I Grind to Martial Saint

Pinglin County Town lay on a vast plain blessed with fertile soil. It yielded a great deal of grain each year, making the local people relatively prosperous. As a result, public order was not as bad as in other county towns.

For a change, Han Yuan had made it all this way without running into any highway bandits or robbers.

A situation like this was a rare sight, even in Cangshui County Town.

’This Pinglin City is much better than I imagined.’

Han Yuan led his horse along the main road, his gaze falling upon the distant sight of farmers planting rice and a herdboy riding a water buffalo. For a rare moment, his mood grew tranquil.

”Sir, do you know the way to the Rain Flower Sect?”

Han Yuan asked an old farmer resting in the shade of a tree.

”Follow the main road straight ahead.”

”When you come to a fork in the road, take the smaller path to the right. Just keep following that, and you’ll reach the Rain Flower Sect.”

The old farmer was very helpful.

Han Yuan thanked him and was about to continue on his way.

But the old farmer spoke again, ”Young man, are you heading over to watch that Han Yuan visit the Rain Flower Sect?”

”No need to hide it from me. Before you, a dozen or so people have already asked me for directions.”

Han Yuan was at a loss for words for a moment, but he finally managed a wry smile. ”You’re right, sir.”

”I knew it.”

”You’d better be careful.”

”I hear that Han Yuan fellow is a harbinger of death descended to earth. He’s incredibly vicious and is especially fond of cleaving living people in two.”

”If you see him, make sure you stay far away.”

The old farmer warned him seriously.

Han Yuan could only smile helplessly. ”Don’t worry, sir. I’ll be sure to stay far away.”

Only then did the old farmer nod. ”There’s hope for you yet.”

With that, Han Yuan bid his farewells and left.

He followed the old farmer’s directions and, sure enough, came to a fork in the road before long.

He mounted his horse and galloped down the right-hand path.

...

The Rain Flower Sect, unlike the Cyan Cloud Sect, was not built in the mountains.

This was mainly because the terrain in Pinglin County offered no deep mountains or old-growth forests, so they had to build a manor on the plain instead.

By now, the gates of the Rain Flower Sect were already surrounded by a crowd of Martial World Wanderers, all gathered to watch the show.

Many had estimated that Han Yuan would reach Rain Flower Manor within a day or two, so they had naturally come early, afraid of missing the spectacle.

”I wonder when this Demon Blade Han Yuan will arrive.”

”If not today, then tomorrow.”

”Tsk, tsk. The Rain Flower Sect is full of gorgeous young women. I wonder if Han Yuan will have the heart to strike them.”

”Who knows.”

Many of the Martial World Wanderers discussed amongst themselves in hushed tones.

But they didn’t dare to step into the Rain Flower Sect.

This was because Situ Ya, the Sect Leader of the Rain Flower Sect, had issued an order: anyone who dared take even half a step inside would be killed without question.

These Martial World Wanderers were here for the show, not to throw their lives away, so of course, they didn’t dare set foot inside.

Just then, a figure in a long black robe appeared, slowly approaching as he led a horse.

The moment he appeared, the previously boisterous crowd of Martial World Wanderers fell silent, meekly parting to make a path.

There was only one thought in their minds.

’Han Yuan... he’s finally here!’

Even the two female disciples from the Rain Flower Sect standing guard at the gate looked panicked.

”Quick, go inform the Sect Leader and Senior Sister!”

the slightly older of the two female disciples said.

The other disciple nodded hurriedly and vanished in a flash.

Han Yuan paid the Martial World Wanderers no mind, walking at a steady, unhurried pace until he stood before the Rain Flower Sect’s main gate.

The remaining disciple stared at Han Yuan, her face pale, momentarily at a loss for words.

”Miss, would you please announce my arrival?”

”Tell them Han Yuan has come to pay a visit.”

Han Yuan said with a small smile.

