Marquis of Lecheng County?
Positioned so highly at such a young age, she must be either a member of the Royal Family or nobility. Though she said she would uphold justice, Yan Qing wouldn't truly place his hopes on her — justice is never granted by others and can only be fought for by oneself.
Especially in this unfamiliar world.
"He framed me." Yan Qing replied.
Before Ying Rushi could speak, a nearby general shouted angrily, "What makes you, a country bumpkin, think you're worth anything? The Baibao General of the Northern Border wants to stomp you out, he wouldn't need to frame a Central Plains person like you!"
Aside from those wearing masks, most people in the military camp have broad faces with long noses and well-developed beards. 'Yan San', as a modern game's default male face, naturally aligns more closely with modern aesthetic standards. Even with maximum elements of height and muscle, 'Yan San' can be considered heroic and vigorous, without a beard, obviously different from the other Northern People.
Yan Qing wasn't surprised by such ethnic discrimination. Perhaps due to this factor, Wuwan Liu acted recklessly, since framing an outsider would naturally attract less concern.
"Hold on."
Ying Rushi glanced at the nearby general, who immediately stepped back.
She looked at 'Yan San' and asked, "Why did the Wuwan Banner Master frame you?"
"First, he didn't inform me about the Secret Realm Demon Fiend's details, causing me to nearly die; he harmed me and naturally feared my revenge. Second, today was my first time entering the Secret Realm, and I've already transformed into a Messenger, making him envious."
"What audacity, daring to deceive nobility!"
"Are even you capable of becoming a Messenger, you country bumpkin?"
"Do you think you are nobility, being able to become a Messenger at this age?"
"County Duke, this person is desperate and speaks nonsense, ignore him!"
Following Ying Rushi, various officials either laughed or retorted upon hearing 'Yan San's statements; almost none believed him.
Only Ying Rushi glanced at Wuwan Liu, who remained silent.
"Wuwan Banner Master, is it true he became a Messenger in the Secret Realm?"
"Yes." Wuwan Liu replied, "After defeating the Demon King, his entire being radiated Qi Blood, and his wounds healed instantly, indeed a characteristic of transitioning."
Even through the screen, Yan Qing could see the Northern People beside Ying Rushi were shocked, and then refused to believe it, followed by disdain, jealousy, and scorn. He guessed this group should be Ping City's officials, and most likely not Messengers. Now seeing a Central Plains person becoming a Messenger surpassing mortals, their hearts were naturally uncomfortable.
Then Ying Rushi looked towards the quartermaster by the instance entrance, her expression suddenly serious.
"Can you truly not find the Thunderbolt Saber Technique Secret Manual?"
The quartermaster immediately knelt, "I really can't find it, the big treasure chest is missing it."
"Surely a Central Plains barbarian was tempted by wealth, search him!"
"How can you find it? He's surely used it already!"
"Central Plains people are simply untrustworthy!"
Everyone eagerly offered suggestions, indignantly as if 'Yan San' had killed their whole family. Ying Rushi remained silent for a moment, then unexpectedly looked at the general beside her.
"Is there any more Thunderbolt Saber Technique Secret Manuals here?"
"Yes, yes, yes, all the recent gains are stored here, County Duke plans to transport them back to Nocturnal Heaven?"
"Give me one."
The Duke's order was executed swiftly; shortly a Thunderbolt Saber Technique Manual was handed to Ying Rushi.
Ying Rushi gestured to 'Yan San', "Come over here."
Yan Qing didn't move, he maintained a distance within three meters of Wuwan Liu.
Seeing this Central Plains person's rudeness, others began to curse again. But Ying Rushi was not annoyed at all, she signaled everyone to stop, approached 'Yan San' under the protection of the Evil Ghost Warrior, and handed him the Thunderbolt Saber Technique Manual.
"Take this manual and silently recite learning it in your heart. If you haven't illicitly learned the Secret Realm's manual, you would be able to learn it; if you have, then naturally you can't learn it."
The nearby general was greatly surprised, "County Duke, this is a Secret Realm manual, how could you so easily give it to a Central Plains person... he's not even listed among the Baibao Guards of the Military Mansion!"
