Chapter 1630: Departure and Journey

Li Yan and the others remained vigilant. Although they were fairly certain of the man’s identity, their duty required them to verify it before allowing him inside. Seeing the green token, Li Yan quickly performed a hand seal. A dark light shot from his hand and struck the array. A red mist then erupted from the formation, enveloping the green token.

After a moment, Li Yan and the others bowed again. “We pay our respects to General Zhao!”

Inside the array, Zhao Haiyang stood on the wall, listening to Li Yan’s report. His eyes flickered with surprise. He hadn’t expected these two Spirit Transformation experts to be so cunning and bold. Knowing that the Mocha Palace might deploy a Void Refining expert, they had still used themselves as bait to lure the enemy into a trap.

By the time Li Yan finished, Zhao Haiyang’s admiration had grown.

“You’ve just arrived at the Beacon Tower and already dealt the Mocha Palace such a heavy blow. Three Spirit Transformation experts… Mu Guyue’s combat prowess is truly impressive, and Li Yan, your planning is impeccable. While this isn’t a ‘great’ contribution, it is certainly no small feat. I will report this to the higher-ups. Your Southern Fangs Beacon Tower will be credited with a military achievement, and rewards will follow soon.”

Zhao Haiyang’s words brought a look of joy to the faces of the four Nascent Soul cultivators. They knew the area better than Li Yan and Mu Guyue; if a Vice-General personally promised rewards, they would be substantial. This man was clearly the expert overseeing the current rotation, and his personal acknowledgment of their feat was invaluable.

‘It seems following these two was the right choice!’ they thought. But they didn’t dare send voice transmissions in front of Zhao Haiyang, who could likely intercept them without even trying. They stood respectfully, trying to hide their excitement.

Li Yan and Mu Guyue, however, remained composed. This surprised Zhao Haiyang, though he didn’t ask why. After a moment of thought, he waved a hand at the four Nascent Soul cultivators.

“Take your men and inspect the array. Make sure there are no hidden damages from the battle.”

The four were quick-witted and understood that the General wanted to speak with Li Yan and Mu Guyue alone. They bowed and left immediately. Once they were gone, Zhao Haiyang turned his attention back to the pair.

“Which sect are you from?”

“The Broken Army Sect, a subordinate of the Pure Yang Hall,” Li Yan replied. He didn’t know why the General had kept them, but he answered truthfully.

“Oh? So you truly are from the same sect. The Broken Army Sect… I believe I’ve heard of it. A newly-promoted third-rate sect… wait, that doesn’t seem right. Why were you sent here so soon after your promotion?”

As an elder of a second-rate sect, Zhao Haiyang kept track of the power shifts among the third-rate sects. He remembered the Broken Army Sect had only recently gained its status and should still be under the protection of the Moji Dao Sect.

“General Zhao, we requested this assignment ourselves,” Li Yan answered.

Zhao Haiyang immediately understood. This wasn’t the first time such a thing had happened in Ghost-Severing City. Either the sect was very powerful and didn’t mind starting their rotation early to get it over with, or the cultivators wanted to temper themselves in battle and earn rewards.

“From your description of the battle, it’s clear you are both well-versed in military tactics. Mu Guyue, you are a Demon. But in our Northern Shepherd Realm, the Demon Race is not common, and they certainly aren’t found in the Far West. Since you come from a subordinate sect, are you perhaps from a lower realm?”

Zhao Haiyang was experienced. Based on their tactics and his questions, he had already deduced their background.

“I am indeed from a lower realm,” Mu Guyue replied, her slender figure leaning forward slightly. Even in armor, the grace of her movement was apparent. Zhao Haiyang’s eyes flickered with interest again.

“Li Yan, have you also served in an army?” he asked.

“General, I have had some experience in that regard,” Li Yan replied vaguely. He wasn’t about to volunteer the information that he was an ascended cultivator unless asked directly.

Zhao Haiyang nodded, a smile appearing on his face. “Hehehe… it would be a waste to keep two such experienced individuals here at a Beacon Tower. While the war here isn’t as intense as in the north, the constant scouting and infiltration make it a different kind of battlefield. Using you as mere soldiers is a waste of your talents. You could be far more effective elsewhere. Would you be interested in joining my Wind Messenger Battalion? You could accumulate military contributions much faster there. It would be better for both your sect and yourselves.”

This offer came as a surprise to both Li Yan and Mu Guyue. They exchanged a quick glance, and Li Yan looked up with a confused expression. “General Zhao, you want us to join the Wind Messenger Battalion?”

“Indeed. With your talents, you shouldn’t be wasting your time guarding a Beacon Tower,” Zhao Haiyang said.

