Rise of The Demon General

Chapter 351: Chapter 351. A Mission for the Top Ten

Amon spent his days on cultivation and occasionally doing other academic activities. He also visited Ha Gild when he needed some pointers regarding his tamed beast.

At the beginning of his second year in the senior class, he was offered a special mission. Collecting academic points was no longer his priority, so he wasn’t interested when the mission was first offered. But he changed his mind when he was informed who the invited students were. Another reason was that Huang San asked him to join.

He went to the principal’s office along with the other nine invited students. What tied them together was they all lived in the top ten residences of the senior class.

Amon, Tuang Yin, Xin Wuming, Yang Li, Wu Di, Huang San, Xa Jien, Sima Fang, Wong Cou, and Yan Long lined up before Principal Li Niang. Head tutor Lao Zen and head security An Guan were also present. There was another tutor who they knew was in charge of the battle puppet section in the specialization building. This tutor was known as Ji Zhi.

”You have all been gathered today because we have a special mission for you,” Li Niang announced. ”This mission isn’t compulsory, of course, but if you accept it, you will receive 20,000 academic points and a droplet of water from the Spring of Life.”

”Only a droplet?” Yan Long asked.

His remark drew sharp glares from the three tutors. Sima Fang chuckled for a response, while Huang San smirked. Others were devoid of expressions. Amon didn’t doubt some of those who showed no expression probably had the same thoughts as Yan Long. They only didn’t show it. He didn’t blame them. If he hadn’t been exposed to the aura of the Spring of Life, he wouldn’t think of a droplet as a big deal as well.

Yan Long was visibly uncomfortable by the tutors’ glare. He bowed his head apologetically.

”If anyone wishes to leave, you may walk out,” Li Niang said.

”Though we have known each other for more than ten years, I never truly got the chance to work with you. I very much look forward to this mission,” Sima Fang told the other students.

”Sister Sima is right,” Huang San laughed. ”I’m not here for the rewards. I’m here to learn from you all, who are the best in this academy.”

”Brother Zhuan San is too modest. You are also among the best,” Sima Fang returned the compliment. Aside from Amon and the tutors, everyone else was unaware of Huang San’s real identity.

”Speak for yourself,” Yan Long said.

”I know you feel lacking, twat. After all, you have the lowest rank among us,” Wu Di ridiculed.

”Damn you, brute! You are always picking a fight with me!” Yan Long protested.

”That’s because you keep chickening out whenever I challenge you to the arena.”

”Silence! We are not assembling you here today to quarrel among yourself. You will all need to work together in this mission,” An Guan rebuked.

”What is the mission?” Amon asked.

Li Niang gestured for Ji Zhi to explain.

”This mission is a favor for an old friend of mine, who is also an important person in this country,” Ji Zhi explained. ”His name is Shi Zi. He used to be the kingdom’s chief puppet maker. He has resigned and is now living a secluded life. He doesn’t quit his craft, though. He continues making battle puppets for the kingdom in seclusion. We will travel to his abode to assist him in a unique endeavor. The details of this mission will be explained once we arrive at his place.”

”Does this mission have anything to do with battle puppets?” Sima Fang asked. ”Shouldn’t we bring a member with specialties in puppet-making in that case?”

”Knowledge of puppet-making is a plus but not a necessity,” Ji Zhi explained. ”This mission can only accommodate ten people, and the ten of you are the most suitable, so we can’t spare another slot for students with puppet-making skills. Speaking of which, you yourself are quite talented in the field.”

”My expertise is just so-so,” Sima Fang laughed.

”No need to be modest. Among other students, you show the most promise in most specialized jobs,” Lao Zen told Sima Fang. ”From the reports that came to my desk, you perform very well in engraving, talisman, and smithing. These jobs are the perfect ingredients for puppet making.”

”I agree,” Ji Zhi said. ”Though we only have one year to teach you puppet making, I can see from your progress that you are among the top of the class. So, you will do well for this mission.”