"In my eyes, there is no distinction between Northern People and Central Plains People, only Qi People." Ying Rushi's voice was solemn, she surveyed the surroundings, "If there's a Qi person who can transform into a Messenger on their first entry into the Secret Realm, such exceptional talent, what's wrong with bestowing a manual? If outstanding talent isn't promoted fairly, who else can defend the mountains and rivers of the Qi Kingdom?"
With Ying Rushi's stance, everyone bowed their heads, but even through the screen, Yan Qing could see they weren't convinced, only submitting to the Marquis of Lecheng County's power.
'Yan San' received the manual but didn't learn it; instead, he stored it in his personal warehouse and then transferred it to the public warehouse. However, for Ying Rushi and the others, it was as if the manual had disappeared, indistinguishable from being consumed during learning.
"Since he can learn the manual, it proves he didn't steal anything from the Secret Realm." Ying Rushi looked at Wuwan Liu, "Wuwan Banner Master, can you accept this result?"
Wuwan Liu bowed his head, "I accept."
"The matter ends here, but only this once!" Ying Rushi's voice suddenly grew stern, "Ping City Secret Realm is a national treasure, entrusted by Your Majesty to me to oversee its operations. I will not allow anyone to disrupt its workings! If such incidents happen again, I will investigate thoroughly; if the culprit isn't found, then all Support Soldiers clearing the Secret Realm that day, all scavenging the realm, everyone will be hanged, and their families reduced to army slaves, did you hear me clearly?"
"Heard clearly!"
Everyone knelt; they saw 'Yan San' still standing and couldn't help but curse, "You barbarian, quickly kneel and thank the County Duke for her grace!"
"I almost forgot," Ying Rushi looked over, "I never had the time to ask, what's your name, warrior?"
"Yan San."
"Yan San, I'm promoting you to Baibao Captain, with a monthly salary of six hundred jade, and a reward of one hundred jade for each Secret Realm clearing. You may borrow Evil Ghost Mask and other First-Turn Tokens from the Daqi Secret Vault, but you must clear the Secret Realm over a hundred times in return." Ying Rushi paused, "Gai Lou Commander, will you supervise Yan San as the Team Leader?"
The old general, who hadn't spoken until now, nodded, "Such a valiant general, who wouldn't love him? Thank you, County Duke."
"Yan San, are you satisfied?"
"I am satisfied."
"If you have other requests, please speak freely."
"I wish to clear the Secret Realm daily."
Ying Rushi and the other generals looked at each other, seemingly surprised.
"I must say, you've given me quite a surprise. Even as a Messenger, many aren't willing to clear the Secret Realm; few are willing to battle Demon Fiends unafraid of death... I'll give you an order, so long as you're willing, you can join the Secret Realm clearing team any day. But it's best to act within your means; battling isn't the only way to train."
"Thank you." Yan Qing replied, "County Duke, you're a good person."
Ying Rushi visibly paused, then smiled, "It's the first time I've heard someone evaluate me like that, thank you."
After handling the issue, Ying Rushi had many other matters to attend to, and left with everyone. Wuwan Liu had remained silent throughout the process until now, when he stood up, raising his head to see 'Yan San' standing in front of him.
"Though it may hold little significance, I still want to ask." Yan Qing looked at the Evil Ghost Knight on the screen, "Why?"
Yan Qing had many other unspoken questions, like why he randomly killed Yan the Second just walking on the street, or why he didn't tell Yan San about Zheng Shan's information, and so forth...
And Wuwan Liu's reply seemed to answer all those unspoken questions —
"Because it pleases me." Wuwan Liu's voice was calm, but to Yan Qing, it sounded venomous like an evil ghost, "Don't think you've won; this is the Northern People's place, crushing you would be as easy as crushing an ant."
With that, Wuwan Liu swaggered past 'Yan San', heading towards his waiting Baibao Guards.
They were clad in sturdy armor, armed with swords and bows, their ghost masks concealing their faces. From a distance, they resembled a group of evil ghosts walking in the Mortal World.