My Cultivation Starting from Archery

Two hundred household commanders stepped forward to report the summary of the operation.

About a month ago, followers of the Witch God Sect sneaked into Po Yang County and coerced the abbot of the Golden Bell Temple to help them conceal their identities.

As for the specific reasons, they are still unclear.

"My lord, in this crackdown, we have slain a total of twenty-eight followers of the Witch God Sect, including six in the Bone Training realm, and fifteen in the Blood Refining level.

"In terms of numbers, it is about the same as the previous round-up.

"We have also interrogated all the temple visitors and local residents on the mountain, and only let them go after confirming they were not involved; those who could not be immediately identified have already been imprisoned in the county government's jail."

Liu Jinkui, clenching his fists, said, "Theoretically speaking, it would be very difficult for anyone to escape."

"Very difficult~"

Xiang Tingchun's eyes were like those of an eagle, staring at them; "Does that mean, however, that someone slipped through?"

"Please forgive us, my lord!"

Liu Jinkui knelt on one knee: "The Witch God Sect is treacherous and cunning, using civilians as human shields. The situation was indeed too chaotic. But even if a few got away, they were just minions and would surely not dare to cause trouble again in the future!"

There are some things Xiang Tingchun couldn't say outright.

He fell silent for a moment, then spoke again: "Evacuate the Golden Bell Temple. Gather all the followers of the Witch God Sect, dead or alive, together. I will personally verify them."

"Yes, sir!"

The bloody battle was thoroughly over.

But most of that blood was that of the civilians.

By rough estimates, at least forty to fifty people were dead.

"Such sin!"

On the way down the mountain, Xu Wencai kept muttering, "If I were in command, I certainly wouldn't have let so many die in vain."

"Keep dreaming,"

Zhu Tong was also very dissatisfied with today's events: "Damn it, I thought Xiang Tingchun was something special, turns out he's just another ruthless character willing to achieve his goals by any means necessary."

"Do you two no longer wish to keep your tongues?!"

Fang Zongqi cast a warning glance at them.

"My lord, I was just joking, Commander Xiang's leadership was exquisite!"

Xu Wencai immediately changed his tune.

Zhu Tong, however, just scoffed and said no more.

"Sigh…"

Fang Zongqi shook his head but did not pursue the matter further: "At least we have eradicated the followers of the Witch God Sect; no more people will die because of them."

Lately, there had been no shortage of mysterious disappearances around Po Yang County.

Chen Sansi walked silently at the edge.

For the bureaucrats of the ancient feudal dynasty, what were the common people?

They were nothing more than NPCs in their simulation games, created for the value of production; as long as one could gain greater benefits from an incident, the loss of many NPCs was nothing more than a number to them.

It served Xiang Tingchun right to come back empty-handed.

Moreover, he couldn't openly investigate the matter.

After all, it was done covertly, behind the court's back.

"The Jade Box and the key are in hand."

Chen Sansi quickened his pace: "I want to see for myself what this object is that they fought so fiercely over."

...

With just one command, over eighty monks of the Golden Bell Temple were thrown into prison, and the entire temple was evacuated and sealed, forbidding anyone to go up the mountain without permission.

Inside the Great Hall.

The bodies of over twenty Witch God Sect followers were neatly lined up beneath the Golden Body of The Buddha, while Xiang Tingchun, holding a short knife, individually slit their bellies open, allowing blood and organs to spill out all over the floor.

Where's the object?! The squad leader is dead, and the followers are captured.

For this, Xiang Tingchun had also suffered a minor injury, yet couldn't find what he was looking for?

He had turned the entire Golden Bell Temple upside down.

Footsteps sounded from outside the hall.

Luo Dongquan stepped into the Great Hall, involuntarily retreating half a step upon seeing the filth on the floor, and saluted with his fist: "My lord, I have returned."

Xiang Tingchun, angered, threw the short knife aside and asked in a deep voice, "At today's banquet, did any Martial Arts Hall Master leave midway?"

"Replying to my lord."

Luo Dongquan answered: "The masters of the Four Great Martial Arts Schools, Tianyuan, Tai Lei, Zhao, and Yun He, were all present at the Eight Treasures Restaurant. Wang Zhi and I were watching them the whole time."

