Chapter 102: Mutual Probing

Baili Feihong said, "Commander, please pardon my bluntness. They say Dulong Mountain is built upon the watershed of a great dragon’s ley line. Your headquarters here is magnificent and grand, so vast and imposing that with my limited experience, I half believed I had arrived at some foreign king’s palace overseas."

These words drew an angry rebuke from the senior general of the Southern Naval Command.

"The garrison commander should not speak nonsense, attempting to cast the Yandu commander in an unjust light. Such malice is truly vile."

"Foolish one, Feiyuan Island has been influenced by many foreign cultures; the command headquarters’ style is simply a reflection of the local craftsmen’s preferences."

"Indeed, overseas nations, scattered like stars, often have tiny islands with populations under a hundred thousand that claim kingship. Yet the commander here is the supreme leader of the Southern Naval Command of the Great Yuan Empire, a status unmatched by any foreign ruler. Building such a magnificent headquarters only affirms the dignity of our empire."

The generals bristled with fury, their murderous intent sharp as blades.

"The ruler is ruler, the commander is commander; rules must not be crossed. However, you are not wrong. I have never left Dongbin City; I am indeed ignorant and have made a fool of myself," Baili Feihong said with a smile, clasping his hands behind his back.

"Enough quarrelling. The command headquarters is not my private residence alone; it is the place where many of the Southern Naval Command’s officers handle military affairs. If the garrison commander believes I have overstepped the boundaries between lord and subject, he may submit a memorial to the throne. Do not let fleeting words push the Southern Naval Command into opposition with the Demon Suppression Division."

At that moment, a towering, giant-like middle-aged man emerged from the headquarters. Rain and wind howled fiercely, yet not a drop touched him.

His features were square and upright, his eyes sharp like an eagle’s, standing as firm as a mountain, exuding an imposing presence like the sea.

As he stepped forward, the clouds and rain above parted, a beam of sunlight fell upon him, and a radiant, multicolored glow enveloped him, making him shine like a divine presence.

Baili Feihong’s expression grew solemn.

If Gongyang Yan was a blade, a sword capable of cleaving heaven and earth, then the man before him, Yan Fei, was a mountain—unyielding, the gathering force of countless troops.

In terms of sheer strength, Yan Fei held a slight edge.

But in a life-or-death battle, Yan Fei would surely be cut down by Gongyang Yan’s blade.

Yan Fei had cultivated his energy on Dulong Mountain for years, taking full advantage of heaven, earth, and human factors; this battle was worrisome.

Yet he was a Demon Suppressor—his role was to be the blade that cleaves the mountain.

"The commander jokes. My words are humble; how could I dare submit memorials that reach the heavens? There are many garrison commanders in the world; having one more or less makes no difference. Rather, Commander Yan, as the Southern Naval Command’s leader, holds high rank and authority, the stabilizing pillar of the southern seas. If I were to make such a move, it would be like an egg striking a stone," Baili Feihong replied with ease, his authority undiminished.

His response startled Yan Fei and all the Southern Naval Command officers.

Indeed, without true skill, who would dare provoke the Southern Naval Command?

Baili Feihong was a formidable enemy!

Many Southern Naval Command generals even harbored thoughts of killing him outright, leaving him forever on Dulong Mountain.

"The rainbow after the rain, this scene is beautiful. Garrison Commander Baili, I hope our future relationship will be like this rainbow—praised by all," said Yan Fei, his stern demeanor softening into a smile.

"Your words are exactly my wish," Baili Feihong smiled in return.

"Please," Yan Fei personally invited Baili Feihong into the command headquarters.

"Commander, thank you for your trouble. I hope I have not disturbed your official duties," Baili Feihong said.

"The presence of Garrison Commander Baili brings glory to the headquarters. I welcome you wholeheartedly," Yan Fei responded politely.

After some formalities, they both entered the headquarters, leaving the assembled generals exchanging glances.

The two men’s expressions had shifted too quickly.

What surprised them most was that the garrison commander was quite young, barely sixteen or seventeen—a mere youth compared to many of them, whose own sons were older.

