Martial Saint through Reading

With the young Horde Lord of Kuirong Zhi from the Nine Hordes Kingdom in hand, given Master Xiang Yue’s methods, I fear it’s not just about Yangjia City alone.

”I’d really like to know what you were up to in the Nine Hordes Kingdom these past few days?” Shen Yu asked in astonishment.

Chu Ming only gave a gentle smile. ”Brother Shen, once Commander Xiang sends back the triumphant report, you’ll know.”

”Rather, I’m curious—while I was away these days, how did you explain things to County Magistrate Xiao, Brother Shen?”

”That was simple. I said you went to Baiyuan County to find Feng Yuan and study the Mountain Scripture together.”

”County Magistrate Xiao didn’t question further?” This excuse could not bear scrutiny.

”Too much happened these few days. Even if Old Xiao harbored doubts, he couldn’t spare the effort to think too much.” Shen Yu replied.

Chu Ming gave a slight nod, then asked again, ”Has the imperial order to deploy supplies from Pingzhong County not yet arrived from the Qin Capital?”

It was already the fourth day. The order should have arrived long ago, but judging by Shen Yu’s expression, that seemed not to be the case.

”No!” Shen Yu’s expression immediately became grave upon hearing this. ”Old Xiao received a letter—they said someone in the Qin Capital was deliberately blocking the dispatch of the imperial order for grain allocation.”

”Blocking the dispatch of the grain allocation order?”

Chu Ming’s brows furrowed.

The Tiger Armor Army expands territory for the Great Qin Dynasty, yet someone in the Qin Capital plays tricks with the rations!

He recalled some things Master once said to him upon first joining the Tiger Armor Army.

Not to make a show of his talents, that the Tiger Armor Army’s situation was precarious...

Now, it seemed, the source indeed lay in the Qin Capital.

But, is it really as simple as someone just playing tricks?

...

The Great Qin Dynasty, Qin Capital, Imperial City, side hall.

Upon the golden dragon throne sat a man with a golden crown upon his head and robed in gold.

Below, there stood respectfully an elder with slightly graying hair and deep-set eyes.

”Left Minister, about the imperial order, you have endured much.” The man in the golden robe spoke with authority.

”To relieve Your Majesty’s worries is this old minister’s bounden duty.” The elder bowed deeply in reply.

”You may withdraw.”

”Yes, Your Majesty.”

The elder bowed and departed.

The figure in the golden robe on the throne looked without emotion at his retreating back, his thoughts inscrutable.

Moments later, someone requested an audience at the front of the hall.

”Enter,” he said.

Soon, a middle-aged man entered the hall, also clad in a golden robe, though of a slightly dimmer hue.

”Royal Father.”

”Mm.” The figure atop the throne gave a slight nod. ”Wushi, do you think your father’s actions are correct?”

”...” The Crown Prince, Chang Qin Wushi, fell silent for a moment before replying, ”Your son dares not speculate on Father’s intentions, but your son knows one thing: Our Great Qin Dynasty bears the name Chang Qin, not Xiang, not Xiao, not Zuo, and certainly not Sikong.”

”Wushi, over the years, you have grown much.” The man in the golden robe praised him.

”West Xiang’s three hundred thousand Tiger Armor Army, East Xiao’s six hundred thousand Eastern Expedition Army, Southern Sikong’s eight hundred thousand Shizhen Army—Wushi, these are our Great Qin’s soldiers, yes?” he asked again, curiously.

”Yes, Royal Father!” answered Crown Prince Chang Qin Wushi.

”Then why does your father hear that there are those who hold military power for their own ambitions?”

”Royal Father...” Chang Qin Wushi hesitated to speak.

”Speak.”

Chang Qin Wushi bowed, ”The words of Prime Minister Zuo must not be fully believed.”

”You think your father is old?”

”Wushi would never dare.” Chang Qin Wushi quickly knelt down.

The man in the golden robe stood and stepped down from the hall.

”Rise.”

”Yes.”

”Wushi, you should know: the Tiger Armor Army of West Xiang, the East Xiao Expedition Army, the Southern Sikong Zhen Army, and even the old ministers in court are merely chess pieces for your father.”

”What truly worries me is that King of North Snow in Bei Xue County—your father’s elder brother.”

”Royal Father is concerned that King of North Snow might be secretly in league with West Xiang, East Xiao, and Southern Sikong?” asked Chang Qin Wushi.

