Martial Saint through Reading

”Brother Shen, they’re already at the doorstep, aren’t we going to fight back?” Chu Ming chuckled softly.

”Your tactic of composing poems and recommendations not only put that Zhang You kid back in his place, but also gave Tang Xuan and that County Magistrate Zhang a good dose of humiliation. Truly satisfying.”

”Brother Shen, you’re exaggerating, I didn’t think that far ahead.” Chu Ming maintained his light smile.

”Didn’t think that far ahead?”

Shen Yu cast a meaningful glance as if saying: Who would believe that?

Chu Ming smiled without speaking.

In reality, there was indeed a reason for his actions.

Early on, when he heard the commotion outside, he used the Sword Gourd Spirit to detect the second Purple Sandalwood Sculpture and those forbidden books.

That’s right, the books Tang Xuan offered as a gift were forbidden books.

With just a brief thought, he realized that the River Transport Headquarters not only intended to frame Xiao Wen but also him.

So, he went along with the scheme and coordinated with the morning’s act.

”That Tang Xuan even thought to embarrass you in this way, not expecting you to play by different rules.”

”Speaking of which, that kid Zhang You was quite cooperative. The Shan County Zhang Family is full of talent.”

”...”

...

Shan County, Academy.

”Achoo!” Zhang You sneezed, then continued diligently writing poetry, stroke by stroke.

”Brother, is it done? Uncle is here, soon you’ll be recommended for an official position.”

”It’s done, it’s done!” Zhang You excitedly ran out with the poem in hand.

”Kneel down.”

”Uncle?”

”Beat!”

”Huh?”

”Ah—”

The heart-wrenching screams echoed in every corner of the academy.

...

At the gates of Shan County.

”Brother Tang, no need to see us off, we’ll drink together when we reach Qin Capital.”

”Alright, I wish Brother Xiao a smooth journey.”

Tang Xuan escorted everyone from the county government all the way to the city gates.

”By the way, Brother Xiao, there have been bandit disturbances recently outside the east city of Pingzhong County. You’d best take the west gate to avoid delays.”

”Bandits outside the east city?” Xiao Wen’s expression changed slightly, then he cupped his hands: ”Thank you, Brother Tang, for the reminder.”

”...”

Tang Xuan stood on the city wall, watching the departing carriage, his gaze gradually turning cold.

”Send a message to the Hundred Strategies Envoy that Chu Ming has left Shan County.”

”Yes.”

”...”

Half an hour later.

Tang Xuan and his wife sat in a carriage.

”Madam, I apologize for the inconvenience this time.”

”Being able to share my husband’s worries is my duty.”

”However, my husband, must you really resort to such harsh measures?”

”Without harsh measures, how can I make those in Qin Capital believe? How can your husband extricate himself?”

”If something happens to me, not only the Shan County Zhang Family, but even my Tang Family might be affected.”

Tang Xuan spoke with a flash of anger across his face.

”Hmph, back then, my Tang Family snatched away that opportunity for Baili Xinghua to enter Qin Capital, and he has always harbored a grudge. This time, having Young Master Yaan make an appearance, it appears to target Chu Ming and the Xiao Family on the surface, but in reality, he also wishes to harm me.”

”Madam, only by sacrificing your maternal family can I extricate myself.”

Outside the carriage.

”Sir, everything is ready.”

”Hmm, act tomorrow. Apart from County Magistrate Zhang and Zhang You, kill everyone else who sees me.”

”Burn all the books in the Book Garden... no, set the entire Book Garden ablaze.”

”After the act, spread the word that the Blood Evil Sect disguised themselves as me for a clandestine meeting with Xiao Wen of the Xiao Family and the Commissioner of Canal Transport in Xirong County at the Zhang Family in Shan County.”

”Yes.”

”Additionally, how is my substitute arranged in Qin Capital?”

”Reporting to sir, the family has already arranged the substitute, and they have met with the Crown Prince, the Second Prince, the Fifth Prince, and the Left Minister this morning.”

”Hmm, not bad.”

”...”

...

By sunset, the carriage was traveling on the official road west of Pingzhong County.

There were many merchants, escort masters, and martial artists on the road.

”Have you heard?” A black man, who appeared to be a martial artist, pointed to a distant mountain peak and said, ”The Great Derivation Sect committed an offense and was wiped out overnight. All remaining disciples were listed as wanted.”

”What? The Great Derivation Sect was one of the top Martial Arts sects in Pingzhong County, what did they do to warrant such severe punishment?”

”I heard they colluded with the Blood Evil Sect.”

”Blood Evil Sect? The Great Derivation Sect is really gutsy.”

”Who would say otherwise?”

”...”

Chu Ming sat in the carriage, listening to the discussions of passersby on the official road.

”I heard that it’s because the Great Derivation Sect’s ancestor refused to join some Martial Immortal Alliance and then was tragically exterminated.”

”What is the Martial Immortal Alliance? Where did you hear such rumors?”

”Haha, Martial Immortal Alliance, why not say Martial God Alliance?”

”...”

Upon hearing this, Chu Ming’s gaze instantly focused.

The Great Derivation Sect’s ancestor refused to join the Martial Immortal Alliance and suffered annihilation?

Is it true or not?

If true, the current Crown Prince, ruthless in action, must not be underestimated.

”First-Grade Cold Family... Martial Immortal Alliance...”

Both appeared at the same time.

One was an invitation from the Seventh Prince, the other from the Crown Prince.

But Chu Ming always felt that there might be the same person behind it.

In the First-Grade Cold Family, there are exotic scrolls and parts beyond the Mountain Scripture of the Mountain and Sea Great Wilderness Scripture that help with the Qi Rhyme of Calligraphy and Painting. He had already decided to join.

But due to his identity, he had no plan to join the Martial Immortal Alliance.

If he doesn’t join, will he also face such a fate?

Or perhaps, the Great Derivation Sect was annihilated not because of the Martial Immortal Alliance, but due to collusion with the Blood Evil Sect?

No smoke without fire.

Since there are two rumors, both are possible.

Chu Ming thought briefly and felt it necessary to investigate further.

The Martial Immortal Alliance involves the Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm cultivation technique, which he temporarily won’t join, but it doesn’t mean he’ll directly ignore it.

If the Great Derivation Sect is involved with the Blood Evil Sect, it must be investigated further.

However, he still has many issues to deal with, needs to find a chance to replace Xiao Wen’s Purple Sandalwood Spirit Wood, and must also deal with the cartload of books sent by Tang Xuan.

Besides, the Blood Evil Sect might use grain and fodder to frame his master for privately manufacturing armor, he definitely can’t spare any attention.