Chapter 446: Chapter 441: Retreat is the Best Option, and Various Arrangements
By helping the Yang Chan of today, he was also helping his future self.
With the help of a future Advanced Pharmacist who had such high potential, he would have a real shot at reaching the Bone Marrow Cleansing Grandmaster Realm.
"Thank you, Sect Leader. I will proceed as you’ve said."
"If the Great Zhou National Guardian Martial Saint Ancestor makes a move, we can afford to wait and see!"
"If it becomes a lost cause, I’ll just leave immediately!"
Yang Chan mulled it over. ’I’m not as weak as I used to be. I’ve finished tempering the second of my Five Viscera and have started on the third. Among the major sects, I’m considered quite strong. Even in the old Cyan Yuan Sect, when all its combat power was present, my cultivation alone would have put me among the best.’
’Combined with my Sword Momentum, Soul Body, and other techniques, I could even hold my own against an expert at the Peak of Internal Refining of the Five Viscera.’
’Of course, while my strength might not be enough to challenge those at the very top, it’s more than enough to deal with those below me. I still need to be wary of Bone Marrow Cleansing Grandmasters, though.’
’Besides, I won’t be fighting on the front lines, but providing support from the rear. In a way, I won’t be facing the most dangerous situations.’
’If the situation feels off, I’ll just slip away.’
’I have to learn from Senior Han PaoPao: when in doubt, run first.’
’After all, of the Thirty-Six Stratagems, fleeing is the best.’
’This is the wisdom passed down by our ancestors, and of course, I have to follow it. Prudence comes first.’
"That’s exactly what I mean. Rushing to the Merak Sacred Land right now would be unwise. After all, the requirements they gave us were based on the assumption that the Cyan Yuan Sect was still intact. To just abandon everything now... the losses would certainly outweigh the gains."
"If the Merak Sacred Land holds us accountable, we might face resistance when we try to join. On the other hand, if we can say we did our best, there shouldn’t be a problem. The situation is unclear right now, and acting rashly would be a poor move."
Gu An explained a small part of his concerns, as the situation wasn’t that dire yet.
The major sects were watching and waiting. The fact that the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty’s National Guardian Martial Saint Ancestor was taking action gave many of them a glimmer of hope.
With an expert of this level making a move, the tides of war could turn.
His intervention might even bring the war to an immediate halt.
A National Guardian Martial Saint’s power is immense; it wouldn’t take them long at all to destroy an entire city. Therefore, both sides might exercise restraint.
"I’ll follow the Sect Leader’s arrangements!"
Yang Chan didn’t argue, nor did he refuse the protection of an Inner Master. With an expert like that around, he probably wouldn’t have to lift a finger.
If they ran into danger, someone else would be there to face it first. If things looked bad, he could just run.
His hidden cultivation was a layer of protection in itself.
Still, Yang Chan felt it wasn’t safe enough. For the sake of his own safety on the upcoming trip, he decided to temporarily change his point allocation strategy.
His Martial Arts Cultivation had only just broken through. To break through again would take at least two more months, but he didn’t have that much time before heading to the front.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries with Gu An, Yang Chan took his leave.
He had sensed several other auras approaching and realized Gu An had summoned more people, obviously to inform them of the current situation as well.
Since Yang Chan was on the mandatory participation list, there was no need for him to stay. Besides, the newcomers were being held back by a Gatekeeper Disciple, clearly waiting for his meeting to end.
Therefore, Yang Chan didn’t linger.
As he was leaving, Yang Chan saw several Hall Masters arriving. It was clear that Gu An had informed him of the situation first before letting the others come over.
’He really does value me highly.’
Back in the study of Yuanqing Courtyard, Han Bingyu was still waiting.
"Pharmacist Yang."
Seeing Yang Chan return, Han Bingyu moved to stand up.
"Stay seated."
Yang Chan waved his hand, not minding the formality.
"The news you received was correct. The Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty has begun its third round of conscription, and the requirements this time are extremely strict."
As he spoke, Yang Chan relayed all the information he had gotten from Gu An to Han Bingyu. While it was still a secret for now, it wouldn’t be once those Hall Masters came out of the Council Pavilion.
After all, once the Cyan Yuan Sect made its decision, it would start making arrangements.
"If Pharmacist Yang is going to the border personally, then I’ll volunteer to go too!"
Han Bingyu said after a moment of thought.
The news wasn’t good for her, either. After all, most of the people who had gone to fight at the border in the previous two drafts had died.
The fighting was too fierce, making it impossible not to worry.
One might risk a venture with a one-in-ten chance of survival, especially since the Sect’s rewards for returning were quite good. But a mission with certain death was enough to make anyone shy away.
If they had a choice, no one would willingly seek death.
Even those whose lives were hard still wanted to live.
People like the Official Disciples of the Cyan Yuan Sect were far better off than ordinary folk; their lives could be considered quite comfortable. If they lacked ambition, they could go to one of the Cyan Yuan Sect’s Affiliated Forces and live a very pleasant life.
Backed by the Cyan Yuan Sect, their status in Qing State was high, and many people would try to curry favor with them.
The higher their status, the more this was true.
"There’s no need for that. I’ve already made arrangements for you."
"You are to remain in the Cyan Yuan Sect and continue gathering intelligence."
"If the situation becomes dire, you can just follow the Sect Leader and the others. We can reunite in the Merak Sacred Land."
"I have some other arrangements here that I need you to handle, so..."
Yang Chan explained the arrangements to Han Bingyu.
As an Intermediate Pharmacist, he had to go, but he could make arrangements for Han Bingyu.
Not all of the Elite Disciples were required to go.
Furthermore, the number of Elite Disciples and Direct Disciples the Cyan Yuan Sect had revealed was only a fraction of the total; some were still kept hidden.
Of course, Han Bingyu was essentially counted under Yang Chan’s name. Since he was personally going to participate, he could naturally designate some people to stay behind.
It was just a kind of swap, and the same was true for the other Inner Refining Elders, Hall Masters, and so on. These people were old and didn’t have much potential left; otherwise, they would have already gone to the Merak Sacred Land with Liu Xuan last time.
Those among them with promising younger relatives would naturally arrange for them to stay behind in the Cyan Yuan Sect, while they themselves volunteered to go.
Gu An had the Hall Masters come over precisely to discuss these matters.
Yang Chan hadn’t listened in on the details, but he had his suspicions.
Right now in the Cyan Yuan Sect, besides Han Bingyu, he also had to keep an eye on Princess Lan Yue. She was a ticking time bomb that could go off at any moment.
She knew many of his secrets, so he certainly wouldn’t let her get away. He would arrange for Han Bingyu to monitor her. As long as her life was in his hands, she couldn’t stir up any real trouble.
"Alright, I’ll follow your arrangements, Pharmacist Yang!"
Han Bingyu didn’t object. She knew that following Yang Chan to the border to fight wouldn’t really change anything.
Her External Refining Copper Skin cultivation was weaker than Yang Chan’s. If she were by his side, it was hard to say who would be protecting whom. Following Yang Chan’s arrangements, on the other hand, would be relatively safer for both of them.
If the war ended well and they both returned safely, then everything would be fine, and things could go back to normal.
By staying in the Cyan Yuan Sect and helping Yang Chan gather intelligence, she might actually be of greater help to him.
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