Martial Saint through Reading

Xirong County.

Baili Mansion, Lake Heart Pavilion.

”The Hundred Strategies Envoy is ingenious. With Xiao Jianxin seriously injured this time, controlling Xirong County is within reach,” laughed Pei Yan, the Blood Servant.

Baili Xinghua, however, shook his head slowly: ”Pei Blood Servant, although Xiao Jianxin is seriously injured, he ultimately hasn’t died. Seizing Xirong County won’t be that easy.”

”Why do you say that?” Pei Yan, the Blood Servant, frowned.

”Yesterday’s battle, indeed the Four Great Bloodthirsty Guards severely injured Xiao Jianxin, but their tracks were also exposed. Xiao He has probably already reported to Qin Capital.”

”I estimate that in a few days, Qin Capital will send someone here,” Baili Xinghua said solemnly.

”Is the Hundred Strategies Envoy worried about this?” Pei Yan laughed again, ”There’s no need to worry; Qin Capital won’t send anyone!”

”Does Pei Blood Servant know something?” Baili Xinghua asked in slight surprise, ”Would the Astronomical Bureau really ignore Xirong County?”

”Haha, the Hundred Strategies Envoy doesn’t know. If I act, the Astronomical Bureau will certainly come, but with just a few Lower Meridian Unlocking Realm Bloodthirsty Guards, the Astronomical Bureau won’t have the time to bother.”

”The Great Qin Dynasty has thirteen counties, not just one Xirong County. The Astronomical Bureau won’t take action,” Pei Yan sneered.

”Oh?” Baili Xinghua’s eyes lit up, ”Even if the Astronomical Bureau doesn’t act, what about the Xiao Family? One Han Ji has already disrupted the original plan, what if another Han Ji arrives?”

Yesterday, Baili Xinghua and the Blood Servant Pei Yan designed a trap to kill Xiao Jianxin, with the Four Great Bloodthirsty Guards joining forces, led by Xiao Jianxin’s son, Xiao Wu, they should have directly killed Xiao Jianxin.

But General Han Ji rushed in at the last moment, saving Xiao Jianxin, causing the plan to fail.

”Hundred Strategies Envoy, I came here tonight precisely for this matter.” Pei Yan’s eyes suddenly turned grim.

”Xiao Jianxin must be killed. Once this person dies, Xirong County will undoubtedly fall into chaos, and my Blood Evil Sect can seize the opportunity to deeply control Xirong County.”

”Moreover, this person has already linked up the Twelve Major Meridians, stepping into the Lower Meridian Unlocking Realm, a rare material for refining Bloodthirsty Guards.”

”Tsk tsk, Hundred Strategies Envoy, think about it, both Xiao Jianxin and his son Xiao Wu are Blood Guards of my Blood Evil Sect. If that Grand General of the Xiao Family sees this...”

A sinister laughter spread in the Lake Heart Pavilion.

Baili Xinghua’s expression remained indifferent, as if he hadn’t heard at all: ”Pei Blood Servant wants to set another strike to kill Xiao Jianxin?”

”Precisely,” Pei Yan clapped lightly, and the Four Great Bloodthirsty Guards along with two shadows walked outside the pavilion, ”Lang Xi, the Hundred Strategies Envoy has seen before, and this is Lang Jin.”

”Hundred Strategies Envoy.” Lang Xi and Lang Jin from the Wolf Race saluted simultaneously.

Baili Xinghua glanced sideways, his voice calm: ”Four Great Bloodthirsty Guards, two Upper Meridian Unlocking Realm, Pei Blood Servant’s determination to kill Xiao Jianxin is very firm.”

”Hundred Strategies Envoy, this time, don’t fail again.”

”Rest assured, with Xiao Wu, this Blood Guard, it’s very easy to lure out Xiao Jianxin.”

”...”

...

Xirong County, East City, inside a dark house.

In the cramped darkness, there seemed to be two figures.

”What does the Hundred Strategies Envoy mean by this?” one person asked gravely, looking at the ore-like object on the table.

”Congratulations to Young Master Yaan for breaking through to the Primordial Qi Lake Realm,” Baili Xinghua said flatly.

”What a grand gesture by the Hundred Strategies Envoy,” Young Master Yaan picked up the ore, ”such a large piece of Primordial Qi Object, the Hundred Strategies Envoy must have spent considerable effort to obtain it.”

Baili Xinghua humbly replied, ”It’s what my subordinates should do.”