Yet he dared to confront the Southern Naval Command’s commander and hold his own.

"Will they fight?" a murmur arose in everyone’s minds.

"It was not proper to hold a banquet at noon, but the garrison commander has been on Feiyuan Island for three days without a welcome. That was my neglect, so I hastened the feast. I hope Garrison Commander Baili will not take offense," Yan Fei explained.

Inside the command headquarters, the council hall was already arranged.

Baili Feihong sat to Yan Fei’s lower left.

Though Baili’s official rank in the Great Yuan Court was high, it was still slightly below that of the naval commander.

Moreover, the Southern Naval Command was the elite of the imperial navy.

"I do not blame the commander. I, Feihong, lack proper manners. On the day I arrived on the island, I should have first come to pay respects to the commander. But seeing the Demon Suppression Division fall to such a state, I feel heartache. Our division was granted imperial authority to slay demons and monsters, independent from the court’s military and political affairs—a lineage honored by generations of emperors. Yet seeing the division here on Feiyuan Island, I am ashamed. Reflecting on past matters, it was always the brothers of the Southern Naval Command who came to our aid, bearing our burdens. I feel deeply remorseful, unworthy of the sacrifices made by the Southern Naval soldiers who fell fighting demons," Baili Feihong said with clasped hands, his voice filled with emotion, moving all who heard him.

But who was Yan Fei?

Could he not perceive the meaning behind Baili Feihong’s words?

It was a subtle rebuke, urging the Southern Naval Command to interfere less in the Demon Suppression Division’s affairs.

To come here today was already a favor to the headquarters.

"Demonic beasts threaten the human realm; slaying them is everyone’s duty. I, Yan Fei, am unworthy and dare not let the Demon Suppression Division bear the burden alone. We assist where we can, all for the emperor’s cause and the people's welfare," Yan Fei replied straightforwardly.

His words were clear and unambiguous.

"I govern as I will, I intervene as I please. Feiyuan Island is not solely the Demon Suppression Division’s domain."

"Commander, your righteousness is evident. Recently, Feihong, though of low status, has heard of the Southern Naval Command’s deeds. You and your brothers have stood alone against the Farati Empire and many foreign navies, enduring great hardship. That the Demon Suppression Division had to call upon the Southern Naval Command is a testament to your noble spirit and high integrity. I am deeply grateful. Should foreign enemies invade again, I will spare no effort to slay them and repay your kindness," Baili Feihong declared passionately.

Yan Fei sneered; the generals exchanged fierce glares.

This was a direct strike at the Southern Naval Command’s wounds.

And now this garrison commander wanted to meddle in their authority?

Did he truly see himself as a martial saint?

Talk of noble righteousness and lofty conduct was all nonsense.

It was a blatant insult aimed at the Southern Naval Command—calling them a defeated army yet meddling in affairs without self-awareness.

"This cup of wine is a toast from Feihong to the commander, thanking him for his care of the Demon Suppression Division," Baili Feihong said, raising a bronze vessel toward Yan Fei.

At that moment, no matter how deep Yan Fei’s reserve, he no longer wished to conceal anything.

"The late autumn chill leaves your wine cold, Garrison Commander Baili. Let the servants warm it first," Yan Fei said, his eyes fixed on the bronze vessel.

Baili Feihong felt a coldness emanate from the vessel in his hand.

Glancing again, he saw the wine within crystallize into frost.

Staring at the frozen surface, it was clear this man’s control over vital energy had reached the pinnacle.

"No need to trouble others. After rain, frost forms naturally as temperatures drop. Feihong is young and vigorous; this fiery blood wine suits him perfectly," Baili Feihong said, grasping the bronze vessel. Though no blood energy leaked forth, the frost within the wine boiled violently.

This small gesture astonished all the generals present.

"No blood energy leakage!"

"His body realm is impenetrable!"

"How many levels of blood energy cultivation has he mastered?"

"His Six-Bone Mysterious Principle must be perfected."

They could not fathom him at all.

