0125 Determination

Hua Su had sent Jiang Feng to the Mustard Pavilion, which was currently the safest place in Taicang City.

Lying on the bed, Jiang Feng remained unconscious. Hua Su had tried every possible method, yet he could not perceive the true state of Jiang Feng’s internal condition.

Gritting his teeth, Hua Su used his Ming force to wrap around the blunt thorn embedded in Jiang Feng’s chest and pulled it out. A jet of blood sprayed forth. Just as Hua Su was about to stop the bleeding, he noticed the flow of blood halt before his eyes; the finger-wide wound was healing at a rate visible to the naked eye.

Such a capacity for recovery was truly astonishing. Hua Su had long known that Jiang Feng harbored secrets, but this was the first time he had witnessed such a sight.

Nevertheless, it brought him a sense of relief. With such an ability, at least Jiang Feng’s life was not in danger. Even so, he obtained bandages and medicine from the people at the Mustard Pavilion, wrapping the wound tightly.

Just then, sounds drifted in from outside. Hua Su checked Jiang Feng’s complexion and walked to the door.

Several people were approaching. Upon seeing Hua Su, they called out, "Commander Hua, so you were here! Everyone has mostly arrived; we are just waiting for your arrangements!"

Hua Su nodded and said, "I understand. Please, wait a moment."

Ping Luanshan had been standing guard nearby. Hua Su called him over and said in a low, stern voice, "I am going to the front to handle some matters now, and I am leaving Jiang Feng in your care. Remember one thing—no matter who comes, no matter what they say, you are to keep them out. Unless Jiang Feng wakes up and personally calls for someone to enter, not a single person is to step inside. Do you understand?"

His expression was grave, and Ping Luanshan answered with equal seriousness, "Yes, I understand!"

Hua Su looked at the sky and said, "If he wakes up in time, remember to remind him about the Grand Examination."

"Ah, the Grand Examination!" Ping Luanshan finally recalled, and he asked with concern, "With Old Jiang injured like this, can he even go out?"

"Do not worry about him; it depends on his own intentions," Hua Su replied. He looked at Ping Luanshan, sighed, and added, "However, you may not be able to participate this time. I suppose I have let you down..."

Ping Luanshan grinned and patted his chest. "What is that compared to this? I have long been prepared! I am especially glad that Teacher Hua saw fit to use my speed and let me help!"

Hua Su smiled faintly, patted his shoulder, and turned to activate the room’s defenses. As the residence of the Mustard Pavilion’s Master, the security here was particularly stringent. Even so, considering the calculated schemes of Wan俟yu and his cohorts, Hua Su still felt uneasy.

But there was no other choice. The most urgent task at present was to seal the Demon Cavern. He had tracked down every veteran he could find and persuaded them to come here. At this critical juncture, he had to make a choice.

After Hua Su left, Ping Luanshan entered the room and squatted beside the bed to watch over Jiang Feng. Hua Su had wrapped Jiang Feng like a mummy, which looked quite concerning. Ping Luanshan nervously checked Jiang Feng’s breathing and felt slightly reassured.

"To dare to hurt my brother like this..." he said bitterly. "It’s you bastards from the Fuliu Sect again!"

Time had been too tight for Hua Su to explain much, but Ping Luanshan was not foolish; he saw at a glance who the true culprit was. He marked this debt against the Lord of Fuliu in his heart, leaned over Jiang Feng’s head, and muttered, "Old Jiang, wake up quickly. I have so much to tell you..."

After squatting for a while, he stared at Jiang Feng’s face. Perhaps because Jiang Feng’s breathing was steady and he seemed out of danger, Ping Luanshan couldn't help but chatter on. "If Teacher Hua hadn't mentioned it, I almost forgot about the Grand Examination... Sigh, I’ll be at the bottom of the rankings this time. I won't pass the Grand Examination, and I won't be able to go to the Prefectural Examination with you in the future."

He drifted into a daze for a moment before suddenly brightening up. "But, I tell you, I finally know what I want to do in the future! I’m going to catch up on my studies, retake the Grand Examination next year, get into the XX Academy, and then join the Demon-Suppressing Army!"

It sounded similar to his previous dreams, but this time, as Ping Luanshan spoke, his face radiated a new sense of purpose.

"Do you know what I’ve been doing lately?" he said. "Taicang City is in a crisis and desperate for manpower. Teacher Hua gave me a list and asked me to invite the people on it. Do you know who they are? They were all members of the Demon-Suppressing Army, veterans who retired due to their injuries. When Teacher Hua gave me this task, I was worried about how I would persuade them. But do you know what? I didn’t have to say a word!"

He took a deep breath, his face filled with excitement. "I only had to describe the situation in Taicang City, and they immediately volunteered to help! They are clearly severely injured and should not be fighting, yet they didn't hesitate at all. They were actually happy!"

