Chapter 51: Stay Away From Me, Your Perfume Is Overpowering

If it were anyone else, even if they disagreed, they wouldn’t have gone so far as to beat someone out of the room.

But military men tend to be straightforward.

After all, places like the barracks value strength above all else. There’s no beating around the bush—if there’s a conflict, just fight it out, and whoever wins is in the right.

"So that’s how it is!"

Ye Liuyun finally understood.

Ye Liuyun knew a thing or two about the General of Border Defense.

He’s the top military commander of the Great Qian Dynasty, wields enormous power, and commands four hundred thousand troops under him.

Rumors abound among the people.

If it weren’t for the Prime Minister—a Grandmaster—keeping him in check, the General of Border Defense might’ve rebelled a long time ago.

Of course, such rumors are just for listening to. As for whether they’re true, that’s up to personal interpretation.

However—

Even someone like the top military commander wants to plant people into the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Guess he’s got his eyes on the power inside, too.

"Master, you don’t have to worry about anything!"

Seeing Ye Liuyun deep in thought, Sheng Lanzhi said with a smile.

"My dad is my dad, and you’re you. I don’t think the Northern Governor will go out of his way to make things hard for you because of what happened before."

"Ha!"

A hearty laugh.

Ye Liuyun wasn’t worried about that anyway, and counting on others has never been his style.

...

The next day.

By the time Ye Liuyun arrived,

Si Nan and Shi Sheng were already there waiting with a group of Embroidered Uniform Guards. Clearly, they knew they’d be heading out of the city for duty, and all had their gear packed.

"Sir!"

When Ye Liuyun showed up, Si Nan and Shi Sheng led the salute.

"The Governor hasn’t arrived yet, but plenty of Lords Hundred Households—and even some Lords Thousand Households—are waiting in the courtyard."

Garrison Commander’s Offices like this usually make their entrance last.

This trip out of the city to hunt for Spiritual Artifacts has drawn quite a crowd, and among them are several Lords Thousand Households. Obviously, these people got the word from their respective factions and know they’re here to look for artifacts.

"Let’s head over first."

Ye Liuyun just nodded.

They haven’t even seen the shadow of a Spiritual Artifact yet, so no point overthinking things.

When Ye Liuyun led his group into the courtyard, plenty were already gathered. The Northern Governor hadn’t shown up, so none of them were acting too formal. Instead, everyone was just hanging out and chatting.

You could tell—though the Embroidered Uniform Guard isn’t that big, it’s already split into a bunch of cliques.

Everyone hanging out together now was part of their own little group.

Ye Liuyun’s arrival didn’t cause a stir. Most just glanced at him, then looked away and continued chatting.

Only one person approached.

"Well, well, you came too!"

Wan Feiliang crossed over, pinching his orchid fingers, voice sharp and shrill, brow arched when he saw Ye Liuyun.

He stepped straight over.

"Looks like you got word from His Majesty, huh?"

Wan Feiliang was always one of the Nine-thousand-year-old’s guys. From there, he’d heard Ye Liuyun now worked for the young emperor.

He was convinced Ye Liuyun only came because he got the inside scoop about the Spiritual Artifact from the boy emperor.

Saying all that—

Wan Feiliang got right up in Ye Liuyun’s ear and muttered,

"Don’t think just because you’re relying on the emperor you’re untouchable. Let me tell you, that little emperor won’t last long. I’d like to see who’ll protect you then!"

Anyone who knows the inside story doesn’t think Yan Shuzhu will last on the throne for long.

Wan Feiliang’s gaze carried an open threat.

But Ye Liuyun didn’t even flinch. If anything, he couldn’t hold back a chuckle.

"???"

Just as Wan Feiliang frowned, wondering at Ye Liuyun’s reaction,

The next instant, Ye Liuyun spoke up.

"Lord Thousand Households, if we’re going to talk, can you stand a little farther? The scent of rouge on you is killing me."

Saying that, Ye Liuyun even pinched his nose dramatically, stepping back twice in mock disgust.

Just short of literally writing "disgust" across his face.

Lots of eunuchs have trouble holding their bladder, and after a while they pick up a stench.

So, most eunuchs carry sachets or douse themselves in powders and perfumes to cover the smell.

But as a Martial Artist, Wan Feiliang should be able to control it.

Ye Liuyun said it just to mock him.

They were already enemies—he wouldn’t wimp out just because the guy got in his face!

"!"

"How dare you!"

That comeback left Wan Feiliang stunned for a good second.

When he came to, his face was green one moment and black the next—an ugly sight.

He never suspected Ye Liuyun would mock him for being a eunuch.

"Pfft!" Unlike Wan Feiliang’s soft murmurs, Ye Liuyun hadn’t bothered to lower his voice, so half the courtyard heard it. Some couldn’t hold back and burst out laughing.

Some Lords Hundred Households or Commanders,

maybe out of fear of Wan Feiliang’s position, tried to stifle their snickers.

But Lords Thousand Households like him didn’t care at all.

"Hahaha!"

"Ahahahaha!"

They were loud and uninhibited, turning Wan Feiliang’s face even darker.

"You!"

He glared at Ye Liuyun, just about to say something else.

But right then—

"Governor!"

Someone spotted the Northern Governor walking over and quickly bowed in greeting.

The rest swiftly straightened up and saluted in unison.

Wan Feiliang had no choice but to swallow his anger for now, shooting Ye Liuyun one last vicious glare before turning to look at the Northern Governor.

To Ye Liuyun, that kind of threatening look from Wan Feiliang was absolutely harmless.

He just shrugged, not caring one bit.

If anything, he was curious about this newly arrived Northern Governor, and shouted out with the crowd.

"Target: Lei Zheng.

Realm: Early-stage Innate.

Talent Entry: Tiger-Eyed (Blue), Thick-Skinned (Blue), Killing Intent Detection (Blue),"

"Tiger-Eyed (Blue): Eyes like a tiger. Just his gaze is enough to put heavy psychological pressure on an opponent."

"Thick-Skinned (Blue): Born with coarse skin, outstanding defense."

"Killing Intent Detection (Blue): Can keenly sense others’ killing intent and spot hidden dangers."

Three blue talents—pretty decent.

And these three fit Ye Liuyun’s understanding of military types perfectly.

Early-stage Innate, huh?

The Northern Governor Lei Zheng didn’t seem to be restraining his Inner Strength at all. With Ye Liuyun’s current mid-stage Innate realm, he could feel it sharply: the guy’s Inner Strength was powerful,

but a bit unstable and shaky.

He probably just broke through to the Innate Realm not long ago.

...

Lei Zheng didn’t say a word, walked up, hands behind his back.

He glared with those tiger eyes, scanning the crowd in total silence.

...