Chapter 119: Qingliang Prefecture Opens, Recruitment Begins

The central hall of Qingliang Prefecture’s yamen.

Ren Ye, Tang Feng, Imperial Inspector Liu, and Li Yan were currently engaged in a heated discussion.

They had never expected that after successfully taking over Qingliang Prefecture, the Star Gate would grant them a special reward—permission to recruit five hundred supernatural beings.¹

“I’d advise you all not to celebrate too soon. This is definitely not a good thing,” Li Yan said, hands clasped behind his back as he aimlessly drifted around the room. “The next stage won’t be easy. I swear, the Star Gate is screwing with me… I just want my body back, why is it so damn difficult?!”

“Just think about it for a second,” Tang Feng said, seated in his chair. “I also think the next stage is going to be ridiculously hard.”

Ren Ye paced back and forth, understanding the meaning behind their words.

Imperial Inspector Liu’s brain went into overdrive at this moment, instantly analyzing the situation: “You mean, the more supernatural beings we’re allowed to recruit here, the stronger the pressure the imperial court will apply in the next stage? And that’s what has you so worried, right?”

“Exactly.” Tang Feng nodded. “Even an idiot can figure out that the imperial court holds the upper hand. The core of the next stage will likely revolve around the struggle for Princess Anping’s tomb. The court wants the Human Emperor Seal, but that’s something Ren Ye must obtain as a key inheritance item. If we can recruit five hundred supernatural beings, then just imagine… how many can the court recruit?”

Imperial Inspector Liu blinked a few times, thinking for a long moment before asking, “So… can I just sit out the next stage?”

“If you actively abandon the mission, let’s see whether the Star Gate decides to kill you or not,” Li Yan rolled his eyes.

As the three of them spoke, Ren Ye suddenly turned to Li Yan and asked, “Who controls this recruitment—us, or the Star Gate? Is it a random selection, or does it require some kind of token, just like how we got in?”

Li Yan pondered briefly before shaking his head. “Based on my experience, if the recruits are players, then we won’t have control over it. The Star Gate’s rules are fair; it wouldn’t let you just bring in five hundred of your own people or a regular army. ‘Heavenly Dao’ values fate and opportunity—if slots could be prearranged, what would be the point? As for the selection method, I think it will be tied to factions.”

“Old Li is right,” Tang Feng stood up and added, “If we were in control of recruitment, we would have already received a mission or some kind of token—maybe a secret decree from the Prince Loyalists or something.”

Ren Ye frowned upon hearing this. “If that’s the case, this could be troublesome. I was hoping to get the Vigil Keeper to assist us.”

[Dear players, you will leave this Star Gate in three minutes.]

A cold voice rang out. The four of them exchanged glances.

“Damn, we’re leaving.” Li Yan immediately turned to Ren Ye and said bluntly, “You still need to ask the Vigil Keeper for help. Just remember, the next stage will be extremely difficult. Make sure you thoroughly explain the situation. Once we leave the gate, I’ll also reach out to some ‘acquaintances’—they have some influence in the Freedom Faction.”

“Alright, if necessary, I’ll even allow you to sell your dignity,” Ren Ye acknowledged Li Yan’s skill, knowing that his level was far beyond theirs. “After all, for us to win the next stage, you need to get your body back.”

“Hmph.”

Li Yan sneered. “As long as the price is right, whether I negotiate on my knees, lying down, or with my ass in the air… it’s all just another profitable deal.”

“Shall we meet in real life?” Tang Feng asked, looking at Li Yan.

“…I can’t face you in real life,” Li Yan shuddered at the mere thought of Tang Feng’s very masculine appearance, immediately turning to Ren Ye instead. “I’ll come to find you—but you can’t bring him.”

“Fine.” Ren Ye then looked at Imperial Inspector Liu. “What about you? Should we meet up in the real world?”

Imperial Inspector Liu shook his head. “Not this time. I’m heading back to my hometown to visit my parents’ graves… If we make it through the next stage alive, then let’s meet. But don’t bring any government people—I don’t want to deal with them.”

Old Liu was a bit of a rebellious soul in real life, so it made sense that he didn’t want to meet the Vigil Keeper.

“Alright then, that’s settled.” Ren Ye clenched his fist and raised his arm. “No matter what, we’ve forged a deep bond in this stage. Next time, we fight together—life or death, we go for victory!”

“Smack!”

Imperial Inspector Liu and Tang Feng bumped fists with him, while Li Yan’s soul simply phased through their bodies as a gesture of solidarity.

After wrapping up their discussion, Ren Ye stepped outside and gave a few final instructions to Lian’er, Second Fool, Zhang Gui, and the others. Then, the Star Gate’s countdown timer began.

He returned to the main hall, found an empty room, and shut the door.

“3!”

“2!”

“1!”

“Shing!”

A dazzling light flared as space distorted—Ren Ye vanished.

…

After all the players had left the Star Gate, a man in his forties stepped out from the clerical office of Qingliang Prefecture’s government building. He wore a long robe, had a mustache, and looked rather unremarkable.

He called over a few clerks, grabbed a large proclamation, and rode to the city gates.

“Smack!”

They spread glue on the back of the notice and stuck it to the right side of the gate.

“Boom!”

Suddenly, a burst of azure light shot into the sky.

Standing next to the proclamation, the mustached middle-aged man bellowed like thunder:

“The imperial court is corrupt! The emperor is incompetent! Prince Huai seeks to recruit talented individuals and welcomes heroes from across the land—five hundred supernatural beings shall be admitted into Qingliang Prefecture!”

