“The Imperial Court will send messengers to your hometown and the Meng family’s residence to announce the conferment of the noble title and bestow a seal,” said Elder Yi with a smile. “You can return to your hometown and personally receive the conferment. You can also choose to skip it. Just let the clan leader receive it on your behalf. Many Godfiends leave it to their clan leaders.”
“I’ll have it received on my behalf.” Meng Chuan nodded.
He would return to his hometown to take a look, but he wasn’t stupid enough to wait there. Who knew when the Imperial Court’s messenger team would arrive? Furthermore, the so-called conferment of earlship, marquisate, or kingship was not taken seriously by Godfiends. This was because Godfiends were powerful because of their individual strength!
Once one became a Darkstar Godfiend, the Imperial Court would take the initiative to confer the title of marquis to them. Once one became an Incessant Godfiend, the Imperial Court would take the initiative to confer kingship. A noble title was ultimately a byproduct of strength. Everyone respected Marquis Godfiends and Regis Godfiends because of their strength!
...
On the fifth day after returning to Archean Mountain, Meng Chuan went to a banquet with his wife.
Zhang Yunfeng stood inside a hall, raised his cup, and looked at the other guests with a smile. “I’ve been fighting demons all my life. I’ve also used forbidden Godfiend spells countless times. I’ve even managed to live to a ripe old age of 189. It’s all thanks to this Indestructible Divine Body. Haha, it’s the best for treating injuries on one’s own body.”
The Godfiends all laughed. Indeed, in this era, it was very difficult for a Great Solar Godfiend to live to 189 years of age.
“I still have about a year left to live. I don’t have any missions left,” said Zhang Yunfeng with a smile. “I’ll head down the mountain tomorrow and take a good look at the world. I’ll enjoy whatever food the world has to offer and enjoy its scenery. I’ll kill demons in passing as well. When I’m about to die, I’ll return to my hometown. When that happens, I won’t be troubling all my old friends any further.”
Meng Chuan, Yang Fang, and the other Godfiends had mixed feelings.
Zhang Yunfeng was close to the end of his lifespan, so Archean Mountain didn’t give Zhang Yunfeng any missions during their deployments.
“To be honest, I haven’t had a chance to explore the world properly in my life. I’m really looking forward to it,” Zhang Yunfeng said with a sigh before raising his cup. “Most of those who came today are here because we forged a friendship through experiencing life-and-death battles together. Today’s dinner is a farewell party. After that, we will be scattered across the world. Here, let’s toast.”
All the Godfiends raised their cups and drank.
Meng Chuan and Zhang Yunfeng had worked together for over half a year, and they had become good friends due to protecting each other. As for the Godfiends present, some had a deeper relationship with Zhang Yunfeng.
When the banquet ended, Zhang Yunfeng said loudly, “There’s no banquet that lasts forever. Let’s part ways here. An old man like me can now slack off and eat the delicacies of the world. As for the matter of fighting the demons, I’ll depend on everybody here.”
“Senior Brother Zhang, don’t worry. We will not be soft when killing demons.”
“Senior Brother Zhang, don’t worry. We will definitely win the war with the demons.”
One Godfiend after another made promises.
After everything came to an end, the Godfiends finally dispersed. Before dawn the next day, Zhang Yunfeng went down the mountain alone and began to admire the mountains and rivers. There were many places he had never seen before.
...
The Godfiends on Archean Mountain were sent down the mountain in batches.
In the evening, Meng Chuan was painting in the study while Liu Qiyue practiced her calligraphy.
“My lord, Elder Yi is here.” Steward Liu’s voice came from outside the study.
Elder Yi? Meng Chuan’s heart skipped a beat. He stopped painting and exchanged glances with his wife, Liu Qiyue.
“Our transfer orders should be here,” Liu Qiyue said.
Meng Chuan nodded and immediately went to the cave abode’s entrance with his wife to welcome Elder Yi.
Elder Yi walked over the snow and smiled. “Are you painting and practicing calligraphy? I can smell the fragrance of ink.”
“It’s just a random scrawl. Elder, please.” Meng Chuan and his wife welcomed the Elder and led him into the hall.
Inside the hall, maidservants prepared tea.
The three of them sat down, and the maidservant naturally left. Only the three of them were left in the hall.
“Your transfer orders are here,” said Elder Yi with a smile.
The duo jolted to attention.
Elder Yi took out two squarish white jade tokens. The front of each token had the words “Patrol,” and he handed them to Meng Chuan and Liu Qiyue.
“Patrol?” Meng Chuan and Liu Qiyue received the token. Looking at it, they saw the same map carved on it. The map was roughly the area around Wu State and Qian State.
“Now that all small and medium-sized city passes have been abandoned, the number of Godfiends needed at the seven major city passes has been greatly reduced,” said Elder Yi. “Most of our Archean Mountain Godfiends have become a part of Earth Net. They will be distributed in a way that they form a huge net that spans the world! We can kill gathered demons at any time.
“Furthermore, military conscription has been modified. Mortals will have to serve in the military for three years when they reach the age of 20. They do not need to fight on the battlefield during those three years. Instead, they will be responsible for patrolling the world,” said Elder Yi. “We shall mobilize countless soldiers across the world, making this net impregnable and inescapable. Every village fort in the world will become an important intelligence node.”
Meng Chuan and Liu Qiyue nodded.
