Rise of The Demon General
Chapter 242. A Successful but Costly Mission

Chapter 242: Chapter 242. A Successful but Costly Mission

The next day, nobody returned even when noon passed. Since that was the case, they said goodbye to Captain Lian Wui.

Gao Xi reluctantly used the whistle Ha Gild gave him. The great eagle flew down from the clouds and landed before them. Riding the great eagle, the group left Midnight Autumn Village.

Amon cultivated along the trip home. Everyone was mostly quiet except for Zhuan San, who asked for the details of yesterday’s encounter. His venture with Zhong Xia was peaceful. He didn’t encounter a single Jue Ape.

Wu Di and Tuang Yin recounted the events to him. After they were done, Zhuan San asked Amon for his side of the tale. Amon ignored him.

The swift great eagle took them back to the royal academy without incident. After arriving, Gao Xi instructed the students to follow him while Yong Ling and Wu Chun went to the infirmary. Yong Ling had not fully recovered from her wound, while Wu Chun needed special care. She would have to be thoroughly checked and given medicine to make sure she didn’t bear any Jue Ape baby inside her womb.

In Amon’s opinion, Wu Chun needed more attention on her mind than her body. She didn’t make a sound throughout the entire trip back. Amon also saw insanity in her gaze when their eyes happened to meet.

It was not his concern, though. Amon didn’t care what happened to that woman.

Gao Xi brought them to the building with the principal’s office. They entered the room next to that office. Inside, five tutors were waiting. The five were Li Niang, Lao Zen, Ha Gild, Li Shi, and An Guan.

These tutors were sitting behind a long table facing the door where the students entered. There were no chairs for the students. Gao Xi instructed the students to stand in a line facing the sitting tutors. He himself stood beside the students.

Li Niang started by asking Gao Xi to report on the mission.

After Gao Xi gave his report, the tutors asked each student to tell their side of the story. Everyone was telling the truth except for Amon. He pretended to have no idea about the missing students except for Xian Mei. In Xian Mei’s case, he told the tutors the same as what he told Gao Xi and Yong Ling.

After listening to everyone, Ha Gild shook his head and said, "Who expected this mission to take a turn like this? I felt guilty for having sent these students out there."

"You can’t blame yourself for this," Lao Zen said to him. "We all reviewed the mission you proposed and agreed to it. If you are to be blamed, then so should we."

"Every mission has risks. This is the point of doing missions," Li Niang said. "We are not living in a safe world. The life of a cultivator is not safe; venturing into the wilderness, fighting spirit beasts, competing with other cultivators for treasures. None of this is safe. If this is too much for the students to bear, they can live behind the safety of the city wall and choose a peaceful profession. However, that is not the kind of cultivator our royal academy is grooming."

Li Niang watched the faces of the students in that room while saying that. From their expressions, she could tell these students agreed with her. This pleased her.

"It is too bad for the missing students," She continued. "We will stay in contact with the army dispatched to eradicate the Jue Apes and Jue Ogres. Hopefully, they can find those students... Or, at least, their remains. We will take care of notifying their families. All of you have done well in this mission. The objective has been achieved, and we can safely say the Midnight Autumn Village is saved by the information you gather. This academy and this kingdom thank you for your services."

Lao Zen added, "This mission is successful but costly. For that, we will award you all with compensation. All of you will receive 10,000 academic points."

’10,000 academic points!’ Amon thought while clenching his fists. With these points, he should overtake Sima Fang. The time spent on the mission was also shorter than originally planned. Now, all he needed to do was keep the lead.

The students were dismissed after the debrief. The other students left except for Amon. An Guan and Li Shi approached Amon while the other tutors went to speak in private with Gao Xi.

"I can’t help but notice that many casualties happen when you are in a team mission," An Guan told Amon.

"I’ve only been on a team mission twice," Amon replied. "If that is your worry, maybe next time don’t offer me any more team missions."

"It is not fair to place the blame on him," Li Shi defended Amon. "That time with the excavation mission is the rebels’ fault. No one expects they are going to attack."

An Guan chuckled. "Forgive me, kid. I’m not trying to blame you, but maybe you should go wash yourself with a flower bath. Probably, it will wash away your bad luck."

"I come back alive, don’t I? So, I’m not the one with the bad luck," Amon returned.

"You got me there, kid," An Guan laughed. "Well, for what it’s worth. I’m glad you are okay."

An Guan left after that. Li Shi said, "I also want to express my relief about your safety. Take care now."

Before Li Shi left, Amon asked, "I heard you have gone to the capital on many occasions throughout the years. Does it have something to do with the murals we found at the excavation site?"

"You are right," Li Shi answered. "I am in charge of getting those murals to a safe place. I also must make sure the personnel who take care of the murals are aware of their value."

"How is the kingdom reacting to the message behind those murals?"

"They preferred to keep it hush for now," Li Shi answered. "The kingdom has a plan for a diplomatic visit to Oredolia next year. The emissary sent in this visit will break the news of these murals to the bishops there. We will see how it goes from there."

"I figure you don’t agree with this direction?" Amon asked.

"Of course I don’t!" Li Shi exclaimed. "The king is worried about how Oredolia will react. I said we have a responsibility to the masses to inform them of the truth."

Amon wanted to point out that it was not a certainty the murals contained the truth but decided not to bother. Instead, he said, "Tutor Li Shi, I never got a chance to ask. What about the teacher who recommended Pan Niang for the excavation mission?"

"Oh, him... Following our report four years ago, the academy conducted an investigation into him. He was questioned, and his place was searched. Sadly, he fled before we could find anything incriminating."

"Fled? He wasn’t put under heavy watch?" Amon asked.

Li Shi made an awkward smile. "I guess the academy wasn’t willing to believe one of their staff was a rebel spy. Not until he fled that they truly believed it."

"I see. That’s a pity. Did no one pursue him?"

"He is the kingdom’s matter now. The kingdom put a bounty on him since he is a rebel."

"What’s his name?" Amon asked.

"His name is Jian Dao. My guess is he is far away from Qishurg City by now."

Amon nodded. "There is something else I want to ask."

"Ask away," Li Shi said.

"You said before there is a Spring of Life under this academy. May I see it?" Amon asked.

"Score top ten during graduation in your last year of this academy, then you will get the chance to see it," Li Shi replied.

Amon chuckled. He said, "I only wish to see it, not use it."

"Why?" Li Shi asked.

"I’m very interested in the subject. Your lecture about the ley lines affecting the history of this world captivates my curiosity. I want to learn more about the ley lines. Seeing the Spring of Life born from direct contact with the ley lines should help me learn more about them and our history."

"I’m happy for your enthusiasm about history," Li Shi said with a genuine smile. "Unfortunately, the Spring of Life is prohibited to students and most tutors. Aside from during the final graduation year, only four personnel are allowed access."

"Who are these four?" Amon asked.

"Principal Li Niang, Head tutor Lao Zen, Head security An Guan, and me, the chief archeologist of the kingdom."

"I see... So, you have access."

"I like you, student Lin Mo, but don’t expect me to break the rules for you," Li Shi said with a wink. She then waved and said, "I must go. You take care now."

Amon didn’t stop her. He had learned what he wanted to know. He left the room afterward.

He went to check the ranking board at the information center. His academic points had been updated. He was now ranked first with around 6,000 academic points ahead of Sima Fang. He told himself not to be complacent, though. He needed to keep this pace of doing missions to stay ahead. He didn’t want to give Sima Fang any chance to catch up.

He would take a new mission next week. For now, he had some other things to deal with.