Chapter 17: History’s Favored Son—Jiang Yan
Ba Lie had met many people in his life, all of whom called themselves geniuses.
But it wasn’t until he saw this outrageously handsome man that he finally understood...
What it truly meant to be a genius!
Although the Vajravārāhī Cavalry wasn’t the elite guard of the Corpse-Dissolution Court, they were already considered top-tier forces.
Once the Vajravārāhī Tummo Seal was activated, they became impervious to blades and bullets, and the Mouth of the Purified Altar on their abdomens could continuously devour flesh and blood to regenerate injuries.
They were even referred to by many History Walkers as “undying war chariots” on the battlefield.
They weren’t just executioners of newcomers—they slaughtered both veterans and rookies alike.
In the past, many veteran History Walker squads had been carrying out missions within the Sick Domain, only to encounter an overwhelming number of Vajravārāhī Cavalry troops that invaded and utterly crushed them, tearing them apart and devouring their flesh.
Ordinary Spirit Awakening Stage cultivators were nothing more than chicks waiting to be slaughtered in front of them.
Yet Jiang Yan had singlehandedly wiped out an entire squad head-on.
As for deducing the timing of the historical tide’s ebb, many clever people could guess it, but the difficult part was acting on it.
After all, most people would choose to play it safe—there was no need to take unnecessary risks.
However, Jiang Yan had dared to use borrowed power to kill the Large Rat, provoke the Peak Foundation Establishment Commander Lu, and even managed to exploit the latter’s underestimation to sever its arm.
He had swept through a Grade A Turbid Stream borderland all by himself.
This guy was a bit too confident—what if his deduction had been wrong?
That thought flashed through Ba Lie’s mind but quickly vanished, replaced by a bitter smile.
Such thoughts were the mindset of ordinary people.
This world only acknowledged success—there was no “what if” or “maybe.”
Failures were nothing more than dry bones in forgotten graves.
The evaluation of a historical instance was scored based on the History Walker’s strength and the difficulty of their achievements.
If a Law Seed Stage History Walker entered and even killed the Large Rat Guard and Commander Lu, they would at most receive a Grade C or B rating.
A Grade A+ evaluation meant that Jiang Yan had accomplished feats unattainable by mortals or ordinary History Walkers, acknowledged by the long river of history and etched into the past.
This wasn’t just an honorary title—the long river of history would bestow corresponding rewards.
According to the Bureau of Historical Revision’s archives, Grade A+ ratings already yielded rich rewards, and a first-time instance would elevate those rewards by an additional tier.
It was the long river of history’s special favor toward newcomers!
Such rewards could even include a second exclusive historical talent, top-tier historical relics, ancient divine beast eggs, immortal god inheritances, and more.
Moreover, these rewards were unique to the strategist and were nearly impossible to be stolen.
There were also Grade A+ newcomers within the Bureau of Historical Revision, but they were extremely rare.
Without exception, they had become top-tier powerhouses or were on the path to becoming towering figures.
As a result, many History Walkers were envious, but as their strength increased, the Sick Domains they faced became increasingly terrifying.
Surviving alone was difficult—earning high ratings was nearly impossible.
As for dispersing one’s power and starting over—posing as a rookie to bully new players—some had indeed done so.
But the long river of history contained untold horrors.
It wasn’t like a game where low-level NPCs refreshed on a fixed schedule—there was a significant risk of failure.
And even if one succeeded, the evaluation would be lowered, making the effort not worth the reward.
They could only console themselves with the thought that ratings didn’t define one’s final achievements—just indicated greater potential.
‘I remember the Jiangnan Province headquarters didn’t even have a single Grade A+. They only had two or three Grade A talents. And yet, here in our tiny Pan’an branch, I’ve encountered one. Once he matures, he could suppress an entire province.’ Ba Lie thought to himself.
Don’t underestimate this evaluation.
Due to the vast territory of the Tianxia Alliance, a single province’s area was equal to the total of several other nations.
Combined with its deep cultural heritage, the historical river it connected to was especially terrifying and had birthed many diseased creatures considered “nation-exterminating” in other countries.
For example, the Corpse-Dissolution Court would have already descended upon the mortal world elsewhere, devouring living flesh and blood, and established an underworld kingdom.
But in Jiangnan Province, it was merely one of several great disasters.
Sometimes, Ba Lie envied the culturally shallow nations.
That wasn’t a flaw—it was a blessing!
Especially in these years, as the long river of history became increasingly diseased, more and more Sick Domains descended upon Jiangnan Province.
This had caused numerous branches to operate beyond capacity, making life miserable for many History Walkers.
Particularly at their Pan’an county-level sub-bureau, several newcomers had already been transferred away by the city office and lured off with high salaries.
They were barely able to maintain order now.
But if the disease worsened any further, a disaster was inevitable.
If Jiang Yan could join the Bureau of Historical Revision and grow stronger, it would significantly reduce the pressure—perhaps even reverse the situation.
“Grade A+, huh? Not bad at all. Mr. Jiang, you seem quite talented—how about joining the Bureau of Historical Revision?” Ba Lie calmed himself and spoke with feigned nonchalance.
If he acted too enthusiastic, what if the guy decided to hold out for a better offer and got poached by another branch?
This was a Grade A+ evaluation—headquarters would shamelessly fight to recruit such a person.
Previously, a newcomer with a Grade A rating emerged near the northern Shanhaiguan.
The news accidentally leaked, and when the Suzhou Province branch heard about it, they went all out and used a honey trap.
Anyone who knew the north understood—northern men had never seen such gentle and charming southern girls.
He was completely bewitched and moved his entire family south.
