After the Immortal Disappeared

Chapter 325: Chapter 324: Exceptional Promotion

”Her strategists and Military Generals worked in shifts until they were dropping from exhaustion, yet she remained completely unaffected. It was like that all the way until we repelled the Alliance Army and Panlong City claimed its great victory.”

”Aside from her distinguishing herself on the battlefield, this is one of the main reasons everyone is convinced the Red General is a Divine General. After all, that’s something no mortal can do, not even a Cultivator.”

”Later, Commander Zhong heard about the soldiers’ wager. He came out and explained personally that the Red General possesses a Demigod Body and is beyond worldly needs.”

”A Demigod Body, huh.” Hee Lingchuan stroked his chin, pondering for a good while. ”So, does that mean she doesn’t bathe?”

”...” Broken Blade’s questions always pierced right to the soul.

Hu Min rolled his eyes. ”How should I know? But no matter how damaged the Red General’s Battle Armor gets, it’s always pristine again in no time. That means it has to be a Treasure Artifact at the very least, right? It might even be a Divine Artifact bestowed by the Mitian God. I’ve heard that Treasure Robes from Ancient Times have self-cleansing properties. Maybe... hers does too?”

「That night」

The Red General left some of her people to handle the aftermath at the Mine Cave, while she herself returned to Panlong City with the bodies of Hu Village Chief and the Jindu Cub.

Injured and exhausted, Hee Lingchuan fell asleep the moment he returned to his wooden cabin.

The yard next door was still dark, its lights out.

The next two days were calm. Everything in Panlong City proceeded in an orderly fashion.

But he couldn’t shake the feeling that there was an undercurrent in the city, churning just beneath the surface.

He also found a chance to visit Duan Xinyu. The man had been crushed by boulders when the Underground Palace reverted to a Mine Cave, but he had since woken up after emergency treatment. His leg had been broken in several places. Fortunately, the bones could be set, but his recovery would take a long time.

Having faced life and death together, Duan Xinyu’s impression of Hee Lingchuan had improved dramatically. He no longer gave him the cold shoulder.

Hee Lingchuan was blunt and got straight to the point. ”I never did anything to offend you before, did I?”

Duan Xinyu stammered out the reason. Apparently, his fiancée had watched the match in Ring Seven and become completely infatuated with ”Broken Blade.” She couldn’t stop talking about the champion, to the point where she’d lost her appetite.

Seeing his future wife turn into one of ”Broken Blade’s” mindless fans, how could Duan Xinyu possibly have a good impression of Hee Lingchuan?

Hee Lingchuan’s ears twitched, and he burst out laughing. ”A woman like that has her head stuffed with cosmetics. She’s either stupid or dense. Brother Duan, you’re rich and good-looking, so why not find a girl who’s thoughtful and kind? There are countless beauties in Panlong City. Why waste your time on her? What if you actually marry her and have a son who’s just as dumb?”

The words were barely out of his mouth when a CLATTER sounded from outside the door, like a bottle tipping over.

Then, footsteps rapidly receded, and the faint sound of a woman crying drifted in.

”You... you!” Duan Xinyu couldn’t give chase with his broken leg. He was so furious he was at a loss for words.

Hee Lingchuan listened for another moment before clearing his throat. ”There. Your fiancée will never want to look at me again.” He had heard stealthy footsteps outside the door just moments before.

Duan Xinyu was taken aback. Hee Lingchuan just patted his shoulder and left with a laugh.

Later, he disguised himself as a one-eyed man and went drinking with a few of his teammates.

Door Panel still hadn’t recovered from his injuries, and Willow was doting on him. The flirtatious looks they exchanged made it obvious their affair was in full swing.

Skinny told him the higher-ups had called him in for a detailed debriefing on the battle in the Mine Cave, focusing specifically on each person’s performance.

Door Panel and Willow had been questioned as well.

Only Hee Lingchuan hadn’t been summoned.

「Two days later」

War broke out again in the northwest, and the Red General led her troops out of the city.

Hee Lingchuan finished his training and rubbed his empty stomach. Just as he was about to head out for food, there was a knock at the door.

