Chapter 561: Conveying the Message

Chapter 561: Chapter 561: Conveying the Message

Since it was Pang Ban who gave this as a congratulatory gift, the Qi Suppressing Pill is naturally no ordinary item. It is a rare treasure pill, and among such treasures, it is one of the most uncommon.

Its effect is straightforward: it uses medicinal power to eliminate hidden dangers of an unstable foundation left over during cultivation, solidifying any missed portions of the cultivator’s base. It’s classified as a supportive elixir.

It is said that the refining of Qi Suppressing Pills is extremely difficult, the ingredients are exceedingly rare, and since cultivators tend to be careful about their foundation and seldom leave such hidden dangers, demand for this pill is low, resulting in very few successfully made pills, and even fewer remaining. So it’s a niche elixir— even if you have the spirit stones, you wouldn’t easily buy it.

One might say Pang Ban’s choice of the Qi Suppressing Pill as a gift is "spot on." According to common sense, Shen Hao’s practice speed is now so fast and steady, largely because much of his focus is devoted to strengthening his foundation. With the aid of this pill, wouldn’t Shen Hao’s cultivation speed become even faster?

Truthfully, there were things Pang Ban hadn’t told Jiang Cheng. For instance, regarding the woman capable of "Soul Shadow," Pang Ban had received reports from guards installed near Shen Hao; Jiang Cheng was clearly unaware. Thus, Pang Ban had some confidence regarding Shen Hao’s sudden acceleration in cultivation—he knew why, so his gift carried a sense of certainty that Shen Hao needed it.

Unfortunately, Pang Ban hadn’t expected Shen Hao would reject it at once.

"I know the Qi Suppressing Pill, but I haven’t earned this reward, and I dare not accept it." Facing Jiang Cheng, Shen Hao spoke frankly—he knew Jiang liked this style, though he also kept careful measure.

Jiang Cheng’s smile turned wry, a flash of appreciation in his eyes, and he joked: "You rascal, don’t be clueless. You dare return a pill bestowed by Lord Pang? Do you want your head or not?"

"That... surely not, right? I’m just worried it’s more than I can handle." Shen Hao wasn’t stupid; he’d dealt with Pang Ban several times—a single word described him: "unpredictable." Would such a man kindly gift him something this valuable just for breaking through a small realm? Unless there was more behind it.

Don’t want to get involved, wants to push it away.

"Take it, don’t try to be slippery." Jiang Cheng naturally understood Shen Hao’s thoughts, but he himself couldn’t defy Pang Ban’s orders—so how could Shen Hao? When an order drops down, even if it means facing death, retreat isn’t an option, and this wasn’t nearly that serious.

Shen Hao, however unwilling, had no choice—he picked up the box and opened it. Inside lay a dark green pill, exuding a faint and pleasant fragrance. The pill was adorned with beautiful and mysterious patterns: pill patterns, which only the finest pills possess.

Undeniably, this was indeed a rare treasure pill. If Shen Hao consumed it, it would hugely benefit his future cultivation, at the very least saving enormous time otherwise spent solidifying his foundation.

"Then I thank you, Lord, for your favor."

Seeing Shen Hao accept the pill, and his eyes truly reflecting reluctance rather than pretense, Jiang Cheng found it amusing. He wanted to tease him a few lines but held back, switching to business: "Lord Pang spoke with me this morning, discussing some changes to your position. I called you here today to relay his instructions."

A "relay" contained far too much unspoken information, making Shen Hao frown.

"I mentioned it to you before, didn’t I? About the Black Banner Battalion’s predicament elsewhere. Remember?"

"I remember."

"This time, Lord Pang stated it clearly. He plans to extract all Black Banner Battalions across the Dynasty from the Xuanqing Guard system, mainly in terms of direct subordination—so they’ll report directly to the Commander’s Office, no longer governed by local Governor’s Offices. But there’s a premise: you will serve as the pilot case, with the trial covering all of Jingxi. First, so you can familiarize yourself, second, to accumulate credentials in preparation for a wider overhaul later.

Isn’t this lifting you up? But limited by your cultivation and the tense state on the southern front, the Xuanqing Guard shouldn’t make any bold moves recently. So action will wait until the situation in the south clears up.

Except these plans no longer fit; now you need to turn your attention southward."

The first part of Jiang Cheng’s words made Shen Hao’s heart race—he hadn’t expected Pang Ban to truly elevate him, intending for him to command all Black Banner Battalions in the Dynasty?! If realized, his power would surely surpass the Governor’s by far. And the pathway was nicely laid out for him, steady and unobtrusive.

Of course, danger and opportunity go hand in hand. On the road to the summit, hardship is inevitable; cutting through thorns is simply part of the job. Shen Hao had never feared this.

But what did Jiang Cheng’s final remark mean?

"Lord, I don’t quite understand—what does the south have to do with me?"

"The previous order from Your Majesty was both a punishment for the civil servants’ wild attack, and a compensation for our Xuanqing Guard. More so, it was a blade to cut away civil authority—meaning, all Military Supervisors in each army will now be bound by another shackle. Our Inspector role in the armies will be redefined: more responsibility to oversee the Military Supervisors. And since the southern border army is currently the most critical spot, that will be the breakthrough. Lord Pang decided, since the old guard in the Xuanqing Guard can’t be relied upon, let you—our most outstanding young man—give it a try.

Do you understand my meaning?"

This... Shen Hao paused, then nodded to signal he understood, though still uneasy, so he asked, "Lord, who will I answer to then? I can’t just walk away from all the affairs here in Fengri City, can I?"

"Hmph, haven’t you been devoted to cultivation lately? Your subordinates have handled your tasks perfectly well—what are you worried about? Since your superiors haven’t yet changed your place of subordination, you still belong to my Jingxi Town Governor’s Office. Otherwise, if you left, would I personally handle all this mess?"

Hearing this, Shen Hao finally relaxed, his smile growing—he clearly sensed that this shift in southern affairs involving the Xuanqing Guard was yet another opportunity for him. Maybe... hiding in the border army amid the protection of troops would be safer than in Fengri City?

The changing expressions on Shen Hao’s face made Jiang Cheng want to laugh and cry—he worried about the youngster, but the boy looked as though he’d struck it rich. Truly, just as Pang Ban said: only the cold or heat knows itself.

But Jiang Cheng still needed to warn him: "Don’t celebrate too early. The head that pops up risks calamity. If you get squeezed out over there and become a joke, how do you think Lord Pang will deal with you? Take it from me—none of the first Inspectors’ Chief Officers are still alive, because they disgraced the Xuanqing Guard.

So, best to think of a strategy in advance, lest I have to beg for your life later."

"Thank you, Lord, for your advice. Please rest assured—I am not unfamiliar with the situation in the south. Owing to the Black Water Plan, we already have many infiltrating scouts there. The moment a formal appointment drops, I am confident I can handle all the monsters and demons in the border army, tidy and well, never letting you lose face!" Shen Hao spoke as he bowed deeply, showing his determination.