Chapter 988: Request for Merits

On the way to the Yiluan Directorate, Wang Chen pondered how to reasonably borrow the spear shaft.

After much deliberation, he decided to be straightforward and fabricated an excuse.

However, the more Liu Chaozong listened, the more astonished he became. “Wait, did you just say you are practicing methods?”

This Deputy Commander knew that Wang Chen possessed extraordinary martial talent, having already reached the fifth level martial sect master at such a young age, which explained why he had been summoned by Emperor Shaowu.

But he never expected that Wang Chen was also engaged in dual cultivation!

“Yes.”

Wang Chen replied calmly, “Thanks to His Majesty’s deep affection, I have been granted access to study the Ten Directions Daoist Collection in the palace library, gaining entry into the path and practicing the Heavenly Merit methods!”

His excuse was that the technique he was learning required this divine weapon for comprehension.

Whether Liu Chaozong believed it was irrelevant, as Wang Chen himself was convinced!

Liu Chaozong, amazed by Wang Chen’s talent, did not dwell on the truth of this claim. After a moment, he said, “The divine weapon you speak of should be the Demon-character spear shaft left by King Zhao Changping, which is indeed stored in the Yiluan Directorate’s secret vault.”

“However, according to Yiluan Directorate’s regulations, borrowing this divine weapon for comprehension requires a significant amount of merits.”

“Otherwise, my name alone is not enough!”

The Yiluan Directorate’s secret vault held a rich collection, including confiscated items from past Blood Guards who had arrested corrupt officials, suppressed traitors and heretics, and exterminated evil spirits, which contained many prohibited items.

King Zhao Changping was a core member of the traitors, and he had been surrounded and killed by the cavalry at a great cost.

The Demon-character spear shaft, as Zhao Changping’s personal weapon, had always been kept in the Yiluan Directorate’s secret vault and had never been borrowed before.

Because this spear shaft was stained with too much blood from the cavalry!

Liu Chaozong shook his head as he spoke, “I’m afraid your merits may not be sufficient.”

This item was extremely sensitive, and the secret vault was managed by the internal office. Although he held great power in the external office, he had little influence in the internal office.

Wang Chen’s heart stirred, and he said, “On my way to the capital, I killed two leaders of the Qianfeng Bandits in the Ten Thousand Mountains. I wonder if this merit would suffice?”

“What?”

Liu Chaozong could hardly believe his ears. “You killed the leaders of the Qianfeng Bandits?”

“Indeed.”

Wang Chen confirmed, “I took down their main leader and second-in-command, and I also destroyed their bandit nest.”

Liu Chaozong was utterly speechless.

The Ten Thousand Mountains served as the boundary between the north and south of the Great Liang. The Sky Road ran through it, making it a crucial route for merchants. It had long been troubled by bandits, with the Qianfeng Bandits being the most notorious.

Because the bandits were elusive and swift, and their intelligence was very good, the court had failed several times to eradicate them and had long offered a high reward for their capture.

Now that Wang Chen claimed he had taken down the Qianfeng Bandits and killed two leaders, Liu Chaozong found it hard to believe.

It should be noted that both leaders of the Qianfeng Bandits were also fifth level martial sect masters!

The Deputy Commander could not help but ask, “Wang Chen, this is serious. Do you have any proof?”

“Of course.”

Wang Chen nodded, “Both heads are here.”

They are currently stored in his storage space, making it inconvenient to retrieve them at the moment.

“Then bring them here quickly!”

Liu Chaozong was almost at a loss for words. “Once we verify their identities and confirm they are the leaders of the Qianfeng Bandits, your merits will be undeniable. You might even have enough to exchange for the Demon-character spear shaft!”

He couldn’t help but grumble, “Such a significant matter, and you didn’t mention it sooner.”

Wang Chen smiled, “Then I’ll go home and fetch them right away.”

Liu Chaozong waved his hand impatiently, “Hurry, quick, quick!”

Wang Chen stepped out briefly and returned with the heads of the Qianfeng Bandits.

Knowing the value of these heads, Wang Chen had treated them with lime nitrate before storing them in his storage space, ensuring they were preserved as standard collectibles.

Liu Chaozong was meticulous, personally checking the two heads to ensure Wang Chen wasn’t presenting fakes for credit.

As the leader of the Yiluan Directorate and a fifth level martial sect master, he quickly confirmed their authenticity.

“Here’s what we’ll do,” he said after a moment’s thought. “I will submit these two heads on your behalf to request merits and strive to have you exchange for the Demon-character spear shaft. I can’t guarantee success, but your merit is assured!”

“Thank you, sir!” Wang Chen promptly bowed in gratitude.

Wang Chen wasn’t concerned about Liu Chaozong embezzling his credit—after all, he had caught the attention of Emperor Shaowu and was secretly mentoring the princess. Seeking justice would be straightforward.

Liu Chaozong was not one to act rashly.

“No need for formalities,” Liu Chaozong waved his hand. “Go home and wait for news. Whether it’s successful or not, I’ll send someone to inform you.”

After Wang Chen departed, the Deputy Commander stood up, paced a few times, then patted the heads on the table, preparing to wrap them up and take them away.

Suddenly, he noticed a silver note had appeared beside the two heads!

Liu Chaozong picked it up, saw the denomination, and a knowing smile spread across his face.

“This kid, really…”

There was no doubt the silver note was left by Wang Chen.

Despite his high position as Deputy Commander and his respectable background with a decent salary, Liu Chaozong had a large family to support, which came with significant expenses.

The sight of the silver note stirred his heart!

Of course, Liu Chaozong understood that accepting this silver note meant he could no longer afford to exert minimal effort; he would need to go all out.

Considering Wang Chen’s favor with Emperor Shaowu, the Deputy Commander made a firm decision in his heart!

Upon returning home, Wang Chen did not venture out. Instead, he dedicated himself to practicing martial arts techniques and methods, using the precious herbs he had acquired to accumulate potential points and steadily increase his technique experience points.

He had now mastered the final layer of the Bloodshed Wheel’s secrets, facing no obstacles in reaching the pinnacle of this technique.

Two days later, Princess Qingyun visited again.

Upon examination, Wang Chen found her meridians more thoroughly connected than expected, filled with a significant amount of dispersed Innate Energy. He promptly opened her Upper Dantian.

With Wang Chen’s enhanced cultivation level in methods, the process proceeded smoothly without any issues.

This allowed Princess Qingyun to channel the Innate Energy from her meridians into her Dantian for storage, transforming it into magical power.

Wang Chen taught her a set of techniques for condensing energy and refining power, encouraging her to practice diligently.

The princess then happily returned to the palace.

Another two days passed, and Wang Chen received good news.

He immediately hurried to the Yiluan Directorate to meet Liu Chaozong once more!