Chapter 198: City Governor

"That works out perfectly.

"Aren't we heading to Jin next anyway?

"If they assign us some city in northern Jin as our posting, somewhere close to the Heavenbreak Mountain Range—then with this thing in hand—there might actually be something we can do with it."

Everything that had happened so far felt almost excessively fortunate.

Like a dream.

But very quickly—

Zheng Fan realized something was wrong.

"Wait.

"Blind Man, don't rush to seal it yet."

The scene in the light before Zheng Fan changed again.

The wild men who had been kneeling in worship suddenly began going berserk.

The demon beasts went berserk as well.

They appeared to be in the middle of a war.

And it did not look like a war against outsiders.

Because Zheng Fan's current perspective was essentially identical to the Jade Human Token's own perspective within its memory.

If this were an external war the holder of the Jade Human Token should have been charging toward the enemy together with the wild men and demon beasts.

But now, the wild men and demon beasts were charging toward the Jade Human Token itself.

One wild man after another died in battle.

One demon beast after another exploded apart.

Blood mist filled the surroundings.

Wails shook the heavens.

The memory became chaotic.

Like an old VCD player freezing because the disc had been scratched.

Suddenly the scene changed again.

Wild men and demon beasts still surrounded it.

But there were far fewer wild men now.

Every one of them was wounded.

The demon beasts were just as exhausted.

Terrifying wounds covered their bodies.

Once more they seemed to be praying.

But this time there was no reverence in their voices.

Only release.

Then, a black iron gate fell.

The Jade Human Token's vision plunged into complete darkness.

"Master?"

"You can seal it now."

"Understood."

The Blind Man used his mental power to stimulate the formation still remaining on the Jade Human Token.

The formation began operating again.

It forcibly dragged the artifact spirit's consciousness back into the Jade Human Token.

The next instant—

Zheng Fan collapsed onto the ground.

Reality returned.

Unexpectedly, however perhaps because he had not gone through any fighting this time the physical drain was almost negligible.

Apart from a slight soreness and swelling throughout his body he felt no other discomfort.

His mind was not exhausted either.

If anything he felt unusually alert.

The Jade Human Token's effects seemed to operate mainly on the spiritual level.

And all of that had been blocked by the Demon Child using its own strength.

So among all the times Zheng Fan had allowed the Demon Child to possess him this was probably the least painful one yet.

The Blind Man held the Jade Human Token in his hand.

The jade pendant was probably called the Jade Human Token because of the woman carved into it.

But from a jade pendant this small it was difficult to tell exactly how beautiful the woman might have been.

It was only jade, after all.

And it was nothing like a large sculpture.

No matter how skilled the craftsman carving breathtaking beauty into such a tiny surface was extremely difficult.

Besides—

Zheng Fan and the others all came from an age overflowing with beauty filters and editing apps.

Ancient people, when looking at a painting or carving, tended to add things in their imagination filling in the grace and charm for themselves.

Zheng Fan and the others did the opposite.

First remove the face-slimming.

Then remove the filter.

Then remove the skin smoothing...

Still the woman carved on the Jade Human Token seemed to have a slightly chubby face.

Rather cute, actually.

"Blind Man.

"We nearly made a major mistake this time.

"Good thing I didn't rush out and stayed long enough to see more.

"Otherwise, we wouldn't even know how we died."

"What does Master mean?"

"The Jade Human Token may once have been a sacred relic of the wild men and demon beasts of the Heavenbreak Mountain Range.

"But later—something probably happened to whoever possessed it.

"The wild men and demon beasts rose up against that person.

"And in the end—the Jade Human Token was sealed.

"As for why it eventually appeared on Heavenly Tiger Mountain—most likely, who knows how many years ago, Jin troops attacked the wild men, plundered one of their temples or something similar—and dug this thing back out."

The Blind Man frowned slightly.

Clearly, he was somewhat disappointed.

But also relieved.

Otherwise, if they had stupidly taken the Jade Human Token into the Heavenbreak Mountains and tried using it to make friends...

Hiss.

Just imagining the result was enough.

"Want to handle this thing yourself?" Zheng Fan asked.

"Best to seal it away for now.

