Patrol Captain

“I went to the place where the sky collapsed and took a look myself.”

Chen Yuan gestured for the others to sit down first, then slowly sat down himself, pointing his finger at the wine pot on the table.
"That is a passage between realms, related to the war that established the Great Qian Dynasty in the past. At that time, many celestial beings descended to the mortal realm."

"It covers a vast area of ​​thousands of miles and is extremely dangerous."

Upon hearing this, everyone present was shocked and their expressions changed.

"What if we destroy this interface channel?" Qi Tian raised his thick eyebrows, his eyes gleaming.

"I have received news that the imperial court intends to find a way to destroy this interdimensional passage and prevent the celestial beings from descending to the mortal realm."

Chen Yuan was somewhat surprised to hear this information, then gave a cold laugh. It seemed that the imperial court had finally become anxious this time.

Ha, why didn't you do this sooner?

"Disaster!"

"So vast and difficult to move, it requires an astonishing amount of power."

Qi Tian pondered for a moment, then glanced at Chen Yuan. "It's not impossible. If the imperial court were to truly operate, its power would be quite astonishing."

This general who suppresses demons seems to have a deeper understanding of the imperial court, knowing that some powers are not what they appear to be.

After all, the Great Qian territory spans millions of miles, abundant in martial arts, and teeming with hidden talents.

Chen Yuan also admitted that, after all, the energy exerted by a state apparatus when it is truly in motion is astonishing. However, based on what he has seen in the past few years, the corruption of this court makes it uncertain how much power it can exert.

He didn't want to be used as a pawn; it was thankless work, and preserving his strength was his priority.

"If the imperial court is truly determined, that would be all the better. But have you considered that some people don't want this passage to be destroyed?"

He tapped the table with his hand, revealing a meaningful expression.

"For example, the celestial beings who had descended to the mortal realm during that great upheaval."

"And then there are those who are obsessed with ascending to heaven."

His last sentence was a veiled reference to an immortal monarch like Senior Luo.

Upon hearing this, General Qi Tian frowned immediately, pondering the meaning behind Chen Yuan's words, his expression gradually becoming thoughtful.

Chen Yuan continued speaking.

"and"

"At that time, Chen saw many powerful beings, like celestial beings, spying on the human world and preparing to descend at any moment in that interface channel."

"If the court has really made a decision, we should act quickly. If we wait any longer, we may miss all opportunities."

General Qi Tian finally felt the pressure from those words. His expression turned solemn as he stared intently at Chen Yuan.

"These words are useless to say. I just want to ask you, what are your plans?"

"I'm resigning and returning to my hometown! I already said that."

"Where are your soldiers?" Qi Tian glanced at Yun Tiansheng and the others on the table.

The atmosphere froze after those words were spoken.

Yun Tiansheng and the others all showed signs of tension, though they tried to hide it well, their expressions were still visibly strained.

"General, take the brothers with you! Your subordinate is willing to follow you all the way!"

Yun Tiansheng stood up abruptly, took two steps back, knelt down on one knee, and spoke with a resounding voice.

Lu Ming and Liu Qing were only half a step slower, and the same thing happened to both of them.

They had followed the general all the way, and had long been determined to follow him to the death. They never expected that the general would choose to resign and leave at this time. The few grown men looked rather at a loss.

The others had strange expressions and hesitated to speak.

Only Old Man Dong stared wide-eyed. "Young Chen, are you serious? You're really quitting?"

If he leaves, the Ninth Mountain, and even most of the prefecture, will fall apart.

Chen Yuan took in their expressions, his gaze settling on Yun Tiansheng and the other two, his expression softening.
"General Qi is still here, don't talk such nonsense."

"Besides, if I were to say that I am a patrolling angel, not the Ninth Prince."

"Get up!"

"I'm leaving, not dying."

After speaking, he turned to General Qi Tian and smiled.

"I humbly request that you take care of my brothers and comrades, including myself, General."

"We're all one family, so let's not speak like strangers."

"The soldiers of Shu have done enough. They have not let down the court or the people. No matter what happens, let the court's troops take the lead. We will stay behind and cherish our lives. If anyone bullies my brothers-in-arms..."

"I will not agree."

"Anyway, being free from official duties is a great relief!"

He spoke casually, with a smile, raising his glass, and in that instant, he brought life and lightness to the somber atmosphere.

The gloom on everyone's faces vanished, and they began to smile.

Chen Yuan's meaning was quite clear.

General Qi Tian naturally understood, and raised his wine cup, "Drink."

Drink it all in one gulp!

The table quickly became lively, as if the previous conversation had never happened. No one talked about the future; they just wanted to unload their burdens and get thoroughly drunk.

This drinking session continued until dusk.