This net was indeed very secure. With countless mortal soldiers as the eyes and the forts as intelligence nodes, the cities would become the center. Large groups of Godfiends could be deployed at any time.
“Earth Net can easily kill common ordinary demons and weaker demon monarchs,” said Elder Yi. “If we encounter powerful demon monarchs and bigger threats, we will have to send Patrollers to deal with the issue.
“Patrollers will mostly be Marquis and Regis Godfiends, but a few peak Great Solar Godfiends will take on the duties as well. After all, many demons will enter our human world. Even Marquis Godfiends and Regis Godfiends won’t be able to deal with everything by themselves.
“The two of you are a team. You will advance and retreat together.” Elder Yi looked at the two and said with a smile, “The area you are in charge of is Wu State’s Gu Mountain Prefecture and the area 500 kilometers around it. If your help is needed, your Patroller tokens will alert you.”
“Understood.” The two nodded.
“The two of you will usually live in Gu Mountain Prefecture. As for which compound you will live in? You can choose it yourselves. Remember, don’t let the outside world know about your hidden Godfiend identities,” said Elder Yi. “From now on, most of our Archean Mountain Godfiends will go incognito across the world. If we reveal their true identities, demon monarchs might attempt to assassinate our Godfiends.”
“Yes.” Meng Chuan and Liu Qiyue understood the need for secrecy.
“Disguise yourself as mortals and live in seclusion in Gu Mountain Prefecture. You will lead normal lives like mortals,” said Elder Yi. “If you receive a mission, you are to complete them immediately. Of course, I don’t think there will be many missions assigned to either of you. Powerful demon monarchs will be handled by Marquis Godfiends. The weaker ones will be settled by Earth Net directly. You will perhaps be mobilized a few times a year.
“Also, the fact that the two of you are living in Gu Mountain Prefecture is also a secret! In Archean Mountain, only Archean Mountain Lord, the Supremacy, and I know of your whereabouts. Don’t tell your family or your friends. Once your location is known, the demons and Skydemon Sect might learn of it after some investigation. They might even send a fourth Firmament demon monarch to Gu Mountain Prefecture to seek you out.
“Also, as Patrollers, there’s no need to handle any trivial matters. No Godfiend can order you. The two of you can only be commanded by Archean Mountain directly,” said Elder Yi.
...
Meanwhile, in Eastcalm Prefecture, the Imperial Court’s messengers arrived at the Meng family’s ancestral mansion. Meng Dajiang led his clansmen to welcome them.
The Imperial Court’s messengers publicly announced the conferment of a noble title! This shocked many people who watched from afar. This was because ever since the Great Zhou Dynasty was established, no one in Eastcalm Prefecture had ever been conferred a noble title!
“Earl Eastcalm, Meng Chuan?”
“Young Master Meng is impressive. Back then, I knew he was amazing. In just over ten years, he has been made an earl.”
“In a few years, he might be conferred the title of marquis.”
“Our Eastcalm Prefecture has also produced a powerful Godfiend.”
“I wonder if Young Master Meng Chuan can become a Regis Godfiend.”
The people of Eastcalm Prefecture felt honored and proud. As for the other Godfiend family clans in Eastcalm Prefecture, they were poignant. Fairy Meng had died from severe injuries, but Meng Chuan rose to prominence almost immediately. He had taken first place in Archean Mountain’s entrance examination. How long had it been since he entered Archean Mountain before he was made an earl? Only a few Great Solar Godfiends could manage such feats. Furthermore, it usually took a long time to accumulate enough credit.
To be conferred earlship at such a young age? He’ll probably be conferred the title of marquis in the future!
Meng Chuan has been made an earl? Yun Fu’an sat in the study, looking considerably older. His father, Yun Wanhai, had died in battle. Yun Wanhai had left the Yun family his treasures and credit. They naturally had plenty of savings, but if they didn’t produce a new Godfiend, their clan would gradually decline.
Seeing Meng Chuan soar in prominence, Yun Fu’an truly felt regretful. He was a man who was good at dealing with people. He was good at praising the mighty and trampling the weak. Unfortunately, even if he were to slap himself, Meng Chuan—a Great Solar Godfiend—no longer had any relationship with the Yun family.
Isn’t it just a daughter? Why was I in such a rush to annul the engagement? Why was I so stupid? Yun Fu’an vented his emotions in the study.
He had missed his chance, one that would forever be missed.
...
Meng Chuan and Liu Qiyue arrived at Gu Mountain Prefecture on a bird.
“From today onwards, this will be our home.” Meng Chuan and Liu Qiyue stood in a compound. The two of them had personally chosen it at a broker. They had only chosen it after seeing several ones.
There was no term limit to their job as Patrollers. The couple would likely stay here for a long time.
“Good.” Liu Qiyue looked at the compound in satisfaction. A gray sparrow-like bird flew above the compound and landed on Liu Qiyue’s shoulder. It was a third Firmament demon monarch and cost the couple 1.5 million credits. Ever since the demons entered the human world en masse, birds became much cheaper on Archean Mountain. There was now a 50% decrease in price.
This bird could change its size. Usually, it would be the size of a palm. It also had a mystic technique given by Archean Mountain—which allowed it to restrain its aura within its body and disguise itself as a mortal bird.
“We’re only short of a child now.” Meng Chuan looked at the compound and smiled at his wife.
Liu Qiyue laughed as well.
It was time to have a child as they lived a peaceful life in seclusion.
Final Chapter of Volume—Undercurrents