The Imperial City is much colder than Fengri City.

It’s said the first snow came three days ago, heralding the true arrival of winter.

But the coldest days in the Imperial City won’t come for another month or so; at that time, if a house isn’t heated by fire, people could freeze to death. So every year, the Government Office will go door to door, checking whether there’s enough charcoal stored. If not, and if there’s no money to buy any, you can apply to the Government Office for emergency supplies, though you’ll have to repay with labor or silver coins the following year.

Every day before dawn, charcoal carts rush in from outside the city. These supplies have been prepared half a year in advance and are sold across the city.

Of course, charcoal reserves in Court institutions are supplied directly by the Court, so the officials don’t have to worry; a dedicated Charcoal Room handles distribution. Despite the name, the Charcoal Room actually also gives out cooling tea and large ice blocks in the summer months. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Shen Hao was already very familiar with the Jingxi Town Governor’s Office, having been in and out many times. According to protocol, he first waited at the Tea Room, feeling the spring-like warmth of the charcoal fire, and sitting down, he couldn’t help but feel rather lazy and sleepy.

"Lord Shen, Lord Governor invites you."

After waiting for a short hour, a Xiaoqi came to call Shen Hao inside, drawing the attention of many in the Tea Room. They whispered and wondered who this young man was, why he was summoned after waiting only a short while when they’d been waiting all morning with nothing?

Someone said, "You don’t know him? That’s Shen Hao, the Evil Star of Fengri City, Hundred Households of Shen! Lord Jiang’s number-one fast blade. If you’re brave, go ask him why he’s cutting in line ahead of you!"

Instantly, exclamations of "Oh, it’s him!" could be heard everywhere, and no one minded Shen Hao’s privilege of skipping the queue. Who would dare cross the Evil Star? Only if they had nothing better to do.

With matters on his mind, Shen Hao paid no attention to the murmurs behind him; even if he heard them, he would simply smile and move on.

The Gatekeeper reported and signaled Shen Hao that he could go inside.

He pushed open the door, gave a bow, and sat on the chair opposite Jiang Cheng’s table as directed.

"Sit for a moment; let me finish this note."

"Please, Lord, don’t mind me—carry on."

After burning a stick of incense, Jiang Cheng set aside his brush and looked up, his face alight with smiles. It had been some time since they’d last met, but he was only growing more satisfied with this disciple.

"You did well in Tu Kui City this time, warning the Governor’s Office in advance about Wu Changhe’s reckless orders, and prevented chaos from that bungler. Even more impressive was your performance inside the Sword Emperor’s Tomb—not only did you withstand the hidden threats of the Cloud Sword Domain’s Illusion Realm, but you also remembered to save your comrades. Thanks to your persistence, hundreds lived. This was passionately reported by the three Golden Sword Cultivators upon their return, and Lord Commander himself praised you endlessly.

You’ve earned me quite the honor!"

Shen Hao laughed, "Heh, it was mostly luck and circumstance." He wasn’t overly humble, knowing Jiang Cheng disliked those with false modesty; straightforwardness suited him better.

"Hahaha, luck is a skill! And a rare one at that! By the way, your eyes are sharp, and your aura different—you’ve advanced your cultivation, haven’t you? Gathering Spirit Realm Fourth Layer? No, wait! You’re... about to break through again from the Gathering Spirit Realm Fourth Layer?!"

Wouldn’t have noticed if he hadn’t looked—now it startled him.

Two months ago Jiang Cheng saw Shen Hao at only the Gathering Spirit Realm Third Layer; now not only was he at the Fourth, but clearly nearing the next bottleneck. This lad’s talent was incredible! No wonder he held his own in a place like Cloud Sword Domain.

"You see clearly, Lord. I’ve gained a bit recently, so my cultivation is a little inflated. I’m consolidating my foundation now—the next realm will probably take a while."

"A while? Who are you kidding? Even if you focus on consolidating, at your current cultivation, you’ll break through again in less than half a year, unstoppable. Tsk tsk, I didn’t realize your talent was this high—truly neglected before!"

Shen Hao would never tell Jiang Cheng that his current cultivation was forcefully poured into him. He could only smile in silence. Truthfully, if he wished, he’d break through again within the month—but he still felt consolidating the foundation was more important. Cultivation could not be rushed.

After a bit more idle chat, Shen Hao handed over his purpose for coming today.

"What? Something you haven’t reported yet?" Jiang Cheng smiled as he took the note, unfolding it with curiosity. There had been several reports from the Black Banner Battalion, plus the Golden Sword Cultivators’ accounts. The situation in the Sword Emperor’s Tomb and its causes and consequences were clear—he didn’t expect anything needing Shen Hao’s personal delivery.

Jiang Cheng even thought Shen Hao was coming mainly because his cultivation had advanced and wanted an excuse to show off for a little reward. But after a glance at the note, he immediately cast out that idea.

Shen Hao added, "Lord. The Black Banner Battalion’s performance during the Sword Emperor’s Tomb incident in Tu Kui City was unsatisfactory. In my view, it was ’negligible’—they simply lacked the ability to handle such a situation, and instead became cannon fodder and burdens.

Some of it was my oversight, some was the general lack of strength among the Black Banner Battalion soldiers..."

"With the Battalion’s structure becoming more comprehensive and the Black Water Plan rolling out smoothly, the Black Banner Battalion needs more personnel and stronger martial force. Diverse and layered manpower must all be in place..."

"Previously, the Commander’s Office gave the Battalion special privileges in rank, which solved pay but not ’strength.’ My idea is whether Fengri City’s Black Banner Battalion could be used as a pilot, with the Governor’s Office allocating more cultivation resources to elevate the overall strength?"

"Also, I wonder if it would be possible to select and cultivate some bright talents from across the Dynasty?"

...

Shen Hao laid out his points fluently, while Jiang Cheng on his seat occasionally furrowed or relaxed his brows, staring at the note in silence for a long time.

After a moment, Jiang Cheng closed the note and, half smiling, looked at Shen Hao. "You’re taking advantage of the chaos, aren’t you?"

"I wouldn’t dare, Lord."

"Your note is asking for the Court’s resources at every turn. You want to raise the Black Banner Battalion’s combat strength? Do you realize how much resource allocation that would take? It’s not just a handful—not even in Fengri City’s jurisdiction, it’s hundreds or thousands. Honestly, I’m speechless. Do you really think the Dynasty is a bottomless well of resources?"

"Heh, Lord, I’m following your advice—we can go step by step, maybe just increase it a little? You know how scarce elixirs are for the lower ranks; sometimes a Small Banner Officer is lucky to get one or two a year, and most soldiers have never even seen an elixir. Honestly, their strength shouldn’t be this low. If you could just..."

"Enough! I’ll consider it. Even if Fengri City becomes a pilot, it’s not something you and I can decide over a couple of words.

Anything else?"

"One more thing—matters concerning Bai Changqing have now officially begun."