Qin Mu was stunned, not knowing which fellow cultivator the State Preceptor of Yankang was referring to.
However, the State Preceptor of Yankang's confession to him made his blood run cold. He felt that he could be killed at any moment to silence him.
"You don't need to worry."
The State Preceptor of Yankang seemed to read his thoughts and said leisurely, "I just felt like talking, that's all. You're a good listener. If it were the Duke of Wei with his big mouth, I wouldn't dare say too much, or he'd blabber everything to the whole court by tomorrow."
"The Duke of Wei? Wei Yong seems to be from the Duke of Wei's family."
Qin Mu blinked. The Duke of Wei, a first-rank official of the court, had a big mouth too? Wei Yong's blabbering was already annoying enough—it was truly a family tradition.
The State Preceptor of Yankang continued, "Moreover, although you're a sixth-rank Imperial Academy Doctor with an official position, you're not part of the court. It's quite safe to talk to you."
He smiled and said, "Most importantly, who would believe the words of the Heavenly Demon Cult's Cult Master?"
Qin Mu's face darkened. The Heavenly Demon Cult had a good reputation among the common folk, but in the court and the jianghu, it was rather notorious.
The generals approached, and one of them bowed: "Preceptor, Tianbo City has been pacified."
The State Preceptor of Yankang nodded. The generals looked at Qin Mu with puzzled expressions. Qin Mu smiled and nodded to them.
"This is our court's first Imperial Academy Doctor."
The State Preceptor of Yankang said, "Doctor Qin Mu."
The generals saw that Qin Mu was honest and loyal, dignified in appearance, and though young, gave off an air of trustworthiness. They couldn't help but praise: "Doctor Qin is truly young yet mature, worthy of being the first Imperial Academy Doctor—a man of great learning and talent."
Qin Mu bowed and smiled, "Your Excellencies are too kind."
The State Preceptor of Yankang turned to face south, saying, "This battle was just a small test. The real fight comes next—cough, cough..."
The generals were alarmed and stepped forward: "Preceptor, your injury..."
The State Preceptor of Yankang waved his hand. His face was pale but quickly returned to normal. "I was probably injured by the demonic deity when I killed him just now. It's nothing serious. The rebel forces are entrenched in the south. I plan to give them two choices. Column General."
A square-faced general bowed: "Preceptor's orders!"
"Go south and tell those traitors that I've arrived. Give them two paths."
The State Preceptor of Yankang raised his hand and pointed toward the southern borderlands, his expression cold. "The first path: I lead an army of thousands and slaughter our way through, level everything, destroy their sects, destroy their families, exterminate their nine clans. That's the court's rule. That's what happens to traitors and rebels."
Column General He Xiaopeng listened carefully as the State Preceptor of Yankang continued, "The second path follows jianghu rules. I'll bring court officials to draw a boundary, and we'll have challenges according to jianghu customs. If they're capable, they can kill us, or we kill them. Two paths—their choice."
Column General He hesitated, "Preceptor, following jianghu rules might not be appropriate?"
The State Preceptor of Yankang smiled, "Before I became an official, I was also a jianghu person. What's inappropriate? Wasn't Column General the same? You also came from the jianghu into the court, didn't you?"
Column General He agreed, "I'll head to the southern borderlands immediately. But Preceptor, please rest well. If they choose jianghu rules, I fear you might be injured by their hidden arrows."
The State Preceptor of Yankang waved his hand, and Column General He departed.
"Wei Column General."
"Preceptor's orders."
"Mobilize troops to cross the river, deploy in a fan formation. From the East Sea in the east to the Great Ruins in the west, push forward all the way. Fill any lakes you cross, fill any rivers, destroy any cities—push them south."
The State Preceptor of Yankang said expressionlessly, "Make these rebels feel the pressure."
" Wei Wenju accepts the Preceptor's command!"
"Duke of Wei."
"Preceptor's orders."
"The Duke's cultivation is formidable, and he's good at leading troops. He should lead the main force to strike directly at Daxiang in the southern borderlands. Champion General and Huaihua General, each of you will command a separate army from the Duke's flanks and destroy the left and right cities of Daxiang. Upper Column General, you'll lead an army toward Dayu."
The State Preceptor of Yankang issued his commands. When finished, the Duke of Wei laughed: "Preceptor, we're all going off to work. What about you?"
The State Preceptor of Yankang smiled, "I'll follow behind you slowly, waiting for the rebels to make their decision. Besides, I'm still a bit injured and need to recuperate."
"Your injury isn't healed yet?"
The Duke of Wei shouted loudly, "Then you need more rest! Isn't the Little Divine Doctor right here? Let him treat you. My old lady sneaked off to the Flower Street in the capital without telling me. I thought she was chasing after women, but turns out she was looking for the Little Divine Doctor to treat her illness. Damn it, it scared the hell out of me—and got me a little excited too. I thought she was into that sort of thing..."
The State Preceptor of Yankang coughed twice, looking somewhat embarrassed. "The Duke should start moving his troops. Daxiang is a key military point in the southern borderlands—a tough nut to crack."
The Duke of Wei nodded and turned to leave, then looked back at Qin Mu: "Little Divine Doctor, prescribe him some medicine to treat that stiff face of his. That stony expression can't squeeze out even a hint of a smile. Heh heh, don't be surprised—I recognize you. When my old lady went to see you, I secretly followed. I was worried she was chasing after women, and I actually got a little excited..."
Qin Mu's expression froze as he waved him off.
The State Preceptor of Yankang exhaled a long breath, "Don't mind him. All the men in the Wei family are like that—mouths big enough to swallow several cows."
