Chapter Forty-Five: Myriad Transformations of the Godly Escape
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Liang Jin had certainly heard about this matter. Not only had many mid-level officers been replaced, but even the commander of the Southern Imperial Guards had been changed. The entire Southern Imperial Guards had undergone a thorough overhaul from top to bottom.
Wu Huan continued, “As the saying goes, a new emperor brings in new ministers. Naturally, our new superior doesn’t favor using the predecessor’s people.”
“So recently, there’s a plan to promote a new batch within the Guards.”
“And as for me… to be honest, I’m really counting on this opportunity.”
“Rest assured, once I get promoted, you’ll be the new squad leader!”
Within the Imperial Guards, every ten men formed a squad, with a squad leader and a deputy squad leader appointed. Five squads made up a banner, which had a banner commander and an assistant commander.
Wu Huan’s ambition to climb higher clearly aimed for the banner commander or assistant commander position. As for the squad leader role, such a minor post didn’t interest Liang Jin.
Rather than focusing on management and climbing the ranks, he preferred to strengthen himself first.
And since Wu Huan was willing to give up the squad leader spot, it wouldn’t be without some cost to Liang Jin. After all, Wu Huan’s deputy, Wang Quan, was the prime candidate.
Liang Jin immediately asked, “Wu, who is the newly appointed third place scholar in the imperial examinations?”
Wu Huan was momentarily caught off guard. They had been discussing matters within the Guards; why did Liang Jin suddenly switch to talking about the imperial exams?
But since he needed help, Wu Huan recalled and replied, “I think it’s someone named… Gao Hongzhe.”
“That fool! He just became third place and immediately angered His Majesty. He was sent to the Western Desert to die—turned into a joke throughout the capital.”
“I heard his family came to the capital, begging around to see if they could get him reassigned.”
“In my view, it’s just wishful thinking. That was the Emperor’s decree—how could an imperial order be casually revoked?”
Indeed, such matters were best discussed with those ambitious in officialdom, who naturally knew the histories of important figures.
Liang Jin pressed further, “And the Gao family, what do they do?”
Wu Huan answered, “The Gao family was prestigious during the previous dynasty; they were nobles from Hexi and had a lineage full of loyal martyrs.”
“But under this dynasty, they declined and faded, left only with some ancestral foundations and connections. Yet, even a starving camel is bigger than a horse—they remain wealthy in their region.”
“The Gao family originally produced a third place scholar, and many thought they’d soon regain their former glory.”
“Unfortunately, that scholar was too stubborn, or else they might have revived the family’s fortunes.”
“Now, the highest-ranking official in the Gao family is Gao Yuan, the prefect of Qingzhou.”
“By the way, why are you asking about this?”
Wu Huan couldn’t understand why Liang Jin showed interest in a Hexi family.
Liang Jin’s heart stirred slightly.
Qingzhou?
Taiyang County belonged to Qingzhou.
Unexpectedly, there was a connection between the south and west after all.
After some thought, Liang Jin smiled at Wu Huan, “Just asking casually.”
“By the way, Wu, you didn’t come just to talk about your upcoming promotion, did you?”
Seeing Liang Jin steer the conversation back, Wu Huan immediately replied, “Promotion? I haven’t even started on that yet!”
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“I came today to ask for a favor.”
“You know, it costs a lot of money to get promoted, but I just don’t have enough silver coins. No matter how I count, I’m still short.”
“The damned ruffians in our squad are all drunkards, gamblers, and worse—they never save a penny.”
“You, on the other hand, have the best character, don’t spend much, and must have some savings, right?”
“If possible… could you lend me some? Don’t worry, once I’m promoted, I’ll recommend you as the new squad leader!”
Liang Jin smiled.
So Wu Huan had come all the way over in secret to borrow money.
What he said was true, only Liang Jin among the squad lacked bad habits and could save money.
He glanced at the item list where he had “Gold ×1000” stored.
Liang Jin had already inspected this—1,000 taels of gold.
That was a fortune!
In a previous life, the legendary Ximen Qing was a major official with assets of 100,000 taels of silver, making him the richest man in Qinghe County.
Liang Jin’s 1,000 taels of gold equated to 10,000 taels of silver. Even in a smaller, poorer, or more remote county, that could make him a low-tier wealthy official.
With such a sum, a few silver coins were trivial.