Shouts rang out with fervor, echoing into the city and drifting into the mountains.

A faint, clear radiance slowly spread across the sky, as if a voice had pierced through some kind of barrier and entered reality.

[Prince Huai has established his power, and Qingliang Prefecture opens its gates.]

…

Shanghai, an old urban district, inside an ordinary home.

A housewife clattered away in the kitchen, preparing dinner while muttering, “Since you already bought it for him, just give it to him.”

“…Why don’t you take it instead?” The middle-aged man lounging in the living room, sipping tea, was dressed in a tank top and loose shorts—the very picture of a relaxed family man.

“You two had an argument. What does that have to do with me?” The housewife opened a steaming tray and placed several delicate, meat-filled buns inside. “Hurry up and go.”

The man adjusted his glasses, hesitated for a while, then finally pulled out a brand-new shoebox from the shoe cabinet by the door. From its packaging, it was clear that this was a limited-edition pair from a well-known sports brand.

He carried the shoebox into his son’s room. “Little Peng.”

The bedroom, over twenty square meters in size, had three walls lined with bookshelves, filled nearly to capacity with books on traditional Chinese medicine and medicinal herbs.

By the window-side desk, a bespectacled young man with a slightly geeky demeanor turned his head with a somewhat clueless expression. “What is it, Dad?”

The middle-aged man gave him a quick glance, walked over, and placed the shoebox on the floor. “Your mom and I went to the mall today. Got you a pair of sneakers.”

Xu Peng blinked and grinned. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” The man left the shoes behind without another word and headed for the door.

Xu Peng eyed the sneakers on the floor, hesitated for a moment, then spoke up. “…Next weekend, I won’t be coming home for dinner. I’ve got plans to watch a movie with a female colleague from work.”

Hearing this, his father’s body visibly jolted, and he whipped around. “Good, good, good!”

“Heh.” Xu Peng grinned.

“Traditional medicine is a lifelong pursuit, but marriage and starting a family—those things shouldn’t be delayed.” His father paused before adding, “…When I push you, it’s not because I oppose your studies in traditional medicine—I’m just anxious.”

“I know.”

“Study all you want, but don’t get involved in fake medicine, and don’t break the law.” His father gripped the door handle, his tone serious yet measured.

A few days ago, his father had pushed him to go on a blind date, which led to a small argument.

A few days later, after some reflection, the old man bought him a pair of sneakers. A short exchange followed, both sides showing mutual understanding—restoring the family’s usual harmony.

Bickering and making up—that’s life.

“Dinner’s in forty minutes,” his mother called out from the kitchen with perfect timing.

“Have a drink,” his father said cheerfully, hands clasped behind his back as he strode into the living room, exuding the aura of the household’s spiritual pillar.

“I kno—”

Before Xu Peng could finish his sentence, he suddenly froze. A voice had unexpectedly echoed in his ears.

[Dear ‘The Immortal Hua Tuo,’ your Little Medicine Box reminds you: I have matched you with a new Star Gate—Qingliang Prefecture Star Gate. There are suitable tasks awaiting you there. Would you like to embark on a journey?]

[I will remind you again in five minutes.]

Xu Peng stiffened, immediately glancing at the time on his desk and doing some quick mental calculations.

Frowning, he thought to himself, “Ren Ye should have already entered the Star Gate five days ago… So why am I only receiving a mission from Qingliang Prefecture now? Is it the same Star Gate?”

After a moment’s hesitation, he suddenly stood up and called out, “Mom, I’m going downstairs to buy some drinks.”

“There are drinks at home.”

“Not the ones I want. I’ll be right back.” Xu Peng tossed out a reply, slipped on his slippers, and dashed out in his pajamas.

Three minutes later, he arrived outside a public restroom in a park. After carefully checking each stall to make sure no one was around, he slipped into one.

“Little Medicine Box, you there?” Xu Peng closed his eyes and called out in his mind.

[Here, Master!]

A slightly playful voice responded—vastly different from the one Ren Ye had heard.

This voice carried a hint of thoughtfulness, almost like it had its own personality.

“If I enter Qingliang Prefecture, does that mean I automatically accept the mission there?” Xu Peng asked.

[No, you’ll need to enter first and find the mission acceptance point before deciding whether to take it.]

“…Will it take long?”

[Sorry, Master, I cannot perceive the rules of Qingliang Prefecture Star Gate.]

“…Alright then. I’ll enter.” Xu Peng hesitated for a long moment before finally making up his mind. “Hurry, match me.”

Buzz!

A few seconds later, a dazzling light engulfed him, and he vanished from the restroom.

…

Cold. Twisting. Darkness…

As Xu Peng slowly opened his eyes, the blurry surroundings gradually became clear.

Looking up, he immediately saw the gates of Qingliang Prefecture—and a recruitment notice pasted upon them.

“Prince Huai issued a recruitment order? Then… isn’t this Ren Ye’s Star Gate?!”

Xu Peng blinked rapidly. “Did some rule get activated, opening the Star Gate to outsiders?”

As he spoke, a voice came from the side. “Hey, you know the passphrase?”

Turning his head, he saw a burly young man in coarse clothing looking at him expectantly.

Xu Peng thought for a moment before responding, “Loose Bone 128, Soft Style 268, and if you really insist—1288.”

“Perfect match. Everything checks out.” The burly youth grinned. “Vigil Keeper, right? I’m from the Order Faction. You got the match notification for this place too?”