The key was—it was all staged as a chance encounter, a “love at first sight” moment like a white moonlight dream.
Everything seemed accidental.
Before that, the newcomer hadn’t signed an employment contract yet.
Even when the northern branch tried to report it to headquarters, nothing came of it.
They could only swallow the loss.
The only good news was that for a while afterward, all the Sick Domain creatures descending in the north experienced what it meant to be furiously slaughtered by History Walkers raining down from the sky.
Only the enemies suffered—the rest of the northern branch was overjoyed.
At that thought, Ba Lie looked at Zhao Yinman and nearly forgot he had brought along the “flower” of their branch.
He signaled with his eyes for her to say something nice.
After all, hearing it from a pretty girl was much more effective than from a middle-aged uncle.
Zhao Yinman’s crimson eyes stared at Jiang Yan as she spoke seriously, “Our branch has great benefits—if you join, there’ll be endless work waiting for you!”
Her tone was cold but especially sincere.
“…”
Ba Lie was speechless.
Was she promoting benefits or driving people away?
Who besides a chosen “ox-horse holy body” would want endless work?
Besides, wasn’t he the one constantly doing the work?!
Jiang Yan, seeing how indifferent they were about his evaluation, didn’t think much of it.
After all, with over a billion people in the Tianxia Alliance, even if only one in ten thousand became a History Walker, sheer numbers alone would produce plenty with this rating.
It seemed he shouldn’t be too arrogant—he had to remain humble and steady.
That was a good thing.
Jiang Yan could quietly grow stronger without standing out too much.
He asked curiously, “Is it mandatory for History Walkers to join the Bureau of Historical Revision?”
“Of course not.”
Though he dearly wanted Jiang Yan to join, Ba Lie wasn’t about to tell an obvious lie.
He explained:
“The long river of history is alive. When diseased, it seeks out individuals with strong spiritual perception. That’s why many ordinary people accidentally awaken as History Walkers after entering a Sick Domain.”
Many of them didn’t want to leave their parents or take risks—they just wanted a peaceful life.
Others belonged to factions founded by veteran History Walkers.
The sects you see in movies and novels actually have real-life counterparts.
For example, Wudang and Tianshi Mansion—these long-standing sects operate independently of the government.
It’s unrealistic to incorporate them all into the Bureau of Historical Revision.
Too many factions would be a hassle.
As long as they follow the law and don’t harm civilians, it’s fine.
Since its inception, the Bureau’s founders set the rule that History Walkers must join voluntarily.
The aim was to unite as many as possible—make more allies.
Thus, there are two protocols for wild History Walkers who awaken unexpectedly.
“The first is not joining the Bureau, but they must still register with us and document their abilities. They must also promise not to use historical powers on ordinary people unless their life or vital interests are threatened.”
“Would they really comply?” Jiang Yan asked skeptically.
After gaining power, maybe someone could stay rational for a day—but after a few, they’d act like they owned the place.
Ba Lie laughed and explained, “It’s not just to prevent misuse of powers. Frequent use of historical skills in the present builds connections with the long river of history. Like invisible threads—once too many are formed, you’ll be dragged into a random Sick Domain and unable to return.”
The stronger the History Walker, the greater the damage and disruption they cause to the real world—the stronger the historical pull.
Only by completing missions can they return to reality.
Without combat experience, their survival chances are near zero.
Some with special abilities might even attract the attention of ancient entities deep within the historical river.
These beings could descend into reality using their bodies as anchors, spreading chaos.
Zhao Yinman suddenly added coldly, “Even if they never use their powers once, they still can’t escape being dragged into a Sick Domain. They’re just avoiding reality.”
“The moment you accepted the gift of the long river of history, it’s no longer you pursuing transcendental knowledge. Now, those things are like hunting dogs—chasing you instead.”
“Either survive and become someone who overlooks all beings!”
“Or die in the stomach of some Sick Domain demon.”
“……”
Ba Lie was speechless—this lady wasn’t holding back at all.
She was hitting the guy with the full intensity right away.
That might just scare him off!
“So that’s how it is!”
Jiang Yan finally understood why so few people used extraordinary powers openly in the real world.
Because every time they did, it shortened the cooldown before entering a Sick Domain.
If someone were unlucky enough to enter something like the Corpse-Dissolution Court and couldn’t complete the mission—they were dead for sure.
So unless someone was a complete fool, they’d restrain their desires.
That greatly limited the damage History Walkers could do.
“Wait a second!”
Jiang Yan suddenly realized something.
The abilities he used all came from the “offspring” nurtured by the Dark God Embryo.
But they all originated from the knowledge of the historical river.
Even though they bore the side effects of historical skills for him, due to their purity, they might form an even stronger link with the river.
Other people might have many abilities, but they’d still count as one person—the cooldown before entering a Sick Domain would be calculated normally.
And if they didn’t use supernatural power, they could extend their time in the real world.
But if the historical river considered Jiang Yan’s offspring as separate entities, the more offspring he had, the greater the accumulated diseased power.
After all, he controlled all of them.
The skill-based offspring especially existed within him as intangible concepts.
In that case,
Even if the river couldn’t locate the offspring, it could still find Jiang Yan.
Even if each offspring only reduced the cooldown a tiny bit, over time, it would snowball into a drastic change.
In this way, Jiang Yan’s cooldown might shorten several times faster—dozens of times faster than others.
Forget being the historical river’s favored son…
Even a father wouldn’t get that kind of treatment.
“This is…”
Realizing this possibility, Jiang Yan licked his dry lips as his heart pounded in his chest:
“Absolutely amazing!”