”Considering that point, I will appoint Sima Fang as your team leader,” Li Niang announced.

”What? Why?” Yan Long protested, which caused him to receive another glare from the tutors.

”Anyone else have an objection?” Li Niang asked.

Nobody said anything.

”I know you are all a bunch of proud youngsters,” An Guan said. ”But understand that your purpose of enrolling in this royal academy is so you can be part of the kingdom army once you graduate. In the army, cooperation is valued more than individual prowess. The army doesn’t tolerate those who fly off by themselves, which most often endangers the army as a whole. If you can’t learn to work together, you won’t be of much use to the kingdom. So, I suggest you bury whatever pride you have and pretend you like each other. Yes, pretend! Even if you hate the person next to you. Despite any emotion you have for others, you are now a team. Pretend the person you hate is your real brother or sister, and cooperate! Is this clear?”

”Yes,” most uttered. The rest nodded.

”If anyone needs another reason for why I picked Sima Fang as the team leader, it is because she is ranked first,” Li Niang said. ”If there are no more objections, we will put this discussion to rest. You can now follow Ji Zhi to Ha Gild’s place. You will use his great eagle to travel to your destination.”

Ha Gild was notified beforehand. He waited for them in front of the beast-tamer building. The great eagle was on standby next to him.

When everyone climbed aboard the great eagle, they also brought their tamed beasts. Everyone in the top ten spent some time learning the beast-taming technique, hence everyone had one. Most had Marsh Howling Hounds as their tamed beasts, except for three students. These three were Sima Fang, Yan Long, and Yang Li.

Sima Fang’s tamed beast was White-beak Hawk. The hawk was only slightly bigger than a regular hawk. When it was not flying, it mostly perched on Sima Fang’s shoulder or arm.

Yan Long’s tamed beast was a Thorny Earth Snake. The snake was a large anaconda. Its scales glistened when sunlight hit them. Underneath those scales were sharp thorns that sprung out when the snake went into hostile mode. These thorns could also be discharged to hit enemies from long range.

Yang Li’s tamed beast was a Crimson Lynx. The red-haired cat was extremely alert. It hissed hostilely at anyone who came near its master. Yang Li didn’t mind her pet’s behavior. She preferred being left alone.

All three beasts were mid superior beasts.

”Friend Lin Mo, you are not bringing your beast?” Sima Fang asked Amon.

”Haven’t you heard? His tamed beast is a Thunder Roc. It was probably above, following us in the cloud,” Huang San informed.

”Thunder Roc? Impressive. Please, allow me to express my admiration,” Sima Fang saluted Amon.

”Hmph,” Amon harrumphed and jumped aboard the great eagle.

After everyone was on board, Ji Zhi also jumped into the howdah.

”Tutor accompanies us on this mission?” Tuang Yin asked.

”Of course,” Ji Zhi answered. ”Shi Zi is a bit eccentric. If he only sees you, he won’t let you into his abode even if you can prove you are sent by the royal academy.”

Huang San, who was situated in the opposite corner from Ji Zhi, chuckled. He said in a low voice to Amon, who was next to him, ”That Shi Zi guy is indeed eccentric. It was his eccentricity that caused him to get expelled from the kingdom.”

”Expelled? I thought he resigned?” Amon asked.

”That’s what he told everyone. He is as prideful as he is eccentric. He is still useful to the kingdom, though, so we just let him be. He continues to produce battle puppets for us without having to deal with the complaints of people who work with him. The drawback of him working alone is his output is much lower than when he used our kingdom’s facility.”

”Have you met him?”

”I’ve seen him, but he doesn’t know me. He was very absorbed in his work when I visited, so he wasn’t aware I was there.”

”What do you think he requires the ten of us for?” Amon asked.

”I don’t know. After he left the kingdom, I no longer heard much news about him. It was even more so after I moved to Qishurg City,” Huang San answered. ”Well, we will know once we arrive. If I don’t mistake the location of his abode, it should take us around three days to arrive.”

Amon nodded. He closed his eyes and cultivated.