Chapter 2385: Chapter 2385 Smooth Sailing
"Return immediately and gather all the garrison troops!"
In response to Ye Liuyun’s instructions, Jiang Lai promptly sent the patrol squad to notify the stationed soldiers.
There were still thousands of troops stationed throughout the city, even if he hadn’t conducted any recruiting recently.
Even though they didn’t know what was going on, the patrol team complied instantly and ran off to gather reinforcements.
At the same time, Ye Liuyun stashed Cui Ziheng and Jiang Lai in his spatial realm after implanting the Slaving Seal on the three assassins and Cui Ziheng’s injured subordinates.
Using Phantom Illusion, he and his clone took on the identities of Jiang Lai and Cui Ziheng, respectively. They returned to the garrison headquarters with the remaining eight guards, armed with Cui Ziheng’s Sound Transmission Talisman.
By then, Jin Qianghou had already set out with his guards to chase after him based on Cui Ziheng’s Sound Transmission Talisman.
However, he arrived just a fraction too late. Ye Liuyun had already arrived at the military camp ahead of him.
"Attention, all troops!" Ye Liuyun declared in Cui Ziheng’s guise. "Jin Qianghou, Cui Yingwu, is plotting a rebellion. He intends to slaughter every last one of us. His son, however, has chosen righteousness over blood and revealed his father’s treachery."
"We must be ready. If Cui Yingwu launch his attack, we will crush him. I shall ensure the prince rewards each of you with honours, promotions, and wealth!"
Ye Liuyun wasted no time in preparing their defences.
Assuming Jiang Lai had saved Cui Ziheng, Cui Yingwu felt a twinge of relief when he noticed his son’s Sound Transmission Talisman making its way into the military camp.
Thus, he and his guards approached without caution.
As he caught a glimpse of Cui Ziheng and Jiang Lai from afar, he felt a sense of relief.
"Ziheng," he yelled out, pressing forward with great urgency. "What on earth happened?"
Jiang Lai decisively made a wave with his hand.
"Attack!"
The troops roared in unison and charged forward.
Even his guards were momentarily stunned.
"Protect the Marquis!" The captain snapped back to his senses and swiftly formed a defensive circle around Jin Qianghou.
It was then that Cui Yingwu realised that his son had been manipulated.
"Jiang Lai, haven’t I treated you well? How could you betray me?" He believed it was Jiang Lai who had turned against him.
Yet, in the next instant, the clone in Cui Ziheng’s disguise, shot a streak of white ray aimed straight at Cui Yingwu’s heart.
Meanwhile, Ye Liuyun, disguised as Jiang Lai, addressed the remaining guards who came with Cui Yingwu. "Cui Yingwu is dead. Who are you still fighting for now?
"By the order of Lord Zhenxing, Cui Yingwu had conspired to rebel. His son, Cui Ziheng, stands as witness to his crime. None of you were aware of his teachery. Lay down your weapons, and your lives will be spared."
"Resist, and you’ll be treated as accomplices and not a single one of you will leave this camp alive!"
The impact of his words was instantaneous. The guards immediately dropped their weapons and surrendered.
It didn’t matter if his accusation was true or not. Cui Yingwu was already dead. There was no point in dying for a lost cause.
Ye Liuyun then instructed them to be bound and interrogated.
Despite being referred to as an interrogation, it was just a chance to mark them with the Slaving Seal.
Next, he summoned all the experts from the garrison into the command tent one by one and branded them with the Slaving Seal.
After it was done, Ye Liuyun led them out of the city en masse, stowing them all into his spatial world.
Shedding his military uniform and altering his appearance, he slipped back into the city, using a Conveyor Formation to reach Valorcrest and enter the Stygian’s Secret Realm there.
He had gained more over two hundred Omnipotent-level experts from this combat, which increased his confidence in his ability to kill prominent targets in the future.
Jin Qianghou, Cui Yingwu, Cui Ziheng, Jiang Lai, and the alchemist were all handed over to Stygian in exchange for corresponding merit points.
He hadn’t expected to deceive Jin Qianghou so effortlessly and claim his head.
Now, it was time to focus on Wan Weihou and his newly appointed commander, Yuan Rong.
Ye Liuyun was rather familiar with Wan Weihou. His guard details were no secret. The only thing left was to investigate Yuan Rong’s background.
After resting briefly in the Stygian’s Secret Realm, Ye Liuyun downed two bottles of complimentary Pure Brew. He even released the three injured Stygian members he had recently captured, letting them drink some of the Pure brew to accelerate their recovery.
Then, he strolled around the streets of Valorcrest.
The city was in the midst of a recruitment drive with enlistment stations dotted across the city. Yuan Rong wasted no time in bolstering his troops, demonstrating that he was considerably more practical than Jiang Lai.
Curious, Ye Liuyun checked the recruitment criteria and was surprised to find that this army only accepted martial practitioners of advanced Ninth level or Omnipotent level. Those at the Seventh or Eighth levels wouldn’t even be considered.
As a result, the number of applicants was sparse. Spotting Ye Liuyun’s qualifying level, a recruitment officer immediately approached him with enthusiasm.
"We offer exceptional benefits for martial practitioners, guaranteed breakthroughs to the Omnipotent level! Plus, there are plenty of advancement opportunities," the officer boasted. "Our commander was personally appointed by the Sanctuary Dynasty and had experience leading the Sanctuary Troops."
He launched into a spirited pitch, trying to win Ye Liuyun over.
"Sent by the royal court? Doesn’t Lord Zhenxing appoint all of our army commanders?" Ye Liuyun posed his question to the young officer.
The young officer lowered his voice after taking a wary look around. "You seem like a clever one, so I’ll tell you. Recently, we’ve had two commanders replaced, and the latest one brought the army to its ruins. Lord Zhenxing was so upset that he informed the royal court about it immediately."
"Hence, they sent Commander Yuan Rong directly from the capital. He once led a hundred thousand troops and fought battles beyond the dynasty’s borders!"
"You won’t go wrong if you stick with Commander Yuan. You’ll advance quickly if you fight well."
The young officer was eager to recruit, singing Yuan Rong’s praises at every turn.
"All fine, I’ll join if you think he’s that excellent!" Curious to find out what made this Yuan Rong so unique, Ye Liuyun made a snap decision.
"Don’t worry, I wouldn’t lie to you! We’re on the same side now!"
The young officer, pleased with the recruit, sent a soldier to accompany Ye Liuyun to the barracks after requesting him to present his identity tag for registration.
The name on Ye Liuyun’s new tag was "Shang Wu." He didn’t worry about being found out because of his altered look.
Upon arriving at the camp, he spotted Yuan Hu, who was personally assessing the combat skills of the new recruits. Those who fell short were dismissed on the spot. He could tolerate no mistake.
His method was unusual. He pitted two recruits against each other in combat and observed their abilities. If both proved strong, he kept them both.
"Seems this man isn’t just some incompetent fool," Ye Liuyun thought to himself.
When it was his turn, Ye Liuyun casually asked about the rules. "Are we allowed to kill?"
"Oh?" Ye Liuyun’s question piqued Yuan Hu’s interest.
He turned to look at Ye Liuyun. "Why would you ask that?"
"As a soldier, my every strike is meant to kill. I’m not here to put on a damn show!" Ye Liuyun declared.
"You can."
Yuan Hu remained expressionless as he agreed.
Soon, another martial practitioner of equal level was brought forward.
Ye Liuyun gave him one dismissive glance before stating flatly, "Get me someone else. This one is too weak."
