Messenger of Calamity

Chapter 9: The Good Person

“Lord of Lecheng County?”

He was so young yet held high authority—either royalty or a meritorious noble.

Although she claimed she would uphold justice, Yan Qing didn’t truly rely on her—justice had never been granted by others; it must be fought for oneself.

Especially in this unfamiliar world.

“He framed me.” Yan Qing answered.

Before Ying Ru Shi could speak, a nearby general shouted, “Who do you think you are, a wild brute from the countryside! The Hundred‑Ward Captains of the Northern Border could stamp you to death, and they still had to frame you, this Central Plains man?”

Apart from those wearing masks, most in the camp had wide faces, long noses, and full beards. And “Yan San,” as the default male avatar in a modern game, naturally matched contemporary standards of appearance. Even with height and muscles maxed out, “Yan San” was heroic and virile—no facial hair meant it was easy for others to recognize at a glance he wasn’t from their tribe.

This ethnic prejudice didn’t surprise Yan Qing. Perhaps that was why Wu Wanliu felt so bold—after all, framing an outsider wouldn’t concern anyone else.

“Wait.”

Ying Ru Shi glanced at the general; the latter immediately stepped back.

She looked at “Yan San” and asked, “Why did Banner Leader Wu Wanliu frame you?”

“First, he didn’t inform me about the demon inside the Secret Realm, almost causing my death. He harmed me and naturally feared I’d retaliate; second, today was my first time entering the Secret Realm, and I had already been promoted to Messenger. He’s jealous of me.”

“How dare you! You have the nerve to deceive a noble!”

“A Messenger? You think only you savages qualify to be one?”

“You think you’re a noble? At this age, you can become a Messenger?”

“County Lord, this man is desperate and spouting nonsense. Ignore him!”

The officials trailing Ying Ru Shi heard “Yan San” and either sneered or refuted—almost none believed him.

Only Ying Ru Shi gazed at the silent Wu Wanliu.

“Banner Leader Wu Wanliu, is it true he became a Messenger inside the Secret Realm?”

“Yes.” Wu Wanliu replied. “After he defeated the Demon King, his qi and blood surged, his injuries healed instantly—that’s the sign of a job change.”

Even through the screen, Yan Qing saw the Northerners beside Ying Ru Shi show shock, refusal to believe, then contempt, jealousy, and disdain.

He guessed they were County Lordural officials from Pingcheng, and most were not Messengers. Seeing a Central Plains man become a superhuman Messenger, naturally stung them.

Ying Ru Shi then looked at the quartermaster standing near the dungeon entrance, her expression turning stern.

“Are you sure you couldn’t find the Thunderclap Blade technique scroll?”

The quartermaster immediately knelt: “Really couldn’t find it. The grand treasure chest was missing that one.”

“He must have seen it and taken it—that barbarian from the Central Plains. Search him!”

“How could you find it? He must have already used it!”

“Cannot trust Central Plains people!”

Everyone spoke in outrage, as if “Yan San” had killed their families.

Ying Ru Shi paused, then looked at the nearby general.

“Are there any extra copies of the Thunderclap Blade technique scroll?”

“Yes, yes. All the scrolls we’ve collected these days were stored. County Lord, are you taking them back to Buye Tian?”

“Give me one.”

A command from a marquis was carried out immediately. Before long, a Thunderclap Blade technique was handed to Ying Ru Shi.

Ying Ru Shi beckoned to “Yan San”: “Come here.”

Yan Qing didn’t move; he kept a three‑meter distance from Wu Wanliu.

Others, seeing this Central Plains man so disrespectful, again shouted curses. But Ying Ru Shi showed no annoyance.

She raised her hand to signal them to stop, and—under the protection of Ghostly Warriors—walked to “Yan San” and handed him the Thunderclap Blade technique.

“You take this blade technique and silently recite it while you study. If you didn’t secretly learn the Secret Realm scrolls, then you’ll be able to learn it. If you did steal them, then of course you won’t be able to learn it.”

A general beside her was astonished: “County Lord, this is a Secret Realm scroll. How can you so easily give it to a Central Plains man…he’s not even listed among the Hundred‑Ward cavalry of the military headquarters!”