”They dare!” the golden-robed man suddenly roared in anger. ”How goes the matter I ordered you to investigate?”

”Reporting to Royal Father, it has been fully investigated.”

”Speak.”

”That Blood Demon Sect Leader mainly seeks to infiltrate Xirong County, Pingzhong County, Chi’an County, Yi Wang County, as well as North Snow County.”

Apart from North Snow County, the first four counties all border the western edge of the Great Qin Dynasty’s territory.

”In my opinion, the West Xiang Tiger Armor Army is most likely to be connected with King of North Snow...”

At these words, the golden-robed man’s face grew even more enraged.

”West Xiang Tiger Armor Army!”

Chang Qin Wushi dared not continue. The hall sank into silence.

After a long while—

The man in the golden robe spoke again.

”How goes the other matter?”

”Reporting to Royal Father, your son has already commanded Fifth and Seventh Brothers to gather talented men from thirteen counties and establish the First-Grade Cold Family.”

”And martial artists?” inquired the golden-robed man.

”In the realm of martial artists, your son has founded the Martial Immortal Alliance, using Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm techniques as bait to recruit outstanding talent under heaven.”

”Good.” The man in the golden robe nodded slightly. ”There is no need to deliberately hide the existence of the First-Grade Cold Family and the Martial Immortal Alliance. Let those civil officials and military generals know there’s your shadow behind them.”

”Your son understands.”

”Go.”

”Your son takes his leave.”

Chang Qin Wushi withdrew, the eyes of the golden-robed man dark and watchful.

”Wushi, oh Wushi, do not let your father be disappointed, or else...”

He waved his great hand; from the shadows, two figures emerged, their aura terrifying beyond measure.

”Master Tang, Master Hong, I leave Wushi’s affairs to the two of you.”

”Rest assured, Your Majesty.”

The two melted back into the darkness.

The hall was again left with the golden-robed man alone.

Suddenly, a beam of golden light shot into the hall.

Golden light blossomed, and several large characters floated in the air.

”Imperial Mausoleum—come at once.”

The golden-robed man saw this and his expression changed dramatically.

”Attendants.”

”Your Majesty.”

”Prepare the carriage.”

”...”

...

Great Qin Imperial Mausoleum, in a courtyard.

The Emperor of the Great Qin Dynasty stood respectfully outside the courtyard.

”Zheng’er, come in.” A calm voice sounded from within.

The Emperor, Chang Qin Wenzheng, carefully entered the courtyard.

Within sat two other figures, also clad in golden robes, of youthful appearance—one male, one female.

”Forebear Ancestor.”

Chang Qin Wenzheng bowed deeply to the two, but they drank their tea, attending to none but themselves.

After a cup of tea, the man turned his gaze upon Chang Qin Wenzheng.

”You wish to act against Shuo?”

”Grandson...I did not...” Chang Qin Wenzheng stammered.

”Did not?” The other, a young woman, set down her teacup, her tone tinged with anger. ”You fear Shuo threatens your position?”

”Forebear Ancestor, Grandson is wronged!” Chang Qin Wenzheng, terrified, hurriedly knelt.

”What do you fear?” The woman continued.

”Grandson...Grandson...” Beads of sweat oozed from Chang Qin Wenzheng’s forehead.

”Bei Xue County was divided to Shuo by me,” the man said placidly, ”but it wouldn’t be impossible for you to take it back.”

A spark flickered in Chang Qin Wenzheng’s heart.

”But remember, what has allowed the Changqin Race to rule the Great Qin Dynasty for a thousand years?”

”Thank you, Forebear Ancestor.” Chang Qin Wenzheng, upon hearing this, was overjoyed inside.

With these words, it was clear that the two Forebear Ancestors of the Great Qin Dynasty tacitly permitted him to move against King of North Snow, Chang Qin Wenshuo.

The Great Qin, to this day, owes its survival to cunning and strength.

Victor becomes king, the vanquished a bandit!

”Go.”

”This grandson takes his leave.”

Chang Qin Wenzheng departed, leaving only the two in the courtyard.

”Elder Brother, is it truly right to let Zheng’er move against Shuo?” the young woman asked in a low voice.

”Does right or wrong matter?” The man turned his teacup. ”So long as our dynasty’s borders are secured, it matters little whether Zheng’er or Shuo sits on the throne.”

”What matters is, the capable one must hold the seat!”

”Alas...” The woman seemed hesitant, sighing, ”If you, Elder Brother, could take that final step, none of this would be necessary.”

