Chapter 38

The golden token was small, only the size of a palm, but it gave off an extremely majestic feeling. Staring at the golden token, Pu Shi and Ge Zheng couldn't help but draw in a cold breath, and for a moment, they looked at each other in surprise.

"Deputy General's Order?"

Lin Tian was slightly puzzled, as if he had thought of something but wasn't sure.

Pu Shi calmed his breathing and explained, "The Deputy General's Order is a military order that pairs with the General's Order. It's usually not used much, but for the imperial army, seeing this order is like seeing the General himself. Do you understand what I mean?"

Under the black robe, Lin Tian was taken aback.

In that case, isn't this small token equivalent to something like the 'Imperial Sword'?

Seeing Lin Tian's silence, Ge Zheng thought he still didn't understand and said, "To put it more practically, with this token, even the city lord of Fengjian City would have to salute you, and you could even mobilize a considerable force of the imperial army!"

"..."

Lin Tian had already guessed, but now he was even clearer.

This thing seems too heavy.

Feeling a bit helpless, Lin Tian smiled bitterly, "If the old general gives this to a junior like me, isn't he afraid I might abuse it and cause trouble?"

Hearing this, Ji Yuanshan was first stunned, then burst into hearty laughter.

"I've been on the battlefield for decades and lived a long life. I may not be good at many things, but I'm confident in my ability to judge people. You, my young friend, are definitely not a petty person."

Ji Yuanshan said.

Beside him, Pu Shi and Ge Zheng both nodded.

Lin Tian felt helpless but also admired the old general, who was not only righteous but also generous!

Putting the golden token in Lin Tian's hand, Ji Yuanshan said, "Young friend, keep it for now. If you have any concerns, you can return it to me when you enter the capital."

Under the black robe, Lin Tian smiled bitterly. With the conversation at this point, if he didn't accept it, it would be impolite.

"Thank you for your trust, old general. If I have the chance to enter the capital, I will definitely visit your residence."

Lin Tian said.

Ji Yuanshan laughed heartily, "There will definitely be such a day. I believe Fengjian City can't contain you!" As he said this, Ji Yuanshan turned and carefully picked up the girl from the bed, then looked at Pu Shi and Ge Zheng and said solemnly, "Thank you both today."

"The General is too polite."

Pu Shi and Ge Zheng said.

The girl's injuries had stabilized, and Ji Yuanshan didn't stay any longer. The three of them escorted Ji Yuanshan to the guild's entrance.

"Stop here, thank you again, Ji Yuanshan."

Ji Yuanshan said seriously.

Pu Shi and Ge Zheng nodded, not being overly formal.

"May the General have a smooth journey."

The two said.

Ji Yuanshan nodded with a smile, turned, and left. After a few steps, he stopped.

Turning back, he looked at Lin Tian and said, "By the way, from the sound of your voice, you seem to be about the same age as Xiao Yu. If we have the chance in the future, you two... well, let it be natural."

Nodding at Lin Tian, Ji Yuanshan turned and walked away.

"Huh?"

Lin Tian was a bit stunned, pondering Ji Yuanshan's words, which seemed a bit strange.

Pu Shi teased, "Young friend, you're in luck. It seems the General wants to match his granddaughter with you. Hey, that girl is the top pride of the capital."

"Indeed, indeed. I think you two are quite a match. Hmm, though I haven't seen your face, given your array control skills, you shouldn't be too ugly," Ge Zheng said.

Lin Tian: "..."

This old man is quite interesting.

Shaking his head, he was about to call Pu Shi to leave when suddenly a dizziness hit him, and he stumbled.

Pu Shi was slightly startled and supported Lin Tian from behind, "What's wrong, young friend?"

Lin Tian felt his head getting dizzier. He knew it must be due to the severe consumption of soul power and true essence, which was now causing aftereffects.

"A bit tired, maybe..."

He said weakly.

Pu Shi and Ge Zheng were taken aback, then understood.

"In that case, don't leave for now. I'll have Xiao Fei arrange another room for you to rest for the night."

Ge Zheng said.

Pu Shi nodded, "That's a good idea."

Lin Tian thought for a moment. Not returning to the martial residence for one night shouldn't be a problem. He had already told Su Shu that if he returned late, she should go and keep Lin Xi company.

He trusted Su Shu.

Thinking of this, he didn't hesitate and said, "Then I'll trouble you, Old Ge."

He was indeed very dizzy, and walking was quite difficult.

"No problem, it's what I should do."

Ge Zheng waved his hand.

Then, Ge Zheng and Pu Shi together helped Lin Tian to a small room behind the guild.

"Rest well, young friend. I'll be going now."

Pu Shi said.