He opened the door to find, to his surprise, Registrar Liu from the Pengcheng Bureau.

”Well, Old Liu! What brings you here in person?” He frequented the Pengcheng Bureau, so he and Registrar Liu were on familiar terms.

The normally stern Registrar Liu offered a rare smile. ”I’ve come to share some good news.”

”Oh?” Hee Lingchuan stepped aside. ”Quick, come in!”

”No, no, I’m here on official business.” He waved his hand dismissively. ”The Pengcheng Bureau has a rule: we don’t enter the home when delivering good news.”

This was to prevent public officials from accepting gifts in private.

Registrar Liu cleared his throat and announced in a loud, clear voice, ”Hee Lingchuan, for his wisdom, bravery, decisiveness, and resolute fortitude, has been recognized as a talent worthy of cultivation. Upon the recommendation of Xiao Maoliang and with the approval of the Red General, he is hereby granted an exceptional promotion into the Great Wind Army’s Hundred Training Corps! His commanding officer will be Captain Xiao Maoliang!”

”Here are your Token, uniform, and boots. Please accept them.” He pointed to a chest at his feet. ”This contains two sets of winter attire. You’ll receive two more sets for the spring and summer.”

Hee Lingchuan was stunned, then ecstatic. ”I’m promoted? Old Liu, I got promoted!”

”Yes, you’re promoted!” Registrar Liu clasped his hands in congratulations. ”My sincerest congratulations. You’ve only been a resident of Panlong City for a few months, yet you’ve already achieved what takes others years of hard work.”

Hee Lingchuan opened the chest and caressed the dark red Battle Armor of the Great Wind Army. He had always been envious of Hu Min’s uniform, and now he finally had one of his own.

He couldn’t bear to part with it.

It was brand new. Every copper stud gave off the fresh scent of metal.

Even the feel of the leather made his heart race.

”Take your time with it.” Registrar Liu had seen this reaction many times before. He knew it was his cue to leave Hee Lingchuan alone with his new uniform. ”I’ll be taking my leave now.”

Hee Lingchuan tried to give him a tip, but Registrar Liu quickly refused. ”I brought you good news out of kindness. Are you trying to get me fired? No, absolutely not!” With that, he turned, boarded his carriage, and departed.

Before the clip-clop of the horse’s hooves had even faded, neighbors who had been watching and listening from their doorways swarmed over to offer congratulations. For a Great Wind Soldier to come from their street was an honor for the whole alley; their children now had a new role model to look up to.

Doting parents rushed home to fetch meat, wine, and even pickled vegetables as tuition gifts, hoping to persuade Hee Lingchuan to tutor their children.

After finally managing all the well-wishers, Hee Lingchuan slammed the door shut, feeling an urge to throw back his head and roar to the heavens.

Since he was in the city, he couldn’t disturb his neighbors. Instead, he slammed his fist into the wall seven or eight times. BAM! BAM! BAM!

’So satisfying!’

Of course, he didn’t dare to use his full strength, afraid he might collapse the courtyard wall of his neighbor, Sunx Fuling.

Phase one of his plan was complete. He had finally joined the Great Wind Army!

Hee Lingchuan let out a long sigh, feeling as if a great weight had been lifted from his chest. When he casually executed a flourish with his blade, the glint of steel seemed to dance with newfound life.

This exceptional promotion was likely due to his outstanding performance in the Mine Cave, combined with his accumulated battle merits and perhaps the added prestige from his successful title defenses in the ring. All of this must have convinced the Red General to give her approval.

Otherwise, he would have needed to climb the ranks to Squad Commander in the Patrol Guard Army just to be considered for the Great Wind Army—and that was only to be considered. Actually being selected was another story.

His adventure in the Panlong Dream Realm was about to turn a new page.

Thinking of this, he felt that all his persistence had finally been rewarded.

Just then, the Floating Life Blade at his waist began to vibrate. He grasped the hilt. It was scalding hot!

’What’s happening? I’m sitting right here, perfectly fine.’

’Have I forgotten something?’

’I’ve gone through so much in the dream to finally achieve what I wanted... but out there in the real world...?’

