The Speedrun Begins with Choosing Hunter

Chapter 301: Chapter 298: Holy Decree

The violent aura on the second floor instantly subsided.

Yang Fangyu’s eyes lit up.

The door creaked open.

Bai Yuan slowly emerged from the room. His aura was abyssal and profound, unfathomable.

"Daoist, Brother Yang."

Though he hadn’t left his room, he could easily perceive that the two people outside were none other than the old Daoist and Yang Fangyu.

This feeling was different from hearing or sight; it was a mysterious and profound sensation.

It was as if he controlled countless threads of perception, and these threads had "seen" the old Daoist and Yang Fangyu.

He had only just entered the Perception Stage, so he had yet to develop more uses for his perceptual power.

Martial Artists like him, who focused on deadly combat, mostly just used their perceptual power to see through an opponent’s techniques, allowing them to counter each move.

It was said that the Three Religions Martial Masters were the ones who had truly mastered perceptual power to a divine degree.

"Congratulations, Lord Bai."

The old Daoist chuckled.

Yang Fangyu was also flushed with excitement. "Ah Yuan, incredible."

Bai Yuan was different from him; he walked the path of proving the Dao through pure strength. Although their ages at breakthrough were similar, the quality was vastly different.

Before breaking through, Bai Yuan could kill Perception-stage experts as if they were dogs. Now, he would only be more monstrous.

Just thinking about it was terrifying.

Yang Fangyu suddenly felt a touch of schadenfreude.

An official post was an official post, but it ultimately needed to be backed by strength.

Although Kong Sen was the Prefect, his strength was not to be underestimated; he was no weaker than Jiang Changping back in the day.

But he just had to run into a monster like Bai Yuan.

Just like how Jiang Changping had been utterly suppressed by Dong Wanjun back then.

Bai Yuan first looked at the old Daoist. "Thank you for guarding my breakthrough, Daoist."

The old Daoist waved his hand. "I was just watching the show. Lord Bai, you are truly gifted. Why not become my disciple? This humble Daoist can guarantee you will reach Mingxin within thirty years."

Hearing the old Daoist’s words, Yang Fangyu’s jaw dropped.

A Mingxin Grandmaster... what kind of existence was that?

The former Shuofang Jiedu Envoy, Du Qinghui, was one. A Second-Grade Official of the Imperial Court, a true Pillar of the Empire.

Those were major figures capable of protecting their family’s prosperity for three hundred years.

Bai Yuan was only thirty now; thirty years later, he’d only be sixty. At that age, he would be a mere child among Mingxin Grandmasters.

’My god... that’s terrifying.’

Bai Yuan was exasperated.

’The old Daoist is at it again, trying to talk me into being his disciple.’

"Daoist, I have no such plans for now. Even if I were to take a new master, I would have to ask my current master first."

The old Daoist nodded. "That is reasonable."

He said no more and turned to return to his room.

Yang Fangyu and Bai Yuan exchanged a look, and the two of them decisively left the inn.

After they had walked several li, Yang Fangyu finally spoke up: "What is that old Daoist’s cultivation level, anyway? He talks big."

He had heard about the old Daoist from Bai Yuan before, but now that he heard the man speak so casually of Mingxin Grandmasters, he couldn’t help but wonder.

Bai Yuan grunted in acknowledgment.

"To be honest, I don’t know either."

"But I’d guess he’s at least on par with Mr. Du."

"A Mingxin?"

"At least."

Yang Fangyu was too shocked to speak.

He never imagined that a Mingxin Grandmaster was hiding in Bai Yuan’s inn.

That was a major figure to whom even the Imperial Court had to show considerable respect.

For such a great personage to guard Bai Yuan’s breakthrough... that was an absurd level of extravagance!

Only the ancient, great sects and the Li Royal Family could probably afford such treatment.

’Extravagant!’

「Huanglong Prefecture Magistrate’s Office.」

Kong Sen’s expression was grim as he stared at the document in his hand.

’Bai Yuan broke through...’

Before, he thought he could suppress Bai Yuan with the difference in their realms. But now that Bai Yuan had forcefully broken through, his advantage had vanished completely.

