He knew he owed Chu Lingguang a favor.
That evening, Chu Lingguang treated his trusted men to a great feast and read the Court’s transfer orders to everyone. After they had all eaten and drunk their fill, he saw Xuanyuan Jinkang sitting alone on the coast, enjoying the sea breeze, so he went over with two jugs of wine.
The two had come to Black Bear Island together.
Now, with his own promotion and transfer from Black Bear Island to his new post at Wolf Valley Pass, coupled with the fact that Eunuch Liu’s death was related to him, Chu Lingguang understood Xuanyuan Jinkang’s change in attitude.
"Xuanyuan, I’m leaving tomorrow. Will you have a drink with me?"
Chu Lingguang said from behind Xuanyuan Jinkang.
WHOOSH!
Xuanyuan Jinkang snatched a pebble and threw it at the surface of the sea. The sheer force of the throw made the pebble whistle through the air, overpowering the sound of the howling sea breeze.
"Fine!"
He leaped to Chu Lingguang’s side, took the wine jug, and, before Chu Lingguang could even touch his own, tilted his head back and drank it all in one go. Chu Lingguang gave a wry smile and downed his own jug as well.
"Chu Lingguang, about entering Yuanchu Mountain—I, Xuanyuan Jinkang, don’t need to rely on anyone, especially not you. You don’t have to take what my master said to you to heart. As for his death, I will one day get justice for him."
Xuanyuan Jinkang said, his voice resolute.
"Alright. I’ll be waiting."
’Chu Lingguang wasn’t sure if Xuanyuan Jinkang meant to take revenge on him for Eunuch Liu. If so, there was nothing he could say.’
"My master once said that Wolf Valley Pass is one of the Court’s most mysterious places. Once you’re there, you’d better stay alive for me."
After saying this, Xuanyuan Jinkang leaped away, flying toward the city.
"Don’t worry. Even if it’s a dragon’s den or a tiger’s lair, I’ll keep myself alive and wait for the day you come looking for me," Chu Lingguang called back.
Hmph!
Only Xuanyuan Jinkang’s cold snort could be heard in the distance.
「The next morning.」
While his soldiers were practicing their Spear Technique in the Martial Arts Arena, Chu Lingguang packed his belongings, led Little Red Horse out of the General’s Mansion, and headed alone to the port, preparing to leave by ship.
"Lord Chu!"
But unexpectedly, when he emerged from the city, he saw that all the island’s commoners were gathered at the port.
The soldiers who should have been practicing their Spear Technique in the Martial Arts Arena had all run out as well.
"Lord Chu!"
Although he had served as the Captain of Black Bear Island for less than half a year, he had restored military discipline and wiped out the pirates, bringing about a world of change to the quality of life for the island’s people.
They no longer had to worry about being harassed by soldiers.
Countless merchant ships now docked at the port every day. Their crews stayed temporarily and spent money, making the small island bustling and prosperous. Everyone was grateful for Chu Lingguang’s capable governance. Having heard of his promotion and that he was leaving Black Bear Island today, they had all come to see him off.
The commoners knelt on the ground.
The soldiers who were supposed to be practicing their Spear Technique in the Martial Arts Arena were gathered at the city gate.
"Lord Chu, the brothers want you to lead them in one more Spear Technique practice."
Zhang Baofu presented a prepared Nine-foot Black Spear to Chu Lingguang with both hands.
"Alright!"
Chu Lingguang looked back and saw that the soldiers had already formed up. He handed Little Red Horse to Zhang Baofu, walked onto the beach, and began to lead the men in the Basic Thirteen Spear Techniques.
This Spear Technique was something basically every Martial Artist in the Great Yuan knew.
But very few could use this technique to cultivate the three levels of Skillful Force, and even fewer could master it to the point of perfection.
Guo Wei and Chu Lingguang were both Spear Masters, a rarity in the mortal world.
Both had achieved a high degree of proficiency in the Basic Thirteen Spear Techniques.
"Basic Spear Technique, First Technique: Cyan Dragon Emerges from Water Linked Spear!"
The Long Spear danced. Chu Lingguang deliberately slowed his rhythm, calling out the moves as he performed them.
"Hah!"
The soldiers had been practicing with him for three or four months. Although their Spear Technique was not as formidable as his, they had long since memorized the forms and executed them with precision.
"Second Technique: Right Block, Left Intercept, Rushing to the Middle Hall!"
"Third Technique: Lion’s Head Turned Down!"
...
"Twelfth Technique: White Snake Flipping Spear Throat Lock!"
"Thirteenth Technique: Bian He Carrying the Stone Phoenix Returning to Its Nest!"
The members of the merchant caravans docked at the port witnessed it all firsthand—how after Chu Lingguang stepped down, the commoners voluntarily gathered at the port and knelt to bid him farewell.
They also saw for themselves just how formidable the Spear Technique and military discipline of the Black Bear Island soldiers were.
Some people were even moved to instinctively mimic the moves.
Xuanyuan Jinkang, standing on the city wall, was also moved, feeling a mixture of admiration and resentment toward Chu Lingguang.
As Chu Lingguang left Black Bear Island by ship, he would never have imagined that leading the soldiers in Spear Technique practice for the past three or four months would, from that day on, intermittently provide him with a significant return of Favor Points.
One new recruit, relying solely on the Basic Thirteen Spear Techniques, would even distinguish himself in the years to come, expanding the borders of the Great Yuan and eventually becoming a Governor.
「According to the map.」
Wolf Valley Pass was located within the Hundred Thousand Mountains.
It was in the Northern Territory, bordering Mazhou Prefecture and near Mr. Du’s territory.
Chu Lingguang had only one month to travel to his new post.
He had to travel from the southernmost part of the Great Yuan all the way north to a small city called Chaojiang to report in. From there, a local official would escort him to Wolf Valley Pass to assume his duties.
’If I travel nonstop and use my Consciousness Manipulation Power on Little Red Horse, I should be able to reach Wolf Valley Pass in about twenty days. With the remaining ten days, I could make a round trip to Baiyang County to see Master and Second Aunt...’
’Ah, forget it. Little Red Horse doesn’t have Demon Beast blood; she can’t handle such a high-intensity, long-distance journey. Besides, I’ve only been gone for about half a year, and I often exchange letters with Master and Second Aunt. I’ll just wait until I’ve established myself at Wolf Valley Pass, then find a chance to go home and visit them.’
Chu Lingguang had originally wanted to make a detour to visit Guo Wei and Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family.
He glanced at the map.