Chapter 45 – Zheng Gang on Guard Duty!

Song Xiaotian grinned and said, “There’s a relay station of our Xuanming Pavilion up ahead. Let’s go rest for a bit! I’m exhausted!”

Upon hearing this, Ye Sheng thought for a moment and nodded in agreement.

They still had about seven or eight thousand li to travel back to Netherworld City.

Moreover, Song Xiaotian had been trapped in Ice Wind Valley for so long that his energy and spirit were utterly drained. It was indeed time for a break.

Even Ye Sheng, having been away for this long, felt somewhat tired.

It would be better to rest at the relay station for the night and set out again the next day.

Relay stations.

These were temporary rest stops established in the wilderness.

One could enter to take a brief respite.

Some powerful factions, having the means, would set up such relay stations in the wilds for the Experts within their ranks to rest and recuperate.

At the same time, these stations also served as intelligence-gathering points.

Each day, the information collected would be transmitted back to the headquarters, serving many purposes.

As a top-tier faction in Netherworld City, the Xuanming Pavilion naturally maintained numerous relay stations throughout the wilderness.

…

Ghost Flame Station.

This was a small relay station established on Ghost Flame Mountain.

Several people were stationed here year-round, with personnel rotating continuously.

At this moment.

Outside Ghost Flame Station stood a withered tree, from which a few dried, yellow leaves hung. With each gust of wind, they swayed and drifted down.

Beneath this tree, two men were playing chess.

A dried yellow leaf fluttered down and happened to land on the chessboard, covering one of the player’s pieces.

The man picked up the leaf and, with a smile, looked at the person sitting opposite him, saying:

“Brother Zheng Gang, how long have you been at Ghost Flame Station?”

Hearing this, Zheng Gang gave a bitter smile, placed a piece on the board, and replied, “It’s been nearly half a month already!

However, my duty shift ends tomorrow, so I can return to Netherworld City!”

Sun Zhuo complained, “Silver Deacons like us really have it tough!

We’re only slightly better off than those Bronze Stewards!”

Both were Silver Deacons, responsible for guarding Ghost Flame Station.

Although Ghost Flame Mountain wasn’t particularly dangerous, it still required at least a Silver Deacon of 2nd Stage, Level 50 or above to be stationed here.

Additionally, apart from the two of them handling security, there were several service personnel managing daily affairs at Ghost Flame Station.

To pass the time, the two played chess out of boredom.

Otherwise, the silence of Ghost Flame Mountain would be unbearable.

“Indeed!”

Zheng Gang nodded, deeply agreeing.

A while ago, after escorting Ye Sheng to Netherworld City to report in, he had been dispatched on a mission.

The mission was to stand guard at Ghost Flame Station for half a month.

Once the time was up, he could return!

After placing a piece, Zheng Gang thought of someone and murmured to himself, “I wonder how Ye Sheng is doing now?

It’s been half a month, and there hasn’t been a single word from that kid!”

Zheng Gang stroked his chin. Ye Sheng had just joined the Xuanming Pavilion as a Bronze Steward.

And within the Xuanming Pavilion, life as a Bronze Steward wasn’t particularly easy.

The undesirable tasks that Silver Deacons were unwilling to do often fell on their shoulders.

“Ye Sheng has probably been sent out on a mission too!”

Zheng Gang speculated.

Over the past half month, he had tried contacting Ye Sheng several times but received no reply.

He guessed that Ye Sheng must be extremely busy and hadn’t had the chance to respond to his messages.

Sun Zhuo said, “Brother Zheng Gang, you’re better off. With Elder Jiang Hao as your backer, many of the tough assignments don’t land on you.

I’m different. My next mission will likely be another life-or-death struggle!”

Upon hearing this, Zheng Gang chuckled.

Having a backer and not having one were two entirely different matters, no matter where you went!

With a backer… many things could be handled much more easily, especially when it came to enjoying benefits—you’d be among the first to reap them.

But without a backer, it was a whole different story…

You’d be the first to take on any dangerous mission!

Even if you died, no one would stand up for you!

The difference was immense, and Zheng Gang knew this all too well.

Jiang Hao, as a 3rd Revolution Ghost General Realm Expert and an Elder of the Xuanming Pavilion, held a distinguished status!

With him as his backer, Zheng Gang’s life had become much easier.

Many Silver Deacons within the Xuanming Pavilion envied him for this.

“It would be even better if I could find a 4th Revolution Ghost Sect Realm Expert as a backer in the future!”

Zheng Gang thought to himself.

“Jiang Hao is my old classmate!”

Zheng Gang said with a smug look, clearly showing off.

Sun Zhuo indeed looked envious. “I really envy you, having such a powerful classmate as your backer!”

As they chatted, the two continued their game of chess.

“Have you heard? Not long ago, four Silver Deacons fell at once…”

Sun Zhuo was being gossipy; he often enjoyed browsing the news in the Xuanming Pavilion’s internal group.

Zheng Gang looked surprised. “Four Silver Deacons died at once?”

He found it somewhat unbelievable!

After all, Silver Deacons were Experts at 2nd Revolution Level 50 or above—they weren’t so easily killed.

It was even rarer for four Silver Deacons to fall at once!

Unless it was during a major conflict between factions…

only then would large numbers of Silver Deacons perish.

On ordinary days, it was rare to see a Silver Deacon fall.

Those who became Silver Deacons were already highly experienced and often avoided dangerous places.

“When did this happen? And where?” Zheng Gang asked curiously.

“Supposedly in Ice Wind Valley. The news just came out, and there’s no confirmed information yet…”

Sun Zhuo said.

“Ice Wind Valley? That’s a perilous area for 2nd Revolution Level 70. What were those four Silver Deacons doing going to such a place? Were they tired of living?”

Zheng Gang shook his head helplessly.

The Netherworld Ghost Domain had far too many dangerous places.

Although they were Silver Deacons at 2nd Revolution Level 50 or above, they were truly insignificant in the Netherworld Ghost Domain.

Carelessly venturing into such places could still easily cost them their lives.

Sun Zhuo said, “Sometimes, you have no choice!”

As they spoke, Sun Zhuo received a message.

He opened it and was immediately startled. Hurriedly looking up at Zheng Gang, he said:

“Brother Zheng Gang, quickly prepare yourself. A Golden Deacon is passing by our Ghost Flame Station.

Accompanying him is a Young Master from the Xuanming Pavilion!

Neither of them are people you or I can afford to offend.”

“A Golden Deacon is coming?”

Zheng Gang was stunned upon hearing this.

A Golden Deacon passing through a desolate place like Ghost Flame Station?

Before the two could even notify the station’s service staff, they saw a Ghost Mist Boat flying toward them from the distant sky.

Seeing the Ghost Mist Boat, Sun Zhuo panicked and said, “There’s no time! Let’s go welcome them first!

We don’t want this Lord to think we’re being disrespectful!”

“That makes sense. Let’s welcome them first and make sure we show proper respect!”

Zheng Gang thought it was a good idea and nodded in agreement.

The two stepped forward, standing in front of Ghost Flame Station with their hands respectfully at their sides, gazing respectfully at the approaching Ghost Mist Boat.

…

In the air.

“Brother Ye, ahead is the Ghost Flame Station of Ghost Flame Mountain.”

Song Xiaotian looked excited as he sat on the deck of the Ghost Mist Boat, peering down at the mountains below.

Amid the mist-shrouded Ghost Flame Mountain stood an ancient post station, with a withered old tree before its gate.