Chapter 545: Chapter 545: Fiery Sun Vermilion Fruit
The night was deep, yet the White Tiger Hall of the Dao Camp was still brightly lit.
Zhang Yuan patiently listened to Feng Hui’s account, then leisurely took a sip of tea and said calmly, "It’s already late, Vice General Feng, you should rest early."
"Yes."
Feng Hui stood up nervously, bowed, and then exited the White Tiger Hall.
As this Tier Five Martial Artist walked out the door, he found that his inner garment was drenched in sweat.
He couldn’t help but glance back, his fear indescribable.
Although Zhang Yuan hadn’t demonstrated any formidable techniques, throughout their interaction, Feng Hui realized he couldn’t see through this new Dao General at all, and recognized that his previous judgement was gravely mistaken.
Thinking of this, Feng Hui felt a sense of bitterness.
The days ahead likely wouldn’t be easy for him.
Meanwhile, Zhang Yuan in the White Tiger Hall was unaware of the pressure he had placed on his subordinate.
He was flipping through thick files while organizing the information he had just obtained.
Mainly regarding Daoist Official Fei Hongming.
Fei Hongming had been stationed in West Plain for ten years, and in this frontier Dao City, his prestige was unparalleled, with very deep roots.
This Daoist Official had long settled in West Plain City, and the Fei Family was unquestionably the first family in Dao City, their residence being just a street away from the Daoist Government Office.
Fei Hongming had married many years ago and currently has three sons and two daughters.
One of the sons and a daughter are both cultivating in Upper Scenic Celestial.
Fei Yuxuan is Fei Hongming’s second son. Lacking any aptitude for cultivation, he only studied some martial arts and barely reached the Tier Three cultivation realm.
Compared to Fei Hongming’s eldest son, Fei Yuming, Second Young Master Fei is not much more than a waste.
Nonetheless, Fei Yuxuan is deeply loved, even spoiled by Lady Fei.
As such, Second Young Master Fei has long been able to do as he pleases in West Plain City, with few daring to offend him, resulting in a dissolute and arrogant demeanor.
However, Fei Yuxuan isn’t a person of great evil, with Fei Hongming’s pressure above him, he hasn’t committed any heinous crimes.
Of course, all this information came from Feng Hui’s account.
How much embellishment there is, only this Vice General knows.
Zhang Yuan was inclined to believe it, but not take it as truth.
In Zhang Yuan’s view, Feng Hui seemed quite cunning, behaving like a fence-sitter. Having narrowly survived the replacement of a Dao General and two Deputy Generals, it’s likely not just due to luck.
Such a person can be used, but not in a significant role!
What truly troubled Zhang Yuan was the severe understaffing in the current Dao Camp, with both Daoist Soldiers and auxiliary soldiers in urgent need of replenishment.
Additionally, two reliable deputy generals are needed.
Zhang Yuan lacked experience in the military domain and had never before held a position such as a stationed Dao General. He couldn’t possibly dedicate all his time and energy to the Dao Camp at the expense of his own cultivation.
Thus, assistants would be crucial.
Feng Hui had already been removed from Zhang Yuan’s list of confidants.
Thinking over the matter, Zhang Yuan retrieved a piece of talisman paper from his storage space, smoothed it on the table, and quickly penned a letter using a wolf hair brush and vermilion ink.
This talisman was sent to the Mo Family!
Zhang Yuan’s plan was to seek assistance from the Mo Family, asking them to send over two experienced experts to support, ideally accompanied by a group of elite Martial Artists to fill in the gaps among the Daoist Soldiers.
However, after sending out the talisman, Zhang Yuan suddenly considered a question.
Was all this within the Mo Family Ancestor’s calculations?
But as soon as the thought arose, he chuckled to himself.
So what if it was?
Zhang Yuan never intended to maneuver within the sect system of Upper Scenic Celestial. Being assigned outside as Dao General was out of necessity, and once he reaches the Divine Realm, he plans to head to Qianjing to fulfill his ten-year pact.
By then, everything in Upper Scenic Celestial would be inevitably left behind.
So whatever schemes the Mo Family had, as long as they could assist him at present, it would suffice.
Even if the Mo Family stands to gain, it would be their rightful earnings!
Zhang Yuan exhaled deeply, gathered the files on the table, and headed to the inner courtyard.
The Dao Camp had a General’s Mansion, although its scale was far less than the Daoist Government Office, the facilities were fully equipped, including maids and servants, making both living and cultivation convenient.
The inner courtyard even had a dedicated bath.
Zhang Yuan first enjoyed a thorough hot bath, then changed into a comfortable, clean outfit.
Despite the earlier long journey, at this moment he felt no fatigue, sitting down in the cultivation quiet chamber.
Zhang Yuan retrieved a fist-sized, fiery red fruit from his storage space.
This fruit, called the Fiery Sun Vermilion Fruit, was nearly five hundred years old, a top-tier natural treasure.
After being promoted to Dao General, Zhang Yuan exchanged most of his arduously accumulated Daoist Merits from the Sect Daoist Vault for it, to refine the Six Harmonies Qilin Body.
Because the Fiery Sun Vermilion Fruit is of pure yang attribute, not only suitable for assisting in refining this Horizontal Cultivation Technique, but it also greatly enhances his primary cultivation of the Primordial Celestial Spirit True Method.
Zhang Yuan raised his left hand, forming a blade with his palm, and evenly sliced the Fiery Sun Vermilion Fruit in his right hand into four quarters.
He immediately consumed one quarter, placing the remaining three back in his storage space to prevent the loss of medicinal properties.
The Vermilion Fruit melted upon entering his mouth, and its rich, unparalleled medicinal power erupted instantly within his body.
Zhang Yuan sat steady and still, urging his internal Gang Qi to begin refining it.
Soon, he entered a state of selflessness, forgetting both himself and his surroundings.
The long night quietly passed by.
When the first ray of dawn shone into the inner courtyard, Zhang Yuan suddenly opened his eyes within the quiet chamber.
He exhaled a stream of turbid air.
The next moment, Zhang Yuan stood up, and the joints in his body issued a series of dense, crisp pops.
He felt refreshed and invigorated, both body and mind at their peak state.
After half a night’s hard cultivation, both the Six Harmonies Qilin Body and the Primordial Celestial Spirit True Method had progressed.
The Fiery Sun Vermilion Fruit indeed had extraordinary effects.
Unfortunately, there was only the one, and the remaining three quarters were evidently insufficient to refine the Qilin Body to the Perfection Level.
But Zhang Yuan wasn’t greedy, already feeling very satisfied.
At the hour of Chen, he appeared punctually at the Dao Camp’s Martial Arts Arena.
To begin reviewing the troops.
Having given the orders yesterday, the Daoist Soldiers and auxiliary soldiers of the Dao Camp were already lined up in the Martial Arts Arena, awaiting inspection.
Zhang Yuan ascended the platform, gave no unnecessary words, introduced himself to establish his identity, and then had Feng Hui carry out the roll call.
Due to the heavy losses in previous bandit suppression efforts, the West Plain Dao Camp’s forces were significantly depleted, making the roll call quick.
"Sir, there are one hundred ninety-three Daoist soldiers on record, with an actual count of one hundred ninety."
Feng Hui ultimately reported: "There are three hundred seventeen auxiliary soldiers on record, with an actual count of three hundred twelve!"
Zhang Yuan’s gaze sharpened: "So three Daoist soldiers didn’t show, and five auxiliary soldiers are missing?"
Feng Hui felt a chill of intense killing intent, and bravely responded: "Yes."
Zhang Yuan nodded slightly, and said evenly, "Have them captured and executed here."