At her words, the man fell silent.

After a long time, he slowly spoke: ”That step is so very hard.”

”Yes, so very hard.”

”I only hope this thousand-year upheaval may yet be delayed a little longer.”

”...”

...

Xirong County, Chu Mansion.

Chu Ming sat cross-legged in his room, a burning melting furnace before him.

Threads of primordial qi twined about the furnace, even more gathering within the body of the furnace.

Within the furnace, a clump of earth-yellow viscous substance floated, countless primordial qi strands threading through like needle and thread.

The blazing heat changed from yellow to red, from red to azure, finally tinged with streaks of blue within the green.

Amid this incandescence, it was as though an invisible giant hand kneaded and molded the substance.

The viscous lump, once formless, gradually became a square, then from square to cylindrical.

Its shape transformed ceaselessly, and under the manipulation of primordial consciousness, the primordial patterns engraved themselves harmoniously within the viscous form.

The interwoven elemental patterns took definite shape at a rate visible to the naked eye.

When the entire substance’s inner and outer surfaces bore the faint traces of primordial patterns, Chu Ming’s eyes shone with a brilliant light.

With a thought, he unleashed yet more primordial consciousness.

His primordial consciousness enveloped the viscous lump—like a master craftsman; the substance was swiftly molded into a short-sword’s shape.

With the sword thus formed, Chu Ming did not pause, his primordial consciousness drawing white primordial qi from his sea of consciousness to continue inscribing patterns.

As the sword’s interior and blade were traced with shimmering elemental lines, in that instant all the primordial patterns seemed to join as one, producing a certain resonance.

Buzzz—

A low hum emanated from the blade, heralding the success of refining the yellow sword, a true primordial artifact.

Chu Ming breathed a sigh of relief, his primordial consciousness wrapping about the yellow sword as it floated out of the furnace.

Before him there hovered a golden short sword, about twice the size of the Primordial Qi Black Blade, its body coursing with golden light.

Whoosh—

A thought sent the sword forth, piercing the air like the clear, crisp call of birds at dawn.

”A golden short sword...”

Chu Ming wiped the sweat from his brow, guiding the sword to his palm, examining it closely.

A primordial artifact short sword, forged by the law of elemental patterns—its power far surpassed the Black Blade wrought by ordinary methods.

Truly, the Black Blade could merely be called a pseudo-primordial artifact; it functioned only through primordial consciousness manipulation, lacking the might of elemental patterns.

So thinking, Chu Ming lightly waved his sleeve, and the Black Blade flew into the melting furnace.

The blazing heat flared, and the Black Blade soon melted back into liquid.

Purification, merging the patterns, shaping...

Time slipped by.

As night fell, a brand-new Primordial Black Blade shot out from the furnace.

A golden short sword, a Black Blade—both now true primordial artifacts forged with the law of elemental patterns.

”Young Master, it’s time to eat!” Little Shan’s voice came from outside.

”Coming.”

With a sweep of his hand, the melting furnace vanished.

Venturing out, Chu Ming found Shen Yu waiting beneath the pavilion, a dozen dishes arrayed upon the stone table.

”Shan’er, fetch some fruit brew.”

”All right.”

Little Shan brought fruit brew, and Chu Ming took out a small drop of Azure Ancient Juice, adding a bit to each cup.

”Young Master, what’s this?” Little Shan asked, curious.

Shen Yu, upon smelling the Azure Ancient Juice’s fragrant aroma, his eyes lit up at once.

”Could it be...”

”Azure Ancient Juice,” Chu Ming said with a smile.

”It really is Azure Ancient Juice!” Shen Yu exclaimed in shock. ”This is a treasure of nature and heaven, and you’d let me and Little Shan have a taste?”

”Yes, if Brother Shen doesn’t like it, then Little Shan and I will drink it.”

”No, no...let me try it.”

Once full and content, Shen Yu practiced martial arts in the courtyard.

”Chu Ming, Old Xiao said the reason the grain allocation order has been delayed is because a bunch of Left Prime Minister’s men whispered something in His Majesty’s ear in the Qin Capital.”

”Left Prime Minister?” Chu Ming coached Shen Yu on his stances.

”Yes, Prime Minister Zuo Yuan—a sly old fox with deep schemes. If you ever enter the Qin Capital, be sure to guard against him.” Shen Yu remarked indignantly, ”Back then, it was he who reported me to His Majesty for reviling him.”

Zuo Yuan?