”Haha, the Hundred Strategies Envoy may as well speak directly,” Young Master Yaan collected the Primordial Qi Ore, finally revealing a trace of a smile, ”Considering this Primordial Qi Object, I can act once.”

”Tonight, Commandery Mansion.”

”Alright.”

”...”

...

Xirong County, Commandery Mansion.

”Sword Heart, why did you come out?” Xiao He was furrowing his brow over documents, but then saw Xiao Jianxin walking towards him, wrapped in white cloth.

At this moment, Xiao Jianxin’s face was pale, blood seeping from the chest area where the white cloth was wrapped.

”Brother, how can I rest?” Xiao Jianxin’s face was taut, ”I’ve always thought Xiao Wu died heroically on the battlefield, his body nowhere to be found. But now...now...”

”Xiao Wu has been turned into a wretched state by the Blood Evil Sect, neither human nor ghost, doesn’t even recognize me, his father!”

”Brother, tell me, how can I peacefully recover?!”

His fists clenched tightly, burning with anger.

Xiao Jianxin was like a volcano ready to erupt at any moment.

Xiao He, hearing this, wanted to say something but his throat seemed blocked by an invisible object, no words could come out.

He didn’t know how to console Xiao Jianxin, he himself couldn’t overcome this pain.

Xiao He and Xiao Jianxin were blood brothers, Xiao Wu was like his own son.

Xiao Wu’s fate was entirely due to Xiao He’s own actions.

If it weren’t for him sending his eldest son Xiao Yu and Xiao Wu to battle years ago, how could Xiao Wu face such a fate now?

”Brother, I, Xiao Jianxin, only have one son. If Xiao Wu had died heroically on the battlefield, I, Xiao Jianxin could have accepted it! But I absolutely cannot watch my son Xiao Wu be manipulated by the Blood Evil Sect!”

”Brother, I don’t understand, Qin Capital clearly knows the Blood Evil Sect is causing trouble in Xirong County, why haven’t they ordered a purge?”

”Instead, they let the Blood Evil Sect repeatedly harm the people?!”

Facing Xiao Jianxin’s rage-filled questioning, Xiao He lowered his eyelids, gradually showing an expression of sorrow and indignation.

After a long time.

He sighed and said, ”Sword Heart, I’ve asked Yu’er about this.”

”What did Little Yu say?!”

”Yu’er said that the Blood Evil Sect is connected to the King of North Snow. For the sake of the greater picture, Qin Capital won’t act against the Blood Evil Sect for now.”

”For the greater picture...the greater picture...what a ’greater picture’...” Xiao Jianxin suddenly laughed bitterly, ”Since Qin Capital is unwilling to act against the Blood Evil Sect, then I, Xiao Jianxin, will seize back Xiao Wu myself!”

”Sword Heart!” Xiao He stopped before him, his face serious: ”You’re not healed yet, where will you find Xiao Wu?”

Xiao Jianxin’s eyes were filled with anger as he took out a Blood Letter.

”Hmm?”

Xiao He opened the Blood Letter to read, the letter stated: Abandoned forest in the south of the city, midnight.

”Sword Heart, you cannot go, it’s a trap!” Xiao He was instantly anxious.

”What if it’s a trap?! Tonight, I must bring Xiao Wu back!”

Xiao Jianxin stepped out, leaped onto the high wall, and looked back, cupping his hands: ”Brother, I’m sorry.”

With those words, the figure vanished.

Xiao He was just an ordinary person, unable to stop Xiao Jianxin.

”Sword Heart...”

He hurriedly made his way to find his son, Xiao Wen.

”What, Uncle Shen went alone to find Xiao Wu?!” Xiao Wen exclaimed.

”Father, I’ll go find General Han Ji!”

”...”

A moment later.

”County Magistrate Xiao, Counselor Xiao, you should stay at the Commandery Mansion and avoid going out.”

”Thank you, General Han Ji.”

”...”

...

A secret place outside the Commandery Mansion.

”Yesterday the Blood Evil Sect trapped and ambushed Xiao Jianxin; even though he’s gravely injured, he left the mansion late at night...”

”It seems this Xirong County Government will be restless tonight.”

The Medicine Maniac’s eyes flickered as he flipped his hand to fetch something.

”You brats from the Blood Evil Sect, you’d better not come to the Commandery Mansion, otherwise I’ll make you taste my newly developed Life-taking Liquid!”

”...”

Ever since Chu Ming instructed the Medicine Maniac to secretly protect the Commandery Mansion, Yao Qi has been guarding the surrounding area day and night to prevent any mishaps.

...

