Global Games: My Skills Can Be Upgraded Infinitely

Chapter 97 The Longevity Stone Tablet

"Alright, Xiaomeng, come and sit down. You're a trusted confidant I personally promoted, there's no need to be so reserved."

Lu Bing slowly sat down on the grand master's chair in the hall, and the little eunuch next to him immediately poured him a cup of tea.

He spoke so sincerely.

Because of Mo Lan's identity, which is Lan Meng, as an illegitimate son of an earl, she is not qualified to inherit the title.

It was precisely because he was valued by Lu Bing that he was able to stand out among a group of spoiled young masters.

He joined the Embroidered Uniform Guard in less than three months and was promoted from a junior officer to a commander of a thousand men. He was promoted one rank for each case he handled, a speed that could be described as a rocket-like rise to a commander of ten thousand men.

"Thank you, sir."

Mo Lan sat down on the chair next to her.

Lu Bing cut straight to the point: "At today's court meeting, what were your thoughts on Matsudaira Shigeaki from Japan?"

Mo Lan thought for a moment and said, "I think that so-called Fountain of Immortality is nothing but a baseless rumor."

"As for sending troops, the world in Japan is in chaos right now, and there is no need for our Great Ming to waste its strength there."

"Um.

Lu Bing nodded. "The Emperor thinks so too, but there's actually more to the story about that stone slab."

He raised his hand, and a member of the Imperial Guard presented two bronze stone tablets to Mo Lan.

Mo Lan raised an eyebrow slightly: "Two stone slabs?"

Lu Bing said in a deep voice, "The piece on the left was presented by Matsudaira Shigeaki, and the piece on the right was obtained by Emperor Taizu from the Yuan army's treasury in the past."

"The stone slab from Japan only depicts the existence of the Longevity Cave, as well as half of the incomplete map and route."

"Only when the two stone slabs are combined into one can they truly form the map leading to the Cave of Immortality."

As he spoke, Lu Bing pieced them together, and sure enough, the incomplete routes and maps matched up perfectly!

Mo Lan's eyes widened in surprise: "So, this stone slab is very likely something Xu Fu left behind back then?"

Lu Bing said in a deep voice: "Back then, Xu Fu was ordered by the Qin Emperor to go to the East Sea to find the Penglai Immortal Island and the power of immortality."

"Now it seems that he may indeed have found the grotto of immortality in the island nation of Japan and carved it on a bronze slab."

"But whether it's true or false is still uncertain."

Mo Lan narrowed her eyes: "My lord... does the Emperor want to verify the authenticity of the stone tablet?"

Lu Bing nodded in satisfaction: "I don't trust anyone else with this kind of thing, so I came to you. It all depends on whether you're willing or not."

""

"I understand."

Mo Lan rose and took the tray, saying solemnly, "For the sake of Emperor Wanshou, and for your sake, I will go through fire and water without hesitation!"

His task panel was thus updated.

[Mission Guide: Travel to Japan and find the secret of the Fountain of Immortality for the Emperor.]

As expected...

Lu Bing was surprised that he agreed so readily, without even the slightest hesitation, and couldn't help but feel gratified.

As expected, she is someone he values.

He said, "Japan is still in the midst of a civil war. Before we set off, I will arrange your provisions. As for manpower, you can choose the personnel from the Northern Garrison Command yourself."

"After you return, whether the Fountain of Immortality is real or not, you will receive a reward from the Emperor, and may even advance further."

Emperor Wanshou himself didn't really believe in this so-called Fountain of Immortality.

But the allure of this thing was just too strong, and he, who always had a strong desire for control, needed an answer before he could feel at ease.

In the past, during a time of peace and stability in Japan, this mission would have been considered a lucrative one, like finding a three-legged cicada, full of potential profits.

However, Japan is currently in complete chaos, and the Japanese court can only serve as a figurehead.

Even the Imperial Guards, when in unfamiliar territory, risk making a mistake.

However, it is fate that this task fell to Mo Lan precisely because the current situation is not good.

Otherwise, it would have been snatched away by those princes and nobles long ago.

