I Grind to Martial Saint

Given what Old Chen had said, Han Yuan naturally couldn’t refuse.

He picked up his long saber and headed for the entrance of the County Yamen.

Several Government Officials were by the stone lions at the entrance, bragging and chatting among themselves.

Han Yuan didn’t know these men very well, so he simply found a shady spot to wait.

A short while later, a plain-looking, middle-aged man, who had also clearly been temporarily assigned, hurried over.

A name surfaced in Han Yuan’s mind. ’So he’s the one leading.’

Zeng Rongtian, one of the County Yamen’s constables, was known for his calm demeanor and steady, reliable work.

”Constable Zeng.”

Han Yuan and the other Government Officials hurriedly bowed in greeting.

”We’re all brothers here, no need for formalities.”

”In a bit, we’ll be escorting the County Magistrate’s Wife to Lingyue Temple to offer incense. We should be back by evening.”

”There have been some bandits active outside the town recently, so everyone be careful.”

Zeng Rongtian said, waving his hand casually.

Han Yuan and the others nodded repeatedly.

”Then let’s go and receive the County Magistrate’s Wife,” Zeng Rongtian said, his expression turning serious.

He led Han Yuan and the others to the County Magistrate’s Mansion on Ming Pearl Street.

Before long, Han Yuan saw a mansion with a large, vermilion gate.

A large horse-drawn carriage was parked in front.

Just a single glance from the outside was enough for Han Yuan to sense the mansion’s extravagance.

’It seems this Magistrate Zheng has likely raked in quite a bit on the side,’ Han Yuan thought, his eyes glinting.

Soon, a dignified woman in a simple, elegant dress emerged from the mansion with two maids.

”Constable Zeng, I’ll be troubling you this time,” the woman said with a slight smile.

”You jest, Ma’am. This is my humble duty,” Zeng Rongtian replied, clasping his fist.

After a few moments of casual pleasantries, the County Magistrate’s Wife boarded the carriage.

Han Yuan and the others flanked the carriage as guards.

The procession quickly passed through the town gates and headed toward Lingyue Temple.

Lingyue Temple was situated on a mountain peak several miles outside the town. It was said to be quite efficacious, and many citizens of Qingshui County Town would make the pilgrimage to pray, ensuring it was always bustling with worshippers.

Along the way, Han Yuan stayed at the very back of the group, not speaking a word, as if he were invisible.

”Han Yuan... I hear you’ve been with Old Chen in the storeroom recently?”

Zeng Rongtian, who had been at the front of the procession, walked over at that moment to strike up a conversation.

”Yes,” Han Yuan replied.

He remembered that Zeng Rongtian and Han Jiudao seemed to have some sort of relationship.

Of course, it wasn’t a deep one.

Back when Wang Cheng was making things difficult for him, Zeng Rongtian had remained silent.

Han Yuan could understand.

No one would offend a constable for the sake of a mere Government Official.

That was reality.

”The storeroom isn’t a bad place. It’s better than being out here fighting and killing,” Zeng Rongtian said with a smile, then asked, ”Any news from your brother?”

”No...”

”Since the day my brother disappeared, there hasn’t been any word at all.”

”I’ve gone out of town to search for him, but I still came up with nothing,” Han Yuan said, shaking his head.

”A pity... but your brother is a good man.”

”Good men are always rewarded in the end.”

”He should be safe and sound,” Zeng Rongtian said, trying to comfort him.

”Thank you for your concern, Chief Constable Zeng.”

Han Yuan replied very formally.

The two chatted for a little while longer before Zeng Rongtian returned to the front of the group.

...

「In a dark, dense forest.」

More than twenty ferocious-looking men were gathered together.

A large man with white patches on his face spoke in a cold voice, ”Brothers, the County Magistrate’s old lady will be passing through here soon. If we pull off this job, we won’t have to worry about food or clothing for the rest of our lives!”

His words stirred the crowd of bandits into a state of excited agitation.

”Boss, when is the group getting here? I can’t wait!”

”Me neither!”

The white-spotted man motioned for everyone to calm down. ”Don’t be anxious. They’ll get here when they get here.”

