From the fusion of Tongbei Quan to the Longevity Martial Saint

The temporary encampment of the Salt Patrol Guard of the Five Cities of Yancheng.

Inside the tent, the lights were dim. Gu Changyuan sat upright behind a large elm wood table, his brows furrowed, his gaze fixed intently on the few thin pages of intelligence paper in his hand.

The flame of the oil lamp swayed gently with the occasional night breeze that swept past outside the tent, casting his long, distorted shadow onto the tent wall behind him.

After a long while, he slowly raised his head, using the flickering, unsteady light, and turned to the figure that had been standing quietly in the depths of the shadows inside the tent, seemingly blending into the darkness.

That was his most secretive pawn planted within the salt bandits.

A scout from the Salt Patrol Guard was also a spy.

"Those salt bandits at Tiger Beach were indeed hiding a big fish behind them."

Gu Changyuan's voice was deep and clear, especially in the quiet tent.

The figure in the shadows shifted slightly, but was still not fully exposed to the light. Only a vague outline could be seen, the face indistinct, as if deliberately obscured by the swaying light and shadow.

After a few breaths, the hidden stakeout finally spoke, his voice hoarse and dry, like two rough stones rubbing against each other:

"After observing the bandit king for more than half a year, I found that although the Tiger Beach gang was rampant, its dispatch, supply and even the channels for selling stolen goods were unusually smooth and covert."

"The bandit king is as cunning as a fox. He is well-versed in the principle of having multiple burrows and never puts all his eggs in one basket."

"The salt bandits of Tiger Beach are probably... just a discarded pawn pushed into the open. Their true trump card and key points must be hidden elsewhere."

Upon hearing this, Gu Changyuan's already furrowed brows deepened. He slowly nodded, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the table, producing a dull "tap-tap" sound. "These salt bandits are more complex than we imagined. Behind many of them, there are likely powerful families secretly supporting them, providing protection, and even sharing in the profits."

"The allure of salt is irresistible..."

As he spoke, he held the few pages of intelligence he was holding close to the flame of the oil lamp.

The orange flames greedily licked the edges of the paper, spreading rapidly and engulfing the ink-stained characters, turning them into curled, charred ashes, and finally into wisps of smoke that dissipated into the stifling air of the tent. Only when the last corner had turned to ash did Gu Changyuan withdraw his hand, his gaze returning to the shadowy area.

"Your identity is special and of great value; you must not be exposed now. All actions must prioritize your own safety. Continue to lie low and find out the true backer and support of that bandit king."

The hidden stake in the shadows merely nodded slightly, the movement so subtle it was almost imperceptible.

Immediately afterwards, the sound of sand and gravel rubbing together rang out again, this time a few minutes faster:

"Someone is approaching, ten paces away. The footsteps are steady and powerful; they're the standard military boots of the salt patrol. I'm going back!"

Before he could finish speaking, Gu Changyuan's pupils suddenly contracted. He hadn't even fully heard the commotion outside the tent when the dark corner in front of him, where there had been a figure standing, was now empty, with only the flickering shadow cast by the oil lamp remaining.

That person's movement technique has become so fast; his skills in concealment and swift attack have clearly improved!

Gu Changyuan couldn't help but sigh softly, his tone complex:

"Your cultivation has improved so much that even I can hardly match it."

The sighs still echoed in the tent when, a moment later, a clear and respectful knock came from outside the door.

"My lord, Ding Mingcheng, the Copper Guard, requests an audience."

Gu Changyuan quickly composed himself, brushed the few remaining ashes from the burned intelligence report onto his palm, poured them into an inconspicuous earthenware jar at the foot of the table, and then casually pushed the jar into the shadows before speaking in a deep voice:

"Come in."

The curtains were lifted, letting in a cool night breeze.

Ding Mingcheng strode in. He was lean and capable, with sharp eyes. He carried a waist knife and moved with the agility characteristic of the Salt Patrol Guard.

He walked straight to Gu Changyuan's side, bent down, lowered his voice, and whispered a few words quickly.

As Ding Mingcheng narrated, Gu Changyuan's originally calm gaze gradually brightened, like a piece of charcoal being stirred, until it finally revealed a captivating brilliance.

"Are you sure? Fang Qing has officially left the Shanhe Boxing Academy and has no further connection with it?"

Gu Changyuan's voice carried a hint of barely perceptible urgency.

Ding Mingcheng nodded emphatically, his tone certain: "Absolutely true! I have personally confirmed it; Fang Qing is now a free man."

"Good! Good! Good!"

Gu Changyuan said "good" three times in succession, stroking his stiff stubble, an uncontrollable, deep smile spreading across his face. The smile gradually widened, finally turning into a slightly mocking whisper:

"Zheng Shanhe, you've been shrewd and cunning your whole life, maneuvering among various factions with a seldom-failing skill. Who would have thought that, in the end, you would personally release Fang Qing, this unpolished gem, from your Shanhe Boxing Academy? This is probably... the biggest mistake you've ever made!"

The more Gu Changyuan recalled his limited interactions with Fang Qing, the more he could feel the almost extraordinary potential hidden within this young man.

A calm demeanor, keen intuition, a solid foundation, and a decisiveness and ruthlessness beyond his years.

Now that Fang Qing has broken free from the shackles of the boxing academy, it is like a dragon breaking free from shallow waters or a tiger returning to the mountains. It is a time when the sea is wide enough for fish to leap and the sky is high enough for birds to fly.

Now, what Gu Changyuan needs to do is to firmly bind this dragon to the Salt Patrol Guard warship before it can fully take flight!

He turned abruptly, his gaze fixed intently on Ding Mingcheng, his tone resolute:

"Go find Fang Qing immediately. I will personally arrange a spot for him in the martial arts examination so he doesn't have to worry about it. He just needs to stay in the Salt Patrol Guard's reserve camp and focus on preparing for the examination! The Salt Patrol Guard can provide all the necessary resources, as long as they are not excessive!"

Upon hearing this, Ding Mingcheng's eyes also flashed with a sharp light.

The martial arts culture flourished in the Great Qian Dynasty, and every year, elite disciples from martial arts schools and academies across the country participated in the martial arts examinations, making the competition extremely fierce.

The allocation of military examination slots has always been closely linked to the candidates' backgrounds.

If Fang Qing took the exam as a "preparatory candidate for the Salt Patrol Guard", then no matter what ranking he ultimately achieved, the "Salt Patrol Guard" mark would already be on him.

At that time, even if he passes the military examination with flying colors, other forces such as the Five Cities Garrison, the Ministry of Justice, and even the Ministry of War will have to consider the constraints that this identity brings if they want to recruit him.

Gu Changyuan's move can be described as foresight, directly defining most of Fang Qing's possible future destinations.

If Lord Gu can really get that precious spot, Fang Qing will almost certainly become "one of us"!

"Understood! I'll take care of it right away!"

Ding Mingcheng was filled with excitement. He immediately bowed respectfully to Gu Changyuan, said no more, turned around with his waist knife at his side, and strode out of the curtain, quickly disappearing into the thick night outside. He headed straight for the reserve camp to deliver this crucial message.

Silence returned to the tent. Gu Changyuan took a deep breath to calm his turbulent emotions, then raised his voice and shouted:

"Someone come here!"

An armored guard on duty outside the tent responded and entered, his armor clanging.

"What are your orders, sir?"

"Go to the pigeon loft immediately and retrieve the pair of 'black-feathered carrier pigeons' used to contact Lord Lin, the Salt Commissioner of Yangzhou. Be quick!"

……