Eternal Immortal Dynasty: Starting as a Petty Official

Chapter 107 Ready for Battle (Seeking Monthly Tickets!)

Like a thunderclap, the expressions of everyone in the hall changed drastically in an instant!

"When!"

Wang Cong's hand slipped, and the teacup flew out of his hand, crashing onto the table and rolling several times before coming to a stop.

"Lord Qi!" Before Chen Yuancheng could speak, Zhao Xian suddenly stood up and asked urgently, "What are the casualties among the great cultivators at Zhenyao Pass? Has the demon army already marched eastward?"

"Bo Zhang, don't panic! Let Lord Qi explain in detail!"

Seeing this, Chen Yuancheng immediately spoke solemnly, signaling Zhao Xian not to panic!

"Qiu Zhengyue, a Golden Core cultivator of the Yunlan Sect, was ambushed and severely injured by the combined forces of the demon kings Chiyang, Zhenshan, and Panshan. His whereabouts are unknown!"

"The entire 10,000-strong demon-suppressing army perished in the jaws of the demons. Meanwhile, another Golden Core cultivator, Chu Zhengyu, led the disciples of the Yunlan Sect to break through the encirclement and escaped back to the Yunlan Sect aboard a cloud ship!"

"The demon army has now set up camp at Demon Suppression Pass, and their intentions remain unknown!"

After speaking in one breath, Qi Lian's face also showed a solemn expression.

"Bozhang, Acheng, once you leave this house, you must not reveal this matter to anyone else!"

After pondering for a few moments, Chen Yuancheng looked at Zhao Xian and Zhao Cheng and solemnly gave them instructions.

"I will obey Lord Chen's command!"

Everyone stood up and agreed!

"Yuancheng, you are our support; we still need a solution to this matter!"

Qi Lian looked at Chen Yuancheng and said in a deep voice.

"Bozhang, do you have any plans?"

Seeing Zhao Xian's solemn expression and his lowered eyes as if he were considering something, Qi Lian also turned his head and asked.

"Lord Chen, Lord Qi, Rongtai County, and even Rongjun, borders Yunling, making it the primary battlefield for the Yunling demons' eastward advance!" Zhao Xian glanced at the two men and replied in a deep voice, then turned his gaze to Chen Yuancheng and continued, "The most important strategy now is for Lord Chen to return home immediately!"

"The Chen family has a profound foundation; if the Yunlan Sect makes any moves, we will know as soon as possible!"

"Bo Zhang's words are quite true!" Upon hearing this, Qi Lian's previously dim eyes suddenly lit up with a glimmer of hope as he looked at Chen Yuancheng. "Although I have connections to know the movements of the Yunling demon race, my information network within the Yunlan Sect is not as extensive as that of the Chen family!"

"Since the Demon-Suppressing Pass has fallen into the hands of the demon race, there must be scattered demons roaming the mountains and forests. I beg Lord Chen to immediately issue an order allowing me to return home, recruit Daoist followers, and patrol the villages!"

After speaking, Zhao Xian stood up and bowed to Chen Yuancheng.

"Bo Zhang's words are exactly what I think, so I will follow Bo Zhang's advice!" Chen Yuancheng pondered for a few breaths, then looked at Zhao Xian, nodded slightly, and smiled. He then looked at the others and said, "The Yunlan Sect has more than two Golden Core cultivators. It has a deep foundation and has suppressed the Yunling demon race for thousands of years at the Demon Suppression Pass, making it difficult for them to go east."

"Now that it has fallen into the hands of the demon race, the Yunlan Sect will surely send its disciples to reclaim the Demon Suppression Pass!" Looking at everyone, Chen Yuancheng continued, "Aji, you will stay by Bozhang's side. Acheng and Wang Cong will come home with me. Zhang Wen will stay in the village to assist Lord Cao."

"If anything happens in the village, Bozhang will send Aji to inform Zhang Wen, who will then go to our house to inform him!"

"Lord Qi, the six attendants in the side courtyard will be temporarily entrusted to you. They will be formed into a team with your own attendants. I hope you will train them diligently!"

"I will obey Lord Chen's command!"

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately stood up and agreed in unison.

Then, the group discussed the matter in detail.

