Chapter 25: The Crimson Blood Black Tortoise Armor

Early the next morning, Zhang Xiao dressed himself meticulously and went to the military camp outside Luoyang city to report. Since he had not yet received his armor, he could only wear his magnificent purple robe.

“Heh, you’re really early. Come, have a seat. His Majesty hasn’t arrived yet—no need to be so formal,” Bai Qi said with a smile, pulling Zhang Xiao into the tent. Zhang Xiao, familiar with Bai Qi, made himself comfortable, picking up the fruit on the table and taking hearty bites, asking as he ate, “Why is His Majesty coming to the parade ground for the inspection this time? The nation has just been founded; surely the emperor has many matters to attend to.”

Zhang Xiao’s question was reasonable. Though Prime Minister Li Si and other ministers of Qin were there to assist, the methods of governance differed between dynasties—especially with a gap of over two thousand years. Such a gulf could not be bridged in a few short years.

Bai Qi smiled, “His Majesty is coming to the parade ground for two reasons. First, to observe the training of the two hundred thousand soldiers recruited from the six major sects. Second, he intends to use this opportunity to speak with you.”

To speak with me? Zhang Xiao was momentarily taken aback. “If His Majesty wishes to see me, he could simply send a message and summon me to the palace. Why go to such trouble?” Although Bai Qi did not clarify the order of importance, Zhang Xiao instinctively guessed that the primary purpose was to speak with him. After completing the founding mission, Zhang Xiao had once had a lengthy conversation with Qin Shi Huang, and he truly admired the emperor. Unifying the six states, standardizing the script, resisting the Xiongnu, conquering Nanyue—such achievements were rare among emperors in history. As for the reputation of tyranny, Zhang Xiao dismissed it. The burning of books and burying of scholars was extreme, but at the time, it was not a bad solution; otherwise, the government would be endlessly hindered by scholars criticizing state policies. Such a decision required immense resolve.

Yet after returning to the palace in Luoyang, the emperor had never summoned him again, almost as if he had been forgotten. And now, seeking to meet him under the guise of a military inspection—Zhang Xiao would never believe there wasn’t something more at play.

Bai Qi, observing Zhang Xiao’s thoughtful gaze, knew he had sensed something unusual. But Bai Qi offered no explanation, only suggesting with a smile, “It’s still early. Let’s take a walk around the camp. I’ll help you pick out a suit of armor—otherwise, you’ll be in trouble at the inspection.”

Bai Qi led Zhang Xiao out of the tent. Though there were many tents around, there were also prominent buildings, tall and striking. The two walked to the front of a hall, where three characters were inscribed: “Military Merit Pavilion.”

“This is the place for military merit. Here, you can exchange merits for all manner of things—techniques, magical treasures, spiritual materials, rare medicines. As long as you have the merit, you can trade for whatever you want.”

Zhang Xiao’s curiosity was piqued—he still had seven thousand merit points and wondered what they might fetch. Seeing Zhang Xiao’s interest, Bai Qi accompanied him inside.

“Sir!” The atmosphere within the Military Merit Pavilion was distinctly different—luxurious decorations, even the teapots were magical items. Opulence abounded. The steward, seeing Bai Qi, hurried out from behind the counter to greet him. Bai Qi gestured to Zhang Xiao, “This is the Right General of the Imperial Guard, Defender of the Nation, Zhang Xiao. Do not show him any disrespect in the future.”

The steward was startled, quickly bowing to Zhang Xiao, “Forgive me, sir. I have not met you before and was remiss in my manners. Please accept my apology.”

Zhang Xiao did not hold as high a rank as Bai Qi. In the military, the left was always honored. Though the Right General was not a low position, it carried little real power.

Had Bai Qi not personally vouched for him, the steward would not have been so flustered. Zhang Xiao waved the steward up, “It’s fine. This is my first time here—please do me the favor of introducing the place.”

The steward hurriedly replied, “Certainly, sirs, please sit. I will bring the merit lamp.” After Zhang Xiao and Bai Qi sat, the steward produced a bronze lantern and set it before them. Zhang Xiao’s spiritual sense swept over it and found it was actually a second-grade magical treasure, sparking his curiosity. The steward tossed a jade coin into the lantern, which immediately lit up and projected a scene into the air, displaying a categorization of all sorts of rare treasures.

“Defender of the Nation, if you want anything, you can select from these categories using spiritual energy. If you already know what you want, simply write the item’s name with your energy.”