“In my eyes, there is no distinction between Northern Border people and Central Plains people—there are only people of Qi.” Ying Ru Shi’s voice was solemn as she swept her gaze around.

“If someone from Qi can become a Messenger the first time entering the Secret Realm, such outstanding talent—what harm is there in granting a secret manual? If we cannot fairly promote talent, then who will defend the mountains and rivers of the State of Qi?”

With Ying Ru Shi’s statement, the crowd all lowered their heads, though even through the screen, Yan Qing could tell they weren’t convinced—only submitting to the power of the Lord of Lecheng County.

“Yan San” took the manual, but did not study it. He stored it in his Personal Storage, then transferred it to the Public Storage. But to Ying Ru Shi and the others, it appeared as though the manual had disappeared—no different from being consumed upon learning.

“If he could learn the manual, it means he didn’t steal anything from the Secret Realm.” Ying Ru Shi looked at Wu Wanliu. “Banner Leader Wu Wanliu, do you accept this outcome?”

Wu Wanliu lowered his head. “I accept.”

“This matter ends here, but only this once!” Ying Ru Shi’s voice suddenly turned severe. “The Pingcheng Secret Realm is a strategic national asset. His Majesty entrusted me with its oversight—I will not allow anyone to disrupt its operation! If such an incident happens again, I will investigate it to the end. If the perpetrator cannot be found, then all Hundred-Ward Captains and support soldiers involved in that day’s Secret Realm sweep will be hanged, and their families reduced to military slaves. Do you all understand?”

“We understand!”

Everyone knelt down, and when they saw “Yan San” still standing, they couldn’t help but curse. “You barbarian, aren’t you going to kneel and thank the County Lord for her grace?”

“I almost forgot.” Ying Ru Shi looked over. “I haven’t had time to ask—what’s your name, warrior?”

“Yan San.”

“Yan San, I now promote you to Hundred-Ward Team Leader, with a monthly salary of six hundred jade, and a reward of one hundred jade for each Secret Realm cleared. You may borrow the Token: Ghostly Mask and other first-stage items from the Great Qi treasury—but you will have to clear the Secret Realm over a hundred times to repay it.” Ying Ru Shi paused. “Supervisor of Building Construction, the Yan Team Leader will be under your command—will that do?”

The old general who had been silent nodded. “Such a fierce warrior—who wouldn’t want him? Thank you, County Lord.”

“Yan San, are you satisfied?”

“I am.”

“If you have other requests, feel free to speak.”

“I hope to clear the Secret Realm every day.”

Ying Ru Shi exchanged glances with the other generals, visibly surprised.

“I must say, you’ve truly surprised me. Even Messengers—many of them are unwilling to clear Secret Realms. Few are willing to face demons unafraid of death… I’ll give you a token. As long as you wish, you can join the daily Secret Realm sweep. But do know your limits—combat isn’t the only path to tempering yourself.”

“Thank you.” Yan Qing replied. “County Lord, you’re a good person.”

Ying Ru Shi clearly froze for a moment, then smiled. “It’s the first time I’ve heard someone describe me that way—thank you.”

Having handled the matter, Ying Ru Shi had many other duties and left with the crowd. Wu Wanliu had remained silent throughout, only now standing up. When he raised his head, he saw “Yan San” standing before him.

“Though it might not matter, I still want to ask.” Yan Qing looked at the Ghostly Knight on the screen. “Why?”

In truth, Yan Qing had many other “whys” he wanted to ask.

Why had Wu Wanliu casually killed Yan Er while he was walking down the road?

Why hadn’t he informed Yan San about Zheng Shan’s intelligence?

Why…

And Wu Wanliu’s answer seemed to answer all the unspoken questions—

“Because I felt like it.” Wu Wanliu’s voice was calm, but in Yan Qing’s ears it sounded vicious as a ghost. “Don’t think you’ve won. This is the land of the Northern Border people. If we want to crush you, it’s as simple as crushing an ant.”

With that, Wu Wanliu raised his head and strode past “Yan San,” heading toward his waiting Hundred-Ward cavalry.

They wore heavy armor, carried blades and bows, ghost masks on their faces—from afar, they looked like a group of walking ghosts in the mortal world.