Chapter 3 Plucking Feathers from an Iron Rooster, The Headquarters of the Azure Sky Guards

"Immortal Martial Academy~"

"Then what are we waiting for? Let’s get going!"

Qin Lang’s eyes lit up, his heart bursting with excitement as he quickly stood and began packing his things.

The Immortal Martial Academy was a holy land for cultivation. Not only did it hold immense allure for the young, it was also a place all youths yearned to train. If he could somehow blend in... enter the Immortal Martial Academy, then becoming a cultivator would be within reach.

He had been racking his brain for ways to bribe his way in, never expecting such an opportunity to fall into his lap. His eyes sparkled.

Wang Kai: “...”

Wu Li: “...”

Lu Jun: “...”

Seeing how eager Qin Lang was, packing immediately and ready to leave at a moment’s notice, the three men exchanged a bewildered glance before shaking their heads with a wry smile. If they were as young as he, upon hearing this news, they too would act the same—after all, that place...

The Immortal Martial Academy only accepted students between fifteen and one hundred years old with exceptional talent, formidable cultivation, or special abilities. As for rough men like themselves, their prime had long since passed, and they could only hope for another chance in the next life...

"Move aside, don’t interrupt me while I’m packing!"

"Hey, don’t step on my shoes! Move your foot or I’ll chop it off!"

"Damn it, you idiots just got my bedding dirty. You’d better pay for that!"

Very soon, Qin Lang was done packing. He took everything that could be carried from his quarters, not leaving a single item, and stored them all into his thumb-sized storage ring.

"Lord Wang, I’m all packed up. Let’s go!"

“...”

Seeing his impatience, Wang Kai shook his head with a smile. "Why are you in such a rush? Afraid you’ll miss your next life?"

"Lord Wang, that’s not it. I just want to finish this task quickly, so I can go cultivate at the Immortal Martial Academy."

Wang Kai paid no heed to his glibness. "Since you’re so eager, follow me to the Azure Guards headquarters. You’ll meet a few people, and we’ll go capture that demon at dawn."

"Heh heh~" Qin Lang grinned, his heart ablaze with excitement, blood surging like a tidal wave.

The task was dangerous, but it would open the path of cultivation for him. For the past three years, the one belief that kept him alive was the hope of becoming a cultivator. As long as he set foot on that path...

Just as he stepped out the door, Qin Lang paused, hurrying to Wu Li’s side with a fawning smile.

"Brother Wu, it’s dangerous out there. Shouldn’t you give your brother something to save his life?"

Wu Li snorted lightly, shaking his head with a rueful smile. "I’ve already prepared something for you."

He took out five talismans and handed them over. "These five talismans each carry a powerful strike from me. If you encounter a demon you can’t handle, use them."

And that wasn’t all. Wu Li produced another black talisman. "This one is a Teleportation Talisman. If you run out of the others, use it to escape."

This kid was the treasure of the Supreme Profound Prison, and Wu Li thought highly of him. He had wanted to help Qin Lang cultivate, but the boy’s spiritual root was deeply concealed. Even with all his effort, Wu Li could not awaken it—in fact, he’d nearly killed him trying.

If Qin Lang could enter the Immortal Martial Academy...

Qin Lang gratefully scooped up the items, hugging Wu Li tightly. If he didn’t mind Wu Li’s roughness, he would have kissed him.

"Kid, come here. I’ve got something good for you too."

At Lu Jun’s call, Qin Lang’s eyes sparkled. He hurried over, smiling keenly at the cold, seemingly unapproachable man, wondering what treasure he would receive.

Lu Jun drew out six black iron beads from his storage ring, each inscribed with strange runes and about the size of a baby’s fist. Though they appeared ordinary, they radiated a terrifying aura.

"Thunderclap Bombs?!" Qin Lang exclaimed, his jaw dropping in shock as he stared at the beads in disbelief.

Wu Li and the others also drew a sharp breath at the sight. Lu Jun was notorious for being stingy, yet here he was, giving away his signature weapons. The materials to craft them were rare, and the finished products were usually reserved for himself. Even when the Heavenly Emperor needed one, Lu Jun would only hand one over after much grumbling.

But today, the iron rooster had plucked a feather...

Suddenly—

"Qin, take your saber. It may come in handy on the road."

As soon as he received the Thunderclap Bombs, a black saber flashing with cold light suddenly crashed to the ground before him, kicking up a cloud of dust. An aged voice echoed in the air.

Looking over, Qin Lang saw his old executioner’s blade, faintly glowing with blood-red light and exuding a sinister aura.

...

Azure Guards Headquarters.

Luanhua Mountain.

Gazing at the elegant, ornate palace, Qin Lang couldn’t help but marvel internally, itching to dismantle the whole place and sell it piece by piece for a fortune.