Zhang Xiao found it miraculous—almost like a computer. He tapped the herbal category, and thousands of medicinal names appeared in the display. Examining them closely, he discovered many rare treasures; most notable was a medicine called the Dust-Cleansing Fruit. This fruit did not cleanse physical dust, but rather cleared the mind of distracting thoughts and demonic influences, stabilizing one’s cultivation and spirit—a treasure that even Nascent Soul experts would fiercely compete for. He hadn’t expected such a thing to be available. Zhang Xiao tapped on the Dust-Cleansing Fruit and was shocked: only two thousand merit points!

That was incredibly cheap. Seeing Zhang Xiao’s surprise, Bai Qi laughed, “Ha! It’s a fine item, but merit is not easily earned. Even setting aside the lack of current wars, in battle you must kill three enemies to gain one merit point; if the army wins, everyone gets only ten extra points. The rest you must earn yourself. Merits can be exchanged for more than just these; you can trade for rank, nobility, and if you have enough, even establish your own army—a legitimate, emperor-sanctioned force, not just a private militia.”

Hearing this, Zhang Xiao glanced at Bai Qi, “So, Lord Wu’an, your merit must be considerable.” It was not an unreasonable assumption; Bai Qi had executed four hundred thousand Zhao soldiers at Changping, and his victories at Huayang, Qianzhong, and many others had resulted in tens of thousands of enemy casualties, with over sixty cities conquered. Surely his merit was astronomical.

But Zhang Xiao was not probing, just making a joke. Bai Qi, however, shook his head with a wry smile, “No, all my merit from my previous life cannot be used now. Being granted a second life by the emperor is reward enough. I, Gongsun Qi, dare not be greedy for more. Though I covet these treasures, I must wait for another war and kill more enemies to earn enough.”

Zhang Xiao broke out in a cold sweat, silently thinking, “How many must you kill to get ‘more’?”

Suddenly, a suit of armor caught Zhang Xiao’s eye as he browsed the images—“Crimson Blood Black Tortoise Armor.” He checked its attributes and almost salivated. The armor seemed perfectly suited for him: enhanced water-attribute attacks, increased damage reflection—both crucial to his abilities. But it required five thousand merit points; Zhang Xiao was astonished, “This is so expensive!” Knowing how difficult merit was to earn, the price shocked him.

The steward explained, “This Crimson Blood Black Tortoise Armor is forged from a tortoise shell, infused with various water-attribute spiritual materials. Its defense rivals that of supreme treasures.”

Hearing this, Zhang Xiao coveted it even more. Though he possessed the Five-Colored Cloud Banner as a supreme protective treasure, it consumed much spiritual energy. In a prolonged battle, relying on it was strenuous. With this armor and his Seven Transformations Mysterious Heaven Technique, his strength would surely rise again.

Swallowing, Zhang Xiao turned to the steward, “I’ll take the Crimson Blood Black Tortoise Armor.” His words surprised the steward, and even Bai Qi was puzzled, “Brother, do you have enough merit?”

Zhang Xiao nodded, but instead of telling the truth, said, “I killed many abroad and happened to foil an important mission, so I earned five thousand merit points.”

Bai Qi nodded to the steward, “Don’t just stand there, take my brother to claim his treasure.” The steward was still incredulous, but seeing Bai Qi himself say so, he had no objections, bowing, “Please follow me, sir.”

Zhang Xiao rose and said to Bai Qi, “Lord Wu’an, wait a moment—I’ll be right back.” Bai Qi nodded with a smile, but after Zhang Xiao left, his expression grew curious as he watched Zhang Xiao depart, murmuring, “He is indeed an interesting friend. If he’d truly killed so many, how could he hide it from me, the butcher?”

Bai Qi certainly did not believe Zhang Xiao’s story. His cultivation gave him a keen sensitivity to murderous energy; Zhang Xiao possessed some, but nothing compared to what he claimed. Still, Bai Qi had no interest in exposing the lie. Zhang Xiao was now tied to the court, with all connections to the nine major sects severed; he was precisely the kind of person the emperor needed. Bai Qi would not foolishly offend him.

Zhang Xiao, on the other hand, knew Bai Qi would not believe his tale, but also knew that claiming the armor would not escape Bai Qi’s notice. Since he could not hide it, he chose to claim the armor openly before Bai Qi, appearing forthright. As for the origin of the merit, he had explained himself—whether Bai Qi believed it or not was his concern.

Following the steward to a stone chamber at the back, Zhang Xiao was confronted with a massive statue of a taotie. Per the steward’s instructions, he placed his hand, which bore his attribute token, into the taotie’s mouth, thinking of the Crimson Blood Black Tortoise Armor. A yellow light emanated from the mouth, enveloping his token, and when the light faded, a set of crimson blood-colored armor appeared in his hands.

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