As dusk settled over the mountain ridge, the newly sprouted leaves still shimmered with the warm spring sunshine of the day. The western horizon was like a spilled rouge box, the sky ablaze with color, a warm breeze blowing, and the tender green shoots timidly peeking out, rustling and swaying at the slightest touch of the wind.

The mountain shadows were shrouded in a hazy mist, the bells under the eaves of the main hall jingled softly, and in front of the main hall, long shadows stretched out as people bid farewell.

"Lord Chen, the three of us, master and disciples, must part ways here. All good things must come to an end, and we will surely meet again someday."

"I've gained so much these past few days, it's been wonderful!"

"Farewell!"

"Take care of yourself!"

The three from Yangshan left.

Next up are Yi Cangtian, Shen Gu, and Pei Yanhu.
"General Qi, please wait!"

Chen Yuan called out to Qi Tian, ​​who was about to leave.

He then asked the other party to move to the pavilion in front of the main hall, where the sea of ​​clouds surged beneath their feet, bathed in the glow of the setting sun.

"Brother Chen, is there anything else you wish to say?"

Qi Tian reeked of alcohol, but his eyes remained bright.

"General Qi has now condensed his second golden flower, and he is just one step away from breaking through to the Martial Saint realm."

"I, Chen, have a secret technique to share with you, which may be helpful for a general to break through to the Martial Saint realm!"

Chen Yuan spoke softly, yet it resounded like thunder in Qi Tian's ears.

His eyes were exceptionally bright, like lights in the darkness, and his breathing became heavier.

The general suppressed his excitement and looked at Chen Yuan, "Brother Chen, how do you treat me like this?"

"I, Chen, must repay the kindness shown to me by the general on that day."

"If there is one more Martial Saint in Shu, it will be good for everyone. I, Chen, will consider it a good deed."

Chen Yuan was referring to the breakthrough technique that Senior Luo had given him at the burial site: the White Bone Refining Divine Technique.

Seeing that General Qitian had already condensed the second golden flower, and that this method was now useless to him, why not do him a favor, which would benefit everyone?

Without saying anything more, he turned one hand into a sword finger and pointed it at the fleshy crevice between his eyebrows. His third eye opened, and rosy light flowed around it.

Chen Yuan swept his hand across his third eye, and a ball of glass light the size of a pill was caught in it.

Then, he flicked his finger, aiming it at General Qitian's brow.

Soon, the ball of light hovered three feet in front of Qi Tian's brow, humming and vibrating. Golden light also emanated from the center of Qi Tian's brow, transforming into a radiant glow that enveloped the object.

Then, General Qi Tian slowly closed his eyes.

Before half a cup of tea could be brewed, his eyes suddenly snapped open, gleaming with a sharp, captivating light.

A hint of uncontrollable joy flickered within him.

"Ha ha!"

"Brother Chen, this is truly a timely help. I will remember this kindness."

He, who was always dignified and serious and never smiled, couldn't help but burst into laughter, which shook the sea of ​​clouds and caused the pines on the cliff to rustle.

This method is perfect for him.

He possesses the primordial spirit of demons.

Having guarded the Demon Kingdom for so long, he must have killed one or two great demons.

Although this method was sinister, he quickly realized that Chen Yuan had broken through to the Martial Saint realm using this method.

The fact that this opportunity existed proves that this method is feasible.

It should be known that many great masters in the world have faced this final hurdle and died with regret. Breaking through to the Martial Saint realm is a very difficult feat.

In short, the unexpected value caused the general to lose his composure.

A moment later, Chen Yuan watched as the general transformed into a stream of light and disappeared into the sea of ​​clouds.

"Hopefully it will work!"

He muttered to himself, wondering if it would work out, since he was different.

However, the saying goes, "Giving roses leaves a lingering fragrance." At this critical juncture, the most important thing is to focus on improving the strength of those around us and accumulating power.

After a while, Chen Yuan turned around, and four figures stood silently behind him.

Three deputy generals, and Mr. Gongsun.

These are the people I trust the most.

Chen Yuan watched, a smile playing on his lips. His state of mind had undergone a significant transformation after breaking through to Martial Saint.

"I've made arrangements for you all."

"There are still some things to explain."

"follow me!"

Half an hour later, on the summit of Yunding Peak, a eunuch hurriedly stepped into the Xuntian Hall, holding a memorial in both hands, and handed it to Helian Shan's desk.

"Master Imperial Master!"

"General Chen has left the Ninth Mountain."

"This is the memorial he gave to me, instructing me to present it to His Majesty."

"General Chen has really resigned and left!"

Eunuch Cao seemed flustered and spoke very quickly.

When Helian Shan opened the memorial, his eyebrows immediately shot up, and with a clench of his fist, the memorial instantly turned to dust and crumbled in his hand.

"How dare you, Zhu Zi!"

