Chapter 217 - 158: I’ll Let You Have the Credit
’The Blood Dragon Platform?’
Hearing this name again, Fang Yue instinctively frowned.
Some of the things he had experienced over the years had an undeniable connection to that name.
The recent Prefecture Examination, in particular, had shown him that the Blood Dragon Platform was no simple underground organization.
This organization wielded immense power and had extensive connections. Getting entangled with it would inevitably lead to trouble.
"Your injuries will be mostly healed in a few days. When the time comes, leave on your own. You haven’t seen me, and I haven’t seen you. We’ll just pretend we’ve never met."
Fang Yue didn’t want to get into trouble. Besides, he didn’t need the Secret Medicine she spoke of to advance to the rank of Martial Master.
’After all, a Secret Medicine that could help a Martial Artist advance to Martial Master, crossing the barrier from Great Success in Marrow Transformation to Qi Sensing, couldn’t possibly be simple.’
Fang Yue had never heard of such a thing before. Even within the imperial court, there was no such Secret Medicine.
’So, if this medicine really does what she claims and can help a Martial Artist become a Martial Master, it’s bound to be even more trouble.’
’As for how a woman with such an ordinary cultivation level could know a secret like this... maybe she’s just lying. Either way, it has nothing to do with me.’
’Saving her life is enough. I won’t get any more involved with her.’
Seeing Fang Yue’s apparent indifference, Lin Yue’e immediately labeled him in her mind: ’deeply calculating’.
Of course, concerned for her own life, she quickly added, "The Secret Medicine from the Blood Dragon Platform is guaranteed to help a Martial Artist become a Martial Master!"
’It *can* help versus it’s *guaranteed* to work. It’s just a slight change in wording, but the meaning is worlds apart.’
Sure enough, as Lin Yue’e closely watched for any change in Fang Yue’s expression, she saw it finally shift from his previous indifference.
Although it was just a tiny change, it made Lin Yue’e secretly overjoyed.
’Hmph. He acts so unswayable, but look at him now that he’s heard this.’
’Hmph. Men. They never say what they mean.’
"Your injuries don’t seem too severe. I’ve rented this place for a month, which should be enough time for you to heal. Leave on your own once you’ve recovered."
But before Lin Yue’e could even rejoice, she realized the man had already turned and was walking away.
Then came the CLICK of the door shutting.
Only then did Lin Yue’e snap back to her senses. ’He... he really just left like that?’
’Even if he’s a Qi Sensing Martial Master, and even if he doesn’t need the Secret Medicine himself, what about his children and grandchildren? Don’t they need it?’
’Why would he just leave? Is he playing hard to get?’
At this thought, Lin Yue’e decided he couldn’t possibly resist such a temptation. ’As long as he can’t let it go,’ she thought, ’I can use his power to get my revenge.’
Unfortunately, she was destined to be disappointed.
In the days that followed, the convalescing Lin Yue’e kept waiting, expecting Fang Yue to eventually give in to temptation and seek her out.
But she waited and waited, and he never appeared. It wasn’t until a month later, when the owner of the courtyard came to chase her out, that Lin Yue’e finally realized the man was truly never coming back.
Having no choice, she could only leave.
~
Meanwhile, just as Lin Yue’e was cautiously departing, the date of the training competition between Xiahe County and Wenxi County was drawing ever closer.
Fang Yue led the militia soldiers toward the site of the competition: a mountain range south of the border between the two counties.
Nestled within these mountains was their target: Feiyun Stronghold.
On the appointed day, Fang Yue led the militia soldiers to the designated location and made camp.
Originally, Wenxi County’s Training Guard Army had a thousand men on the rolls, but in reality, there were only a few hundred.
Due to low and delayed pay, most of these several hundred men suffered from low morale and were extremely weak in combat.
They were capable enough to set up roadblocks and extort provisions from traveling merchants. But when it came to a real assault on a Bandit Stronghold, these soldiers were severely lacking.
In short, even though Fang Yue’s month of training had instilled some morale in them, they could only handle a fight where they held the advantage. They would surely crumble in an uphill battle.
They would surely rout at the first real engagement.
Of course, Fang Yue wasn’t actually concerned with the outcome of the competition. He was indifferent to whether they won or lost.
Before long, Xiahe County’s Training Guard Army also arrived not far away.
After making camp, their position faced Fang Yue’s from across a distance.
The next day, County Magistrate Liu Zheng of Xiahe County and County Magistrate Wang of Wenxi County both arrived on site.
After a friendly discussion, the militias of the two counties launched their attacks on Feiyun Stronghold, each from a different direction.
The terms were set: the first to breach the Bandit Stronghold would be the victor.
"Lord Fang, I trust you will give this your all. If Wenxi County can win this competition, I will personally see to it that you are credited with a formal merit."
County Magistrate Wang patted Fang Yue’s shoulder and added in an earnest tone, "Alright, I won’t delay you any further, Lord Fang. Without you there to command them, I fear our boys won’t stand a chance!"
Fang Yue nodded, then led the remaining soldiers to catch up with the main force up ahead.
Not long after Fang Yue left, a tent flap opened, and Wei He walked out from inside.
"Lord Wang, everything is in place up ahead. I guarantee it’s foolproof," Wei He said with a smile.
"Oh? Foolproof is for the best. He is an imperial official, after all. If he were to die under mysterious circumstances, it would be difficult even for me to explain. But if he dies fighting the Bandits, killed at their hands... well, that would just prove that our dear Lord Fang is not all he’s cracked up to be. It would show he only passed the Prefecture Examination through sheer luck."
County Magistrate Wang stroked his beard and sneered.