Chapter 854 - 401: Drinking Essence Soup Daily and Eating Essence Treasure Monthly—Mere Hardships Cannot Stop Me

Chapter 854: Chapter 401: Drinking Essence Soup Daily and Eating Essence Treasure Monthly—Mere Hardships Cannot Stop Me

The Marquis Post is the place where soldiers are stationed. Li Xian, holding the "Jade," quickly found the location of the "Marquis Post," which was a building over ten zhang high. Although not tall, its footprint was wide. The vermilion doors were tightly shut, but a small side door was open. The gilded plaque bore the three grand characters "Gold Appraisal Guard."

In front of the door, majestic lions bared their fangs and claws, dressed in gold armor, exuding great might. The guards standing at the entrance were alert, their presence alone deterring the unruly. The Marquis Post was solemn and dignified, and the common folk kept their distance, resulting in few passersby.

The left guard saw Li Xian and shouted thunderously, "Who wears a mask and acts suspiciously? Are you trying to disrupt our Jade City?!"

Li Xian was unfazed by the shout and said, "I came here on the words of General Xu, Xu Shaoqian, to take up employment!"

The left and right guards exchanged a glance, hesitating upon hearing the name "Xu Shaoqian." "Is it true that General Xu sent you? What position are you here to take?"

Li Xian replied, "The Central Lang General asked me to take a preparatory position for the secret riders." The guards immediately sneered, speaking in unison, "Full of lies. The Gold Appraisal Guard is not easy to enter. You, opening your mouth to spew nonsense, are you here to have fun with us? Leave now, or we will serve you with long spears!"

Li Xian said, "Guards, do not be rash. The General sent me with this." He took out the Jade and flicked it with his finger. The left guard grabbed it with a wave, clutching the Jade in his palm, feeling a hot and tingling sensation, wrist aching, realizing that this slight flick contained considerable Power.

The guards examined the Jade closely, seeing its green hue, not a sign of trust, its luster rough, not precious. As Li Xian intended to mock them, they were about to rebuke and severely reprimand when the left guard paused, recalling that Xu Shaoqian once demonstrated a Martial Art, seemingly capable of turning stone into Jade. The thoughts were unclear, unconfirmed, so he whispered, "Keep an eye on this man, I’ll be right back."

The left guard entered the Marquis Post, and soon returned with a young man by his side. Although short in stature, the young man wore black armor, surpassing the gate guards. Presumably, he was indeed a member of the "Gold Appraisal Guard," while the gate guards, though remarkable, were not of the Gold Appraisal Guard.

The young man, called Yu Hai, had fair skin and held the Jade stone, asking Li Xian, "Brother, is this yours?"

Li Xian replied, "It was given by General Xu, Xu Shaoqian, yesterday." Yu Hai said leisurely, "The General’s skill has indeed improved, this trick, ’Gleaming Jade Palm,’ is getting more powerful. I’ve checked, and it indeed comes from the General, imagine this one wouldn’t dare make false claims. Let him in!"

The guards looked on enviously, retreating to the sides, cupping their hands in welcome. Trembling, they said, "Duty-bound, we hope you won’t mind."

Li Xian cupped his hands and said, "No offense!" He followed Yu Hai into the Marquis Post.

Soon they saw a wide drill ground, the sound of horseshoes resounding. Li Xian looked towards the sound. He saw scores of people surrounding the drill ground, where two groups were present. One wore red clothing, the other black. They formed camps, riding fine horses, holding wooden poles. Galloping through the field, they vied for a round ball.

Yu Hai asked, "Horse polo, have you played it?"

A red-clad man swung his pole hard. Hit the polo ball, shooting it out. The ball exploded with a series of "bang" sounds, moving extremely fast, powerfully. A black-clad man stepped onto his horse’s back, flying into the air, quickly approached the ball, turned mid-air, and defended against it.

Thus, you come and go, fight and snatch. Each move was infused with Martial Arts transformation, not weak, deeply rooted, solid understanding.

Li Xian shook his head and said, "Never played." Yu Hai laughed and said, "Join my Gold Appraisal Guard, and you will play in the future." He cheered with a few shouts and jokes, then led Li Xian forward.

Skirting the drill ground, they encountered a flower garden.

The Marquis Post occupied a vast area, equipped with stables, training grounds, and more.

Yu Hai led the way, saying, "Since you’ve met me, let me introduce myself! Fetch the Jade Slip, I’ll first register you, then take you around, introduce some friends to you."

Li Xian asked, "What is the Jade Slip?" Yu Hai was stunned, asking, "You don’t know this item?"

Li Xian truthfully said, "Indeed, I don’t know." Yu Hai said, "The Gold Appraisal Guard is directly under Dubhe, personnel appointments must be handled by Dubhe. The Jade Slip is the appointment letter, you don’t have it?"

Li Xian replied, "I don’t think I have it."

Yu Hai frowned and said, "Even General Xu only has the power of recommendation, not appointment. He called you here without the appointment Jade Slip, it’s truly curious."

Li Xian thought to himself, "It seems Xu Shaoqian was just perfunctorily dealing with me. But it does not matter, even if I can’t enter the Gold Appraisal Guard, I can take the chance to learn more, which is no bad thing." Naturally easygoing, he didn’t feel troubled. He recounted last night’s events to Yu Hai.

Yu Hai, understanding the situation, said, "So that’s it, given this context, your position in the Gold Appraisal Guard might be uncertain."

Li Xian asked, "Please advise me, Brother Yu."

Yu Hai replied, "Let me be frank with you. General Xu, in reality, does not have the intention to bring you into the Gold Appraisal Guard. If he did, he would have directly recommended you to Dubhe. Whether successful or not would be evident in a few days. He let you come with the Jade and allowed you the preparatory position for secret riders, not entirely dismissive, but indeed did not take you seriously. At the month’s end assessment, he might dismiss you."

"But nothing is absolute, if you genuinely pass the assessment, then you might indeed seize this opportunity. By then, General Xu would likely recommend you, for the sake of reputation. Once the appointment Jade Slip arrives, you will become a member of the Gold Appraisal Guard. For you, it is a chance to soar above any of the Jianghu sects or factions outside!"

"However, if you cannot pass, in this month, simply treat it as a dream. But for you, it’s not entirely unbeneficial. With this experience, it might aid you in seeking other positions in Jade City. Yamen Runners or Prison Officers, they will undoubtedly look up to you. Future promotion prospects would be greater. Even if not in Jade City, joining formidable forces within Dragon Court Prefecture. There would also be preferential treatment because of the Gold Appraisal Guard’s reputation, which is indeed renowned!"