I Grind to Martial Saint

”I call you Magistrate Qian out of respect.”

”Who do you really think you are?”

Lü Song sneered, looking at Magistrate Qian in his official uniform.

Magistrate Qian flew into a rage upon hearing Lü Song’s words. ”Lü Song, I know you’re here for Wanghai. Let me tell you something.”

”It doesn’t matter who comes for him this time. He will die, no matter what!”

”If you’ve got the guts, go ahead and kill me, the County Magistrate!”

The fact that he had been cuckolded was already common knowledge throughout Mingzhi County.

A man lives and dies by his pride.

If he just let Wanghai go like this, how could he ever show his face in Mingzhi County again?

He’d probably be ridiculed by everyone on the streets.

Lü Song narrowed his eyes, gave him a look, and turned to leave without another word.

”Hmph.”

”What a piece of trash!”

Magistrate Qian snorted coldly.

But soon after, a government official rushed in, his face panicked.

”Sir!”

”Lü Song stormed the prison by himself and broke Wanghai out!”

Magistrate Qian’s expression changed, and he roared, ”What?! Does he have no respect for the law?!”

The government official didn’t dare to answer.

Magistrate Qian, his face contorted with rage, demanded, ”And you people, why didn’t you try to stop him?!”

The government official still didn’t answer, just kept his head lowered!

”Fine!!!”

”I will report this matter to the County Government Office!”

Magistrate Qian roared, having lost all reason.

In an alley outside the County Yamen.

”First Senior Brother!”

”Thank you for this!”

The listless Wanghai cupped his fists at Lü Song in thanks.

”Enough... I don’t think that Magistrate Qian will let you off the hook. You should come back to the sect with me for now.”

Lü Song said lightly.

”First Senior Brother, I need to go take care of my lover first.”

”I’ll return to the mountain tomorrow!”

But Wanghai didn’t want to return to the Sect with Lü Song.

”You, still thinking about that lover of yours.”

”I see you dying because of this sooner or later.”

Lü Song frowned.

”First Senior Brother, just this once.”

”I’m begging you.”

Wanghai pleaded.

”Fine... Just remember to return to the sect soon.”

Lü Song couldn’t be bothered to argue with him; after all, it was just a matter of one day.

With that said, he turned and left.

Wanghai, however, left in another direction, turning into a small alley.

He didn’t go looking for his lover. Instead, he lay in wait near the County Yamen.

Wanghai was vindictive by nature.

He had been thoroughly tortured this time in prison and naturally couldn’t swallow this insult.

’So what if you’re the County Magistrate?’

’Once I kill you and return to the Sect, who can do anything to me!’

Wanghai sneered inwardly.

Soon, night fell quietly.

Wanghai carefully snuck into the inner courtyard of the County Yamen.

After finding Magistrate Qian’s room, he knocked lightly on the door.

”Who is it?”

Magistrate Qian, who hadn’t yet gone to bed, asked with a frown.

Hearing a voice inside, Wanghai didn’t hesitate. He kicked the door open and charged into the room.

”You!!!”

Seeing Wanghai’s terrifying, savage expression, Magistrate Qian was instantly scared into trembling all over.

But Wanghai’s eyes were cold. With a swing of his longsword, he lopped off Magistrate Qian’s head.

”Ptooey!”

”Crooked official!”

After spitting, Wanghai quickly left the County Yamen and headed back toward the Cyan Cloud Sect.

It was just killing a County Magistrate. He felt that as long as he hid in the Cyan Cloud Sect for a while, nothing would happen to him.

.....

「Eight days passed in the blink of an eye.」

During these eight days, Han Yuan had barely rested, cultivating the Eight Extremes Demon-slaying Saber day and night. He also consumed various Elixir Pills to nourish his body.

He cultivated over and over, as if possessed.

His subordinates didn’t dare to disturb him.

Finally, immersed in his cultivation, Han Yuan suddenly felt a tremor in his hands.

BUZZ~~~~

The Dragon Sparrow Cloud-Splitting Saber suddenly began to vibrate, emitting a sound like the cry of a ferocious bird.