’To prove the Dao through strength before the age of thirty... truly terrifying.’

He knew full well how formidable those reckless brutes who relied on pure strength were. They were not something he could handle.

"Damn it!"

Kong Sen slammed his palm onto the Grandmaster’s Chair.

His immense strength instantly shattered a corner of the chair, but he followed the act with a defeated sigh.

Even if he plotted and schemed endlessly, in the end, it was no match for absolute power.

The world of Xuan Yang was, after all, a world where strength reigned supreme.

...

「Peach Fragrance Inn.」

Shopkeeper Pang was grinning from ear to ear.

Bai Yuan had broken through at the Peach Fragrance Inn, causing the inn’s reputation to soar.

Now, Bai Yuan was still at the inn.

Many Martial Artists from the city, drawn by his fame, came to pay their respects in the hope of gaining some Martial Dao inspiration.

In addition, a continuous stream of officials from all over Ling Province came to visit Bai Yuan.

Many officials who had previously remained neutral had now turned to pledge their allegiance to Bai Yuan.

Among the officials who visited these past few days, there were even some from Kong Sen’s faction.

Any discerning person could see that Bai Yuan’s potential was undoubtedly greater, so they were willing to risk offending Kong Sen to curry favor with him.

However, not everyone was qualified to meet Bai Yuan.

Inside the room.

"Congratulations, my lord."

Zhou Lin, the Demon-slaying Guard General of Ling Province, looked at Bai Yuan with an excited expression.

’We’ve finally made it...’

He was arguably a die-hard loyalist of Bai Yuan’s faction. Even when Kong Sen’s suppression was at its most intense, he never considered switching allegiances.

There were several others like him, all of them veterans from Ling Province who had fought alongside Bai Yuan.

These men all had a mysterious, unwavering trust in Bai Yuan.

Bai Yuan smiled faintly. "It has been hard on you."

"I hope my lord can forgive me. We previously had some complaints about you, but now I see how shallow we were."

Zhou Lin was amazed at the speed of Bai Yuan’s breakthrough.

It was clear now that Bai Yuan’s previous tolerance of Kong Sen wasn’t because he was afraid, but because he simply couldn’t be bothered.

Because as long as he broke through, all of Kong Sen’s schemes would naturally fall apart.

The Imperial Court had to balance the power of various factions, but it valued Martial Dao geniuses even more. And Bai Yuan had already demonstrated more than enough value.

Compared to Kong Sen’s conniving methods, Bai Yuan’s path was the true king’s way.

...

「Lingzhou City.」

"Good kid."

The King of Qingzhou, Li Kangyan, laughed heartily.

He, too, had naturally heard about Bai Yuan’s breakthrough.

He had been optimistic about Bai Yuan from the start, but he hadn’t expected his breakthrough to be so fast.

"Grand Protector Yan’s martial fortune is truly flourishing. You’ve been in the Northern Territory for less than half a year and have already nurtured a young dragon."

Yan Shao’an was usually inscrutable, his joy or anger never showing on his face, making his inner thoughts impossible to read.

"Your Highness is joking. This is the Emperor’s fortune, a blessing for Xuan Yang."

The King of Qingzhou’s eyes narrowed slightly.

The reason he said this was, of course, to improve Yan Shao’an’s impression of Bai Yuan.

Although he and Grand Protector Yan currently managed the affairs of Ling Province together, he was, after all, a Vassal King. To submit a memorial to the throne recommending Bai Yuan for a key position would be tantamount to harming him.

Therefore, if Bai Yuan wanted to be given an important role by the Imperial Court, besides the Minister of War, Xu Dingchun, maneuvering in the Imperial Court, he also needed the Lord Grand Protector before him to speak up.

After a long pause, Yan Shao’an finally spoke slowly, "The Northern Lands are in turmoil, and we are in need of capable people. The position of Lingzhou General is currently vacant. I feel Bai Yuan is a suitable candidate."

A flash of surprise passed through the King of Qingzhou’s eyes.

He hadn’t expected things to go so smoothly, for Yan Shao’an to bring this up on his own initiative.

