Chapter 22: Five Hundred Shadows

"Yang, you're later than usual today. Did you run into some trouble?" Hu Li asked with concern, his tone reminiscent of an elder. He placed the dishes on the table and thoughtfully served rice for Yang Dai.

Yang Dai smiled, "No trouble at all. Sometimes I lose track of time while cultivating."

"Haha, that's true, but young people should exercise restraint. Before you reach the fasting stage, you mustn't neglect proper rest and meals. You’re at the third level of Qi Gathering, aren't you?"

"Yes. Thank you for the Qi Gathering Pill, Hu, and thanks to the Intelligence Bureau."

"Haha, Yang, you’re too polite." Hu Li laughed, but his radiant smile betrayed his satisfaction.

After some casual chat, Hu Li got to the point, "Would you like to go to the capital for university ahead of schedule?"

Yang Dai frowned, "I thought you needed to reach the fifth level of Qi Gathering to go?"

Hu Li sighed, "You must have seen the news. The Hansi Province may face a beast tide. The severity is hard to determine. I’m worried that if something really happens, you’ll be affected. You’re not just the hope of Hansi Province, but of the entire Xia Nation."

Yang Dai’s frown deepened.

Hu Li spoke earnestly, "You shouldn't feel guilty. Your talent lies in the future, not now. As long as you grow, you could guard an entire province, even save the nation in times of crisis. The country protects talents like you very carefully—not just you, even S-class talents receive special protection. Of course, Hansi Province might survive, but the Intelligence Bureau must prepare for the worst."

Yang Dai asked, "What about my family?"

Hu Li shook his head, "If you want to take them with you, you can, but life in the capital won’t be so convenient. Yang, you can't always bring your family wherever you go, can you?"

Yang Dai thought for a moment, "Could I stay and help out as well?"

"Nonsense! What help could you provide? If you’re worried about your family, I promise to arrange good jobs for your parents in the capital through my connections!"

Hu Li glared, rarely showing such anger toward Yang Dai, but Yang Dai was touched instead.

Yang Dai asked, "What about you?"

Hu Li took out a pack of cigarettes, drew one, lit it, and offered the pack to Yang Dai, who shook his head. After a deep drag, Hu Li grinned, "I’ll definitely stay, and I’ll be at the front lines."

"But you’re the director of the Intelligence Bureau. Managing intelligence is more useful than fighting."

"There are only so many Heart Rotation experts in Xia Nation. Each one is vital combat strength. I can't sit out the fight."

"I want to stay too," Yang Dai said seriously, making Hu Li frown.

Seeing Hu Li still wanted to persuade him, Yang Dai continued, "Actually, I could have more than five Yin Followers. When the time comes, they can fight for me—it won’t be so dangerous."

Hu Li waved his hand, "How many can you have? Ten? Twenty? That’s nothing in the face of a beast tide!"

---

Yang Dai pondered, "What if I have a hundred?"

"A hundred is... What! You can have a hundred Yin Followers?"

Hu Li was stunned, so excited he stood up and grabbed Yang Dai’s shoulder.

Yang Dai cried, "Hu, easy, that hurts!"

That’s the strength of a Heart Rotation cultivator—unbelievable!

Hu Li quickly released him, forcing himself to stay calm, "Are you serious?"

"Yeah, I recently broke through, so the number of Yin Followers has increased."

"Excellent, then you can stay. But you must not go on the battlefield yourself—only your Yin Followers can fight."

"I un