If I, a death row inmate, am not to become a demon, am I to become a member of the Imperial Guard?

Canglang Pass.

The city wall was built of rammed earth, interspersed with gravel, and had a grayish-white hue. The wolf flag of the Canglang Kingdom fluttered atop the city wall, the black wolf head pattern twisting in the wind as if it were about to devour someone.

Zhou Yang stood on a hillside three miles away, squinting his eyes.

The city walls were not high, but they were very thick. There were arrow towers on the walls, and gray-clad archers patrolled back and forth. There was only one city gate, and the people entering and leaving lined up to be checked one by one.

"The defense is tighter than expected." Qin Shuang walked to his side.

"It's a strategically important border town, so naturally it is," Zhou Yang replied.

Scouts ahead report that the city gates will open every half hour, allowing ten people to pass at a time. Caravans have priority, while unauthorized persons need a "Northern Wilderness Merchant Pass" to enter the city.

Zhou Yang had anticipated this step.

He closed his eyes and circulated his internal energy. After a moment, his face began to deform—his cheekbones sank, his eyebrows thickened, his mouth flattened, and he looked ten years older, with much rougher skin.

This is the basic application of the "Thousand Faces Technique". Zhou Yang spent three months of arduous practice to even begin to grasp the secret technique he found on a leader of the Heavenly Principle Sect after killing him.

"Not bad." Qin Shuang glanced at him. "He looks like a horse trader."

"And you?"

Qin Shuang took out a bronze token from her bosom; its edges were polished to a shine. She had taken it from a commander of the Canglang Kingdom before setting off, and it was engraved with the four characters "Northern Wilderness Merchant Token".

"Caravan status," she said calmly. "Don't say anything later, I'll handle it."

"clear."

The two mingled into the queue.

The people of Canglang Pass wore fur robes, the style of which differed from those in the Central Plains. The men were generally tall and strong, while the women covered their hair with headscarves. Zhou Yang and Qin Shuang's attire was fairly in keeping with local customs and not particularly conspicuous.

Ahead of them was a caravan of five wagons loaded with furs and dried goods. The caravan owner, a fat man, greeted the gatekeepers with a smile.

"Be more natural in your movements," Qin Shuang whispered.

Zhou Yang adjusted his breathing, making his gait heavy. He was playing the role of an ordinary guard; he couldn't be too capable, nor could he be too cowardly.

The procession moved forward slowly.

The gatekeeper was a thin, middle-aged man with sharp eyes. He checked each merchant's permit one by one, and searched anyone who seemed suspicious.

Finally, it was Zhou Yang and Qin Shuang's turn.

"Business license." The squad leader stretched out his hand.

Qin Shuang handed over the token.

The squad leader looked at it over and over several times, then looked up and stared at Qin Shuang's face.

"A woman doing business?"

"My father is unwell, so I'm making this trip in his place," Qin Shuang said without changing her expression. "The fur business in Canglang Pass has been going on for three years."

The squad leader snorted and looked at Zhou Yang.

"he."

"The coachman," Qin Shuang said, "we hired him on the way."

Zhou Yang lowered his head, feigning a timid and submissive demeanor. He knew that he couldn't be too conspicuous at this time; the more ordinary, the better.

The squad leader looked at it for a few more seconds, then finally waved for them to pass.

Once inside the city, Qin Shuang let out a soft sigh.

"It's approved."

"Just the first hurdle," Zhou Yang said. "Find a place to stay and gather information."

The streets of Canglang Pass were not wide, paved with bluestone, and lined with low earthen houses. There were many shops, selling furs, dried goods, and ironware. Pedestrians hurried along the road, their faces wary.

This is enemy-occupied territory.

Any person from the Central Plains who appears here will arouse suspicion. The slightest carelessness will lead to certain death.

The two found a secluded inn, paid double the price, and asked for two superior rooms. The innkeeper, a one-eyed man, accepted the money without asking any questions.

These days, knowing too much isn't a good thing.

"The source of the information." Zhou Yang closed the door and began to arrange the important matters.

"Teahouses, taverns, gambling dens," Qin Shuang said. "In this kind of border town, those are the places where information flows the most."

"Should we split up?"

"You go to the casino, it's a mixed bag of people. I go to the teahouse, I hear more there."

