We have fought to the Arctic Circle, and you want me to inherit the throne?

Chapter 1005 Xu Jiezi Enters Qiongzhou

As the saying goes: No matter how high your martial arts skills are, you're still afraid of a kitchen knife; no matter how deep your supernatural powers are, you'll be taken down with a single shot.

As the current leader of the Guigu School, Xu Jiezi possessed superb skills in cultivating inner energy. In terms of fists, weapons, and esoteric arts, dealing with these dozen or so elite soldiers was a piece of cake.

But facing a musket that instantly spews flames and makes a thunderous roar... is a completely different matter.

Although he never left the mountain gate, he knew everything that happened in the world, and he knew that this thing was the foundation of the Fengtian Army and that it was something that flesh and blood could not withstand.

No matter how fast you are, how can you outrun a bullet?

This is ultimately a mortal world, not a world of cultivation. Even someone as powerful as Hu Qiang, at the peak of his martial arts prowess, would die if hit squarely in the face by a bullet.

Xu Jiezi came to help, not to test his own stubbornness. There was no need for him to risk his life over such a trivial matter.

The officer was also quite perceptive. Although he didn't know the old man's exact background, he could tell from his demeanor and ghostly skills that he was no ordinary person.

Therefore, they dared not neglect him and politely invited Xu Jiezi back to the camp.

But when he returned to the camp, he was in a dilemma. His official rank was too low, and he had no authority to deal with such a person.

There was no other way but to report it up the chain of command.

His superior was just a regimental commander, and when he heard the white-robed old man claim to be a disciple of Guiguzi and have double pupils, he was even more terrified.

He immediately reported the news to He Conglong, who was stationed in Leizhou and in charge of logistics.

Upon hearing the news, He Conglong's heart stirred.

As a high-ranking official in the imperial court, he was naturally well-informed and had heard of the Guigu School.

They also learned that this person was a reclusive master, whose disciples were all extraordinary, and many of them held positions in the imperial court.

He Conglong dared not delay and immediately put aside his military affairs to personally meet with Xu Jiezi.

Upon entering the tent, one could see the old man in white sitting calmly.

Despite being in a military camp, the old man remained aloof, as if the chilling atmosphere around him had nothing to do with him.

He Conglong felt a chill run down his spine. He stepped forward and bowed respectfully, saying, "Junior He Conglong greets Mr. Xu Jiezi."

Xu Jiezi glanced at him, his gaze lingering briefly on the Duke's robes, and said calmly, "It is actually the Duke of Xiang who has come in person. I have been impolite."

He Conglong's attitude became increasingly polite: "Sir, you flatter me. I have long admired your great name and heard of it. Upon learning of your arrival in Leizhou, I came here to pay my respects."

Xu Jiezi nodded slightly, stopped the pleasantries, and went straight to the point: "Since the Duke of Xiangguo recognizes me, he should know that I am not a wicked person. May I leave now?"

Upon hearing this, He Conglong frowned slightly and carefully chose his words before replying, "Sir, you are unaware that it was not my intention to obstruct you."

"However, His Majesty has already issued a strict decree to block all passages south of Leizhou, prohibiting sampans from entering the port and not a single sail from going out to sea. Military orders are absolute, and I dare not disobey them."

Xu Jiezi seemed to have expected this, and calmly said, "I know that there is a great epidemic in Qiongzhou. His Majesty's swift and decisive measures are also to stop the epidemic."

He Conglong was taken aback. The epidemic situation in Qiongzhou was highly confidential, and the outside world knew very little about it. How did this old man know so much about it?

He instinctively pressed, "How did you learn about the great epidemic in Qiongzhou, sir?"

Xu Jiezi simply smiled calmly, stroked his long, snow-white beard, and did not answer directly.

He then said, "To be honest, I came here precisely because of this epidemic."

“My Guigu School encompasses a wide range of disciplines, including senior teachers who have studied medicine, and I myself have dabbled in some minor skills.”

"Grateful for His Majesty's benevolence, and unable to bear seeing the people of the Southern Frontier suffer such a calamity, I, though a humble man from the mountains, am willing to do my part."

He Conglong was initially delighted, thinking that if he could really have such a master's help, he might have a better chance of success.

But then I thought about it again, His Majesty's medical team is already in Qiongzhou and has made considerable progress.

Would it be inappropriate to send another highly accomplished person over now?

A troubled look appeared on his face: "However, His Majesty has already dispatched the head of the Imperial Medical Academy and Marquis Jiayou, among others, to Qiongzhou to oversee the anti-epidemic efforts."

Xu Jiezi, seeing through his thoughts, comforted him, saying, "Lord Xiangguo need not worry. If Qiongzhou has found a way to control the epidemic and implemented it smoothly, I will not cause any trouble. I will immediately return by the same route and pretend that I never came."

"If we are still helpless in the face of the epidemic, what harm is there in letting this old man give it a try and do his part?"

"An extra path always means an extra glimmer of hope."

He Conglong was a decisive man. Although he knew that Hua Chang'an seemed to have found a method for smallpox vaccination, it had not yet been fully verified and its effectiveness was still unknown.

If we send Xu Jiezi now, and he can complement us, wouldn't that be a great thing?

Even if it's useless, we can just ask them to leave when the time comes.

The situation is urgent, and there is really no room for prejudice.

After considering his options, He Conglong nodded and said, "Sir, you are compassionate, and I am deeply grateful."

"In that case, I can immediately arrange a fast boat to take you to the dock on the other side of the strait."

"But whether you will be allowed to participate in the fight against the epidemic after you arrive on the island depends on Commander Yang's arrangements."

"This is military regulation, and it is also for your safety. I hope you understand."

Xu Jiezi had no objection to this, and stroked his beard, saying, "That's only right, then I'll trouble Duke Xiangguo."

He Conglong replied, "It's no trouble at all. It is our good fortune that you, sir, are so dedicated to the country and its people."

Immediately, he arranged for ships to escort Xu Jiezi while simultaneously using urgent mail to quickly report the details of the matter to Yang Zhongsi on Qiongzhou Island.

. . . . . .

Inside the central command tent of the Qiongzhou camp.

After reading the secret letter from He Conglong, Yang Zhongsi raised an eyebrow and immediately summoned Hua Chang'an and Wang Sanchun to discuss the matter.

"The Guigu School... is that the sect of this year's third-ranked scholar?" Hua Chang'an asked first. He came from the capital and naturally paid close attention to the newly promoted talents of the court.

Yang Zhongsi nodded: "Not only that, several of Xu Jiezi's disciples went into the world to gain experience and all of them passed the imperial examinations, which shows that his talent and knowledge are unfathomable."

Hua Chang'an pondered for a moment: "In that case, he is indeed a person with real skills, worthy of being a member of the ancient school of strategists."

"Since that's the case, and he's come to help voluntarily, it's fine to let him land on the island."

Wang Sanchun, standing to the side, disagreed: "Now that we've found a way to treat smallpox, and we're on the verge of controlling the epidemic, what are we doing with this old charlatan trying to steal the credit?"

It wasn't that Wang Sanchun was intolerant of others, but rather that he came from a military background, and people in the military are quite sensitive about matters of military merit.

How can there be a situation where friendly forces are attacking a city and are about to take it down when other teams come to interfere?

Yang Zhongsi glanced at him and smiled: "You can't say that. Although the smallpox vaccination method is good, its long-term effects are still unknown."

"Having one more expert means having one more layer of security, not to mention..."

He paused, lowered his voice, and said something.