Only when the imposing Divine Robe Imperial Guard galloped away into the distance did Bird’s Beak and Wasp dare to reveal themselves from the canopy of the trees lining the official road.
"His strength is far greater than the intelligence suggested. Leopard’s Tail and Fish’s Gills couldn’t even last a single exchange against him. Our plan failed," Bird’s Beak said with a frown. His voice was cold, as if the ones who died were not his comrades.
The Four Demon Nether Envoys were Leopard, Bird, Fish, and Bee.
All four were at the Outer Realm Level, and each possessed unique skills. Leopard’s Tail wielded a Profound Iron Lock Chain and was proficient in the *Soul-Beating Whip Technique*. Fish’s Gills practiced the *Spiritual Essence Breath Closing Technique*, allowing him to hold his breath underwater for two hours. Bird’s Beak bore an Eagle Training Inheritance, raising a Bone-devouring Flying Eagle. Wasp practiced the *Bee Control Spell*, allowing him to command a sky full of Poisonous Bees.
These various ultimate skills were a massive boon for assassination missions. However, against the Divine Robe Guard leading the Red Cavalry, only Bird’s Beak’s massive bone-devouring eagle and Wasp’s *Bee Control Spell* would be highly effective.
Thus, the Four Demon Nether Envoys decided to have Leopard’s Tail and Fish’s Gills distract him head-on, while Bird’s Beak and Wasp launched a surprise attack.
But they never expected that Leopard’s Tail and Fish’s Gills wouldn’t even survive a single move...
"This person is definitely heading to Yanzhou. We need a new plan," Wasp said. His voice was equally icy, with only the Underworld’s mission occupying his mind.
Shortly after, Bird’s Beak and Wasp set off on a small path, heading south toward Shandong. As for the two corpses on the official road, no one had cared about them from beginning to end.
Three days later.
The Court had built an official road directly connecting the Capital City and Yanzhou. Chen Xin led the Divine Robe Imperial Guard, whipping their horses to a gallop. They departed from Hejian, passed through Dezhou, and finally arrived at the Yanzhou Prefecture City. Along the way, Chen Xin didn’t forget to gather intelligence at various Posthouses.
The rebellion of Xu Hongru broke out suddenly. Coupled with the prolonged peace in the counties and prefectures, defenses were sparse. With many believers responding from within the counties, Governor Zhao Yan of Shandong was caught completely off guard.
However, he was a calm, perceptive, and strategic man who did not panic in the face of crisis. He ordered all departments to intensify the training of the militia and increase the number of garrison troops at key locations. To stabilize the public’s morale, he declared that only the chief perpetrators would be punished, while followers would be treated with leniency.
He then sent a message to the Divine Robe Gold Order, who was currently sweeping through the White Lotus Sect in Qingzhou Prefecture, and secured his assistance.
Afterward, he dispatched government troops and mobilized the Shandong Divine Robe to support the besieged counties in Southeast Luy. This stopped Xu Hongru from marching toward Juye, Rizhao, and Tan City to support the local Celestial Fragrance Sect’s rebellion.
At the same time, he submitted a recommendation to the Court to reinstate the former General of Datong, Yang Zhaoji, as the General of Shandong. The Court subsequently ordered Yang Zhaoji to take the seal of command and lead Henan’s reinforcement troops to suppress Xu Hongru.
Through this series of well-coordinated maneuvers, Zhao Yan forcefully stopped the situation in Shandong from deteriorating further. As long as Yang Zhaoji arrived with his troops and the Capital City’s Divine Robe reinforcements arrived, everything would turn out fine.
Chen Xin’s group passed through the checkpoint inspections and went straight into the military camp. The hundred-odd Red Cavalry troops rested on the spot, while Chen Xin was invited into the tent for a detailed discussion.
Chen Xin walked through the murderous main camp and entered the large tent. The moment he stepped inside, a strong smell of medicinal herbs hit him.
He thought to himself, "Oh no... could the Governor be injured?"
