Bai Zihe's gaze sharpened.
"Swish!"
Qian Yuanshan, wanting to test him, struck first.
He threw a punch, like a ferocious tiger descending from a mountain, at an extreme speed, stirring up gusts of biting cold wind that whistled, making one's face sting.
But his control was incredibly strong.
He confined his energy within a three-zhang radius, so outsiders couldn't perceive any abnormality.
They thought...
It was just an ordinary punch.
Bai Zihe met the challenge without hesitation, deflecting the blow with his palm, then transforming his palm into a claw, attempting to seize Qian Yuanshan's wrist.
Qian Yuanshan, as slippery as a loach, immediately pulled back.
Their exchange lasted only an instant, but Qian Yuanshan's forehead was already beaded with cold sweat. He had been inches away from being subdued by Bai Zihe just moments ago.
And this was only their first clash!
Instantly.
Qian Yuanshan gained a deeper understanding of Bai Zihe's strength, but he had no intention of giving up.
After adjusting himself, he attacked again.
Bai Zihe was equally unceremonious.
Meeting force with force, blocking with earth, countering each move.
After several rounds, Qian Yuanshan was almost entirely on the defensive, with no chance to counterattack. It was clear he was no match for Bai Zihe.
"Stop!"
After being forced back once more by Bai Zihe, Qian Yuanshan immediately raised his hand to signal a halt.
He said with a wry smile, "Bai Zihe, you are indeed a young prodigy of our Great Xia. Such strength... is truly rare in the world."
Saying this, he cupped his fists in salute, "My name is Qian Yuanshan from the War Department. I have offended you, please forgive me."
Bai Zihe raised an eyebrow and said, "I killed five hundred Ying soldiers back then, was it you who gave the order for me to explain myself?"
"And you permitted the Ying people to enter our borders?"
He held no good feelings towards the War Department.
It was one thing to be hunted by the War Department after he had killed over six thousand people from the three great families.
But for them to bring up the matter of the five hundred Ying soldiers he had killed...
That was simply going too far.
The Ying people and Great Xia were mortal enemies, there was no need to elaborate on that.
The War Department tacitly allowed the Ying people to enter their territory and turned a blind eye to their actions, which made Bai Zihe particularly displeased.
Qian Yuanshan's expression faltered, a hint of helplessness creeping in.
"Bai Zihe, you are not in my position, so you cannot understand my difficulties."
"As a citizen of Great Xia, I share the same bloodline as you. How could I forget the pain the Ying people have inflicted upon us?"
"It's just..."
Qian Yuanshan's face was filled with bitterness. "The power of the Ying people, their sharp might, their profound foundation, is simply unfathomable."
"Coupled with the fact that Great Xia has not yet recovered its strength, I was forced by circumstance to show weakness towards the Ying people."
Lin Tianxuan let out a sneer, remaining noncommittal.
It was unlikely that a few words would be enough to gloss over the issue.
Qian Yuanshan knew this as well, and immediately said, "Bai Zihe, actually, as long as you join the War Department, in the future regarding the Ying people..."
"You will no longer have any worries, and you can act with full freedom."
After speaking.
He looked at Bai Zihe with eager anticipation.
He had already grasped Bai Zihe's strength. If he were to join...
It would truly be a significant addition of a fresh force.
Even.
It was highly possible to reverse years of decline.
Bai Zihe said calmly, "I can join the War Department, but there is one condition."
"What condition?"
"That is..."
Bai Zihe stated directly, "My second senior sister, Ji Xueyun, must be the Domain Lord of the Southern War Zone."
"With her managing the rear for me, I will have no worries about my back."
Bai Zihe could still sense some things.
Qian Yuanshan was fundamentally loyal to Great Xia. This was the fundamental reason he was willing to join.
"No problem!"
Qian Yuanshan pondered for a moment and gave an affirmative reply. He then added, "However, I still need to tell you about the rules of the War Department."
Immediately.
Qian Yuanshan informed Bai Zihe of some of the major rules, or those that Bai Zihe might likely encounter.
For example.
To be accepted by the War Department, one must undergo a series of duels!
"A series of duels..."
Bai Zihe remained noncommittal, "After I finish handling things here, I will go and face them."
The immediate priority was to find all the keys.
"No problem."
Qian Yuanshan spoke to Bai Zihe about a few more things. Before leaving, he asked a question that had been lingering in his mind, "Bai Zihe, what is your current strength?"
"I'm not sure myself."
Bai Zihe was telling the truth.
But Qian Yuanshan was clearly not satisfied with this answer, and asked again, "Then, using me as a reference, I am currently a mid-stage Grandmaster. If you go all out, how many moves would it take you to defeat me?"
Bai Zihe glanced at him and said calmly, "Within three punches, you will ascend to heaven."