With a thought, Han Yuan circulated his Innate Great Demon Qi and infused it into the Dragon Sparrow Cloud-Splitting Saber.

PFFT~~~

A faint, vicious black light suddenly coated the surface of the Dragon Sparrow Cloud-Splitting Saber.

This wasn’t Innate Great Demon Qi... but rather Sword Evil, formed by mixing his Essence, Qi, and Spirit!

This Sword Evil could not only enhance the power of the Dragon Sparrow Cloud-Splitting Saber but could even be used for mid-range attacks.

”Slash!”

Han Yuan let out a low roar and swung the Dragon Sparrow Cloud-Splitting Saber through the air with one hand!

A streak of black Sword Evil shot out like a Wind Blade, slamming into a rockery in the backyard pond.

BOOM!!!

The next moment, the rockery violently exploded, turning into countless fragments.

’Attacking with True Qi projected from the body... originally, that’s something only achievable after reaching the Gang Essence Realm.’

’I didn’t expect to be able to do it after perfecting the Eight Extremes Demon-slaying Saber.’

Han Yuan muttered to himself.

He looked at his Skill Proficiency Panel.

Eight Extremes Demon-slaying Saber: Perfection (Sword Evil)

His mind gently focused on the two words ”Sword Evil.”

Sword Evil: An Evil Qi formed by the fusion of ferocious energy and True Qi, capable of making a blade sharper and more terrifying.

Besides forming Sword Evil, after the Eight Extremes Demon-slaying Saber reached Perfection, Han Yuan felt his arms undergoing some kind of change, as if they were better suited for gripping the saber and exerting force.

Of course, this change was naturally accompanied by intense pain.

But Han Yuan was already used to it, silently enduring.

Now, he didn’t even show a hint of pained ferocity on his face.

All that remained was a calmness as deep as a tranquil pool.

Half an incense stick later, Han Yuan rolled his neck, sheathed the Dragon Sparrow Cloud-Splitting Saber, and turned to walk into the main hall.

He had been cultivating these past few days and didn’t know what was happening in the outside world.

He had the Black Death Guard on duty outside the hall summon Zhai Mu.

Before long, Zhai Mu walked into the main hall.

As soon as he entered the hall, Zhai Mu saw Han Yuan sitting in the main seat.

When his gaze met Han Yuan’s, he felt a tearing, shattering sensation in his eyes!

Zhai Mu quickly closed his eyes, and only then did the painful sensation subside.

Just now, Han Yuan’s eyes had felt exceptionally ferocious and terrifying, as if he were being cut by a blade or stared down by a savage beast.

Han Yuan also realized the problem with himself.

This was because the Eight Extremes Demon-slaying Saber had just broken through, and the Sword Evil Divine Power had only recently formed. He hadn’t yet fully mastered it, which was causing this phenomenon.

After all, the Innate Great Demon Qi was inherently extreme, so the Evil Intent it formed was naturally terrifying.

He reined in his aura and then asked, ”Zhai Mu, has anything happened these past few days?”

Zhai Mu gave a wry smile. ”Indeed, there are two matters to report to you.”

”First, of course, are the Wuyun Bandits. They have already set out from Sheep Head Mountain and are heading straight for our Cangshui County Town.”

Hearing this, Han Yuan asked softly, ”Have the Wuyun Bandits attacked any county seats along the way?”

”No, they haven’t... They probably don’t want to waste time and are marching straight for us.”

Zhai Mu replied.

Han Yuan nodded lightly.

’It seems the Wuyun Bandits also want to take advantage of the period while the Province Mansion is preoccupied with Tongming County to capture Cangshui County.’

’If the situation in Tongming County changes and the Province Mansion can free up forces to provide support, Cangshui County will be much harder to take.’

”How much longer will it take for the Wuyun Bandits to reach the vicinity of Cangshui County Town?”

Han Yuan asked again.

”At their current marching speed, it will probably take another ten days.”

