Chapter 484: Inspection Tour

Chapter 484: Chapter 484: Inspection Tour

The Sword Emperor’s Tomb was a place that Wang Jian remembered all too well. It was there that he truly witnessed the savagery and ruthlessness of sect cultivators, and it was also where he gained a lot of benefits.

One such benefit was absorbing a golden, humanoid soul energy. Later, he relied on these soul energies to push his cultivation higher and higher through the transformation of the Black Beast Tattoo. At the same time, Wang Jian hadn’t forgotten that it was right after devouring that golden humanoid soul energy that one little claw on the Black Beast Tattoo changed from black to pale gold.

To put it simply, today’s trouble caused by the Black Beast Tattoo jumping out was precisely because of that golden humanoid soul energy.

But... Wang Jian had only encountered that kind of golden humanoid soul energy inside those Cloud Swords. This was telling him to go into the Sword Emperor’s Tomb!

Getting in was doable. Others only knew the Sword Emperor’s Tomb was sealed, but after the Black Beast Tattoo absorbed a fair amount of that golden soul energy, Wang Jian could somewhat ignore the Tomb’s barrier. He’d tested this himself after the sealing of the Sword Emperor’s Tomb.

However, the thought of all those countless Tomb Beasts inside, along with the varying depths and sizes of Cloud Swords squeezed together in the cramped burial chamber, made Wang Jian’s scalp tingle.

Is there any guarantee I won’t just die there on the spot?

After this little episode, the sky outside was already bright. Wang Jian, feeling a bit exhausted, rose from his Puduan, pushed open the study door, and called for Xia Nu to fetch water for his bath. He wanted to clean up, refresh himself a bit.

Cool water poured over his head, the icy sensation made Wang Jian shiver, but he felt his mind become clearer.

Now, choose one of two evils. Either stubbornly refuse the Black Beast Tattoo, not help it find food, endure its occasional disruptions, and accept the loss of cultivation "support"—as well as perform an "out of inspiration" act to cover his tracks.

Or, head to the Sword Emperor’s Tomb and help appease the Black Beast Tattoo’s craving.

Two options. Wang Jian didn’t spend long weighing them and still went with the second.

The first option was an endless bother—and who knows whether he’d eventually be overrun by "hunger" and turn into a monster. The second looked dangerous, but at least there was room to maneuver. If the Sword Emperor’s Tomb turned out to be too risky, Wang Jian could always pull the "Look, I went in, but it’s too hard, couldn’t get what you wanted, maybe try again when my cultivation’s higher" excuse and bargain with the Black Beast Tattoo. There was an out.

After bathing, Wang Jian downed three bowls of sour broth noodles to steady his stomach. He’d spent most of last night wrestling with the Black Beast Tattoo, so he was ravenous.

"Master, Ms. Xin’Er said there are new fabrics at her shop today, and she wants me to go take a look. Do you think it’s okay?" Xia Nu didn’t dare go out alone recently; the streets had been unsettled, especially toward the Barbarian Race people. Word was the south would soon be at war with them. Xia Nu had heard the news, and with Wang Jian’s earlier warning, now she never left home without his permission.

"Lin Xin’Er? That woman’s got impure motives. Best not to hang around her."

"Huh? Oh! Got it. Then I won’t go." Xia Nu didn’t question Wang Jian, whatever he said was law. As for whether Lin Xin’Er truly had impure motives, she didn’t see any reason to bother thinking about it.

"If you want to stroll, take the guards. Bring Xiaoma too. Stay away from crowded places." Wang Jian was very pleased with Xia Nu’s response. If Xia Nu had asked "Why?", he’d have to explain—and regarding Lin Xin’Er, Wang Jian definitely wasn’t in the mood to elaborate. The day she showed up with the Qin Family, he’d already marked her as a "passerby."

If someone would set aside past hurts for the sake of business and deal with people who’d harmed herself and her friends, that says a lot about her character—who’s to say she wouldn’t just flip and sell her friends for profit some day?

Don’t tell me you just didn’t know ahead of time—with a shop this big and such hefty business, not knowing the background of who comes to you? Wang Jian simply didn’t buy it.

"Understood, Master." Xia Nu answered, helping Wang Jian hang up the Yanji Saber, then saw him out the door.

...

Unlike in June, after July rolled around, life in the Black Banner Battalion went from endlessly busy to relaxed. Even Wang Yiming, who usually liked looking for trouble, would idle away at the small parade ground, drilling combined attack skills with the squad below.

The real busy one was Wang Jian, juggling coordination on the Black Water Plan. Now that he’d found a new goal, he tightened his own schedule again.

Wang Jian himself had nothing much going on. After dealing with today’s paperwork from below, he sent an order to the Black Banner Battalion Commander at Tu Kui City—no, actually the Trial Hundred Households Liu Kuan now—telling him that he’d be coming down in the afternoon for a visit, just giving a heads-up.

The order reached Liu Kuan an hour later in Tu Kui City. He was startled, quickly gathered his key men, and did a rapid self-check on all places that could have problems. His heart was uneasy, not understanding why Wang Jian was suddenly coming to their place. Coming for a visit? Can’t you just not come?

Liu Kuan had been disciplined by Lord Shen before, and now that Lord Shen’s prestige was even greater, how could he not be anxious?

Inside and out, they tidied things up, making sure there were no issues. Then Liu Kuan led his people to wait outside the Teleportation Array at Tu Kui City. Even though Wang Jian hadn’t said what hour he’d arrive, Liu Kuan just waited—the appearances had to be put on.

Just past 3 p.m., the special channel of the Teleportation Array shimmered, Liu Kuan’s spirit lifted—this must be the boss! He notified his subordinates accompanying him to sharpen up, plastering the widest smile on his face.

Sure enough, after the flicker, a small group came out of the Teleportation Array, the leader being Wang Jian.

"Subordinate greets Lord Thousand Households!"

Deputy Thousand Households was still Thousand Households; now Wang Jian’s new post was Deputy Thousand Households of the Black Banner Battalion in Fengri City. This was a big position within Fengri City. Let alone here at Tu Kui City—when Liu Kuan dropped to a knee shouting, the crowd around the Array scattered fast. Xuanqing Guard’s Thousand Households? Too hot to handle, best stay clear.

"Let’s go, to your station." Wang Jian wasn’t one for empty formalities. Some liked to smile and bow, only to stab you in the back when you turned around. Wang Jian preferred to take his time getting to know someone; after enough time, you’d truly see who they were. This way was more trouble than playing with ceremony or face, but it was accurate.

Expressionless, Wang Jian strode past Liu Kuan, clearly not giving him any face, but it wasn’t that he disliked him. On the contrary, Wang Jian knew Liu Kuan well—in fact, a cold face was exactly how to deal with a guy of his slippery nature. Can’t give him too much face, just keep him slightly afraid and he’ll be careful in everything.

Arriving at the station, Wang Jian didn’t bother with pleasantries, first checking Tu Kui City Black Banner Battalion’s records and archives, then listening to Liu Kuan’s report of his duties—a full on-the-spot inspection.