The divine manifestations began at the Gongwei Division.

Chapter 104 Zhou Heng's World

"You? Representing Shu Prefecture as an envoy to the Demon Court?"

Zhou Heng looked at Xue Zhiwei, his brows furrowing slightly.

"right."

Xue Zhiwei said with a serious expression, "Only I can."

You killed the little demon king of the Heavenly Demon King. If you go to the Demon Court, it will definitely not let you go.

No matter how strong you are, you are still no match for the Demon King.

Chen Zhaowu —

If he goes, he'll immediately get into a fight.

Besides the three of them, the Shu Prefecture Guard Division also had several demon-slaying captains.

However, none of the demon-slaying captains were highly skilled, including Lü Zian, so they were not suitable candidates.

Xue Zhiwei is indeed the most suitable candidate.

"When two countries are at war, envoys shall not be killed."

Xue Zhiwei said solemnly, "The Demon Court won't kill me casually."

"You know that's the Demon Court."

Zhou Heng shook his head and said, "They are a bunch of monsters, they won't reason with you."

Who knows what a bunch of monsters might do?

"In the past, no one could guarantee what they would do."

But it is different now.

Now that they have established the Demon Court, everything must be governed by rules.

Without rules, nothing can be accomplished.

No monster that can become a demon king is a fool.

"Didn't you convince Lord Qingyang?"

Xue Zhiwei said, "Our current strength is inferior to that of the Demon Court. If we want to protect Shu Prefecture, we can only take risks."

I am confident that I can persuade the Heavenly Demon King to wait for the Heavenly Pill to be successfully refined.

With this time, we can make adequate preparations.

Zhou Heng remained silent for a moment.

"Have you thought it through?"

He asked slowly.

"I've made up my mind."

Xue Zhiwei smiled and said, "Commander, you are not the only one in the Guard Division who has the courage to slay demons and monsters."

Don't forget, I joined the Guardian Division before you did.

For someone like Zhou Heng, being a demon-slaying captain in the Imperial Guard is a good position.

But for a scion of a prominent family like Xue Zhiwei, it was hardly a good choice.

They have no shortage of resources or power.

If Xue Zhiwei wanted, she could live the life of a pampered young lady and still have the opportunity to cultivate.

Choosing to risk her life to protect the Si already proves her own choice.

She has never been a person who is afraid of danger.

"If that's the case, then so be it."

Zhou Heng said, "Prepare whatever you need for your mission yourself. The entire Shu Prefecture will cooperate fully."

I can't guarantee anything else.

But I can guarantee that if you die in the Demon Court, I will destroy the Demon Court to avenge you.

I believe you.

A pair of dimples appeared on Xue Zhiwei's face, and even the air seemed to brighten up a bit.

…………

"You were looking for me?"

Gao Shaojun's face was full of resentment. "I'm at a critical moment in forging weapons. What important matter do you have that makes me come all this way?"

Haven't I already given you the Heavenly Divine Techniques?

If you can't train it, that's your problem, there's nothing I can do about it.

I have no talent for cultivation.

"I have mastered the skill of moving mountains and overturning seas."

Zhou Heng casually pointed to Feilai Peak outside the city and said indifferently.

Following Zhou Heng's finger, Gao Shaojun saw that a hundred-zhang-high mountain had indeed appeared outside Dragon City.

His pupils suddenly contracted, and his Adam's apple bobbed up and down.

You've mastered it?

Did you really master it?

Yes, he has definitely mastered it.

Otherwise, how could a mountain suddenly appear outside Dragon City?

I've been to Dragon City before, and there's no mountain like this outside the city!

Is this guy even human?

He'd only had the Heavenly Divine Technique for a few days, and he'd already mastered it and even moved a mountain?!

Gao Shaojun muttered a few complaints to himself.

However, he lacked the talent for cultivation, so he didn't care about these things.

"If you've mastered it, then you've mastered it. Just move a few more mountains over, and you can keep the monsters out of Shu Prefecture."

Is this really worth making me come all this way?

If you have nothing else to do, I need to go back and train my soldiers.

If you destroy that hexametal, I will never forgive you for the rest of my life.

Gao Shaojun said.

With the integrity of a craftsman, he was not afraid at all, even after he knew Zhou Heng's identity.

These kinds of craftsmen just have this kind of bad temper; it's not a matter of good or bad.

"I didn't call you here so you could come and see Feilai Peak."

Zhou Heng said, "The demons of the Demon Court are eyeing Shu Prefecture covetously, so I cannot leave here casually."

I had no choice but to call you over.

This is for you.

He casually tossed a booklet to Gao Shaojun.