”Number Two, I’ll hold up the constable leading them. The rest of the Government Officials are just small fry. You take the men and deal with them.”

”Anyone can die, but that magistrate’s old lady must be kept alive.”

A man with dark patches on his skin, leaning against a tree with a long saber on his back, heard this and said casually, ”Boss, you know me.”

”I’m always gentle with the ladies.”

The white-spotted man replied in a low voice, ”Good.”

With that, the two of them took their respective men and hid on either side of the dark forest, waiting quietly.

「About an hour later.」

A carriage slowly entered the gloomy woods.

It was accompanied by seven or eight people.

Zeng Rongtian seemed to sense that something was wrong, his eyes constantly scanning the forest.

Although he didn’t spot anything out of the ordinary, the ever-cautious Zeng Rongtian decided not to take the risk. He planned to retreat from the forest and take a longer route.

He waved for the driver to stop the carriage.

The white-spotted man, hiding in the shadows, saw this. Even though the procession had not yet entered the ideal ambush position, an opportunity like this wouldn’t come again!

He let out a furious roar and, brandishing a Giant Axe, charged out from the dark undergrowth.

”KILL!!!”

In an instant, the bandits lying in wait on both sides heard the roar and, like frenzied beasts, charged out with their Weapons drawn, following the white-spotted man with murderous intent.

The sheer force of their charge instantly sent several of the Government Officials into a panic.

”Careful!!”

”Bandit ambush!!!”

”Protect the madam!!!”

Zeng Rongtian reacted quickly. With a loud shout, he drew the long saber from his waist and slashed down viciously.

CLANG!

His saber collided directly with the white-spotted man’s Giant Axe, sending sparks flying.

”The Black and White Double Evil!!!”

Seeing the white-spotted man, Zeng Rongtian immediately recognized who he was facing.

This was a notoriously vicious group of bandits that had been terrorizing the area outside the town, robbing many merchant caravans and security details.

”Die!”

The white-spotted man grinned, swung his Giant Axe with both hands, and unleashed a Tornado Slash!

Zeng Rongtian raised his saber to block, but the force of the blow knocked him back five or six meters.

The next moment, the white-spotted man charged forward with a strange cry, and the two clashed.

The flash of a saber and the shadow of an axe collided wildly, ringing like a blacksmith’s forge.

The two fought farther and farther away, gradually moving away from the carriage.

「Meanwhile.」

Han Yuan and the other Government Officials also clashed with the bandits. Flesh flew and blood splattered as screams echoed without end.

From inside the carriage, terrified shrieks could be heard.

Han Yuan’s position at the very back made him look like he had been left behind. Immediately, several bandits with sinister grins raised their steel sabers and charged, looking to hack him to a pulp.

’Trying to kill me?’

Han Yuan’s eyes turned cold. His biceps bulged as he swung his saber.

SHING~

The bandit at the very front heard only the clear ring of a blade as a cold light flashed in his eyes.

The next instant, the bandit felt the world spin.

The two bandits behind him didn’t even see what happened before a head flew high into the air.

Fast!

’That blade is unbelievably fast!’

The two bandits were horrified.

This was Han Yuan’s current level of strength.

His Thousand Falcons Blade Technique, having reached the stage of Minor Success, combined with his immense muscular strength, made his draw as fast as lightning.

SWISH! SWISH!

After lopping off the head, Han Yuan’s muscles bulged again as he slashed twice, once to the left and once to the right.

Two streaks of light from his blade flashed out, like a falcon spreading its wings.

The two remaining bandits both cried out as a single slash opened their throats, and they collapsed, gurgling on the ground.

WHOOSH!

Han Yuan heard a faint whoosh of air behind him.

Without hesitation, he pushed off hard with his feet and dodged forward.

A steel saber stabbed through the air where he had just been.

”He actually dodged it.”

The black-spotted man was somewhat surprised.

After casually cutting down another bandit who was charging him, Han Yuan raised his saber and looked at the black-spotted man.

Their eyes met, both filled with a chilling killing intent.