Lying on the bed, Lin Tian nodded, "Take care, Old Pu."

Pu Shi nodded and left with Ge Zheng. As they walked out of the room, Ge Zheng said, "My room is next door. If you need anything, just call out."

"Thank you, Old Ge."

Lin Tian said.

After truly understanding, he found that this old man was indeed a very nice person.

The door creaked as Ge Zheng closed it, and his footsteps gradually faded away.

Lin Tian exhaled a deep breath. These days, he had been very tired, and his rest time had clearly decreased. Shaking his head, he didn't take off his black robe, closed his eyes, and soon fell asleep.

Ge Zheng saw Pu Shi to the door and then returned to his room.

The female attendant Xiao Fei was politely greeting people entering and leaving the guild.

It seemed that nothing had changed, but the only change was that a shocking piece of news spread from the guild: Fengjian City had given birth to a genius array controller, only sixteen years old, already at the third rank, surpassing even the guild elder Ge Zheng and the Yi Bao Pavilion's Pu Shi.

This news was undoubtedly shocking, stunning everyone.

"Sixteen years old, third-rank array controller? How is that possible!"

"Absolutely true, I saw it with my own eyes. The person was covered in a black cloak, so I couldn't see their face, but from the voice, they were around sixteen years old."

"I saw it too. At that time, the imperial general seemed to have received a favor from that person."

"What! The imperial general? Is it that old General Ji?"

"Of course!"

"This... How could that old general be in Fengjian City?"

"Who knows, but this did happen."

"Sixteen years old, third-rank array controller, such a prodigy?!"

This news spread throughout Fengjian City, and almost every corner was discussing it. The mysterious sixteen-year-old genius, the third-rank array controller, and the favor to the imperial general—each piece of information was shocking.

As everyone knew, the conditions for cultivating as an array controller were extremely strict, much harder than martial cultivation. A typical array controller was at least twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old and only at the first rank. Now, Fengjian City had suddenly produced a sixteen-year-old third-rank array controller, which was truly astonishing.

"How is that possible! Did he start cultivating from the womb?"

"If the teacher behind him is a peak array controller?"

"This..."

"Either way, it's terrifying!"

"Such a prodigy exists, and the heavens are truly..."

Everyone in Fengjian City sighed.

Lin Tian, of course, was unaware of all this. At that moment, he was sleeping deeply and didn't even hear Ge Zheng calling him for dinner. Fortunately, after calling a few times and getting no response, Ge Zheng left without disturbing him.

A night passed in a blink.

That morning, Lin Tian woke up, greeted the sunrise, and walked out of the room.

"Awake?"

He met Ge Zheng, who smiled and greeted him.

"Yes, I troubled you yesterday."

Lin Tian smiled.

"Don't thank me, no need to be polite. Treat this guild like your home, and come often." Ge Zheng shook his head and then said, "By the way, Xiao Fei has prepared breakfast. Have some."

Lin Tian nodded, "Okay."

The breakfast at the Fengjian City Array Controller Guild was simple: porridge, vegetables, and steamed buns, which didn't match the revered status of array controllers. However, this made Lin Tian like the guild even more. After breakfast, he said goodbye to Ge Zheng and the attendant Xiao Fei and left.

"I didn't return all night, Lin Xi must be worried."

Lin Tian muttered to himself.

Thinking of this, his steps quickened.

Soon, he walked far from the guild, out of sight.

At this moment, Lin Tian suddenly paused, feeling several cold gazes locking onto him. He slightly turned his head and saw three black-clothed middle-aged men about fifteen feet away, following him slowly, clearly with ill intentions. This made Lin Tian, under the black robe, frown.

Without stopping, Lin Tian continued walking, guessing who the people behind him were. Now, his enemies were the Xiao family, the Mo family, and Zhou Hao. But he was covered in a black cloak, so they shouldn't be able to recognize him. Therefore, it could only be someone he had offended while wearing the black cloak.

Suddenly, a figure flashed in Lin Tian's mind... the young man in fine clothes who was with the old general's army!

Thinking of the young man's expression when he left, Lin Tian became even more certain. The people behind him were definitely related to that young man!

"Returning to the Jiuyang Martial Residence might help me get rid of these people, but it would be disadvantageous for my future actions. Moreover, since that young man could be with the old general, his status must be high, and the people behind me might even be able to enter the Jiuyang Martial Residence, making the situation worse."

After a moment of thought, Lin Tian had an idea and headed toward the city outskirts.

The three black-clothed middle-aged men showed a bit of surprise but didn't pay much attention, closely following Lin Tian.

Half an hour later, Lin Tian left Fengjian City and arrived at a desolate place.

"Come out."

At this moment, he stopped, looking back coldly.