Seeing Han Yuan’s smile, the female disciple, for some unknown reason, felt a chill run through her body, and her teeth began to chatter.

Seeing her reaction, Han Yuan couldn’t help but wonder,

’Is my smile really that frightening?’

”Director Han, you honor us with your visit. Forgive my discourtesy in not welcoming you sooner.”

A pleasant female voice drifted over.

A tall, slender woman in a long white dress approached, leading several dozen disciples.

The woman carried herself with a refined elegance, and her features were so perfect they seemed flawless.

”We’ve met somewhere before, haven’t we?”

Han Yuan asked, finding her familiar.

”I am Xu Yunyao. Director Han and I met once before, at the Drunken Immortal Tower.”

Xu Yunyao replied with graceful composure.

”Now I remember.”

”That day, you were with people from the Bai Family.”

Han Yuan nodded.

”Our Rain Flower Sect did indeed have some business dealings with the Bai Family in the past.”

Xu Yunyao admitted this freely, then gestured forward. ”Director Han, the Sect Leader is already waiting for you in the main hall.”

Han Yuan nodded and followed Xu Yunyao into the Rain Flower Sect.

”This isn’t what we expected.”

”Can’t you see? The Rain Flower Sect must be planning to use a honey trap.”

”Although Han Yuan’s martial arts are superb, he is, after all, a young man...”

Seeing that things weren’t playing out as they’d imagined, the crowd of Martial World Wanderers was stunned.

There was no tension in their exchange at all, none of the hostility they’d expected.

This naturally led their minds to wander in other directions.

However, these gossips weren’t about to leave. They simply remained camped out before the gate, waiting for Han Yuan to emerge.

...

As Han Yuan walked through the Rain Flower Sect, he observed its many pavilions and waterside verandas, all imbued with an air of classical elegance.

Moreover, just as the rumors claimed, the Rain Flower Sect was inhabited solely by women; there wasn’t a man in sight.

Upon arriving before a large hall...

A plain-looking middle-aged woman with seven or eight Elders had already been waiting for a long time.

”I am Situ Ya of the Rain Flower Sect. Greetings, Director Han.”

The middle-aged woman was the first to bow.

The Elders behind her followed suit.

”Greetings, Situ Sect Leader.”

Han Yuan returned the bow.

After the two exchanged some pleasantries, they entered the main hall and sat down.

Han Yuan sat alone on the left side, while on the right were Situ Ya and several Elders.

”Situ Sect Leader, I must admit, I thought I’d have to make a move or two today.”

As soon as Han Yuan sat down, he said with a light laugh.

Situ Ya shook her head. ”We are but simple women. What would we know of fighting and killing?”

”Surely Director Han... you wouldn’t wipe us out completely, would you?”

As she spoke, her eyes remained fixed on Han Yuan, gauging his reaction.

He remained calm.

He simply replied in a slow, deliberate tone, ”No, I wouldn’t do that. Everyone knows that I, Han Yuan, am a kind-hearted soul. I never do things like wiping people out.”

Hearing this, Xu Yunyao, who stood behind Situ Ya, couldn’t stop the corner of her mouth from twitching.

Situ Ya was naturally much more composed than her disciple. She smiled and said, ”Then it seems I was overthinking things.”

Han Yuan laughed loudly. ”Indeed, you were.”

For a moment, the atmosphere in the hall relaxed considerably.

Situ Ya inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.

’This Han Yuan... he probably really didn’t come here to wipe us out.’

’He’s likely just looking for a gesture of submission.’

Without hesitation, Situ Ya immediately declared her stance. ”Director Han, if you’ll have us, the Rain Flower Sect is willing to serve under your command!”

Han Yuan was somewhat surprised. He hadn’t expected Situ Ya to say something like that.

But judging by her expression and demeanor, she seemed to genuinely mean it, which made him a little suspicious.

As if reading his mind, Situ Ya smiled. ”You must find this strange, Director Han.”