"careful."

"Know."

The gambling den at Canglang Pass was located in the east of the city, in a large earthen and wooden building with a faded red flag hanging at the entrance. Zhou Yang pushed open the door and went inside. The place was filled with smoke and the smell of sweat mingled with shouts and curses.

He changed his usual style, pretending to be a gambler and wandering between several gambling tables.

Dice, dominoes, cockfighting—you name it.

Zhou Yang stopped at the dice table, placed a few bets, and lost more than he won. His attention wasn't on the gambling table, but on the idle chatter around him.

"Have you heard? The blood sacrifice ceremony has been moved up."

"Three days later?"

"Indeed, the king himself ordered that all tribes must participate."

"Sacrificing slaves to the heavens again?"

"This time is different; I heard it involves sacrificing a divine artifact."

"A divine artifact?"

"Shh, don't ask, exec-"

Zhou Yang's heart skipped a beat.

A divine artifact. If he wasn't mistaken, it should be related to the fragments of the dragon's spine.

He continued listening without showing any emotion, but the people stopped mentioning the matter and instead started discussing the betting game.

The teahouse on the other side.

Qin Shuang ordered the cheapest tea and huddled in a corner. The teahouse wasn't crowded; it was mostly idlers and merchants.

She heard most of it.

The messages, "The blood sacrifice ceremony will be held in three days," "The Wolf King will preside over it personally," and "All tribes must be present," were repeated over and over.

But one thing caught her attention.

"Have you heard? The altar area is under martial law recently; even our own people can't get close."

"Really?"

"Absolutely true. My cousin works at the palace and saw it with his own eyes."

Qin Shuang frowned.

Martial law declared. It seems the blood sacrifice ceremony involves something quite complex.

The two met at the inn in the evening.

"The blood sacrifice ceremony will be held in three days," Zhou Yang said.

"I heard that too." Qin Shuang nodded. "The altar is under martial law."

"The Wolf King will personally preside over the event, and all tribes must participate."

"It's very large."

Zhou Yang pondered for a moment and said, "I need to go to the vicinity of the altar to confirm something."

"The risk is very high."

"worth."

Qin Shuang did not object. She knew that Zhou Yang rarely changed his mind, and that he never did anything that would be a loss.

"Rest first, we'll take action tomorrow."

Silent all night.

The following evening, Zhou Yang changed into his night clothes and crept alone toward the altar.

At the heart of Canglang Pass was the royal palace, with the altar located behind it. It was constructed of massive stones, standing about three zhang high. Heavily guarded the area, and torches illuminated the surroundings as bright as day.

Zhou Yang squinted, hiding in the shadows of the rooftop.

At the top of the altar stood a large bronze cauldron, its surface covered with runes. Below the cauldron lay a black fragment.

The fragment was only the size of a palm, but the Blood Dragon Short Sword inside Zhou Yang's body began to tremble.

It's the scent of a fragment of a dragon's spine.

Sure enough, it's here.

Zhou Yang forcefully held down the short sword, preventing it from being drawn. Now was not the time to make a move.

He carefully observed the guards' shift changes and calculated the best route of action.

Three days later, the blood sacrifice ceremony will take place. The Wolf King will appear, and all the tribes will gather.

That would be an opportunity, but also a huge risk.

Zhou Yang quietly left.

Inside the inn.

"It's confirmed," Zhou Yang said. "There's a fragment of a dragon's spine on the altar."

Qin Shuang's eyes sharpened.

"The blood sacrifice ceremony in three days will be the best opportunity."

"That was also the most dangerous time."

"Risk and reward are directly proportional," Zhou Yang said. "This deal is worthwhile."

Qin Shuang was silent for a moment, then said, "Is there anything you need me to do?"

"Forge identities and attend the ceremony as a merchant caravan in three days. This will facilitate our inside-outside cooperation."

"I'll arrange it."

"Be careful."

"Know."

As night deepened, Canglang Pass was shrouded in darkness.

Torches flickered atop the city walls, and the howls of wolves echoed in the distance.

Three days later, a fierce battle will ensue.

But Zhou Yang was not afraid.

He needs that fragment, and it's worth risking his life for it.

The higher the risk, the greater the potential reward.

This is his principle.