The room was quiet, the flickering torchlight casting long shadows over the walls. The four friends—Wang Yan, Zhao Qing, Chen Yu, and Liu Ming—were filled with curiosity, their thoughts focused on one question that had been burning since the City Lord's retreat.
Wang Yan finally spoke, voice steady but edged with intrigue. "Instructor Qiu… what kind of power does your brother-in-law hold that even the City Lord hesitated and withdrew?"
Zhao Qing added, "Yes… even without his presence, he actually retreated."
Chen Yu and Liu Ming simply nodded in agreement, the same question heavy in their minds.
Instructor Qiu broke the silence. "Before you understand my brother-in-law, you should know his name. He is Shuo Tian."
A brief pause followed, letting the name settle in. Then Patriarch Liang spoke, his deep voice carrying authority. "Green Pearl City is nothing more than a small city at the edge of the Lingyun Kingdom, far from the centers of true power. The Lingyun Kingdom itself is under the Tian Dou Empire. Its capital, Lingyun City, houses the kingdom's influential figures and powerful experts."
He leaned forward, eyes sweeping the group. "The kingdom's political structure is straightforward. At the top is the king, who rules over all. Beneath him are two ministers, responsible for administration, governance, and major strategic decisions. Below them are four commanders, who control the military forces, maintain order across the kingdom, and ensure that the king's authority is enforced. Together, these six individuals shape the destiny of the entire kingdom."
Patriarch Liang's voice became deliberate. "Within Lingyun City itself, there are three powerful families, each commanding four to five Soul Emperors—individuals whose strength dominates the kingdom. These families wield tremendous influence, far beyond what any city lord in Green Pearl City can ever achieve."
He leaned back slightly. "My son-in-law, Shuo Tian, is one of the four commanders. His father, Minister Shuo Hai, is one of the two ministers and a peak Soul Emperor, level sixty-nine. Shuo Tian himself has already reached Soul Emperor, level sixty-two. That is the full extent of their background and influence within the kingdom."
A heavy silence followed. The four friends and the remaining Iron Guards exchanged stunned glances.
"So… this is the power that made the City Lord actually retreat?" Zhao Qing whispered, disbelief in his voice.
Wang Yan's fists clenched. "And he didn't even appear himself…"
Liu Ming and Chen Yu nodded in agreement, their minds racing to grasp the scale of it. Even the wounded Iron Guards were pale, clearly shaken by the revelation.
Instructor Qiu stepped forward, his tone firm yet calm. "Enough speculation for tonight. You've seen what you needed to see. Tend to your wounds, regain your strength, and clear your minds."
They all nodded and dispersed to rest, letting the quiet of the base close in as flickering torchlight slowly dimmed.
Slowly, Two years went by.
During those two years, Green Pearl City appeared calm on the surface, but within the Iron Guard, profound changes were taking place. The organization no longer operated as it once had. What had begun as a mercenary force focused on trade and protection was reshaped into something far more structured and enduring.
Under Instructor Qiu's guidance, the Iron Guard underwent a careful reorganization. Experience had taught them a harsh lesson—relying solely on contracts and escorts was no longer enough. Strength, discipline, and preparedness were now essential.
A dual-division structure was formally established.
The Mercenary Division continued to manage trade escorts, caravan protection, and city-based security missions. It ensured stable income and maintained the Iron Guard's visibility throughout Green Pearl City.
Alongside it, the Combat Division was formed.
This division existed solely for battle. Recruitment was deliberate and strict, accepting only cultivators with proven combat experience. Instructor Qiu personally supervised their training—formation drills, coordinated assaults, defensive maneuvers, and live-mission exercises. Progress was steady, forged through real danger rather than empty practice.
By the end of two years, the Combat Division had grown to over seventy members, while the Iron Guard as a whole stabilized at just over two hundred members.
As their structure solidified, the nature of missions evolved.
The Iron Guard began accepting higher-risk assignments—bandit suppression, territory clearance, and dangerous operations near spirit beast regions. These missions sharpened their coordination and strengthened their resolve.