In that instant, they recalled intelligence reports stating Baili Feihong cultivated the Demon Suppression Six-Path Scripture.

The Demon Suppression Division’s terror lay in blood-refining.

Divine abilities were exclusive to the Divine Ability Masters.

Yet the birth of the Demon Suppression Division and its Six-Path Scripture tore a hole in this law, breaking convention.

But blood suppression over the mountains and rivers was not something anyone could cultivate.

Those who could awaken the Blood Suppression Mountains and Rivers divine ability at the Body Refining stage were destined to become Divine Ability Masters.

The wine in the bronze vessel boiled, filling the hall with fragrance.

This small contest had brought the profound truths of martial arts at different levels to their utmost expression.

Victory or defeat no longer mattered.

What mattered was that Baili Feihong drained the bronze vessel in a single gulp.

Before anyone could react, blue mist poured from his pores.

"Commander Yan, poisoning the wine is a rather crude method, isn’t it? Why not just offer me a poisoned cup outright?" Baili Feihong’s face darkened as he stared at Yan Fei.

"Garrison Commander Baili, stop your nonsense. Such base tricks would soil my hands," Yan Fei stood, imposing without anger, a shadow of gloom in his eyes.

"Is that so?" Baili Feihong’s hand swept through the air, gathering the mist into a blue liquid suspended in his palm.

With a flick, he let it fall into General Zhang Baihai’s bronze vessel of wine.

"General Zhang, would you care to try?" Baili Feihong asked.

Zhang Baihai’s face was pale with terror as he hurriedly stepped back.

Killing intent filled the headquarters.

Vital energy churned, frost gathered.

Blood energy took shape like blazing flames.

Willpower of martial combat collided fiercely with the domineering will that plunders all.

Boom—

The command headquarters seemed torn by an invisible hand, the palace roof blown away. Torrential rain poured down.

When the hall fell silent again, Yan Fei and Baili Feihong had vanished.

On the vast, turbulent sea, two inconspicuous figures writhed like dragons battling the waves.

Just as the Southern Naval Command generals rushed out of the headquarters, the two men’s figures returned to their seats.

"Carefree Wanderer?!" Yan Fei’s face darkened.

"So Commander Yan’s ancestors came from our Demon Suppression Division," Baili Feihong said calmly, though his clothes bore several slashes and his aura was somewhat disordered.

Both had just used the Carefree Wanderer technique.

Baili Feihong immediately recognized Yan Fei as a member of the Yan family of the Great Yuan Empire.

"How do you know Carefree Wanderer?"

"Commander Yan jokes. Carefree Wanderer was originally created by the first garrison commander of Dongbin City to slay the Kun demon. It is an absolute secret art of our Dongbin City Demon Suppression Division," Yan Fei replied.

Yet he did not accept that answer.

Everyone knew it was uniquely the Yan family’s secret art.

He never thought his ancestors had left the Carefree Wanderer behind in Dongbin City’s Demon Suppression Division.

"If the garrison commander believes I poisoned the wine, this banquet need not continue. Please," Yan Fei said.

"Garrison Commander Yan, I take my leave," Baili Feihong replied.

"No seeing you off," Yan Fei said.

Baili Feihong’s figure flickered and disappeared from the headquarters.

Their duel had never aimed to kill.

It was merely a test.

If Baili Feihong lost, he would have no right to establish the Demon Suppression Division on Feiyuan Island.

From start to finish, Baili Feihong only used Carefree Wanderer.

With this technique, Yan Fei gained no advantage.

Yet Yan Fei’s profound primordial power and physical strength made it difficult to break Baili’s defense.

In the end, they were evenly matched.

"Sir, will you really let him leave?" Zhong Ziling asked first.

"Under Blood Suppression Mountains and Rivers, even if I use all means, it would be life for life," Yan Fei said, his face as dark as water.

Moreover, he sensed a fluctuation of primordial energy on the other’s body.

Only during battle did he feel a faint trace.

This meant Baili Feihong might not be merely at the Divine Spirit level.

"A blood refiner!" he whispered.

A martial artist beyond ordinary realms.