Martial Saint through Reading

”I’ve been thinking, when that young man arrives in the Qin Capital, should we show him some parts of the ’Mountain and Sea Great Wilderness Scripture·Sea Scripture’? It might be a pleasant surprise.”

”Really...” The Fifth Prince raised an eyebrow, ”So you mean Seventh Brother has better insight than me? When I first met that young man... hmm... how to put it, he seemed quite ordinary.”

”Haha, Fifth Brother, last time you went to Xirong County for a mission, naturally you couldn’t leisurely observe people like I did.”

”If it weren’t for Fifth Brother, how could our Great Qin Dynasty have acquired a Yan Hanling, let alone the fragment of the ’Mountain and Sea Great Wilderness Scripture·Sea Scripture’.”

”It’s just a pity that we don’t know where the other two Yan Hanlings are...”

”What? Is Seventh Brother worrying about what gift to prepare for Empress Dowager Duaan?”

”Yes, I should have looked for a Yan Hanling when I went to Xirong County. Fifth Brother’s Yan Hanling as a gift must be the most precious among all the princes, right?” said the Seventh Prince enviously.

The Fifth Prince shook his head: ”Alas... to be honest with Seventh Brother, I only got that Yan Hanling thanks to the favor of Big Brother, otherwise I’d also be worrying about what gift to prepare.”

”The favor of Big Brother? Why not ask Big Brother to let me share in some of that favor?” The Seventh Prince seemed a bit resentful.

”Seventh Brother, when the Yan Clan’s treasure trove was being opened, I did call you, but you chose not to go, you can’t blame me, your Fifth Brother.”

”But Seventh Brother, this year is the Empress’s seventieth birthday. Not only has Big Brother prepared a grand gift, but Father is also holding the Golden Hundred Knowledge Grand Competition in advance to bring good fortune, you should think carefully about it.”

”Also, I heard from Big Brother a few days ago that the King of North Snow will also come to the capital for Empress Dowager’s birthday celebration.”

”What? The King of North Snow dares to come to the capital? Isn’t he afraid...”

”...”

...

Lindu County, Rainbow Jade Pavilion.

”Brother Han, this string of jade beads looks nice, should we buy it for Sister-in-law?”

”Indeed, it looks nice. Let’s get two strings, one for the Sister-in-law and one for the Sister-in-law-in-law.”

The ones speaking were two elegant young men in white robes and jade crowns.

They appeared to have scholarly manners, but a closer look revealed their knuckles were prominent and their palms rough, clearly not the hands of a scholarly son.

”You both have a keen eye, these are the best-selling jade beads in our Rainbow Jade Pavilion.” A palace-dressed woman stepped forward to greet.

”Haha, wrap them up.”

”Do you have any other fine jewelry?”

”You two gentlemen can take a look over here.” The woman smiled warmly, respectful yet enthusiastic.

Guanggu Colorful Jade Pavilion was mostly frequented by women, it was rare to see men, especially such refined gentlemen.

The two gentlemen in white scholars’ robes followed the woman into the pavilion, reaching a chamber at the back.

”When do you close the shop?”

”There’s half a time period left before our Rainbow Jade Pavilion closes, if you gentlemen have no place to go...”

BANG!

Before the woman finished her words, a heavy blow landed on the back of her neck, knocking her unconscious.

The two scholarly young men supported the woman, exchanged glances, and turned into a side chamber in the nearby courtyard.

”Brother Han, should I do it or you?” Guo Xiang placed the woman aside, turning to the other with a serious look.

Han Yong looked at the woman, his eyes glimmering: ”Brother Guo, you do it, I’m not good at disguises.”

”Alright, I’ll disguise myself as this woman, Brother Han, you assist me from the shadows.” Guo Xiang said, beginning to strip the woman’s clothes.

”To think of it, we shouldn’t have joined the Martial Immortal Alliance in the first place, gained nothing, and now we’re like servants, ordered around.”

”During the day we pose as scholars, now we have to catch that Silver Moon Thief.” Guo Xiang complained while disguising himself.

”Sigh... this step was indeed a mistake, we thought joining the Martial Immortal Alliance would land us an official position, who knew... no point in saying more, the Blood Transformation and Vein Burning Pill leaves us without choice.” Han Yong looked somewhat displeased.

”Blood Transformation and Vein Burning Pill!” Guo Xiang’s face flushed with anger upon hearing this, ”We are sect leaders of Martial Arts Sect, the Crown Prince’s actions are too ruthless!”

”Stop it, one wrong step leads to another, let’s focus on completing the ten tasks and getting the antidote to the Blood Transformation and Vein Burning Pill.”

”...”

While they were moving in the pavilion, outside, not far on a deserted street, a figure hid within an alley.

Suddenly, another figure silently slipped in from outside.

”Ghost, have you found out?” asked the Blood Evil Sect’s Fanged Tooth.

”Yes, almost everything is clear, the Commandery Mansion in Lindu County deliberately spread the news about Rainbow Jade Pavilion having Crimson Beauty Leaf, to lure out the Silver Moon Thief.”

”Several nearby streets are filled with people in Eagle Suits, Dai Yuanshu from the Governor’s Office is probably hiding somewhere too,” whispered Ghost from the Blood Evil Sect.

”If the mere Nine Meridians dare to block the way, I wouldn’t mind gutting him,” Fanged Tooth said with a sinister look.

”I feel it’s more than just Dai Yuanshu,” Ghost lowered his tone, ”The two First-Grade Cold Family scholars we tracked during the day also just entered the Rainbow Jade Pavilion and haven’t come out.”

”Just two scholars who can’t even snare a chicken, what’s there to fear?”

”Might as well capture them along with the Silver Moon Thief, sending them back to the sect would be a double merit, wouldn’t it?”

”...”

...

Late night.

Lindu County, Yuelai Inn, Room A on the second floor.

”Brother, be careful.”

”Hmm, I will.”

Zhuge Rui donned his nightwear, leapt from the window, and vanished into the dim night.

In the next room, Chu Ming felt a thought stir, and after waiting for a moment, he too disappeared from the room.

Under the cover of night, Zhuge Rui swiftly dashed over the eaves, soon reaching a large mansion.

The owner of the mansion was likely a high official in this Lindu County, with many treasures hidden inside.

Zhuge Rui, familiar with the route, leapt down from the roof straight into the inner chamber.