Jiang Wuming was unaware that due to the battle at Donghai Martial Academy, his master, Daoist Tianlong, had gone berserk at Marshal Qi Wufu of the Martial Department.
In Sword Valley, after restoring Xia Xueqin's vitality, he received a call from Qin Xiaozhi, informing him that Elder Zhou Hetu of the Martial Department had arrived. He then left Sword Valley with Xia Xueqin and headed towards the training ground.
Meanwhile, Chu Feng, Xiao Han, Su Qiang, and Xia Dong had returned to Donghai Martial Academy and were on their way to Sword Valley.
Previously, following Jiang Wuming's orders, Xiao Han had led the fourth-year graduates away from the training ground. He then proceeded to the lecture hall auditorium to gather the first, second, and third-year students.
However, on their way out, the students encountered members of the Donghai branch and ultimately chose to wait in a park near the academy for the final outcome.
Upon learning that the battle had concluded and Jiang Wuming had led the teachers and members of the Donghai branch to victory, they all returned to campus immediately.
Yet—
Even though Xiao Han and the other three knew the battle's outcome, they remained silent and solemn on their way to Sword Valley, without any joy or excitement from their victory.
Firstly, Zhang Guanzhong, Wu Zhipeng, and several teachers from Donghai Martial Academy had died in the training ground during this battle.
Secondly, they all learned that Xia Xueqin's desperate final strike had not only depleted her martial arts cultivation but also instantly turned her hair white.
These two events had dampened their joy from the victory, leaving them with a somewhat suppressed mood.
Xia Dong, in particular, was deeply saddened. The young girl's eyes were red, and tear tracks stained her face. Although she was not Xia Xueqin's biological child, Xia Xueqin had always treated her as her own, and she, in turn, regarded Xia Xueqin as her own mother.
"Xiaodong, don't worry yet. Brother Wuming took Director Xia away immediately after the battle ended. It's highly likely he's trying to save her. Perhaps Director Xia can still recover?" Chu Feng said, trying to comfort Xia Dong, who was sobbing uncontrollably.
Xia Dong, with red eyes, remained silent.
Just then, Xiao Han, the strongest among the four, sensed something: "There are two auras ahead; it's Master and Director Xia!"
As Xiao Han finished speaking, Jiang Wuming and Xia Xueqin's figures appeared at a bend in the road ahead.
"Uh..."
Seeing Xia Xueqin with her long, black hair and no signs of aging on her face, Xia Dong, Xiao Han, Chu Feng, and Su Qiang were stunned.
Earlier, when they passed the training ground, they had heard that Xia Xueqin had aged decades. Yet, Xia Xueqin now looked unchanged, which astonished them.
"Mom!"
Overcome with shock, Xia Dong shouted and rushed towards Xia Xueqin. Tears welled up again, but they were no longer tears of sorrow.
Xiao Han, Chu Feng, and Su Qiang also snapped out of their daze and quickly moved towards Jiang Wuming and Xia Xueqin.
"Mom... Mom, Grandpa Ren and the others said your last strike consumed your origin true qi and overdrafted your life essence, making you age decades. I thought it was true and was terrified..." Xia Dong cried into Xia Xueqin's embrace.
"It is true. However, your Brother Wuming helped me recover my vitality," Xia Xueqin said, holding Xia Dong.
"See, what did I say? I said Brother Wuming could definitely save Director Xia! Do you believe me now?!" Chu Feng exclaimed excitedly upon hearing Xia Xueqin's words, feeling incredibly proud.
"Brother Wuming is amazing!" Xia Dong said loudly, looking at Jiang Wuming with teary eyes.
Xiao Han and Su Qiang, though silent, also looked at Jiang Wuming with admiration.
"Xiao Han, have all the students returned to the academy?" Jiang Wuming asked Xiao Han with a smile, gently stroking Xia Dong's head.
"Yes, Master. After we left the school, we encountered people from the Donghai branch, so we didn't go too far and stayed in a nearby park..." Xiao Han answered truthfully, informing Jiang Wuming about the students' situation. Then, he remembered something and added, "Right, Master, when we passed the training ground, we saw Elder Zhou Hetu of the Martial Department. He seemed to be looking for you."
"Elder Zhou has arrived."
As soon as Xiao Han finished speaking, Jiang Wuming sensed a powerful, terrifying aura rapidly approaching. He knew the arrival was Zhou Hetu.
Indeed, Zhou Hetu's figure soon appeared ahead.
"Uh..."