"They said they were honored to answer the Centurion's call. They were happy to fight for humanity and their homeland once more. They were happy to sacrifice themselves on the battlefield, in the fight against the Demon Race!"

Ping Luanshan clenched his fists, his eyes moist and his emotions stirred. This was a feeling that had been building up over time. Every time he spoke to a veteran, he was struck by a new wave of impact. By now, he was incredibly grateful that Hua Su had given him this task, for it had allowed him to see these people and, in turn, his own future.

Previously, joining the Demon-Suppressing Army was just a boy’s ordinary ideal, but now, it had become his deepest longing. He wanted to become like them: brave, fearless, and unbreakable. Regardless of anything, at a single command or call, they would unhesitatingly offer their lives!

On the way here, he had wanted to tell Jiang Feng all this, and now, he finally had the chance to pour it all out.

He wiped his eyes and muttered, "Do you know? They retired because their Ming-heart seeds were damaged, and their strength is far less than before. And this 'Chain-Ming Method'..." He paused, remembering something he had overheard, his expression turning gloomy and heavy. "The Chain-Ming Method forcibly disrupts their Ming force circulation, accelerating the rate at which their power drains. In other words, they didn't plan on coming back from this..."

His voice trailed off, his face dark and heavy. His eyes burned, yet not a single tear fell. His heart was filled with an indescribable emotion, a mix of sorrow and pride.

His chest heaving, he pressed his forehead against the edge of the bed and said, "I should have waited for you to wake up to tell you this, but I couldn't help it..."

A faint sound came from the bed. Ping Luanshan looked up and found Jiang Feng watching him with open eyes. His face turned bright red, and he jumped up in a panic. "You—you’re awake! Why didn't you call me?"

Jiang Feng smiled slightly. "You weren't saying anything shameful, so why are you so nervous?"

Ping Luanshan pursed his lips, rubbed his nose, and asked, "Do, do you want some water?"

As soon as Jiang Feng nodded, a bowl of water was placed before him. Jiang Feng took it, drank slowly, and asked thoughtfully, "What is this Chain-Ming Method you mentioned?"

Ping Luanshan had heard of it on the way. Recalling what he knew, he explained the nature of the Chain-Ming Method to Jiang Feng.

Jiang Feng frowned. "Linking the Ming force circulation of five people to manifest the strength of one..."

Ping Luanshan nodded heavily. "I heard that this method is only used in the most desperate situations in the Northern Desert. Using it essentially means that the entire unit will have to retire. For people like them, who are already injured and retired, using this method really means there is no hope of recovery..."

Jiang Feng suddenly threw off the sheets and stood up. "Let's go!"

Ping Luanshan shouted anxiously, "Be careful, your wounds!"

Jiang Feng touched his bandages. Ping Luanshan hurriedly explained, "Teacher Hua treated you personally. He said that if you were able to move once you woke up, I should remind you about the Grand Examination!"

Right, the Grand Examination! Jiang Feng’s expression froze.

He turned to look at the sky outside the window and accurately gauged the time. He had learned from Shangguan Qing that the Grand Examination officially ended at the hour of the Rooster (6:00 PM). Judging by the light, it was already the end of the hour of the Monkey and the start of the hour of the Rooster (5:00 PM). In other words, there was only half an hour left.

Shangguan Qing had said that the results would be announced and that there would be no waiting; if one was not there on time, they would be disqualified. The Mustard Pavilion was not far from the Prefecture Office; there was still time to make it.

But...

Clouds swept across the sun, casting shadows that flickered over Jiang Feng’s face, leaving his expression unreadable.

He pondered for a long time before finally making a decision.

He grabbed the coat nearby and threw it on. "Where is Teacher Hua? Let's go see him!"

With that, he strode out.

Ping Luanshan was stunned, hurrying after him. "The Grand Examination! What about the Grand Examination?"

Having spent so much time with Jiang Feng, he knew better than anyone how much Jiang Feng valued it. It could be said that this was his highest goal! He had to secure a top ranking in the State Examination to proceed to the Prefectural Examination!

Currently, his score was at the top of the list, unshakable. If he just showed up, the prize of first place would fall right into his hands. At this critical moment, he was actually giving it up?

Jiang Feng asked, "Did Teacher Hua say when they would start the Chain-Ming Method?"

Ping Luanshan replied, "The Chain-Ming Method requires a lengthy preparation. They plan to start at the hour of the Rooster and complete it by the hour of the Rabbit (6:00 AM) tomorrow morning."

Jiang Feng said in a deep voice, "Let's go, quickly. I might have a way to perfect the Chain-Ming Method."

He looked back at Ping Luanshan and smiled slightly. "Things have their priorities. Sometimes, we only have one choice to make, don't we?"

Ping Luanshan looked at the determination in his eyes, speechless.