Martial Saint through Reading

Inside the room, Xiao Wen surprisingly hadn’t fallen asleep yet, his eyes red as he studied the Purple Sandalwood Sculpture, seemingly quite fond of it.

After probing for a moment, Chu Ming saw no sign of him resting and could only withdraw his Sword Gourd Spirit.

He had originally planned to deal with the Wolf Pattern Crown hidden within the Purple Sandalwood Sculpture while Xiao Wen was asleep.

But since Xiao Wen wouldn’t let go of it, he had no way to proceed for the moment.

After a brief pause, he took out a Wind Spirit Race communication leaf, and with his Heart Spirit, sent a message: ”Find me some Purple Palace Round Wood.”

Before setting off, he had already sent a message, instructing the Wind Spirit Race to send a hundred clansmen to Pingzhong County.

Calculating the distance from the Wind Spirit Race’s territory to Pingzhong County, they should have arrived by now.

As for the Purple Palace Round Wood, it was a material very similar in appearance to the Purple Sandalwood Spirit Wood, but the former is more common.

He planned to use the Purple Palace Round Wood to craft a replica of the Purple Sandalwood Sculpture and seize an opportunity to replace Xiao Wen’s sculpture.

...

Shan County, Zhang Mansion.

The Zhang Mansion was the residence of Zhang, the County Magistrate of Shan County, and also the home of Tang Xuan’s wife from the River Transport Headquarters.

”My lord, the Counselor has sent word that there are issues with the batch of provisions in Pingzhong County that require you to delay matters a bit longer.” A person reported kneeling before Tang Xuan.

”What happened? Who dares to meddle with the provisions?” Tang Xuan frowned.

”My lord, it’s the Great Derivation Sect from Pingzhong County causing trouble.”

”Great Derivation Sect? I recall this sect being one of the top sects in Pingzhong County, usually on good terms with the Commandery Mansion. Why would they suddenly rebel?”

”I heard it’s related to the Qin Capital.”

”Speak.”

”My lord, the current Crown Prince is secretly forming a ’Martial Immortal Alliance,’ using a Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm cultivation technique to recruit heroes from all over.”

”How does this relate to the Great Derivation Sect’s rebellion?”

”Because the Martial Artist in the Meridian Unlocking Realm of the Great Derivation Sect was unwilling to join the ’Martial Immortal Alliance,’ the Crown Prince, in a fit of anger, found an excuse to order the encirclement of the Great Derivation Sect in Pingzhong County.”

”The Great Derivation Sect was destroyed overnight, with only that Meridian Unlocking Realm martial artist and a small group of disciples escaping.”

”Because of this, the Great Derivation Sect turned to banditry, specifically targeting Pingzhong County.”

”Somehow, they learned that Pingzhong County was preparing a batch of provisions and set a night fire, affecting the Hundred Strategies Envoy’s plans.”

”Martial Immortal Alliance, cultivation technique as a lure...hah, interesting, the Crown Prince wants to make an example out of them, doesn’t he?”

”Inform the Counselor that I will try to delay as much as possible.”

”Understood, my lord.”

”...”

...

Morning.

Before the door even opened, noises could already be heard outside.

Chu Ming and Shen Yu walked out of the room, followed by Xiao Wen and Generals Han Ji and Han Jin also coming out from inside.

”What’s going on, why is it so noisy outside?”

Xiao Wen’s eyes were slightly bloodshot. Staying up all night studying the Purple Sandalwood Sculpture left him feeling a bit dizzy.

At this moment.

Tang Xuan from the River Transport Headquarters and County Magistrate Zhang rushed in hurriedly.

”Brother Xiao, my apologies for disturbing your rest.”

”Brother Tang, what’s going on outside? Is someone causing trouble at the County Yamen?”

Xiao Wen shook his head, still feeling uncomfortable.

Next time, he told himself, he shouldn’t stay up like this again.

He then turned slightly, looking at Chu Ming beside him.

Last night, the lamp in Chu Ming’s room seemed to be on the whole time as well.

Commissioner of Canal Transport Mr. Chu likes reading, so he must have been reading all night.

But...how did this guy look so energetic?

Could it be because he’s young?

”Brother Xiao, you’re jesting. This matter is the fault of my wife,” Tang Xuan first cupped his hands in apology, then gave a peculiar look at Chu Ming:

”My wife’s family, some youngsters, heard that the Commissioner of Canal Transport from the Qin Capital, the century’s first talent in Xirong County, is here at the County Yamen, and insisted on meeting him.”

Youngsters? Meet?

Shen Yu stared: ”Afraid ’meet’ isn’t their only intent?”

Tang Xuan quickly cupped his hands again: ”They’re just some wet-behind-the-ears kids with strong competitive spirits; I hope Lord Shen will forgive them.”

Just then, a sound of dense footsteps came from outside the courtyard.

And then.

”Hurry back, this is where Lord Envoy rests. Don’t be ignorant!” A woman’s voice called out.

As soon as the words fell, the courtyard entrance was blocked.

”Brother Tang, are these the youngsters you mentioned?!”

Xiao Wen fixed his gaze on the entrance, where there were about fifteen or sixteen people.

Tang Xuan felt slightly awkward and quickly turned around, scolding towards the entrance, ”All of you, get back! Do you know your own weight?”

”Commissioner of Canal Transport Mr. Chu is an imperial official recommended by several lords, carrying out tasks. You’d better study diligently for the examination.”

It sounded like a reprimand, but the words clearly carried a tone of goading.

Xiao Wen’s expression changed slightly. At first, he didn’t understand how a dignified County Government Office could be invaded by a group of Junior Examinees.

Now it seemed, it was most likely orchestrated intentionally by his friend Tang Xuan.

Judging from his words, Tang Xuan seemed to want to use Chu Ming’s reputation to earn some for his family’s youngsters too?

”Uncle, we just want to meet the century’s first talent of Xirong County. It’s been many years since anyone dared to claim the title of first talent in our Pingzhong County.”

A Junior Examinee, about seventeen or eighteen years old, in scholar’s robes, stepped forward, slightly provocatively looking into the courtyard.

”Brother Tang, this is too much.” Xiao Wen walked to the courtyard entrance, stern-faced, ”We still have to head to the County City of Pingzhong County. Brother Tang, let these young scholars leave; otherwise...”

As the words fell, Han Ji and Han Jin, both wielding spears, walked over.

They said nothing, showed no expression, yet their mere presence imposed such pressure that the hearts of the young scholars raced with fear.

The more timid ones even had weak knees.