With Yan Shao’an’s agreement, the rest would fall into place naturally.

The reason this Lord Grand Protector had agreed so readily was, in the end, due to Bai Yuan’s own merit. Plus, Ling Province was indeed short on manpower and needed a strong expert to stabilize the rear. Bai Yuan was the perfect choice.

Li Kangyan was in a good mood.

He suddenly recalled that the previous Lingzhou General happened to be Bai Yuan’s master, Dong Wanjun.

The position of Lingzhou General was practically being passed down from master to disciple.

...

「Ten days later.」

As expected, someone from the Imperial Court arrived.

A Chief Eunuch from the Ritual Department, accompanied by a few little eunuchs and escorted by a large contingent of horsemen, slowly rode into Huanglong Prefecture City.

Because Dong Wanjun had received his Holy Decree in Lingzhou City, this was the first time a Holy Decree had been delivered to Huanglong Prefecture.

The grand procession arrived before the Huanglong Prefecture Magistrate’s Office.

Bai Yuan, Kong Sen, and the other officials of Ling Province were already waiting outside the magistrate’s office.

Only this time, it was Bai Yuan who stood at the very front.

He had already received news that this Holy Decree was specifically for him.

It wasn’t that his reach extended to the heavens and he had spies in the Imperial Court.

Rather, the Ritual Department had informed him in advance to ensure the reception of the decree went smoothly and to preserve the Emperor’s dignity.

Before long, an old eunuch slowly descended from the carriage.

Coincidentally, this was the same old eunuch who had come to Ling Province last time to issue the decree to Old Dong.

The old eunuch had a warm smile. "Lord Kong, Lord Bai."

Kong Sen and Bai Yuan both bowed to the old eunuch.

Not only was this old eunuch a trusted confidant of the Emperor, but he had come to Huanglong Prefecture bearing a decree, representing the Emperor’s prestige. They couldn’t afford to be discourteous.

A little eunuch, holding the glittering golden Holy Decree, looked at Bai Yuan with a beaming smile.

Bai Yuan was a little surprised.

He had seen this little eunuch before. It was the same one who had accompanied the old eunuch to Ling Province and had later come to Huanglong Prefecture.

The little eunuch respectfully raised the Holy Decree over his head with both hands and presented it to the old eunuch.

Then, the old eunuch’s slightly shrill voice rang out.

"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: The Vice Governor of Lingzhou, Bai Yuan, is a young and brilliant talent, exceptionally brave and martial, and has repeatedly performed miraculous deeds. He is hereby promoted to Lingzhou General, rewarded with one thousand taels of gold, and bestowed a ceremonial robe of Big Red Qilin Duan Yi."

"Your subject, Bai Yuan, accepts this decree."

Bai Yuan knelt on the ground, his voice full of vigor.

The old eunuch placed the Holy Decree in Bai Yuan’s hands, his smile growing even wider.

"Lord Bai, please rise, quickly."

He proactively stepped forward to help Bai Yuan up, showing no trace of arrogance.

As one of the five Chief Eunuchs from the Ritual Department responsible for delivering imperial edicts, he knew this was an excellent opportunity to befriend Bai Yuan.

Bai Yuan had broken through to the Perception stage in less than thirty years, and by the path of pure strength at that. He was worth befriending.

The reason the eunuchs of the Ritual Department were the undisputed leaders of the Twelve Directorates was precisely because their authority was great enough to easily win over officials.

"Thank you, Eunuch Chang."

Since the old eunuch was showing goodwill, Bai Yuan naturally wouldn’t be arrogant either.

The old eunuch looked at Bai Yuan, feeling a wave of emotion.

He had come to Ling Province only a year ago, at that time to issue a decree to this young official’s master. He never thought he would be issuing a decree to the disciple so soon.

The master and disciple were a Subordinate Second-Grade and a Principal Third-Grade official, respectively.

Such situations were not unheard of in Xuan Yang; in fact, they were quite common.

But for a pair like Dong Wanjun and Bai Yuan, who had risen from a remote corner of the Northern Territory, it was truly a rare sight.

’Incredible!’

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