Xiang Tingchun then asked, "What about their subordinates?"

"They were also there."

Luo Dongquan, lowering his head: "The Martial Arts Academy Disciples above the Bone Training Realm were all called to the Eight Treasures Building by me; not one was missing."

"You, are you sure?!"

Xiang Tingchun emphasized.

Luo Dongquan's head hung even lower, almost touching the ground: "This subordinate is sure!"

"Old Luo, there's no need to be so nervous. I trust your work."

Xiang Tingchun folded his arms behind his back and paced back and forth in the hall.

He felt stifled inside.

It seemed that the item had most likely been taken away by someone who had slipped through the net.

"My lord."

Luo Dongquan asked, "Could it be that the Immortal Treasure has not been found?"

Xiang Tingchun narrowed his eyes and after pondering for a moment, he spoke:

"Old Luo, go tell the Four Great Martial Arts Schools that I have the item in my possession.

"If they want it, they can have it, but they must exchange something for it.

"First, I want an ample supply of medicinal herbs, at least doubling the amount for everyone in the garrison.

"Second, the Four Great Martial Arts Schools and the local gentry must donate silver and grain to support my military campaign next spring.

"Third, all the martial arts schools in the city must provide me with a total of three hundred men, with no fewer than three skilled in Bone Training.

"If they meet these three conditions, I will give them the Immortal Treasure." Find exclusive content at empire

Luo Dongquan could not believe it: "My lord, isn't this a bit too harsh?"

"Harsh?"

Xiang Tingchun scoffed, "Do you know what old man Liang told me on the night of the incident?

"He said that with the Immortal Treasure, within twenty years, I could make it to the position of the Great General of the Left Army Governor Mansion, and the Four Great Martial Arts Schools could also be stationed in the Capital City, joining the ranks of the first-class martial arts schools.

"Compared to that, what's the harm in spending some money and shedding some blood?"

"My lord is wise."

Luo Dongquan said, "With money and resources, it seems that as soon as the Ministry of War's approval comes through, my lord will be able to achieve great things next year."

"By the way, Old Luo."

Xiang Tingchun changed the subject: "You are nearing the Refining Internal stage yourself. It so happens that I remember Liang Feng has a few rare medicinal herbs. Demand them as well and I'll share half with you."

"Lord Thousand Households is so considerate. This subordinate will repay you with his life!"

Luo Dongquan thanked him and was about to carry out the orders.

"One more thing."

Xiang Tingchun stopped him: "In a while, the new county magistrate will arrive. For some reason, the Selection Officer from the Governor Mansion is coming ahead of time as well. Make sure you arrange things properly when the time comes, and don't let what happened last time occur again."

"Yes!"

Luo Dongquan complied with the order.

Xiang Tingchun watched his retreating figure, his gaze deep.

The Immortal Treasure...

Either the Witch God Sect successfully took it away or it was hidden near the Golden Bell Temple.

If it was the former, there was nothing that could be done, but if it was the latter, he could still search slowly.

In any case, he should first fool the martial arts schools into paying up. Any longer and it would be too late.

"The emperor plans to cultivate a group of new generals in the Northern Territory. Just one impressive battle would be enough to draw attention.

"Once the Supervisor steps down, I'm sure to be taken under the wing of the new Supervisor."

The Xiang family has been confined to the land of Po Yang County for three generations.

In his lifetime, Xiang Tingchun was determined to break out no matter what.

Even if it meant using the people of Po Yang as stepping stones, it didn't matter.

...

The garrison.

After assisting with headcount, Chen Sansi hurried back to his home, dug out the Linglong Jade Box from the underground of the backyard, and then returned to his bedroom, locking the door behind him. He pulled out the key from his pocket.

The key was made of pure jade, intricately built, and not only was the pattern complex, but the tip was irregular in shape and just so happened to fit the lock of the box perfectly.

Just as the records had stated, one box to one jade key. If the jade key was destroyed, not even the gods themselves could open the box.

He inserted the jade key and turned the mechanism.

With a "click," the wooden box opened.

Inside was another iron box.

Fortunately, the iron box didn't need another key to be unlocked.

He lifted the lid.

Inside was filled with a pale yellow substance, slightly warm and soft to the touch, somewhat resembling animal fat.

"Lamp oil?"