Just like Xia Dong and the other three, Zhou Hetu was surprised to see Xia Xueqin with her long black hair and no signs of aging on her face.
Without slowing down, he quickly arrived before Jiang Wuming and the others.
"Elder Zhou." Jiang Wuming and the others bowed.
"Wuming, did you help Director Xia recover?" Zhou Hetu asked, voicing his suspicion.
"Yes," Jiang Wuming nodded.
"Good, good. I look forward to Director Xia's full recovery," Zhou Hetu said with a smile. He understood the importance of appearance and age to a woman and could sense a trace of origin true qi within Xia Xueqin, indicating hope for her to recover her martial cultivation.
"Elder Zhou, are you here to see Wuming about something?" Xia Xueqin asked.
"Yes," Zhou Hetu nodded. He had come to find Jiang Wuming not only on his own behalf but also on behalf of Qi Wufu and the entire Martial Department.
"Xiaodong, Xiao Han, Chu Feng, Su Qiang, come with me back to Sword Valley. Let Elder Zhou and Wuming talk." Xia Xueqin said no more and immediately led Xia Dong and the others away.
"I apologize, Wuming. I rushed here, but I still arrived late." After Xia Xueqin and the others left, Zhou Hetu said self-reproachfully.
"Elder Zhou, it's not your fault," Jiang Wuming replied, knowing Zhou Hetu had done his best.
"Thanks to you, otherwise the consequences would have been unimaginable," Zhou Hetu said with lingering fear.
"In this battle, everyone gave their all and fought to the death. Victory belongs to everyone!" Jiang Wuming shook his head again, recalling the scenes of the soldiers fighting valiantly.
"There is no doubt about that, but the greatest credit goes to you and the Battle Dragon team," Zhou Hetu commented after learning the entire course of the battle. He continued, "To commend you and the Battle Dragon team for your outstanding contributions in the defense of the War God Pharmaceutical Research Institute and Donghai Martial Academy, the Martial Department has decided to hold a commendation ceremony at the Martial Department headquarters."
"Elder Zhou..." Jiang Wuming was slightly startled by Zhou Hetu's words and instinctively wanted to say something.
"Wuming, this is the decision of the Marshal and the Elder Council. Commendation is also an encouragement, both for you and the Battle Dragon team, and for all the soldiers of the Martial Department. So, please do not be modest or refuse," Zhou Hetu interrupted, knowing what Jiang Wuming was about to say.
"Alright." Jiang Wuming chose to accept gracefully.
...
Yanjing.
Inside the compound that symbolized power, a mysterious person wearing a ghost mask approached the Great Elder Long Shengzhe with a report.
"The crisis at Donghai Martial Academy has been resolved. Jiang Wuming led the Battle Dragon team, the teachers and students of Donghai Martial Academy, and all members of the Donghai branch to kill all the enemies. This is the report submitted by the Martial Department." The mysterious person wearing the ghost mask handed the report to Long Shengzhe.
Long Shengzhe took the report and quickly scanned it.
"There are also battle videos. Would you like to watch them?" A few minutes later, the mysterious person wearing the ghost mask asked again after seeing Long Shengzhe put down the report.
"No need to watch the battle videos," Long Shengzhe shook his head slightly and then asked, "The Martial Department wants to hold a commendation ceremony for Jiang Wuming and the Battle Dragon team. What are your thoughts?"
"In the battle at the War God Pharmaceutical Research Institute, the Battle Dragon team protected dozens of experts from key sectors of Longguo. The battle at Donghai Martial Academy was the most dangerous and critical battle since the great decisive battle at Loulan Ancient City twelve years ago. Jiang Wuming led the Battle Dragon team to assist the teachers and students of Donghai Martial Academy and the Donghai branch in winning this defensive battle. They deserve rewards," said the mysterious person wearing the ghost mask.
"Rewards are necessary, but you should also understand that Qi Wufu setting such a high standard for the commendation ceremony is more than just a reward," Long Shengzhe's eyes flashed with wisdom as he instantly grasped the crux of the ceremony.
"After the battles at the War God Pharmaceutical Research Institute and Donghai Martial Academy, do you think other guarding teams are still qualified to compete with the Battle Dragon team? Is there anyone among Longguo's younger generation qualified to compete with Jiang Wuming?" the mysterious person wearing the ghost mask retorted.
Long Shengzhe fell silent.
"Do you want to see him?" The mysterious person wearing the ghost mask, seeing Long Shengzhe's silence, recalled that Long Shengzhe had previously said that if the Battle Dragon team became the first among the five guarding teams, he would meet Jiang Wuming.