Martial Saint through Reading

Chu Ming glanced calmly and continued to move forward, while Wan Qin turned her head in disdain, not even bothering to look.

"My son is a Standard Ninth-Grade Clerk in Baiyuan County. Let Yuaan’er go right away."

In the pitch-black cell behind them, there was only the roar of Chu Rong. It was apparent that this wealthy merchant of Baiyuan County had genuine feelings for Wan Yuan.

"Mother, Mother, it’s me..."

Not far away, they heard the voice of a young man, but the voice was weak and powerless.

This time, Wan Qin turned her eyes, and there was a hint of pity in her expression.

She looked down on Chu Rong, but Chu Yu was truly related to her by blood.

Chu Ming also only glanced once, his steps not slowing in the slightest.

Unless an unexpected event occurred, Chu Rong and Chu Yu would never see the sunlight again.

No matter if the two knew about Wan Yuan and the Blood Evil Sect, their fate was the same.

He did not bother to act, nor was there a need to intervene personally, as there was no direct enmity.

Exiting the dungeon, Chu Ming, accompanied by the woman disguised as Wan Yuan, took a winding route to an isolated house.

As soon as they entered the room, Wan Qin couldn’t help but ask, "How is my second sister?"

Second sister...

Chu Ming, unruffled, brought water and food: "Madam, please wait a moment."

With that, he turned and entered the inner room to retrieve his disguise tools.

Before long, he returned with a new face before Wan Qin, the very Strong Bone Realm individual who had tried to assassinate him last night.

"Ruan the Escort Master, have my second sister and brother left Baiyuan County yet? Has the plan changed? Why am I being rescued now?"

Seeing it was Ruan Heng, the last bit of wariness in Wan Qin’s heart dissipated.

So they want to leave?!

Chu Ming’s mind stirred.

Having been attacked just last night, the real Wan Yuan was likely still awaiting news and had not left.

"No, they’re waiting to rescue Madam before leaving," he feigned.

"Then let’s go join them quickly."

"Alright."

...

East City, the Chu Family’s deep courtyard loft.

"Guardian Zheng, did the assassination fail?" Wan Yuan’s face showed no grace, only sullen darkness.

"How many did you send?" Zheng Xiguan asked.

"Four, including one Strong Bone Realm individual."

"Strong Bone Realm?!" Zheng Xiguan’s expression shifted, a tone of doubt in his voice: "The Criminal Defense Bureau only captured three. I’ve already dealt with them, but as for the Strong Bone Realm one, he wasn’t seen."

"There isn’t a trace of the Strong Bone Realm in the Criminal Defense Bureau and West City Chu Mansion either."

Wan Yuan fixed her gaze on Zheng Xiguan, her eyes growing steadily more menacing.

Her brother couldn’t be lying; there had to be a Strong Bone Realm expert sent for the assassination last night.

If there wasn’t a trace, only two possibilities remained: the Strong Bone Realm fled mid-mission.

It’s possible since her brother paid the silver taels upfront.

But the target was the Chief Escort Master of Xirong County’s Wind Traveling Escort Agency, who had cooperated with the Wan Family for years. He couldn’t just disappear for a bit of silver.

The second possibility is that West City Chu Mansion harbors a super-expert, capable of silently slaying an Early-stage Strong Bone Realm Martial Artist!

As soon as the thought emerged, even Wan Yuan found it hard to believe.

The Chief Escort Master at the escort agency, at the very least, would have honed his legs or hands to the Strong Bone Realm. What kind of power is needed to silently slay him?

Strong Bone Realm Mid-stage?

Or Late Stage?!

Could that illegitimate son have late-stage Strong Bone Realm experts protecting him?!

Impossible!

In the whole of Baiyuan County, the Prison Chief of the Criminal Defense Bureau is the only Early-stage Strong Bone Realm; there’s no way the illegitimate son has a Late-stage Strong Bone Realm protector!

A Late-stage Strong Bone Realm would be an entity more terrifying than Elder Qee. How could such an existence appear in Baiyuan County!

"Twenty-ninth Lady," Zheng Xiguan saw Wan Yuan’s face changing with indecision and suddenly spoke solemnly: "If it is as you say, that there was a Strong Bone Realm Martial Artist among the assassins last night who mysteriously vanished, it leaves only two possibilities."

