The Speedrun Begins with Choosing Hunter

「Autumn of the 47th year of Yuanding.」

The position of Shuofang Jiedu Envoy, which had been vacant for several years, was finally filled.

It was none other than the former Lingzhou General, Bai Yuan.

Bai Yuan was promoted to Shuofang Jiedu Envoy and concurrently appointed Right Chief Imperial Censor, overseeing all officials in the Northern Territory.

The moment the news broke, it sent shockwaves through the Court and the country.

No one had expected Bai Yuan's promotion to be so swift. This time, he had ascended in a single leap to the position of Shuofang Jiedu Envoy, a role comparable in power to one of the Six Ministers. The authority he now wielded was unimaginable.

Discerning individuals in the Capital City had already seen the writing on the wall.

Emperor Li Chengyuan clearly intended to use Bai Yuan to completely clean up the Jianghu sects of the Northern Territory.

Now that the war between Xuan Yang and the Demon Sect had subsided, the Court could no longer restrain its resolve to make a move against the Jianghu.

The Northern Territory was likely just the beginning; a monstrous wave was about to sweep over Xuan Yang.

...

In the early morning, a cool autumn breeze rustled the slightly yellowed willow branches.

A rather inconspicuous carriage slowly made its way out of the Capital City.

Bai Yuan and Xiao Qiaoniang sat inside the carriage.

Indeed, Emperor Li Chengyuan's Holy Decree had been delivered and the court assembly had been held. It was time for him to leave the Capital City and head north once more.

Just yesterday, Li Chengyuan had specially dispatched Eunuch Chang to deliver a jade sword.

Among the common people, this sword had a resounding name: the Imperial Sword.

It was the legendary sword said to be able to execute imperial relatives above and corrupt officials below. This alone was enough to show Li Chengyuan's determination to purge the Northern Border Martial World.

In truth, the signs had been there all along.

From Bai Yuan joining the Hidden Dragon Ranking to entering the Capital City to serve as an official, everything had been in preparation for this day.

Emperor Li Chengyuan and Grand Protector Yan Shao'an were the main forces pushing for the cleanup of the Jianghu. Thinking back, Yan Shao'an's recommendation for Bai Yuan to join the Hidden Dragon Ranking must have been part of the plan for today.

The Northern Border Martial World was perhaps only slightly stronger than that of the Southern Border, making it the perfect target.

And Bai Yuan was the most suitable candidate for the job.

Xiao Qiaoniang touched the Imperial Sword, which was housed in a jade scabbard.

"Brother Yuan, I've only ever heard about this sword from storytellers. I never thought I'd get the chance to actually touch it."

Bai Yuan smiled faintly. "This is nothing. In the future, I'll let you touch the Nine Heavens Profound Soldiers too."

Xiao Qiaoniang teased, "Brother Yuan, don't just brag."

Bai Yuan didn't try to explain himself.

'Others might think I've already reached the pinnacle of my life, but I know this is only the beginning.'

It was because of the confidence his 'cheat' gave him that he could remain unfazed by honor or disgrace.

Otherwise, he might have been like Fan Jin from the classic story, who went mad with joy after passing the imperial exams. Even if he didn't go insane with ecstasy, he would at least be celebrating with banquets for days on end.

Although he was currently just a second-rank Shuofang Jiedu Envoy, a lower grade than several other Jiedu Envoys, he was still a bona fide high-ranking provincial official.

Not to mention, he also held the concurrent post of Right Chief Imperial Censor.

In the Northern Territory, aside from the other few Jiedu Envoys, everyone else was subject to his supervision.

All of this was to facilitate his purge of the Northern Border Martial World.

Or rather, to deal with the Celestial Profound Sect...

If one wanted to bring order to the Northern Border Martial World, the Celestial Profound Sect—the number one sect in the north—was an unavoidable mountain.

From Bai Yuan's journey to the capital to take up his post to his glorious return home now, everything was done to build his prestige and put pressure on the Celestial Profound Sect.

But for Bai Yuan to truly accomplish this difficult mission, the key still lay in his own strength.

That was why when Bai Yuan left the capital, Li Chengyuan simply told him that his task was arduous and the road was long, not rushing him to act immediately.

