Chapter 280: Chapter 165: Grow Bigger and Stronger, Scale New Heights

The next day, Lu Yuan sat in his study, a wry smile on his face as he read the newspaper in his hands.

’Why did the newspaper’s shopkeeper give my recruitment ad such a huge spread?’

’And the headline is so modern. I’d love to meet the editor who came up with it.’

’I really didn’t expect to find clickbait artists from the "Department of Shock" here in the Divine Ling Empire.’

This recruitment ad ran for five consecutive days.

It wasn’t just the people of Taiping City who now knew that the Zhao Mansion would soon be selecting talented individuals.

Even people in the Provincial City had heard about it.

The Emperor held the newspaper that the Jinyi Guard had passed up through the ranks, his eyes scanning its contents. "Lord Mao," he said, "what are your thoughts on this matter?"

Nowadays, all intelligence concerning Gu Ziye and Lu Yuan was delivered to the Emperor by Mao Xiang in a personal audience.

It’s no wonder Mao Xiang was the Jinyiwei Commander.

He knew what his boss was most concerned about and what he wanted.

Only such a subordinate could earn their superior’s trust and favor.

Jinyiwei Commander Mao Xiang responded, "I believe this is actually an opportunity."

"Go on."

Mao Xiang paused for a moment before continuing, "Previously, the Jinyi Guard made multiple attempts to get close to Magistrate Lu, all of which failed."

"Anyone who got too close was discovered. I believe there is an expert by Magistrate Lu’s side."

"This time, I can send a capable subordinate to apply. That way, they can enter the Zhao Mansion, and it will be much easier to gather intelligence."

Mao Xiang was partial to the Southern Town Patrol Department.

Compared to the Northern Town Patrol Department, which was formed from soldiers, Mao Xiang had always believed that the Spirit Binders and Celestial Masters of the Southern Town Patrol Department had a greater advantage.

Little did he know that Spirit Binders and Celestial Masters were exceedingly rare compared to ordinary people, making them even more conspicuous when they approached Lu Yuan.

All the previous attempts to get close to Lu Yuan and gather intelligence had been made by Jinyi Guards from the Southern Town Patrol Department.

With Su Liyan and her mother around, even a white-browed tiger with over six hundred years of power, belonging to the Vice Commander of the Central Guard of the Southern Town Patrol Department, had been discovered with ease.

Let alone the ordinary Jinyi Guards under him. They would be caught every single time, without fail.

The Emperor listened but did not respond immediately, lost in thought.

’It wasn’t a bad strategy, using this as an opportunity to get close to Lu Yuan.’

"Then do as you’ve said," the Emperor stated coldly. "If you botch this again, you should know the consequences."

Normally, the Emperor was quite amiable toward Mao Xiang.

But as soon as he spoke, Mao Xiang could feel a faint killing intent emanating from the Emperor.

An icy chill made Mao Xiang tremble.

’Indeed,’ he thought, ’since when has the Jinyi Guard repeatedly stumbled over a mere Seventh Grade county magistrate?’

’If word of this got out, what would become of the reputation of the Royal Family’s hounds?’

Mao Xiang understood that if he botched this again...

...the Emperor would probably purge the Jinyi Guard from within.

When that time came, it was anyone’s guess whose ass would be warming the Jinyiwei Commander’s seat.

Mao Xiang clasped his hands in acknowledgment, then said, "I have one more matter to report."

"Speak!" The Emperor uttered only a single word.

"My sources report that King Yan has led his army into the Beastman Race’s main stronghold."

"He is currently meeting fierce resistance from the Beastmen," Mao Xiang said, bowing his head.

Listening to Mao Xiang’s report, the Emperor thought to himself, ’I didn’t expect my fourth son to be so capable.’

’The war is going so smoothly. Gu Di truly takes after his father-in-law.’

Seeing the Emperor remain silent, Mao Xiang continued.

"According to our intelligence, the Beastman Race worships an Ancient Poison Scorpion with at least a thousand years of power. They are putting up a desperate, final struggle."

Upon hearing this, the Emperor scoffed, "In those savage lands, the half-sentient Beastmen actually know to worship a Xingzi?"

"Yes. The intelligence is absolutely reliable," Mao Xiang affirmed resolutely.

One must understand, this Ancient Poison Scorpion was no ordinary Xingzi.

Though it lacked the innate talent of a serpent demon, after a thousand years of cultivation, it still had plenty of tricks up its sleeve.

The Ancient Poison Scorpion could be mentioned in the same breath as the Nine Spirits Primordial Saint or the Silk Fairy.

It may not have possessed the world-destroying, weather-controlling power of a serpent demon like Xiangliu...

...but it was said that after a thousand years, under the right circumstances, an Ancient Poison Scorpion could take human form and walk among mortals.

This was their inherited talent.

Females could transform into great beauties, while males could become dashing young masters.

The Emperor hadn’t expected that a Da Xingzi like the Ancient Poison Scorpion truly existed in the world.

He wasn’t worried about the world’s Da Xingzi attacking the Imperial City, however.

The Imperial City was the seat of the Dragon Dao Fortune, which could suppress them with ease.

The Emperor was more concerned for his civil and martial officials and the common people of the realm. It was for this reason that, in addition to the Inspector Generals, he had created the Jinyi Guard to keep an eye on the officials.

’No wonder the Northern Beastman Race dared to invade our borders so frequently. So this was their trump card.’

The Emperor pondered for a moment.

’My fourth son certainly has the skill to command an army.’

’But if he really runs into a Da Xingzi like this, it probably won’t be easy to handle.’

’After all, King Yan Gu Di has always disliked Xingzi. I doubt he has any means of dealing with them.’

The Emperor turned to a nearby eunuch and said, "Summon the Minister of War for an audience."

Then, the Emperor said to Mao Xiang, "Alright, you are dismissed."

The Emperor discussed the northern war with the Minister of War in his study...

In Taiping City, the Post House had gradually filled up with people over the past few days.

These people had all come for one reason: to try their luck at securing a position. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Or perhaps, they simply wanted to see for themselves what kind of power the Zhao Mansion of Taiping City possessed to be able to spend so much silver on recruitment.

In her room, Su Liyan asked, "Brother, why are you suddenly recruiting people?"