When he left the capital, the atmosphere in the county was filled with panic and an undercurrent of brewing chaos.
Upon his return, Xu Qing quickly noticed the difference. The northern and western battlefronts were in a state of emergency, teetering on the edge of danger. The defense line of Fenghai County was on the verge of collapsing at any moment.
However, the people in the county capital were clearly in a much better state than before. Although they still carried fear of the future, they held hope too.
Even the shops were operating normally. Everything was orderly. At least on the surface, the devastation brought about by the war couldn't be seen.
Xu Qing, who had left the teleportation array and was walking on the streets, roughly understood the reason through the discussions of the surrounding crowd and the occasional shouts of the cultivators stationed here.
"Don't panic, everyone. Don't rush or cause a commotion. The Deputy Governor has already said that the Sword Holding Palace and all the sects and forces of our human race are participating in the war to protect our Fenghai County."
"Moreover, the Deputy Governor also clearly told us that our reinforcements are on their way. It won't be long before the crisis is suppressed and resolved. Everything will return to normal."
"During this period, anyone who causes trouble or raises prices will be severely punished!"
"There's no need to be afraid. The heavens won't change and there won't be any chaos. Haven't the few nonhuman races in the surroundings been suppressed by the Deputy Governor these few days? Besides, the Deputy Governor also said that the Palace Master is protecting us at the frontline. We can't cause trouble internally!"
As he moved forward, Xu Qing's mind also fluctuated. The Deputy Governor had clearly done many things during this time. As for Ning Yan, who was behind Xu Qing, he looked around and listened to the conversation. His heart was also in turmoil.
Xu Qing had just reached the Sword Holding Palace when he immediately received a voice transmission from the Deputy Governor.
"Xu Qing? I received a decree from the Palace Master asking you to return from the battlefield to deal with military matters. Come to my place first."
Xu Qing took a deep breath. He knew that the situation was urgent, so he arranged for Ning Yan to be with the Sword Holders who stayed behind to guard the Sword Holding Palace, and arrived at the Deputy Governor's residence.
There were many cultivators inside and outside the Deputy Governor's residence. A large number of missions were issued by the Deputy Governor and completed by these cultivators.
Someone immediately reported Xu Qing's arrival. Very soon, he saw the Deputy Governor in the hall.
The other party looked much more haggard and aged than before. His eyes were bloodshot.
At that moment, he received a medicinal pill from an old servant beside him. After glancing at it, he placed it to the side and didn't swallow it immediately.
Generally speaking, at this level of cultivation, it was very difficult for one to be so fatigued. Only mental pressure could ignore cultivation bases and exhaust one's mental strength.
"The Deputy Governor has been doing his best to pacify the people and mediate the situation with other forces. Under such internal and external troubles, it's no wonder that the pressure on him is extremely great. Even the old injuries to his soul showed signs of relapsing. However, he can't eat too many medicinal pills… Sigh."
The old servant beside the Deputy Governor sighed softly when he saw Xu Qing.
"Don't spout nonsense. I didn't eat because there's no benefit in having too many pills. I know my old injuries very well. It's fine." The Deputy Governor frowned and berated the servant.
"Xu Qing, recently, I've received urgent reports from the Sword Holding Courts in many provinces. The Sword Holding Court in the five provinces has been invaded and occupied by rogue cultivators under the support of some large races. The Palace Master is right. These races deserve to die ten thousand times for their crimes!"
"I can lend you the city's cultivators to go take back our territories."
The County Governor looked at Xu Qing and spoke in a deep voice.
"In addition, I received a decree from the Palace Master earlier. The frontline's situation is tragic and countless people have died or are injured. The number of troops and supplies needed is huge. I'll think of a way. If you have any solutions, you can tell me, and I'll handle it accordingly."
Xu Qing bowed respectfully, fully aware of the heavy burden placed upon the Deputy Governor. The responsibility of maintaining stability in the rear during times of war was no easy task. Ensuring order and coherence in such a challenging situation was a complex endeavor.
"Thank you, Deputy Governor. I'm going to collect supplies and buy them from other races in Fenghai County. Deputy Governor, please approve."
The Deputy Governor nodded.
"At this critical moment, if we forcefully demand resources, it will be quite difficult and time-consuming. Moreover, the method of purchasing is much gentler. There's no problem with this. Even if the finances of the county are tight, we still have enough to do this."
Xu Qing thanked him and left the Deputy Governor's residence. He didn't waste any time. After he returned to the Sword Holding Palace's Secretariat Department, he immediately issued a decree to collect supplies from the entire Fenghai County. He also arranged for people to head to the Quasi-Immortal Race, which was sealed off, to discuss the purchase of supplies.
As the decrees were sent out one after another, the hundreds of Sword Holders who stayed behind to guard the Sword Holding Palace immediately responded.
Previously, when the Palace Master was still around, Xu Qing dealt with official business like this every day and gave orders. Hence, there were no obstructions at this moment. The Sword Holders who stayed behind went to carry out the orders immediately.
However, Xu Qing was anxious. He understood that his cultivation wasn't enough to complete this mission at all. After he had gone to the Morning Glow Province, he deeply sensed the hidden malice of those nonhuman races.
He knew that even if he wanted to buy the supplies, he would probably encounter some obstacles, let alone get more troops for the battlefield.
"If I want to complete the Palace Master's mission and provide help to the frontline… I need a powerful combat strength deterrence. I can't completely trust the Deputy Governor!" Xu Qing fell silent. He stood in the office and looked at the sky outside.
At that moment, it was nighttime. Dark clouds filled the sky. Droplets of rain gradually fell, pattering on the limestone outside the hall.
As the rain fell, a cold aura swept up from the ground and spread out, blowing onto Xu Qing's legs.
"Master, the ancestor, and Zi Xuan… They're all resisting the Corpse Forbidden and don't have spare time."
"I wonder where Senior Brother went. There's still no news of him."
Xu Qing remained silent. In the end, he turned his head and looked in the direction of the desert outside the county capital. The figure of a three-headed bird appeared in his mind.
"Large bird Qingqin!" Xu Qing's eyes gleamed.
Xu Qing's impression of Qingqin stopped at the first time he came to the county capital. The other party had once appeared in the sky with Ning Yan in its mouth. Wherever it passed, it would stir up a storm, transforming into a tornado that connected heaven and earth. Its aura was powerful and vast.
At that time, Chen Tinghao had told him that the large bird, Qingqin, was a prehistoric mutant. Its bloodline could be traced back to ancient times and its ancestor had once followed the ancient sovereign.
As for its identity, it was a friend of the previous County Governor. When the previous County Governor returned to the Imperial City 800 years ago, he had invited it. However, Qingqin didn't follow him. Instead, it stayed in Fenghai County.
Qingqin's status was extraordinary. Even the Palace Master didn't conscript her.
"According to what Chen Tinghao said back then, Qingqin is sympathetic to the human race. Now that we're in a crisis, I can give it a try."
"Also…"
A cold glint appeared in Xu Qing's eyes.
"If Qingqin refuses, I wonder if this big bird is afraid of the Red Moon!"
Xu Qing had no choice. If he wanted to provide the urgently needed troops and supplies to the frontline, he could only take the unorthodox path.
At the thought of this, Xu Qing walked out and found the busy Ning Yan. Without any explanation, he grabbed him and left.
"Senior… Senior Brother Xu Qing, where are we going?" Ning Yan's body trembled. Looking at Xu Qing's expression, he felt uneasy.
"I'm bringing you to meet an old friend."
"An old friend?" Ning Yan was shocked. After that, he took a deep breath and asked carefully.
"Is it Senior Brother Erniu?"