Baili Mansion.

”Hundred Strategies Envoy, Xiao Jianxin has already fallen into the trap.”

”Good,” Baili Xinghua nodded slightly, ”The Four Great Blood Guards head to the forest in the south of the city to besiege Xiao Jianxin; Lang Jin, you go to the Commandery Mansion.”

”Yes.”

”Additionally,” Baili Xinghua paused, ”The mysterious expert guarding Chu Ming didn’t show up yesterday, but that doesn’t mean he won’t take action tonight. Pei Blood Servant should have Lang Xi keep an eye on the Chu Mansion.”

”Lang Xi, did you hear?”

”All follow the arrangements of the Hundred Strategies Envoy.”

”Rest assured, Hundred Strategies Envoy, Lang Xi has already mastered the Twelve Meridians; does that mysterious person’s skill surpass Xiao Jianxin’s?”

Tonight, they not only aim to kill Xiao Jianxin but also to seize control of the Commandery Mansion in one fell swoop!

For Xiao Jianxin, this is the blatant plan they have set up.

Choosing to protect the Commandery Mansion or his own blood, Xiao Wu?

The result is that Xiao Jianxin chose Xiao Wu.

And if the mysterious protector of Chu Ming takes action, Lang Xi at the Upper Meridian Unlocking Realm Perfection will step in to kill, along with Chu Ming.

...

Commandery Mansion.

”Old Xiao, what did you say, Xiao Jianxin and General Han Ji went to the forest south of the city?!” Shen Yu was both anxious and angry.

”Why didn’t you stop them? The forest south of the city is clearly a trap!”

”I couldn’t stop him; no one can stop Jianxin,” Xiao He sat on the chair, looking downcast.

”Uncle Shen, you can’t blame my father for this; the Blood Evil Sect is too ruthless, actually using Xiao Wu as a threat!” Xiao Wen said in a low voice beside him, his expression also grim.

”Alas...” Shen Yu sighed helplessly upon hearing this.

”Old Shen, with Jianxin and General Han Ji gone, the Blood Evil Sect might take the opportunity to cause chaos. I’ve already ordered Ye Hong to strengthen the defense of the Commandery Mansion.”

”...”

...

The night was as dark as ink.

Chu Mansion.

Chu Ming traveled quickly from Liuu Town to Baiyuan County, and then from Baiyuan County, finally returning home.

Just as he entered the mansion, the Sword Gourd Spirit sensed from afar that three presences were rapidly approaching.

”One at the Meridian Unlocking Realm Perfection! Two at the Refining Organ Perfection!”

The Meridian Unlocking Realm presence was cold-blooded like a wolf beast, while the two at the Refining Organ level exuded Blood Evil energy.

It seemed to be the Blood Evil Sect and the Wolf Race.

In just moments, the three experts had silently reached outside the mansion.

Hidden in the shadows, motionless, as if waiting for something.

Waiting for what?

Chu Ming walked slowly to the room where Little Shan prepared food; there weren’t many fresh ingredients inside, but there was some dried meat.

He sliced a piece of dried meat, then took a small piece of exotic beast meat from the golden fragments, and cooked them together.

Soon, the aroma of the meat filled the air.

He ate unhurriedly, the Sword Gourd Spirit still locked onto the three outside the mansion.

After finishing everything and no longer feeling hungry, he concealed himself in the darkness and moved towards the outside of the mansion.

Chu Mansion, southeast location.

”Lord Xi, we’ve been stationed here since last night, and again tonight. Why not go directly inside to kill?” A Refining Organ Perfection bragged, ”With Lord Xi’s strength, dealing with a mere civil servant is a matter of a finger flick.”

”Yeah, Lord Xi, we might as well...”

”Shut up!” Lang Xi’s icy gaze directed at the two, ”Anyone who keeps babbling, dies.”

”...” The two at the Refining Organ level immediately dared not utter another word.

But after a brief silence, another voice sounded: ”Why haven’t you gone in yet?”

”Hmm?!”

Lang Xi’s gaze suddenly sharpened, looking intensely at a spot.

The two at the Refining Organ level also looked over, seeing only darkness.

”Finally come out,” Lang Xi said gloomily.

”Yeah, came out for a walk after eating my fill.”

Chu Ming stepped out, seeming to break through the night space, revealing his form before the three.

”Someone!” The two at the Refining Organ level realized belatedly.

Lang Xi’s pupils shrank slightly.

If this person hadn’t spoken, he wouldn’t even have sensed anyone there.

Such stealth techniques...