Chapter Fifty-Eight: Rising Fame

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“This humble commoner, Ji Wu, pays respects to Master Liu.”

Inside the study, Ji Wu entered and greeted with cupped hands, observing every courtesy.

“Excellent, excellent! As expected of a young hero from Qingshan County—single-handedly pursuing nearly a thousand rebels, striking such terror into them that they fled in utter disarray. Now that I see you in person, you are indeed a man of outstanding talent!”

Liu Qingfeng laughed heartily as he came over, dismissing his attendants with a wave. He stepped up to Ji Wu, clapped him on the shoulder, and said, “You’ve truly done me a great service.”

Ji Wu replied with a smile, “I have long heard of Master Liu’s unmatched reputation, a man who has topped all three imperial examinations and is said to be a star of literary genius descended to the mortal world, seen but once in centuries. Today, to be summoned by you is a great honor, and I find your learning is rivaled only by your remarkable presence. I had imagined you would resemble an aged scholar, but you are far younger than I expected—clearly, I was mistaken. Compared to Master Liu, I am but a flicker of firefly light before the bright moon; how could I dare boast in your presence?”

No amount of flattery is ever too much.

Ji Wu had spent years with the escort agency, even leading men himself, so he was hardly unfamiliar with such occasions—only, the person he was meeting today was of higher standing than usual.

But no matter how high-ranking, could anyone compare with Mister Xu? Even the emperor himself would have to stand aside.

Ji Wu had met Mister Xu several times already; after that, he felt no pressure meeting anyone else. Thus, he remained unafraid, composed, and confident. Words of praise came naturally to his lips—respectful, but never servile.

“You have quite the gift for words, young man,” Liu Qingfeng said, making no effort to assume an official’s airs. In truth, Ji Wu’s deeds had greatly eased his burdens in the imperial court, and his gaze was now much kinder.

“All right, enough with courtesies. You have rendered great service, and I have already reported your exploits to the court. Before the official commendation arrives, is there anything you wish for? If it’s within my power, I shall grant it.”

Liu Qingfeng asked directly.

“I have always heard it said that a true man must wield a three-foot sword, achieving feats that will be remembered for ages. Now, with that criminal Number One Scholar stirring chaos throughout Xishan County, even my family’s escort business has suffered, and countless people have been driven from their homes—truly hateful. I possess no great talents, only some modest skill in martial arts. I want nothing for myself, only to see that rebel captured and executed swiftly, that peace might return to Xishan County.”

Ji Wu spoke without hesitation; he had rehearsed these words in his heart countless times.

“Excellent!”

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Liu Qingfeng was thoroughly satisfied. It was true he had summoned Ji Wu out of genuine joy, but he also hoped to make greater use of him.

One Ji Wu might be unremarkable, but he had at his side a black bear that could charge into battle and scatter all before it.

Used wisely, such strength could break through a thousand troops.

And those rebels were hiding in the vast forests—was that not a black bear’s domain?

If it came to a formal battle, one man and one bear would hardly tip the scales, but this was different. Otherwise, he would not have such a headache.

“Before the imperial commendation is issued, I cannot give you command of the regular army. However, I have gathered many volunteer fighters in Xishan County. I will grant you the title of Captain of Volunteers. It is not an official post, but you may lead several hundred volunteers to help suppress the bandits and rebels. What do you think?”

Liu Qingfeng asked.

By “volunteers,” he meant those local heroes he had recruited—if they performed well, they could be rewarded by the court, but they were not part of the official forces. When this was over, those who had not distinguished themselves could simply go home; the court would be under no obligation to them. Their fates were their own, but if they succeeded, they would be rewarded.

“No problem! That is exactly what I hoped for,” Ji Wu replied, nodding eagerly. “To be honest, I was planning to take Bear Overlord into the mountains to search for the rebel’s whereabouts. If I were part of the army, it would only complicate matters.”

And with a few words, the matter was settled.

After chatting a little longer, Ji Wu took his leave.

When he returned to Baiyan Town, the hundreds of volunteers were waiting for him.

Once they saw how young Ji Wu was, many finally understood what it meant to be a young hero.

Especially when they saw the black bear beside Ji Wu, towering like a small mountain. The sheer presence of the beast made many who had been indifferent toward Ji Wu suddenly reconsider.

“Gentlemen, you have come here because you wish to make a name for yourselves. I have met you by chance and, thanks to Master Liu’s favor, have been made Captain of Volunteers,” Ji Wu addressed the crowd. “I have little experience in such matters, only a sincere heart to serve the country. Now with the criminal Number One Scholar throwing Xishan County into chaos, none of us can bear it any longer. Yet he hides in the mountains like a turtle in its shell, making him hard to strike. I have decided that three days from now, I will go into the mountains in pursuit of this criminal. If you wish to join me, prepare yourselves and come along. If not, I will not force anyone. Three days from now, those who are willing can meet me here, and we will set out together.”

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With these words, Ji Wu turned and left without waiting for a response.

The volunteers were not an official part of the imperial army. Being named “Captain of Volunteers” did not mean those under his command would obey orders to the letter, nor that he could enforce military discipline if they refused.

To win their obedience, it would take more than a title—it depended on true ability.

But Ji Wu cared little for such complexities. If these people wanted to listen, so be it; if not, that was their business.

Following him meant a chance at glory; if they chose not to, that was their own affair.

Now that even the criminal Number One Scholar had reached an understanding with him, how could there not be merit to be earned?

The fewer people, the better—it would only make his achievements stand out all the more.

Three days later, when he returned, only a few dozen remained, willing to risk the dangers of the forest with him.

Ji Wu said little more. Taking Bear Overlord and this group, he headed straight into the mountains.

Soon after entering the forest, Ji Wu—with Bear Overlord’s extraordinary, innate wild instincts and senses—found traces of rebel activity.

With Bear Overlord leading the way, their pursuit continued, and whenever the trail was lost, the bear's astonishing animal instincts would guide them again.

In short: leave the bear to its work, and humans should interfere as little as possible.

Within just a few days in the mountains, Ji Wu uncovered traces of the rebels and, after careful investigation, discovered one of their strongholds.

Most of those there were the old, weak, sick, and injured from the Number One Scholar’s group—faces sallow, bodies thin, some so feeble they could barely walk.

What more was there to say?

Though there were only a few dozen, when Ji Wu and his men, accompanied by Bear Overlord, descended upon them like divine soldiers, the rebels surrendered without resistance.

Some even wept, cursing the Number One Scholar for abandoning them there.

Whether or not they had been discarded out of necessity, as long as Ji Wu captured them, it counted as genuine merit.

And this was only the beginning!