"I heard they had a farewell dinner this afternoon?"

Knowing that the Imperial Advisor was very angry, Eunuch Cao nodded like a quail with its head bowed.

Helian Shan's chest heaved as he took a deep breath.

He flicked his sleeves, blowing away the powder from the documents, and then simply said one sentence.
"I haven't seen this memorial before."

The eunuch Cao from the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs exclaimed "Ah!" and then nodded with a bitter expression.

"Yes!"

While Helian Shan and Eunuch Cao were putting on a farcical show of "acting like nothing had happened," Chen Yuan had already left Chengdu and was speeding southeast.

Our destination: Qingshan County, eight thousand miles away!
Breaking through the sea of ​​clouds, roaming the universe, Chen Yuan transformed into a streak of light, cutting through the evening glow. The mountains below were immersed in twilight, the newly green forest surging, gilded with a warm red by the setting sun.

A long wind swept past my ears, carrying the fresh air of the mountains. It cut through the winding, silvery river and swept over the villages where smoke was just beginning to rise from the chimneys. The colors of the world were being blended into a warm, jade-like hue by the twilight.

At that moment, he felt an urgent sense of longing, like a wanderer returning home.

It's been a long time since I've been back.

Several years have passed in the blink of an eye. He has been chasing after his goals, driven by the currents of the world, without ever stopping.

Now, there are still people waiting for him there.

He traveled at top speed, covering thousands of miles, as dusk gradually set in the west.

When he finally saw the outline of a mountain town under the twilight, he slowed down. The Nu River was still surging. At that moment, a melodious tune drifted to his ears.

"The warm spring sun paints the river, its surface shimmering with golden light. New willows droop long along the banks, peach blossoms smile gently in the lake's glow. A small fishing boat drifts lazily, oars lightly swaying in the middle of the water. Nets are cast, filling the hold with dreams, fish leap and dart in silvery splashes. The setting sun gradually sinks behind the western hills, the evening glow like fire reflecting on faces. The wind rustles the reeds, and songs fill the air."

In the distance, at the foot of the mountain town, a fishing boat returning home cuts through the shimmering, dark red water. An old man wearing a straw hat rows the boat, singing a loud fisherman's song. His wooden oars churn the river with golden ripples, and the boat drifts leisurely along. The reeds on the bank sway in the twilight, forming waves of bluish-gray. Water birds hidden in the reeds are startled by the fisherman's song from the bow of the boat and flutter across the sky filled with the colors of the sunset.

The silver scales in the net were still shimmering, making the deck bright and shiny, like starlight scattered all over the ground. A fisherwoman in a gray cloth shirt squatted at the stern, picking up her catch, the lake water on her fingertips reflecting the setting sun.

In the distance, the lights that lit up one after another on the dock and the lanterns on the bows of the boats formed a string, spreading a flowing shimmer on the water. Fishermen's songs drifted by, sometimes high, sometimes low, mixed with the sound of oars and laughter, softening the deepening twilight. Even the evening breeze couldn't help but slow down, brushing against the gunwale to listen to the songs.

This idyllic scenery is hidden in this remote mountain town.

Chen Yuan smiled leisurely, then stood high in the sky, opened his heavenly eye, and scanned the entire Qingshan County.

Qingshan County has changed a lot. It is now divided into inner and outer cities, and more and more people are gathering here. The demonic calamities and wars that swept through Sichuan for several years seem to have had no effect on this small mountain town.

Chen Yuan saw it; his old house was still there.

He also noticed that the wine shop in that alley was still hanging lanterns.

A hunchbacked figure was blocking the door with a wooden plank, preparing to pack up and close his stall.

"Old Wu!"

A voice suddenly rang out at the end of the alley.

The old man, who was packing up his stall, trembled and turned around. It was none other than Old Wu.

"Young Master Chen!"

When Old Wu saw the figure standing at the corner of the alley, tears welled up in his eyes instantly, and he quickly walked over.

The figure emerged, standing amidst the interplay of candlelight and twilight.

I knew you couldn't stay still!

"He's back to running your liquor stall again."

Chen Yuan smiled.

Old Wu was not safe in Fusi, so he had someone take him back to his hometown to live out his remaining years. But he still thought about this old matter.

"Young Master Chen, when are you leaving now that you're back?"

Old Wu was very happy to see Chen Yuan, and his wrinkled face showed a kind of expectation.

"We're not leaving for now!"

"I'm a little tired and want to rest for a bit."

Chen Yuan found a table and sat down, touching the familiar old object with a sense of warmth.

Old Wu instantly perked up.
"That's fine, that's fine."

"You haven't tasted my wine in a long time, please have a taste."

Old Wu, like an excited child, busied himself with tasks, just like before, serving Chen Yuan wine, cutting meat, and plating dishes.

(End of this chapter)