Li Yan was inwardly delighted, but he didn’t let it show. Mu Guyue felt the same, though her aloof nature made it impossible for her to look surprised. Zhao Haiyang was slightly taken aback by their lack of visible joy. The Wind Messenger Battalion had a high casualty rate, but it was far better than a Beacon Tower, offering more contributions and resources. Furthermore, there were many roles within the battalion that didn’t involve combat, such as coordinating resources or analyzing intelligence.

Li Yan’s mind raced. His primary goal in coming to Ghost-Severing City was to get into the Wind Messenger Battalion so he could go on missions. But they had been assigned to the Beacon Tower, and they couldn’t just leave their post. If they went to Ghost Sound City and something went wrong, it would bring disaster to the Broken Army Sect.

Thus, they had planned to wait for their rotation to end before looking for an opportunity. Seeing them hesitate, Zhao Haiyang didn’t push. In reality, he only wanted Mu Guyue. He would have been happy to leave Li Yan at the tower.

But he had been in the city long enough to know how complex the politics were. He was just a Vice-General in one of the armies. While he was high above Li Yan and Mu Guyue, he was just another piece on the board for the major powers. These two were from the Pure Yang Hall. If he tried to recruit them without a good reason, and they felt something was wrong, they could appeal to the Pure Yang Hall’s Elders. The Elders would then investigate why a Vice-General was personally poaching their subordinates.

This was a power granted to the second-rate sects to prevent others from deliberately weakening their forces. This was why Li Yan’s tower was garrisoned only by his own sect and Moji Dao Sect cultivators—to keep the unit “pure.”

Zhao Haiyang, being experienced, had asked about their background first. Since they were from the same sect, he couldn’t just take Mu Guyue. They likely wouldn’t agree to be separated. If he forced it, he would draw unwanted attention.

After ten seconds, seeing they still had no reaction, Zhao Haiyang frowned, thinking he would have to find another way. But then Li Yan spoke.

“General Zhao, we’ve only just arrived at the Southern Fangs. Can we truly be transferred so soon?”

“Oh? That’s all you’re worried about? It’s fine. As long as you don’t object and I approve the request, it’s done. Your performance today will be reported soon. Experienced veterans like yourselves should be put to better use.”

Two weeks later, as the rewards for the Southern Fangs were being distributed, three new Spirit Transformation experts arrived to take over the tower. All three were at the mid-stage or higher. The four Nascent Soul cultivators and the forty-odd Golden Core soldiers looked at the departing pair with a sense of loss.

Over the past two weeks, the Mocha Palace had launched several fierce attacks in retaliation for their losses. The garrison had fought nine skirmishes. While they had lost five Golden Core soldiers, they had killed far more of the enemy’s Golden Core and Nascent Soul cultivators. Not a single Spirit Transformation expert had fallen.

This was all thanks to the leadership of the two from the Broken Army Sect. Li Yan and Mu Guyue had led every battle, personally intercepting the most dangerous attacks. This was why their casualties were so low—a rare feat for a Beacon Tower.

Everyone knew that the Mocha Palace’s fury would eventually fade once they realized they weren’t making any progress. Usually, a tower garrison was reinforced with Golden Core soldiers from the massive pool of Moji Dao Sect disciples or the elite disciples of second-rate sects. Casualty rates were always highest for new units.

The squad Li Yan had led was mostly made up of green recruits. Over the past two weeks, they had begun to turn into veterans, and their chances of survival would only improve from here. But they never expected their leaders to be transferred so soon.

The subordinates didn’t say anything, but they felt a deep sense of regret. They had come to respect the pair’s abilities. The Nascent Soul cultivators knew that Li Yan and Mu Guyue were far stronger than initial-stage experts; they could likely hold their own against late-stage experts. More importantly, they respected the pair’s calm in the face of danger. It had turned their fear into courage.

After handing over their duties, Li Yan and Mu Guyue rose into the air.

“Seniors, take care!” the four Nascent Soul cultivators called out from the wall.

“Seniors, take care!” the Golden Core soldiers shouted in unison, bowing deeply.

“Everyone, take care! When we return to the city, we shall drink together!” Li Yan called back with a smile, waving to the crowd below. Mu Guyue merely nodded, but the soldiers knew her temperament and were moved by even that small gesture.

The three incoming Spirit Transformation experts and the new recruits watched with surprise. They knew these soldiers were true Moji Dao Sect disciples. Even though the pair were elders from a minor sect, the disciples had clearly accepted them as their own.

Li Yan and Mu Guyue turned and flew toward the rear, leaving the front lines behind.