Inside the tent.
He saw an old man in official robes, wrapped in bandages, leaning against a chair and reviewing intelligence reports submitted by Wind-Catching Secret Agents from all over Shandong. On the edge of the desk sat a half-full bowl of black medicinal broth.
Behind the old man was a map of Shandong, densely marked with the rebel situation of the Celestial Fragrance Sect in various regions.
Sitting beside the desk was a Divine Robe Guard wearing a Flying Fish Robe, with a Golden Kui Dragon Pattern Token hanging from his waist. His aura was imposing, his Inner Strength condensed but unreleased, exuding the unshakeable presence of a Grandmaster.
As soon as Chen Xin entered the tent, both men looked up.
"Divine Robe Copper Order Chen Xin greets the two Lords," Chen Xin cupped his hands and bowed. One was a Court Governor, and the other was a Divine Robe Gold Order; both were his superiors.
"Chen Copper Order, you’ve worked hard leading the Divine Robe Imperial Guard from afar to reinforce us... Cough, cough. Many officers in the camp have been harassed by Celestial Fragrance experts. With the Shandong Divine Robe being scarce, we were lacking the strength to defend ourselves. Now that we have your unit, the soldiers can rest easy," Governor Zhao Yan spoke slowly, his voice weak and lacking energy.
The Divine Robe Gold Order sitting beside him revealed a worried expression upon hearing this. "Governor Zhao, you were assassinated by despicable thieves and suffered injuries to your heart and lungs. Since your severe injuries haven’t healed, please drink the medicinal broth and rest to recover your health."
"It’s just a minor injury. Quelling the Demon Thieves is an urgent matter that cannot be delayed. What’s more, Medical Saint Wan’s esteemed disciple, Mr. Bai Shu of the Medicine King Sect, is arriving soon." Zhao Yan’s tone was steady, making it sound as if his wounds were genuinely minor.
The Divine Robe Gold Order’s expression was grave. "According to the Wind Catcher intelligence, Mr. Bai Shu has been blocked in Luoyang by the White Lotus Sect’s Iron-Handed Demon and Joyful Demon. I have already sent Liu Silver Order to receive him, but it will take quite a few more days before Mr. Bai Shu can arrive."
"It doesn’t matter," Zhao Yan said, his expression unchanged. "The military Physician can still suppress the injuries for now."
"If only the Life Creation Pill was still here..." the Divine Robe Gold Order sighed softly.
"Wen Yin fought to the death in Teng County, defending the land and protecting the people without retreating a single step. When he was rescued by the Divine Robe, he was still murmuring about his failure to hold the city and how he had let down the Teng people. How could I be stingy with a single pill to save his life?
"If everyone fled without a fight like Zheng Yijie from Zou County, what use would it be even if we had countless Life Creation Pills!"
Though Zhao Yan’s voice remained weak, it was filled with awe-inspiring righteousness.
The Gold Order Divine Robe wanted to say more, but Zhao Yan waved his hand.
"Leng Gold Order, let’s not talk about this. How can we neglect Chen Copper Order, who rode day and night to get here? Men, bring a seat."
Soon, a Personal Guard placed a chair in front of the desk. Chen Xin took the opportunity to sit down.
"I am Zhao Yan, the Right Assistant Imperial Censor and Governor of Shandong." Zhao Yan then looked at the man on his left and added, "This is the Divine Robe Traveling Gold Order, Leng Lianfeng."
Leng Lianfeng cupped his hands. "Chen Copper Order’s miraculous intervention to shatter the Celestial Fragrance Sect in the Capital City is something both Governor Zhao and I have heard about."
Chen Xin returned the greeting politely, though this name... reminded him of someone familiar.
Sure enough, Leng Lianfeng continued, "My younger brother, Lianyun, serves as a Wind-Catching Secret Agent in the Capital City. He was exceptionally impressed by your destruction of the Celestial Fragrance Sect, Chen Copper Order. He even sent me an urgent letter overnight to tell me about it. Seeing you today, you truly live up to your extraordinary reputation."