Wang Kai clapped him lightly on the shoulder and stepped forward. "Wait here. Don’t wander off, or if you get caught, don’t say I didn’t warn you."

As Wang Kai disappeared deeper into the palace, Qin Lang stayed behind, eyes darting around in amazement, golden light almost shining from his gaze.

The palace was constructed from special materials. Even a tiny piece would fetch a sky-high price. Compared to the Supreme Profound Prison, this place was not only luxurious, it truly looked like a dwelling for immortals. The prison, on the other hand, was shabby and utterly impoverished.

Thinking back on the prison’s poverty, Qin Lang stroked his chin and muttered, "Is the prison so poor because someone’s been embezzling?"

...

"Strange, what is a mortal doing here?"

As Qin Lang sat on the floor, waiting, a refined young man in ornate robes approached, his features delicate and dignified. Spotting Qin Lang, who was sitting on the ground and staring about with curiosity, he too grew curious.

Hearing the voice, Qin Lang looked up to see the youthful, ethereal man approaching, confusion written on his face.

Stopping beside him, the youth looked down, perplexed. "Who are you? As a mere mortal, how are you here?"

"Someone brought me."

Sizing the youth up and down, aside from the fancy attire, Qin Lang didn’t find him particularly impressive.

"And who are you? Why are you here?"

"I’m here to receive a mission, of course."

Without caring about the dirt, the youth plopped down beside him. "Let me introduce myself. I’m Hua Manlou. What’s your name, and why do you look like a mere mortal?"

"Hua Manlou?" Qin Lang’s expression darkened. He looked the man up and down, thinking, "Is that really your name and not a brothel?"

"Ahem—" Hua Manlou’s face flushed with embarrassment. "That’s my name. You got a problem with it?"

"No... no problem." He’d like to protest, but as a mortal, he didn’t dare complain to a cultivator.

Although the Great Xia Immortal Dynasty did strictly forbid cultivators from harming mortals, even imposing the death penalty, it didn’t mean they couldn’t hire demonic cultivators to do the dirty work.

Looking Qin Lang up and down, Hua Manlou pressed, "I’ve told you my name, so shouldn’t you tell me yours?"

"My name is Qin Lang."

"Eh—Lover boy?!"

Hua Manlou stared at him in disbelief. "What kind of weird name is that?"

Qin Lang: "..."

His face darkened further. Was this guy a monkey, always picking a fight?

Lover boy? Lover boy, your sister.

His name did sound a little similar, but compared to Hua Manlou, the other’s name was far more flamboyant.

Hua Manlou was basically the perfect brothel name.

Suddenly, Hua Manlou pulled him into a bear hug. "Brother, comrade, I thought my name was weird, but I’ve finally met someone whose name is even more outrageous!"

Qin Lang: "..."

He shoved the other away, deeply annoyed and covered in goosebumps. "Listen, my name is Qin Lang, not lover boy. Qin, as in the state of Qin, Lang as in talented youth. Don’t get it wrong."

"And I’m not your brother, so stop hugging me—you’ll give people the wrong idea."

"What’s the big deal? You can’t eat a name."

Hua Manlou waved dismissively, not caring in the least. "But honestly, it’s rare to meet someone with a name as striking as mine. Makes me happy."

"Come on, brother, let’s hug again!"

As he leaned in, Qin Lang dodged behind a pillar, thoroughly exasperated. What on earth was wrong with this guy? Why was he so fond of hugging him? Was it because of his name?

"Hua Manlou, since when are you interested in random mortal men? Do you have some special preference you’re hiding?"

Just then, a taunting, effeminate male voice sounded, dripping with sarcasm.

Turning slightly, Qin Lang saw a tall, fair-skinned man with beautiful features and a slender waist, swaying over like a woman.

Pausing, Hua Manlou dug in his ear and replied coolly, "Old turtle, you’ve taken to cross-dressing again? If you love it so much, why not just have yourself castrated?"

This person wasn’t a woman, but a man through and through—just a bit too fond of cross-dressing. No matter how much he dressed as a woman, he couldn’t hide the beast beneath the skirt. If he revealed his true self, even the bravest would retreat in terror.

Still, his penchant for dressing as a woman was so convincing that even the greatest beauties would have to admit defeat.

"Heh—" Wang Zimo sneered, eyes glinting coldly. "Hua Manlou, a few days apart and your mouth’s gotten filthier. Didn’t wipe it after eating, did you?"

The two locked eyes, murderous intent flaring between them, sparks flying as if they’d already fought a hundred rounds.

Watching from behind the pillar, Qin Lang’s heart pounded as he shrank back, wary of being caught in the crossfire.

...

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