Although the talisman can be used multiple times, due to the limitations of its material, its effectiveness diminishes significantly with each use. Moreover, Helen Clark is not yet capable of using his own spiritual power to bless it, so it relies entirely on the spiritual energy inherent in the talisman’s material. Each use depletes it, and after three times, it will likely be almost useless.

Waving at the round-faced young man, Brian Carter stepped through the main gate, circled around the screen wall, and headed straight for the main hall. Before he even reached the steps, he heard a harsh, irritable shout from inside: “I told you to investigate what that old scoundrel Ju in Shenzhou is up to—why is there never any progress from you? Now that old scoundrel Ju has mobilized the entire province to repair the city walls, it’s obvious he’s received some news. What do you have to say for yourselves?”

“Sir, the Ju family hadn’t taken any action before; it was only in the past few days that they started conscripting laborers to repair the city defenses. It shouldn’t have anything to do with us,” a voice argued in response.

“Deceitful excuses! Let me ask you: the Ju family has always been on good terms with Nanyang. If they hadn’t gotten wind of our plans, why would they suddenly start repairing the city walls and preparing their troops?” The irate voice cut off the explanation, twisting logic as it continued, “Go and accept your punishment. Once I get to the bottom of this, I’ll deal with you accordingly.”

Chapter 14: The Recording Officer

The two men inside the hall came out with their heads hanging in dejection. Brian Carter knew these two were agents under the recording officer, responsible for counter-espionage. Relations between Guang Prefecture and its western neighbor, the Ju family of Shenzhou, had always been tense. Recently, it seemed Guang Prefecture had established some kind of contact with the Liu family of Nanyang, apparently targeting the Ju family of Shenzhou. But since such matters were highly confidential, Brian Carter wasn’t clear on the details.

“Who’s in the outer hall?”

“Sir, Brian Carter reporting back to duty.”

“Brian Carter?! You still remember to return?” As if finally finding someone to vent his anger on, the voice from inside became even more sinister. “Why aren’t you rolling in here already?!”

“Greetings, sir.” Brian Carter cupped his fists and bowed, neither humble nor arrogant.

Before he could react, a searing pain swept across Brian Carter’s forehead, and a bead of blood instantly reddened half his cheek. Brian Carter never expected to be whipped before he even had a chance to explain himself. Rage surged in his chest, his bones gave off a barely perceptible crackling, and his fists clenched tightly, ready to explode.

“What? You want to defy your superior? Tired of living?” The sinister words sent a chill down Brian Carter’s spine. He quickly crossed his arms over his chest and bowed again. “I wouldn’t dare, sir. Although I returned late, I have my reasons. I ask for your understanding.”

Another lash struck Brian Carter’s shoulder, the sharp, scorching force penetrating deep into his organs. Even though Brian Carter was prepared, it took three full cycles of his internal energy to dispel the burning pain, but the powerful impact still forced him back a step.

Facing a superior far stronger than himself, Brian Carter truly had no way out.

The other’s Sanyuan Profound Qi had already surpassed martial arts and touched upon the Heavenly Realm. In terms of heritage and strength, the Xu family couldn’t compare to the prominent clans of the region like the Liu family of Nanyang or the Zhu family of Bianluo, and even lagged behind the Yuan family of Caizhou and the Du family of Ezhou. Still, they were a prestigious family with generations of accumulation, and their Sanyuan Profound Qi cultivation method was fairly well-known.

Among the second generation of the Xu family, Samuel Foster was considered a standout. Although from a collateral branch, he had already cultivated Sanyuan Profound Qi to the Heavenly Realm. This man was only slightly inferior, but Samuel Foster was not yet thirty, now commanded the Guang Prefecture’s military, and his Arhat Staff was said to be invincible in Guang Prefecture. He was the hope of the Xu family’s younger generation.

“Other reasons? Do I need to hear your excuses? On the battlefield, it’s life and death—do you think the enemy will listen to your explanations? Nonsense!” The other’s voice rose, but the sinister tone lessened. “Brian Carter, I whipped you today to make you understand that military discipline cannot be violated. Maybe you do have your own difficulties or reasons, but I want you to remember: on the battlefield, there are no exceptions! I see your internal energy and spirit have improved a lot in these three months. Hmph!”

Brian Carter’s heart skipped a beat. The first lash was meant to put him on alert; without it, the second might have caused serious injury. It seemed the other was deliberately pushing him to improve. This man, a mix of brutality and cunning, was truly hard to read.

“I will remember, sir.”

“Speak. Why did you disobey orders and return late?”

Only now did Brian Carter dare to raise his head slightly and look the other in the eye. The man’s face was covered in thick flesh, a large hooked nose set in the middle, short, bushy eyebrows, piercing eyes, and a clean-shaven chin.

“I was tracking the ant bandits from Yingzhou into Chenzhou, where they looted. Later, the ant bandits entered Caizhou and split up, with the main force moving into Ruzhou. I wanted to learn their next move, so I stayed in Ruzhou longer than planned,” Brian Carter replied concisely.

“The main force of the ant bandits entered Ruzhou? Why have I heard that they’ve already turned east and are now past the Chenzhou border?” The cold gaze fell on Brian Carter’s face, crawling over him like ants, making him extremely uncomfortable.