Qian Jin’s heart was filled with curiosity. What kind of mission would the person who sent such a malicious map assign?

"Let me outline the mission; see if you can handle it." General Feng's expression instantly grew serious, his tone deepening significantly. "I'll say it again: I want to know if you can do it, not if you dare to. Understand? There's a vast difference between 'can' and 'dare'! I want this mission done, but that doesn't mean I’m willing to send you to your deaths."

The atmosphere in the large tent grew solemn. Through General Feng's gaze, Qian Jin could feel that the general was speaking with utmost seriousness. If the perceived danger was too great, he would rather abandon the mission than let his subordinates venture into peril. "Understood!" Hu Ming Qian Hu, Qian Jin, and the other two responded crisply in unison.

General Feng then produced a previously opened letter from his breast pocket and spread it out over the map. "This matter is very strange. Normally, the Demon Race doesn't send forces to the Earth Fort area. However, intelligence suggests that the Dark Division of the Demon Race has mobilized a contingent of Shadow Soldiers and are operating nearby."

General Feng drew a large circle on a patch of forest deep within Demon Race territory. "They seem to be searching for something. Based on our estimations, it should be a living entity." "The Dark Division?" Fen Tu Kuang Ge frowned slightly.

Qian Jin knew what that implied. The Demon Race's Dark Division was a highly specialized organization responsible for numerous tasks, including surveillance over various lords and senior officials within their own ranks. They possessed the authority to enter ministers' homes or even storm the court without warrants, apprehending individuals for interrogation and torture.

Externally, the Dark Division handled covert assassinations, such as infiltrating the True Policy Dynasty to eliminate high-ranking officials or even the Emperor. Seven hundred years ago, the head of the Dark Division personally attempted an assassination on the True Policy Emperor. Unfortunately, his luck was terrible; on that particular morning, the reigning Ultimate Bloodline Warrior happened to be visiting the Emperor. As a result... the Dark Division leader ended up as a corpse, displayed on a flat cart, paraded across the entire realm as a grim message delivered back to the Demon Race, causing them immense shame.

Anyone capable of deploying the Dark Division would not be searching for mere treasures, demonic beasts, or rare ore veins. If they weren't hunting for spies from the True Policy Dynasty lurking in the area, they must be looking for one of their own defectors.

In an instant, Qian Jin grasped the potential nature of the mission: infiltrate Demon Race territory and retrieve whatever the Dark Division was seeking.

Regardless of whether the Demon Race was searching for their own people or those of the True Policy Dynasty, whatever the Dark Division intended to achieve, disrupting it was the right course of action!

"A rescue operation?" Duan Feng Bu Er rubbed the side of his nose up and down with his index finger. "That is indeed quite challenging. Although Shadow Soldiers are considered the lowest tier within the Dark Division, if they are truly deployed onto the battlefield, they are far from ordinary Martial Warriors."

Fen Tu Kuang Ge nodded in agreement. Selection into the Demon Race's Dark Division was not easy; not only did candidates undergo rigorous background checks, but they also had to possess tangible, proven strength.

Judging by the True Policy Dynasty's standards, even the lowest-ranking Shadow Soldier equated to a Demon Subduing Warrior! These were the warriors closest to His Majesty the Demon Emperor; underestimating them would invite devastating retribution.

General Feng cast an appreciative glance toward Duan Feng Bu Er before continuing, "It's not just a rescue. If possible, take out the Dark Star leading this contingent from the Dark Division as well."

The tent fell into a deep silence. The three Qian Hus stared at the orders on the table, their eyes blazing with murderous intent. This wasn't a mission directive; it was essentially a death warrant signed for General Feng!

Qian Jin finally understood why General Feng had asked if they could do it, rather than if they dared. While the Dark Division's system was complex, its basic structure was clear enough to analyze.

Sun, Moon, Star! This was the fundamental hierarchy of the Dark Division. Dark Suns were the leaders, commanding the entire organization. There were several Dark Moons, each overseeing different responsibilities with immense authority.

Dark Stars held relatively lower positions but still wielded considerable power. Dark Stars were further categorized from One-Star, Two-Star, up to Seven-Star.

One-Star was the lowest rank among the Stars, but that didn't imply worthlessness. Achieving any Star rank in the Dark Division was a rare feat. Compared to the True Policy Dynasty, the Demon Race was inherently more martial; to earn a Star, one needed significant individual combat prowess.

"Interesting. A Dark Star from the Dark Division is showing up," Duan Feng Bu Er smiled faintly, gazing at the map. "I'm interested in going."

Qian Jin also smiled. Eliminating a Dark Division Dark Star meant military merit! Even if he stepped away from active duty to pursue schooling, this merit would be recorded. If he later vied for City Lord status, under equal educational qualifications, this achievement of killing a Dark Division Dark Star would be enough to make any competitor retreat in shame.

"I'd like to try as well," Fen Tu Kuang Ge also showed eagerness. Dark Stars were not opponents one encountered casually.