"With this subordinate's current strength—trying to control it could be dangerous."

The cleverness of truly intelligent people lay in knowing their own limits.

Zheng Fan nodded.

"Then let's put it inside Shatuo Queshi's coffin?"

"Master is wise.

"That would be an extremely appropriate arrangement."

The safest place inside Green Willow Fortress was Shatuo Queshi's coffin.

Placing the object there meant asking Shatuo Queshi to guard it.

There was genuinely no need to worry about thieves.

"We spent an entire night running around.

"Feels like we wasted the effort," Zheng Fan sighed.

"Master.

"Even if this object cannot command the wild men and demon beasts—once Master's strength advances another level and this subordinate recovers another layer of strength—it can still produce far greater effects in this subordinate's hands.

"At the very least—this subordinate's mental power could receive a very obvious amplification through it."

"Fine.

"Let's treat it as finding you a treasure."

The group went to rendezvous with the cavalry waiting farther away.

They publicly announced that the evil object had escaped.

At the same time, someone was dispatched to pass the news to the Secret Intelligence Department personnel in Yinlang Commandery.

A portion of the men remained behind to guard the corpses.

Everyone else returned directly to Green Willow Fortress.

Zuo Jiqian had only just tied up his horse when he saw the Blind Man approaching.

"Mr. Bei."

"Lieutenant Commander Zuo.

"Want to have a chat?"

"This subordinate is no longer a Lieutenant Commander, Mr. Bei."

"You will be again soon enough."

"Many thanks, Mr. Bei!"

"I have a little wine and a few dishes at my place.

"Let's talk."

"How could I refuse?"

Truthfully—

Zheng Fan did not especially like people whose minds worked this quickly.

Such people changed sides easily.

And Zuo Jiqian happened to look a great deal like Lü Bu from the old *Romance of the Three Kingdoms* television series.

That only made Zheng Fan feel even more uneasy.

But there was no helping it.

They were desperately short of capable people right now.

Barbarian soldiers possessed greater loyalty but their limitations were equally obvious.

They genuinely needed men like Zuo Jiqian to help handle affairs.

Fortunately the Blind Man could take responsibility for alternating sweet dates and iron clubs.

Zheng Fan himself did not need to waste much effort.

They were a group of Demon Kings.

Every one of them was deeply scheming.

Surely they would not get turned around and schemed against by someone else.

That would be far too embarrassing.

After ordering Siniang to prepare bathwater—

Zheng Fan took the Jade Human Token in one hand and some wine and dishes in the other.

Then he went alone to the room where Shatuo Queshi rested.

He pushed open the door.

Then closed it behind him.

The temperature inside was clearly several degrees colder than outside.

Zheng Fan could not help shivering.

Coffins.

Corpses.

Things like these usually stirred instinctive fear inside people.

But when the person lying there was someone you knew the fear faded considerably.

Zheng Fan laid out several dishes.

Then filled two cups with wine.

And began chatting with Shatuo Queshi.

He spoke about fighting in Qian.

About how the Yan army had broken through South Gate Pass and annihilated hundreds of thousands of Jin troops in one stroke.

About how Prince Fu's consort genuinely possessed a certain flavor...

Naturally, Shatuo Queshi could not answer.

But he listened very quietly.

Every person possessed a desire to talk.

Yet very few people could find someone truly suitable to confide in.

Some things were not even appropriate to tell Siniang.

Much less the other Demon Kings.

As the conversation continued—

Zheng Fan stood.

Then said, "In a while—once the court's decree arrives—we'll be going to Jin.

"I'll bring you with us.

"Truthfully, I'd feel perfectly safe leaving you here.

"But to be honest—

"I still hope you'll wake up.

"If you wake and want to stay—you'll always be welcome.

"If you want to leave—that's fine too.

"Just come back and visit once in a while.

"There'll always be good wine and good meat waiting.

"I'm only worried that once you become a zombie—you won't like eating dishes anymore.

"Heh."

With that Zheng Fan pushed open the coffin lid.

He placed the Jade Human Token inside.

Then, pushed the lid shut again.

After tidying away the cups, bowls, wine, and dishes—

Zheng Fan left the room.