“Alright,” he said.
Immediately, Liang Jin pulled out a 100-tael silver note and some smaller change, handing it to Wu Huan.
“Wu, this is all my savings. Use it as you need.”
Since Wu Huan had taken the initiative to mend their relationship, Liang Jin didn’t refuse.
It was better to be friendly with one’s superior than to be at odds.
At this, Wu Huan was stunned.
He had hardly expected to borrow anything from Liang Jin.
Even if Liang Jin was willing, he thought borrowing 20 taels would already be generous.
Who would have guessed Liang Jin would be so magnanimous?
Over 100 taels at once!
Wu Huan knew Liang Jin’s income well—this was all his savings.
For a former foe, he was willing to give so much.
If this wasn’t true loyalty and brotherhood, what was?
Wu Huan was deeply moved and felt gratitude rising in his heart.
He sighed, “Brother Liang, I was wrong about you before!”
“Who would have thought that when I was in trouble, no one else could be counted on—except you.”
“Please forgive any offenses I’ve caused in the past.”
“If you ever need anything from me, just say the word.”
With that, Wu Huan solemnly cupped his fist toward Liang Jin.
At this moment, all past grievances melted away, and he sincerely wished to foster good relations.
Liang Jin smiled, “Actually, there is something I need your help with.”
“I really don’t want to be a squad leader—just want peace and quiet.”
“For example, I like the position I’m currently on, standing guard.”
“So please, Wu, don’t let others move me from this post easily.”
Wu Huan was a bit puzzled.
Such a lowly post that no one wants—how could it be worth over 100 taels of silver?
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But Wu Huan soon understood: Liang Jin didn’t want him to feel overly indebted, so he asked for a small favor to save face.
Liang Jin truly was a man of integrity and kindness!
Wu Huan felt increasingly ashamed for having targeted Liang Jin before—it was truly despicable.
He immediately said, “Brother Liang, I’m a blunt man, not good with words.”
“But as long as I have a mouthful to eat, I’ll never let you go hungry!”
After speaking, Wu Huan cupped his fists again and turned to leave.
Liang Jin hadn’t expected Wu Huan to have such complex thoughts.
His gaze shifted to the panel before him.
The time to check in had arrived.
After clicking [Check In], a line of text popped up on the panel.
[Congratulations, host! You have successfully checked in and obtained the Yellow Grade Secret Manual “Divine Movement: Hundred Transformations”!]
“Oh?”
“You can get a secret manual from checking in?”
Liang Jin was slightly surprised.
So far, check-ins had yielded cultivation, proficiency, pills, and manuals.
He wondered what other treasures he might receive in the future.
But he also noticed that the daily check-in rewards were never of very high quality—mostly basic items.
Even the martial arts manual he just received was only Yellow Grade, the most basic level.
The rewards for missions completed by his avatar, however, were much better.
And as mission completion improved, the quality of rewards increased as well.
It seemed check-ins solidified the foundation, but true breakthroughs came from completing avatar missions.
Next, Liang Jin examined the “Divine Movement: Hundred Transformations” that appeared in his mind.
His heart leapt with joy.
Although a Yellow Grade secret manual, it was a rare lightness skill!
Lightness skill manuals were always scarce.
Many martial arts contained lightness techniques within their training, but these were ordinary and basic, not worthy of being standalone manuals.
Lightness skills given their own manuals always had unique features.
Take Miao Yuanzheng, a seventh-rank martial artist who could leap several zhang in a single bound, stepping on enemies’ heads as he moved—that was lightness skill at a basic level.
But compared to standalone lightness manuals, Miao Yuanzheng’s skill seemed crude.
In this world, the development of lightness skills lagged far behind other martial arts.
Therefore, lightness manuals were especially precious.
In terms of market value, a Yellow Grade lightness manual could rival a Black Grade martial arts manual.
Among the 100,000 Imperial Guards, fewer than a hundred probably possessed lightness manuals.
Of course, the Guards favored steady, courageous, and resolute combat, placing less emphasis on lightness skills.
Still, this comparison made clear how rare these manuals were.
Liang Jin mused, “When the system produces something, it must be a masterpiece.”
“Even as a Yellow Grade manual, ‘Divine Movement: Hundred Transformations’ is probably top-tier among Yellow Grade lightness manuals in this world.”
“Let me see its wonders.”