Their reputation rose quietly but steadily.
Merchants came to rely on them. Independent cultivators sought affiliation. Meanwhile, the City Lord and his followers watched with clear displeasure. The presence of a disciplined armed force expanding within Green Pearl City was not something they welcomed—but the Iron Guard acted within the rules and contributed to stability. There was no justification for open suppression.
Over these two years, cultivation advanced naturally through constant combat and training.
Wang Yan refined his soul power through repeated engagements, eventually reaching the peak of level forty-seven, his foundation solid and controlled.
Zhao Qing and Liu Ming both advanced to level forty-three, their growth shaped by battlefield pressure rather than secluded cultivation.
Chen Yu reached level forty-two, his progress steady and reliable.
Instructor Qiu himself advanced to level forty-one, continuing to guide others while strengthening his own cultivation.
Beyond the four founders and Instructor Qiu, five additional Soul Ancestors emerged within the Iron Guard. Each had proven their worth through loyalty and repeated missions. They were formally appointed as elders, reinforcing the organization's leadership.
In total, the Iron Guard now possessed ten Soul Ancestors.
More than thirty Soul Elders formed its backbone.
Elite core squads, consisting of twelve members each, were also established to handle the most demanding operations and rapid-response situations.
By the time two years had passed, the Iron Guard had fully stabilized.
....
The room was quiet.
A single lamp hung above the long wooden table, its dim light barely reaching the corners of the room. Shadows clung to the walls, unmoving. Wang Yan sat at the head of the table, fingers resting lightly on the wood. Liu Ming leaned against a stone pillar nearby, arms folded. Chen Yu stood by the narrow window, eyes fixed on the darkness outside. Zhao Qing sat at the far end, back straight, head lowered.
The door opened softly.
Instructor Qiu stepped inside and closed it behind him. He paused briefly, his gaze sweeping across the room. The atmosphere made him frown—not tense, but heavy, as if a decision had already been made.
"You didn't call me here for routine matters," he said, pulling out a chair and sitting down.
"Speak."
No one answered immediately.
The silence stretched.
Then Wang Yan spoke, his voice calm and steady.
"We've decided to attack Qinghe Town's three ruling families."
The words were simple.
Too simple.
Instructor Qiu did not respond at once. His eyes shifted from one face to another.
"This wasn't decided tonight," he said quietly.
"No," Liu Ming replied. "It wasn't."
Instructor Qiu leaned back. "Then tell me."
They told him everything.
They told him how Qinghe Town had been discovered to sit atop a gold vein. How the Mo, Han, and Wei families moved in. How they slaughtered the entire town to keep the secret. How the massacre was disguised as a spirit-beast incident.
They told him how a few survivors escaped, how they went to Green Pearl City seeking justice—and how the City Lord silenced them to ensure the truth never surfaced.
When they finished, the room was completely still.
Instructor Qiu let out a slow breath. "So the incident was never an accident."
"No," Chen Yu said. "It was planned."
Instructor Qiu's expression darkened. "And the City Lord covered it."
"Yes," Wang Yan said evenly. "But we won't touch him yet."
Instructor Qiu nodded. "Because of his authority."
"And because the outside world knows nothing about the gold," Wang Yan continued. "Once that becomes known, questions will be asked. That part comes later."
He rested his hand on the table.
"For now, this mission has one focus."
"The three families," Liu Ming said.
"They rebuilt everything except the town center," Chen Yu added. "The core is sealed. No civilians. No outsiders."
"They moved their estates outward," Liu Ming continued. "Each family controls one edge of Qinghe."
Instructor Qiu understood immediately. "So you'll strike them separately."
"Yes," Wang Yan replied. "One by one."
"Mo first," Chen Yu said.
"Then Han," Liu Ming followed.
Zhao Qing finally spoke, his voice low and steady.
"And Wei last."
Instructor Qiu looked at them for a long moment.
"This won't be quick," he said.
Wang Yan nodded. "It doesn't need to be."
The lamp flickered softly.
End of chapter.