General Feng looked at the three eager young men and sighed. "You should hear everything before you speak. I must remind you, based on the available data, the Dark Star leading this operation is a Seven-Star of the Dark Division."

Seven-Star! How powerful was a Dark Division Seven-Star? The books of the True Policy Dynasty contained no such specific data. Qian Jin surmised that the combat strength of a Seven-Star Dark Division operative must surpass the level of a Nine-Battle Demon Subduer!

Ever since reconnecting with Fabredis, Qian Jin knew his own strength was considerable, yet he wasn't omnipotent—Fabredis, for instance, was far stronger, clearly having surpassed the Nine-Battle Demon Subduer threshold.

Just how strong was a Dark Division Seven-Star, second only to a Dark Moon? Qian Jin became even more eager. That head was worth a fortune! If luck favored him and he succeeded, it would be a significant asset in the future contest for the City Lord's seat.

If he couldn't kill the target, at worst, he could just hide and retreat! Qian Jin made up his mind, noticing that the other two young warriors beside him wore nearly identical expressions of anticipation.

"Consider it again," General Feng said calmly. "This mission won't be easy. If you were only going for the rescue, I would agree. But if you also intend to assassinate a Dark Division Seven-Star, then you are not needed. You won't even have a chance. Even if you doubled your numbers, you'd still be walking into a slaughter. I’d rather not see your heads hanging from the enemy banner months from now."

Fen Tu Kuang Ge and Duan Feng Bu Er fell into contemplation. Although General Feng's words were harsh, they were the truth. A Dark Division Seven-Star...

"It's not necessarily without a chance," Qian Jin said lightly, mimicking the posture of drawing and releasing an arrow. "We could shoot him dead." "Shoot him dead?"

General Feng and the three Qian Hus burst out laughing. The two younger men also managed bitter, rueful smiles, realizing that despite Qian Jin's skill, he was naïve in this particular aspect. The stronger a warrior, the sharper their senses; a common archer would immediately be detected upon aiming.

If a member of the Yi Yu family were here, perhaps there might be a slim chance. As for anyone else? Should they hire a Barbarian warrior with the Purple Vein Bloodline from the north? If the target was a Dark Division Seven-Star, even the Barbarians might refuse such a commission, as it could severely strain relations with the Demon Race. Though the Barbarians were bold, they weren't fools; no amount of money would likely convince them to take such a risk.

General Feng placed a hand on Qian Jin's shoulder. "The thought is commendable, but the execution is unnecessary. Archery is not a simple feat." Snap!

In the large tent, General Feng's forehead struck and shattered a tiny piece of stone—or rather, a piece of earth no bigger than a fingernail fragment.

The three Qian Hus stared blankly at the crushed fragment on General Feng's forehead. The two young men and the General looked stunned at Qian Jin.

General Feng vigorously rubbed his eyes—yes! That brat Qian Jin had just made a move, yet he hadn't reacted at all! He couldn't even sense the lock-on the instant Qian Jin acted. Given the extreme proximity, he hadn't managed to dodge the small clod of earth. "Archery," Qian Jin said with a faint smile, "is actually a very easy thing to do."

The three Qian Hus shifted their vacant gazes to Qian Jin. General Feng had been stationed at the Earth Fort for years, and Dark Division Shadow Soldiers had paid visits before, often employing archery strikes. Yet, none had ever succeeded in landing a hit. Years of campaigning had instilled in these soldiers an instinctual alertness to danger.

That instinct had completely failed them today? Bow Master Qian Hu was the most astonished. As he turned his gaze, he saw Qian Jin smiling at him, and then a small clump of dirt struck his own forehead. "See? Even though you knew I hit the General, you still failed to dodge my attack," Qian Jin remarked with a slight smile. "Killing him dead isn't without opportunity." General Feng frowned. "Archery is different from throwing dirt..." "Then," Qian Jin snapped his fingers crisply, "what will it take for you to believe me? Why don't we have a quick shooting match?"

"A match isn't necessary," General Feng stated calmly. "While I'm not a master of archery, I can certainly judge whether a shot is high or low. If you want to undertake the rescue mission and aim to take down a Dark Division Seven-Star, you must at least show me your archery skill." "Fine!" Qian Jin rotated his wrists. "How do you want to see it?" "The simplest target practice will suffice." General Feng walked toward the tent opening. "Did you bring a bow and arrows with you today? If not, I can provide some."

"I brought them. I'll run back to my tent to retrieve them." To conceal his 'Dou Realm,' Qian Jin told a small lie and rushed back, found an empty tent, and reached into the Dou Realm to pull out the powerful bow he had forged, along with a quiver of heavy arrows.

A: This is the ninth update! I promised ten updates today, and this is the ninth chapter! Asking for monthly tickets is not as meaningful as updating. I have updated nine chapters—bring on the monthly tickets! ∫To be continued. For future events, please log in to...m for more chapters, support the author, and support genuine reading!)F