Chapter 31

The Third Legion of the Empire was stationed at Black Mountain Fortress, facing the two major kingdoms of Dali and Qianshan, making it the closest to the Seventh Legion.

In the evening, the legion commander, Chen Xuan Gan, who was about fifty years old, was reviewing a topographic map in his room when he suddenly heard hurried footsteps outside the door. Then, the voice of a guard sounded: "Report to the legion commander, urgent message from the Seventh Legion's swift eagle!"

"Hmm!" Chen Xuan Gan was slightly taken aback and frowned. "What is Wu Tian Feng up to, using a swift eagle to send a message? Could it be that his Seventh Legion has engaged in a major battle with the Dongxuan Kingdom?"

As he thought, Chen Xuan Gan called the guard inside and took the white silk from his hand, carefully reading it.

"What!" The moment he saw the content, Chen Xuan Gan's eyebrows shot up, and he couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

The guard, standing nearby, felt a sudden tension. Over the years, the legion commander had always been as steady as a mountain. When had he ever been so surprised?

"Three times, a healing method three times more effective than blood-stopping medicine!" Chen Xuan Gan's breathing became heavy, and his lips trembled. He knew very well what this meant, and thus found it hard to control his emotions. As for the authenticity of the news, there was no need to doubt it. Military matters were no joke; it would be a grave offense, even a duke couldn't bear the responsibility.

After a long while, Chen Xuan Gan took a deep breath and loudly ordered, "Send this letter to the capital's military department. State that I will leave the garrison and head to Duke Dingbei's Hongyuan City... Inform the deputy commander to be extra cautious in my absence... Order the army doctors to send ten of the highest-skilled to accompany me!"

"Yes!" The guard bowed slightly and quickly ran off.

Chen Xuan Gan followed him out, standing in the courtyard, gazing into the distance. He murmured, "With this healing method, our empire's combat effectiveness can increase by thirty percent... Duke Dingbei, good luck to you. The person in your territory who came up with this method will surely receive a great reward..."

Soon, the eagle's cry pierced the sky, and a small black flying eagle soared up, disappearing in a blink. Then, the Black Mountain Fortress opened, and a hundred cavalrymen galloped out, with Chen Xuan Gan leading them...

At the same time, in the main city of Linshui in Duke Qi Yue's territory, the lord's mansion was lit up, and people were coming and going continuously. Today was Duke Qi Yue's sixtieth birthday, and all the nobles with status in the territory had gathered, making it a very lively scene.

In the main hall, Duke Qi Yue, Wang Shuang Yang, who was slightly overweight, was talking loudly with the Sixth Legion commander, Wei Ning, while a group of people were chiming in with flattery.

Suddenly, a guard of Wei Ning's ran over and whispered, "Commander, urgent message from the Seventh Legion's swift eagle!"

"Hmm?" Wei Ning was taken aback, took the white silk, and similarly couldn't help but exclaim, "Such a method!"

One sentence, and the entire hall fell silent. Everyone looked at Wei Ning in shock, not knowing what had caused such surprise.

Even Duke Qi Yue frowned, not knowing what major event had occurred, his eyes showing a questioning look.

However, Wei Ning ignored his gaze, stood up, and said apologetically, "Uncle Wang, I'm sorry, but I have urgent military matters and must leave immediately!"

"Oh! Military matters are urgent, don't delay. Go quickly!" Duke Qi Yue, realizing the situation, naturally made a gesture. He couldn't ask about the empire's military actions.

"Alright! Then I'll take my leave!" Wei Ning nodded, turned, and led his guards away in large strides.

"What is this? The birthday celebration has just begun..." The nobles were stunned, looking at each other, speechless for a long time.

But some understood and were guessing what could have caused the legion commander to rush off, even at the cost of a duke's birthday celebration.

Soon, at the Sixth Legion's garrison, a flying eagle soared up, heading for the capital. Then, a group of people galloped out, heading straight for Hongyuan City...

At the center of the First Legion's garrison, a beautiful young woman looked down at the white silk in her hand, her clear eyes rippling with surprise, joy, and regret...

Tang Chuxue, the first person under the empire's military marshal, the youngest marquis, and a super genius who reached the Yuan Qi realm at the age of twenty-five... Even she couldn't help but show a slight loss of composure when she saw this method.

"Commander, is this news true?" A girl in her twenties, dressed as a guard, asked softly beside Tang Chuxue.

"This is no joke; Wu Tian Feng's words must be true!" Tang Chuxue sighed, feeling a bit disheartened.

Hearing this, the girl's tears flowed, and she said solemnly, "Why didn't this method appear a year earlier!"

Tang Chuxue's hand trembled, and her face showed a deep sorrow. A year ago, she was surrounded by killers from the Xuan Yuan Tian Sect, and out of a hundred guards, only twelve survived, most dying from excessive blood loss.

