I Grind to Martial Saint

The constables and government officials from the Government Office led away the Blood River Gang’s underlings, yet there were still no unexpected developments.

It seemed the Blood River Gang’s upper echelons had just handed over Cangshui Pier without a fight.

Even the crowd of Martial World members who had followed along hadn’t expected this to happen.

”Where did all the Blood River Gang people go?”

”Aren’t they usually vicious? How come they don’t dare show their faces the moment they see Han Yuan arrive?!”

”Before, Han Yuan threw Bai Liang of the Bai Family from the Fifth Layer of the Drunken Immortal Tower. I heard he’s still unconscious, but the Bai Family could only swallow their pride and accept it. These Blood River Gang leaders are actually being rational.”

”What a shame... I thought we’d get to see Han Yuan go on a killing spree.”

Han Yuan couldn’t be bothered with these busybodies. He left the pier and made his way back to the Observatory.

Du Qiuxu was still in the main hall.

When he saw Han Yuan walk in, he gave a wry, helpless smile. ”I know the situation. I didn’t expect the Blood River Gang to be so afraid of you that not a single one of them dared to show up.”

Han Yuan said flatly, ”That’s none of my business. In any case, I’ve taken Cangshui Pier for you.”

”So it’s time you gave me the Contribution Points.”

Du Qiuxu shook his head. ”The deal was that you would eliminate Miao Yan. You haven’t even brought back his head. The most I can give you is half.”

Han Yuan had known Du Qiuxu would say that.

After all, the agreement had indeed been to eliminate Miao Yan.

”Add another five hundred Contribution Points, and I’ll bring you Miao Yan’s head,” Han Yuan said in a low voice.

”Another five hundred? That would make it three thousand three hundred Contribution Points.”

”You really have a big appetite, kid.”

Du Qiuxu shook his head helplessly.

”Right now, Miao Yan is definitely being protected by the Cui Family. It’ll be much harder for me to make a move.”

”So, adding another five hundred Contribution Points is perfectly reasonable,” Han Yuan reasoned.

”Fine, another five hundred Contribution Points.”

”I’ll have the Feiying Tribe find Miao Yan’s whereabouts as soon as possible.”

Du Qiuxu didn’t haggle with Han Yuan.

”Mm...”

Han Yuan nodded and took his leave.

He first returned to his room, put on a disguise, donned a Conical Hat, and quietly left the Observatory.

Han Yuan had no intention of just waiting around for news from the Flying Eagle Guard.

He urgently needed to chop off Miao Yan’s head in exchange for the Innate Great Demon Skill.

So he had to put his Qi Power into action himself.

Soon, Han Yuan arrived at the Longsheng Inn and found a random corner to sit in.

Not long after, a common-looking man sat down across from him.

”Find someone for me,” Han Yuan said lightly.

”This person won’t be easy to find,” the man said softly.

”You know who I’m looking for?” Han Yuan narrowed his eyes.

”I have some guesses... After all, word of what happened today has already spread throughout Cangshui County Town.”

The man chuckled.

”It won’t be too difficult for you.”

”I’ll wait here for your news.”

Han Yuan placed a silver note on the table.

”I’ll do my best.”

The man took the silver note and turned to leave the Longsheng Inn.

...

「The Cui Family.」

The Patriarch, Cui Jiushan, was a large, heavyset man. He was rolling two glossy, polished toad-head walnuts in his hand, a smile on his face.

Besides being the Patriarch of the Cui Family, he actually had another identity.

Vice Director of the Cangshui Celestial Observation Bureau.

Although his position was only nominal, giving him no real power, and he rarely visited the Observatory, the title was the very reason he’d been able to contend with them for so long.

Miao Yan stood before Cui Jiushan, his head lowered, not daring to meet Cui Jiushan’s gaze.

He knew full well how terrifying his patron was.

Don’t be fooled by Cui Jiushan’s smiling face; no one could ever guess what he was thinking.

”Miao Yan... I put in a great deal of effort to help you become the Gang Leader of the Blood River Gang.”