A sharp glint flashed in Leng Lianfeng’s eyes, taking in Chen Xin’s entire state with a single glance.
These were not empty pleasantries. Even though the Chen Copper Order before him was only at the Outer Realm Level, his aura was powerful, his Inner Strength perfectly rounded, and his spirit harmonized with the world. Various signs indicated that he had reached a state of constantly interacting with the heavens and the earth.
Moreover, his Inner Strength Daoist Technique flowed naturally, its Purity absolute. It was not in the least bit inferior to the Mount Tai Sect’s Internal Power, the *Earth God Skill*, which Leng Lianfeng himself practiced.
"With such a talented hero aiding us, why worry about failing to destroy the Demon Thieves?" Hearing Leng Lianfeng’s words, Zhao Yan laughed aloud and said, "Chen Copper Order, look at this map. Xu Hongru is leading his forces to attack Qufu and Xia Town. There might be believers hiding within Qufu City, and the defending troops in Xia Town don’t have any experts holding the fort..."
Before Zhao Yan could finish his sentence, his expression changed, and he suddenly began to cough violently.
"COUGH COUGH COUGH!!!"
Fresh blood dripped down, blossoming like plum petals.
Zhao Yan swayed and fainted on the spot.
"Quick, call the military physician!"
Leng Lianfeng’s pupils shrank to pinpricks, his face pale with shock. He supported Zhao Yan with one hand and pressed the other against his back. "Governor Zhao?! Governor Zhao?!"
Earth Internal Power, embodying great virtue to carry all things.
It was fundamentally not a Healing Martial Art. Leng Lianfeng could only barely suppress Zhao Yan’s internal injuries, hoping to keep him breathing. However, it was of little use, and Zhao Yan’s aura grew increasingly weak.
The Personal Guard quickly sprinted out of the tent to find the military physician, not daring to delay for even a moment.
Seeing this, Chen Xin’s eyes flickered. Governor Zhao was suffering from a relapse of his old injuries. If not treated in time, his life would be in danger. But... he couldn’t die. Governor Zhao was Shandong’s Stabilizing Needle. If he died, the various prefectures and counties of Shandong would be left leaderless. With reinforcements yet to arrive, the rebellion that had just been suppressed would flare up again.
He thought to himself, "I have to save him."
Leng Lianfeng was burning with anxiety when suddenly, another hand rested on Zhao Yan’s back.
"Don’t do it, Chen Xin. Governor Zhao has never practiced Martial Arts. His body can only endure the circulation of one type of Inner Strength at most. I know you’re eager to help..." In his panic, Leng Lianfeng addressed him directly by his first name.
"Yes," Chen Xin nodded. "You’re right, which is why you’re the one who needs to stop.
"Lord Zhao has never practiced Martial Arts. Therefore, Lord Leng, you must withdraw your Inner Strength so that I can channel mine."
"You—" Leng Lianfeng only managed to say a single word before Chen Xin cut him off.
"The Inner Power I practice specializes in healing."
"Alright." Leng Lianfeng instantly changed his tune. He was a decisive man who knew that his Inner Strength was of little use, so he had no choice but to trust Chen Xin.
Leng Lianfeng manipulated his energy, withdrawing the heavy Inner Strength from Zhao Yan’s body.
At the same time, Chen Xin’s Divine Illumination Internal Power surged into Zhao Yan.
As soon as it entered, Chen Xin immediately realized how terrible Zhao Yan’s condition was. It was completely riddled with holes. Just from looking at Zhao Yan’s injuries, Chen Xin could deduce exactly how he had been wounded.
The assassin had used a Mechanical Awl, stabbing it in from the front, right under the ribs, piercing his lung. Immediately after, the Mechanism at the tip of the awl detonated, scattering seventy-two needles of vital energy that punctured Zhao Yan’s lungs, trachea, esophagus, stomach, heart, and numerous other organs.