"Ah~" Tang Chuxue took a deep breath, suppressing her grief, and said solemnly, "It's not too late now... Order the guards to prepare; I want to see this method with my own eyes and meet the person who created it!"

"Yes!" The guard bowed and left. Soon, a swift horse galloped out of the garrison, and a swift eagle flew toward the capital...

The Second Legion, Fourth Legion, and Fifth Legion were in almost the same situation. By midnight, a storm seemed to have swept through the military high command. All seven legion commanders were on the move, bringing doctors to Hongyuan City, while swift eagles flew to the capital's military department. This storm was also carried to the capital by the swift eagles...

At this time, inside the Hongyuan City, the Dingbei Duke's mansion was brightly lit. A middle-aged man with a full beard held a wine glass, a large plate of braised ribs in front of him, eating and drinking leisurely, occasionally showing a proud smile.

"Father!" A gentle call interrupted the man, and Wan Rou walked over. If Jiang Xingchen were here, he would be utterly shocked, finding it hard to believe that this rough and bold man could have a daughter as delicate and graceful as Wan Rou.

"Wan Rou! Come and eat something; don't overwork yourself with the dance and song practice!" His voice was gentle, and his gaze affectionate, a look that seemed natural on this rough man.

"I'll eat later!" Wan Rou sat beside the man, somewhat displeased, and asked, "You promised to raise Jiang Ling's noble status by one level. Why haven't you fulfilled it yet?"

"Ha ha! Daughter, why are you in such a hurry? Hasn't your secret formula not been announced for sale yet?" The man laughed and replied.

"But you should at least inform the noble management department! You've seen the plan Jiang Ling came up with; Hongyuan City could become the empire's culinary center in the future..."

"Oh, you girl, I'm not saying I won't do it!" The man raised his hand and rubbed Wan Rou's head, saying, "Even without this plan, I would help him for making my daughter's body stronger..."

"Father!" Wan Rou's voice lowered, and she shook her head, rubbing against the man's palm.

"But! It's not the right time yet..." The man continued.

"Ah?" Wan Rou was taken aback and asked, "When will it be the right time?"

"Ha ha, you'll know when the time comes! Eat quickly now!" The man smiled, not telling her.

"Hmph! Fine, I won't ask!" Wan Rou pouted, picked up her chopsticks, and put a piece of rib in her mouth.

"Even without the gamey taste, it still doesn't taste as good as what Jiang Ling makes!" After eating a piece, Wan Rou muttered.

"This is from Fuyongzhai; your taste is really picky!" The man shook his head, took a sip of wine, and changed the subject, "How is the dance and song arrangement going?"

At the mention of this, Wan Rou's expression darkened, and she said softly, "It's still not good! I always feel unsatisfied; if we take it out, it won't be able to compete with others!"

"If it's not good, then forget it. The New Year's dance and song performance isn't easy to participate in; you don't have to force yourself. Father isn't old yet..."

"Even though Father isn't old, I am your only daughter, and many people are eyeing our territory! Especially now, with Hongyuan City becoming more prosperous and backed by the Miao Miao Mountains, rich in resources... Most importantly, I love dance and song. It's not only my dream but also my only way out. I don't want to live forever as the daughter of Duke Dingbei!"

The man fell silent, putting his wine glass on the table. After a long while, he said, "Father supports your dream! But, we agreed, you can't overexert yourself!"

"Okay! I understand!" Wan Rou nodded, stood up, and said, "Father, eat by yourself. I'm not hungry yet; I'll go practice dance and song for a while!"

Watching Wan Rou's back disappear through the door, the man shook his head, "Is the food that boy makes really that good? Wan Rou can't even eat the dishes made by Fuyongzhai's chef..."

Picking up a piece of rib and looking at it, the man suddenly smiled, "A small secret formula, yet it caused such a big stir! Today, the Seventh Legion's supply selection, his wound-stitching skills must have stunned Wu Tian Feng... Ha ha, I estimate that within three days, all seven legion commanders will come! This boy, this time even I will benefit... I've been a third-rank marquis for over ten years..."

As the night deepened, in the Zijing Mercenary Group, the cooperation talks were almost finalized, and everyone bid farewell and left.

On the way back, Sun Sanqiang, who had been with Jiang Xingchen, said goodbye and, before leaving, quickly handed him a small package, not saying a word as he ran off.

Jiang Xingchen was stunned for a while, opened the small package, and found five Cloud Mist leaves inside.

Looking in the direction Sun Sanqiang had left, Jiang Xingchen smiled, put the items away, and headed home.

Soon, he arrived at the courtyard. As soon as he opened the gate, a figure darted out, hiding behind him, and a sobbing voice said, "Young Master Jiang, you're finally back!"

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