”And now, you’ve given up Cangshui Pier without so much as a word.”

”I am truly quite disappointed in you.”

Cui Jiushan didn’t seem angry; a smile remained on his face.

”Patriarch... you know how strong that Han Yuan is.”

”He brought so many men with him. He was clearly looking to kill someone.”

”If I had shown myself, I would have had no chance of survival,” Miao Yan hurriedly explained.

”I know... Otherwise, did you think you’d still be able to speak with me?” Cui Jiushan said softly.

”As long as you understand, Patriarch.”

”Where there’s life, there’s hope.”

”Without us managing Cangshui Pier, it will soon descend into chaos.”

”When that time comes, the Observatory will naturally come begging us to return,” Miao Yan said.

”So, for the next few days, you will stay here and behave.”

”Don’t go anywhere.”

Cui Jiushan’s expression finally turned cold.

”Rest assured, Patriarch.”

”To save my own skin...”

”I wouldn’t dare run off,” Miao Yan said quickly.

”You are dismissed,” Cui Jiushan said with a wave of his hand.

”Someone will show you to a guest room shortly.”

After Miao Yan left the main hall, a figure quietly appeared.

”Big Brother... it seems the Observatory’s dissatisfaction with us has reached its peak.”

”Are we really going to play hardball with them?”

This man was Cui Jiushan’s younger brother, Cui Zhuo.

”No rush... If the Cui Family backs down just because the Observatory sent out a single Han Yuan, how will we maintain our standing in Cangshui County Town in the future?”

”Let’s give them the cold shoulder for a few days. We’ll talk after Nie Jing comes to my door in person.”

Cui Jiushan squeezed the walnuts, his eyes glinting.

He naturally didn’t want to have a total falling-out with the Observatory.

But if they wanted him to back down, the Observatory would have to offer some benefits.

And not resort to these kinds of tactics.

”That’s true.”

”We’ll just see who gets anxious first.”

Cui Zhuo nodded.

...

「Evening.」

Han Yuan was still in the Longsheng Inn, cracking melon seeds.

Zhai Mu, disguised as a common man, walked into the inn again and sat down across from him.

”I found him.”

”That Miao Yan is very cautious. He didn’t go hide with his old flame, but ran straight to the Cui Family,” Zhai Mu said softly.

”The cowardly turtle is really thorough about hiding in his shell.”

Hearing this, Han Yuan couldn’t help but laugh.

’It’s clear Miao Yan is terrified of me, hiding away in the Cui Family residence, too scared to come out.’

”Don’t worry, I’ll have people watch the Cui Family during this time.”

”The moment Miao Yan appears, I’ll come and inform you,” Zhai Mu continued.

’With Miao Yan hiding in the Cui residence, making a move is definitely out of the question. We’ll just have to wait for him to come out.’

”Who says we can’t make a move?”

”In fact, I’m going to make a move,” Han Yuan said nonchalantly.

Zhai Mu’s expression was one of great shock. ”Lord Han, that’s the Cui Mansion! They have three True Qi Realm Martial Artists guarding it.”

’I can’t believe Han Yuan would even think of something like sneaking into the Cui Mansion to kill someone.’

Han Yuan chuckled. ”Of course I know it’s the Cui Mansion.”

”But who would ever think I’d be so bold?”

”As long as I’m careful, there’s a chance.”

Zhai Mu still felt Han Yuan was being too reckless and tried to persuade him further.

Han Yuan waved his hand dismissively. ”Don’t think it’s impossible for me to succeed.”

”Even if I don’t succeed, you wait at the Observatory for my signal. The moment it appears, go find Du Qiuxu. He will naturally come to rescue me.”

Zhai Mu frowned. ”My lord, must you kill this Miao Yan, no matter what?”

Han Yuan nodded. ”He must die.”

Zhai Mu didn’t press the issue, merely nodding in agreement.

The two of them discussed a few more details about the night’s operation.

After night fell, they split up and began their operation.