One could only say that as expected of a High Martial World, Zhao Yan must have taken a Healing Medicine with a Grade lower than the Life Creation Pill, forcefully using its medicinal efficacy to repair the damage and hold onto his life.
If Zhao Yan had been able to just lie in bed and rest after the incident, he might have been able to wait until Mr. Bai Shu arrived to fully heal his injuries.
But what Chen Xin saw was that the medicinal power repairing the damage in Zhao Yan’s body had been completely overdrawn. Since being assassinated, this Lord Governor hadn’t had a single day of adequate rest; he was still dedicating all his efforts to wiping out the thieves and calming the populace.
"It’s fine..." Chen Xin whispered to himself.
As long as he wasn’t dead, the Divine Illumination Skill could save him. This was the confidence that the Divine Illumination Skill gave Chen Xin.
"Stand Guardian for me."
After speaking, Chen Xin closed his eyes.
He focused on manipulating the Divine Illumination Internal Power that had entered Zhao Yan’s body, splitting it into multiple streams that surged toward the injured organs.
As the minutes ticked by, Leng Lianfeng could clearly feel Zhao Yan’s condition improving. His expression gradually grew less tense. Instead, he glanced at Chen Xin and thought, "What an incredibly powerful Healing Martial Art. What inheritance is this? The Medicine King Sect’s *Qingnang Scripture* and the Hundred Herbs Sect’s *Suwen Chapter* are probably no better than this."
CLATTER CLATTER CLATTER!!!
Outside the tent, the armor-clad Personal Guard rushed over with a physician.
Leng Lianfeng lightly stomped his foot. His Earth Internal Power seeped into the ground, raising a stone wall in front of the Personal Guard to block their path, and he transmitted his voice to explain the situation.
Upon hearing the news, the Personal Guard was both shocked and delighted, and stopped in place to wait.
After a while.
Zhao Yan’s breathing gradually returned to normal. His chest rose and fell as if he were asleep.
Leng Lianfeng stared at this scene in a daze, recalling the urgent letter his younger brother had sent.
Having finished healing the injuries, Chen Xin slowly opened his eyes. However, seeing only Leng Lianfeng there, he couldn’t help but ask, "Where’s the military physician? Why isn’t he here yet? Although I’ve healed his injuries, Governor Zhao’s body is still extremely weak. He needs recuperation and nourishment."
Leng Lianfeng awkwardly removed the stone wall.
The military physician and the Personal Guard immediately entered the tent. Chen Xin stepped aside, and the military physician hurried over to check on Zhao Yan’s condition.
"This is truly unbelievable... Did Lord Governor swallow a Life Creation Pill?"
After a simple examination, the military physician continuously exclaimed in amazement. Besides the Life Creation Pill, he couldn’t think of anything else that could heal Zhao Yan in such a short time.
"However, Lord Governor still needs rest. I’ll write a prescription; get the herbs according to this..."
Hearing this, everyone present breathed a sigh of relief.
Chen Xin softly exhaled. The Inner Strength he had just consumed was replenished after a few Circulations.
Since it was his first time healing someone else, he lacked experience. It had taken quite a long time, and he had wasted a lot of effort. If there was a next time, Chen Xin was confident he could heal someone within three minutes.
"Chen Copper Order, thank you so much for stepping up to help this time. Governor Zhao and I will definitely request a reward for you," Leng Lianfeng transmitted his voice.
Chen Xin was taken aback and was about to refuse, because exposing the Divine Illumination Skill might cause unexpected trouble, and it would be difficult for him to explain its origins.
"Don’t worry, I understand. Chen Copper Order sacrificed your own interests for the greater good, enduring the pain of parting with your Life Creation Pill to treat Governor Zhao."
This voice transmission left Chen Xin not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
He looked at Leng Lianfeng, only to find the other man looking perfectly composed and natural, as if he hadn’t been the one transmitting the message just now.