The booklet still smelled of ink, clearly indicating that it had only been written recently.

Gao Shaojun looked down with some confusion.

Once he started looking, he couldn't take his eyes off it.

He stared intently at the booklet, turning each page rapidly, his breathing quickening.

"Is this the Heavenly Craftsmanship Refining Technique?"

Gao Shaojun flipped through the entire book, then suddenly raised his head, staring at Zhou Heng with bloodshot eyes.

"Is this for me?"

His voice trembled slightly.

"Otherwise what?"

Zhou Heng said calmly, "I didn't send someone to call you over just to tease you, did I?"

"Will this Heavenly Craftsmanship technique be helpful for your weapon forging?"

"Yes, absolutely!"

Gao Shaojun shouted, "With this, I can definitely forge the best sword in the world for you!"

If I can't do it, then chop off my head!

"Don't rush. I have one more condition before I give you this Heavenly Craftsmanship Refining Technique."

Zhou Heng shook his head and said.

"What are your conditions? Tell me, I'll agree to whatever you ask."

Even if you make me work like a slave!

"Gao Shaojun called out."

The art of crafting weapons by nature.

This is something that every craftsman in the world dreams of.

His ancestors obtained a fragment of the Heavenly Craftsmanship Refining Technique, which led to the Gao family's ancestral weapon-forging skills.

The Gao family has wanted to complete the Heavenly Craftsmanship Weapon Forging Technique for generations, but unfortunately they have never had the opportunity.

With the decline of the Gao family, Gao Shaojun believed that the Gao family would never have another chance to make up for the regrets of their ancestors.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Heng actually possessed the complete Heavenly Craftsmanship Refining Technique!

"Even if you make me your slave, I'll agree!"

Gao Shaojun said.

"There's no need for me to be a slave."

Zhou Heng said, "I plan to establish a Directorate of Works in the Shu Prefecture Guard Office, and you will serve as its Director, which is equivalent to the position of Demon Slayer Captain."

Specializing in the forging and refining of weapons.

"I agree."

Gao Shaojun said without hesitation.

He would agree to any condition Zhou Heng proposed.

Moreover, he was only allowed to join the Imperial Guard and given a position.

"How much longer until my knife is finished being forged?"

Zhou Heng asked.

"Originally, it would have taken another six months, but now, with this Heavenly Craftsmanship forging technique, I'm confident I can finish forging the sword within three months!!"

Gao Shaojun said confidently.

"Three months is too long."

Zhou Heng pondered for a moment and said, "I allow you to recruit people, all of whom can enter the Imperial Workshop. I need to see the sword within a month. Can you do that?"

Gao Shaojun held the booklet in his hand.

Thinking of the Heavenly Craftsmanship Refinement Technique, he gritted his teeth.

"Can!"

Gao Shaojun said in a deep voice.

After sending someone to escort Gao Shaojun back to Chengdu, Zhou Heng summoned several people and made arrangements for various matters in Longcheng and Shuzhou.

Xue Zhiwei has already been sent as an envoy to the Demon Court.

She only brought two demon-slaying captains and a dozen porters with her when she went.

In her words, if the Demon Court wanted to kill people, bringing more people would only be sending her to her death.

The reason for bringing two demon-slaying captains along was simply to show that Shu Prefecture valued the matter.

The porters helped carry some local specialties from Shuzhou.

Since it is a mission, it should naturally behave like a mission.

Chen Zhaowu led his men to garrison on Feilai Peak outside Longcheng, training them day and night.

In the past few days, Zhou Heng used the Heavenly Gang Immortal Technique to move mountains and overturn seas twice more, bringing two more mountains with him.

The three mountains, lined up in a row, are already wider than the city walls of Longcheng.

With these three mountains, Longcheng feels much safer.

However, the demon court's army can now bypass the mountains and attack Dragon City.

Zhou Heng still needs to continue his efforts to completely keep them out of Shu Prefecture.

Besides Xue Zhiwei and Chen Zhaowu, there was another person by Zhou Heng's side.

That was Lü Zi'an, who had come all the way from Qizhou to Shuzhou with him.

Lü Zian remained in Chengdu, temporarily taking over the duties of the governor of Shu Prefecture.

He managed all rear affairs in Chengdu, directing the resources of Shu Prefecture towards border areas like Longcheng.

Zhou Heng had requested aid from the Great Yue Dynasty several times, but the reply he received was always that there were no reinforcements and that he should hold Shu Prefecture.

As Xue Zhiwei had predicted, the matter of the Heavenly Pill unfolded as expected.