Zhai Mu said in a low voice.

Sheep Head Mountain itself is relatively far from Cangshui County Town.

Moreover, they were marching with a large force this time, so their speed would naturally be a bit slower.

’Ten days... That’s enough time.’

Han Yuan felt that ten days should be enough for him to cultivate another martial art to Perfection.

”Besides this, is there any other news?”

Han Yuan asked softly.

”There is one other thing... The County Magistrate of Mingzhi County was murdered in the inner courtyard of the County Yamen three days ago...”

”The murderer... has yet to be found.”

Zhai Mu said grimly.

”Mingzhi County? Isn’t that the Cyan Cloud Sect’s territory?”

Han Yuan’s eyes narrowed.

”The Director is correct, it is the county seat where the Cyan Cloud Sect is located.”

”According to a report from the Flying Eagle Guard undercover there, the County Magistrate’s death is very likely related to a disciple of the Cyan Cloud Sect.”

”However, since it involves the Cyan Cloud Sect, Prefect Wen doesn’t dare to handle it carelessly, so he wanted to ask for your opinion.”

Zhai Mu said.

The Three Major Sects of Cangshui County are powerful and have deep roots.

When Nie Jing was here, he had a headache figuring out how to weaken the Three Major Sects.

What’s more, with the current situation—Cangshui County in a precarious state—it had to be handled with even more caution.

’Truly a season of troubles.’

”Let’s deal with the Wuyun Bandits first.”

Han Yuan said in a deep voice.

”Understood.” Zhai Mu nodded.

After making his report, he took his leave and departed.

Han Yuan also sat down cross-legged in the main hall and summoned his Skill Proficiency Panel.

Host: Han Yuan

Innate Great Demon Skill: Second Layer (165/800)

Black Whale Oversea Skill: Perfection (Transformed Whale)

Giant Spirit Monument-Opening Hand: Minor Success (1300/1800)

Seven Stars Step: Great Success (28/1800)

Eight Extremes Demon-slaying Saber: Perfection (Sword Evil)

After these days of cultivation, his Innate Great Demon Skill had finally broken through to the Second Layer.

However, Han Yuan didn’t have the time or energy to focus on it right now.

His gaze fell upon the Seven Stars Step.

His Giant Spirit Monument-Opening Hand was currently only at the Minor Success Realm. It would be impossible to cultivate it to Perfection within ten days, even if he were to split himself in two.

Therefore, the Seven Stars Step was his only choice.

’First, I need to stabilize my qi and blood.’

Han Yuan took out a few Elixir Pills and swallowed them.

The breakthrough of the Eight Extremes Demon-slaying Saber to Perfection had caused some damage to his body during its transformation.

Han Yuan circulated his Great Demon True Qi, slowly repairing these injuries.

With his physique, these injuries were not a major concern.

Five or six hours later, he finally opened his eyes.

By now, the sky had long since descended into darkness.

Han Yuan got up, left the main hall, and returned to the backyard to begin the grueling training of the Seven Stars Step.

Instantly, he seemed to transform into a blur of black light, flickering constantly around the courtyard, moving so fast that he was impossible to see clearly.

....

Time flowed on slowly.

The atmosphere in Cangshui County Town grew increasingly tense.

The common people all knew the Wuyun Bandits would be arriving soon, and many chose to leave to escape the ravages of war.

The price of grain had also risen significantly.

Fortunately, the Bai Family, which had previously monopolized the grain trade, had now been eliminated.

Now, the price of grain was mainly controlled by the Huang Family.

With Han Yuan presiding over the Observatory, the Huang Family didn’t dare to inflate the grain prices, and could only keep them within a reasonable range.

Almost no shops were open on the streets, and the common people who hadn’t left Cangshui County Town were all hiding in their homes.

However, the number of patrolling government officials and constables was increasing.

Even the County Soldiers had joined the daily patrols, clad in armor and holding long spears.

The four city walls were now packed with the figures of soldiers.

The city gates were strictly controlled, and everyone entering or leaving was carefully inspected.