Fan Shangzheng wore a troubled expression. "Dao Xuan Tianzun," he said respectfully, "ordinary people will never truly believe Dao Xuan Tianzun's Demon Extermination Saga. Unless something catastrophic occurs, like the great locust plague of the past. Otherwise, even if you were to display divine power directly, it would only shock them momentarily."
Dao Xuan Tianzun replied calmly, "I know this very well. But Gao Jie is not an ordinary man. I have no intention of frightening the common people. As for Gao Jie, however, a proper scare is necessary. Otherwise, he will grow arrogant and unrestrained, allowing his troops to pillage the populace. If that happens, I would not merely frighten him. I would erase him."
After a brief pause, Dao Xuan Tianzun added, "Heaven cherishes life. If someone can still be corrected, then it is worth trying."
"Dao Xuan Tianzun's benevolence is boundless," Fan Shangzheng replied solemnly. "This subordinate understands."
He immediately arranged for a complete set of Dao Xuan Tianzun's Demon Extermination Saga to be prepared. Carrying the books personally, he returned to the military camp for another visit.
By chance, He Renlong was not present. He had gone to Cao Wenzhao's camp to visit him and his nephew as they recovered from their injuries. Only Gao Jie remained behind.
Fan Shangzheng entered the camp, invited Gao Jie into the main tent, and only then placed the neatly stacked volumes on the table.
Gao Jie's eyes widened. "Governor, these are for me?" He hesitated, then cleared his throat. "This general… is illiterate. These books…"
Fan Shangzheng smiled faintly. "Even those who cannot read may enjoy them. They are picture stories."
At the words "picture stories," a wicked spark ignited in Gao Jie's mind.
Picture stories? Could they be those kinds of books?
He had long heard that high officials and gentry indulged in refined but peculiar tastes. Illustrated albums were often exchanged privately as elegant amusements. If he wished to truly integrate into officialdom, mastering such customs was only natural.
A knowing grin spread across his face. "I understand, I understand. Many thanks for your generosity, Governor."
Fan Shangzheng's expression turned stern. "General Gao, since you have changed paths and entered the court, you must abandon the habits of your bandit days. Otherwise…"
Gao Jie scoffed inwardly, but outwardly he maintained a respectful demeanor. He cupped his fists. "This general understands. From today onward, I shall conduct myself with propriety."
With that assurance, Fan Shangzheng rose and took his leave.
The moment he departed, the tent flap lifted.
Xing Shi stepped inside, her face filled with concern. "Husband, why did the Governor come? He is not here to settle old scores, is he?"
Gao Jie chuckled smugly. "Of course not. The Governor values me greatly. Look here. He even gifted me twelve volumes of erotic art." He rubbed his hands together. "Come, my little fox. Let us admire the pictures together and perhaps learn a few new diversions."
Xing Shi shot him a flirtatious glance. "Very well."
They sat together and opened Dao Xuan Tianzun's Demon Extermination Saga.
On the very first page, bandits were shown terrorizing a mountain village. On the next, a colossal hand descended from the heavens and smashed them into dust.
Xing Shi stared, then slowly spread her hands. "This… is erotic art?"
Gao Jie froze.
The silence was deafening.
"What nonsense is this?" Gao Jie roared. "Is the Governor mocking me? Who is this so called Dao Xuan Tianzun?"
"Quiet!" Xing Shi hissed, her face pale. "You may not believe in deities, but you must never speak of them with disrespect. If this immortal is fake, then nothing will happen. But if he is real and you curse him, he might strike you dead in an instant."
Gao Jie had never cared for such superstition. Still, after her warning, he found the words stuck in his throat. He snorted. "I do not believe it."
Xing Shi pressed on urgently. "Belief aside, we must keep a low profile. My former husband hunts us relentlessly. We cannot survive among the bandits any longer. If we fail to secure a proper foothold in the court, we will die miserably, without even a grave."
"Understood," Gao Jie said gruffly.
As he spoke, his eyes drifted back to the open book.
For just an instant, he thought the image of Dao Xuan Tianzun had curled its lips into a faint smile.
He blinked hard.
The image was motionless.
A chill crept up his spine.
One must never disrespect the gods, he reminded himself. Low profile. I must absolutely keep a low profile.
Puzhou. Yellow Stone Flats. Yellow Pole Military Academy.
A newly delivered, cutting-edge combat vehicle stood proudly on the training ground.
Principal Sun stared at it, his mouth hanging open for a long time.
In his mind, countless battlefield scenarios unfolded. A man charged with a blade, only for the weapon to scrape harmlessly against steel. A flintlock rifle extended from the armored body. A sharp crack rang out. The attacker fell.
Another fired wildly. The bullets bounced away. Another crack. Another enemy fell.
All the tactics he knew were rendered meaningless by this machine.
A soldier from Gao Family Village's Armored Grenadier Battalion snapped to attention. "Reporting, Principal Sun. The Light Armored Car has been delivered. My assignment is to assist in familiarization, student training, and tactical research."
Sun Chuanting finally exhaled. "Thank you."
He walked up and placed a hand on the cold steel shell, awe filling his eyes. "This will change warfare completely. Once this enters the battlefield, blades, spears, and halberds will lose their place entirely."
"Halt!"
A loud voice rang out from afar. "Eliminating blades and spears is fine, but eliminating swords? Absolutely unacceptable!"
Sun Chuanting recognized the voice instantly.
Flat Rabbit.
He turned, and sure enough, Flat Rabbit was striding forward dramatically.
Flat Rabbit stopped before the Light Armored Car. With a flourish, he drew his ancestral treasured sword. "You lump of iron. Do you think yourself invincible? No matter how strong you are, you are no match for this lord's treasured sword."
Silence fell.
Flat Rabbit suddenly lunged forward, roaring as he raised the sword high. "Heaven Rabbit Rending Overlord Sword!"
Clang.
The sword flew from his hands and vanished into the distance.
Flat Rabbit collapsed onto the ground.
Everyone stared.
Flat Rabbit lay there, eyes hollow. "Impossible. The sword must be useful. The sword is the king of weapons. How could it be obsolete? I refuse to believe this thing can replace the sword."
Sun Chuanting glanced at Zheng Gouzi, who had followed behind. "He seems quite distressed," Sun said dryly. "Perhaps you should console him."
Zheng Gouzi coughed lightly and stepped forward.
Before he could speak, Flat Rabbit sprang up, eyes blazing with revelation. "I get it!"
He laughed loudly. "I will stand atop the Light Armored Car. As it charges into the enemy, I will leap down and strike from above with my Heaven Rabbit Rending Overlord Sword. That is how its true power is unleashed. This vehicle was born for my sword."
He spread his arms triumphantly. "It is not a weapon that replaces swords. It is part of my sword."
The onlookers exchanged confused glances.