Grandmaster realm, yet consistently portraying himself as a mere Post-natal martial artist—

What was his objective?

Coupled with the Smiling Tiger talent trait...

Watching how effortlessly, within the span of just a few sentences, Qi Yuanliang completely dissolved Lei Zheng's previously sullen mood,

one had to admit that this Southern Guard Commander certainly possessed considerable skill and maneuvering ability.

However, these were ultimately other people's affairs.

As long as no schemes were directed at his own head, Ye Liuyun had no intention of making a fuss or exposing anything.

As for Si Nan by his side,

seeing Ye Liuyun react this way with a smile, he wore a look of utter perplexity and scratched his head in bewilderment, completely unable to grasp what those words meant.

Yet, seeing that Ye Liuyun was smiling without explaining further, Si Nan sensibly refrained from pressing the matter.