"The expert didn’t fulfill the agreement and fled, or..." Zheng Xiguan’s eyes shifted: "There are mid- to late-stage Strong Bone Realm experts hidden in West City Chu Mansion!"

At this, he stood up, his tone turning cold: "This is a serious matter, Twenty-ninth Lady. You should think of a way yourself; I must hurry to report this to the Young Master."

The potential emergence of mid- to late-stage Strong Bone Realm experts in Baiyuan County could jeopardize the Young Master’s grand plans.

Wan Yuan gritted her teeth as if she wanted to say something but ultimately kept silent.

...

Chu Ming, leading Wan Qin, left the Criminal Defense Bureau, moving stealthily back to the East City Chu Family.

The Chu Family was now but an abandoned mansion, with not even a single servant left. Only a few scattered constables of the Criminal Defense Bureau guarded the entrance, making it easy for Chu Ming to slip in with Wan Qin.

Before long, Chu Ming paused.

"Ruan the Escort Master, what’s wrong?" Wan Qin asked.

"Nothing," Chu Ming shook his head.

Just now, he sensed a presence containing Blood Evil Qi, the result of cultivating his deduced Blood Python Technique.

The aura was moving rapidly, seemingly leaving the Chu Family.

"Madam, go ahead and regroup. I have other matters to attend to; I’ll catch up soon."

Wan Qin hesitated briefly before nodding and leaving.

Chu Ming, with a swift and agile form, moved across rooftops in pursuit of the aura.

At the time, Zheng Xiguan was stealthily making his way away from the Chu Family, moving effortlessly through abandoned alleys, evidently familiar with the area.

Just as he turned into a couple of alleys, a peculiar feeling arose in his heart.

Zheng Xiguan halted, his figure hidden in the shadows, as if no one had ever been here.

Outside the alley, calls from vendors were ceaseless, yet inside, silence reigned.

Did I sense wrong?

After waiting a moment, Zheng Xiguan noticed nothing.

Yet just as he prepared to resume his journey, a voice reached his ear:

"Are you Zheng Xiguan?"

"Who?"

Zheng Xiguan’s face changed drastically.

The mere fact that someone could speak next to his ear without his noticing was shocking.

Chu Ming emerged from the darkness, standing merely half a body-length away from Zheng Xiguan.

"It must be you."

Under the microscopic scrutiny of the [Sword Gourd Spirit], this person’s subtle expressions had already revealed the truth to him.

"I’m not Zheng Xiguan!" Zheng Xiguan, startled by someone appearing by his side, jumped back repeatedly in terror.

"I’m Zheng Dongjin of the Criminal Defense Bureau here to investigate the Chu Family. Who are you?!"

He assumed Chu Ming had only just followed and attempted to use the Criminal Defense Bureau as intimidation.

Chu Ming remained composed, using the [Sword Gourd Spirit] at close range, also perceiving a faint odor.

Similar to the blood stench found on Qin Gui, the Tea Stall Owner, and others.

This confirmed the man’s identity completely.

"Who are you?" Zheng Xiguan felt a chill down his spine, drenched in cold sweat.

The person before him was terrifyingly intimidating.

Yet before he could finish speaking, a blood-colored palm appeared through the air.

"You...!"

Zheng Xiguan’s pupils contracted instantly, the power of his Qi and Blood surging, arms rising to shield himself.

But in the next moment, he realized his mistake.

The Blood Palm pierced effortlessly, pulping his bones upon contact with his arms, with countless bone fragments bursting from his flesh.

Thunk, thunk, thunk—

Chu Ming withdrew his Palm Technique, watching indifferently.

Before him, Zheng Guanxi was like a sieve, pinned to the wall by fragmented bones, his upper body unrecognizable, riddled with holes, unmistakably dead.

Chu Ming searched, finding only a few blood-stained Silver Notes and an Identity Token from the Criminal Defense Bureau.

The Identity Token confirmed that he was indeed Zheng Dongjin, Defense Chief of the City Defense Department, a Junior Seventh-Grade official.

Ignoring the body, he vanished from the alleyway.