The following day people from the Secret Intelligence Department arrived and asked several questions.

The Blind Man dealt with them.

The matter seemed to end there.

Or rather even if there were further developments they no longer had anything to do with Green Willow Fortress.

Zheng Fan might still only be a Garrison Commander at present.

But everyone who knew the situation understood that his promotion was merely a matter of time.

People were therefore willing to give him some face.

Peaceful days passed for roughly ten days.

During the daytime—

Zheng Fan trained in martial arts.

Sometimes he sparred with A'Ming.

Sometimes Xue San.

Sometimes Liang Cheng.

It felt almost like visiting a pleasure house and choosing a companion every variety of sparring partner was available.

Unfortunately his realm still did not improve in the slightest.

He constantly felt he lacked only that final kick at the door.

The Demon Kings did not dare pressure him.

They were afraid too much pressure would backfire instead.

Finally on this day a messenger arrived from Nanwang City.

The messenger carried an official Ministry of War document.

It had not come as an imperial decree.

After all, Zheng Fan's rank was not high enough to justify the Yan Emperor personally issuing an inner edict.

If Zheng Fan had been promoted to Commander-in-Chief or something similar that would have been another matter.

When the document was opened every Demon King gathered around.

In the center lay a map of Jin.

Naturally, it could not compare with modern electronic maps.

But for this age it was already quite decent.

"Master.

"Where is it?" Xue San asked impatiently.

"Shengle."

Zheng Fan answered.

Everyone immediately began searching the map for Shengle City.

"Fuck!

"Here it is!"

Xue San's eyes widened as he pointed at one spot on the map.

Shengle City truly appeared on the map.

But its location was somewhat remote.

It stood along the northernmost edge of Jin.

Go any farther north and one would enter the Heavenbreak Mountain Range.

At the same time it sat on the easternmost edge of what had once belonged to the Helian Clan.

In other words, it bordered the Situ Clan.

And Litian City, where the Marquis of Jingnan was stationed had been the Wenren Clan's old stronghold.

Which meant Zheng Fan would be extremely far from the Jingnan Army's main base.

A'Ming smiled.

"Even if the sky is high enough for birds to fly and the sea wide enough for fish to leap—isn't this a little too remote?"

The Situ Clan had not submitted.

Rumors even said they were sharpening their blades and preparing to make moves.

If war erupted—

Shengle City would stand directly in the line of fire.

Liang Cheng, however, said, "This place is good.

"Perfect for training troops.

"And for capturing slaves."

Siniang covered her mouth and laughed.

"I hear there are plenty of hot springs inside the Heavenbreak Mountains."

Compared with the others—

Zheng Fan remained relatively calm.

The place was not especially good.

But no matter what they finally possessed a true home of their own.

Green Willow Fortress was too cramped.

It could only hold troops.

"Oh, right."

Zheng Fan tapped his forehead.

"Nearly forgot.

"Little Sixth sent a letter.

"The Jin Emperor Yu Ciming's returning procession will pass through Yinlang Commandery the day after tomorrow.

"We can catch up and travel with them as part of the escort."

The Blind Man asked, "The Sixth Prince actually managed to arrange it?"

Zheng Fan nodded.

"Mm."

"The Sixth Prince truly doesn't have it easy."

The Sixth Prince and the Yan Emperor practically possessed incompatible destinies as father and son.

Toward the other Princes the Yan Emperor often displayed an indifferent attitude.

For example, when Zheng Fan crippled the Third Prince the Emperor had shown almost no anger.

But toward Little Sixth the Yan Emperor maintained constant surveillance and suppression.

"Yeah.

"His trading houses and businesses were taken over by the Ministry of Revenue after a single imperial decree."

As he spoke—

Zheng Fan himself began laughing.

Then he continued, "He also asked whether I could send him a few thousand taels of silver.

"Apparently the concubines and servants inside his Prince's residence are nearly too expensive to feed."

"Then this subordinate will arrange for people to send silver to Yanjing tomorrow?"

"Why send silver?

"Can silver be eaten?

"Send him several wagons of cornmeal instead.

"Fills the stomach."

(End of Chapter)