A moment later, Zhao Xian and Zhao Ji stepped out of the hall, each leading their horse, and returned home under the cover of night.

On my way home, the bright moon hung high in the sky, its light as white as frost.

On the official road, two riders galloped at full speed.

"Ah Xian, should we tell Grandfather and the others about this?"

On horseback, Zhao Ji gripped the horse's flanks tightly and suddenly asked in a low voice.

"Absolutely not!" Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian immediately looked at Zhao Ji, his face turning solemn. "This matter is of utmost importance; it must not be leaked from our mouths!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ji was slightly taken aback, then suddenly realized what was happening, chuckled, and said nothing more.

After traveling for more than half an hour, the two finally returned to Yangpingli.

The thunderous sound of horses' hooves had already awakened Zhao He, the gatekeeper. He held a long spear and, by the moonlight, peered through the crack in the door at the two riders outside.

"Eleventh Uncle, it's me, Ah Xian!"

Zhao Xian dismounted, then quickly stepped forward, pressed his ear against the door crack, and whispered.

"Ah Xian?!" Zhao Heye exclaimed in surprise as he recognized the figure outside the door, then lowered his voice and asked, "Why are you back again? Didn't you just return home this afternoon?"

"By order of Lord Chen, I will continue to inspect the countryside!" Zhao Xian replied in a low voice upon hearing this. "The person behind me is my elder brother, Zhao Ji!"

"Ah Ji has returned too?" Zhao Hefu exclaimed again, "I'll open the door right now!"

Before long, the inner door opened, and Zhao Xian and his companion led their horses into the inner room. Zhao He then closed the inner door again.

"Eleventh Uncle, a monster is causing trouble in Wohu Township. It has entered the village and devoured several people. You must not be careless these days!"

Zhao Xian led his horse forward, looking at Zhao He and speaking solemnly.

Just then, with a creak, another person stepped out of the left-hand chamber. It was Zhao Zhong, the village chief, who was holding a ring knife and looked very wary.

"Fifth Uncle!"

Zhao Xian immediately called out, and Zhao Zhong, taking advantage of the moonlight, carefully examined them and recognized Zhao Xian and Zhao Ji.

"Ah Xian, Ah Ji, why are you two returning home so late?" Zhao Zhong asked疑惑地, not approaching them yet. Seeing their serious expressions, he asked again, "Has something serious happened?"

"Fifth Uncle, monsters are causing trouble in the countryside. Lord Chen ordered us to return home to recruit Daoist followers and patrol the village!" Zhao Xian replied, then patted the bundle on his horse's back. "The command token and the recruitment fee have been given to me!"

"Tomorrow, I will summon my people!"

"The monsters are wreaking havoc; has it really escalated to this dangerous situation?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhong's expression changed slightly. He then approached with his knife and asked in a low voice.

"Who could have predicted this would happen!"

Zhao Xian recalled Qi Lian's words and sighed deeply.

"Fifth Uncle, from this day forward, I fear I will not be able to sleep peacefully every night!"

Zhao Xian bowed to Zhao Zhong and then led his horse forward.

Watching the two brothers disappear into the inner path, Zhao Zhong and Zhao He exchanged a glance and both sighed.

Having lived to such an old age, how could they not know that Zhao Xian must be hiding something from them!

"Ah He, starting tomorrow, you'll be armed with a knife and a gun at all times. Get your neglected martial arts skills back!"

"Fifth brother, I understand!"

The two returned home late at night, which naturally aroused the suspicion of their family members. However, seeing that the two were very tired, they did not ask too many questions, but tidied up the room and let the two go to bed early.

The next morning, Zhao Xian got up early, tidied himself up, and began his morning exercise.

A moment later, Zhao Hong, Zhao Duan, Huang Zhong, and Zhao Bing, several teenagers, emerged from the room one after another, their eyes still heavy with sleep and yawning incessantly.

Seeing a lithe figure practicing martial arts in the courtyard, Zhao Hong, who had stepped out of the house first, was stunned for a moment. He rubbed his eyes hard and exclaimed, "Brother!"

The other three boys were startled by Zhao Hong's exclamation and stared in disbelief at the figure in the courtyard.

"Brother, you just returned to your hometown yesterday, why have you come back again?"