’Wait a minute, I’m not out of danger in the real world yet!’

***

Hee Lingchuan’s eyes flew open. The first thing he saw was a hideous, ghost-like face, and he nearly threw a punch.

Fortunately, he held back at the last second, remembering this wasn’t an Evil Ghost, but the unmasked Dong Rui.

”What are you doing?” Dong Rui’s hands were dislocated, but he had somehow produced a Jade Bottle. He was pressing it against his chest with his arm, head bowed, about to pry the cork open with his teeth.

’You really can’t let your guard down around this guy for a second.’

Dong Rui jumped. His arm twitched, and before he could get the cork out, Hee Lingchuan snatched the bottle away.

When it came to agility, he was no match for Hee Lingchuan.

”Give it back.”

Hee Lingchuan shook the bottle. ”What is this?”

”It’s food for the jellyfish. A liquid,” Dong Rui said, struggling to keep his expression calm. ”We’ve been in its stomach for two days. How else do you think we’ve avoided being digested?”

”Is that so?” Hee Lingchuan hadn’t missed the look of panic that flashed across Dong Rui’s face when he was caught. ”Then why don’t you pour some out now?”

”We don’t have to feed it,” Dong Rui said, instantly acting as if nothing was wrong. ”We should be making land soon anyway.”

Inwardly, however, he was fuming. ’What a pity.’ The poison in that bottle killed without a trace; it was just a little slow-acting. He’d planned on sending Hee Lingchuan on his way while he was asleep.

He had gone to sleep after Hee Lingchuan and woken up before him. Unfortunately, with his useless hands, it had taken him nearly a full double-hour just to get the bottle out!

’An entire double-hour!’

’Is this kid part owl or something? Why didn’t he wake up sooner? Why not later? Why did he have to wake up right as I was about to uncork the poison?’

Hee Lingchuan slowly drew his Treasure Saber. ”I believe I told you before. Pull another stunt, and you can say goodbye to your hands.”

And with that, he swung the blade at Dong Rui’s hands!

Red and green light flared around Dong Rui’s body in two successive bursts.

It was the light of a Protective Spiritual Artifact activating, only to be shattered.

”Oh, so you had a Protective Spiritual Artifact hidden on you?” Hee Lingchuan said, giving his blade an unhurried flourish. ”Let’s go again. I want to see just how many Magical Artifacts you have to spare.”

’He’s really trying to chop off my hands!’ Dong Rui was so terrified he screamed, ”I won’t do it again! I swear! I swear to the heavens that until we’re both safely back in the Mortal World, I absolutely won’t scheme against you or try to harm you again!”

Hee Lingchuan asked, ”Do you mean it?”

”I mean it! I swear!” Dong Rui then swore a vicious oath on eight generations of his ancestors.

In this world, oaths carried real power.

”Fine.” Hee Lingchuan grinned at him and sheathed his blade.

Dong Rui had just breathed a sigh of relief when a fist suddenly slammed into his solar plexus.

He instantly doubled over like a shrimp, mouth agape, unable to breathe.

He felt like he was going to vomit, but nothing came up. Sweat beaded on his forehead, dripping into the water around them.

”A small punishment for a big lesson. Don’t let it happen again.”

Dong Rui finally resigned himself to his fate.

Hee Lingchuan glanced outside. ’Ah, so the giant jellyfish has left the raging main current of the Hanhe River and entered a calm, deep-water area. No wonder this trash was in such a hurry to take me out. He wanted to get ashore and escape.’

’Good thing the Floating Life Blade warned me, or I really would’ve fallen into his trap.’ Hee Lingchuan didn’t let on, simply asking, ”How long were you out?”

”About the same as you.” The pain hadn’t subsided yet. Dong Rui slowly caught his breath, his voice laced with resignation. ”I just woke up a little while ago myself. The jellyfish’s natural toxin induces drowsiness. It’s not potent, but we’ve been soaking in it for a long time.”

’Is this kid my natural-born nemesis? Every time we cross paths, I end up on the losing side.’

Hee Lingchuan looked around, trying to get his bearings.