Toppling the Northern Border Martial World would be no easy feat.

This journey was bound to be fraught with peril.

...

...

"Counting the days, Ah Yuan should be reaching Yan Province soon."

Yang Fangyu gazed at the snowflakes drifting down from the sky. Winter had not yet arrived, but a light snow was already falling in Ling Province.

As someone from Jiangnan, he hadn't been used to it when he first came to the Northern Territory, but he had long since grown accustomed to it.

"Brother Bai is certainly promising."

A woman's voice sounded.

Yang Fangyu sounded a little jealous. "So, your husband isn't promising?"

The woman was none other than Yang Fangyu's wife, Yan Hongxiu.

Now that the fighting in Ling Province had ceased and Grand Protector Yan Shao'an was personally overseeing things, the area had returned to its former tranquility.

Although the Yan Family was still unwilling to let Yan Hongxiu live in Ling Province long-term, she still came to stay for a month at a time.

"Daddy is the best."

A childish voice piped up.

Yang Fangyu dotingly picked up a little boy who looked like a porcelain doll. This was, of course, his son, Yang Xueqing.

Both he and Yan Hongxiu were Martial Artists, and it was not easy for such people to have children, so he was especially doting toward his son.

Watching the father and son play, Yan Hongxiu also broke into a happy smile.

As an outstanding disciple of the Yang Family, Yang Fangyu was quite impressive in his own right, even if he couldn't compare to prodigies like Bai Yuan. Before the age of forty, he had already become the Vice Governor of Lingzhou.

As long as he accumulated a few more merits, with the support of both the Yang and Yan Families, it was highly possible for him to return to Jiangnan and serve as a Vice Governor there.

A fourth-rank position in Jiangnan was far more valuable than a fourth-rank position in Ling Province.

If Yang Fangyu's cultivation realm advanced further, he might even become one of the Six Ministry Vice Ministers. That would be an excellent future, making him a top figure even within the Yang and Yan Families.

Just as the family was enjoying this heartwarming moment, an old servant walked in.

"Master, there's someone at the door asking to see you. He claims to be your brother."

"Oh?"

Yang Fangyu, still holding his son, walked to the main gate with his wife.

"Ah Yuan, how did you get here so quickly?"

Standing outside the gate were none other than Bai Yuan and Xiao Qiaoniang.

"Brother Bai, little sister, please, come inside quickly."

As she spoke, Yan Hongxiu took Xiao Qiaoniang's hand and led her into the courtyard.

Bai Yuan and Yang Fangyu followed behind.

"The Cao Bang heard I was heading north and specially prepared a boat for me. We took a water route for part of the journey, so we arrived a few days early."

Hearing this, Yang Fangyu's eyes filled with envy. 'Only with enough strength could one be so well-connected on all sides.'

It wasn't easy to get a ride on a Cao Bang boat. The reason Bai Yuan received such treatment was not just his official position, but more importantly, his personal strength.

"How long are you planning to stay in Huanglong Prefecture?"

"Three days, I think."

Bai Yuan smiled faintly.

'This time, my return to Ling Province is not as the chief official of a single province. At the very least, I am the Jiedu Envoy of Ling, Qing, and Yu states. Speaking more broadly, I'm here to bring the entire Northern Border Martial World under control. Of course, I can't stay in Huanglong Prefecture for too long. I won't even be staying in Ling Province for long. The biggest sect in Ling Province now is the Divine Mansion Sect, so there's no need for me to do much there. Qingzhou is in a similar situation; with the Qingzhou Royal Mansion present, there are hardly any influential sects to begin with. The only place that requires more effort is Yu State.'

Yang Fangyu asked curiously, "Ah Yuan, are you planning to continue north to Lingzhou City?"

Bai Yuan nodded, not hiding his plans from Yang Fangyu.

"His Majesty sent me to Ling Province to register all the Northern Sects. I plan to visit Lord Yan first, and then head to Yu State."

Upon hearing this, Yang Fangyu couldn't help but suck in a sharp breath.

'Ah Yuan's ambitions are truly immense now; he speaks of the entire Northern Territory. He's really made something of himself!'

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