Zhao Hong immediately asked in confusion, and the three teenagers behind him also looked puzzled.

Seeing that Zhao Xian was only focused on practicing his boxing techniques and did not respond, the boys suppressed their doubts, washed up briefly, and then each found a corner in the courtyard to hone their martial arts skills.

Last night, Zhao Xian returned home late at night.

The four had already gone to sleep and were naturally unaware of Zhao Xian's return.

After the morning exercise was over, Zhao Xian gave the four men some pointers on swordsmanship before telling them the reason for his return home.

"The monsters are causing trouble, and this is no small matter. Would you like to continue accompanying me on my patrol of the villages?"

Zhao Xian looked at the four of them and asked with a smile.

"Of course I will go with my elder brother!"

Huang Zhong was the first to respond loudly, followed closely by Zhao Hong and the others, who also shouted loudly.

"good!"

"Let's go eat first!"

After breakfast, Zhao Xian instructed Zhao Hong, Zhao Duan, and Zhao Bing to gather the clansmen at the threshing ground.

He then led Huang Zhong toward the home of his uncle, Zhao Zhi.

Upon seeing Zhao Xian arrive, Zhao Zhi was overjoyed and quickly invited Zhao Xian into the house.

Zhao Xian did not enter the house, but instead pulled Zhao Zhi to a corner.

"Uncle, Ah Xian has a favor to ask!"

"What is it?"

Zhao Zhi was quite surprised to see Zhao Xian ask for a favor.

"Uncle Ji, the demons are causing trouble, and Lord Chen has ordered me to recruit Daoist followers to patrol the countryside." Zhao Xian looked at Zhao Zhi, his face becoming solemn. "I am entangled in many matters and cannot get away. It is not yet time for the major market in the countryside, and the market in Daqingshan is too far away. I would like to ask Uncle Ji to buy some spirit rice and bows and arrows in the countryside."

"If we have talismanic soldiers and talismanic arrows, that would be even safer!"

How much do you want?

Zhao Zhi pondered for a moment, then asked in a low voice.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian immediately smiled, knowing that his uncle's years of business dealings had not been in vain!

"Chen Jun gave me 25,000 coins, recruited 20 Daoist followers, and initially gave each of them 500 coins. The remaining 15,000 coins will all be given to my uncle for his use!"

Zhao Xian looked at Huang Zhong and gestured with his eyes. Huang Zhong immediately took the bamboo basket off his back and placed it next to Zhao Zhi.

They tugged at the cotton cloth covering the bamboo basket, and a bright yellow color caught their eyes.

"good!"

Zhao Zhi glanced at the bright spot and then nodded in response.

Zhao Xian gave Huang Zhong some more detailed instructions before leaving together.

"Why did Ah Xian leave? He didn't even come in and sit down!"

The aunt came out of the house, looked at Zhao Zhi, and asked in confusion.

"What is this?"

Upon noticing the bamboo basket beside Zhao Zhi, his aunt immediately stepped forward and asked.

"Fifteen thousand talisman coins!"

Zhao Zhi said calmly, looking in the direction Zhao Xian had left.

"Oh my, how come there are so many talisman coins!" Auntie said in a low voice, incredulous. "What is Ah Xian trying to do?"

"We're going to do big things!"

More than a hundred people had gathered at the threshing ground, forming a large and lively crowd.

Before long, Zhao Xian and Huang Zhong entered the threshing ground.

"Ah Xian is here~"

"Kuro's here~"

Many clansmen greeted Zhao Xian with smiles upon his arrival.

"Dear uncles and elder brothers, a demonic beast is causing chaos in Wohu Township. I have been ordered by the township head, Lord Chen, to recruit Taoist followers!"

"Requirements include the ability to draw a strong bow and superb martial arts skills! Those selected will receive 500 coins as an initial payment!"

After Zhao Xian finished speaking, Huang Zhong, who was standing to the side, tore off the burlap from the bamboo basket in front of him, picked up the basket, and showed it to everyone.

In an instant, half a basket of bright yellow talisman coins came into the eyes of the Zhao clan members, and their breathing became unconsciously much heavier.

"Ninth Brother, count me in!"

A few breaths later, a loud shout rang out from the crowd!