Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely-Chapter 1269 - 419: Xiang Liang’s Ambitions, the Dire Situation at Hongmen, the Grim Executioner and the Big Score
After speaking, he dared not look again at the expressions of his mother and wife, grabbed his weapon, packed his belongings, and quickly headed out the door.
It was already dawn. Zhou Ying and Wang Yuxiu, with only Earth-digging Realm cultivation, dared not step outside. Reluctantly, they watched Xiang Liang’s departing figure and couldn’t help but call out loudly again.
"Son, be careful out there!"
"Husband, Yuxiu awaits your return."
......
"You’ve gained 5 manes in just over two months, impressive!"
Xiang Liang closed the door, and upon hearing the voice behind him, quickly turned around in surprise and delight: "Uncle Bai? I thought the voice sounded familiar, and it really is you going to Hongmen with me!"
Standing at the door was none other than Bai Shanning, the Silver Order Prison Warden who had escorted Mu Longhe back from Hongmen City with him last September. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮
Speaking of Bai Shanning, one cannot omit mentioning another person, Bai Shanqiu.
The year before last, the mission to infiltrate Lower River Village, led by Xu Ning, consisted of five people, including Xiang Liang and Bai Shanqiu. Later, the Lord ordered all six to withdraw from Lower River Village, but Xu Ning was unwilling to leave just like that. In the end, he and Bai Shanqiu volunteered to stay in Lower River Village and continue their surveillance.
Looking back now, Xiang Liang is naturally full of gratitude. If he hadn’t chosen to take such a risk, how could he have mingled with the Dajue Temple army, establishing so many achievements, and subsequently receiving noble titles and rewards of immense Contribution Value, which likely would have had nothing to do with him?
These accomplishments were secondary; the key was that, thanks to the merits at Dajue Temple, he successfully caught the attention of the Minister and even the Lord, which for him, was the most effective and meaningful outcome.
Xiang Liang understood clearly that being appointed as Hongmen’s Vice Chief of Punishment, including getting into the Martial Arts Pavilion for two months of continuous cultivation, was because Xia Chuan remembered him. If he were still the insignificant figure he used to be in Wuyuan, these opportunities would definitely not have come his way.
Of course, Xiang Liang was not the only one who benefited; Bai Shanqiu, who similarly chose to take the risk and continue his surveillance, also reaped rewards.
The two of them infiltrated the Dajue Temple army, and over similar periods, accomplished similar tasks, many of which were done in collaboration. Hence, their achievements were naturally equal.
Like Xiang Liang, Bai Shanqiu was granted the title of Ninth-Rank Xuanling Marquis last year. The camp’s reward for them included this title, Contribution Value, and an opportunity for them to serve in the Prison Department.
To get a position in the Eight Departments, Xiang Liang agreed without hesitation;
Bai Shanqiu, however, was different. He was nearly seventy years old, and at that age, having finally received a title, he had little desire to struggle further and no longer wished to fight and kill outside. Upon learning that the reward could be transferred, he directly gave this opportunity to his cousin—
This was Bai Shanning, standing before Xiang Liang now.
Bai Shanning was forty-eight years old, in his prime, with a Peak Cold Resistance Cultivation. Though he only had Lower War Bod qualifications, he possessed the strength of 17 manes, indicating his fighting spirit far surpassed that of his cousin Bai Shanqiu.
Subsequent developments unfolded as expected. Xiang Liang joined the Prison Department and was promoted to Silver Order Level Prison Warden in just half a year, which was already considered fast, but Bai Shanning’s speed was even faster.
Because of his connection to Bai Shanqiu, Xiang Liang and Bai Shanning, despite being more than twenty years apart in age, had a very good relationship. Plus, last year, they jointly carried out the task of escorting Mu Longhe, becoming extremely familiar with each other.
"I also received a notification from Director Li late last night, saying Hongmen City is now severely understaffed, so two Vice Chiefs of Punishment are to be added, looks like it’s the two of us!"
Xiang Liang was stunned upon hearing this; he thought he was the only Vice Chief of Punishment for Hongmen, not expecting Bai Shanning to be one too, meaning Hongmen City was breaking convention by appointing two Vice Chiefs of Punishment.
But recalling the thick blue dossier from last night, he immediately understood.
"Setting up two Vice Chiefs of Punishment indicates tremendous pressure on Hongmen City’s security!"
"Two?"
The two were already walking towards the city gate, and upon hearing Xiang Liang’s exclamation, Bai Shanning raised his eyebrows and continued with a smile: "It seems you haven’t paid much attention to Hongmen City’s matters lately. Over there, three Vice Chief of Punishments are already in place, with us making it a total of five."
Five!
Xiang Liang was momentarily taken aback, then exclaimed in shock: "Last night in the main hall of the Prison Department, I reviewed the dossiers up to now; Hongmen City has accumulated a total of 239 unresolved cases. The Chief of Punishment is Lord Zhao Bao, with three Silver Order Prison Wardens under him, and certainly three Vice Chiefs of Punishment, making six Silver Order Prison Wardens in total. Even after calculating, there should be at least ninety Iron Order Level Prison Wardens below, yet how can so many unresolved cases pile up?"
The Chief of Punishment, responsible for the security and justice within the station, ideally should be filled by professional talents cultivated by the Prison Department, that is, the Prison Wardens.
The problem is that the strength of these Wardens hasn’t aligned yet.
In Great Xia’s fundamental martial ethos, strength remains supreme. Great Xia’s appointment to each position naturally follows this rule strictly. Blending professional capability with personal strength is ideal, of course.
But if forced to make a choice between the two, strength must be chosen!
A person who excels at investigation and case solving, yet lacks strength, might struggle to command respect—that’s secondary—but failing to subdue criminals, or being killed by them, would disgrace Great Xia’s reputation.