After leaving the Forbidden City, Mo Lan returned to the Northern Garrison with Lu Bing's letter and began selecting elites from the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Because the destination is war-torn Japan, the fighting strength must be strong. And because the journey is long, we must also find those who are not afraid of death and eager to make a name for themselves and climb the ranks.

Mo Lan first excluded those scions of powerful families, focusing instead on selecting only sons without power or influence.

Soon, three names were added to Mo Lan's shortlist.

Ji Yunting, Qi Xiu, Fang Huai Ren.

These three men, all of whom were captains, shared another characteristic: they were poor. They were desperately short of money and yearned to climb the ranks.

According to records, whenever the Embroidered Uniform Guard had a dangerous mission, it was always these three who rushed to the front.

Unfortunately, in the Northern Garrison Command, every position above the rank of General Flag Officer cannot be obtained through brute force.

The reason Mo Lan was appreciated by Lu Bing was that he was born into the Lan family's Earl's Mansion. Although he was just an illegitimate son, he was still a nobleman.

Because illegitimate sons cannot inherit titles, Lu Bing was more inclined to cultivate him and promoted him to a trusted confidant.

Ji Yunting and the other two were all commoners or of hereditary origin, and they couldn't even get a position as a centurion.

Mo Lan quickly confirmed the list of everyone and had it handed over to Lu Bing for review, after which he received permission.

Meanwhile, after their shift change, Qi Xiu and Fang Huai Ren arrived at Ji Yunting's home.

The three huddled together, eating and drinking with large chunks of braised pork and two jugs of wine they'd ordered from the restaurant, discussing various cases.

As they chatted, they suddenly steered the conversation toward Mo Lan.

Qi Xiu slammed his embroidered spring knife on the table, somewhat indignantly saying, "Tell me, the three of us brothers have toiled in the Embroidered Uniform Guard for half our lives, working ourselves to the bone, and we can't even get a centurion."

"But Lan Meng is different. In just three months, she rose from a junior officer to a commander!"

Hearing this, Fang Huai-ren smiled helplessly: "There's nothing we can do. Comparing ourselves to others can be infuriating. Their starting point is already our end point."

"alright."

Among the three brothers, Ji Yunting, as the eldest, suddenly spoke up to stop Qi Xiu and Fang Huai Ren's discussion.

He poured himself a full glass of wine, tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp. Then he picked up a piece of braised pig's head with rice and put it in his mouth. He then instructed the two of them, "You can think these kinds of things in your hearts, but you absolutely cannot show them on your faces."

"That newly appointed Commander Lan is more capable than you think. I once saw him sitting with the current Commander, Lord Lu Bing."

"Although the Lan family is now in decline, it's not something we can discuss."

"Therefore, let's not discuss this any further, or you might lose your head."

Qi Xiu sighed, "Alright, let's not talk about anything unpleasant anymore, let's drink!"

Just as the three had finished their two drinks, three Imperial Guards suddenly arrived at the door and pushed it open: "Is Ji Yunting here?"

The visitor was a captain of the same rank as the Northern Garrison Commander, so they were colleagues.

Ji Yunting frowned and stood up: "So urgent? Is there some pressing case?"

The leading officer didn't speak immediately. He simply handed him a transfer order, patted him on the shoulder, and looked at him with a complicated expression: "It's good that all three of you are here, so I don't have to make a trip. You three brothers can take a look for yourselves."

"Old Ji, you guys have really hit the jackpot this time. Seize this opportunity, and your fortunes could turn around in an instant."

Hearing him say that, Qi Xiu and Fang Huai Ren quickly came over.

Ji Yunting, however, kept frowning, feeling that things were not so simple.

He slowly opened the document.

The handwriting on it was elegant and flowing, and it personally mentioned the names of the three brothers.

Led by Lan Meng, a commander of the Imperial Guard, and assisted by Ji Yunting, Qi Xiu, and Fang Huai Ren, twenty-four elite Imperial Guards traveled to Japan to find the Longevity Cave for Emperor Wanshou!

After only one glance, Ji Yunting abruptly closed the book, unsure whether to feel excited or worried.

"Big brother!"

"Big brother!"

Qi Xiu and Fang Huai Ren also saw the contents and were immediately shocked. They looked at Ji Yunting repeatedly, wanting him to say something.