Qin Mu didn't know whether to laugh or cry. It was clear the State Preceptor of Yankang had suffered similar treatment. The Duke of Wei had no shortage of nonsense to say in front of him.
"Preceptor, we'll part ways here," Qin Mu said with a smile.
The State Preceptor of Yankang shook his head, "Part ways? You still need to come with me to the southern borderlands. Without you by my side, how will you treat my injuries?"
Qin Mu awkwardly said, "Preceptor, please don't joke. You know your injuries better than I do. Moreover, I came out to train the students. Several of them have gotten lost, and I need to find them to prevent them from dying in the chaos."
"You must come with me."
The State Preceptor of Yankang's expression darkened slightly. "Those students of yours—I'll help you find them. What are their names?"
Qin Mu really didn't want to stay by his side. The State Preceptor of Yankang's expedition was clearly meant to exert immense pressure on the rebel forces in the southern borderlands, forcing the rebellious sects and noble families to attack the State Preceptor of Yankang.
The Preceptor seemed to give them two choices, but in reality, there was only one.
Following the State Preceptor of Yankang meant he would also become a target.
He was only at the Five Stars Realm. How could he possibly be a match for such a colossal existence?
However, the State Preceptor of Yankang had spoken, and he couldn't refuse. He could only provide the names of Shen Wanyun and the others.
The State Preceptor of Yankang raised his hand, and a cloud of fire soared into the sky. The fire cloud transformed in midair, forming the names of Shen Wanyun, Yue Qinghong, Yun Que, and Si Yunxiang. Then another fire cloud shaped into a straight arrow pointing toward Qin Mu's location.
Shortly after, Shen Wanyun, Si Yunxiang, and the others rushed over. They were all wounded, having clearly fought through several life-and-death battles. The Dragon Qilin was also with them, carried by the Wolf Slave as he hurried over.
"Imperial Academy students greet the Preceptor!" Shen Wanyun and the others were startled upon seeing the State Preceptor of Yankang and quickly bowed.
The group was anxious. Qin Mu had summoned the Heavenly Demon Sovereign to descend, causing catastrophic destruction with countless deaths and injuries. They had been caught up in it and could be considered accomplices of the Imperial Academy Doctor. If the State Preceptor held them accountable, they would surely be executed together.
The State Preceptor of Yankang glanced at them, his gaze falling on the Dragon Qilin. He nodded and smiled.
The Dragon Qilin struggled to rise and greeted him: "Preceptor."
"Long Da, why are you still injured?"
Hu Ling'er jumped onto the Dragon Qilin and looked at the wound on his buttocks, puzzled: "Can't you lick your own butt?"
The Dragon Qilin snorted and ignored her.
Qin Mu stepped forward, took out several bottles of Dragon Saliva, and applied it to the big fellow's wounds. The Dragon Qilin was severely injured—the Heavenly Demon Sovereign's gaze had sliced into his buttocks' muscles and even torn through his dragon scales. Fortunately, the Dragon Qilin's scales were extremely tough, blocking the Heavenly Demon Sovereign's gaze somewhat; otherwise, he would have been cut in half.
Qin Mu then took out more Dragon Saliva bottles and let Shen Wanyun and the others treat their injuries.
"Yun Que, Wanyun—a bottle costs ten thousand Dafeng coins."
Hu Ling'er kindly reminded them, "If you don't have money, you can write an IOU."
Monk Yun Que's face turned ashen, and he stammered, "This poor monk is completely destitute—truly destitute. Since the Doctor came to the Imperial Academy, I've been destitute. With so much debt, I probably won't be able to pay it off in this lifetime. Sister Fox, have mercy..."
Qin Mu didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Ling'er, don't joke. I brought them out for training this time, and if they're injured, it's my responsibility to treat them. Besides, I have the reputation of a Divine Doctor. A healer should be like a parent—how could I charge money? After this training ends, if they get injured again, then I'll charge. Charging now would ruin my reputation."
Yue Qinghong had been about to ask for a bottle of Dragon Saliva as backup, but hearing this, she immediately changed her mind, thinking to himself: "He still plans to charge for treatment deep down—truly stingy..."
Si Yunxiang was also injured and asked Qin Mu for a bottle of Dragon Saliva. She pulled Yue Qinghong aside, and the two girls ran into the woods, removed their clothes, and applied medicine to each other's wounds to prevent scarring.
"Sister, you have such a great figure. I'm not as developed," Si Yunxiang said, looking at Yue Qinghong admiringly.
Yue Qinghong laughed, "You're still young. When you grow a few more years, you'll develop too. Besides, getting bigger feels uncomfortable—running around makes everything bounce, and I'm not used to wearing chest bindings. If only there was a way to hold them up... It's a shame I can't find a good seamstress..."
Si Yunxiang thought for a moment, "I heard the Doctor is also a seamstress and makes quite nice clothes. Maybe..."
Yue Qinghong was startled, her round eyes widening: "How can that be? He's a man!"
Qin Mu gathered everyone together and said seriously, "Our training mission has changed. I need to go with the Preceptor to the southern borderlands, deep into enemy territory. The Preceptor's injuries haven't healed, and I need to stay by his side to help with treatment. If any of you want to go back, you may leave now."
Shen Wanyun and the others realized the key point—this journey would undoubtedly be extremely dangerous, so they hesitated.
The State Preceptor of Yankang said, "On the way, I can offer some guidance on your cultivation. Last time, your Grand Sacrifice invited me, and I only lectured for less than two days. This time, I'm doing it for the sake of the Imperial Academy Doctor."
————Today's first update, second update at six this afternoon!