The imperial court issued a direct order, commanding Zhou Heng to safeguard the Tongtian Pill.

Once the Heavenly Pill is successfully refined, he will personally escort it to the capital.

Zhou Heng threw the imperial edict directly into the furnace.

However, the fact that no reinforcements were available could not be changed.

Zhou Heng sat cross-legged, his mind replaying the Heavenly Craftsmanship Refining Technique.

The Heavenly Crafting Techniques record many powerful weapons and magical treasures.

However, it's not that easy to refine.

Zhou Heng was too lazy to do it himself, so he handed over the Heavenly Craftsmanship Refining Technique to Gao Shaojun and established the Imperial Workshop.

If Gao Shaojun can lead his men to forge all the magical treasures and weapons recorded in the Heavenly Craftsmanship Technique, then the strength of Shu Prefecture will definitely increase greatly.

However, all of this takes time.

Just then, someone hurriedly walked in.

"Governor-General"

The visitor was named Liu Xun, a clerk from Chengdu.

It was Lü Zian who discovered it and recommended it to Zhou Heng.

Zhou Heng brought him to Longcheng, where he temporarily served as the county magistrate.

Logically speaking, the Commander of the Imperial Guard Command is not qualified to appoint officials.

However, with war imminent, Shuzhou has become almost an isolated island once again.

Zhou Heng would never allow his life to be in the hands of others.

He replaced all the officials in Shu Prefecture who he didn't like.

You disagree?

If you're not convinced, talk to his knife first.

Anyway, the Guardian Division is in charge of slaying demons and eliminating evil spirits. Whoever they say is a demon, is a demon.

As for whether the imperial court will punish him for this,

Even if we have to consider those things, we have to survive first.

Now, Zhou Heng is in charge of this isolated island of Shuzhou.

"I've already tallied up the silver in Dragon City, and the situation isn't looking good."

Liu Xun said with a serious expression, "The Longcheng government only has three thousand taels of silver left in its accounts. Even if we do nothing, it won't last a month."

"Three thousand taels? How come there's only this little bit of silver?"

Zhou Heng frowned.

Longcheng is a county town with two to three hundred thousand residents, and its annual tax revenue is several hundred thousand taels of silver.

"Was it the former magistrate who embezzled?"

A murderous intent flashed across Zhou Heng's face.

The former magistrate of Longcheng did not die.

He was merely dismissed by Zhou Heng; he was still in Longcheng. The last time the Demon Court attacked the city, it didn't cost him his life.

"He did embezzle, but not much."

Liu Xun shook his head and said, "Although Longcheng's taxes are considerable, most of them are handed over to the imperial court."

The reason why there is only so little silver left in the account is mainly due to the last monster attack on the city.

The cost of provisions and repairing the city walls amounted to tens of thousands of taels of silver.

War requires money.

Don't be fooled by the fact that the monster siege only lasted a few days.

But in just these few days, the money was spent like water flowing out of the bank.

Soldiers need to eat, and arrows and medicine cost money.

Longcheng was just a small county town after all, and it didn't have much money to begin with.

After a battle to defend the city, the county was completely depleted.

"Commander, the training and monthly pay of the three thousand soldiers on Feilai Peak are already tens of thousands of taels of silver. The taxes of Longcheng simply cannot support so many people."

Liu Xun said with a serious expression.

An army of three thousand men is not considered large.

But three thousand people feeding horses is still a huge number.

"We must think of a solution, otherwise the soldiers at the front will likely lose heart."

Liu Xun said.

Warfare is not based on sentiment alone.

The soldiers at the front were there to defend the city, but also to earn their pay.

Without pay, who would be willing to risk their life against monsters?

Even the demon-slaying captains of the Guardian Division only risk their lives to slay demons and monsters because of the generous treatment they receive from the Guardian Division.

"Borrow silver from Chengdu."

Zhou Heng said in a deep voice.

"Even Chengdu has no surplus grain."

Liu Xun shook his head and said, "You, the garrison commander, ordered all counties to prepare for war. Now everyone is tightening their belts and doesn't have much silver in hand."

Shu Prefecture appears prosperous, but its people are rich while its officials are poor.

The government has never had much silver on hand.

"What's your plan?"

Zhou Heng looked at Liu Xun and asked in a deep voice.

Since Liu Xun came to report to him, he must have some ideas.

"That's a question for the garrison commander to answer."

Liu Xun said solemnly.

"What do you mean?"

Zhou Heng asked.

"Your Excellency, the situation in the world has changed drastically. As far as I know, the country is in complete chaos."

The imperial court was no longer able to control the situation.

If you, sir, were to establish your own independent regime now—