Martial Saint through Reading

[Mountain and Sea Tiger and Python Fierce Blood Refining Scripture - Strong Bone] is not perfect. Tempering the bones in the neck to the hardness of gold and iron is already the limit. He cannot fuse the three sections of bone together—in other words, he cannot cultivate to Strong Bone Realm Perfection.

Not to mention the Refining Organ Realm that comes after Strong Bone Realm.

And the centennial black ginseng that he had Fang Xiao inquire about is equally important.

Previously, he was able to break through from Blood Circulation Realm to Strong Bone Realm in one fell swoop, all thanks to the centennial black ginseng gifted by County Magistrate Liu.

"Young Master, centennial medicinal herbs are extremely useful for martial cultivators, but they are extremely hard to obtain. For County Magistrate Liu to give you a root of centennial black ginseng—it is truly bold," said Fang Xiao.

He meant to say, he hadn’t found any.

"Got it. Keep looking."

"Yes."

...

One day later.

County Government, a secluded side courtyard.

"Brother Fu," Qiu Li grasped the teacup, eyes fixed upon it, slowly rotating it: "So many years without seeing each other—the feelings have grown cold."

"Brother Qiu, why do you say that?"

Fu Chang instantly caught his meaning, but still put on the face of an old fox, pretending to know nothing.

"Those people—haven’t they vanished already?" Qiu Li put down the cup, his voice low.

Xirong County has already sent word back: not only was Wan Yuan not rescued by the Wan Family, the Wan family’s eldest son, Wan Lin, and third daughter, Wan Qin, have also disappeared in Baiyuan County.

For this, the Wan Family brought out a great deal of gold, silver, and treasures to bribe the Inspector General, demanding that he must find and bring back all three—Wan Yuan and the others.

"Who has vanished? Brother Qiu, what are you talking about?"

Fu Chang picked up the teapot to pour Qiu Li more tea, though the cup had not had a single sip taken.

"Heh, Brother Fu, you’re still just as shrewd. You don’t want to offend the Inspector General, but you also wish to protect that boy named Chu Ming." Qiu Li stared directly into Fu Chang’s eyes; he no longer bothered with insinuation.

This time, the Inspector General had given him a death order: if he could not bring back the three from the Wan Family, his official’s hat as Captain could be considered lost.

The teapot froze midair; Fu Chang’s gaze flickered.

"Chu Ming, illegitimate son of the Chu Family. His mother suddenly passed away a year ago," Qiu Li, who held the upper hand, continued laying out the information he’d gathered in the past two days:

"Because of this, the boy bears hatred in his heart. He believes it was the Chu Family’s first madam—Wan Yuan—who was responsible. After receiving Brother Fu’s recommendation and becoming a librarian, he used Brother Fu’s favor and his position to secretly take Wan Yuan from the Criminal Defense Bureau’s prison."

"Brother Fu, do you truly not know, or are you pretending?"

By now, Qiu Li’s voice already carried rage.

In Baiyuan County, the only one with a grudge against Wan Yuan is this Chu Ming.

With Wan Yuan missing, his first suspect was this sixteen-year-old librarian, Chu Ming.

Fu Chang’s expression changed constantly. Only after a long moment did he try to reply, "Sigh... To be frank with Brother Qiu, Wan Yuan was indeed taken away two days ago, but, according to our investigation, the one responsible was Blood Evil Sect..."

Crack—!

Without waiting for the sentence to finish, the teacup shattered in Qiu Li’s grip.

"Hmph," Qiu Li’s tone was harsh:

"Brother Fu, don’t say I didn’t warn you first! Blood Evil Sect—treason! The Chu Family conspiring with Blood Evil Sect is an unforgivable crime!"

"Whether Wan Yuan’s disappearance is related to Blood Evil Sect, Brother Fu knows better than I do!"

"The Inspector General has already reported to the Inspectorate. Everyone in the Chu Family—anyone with the surname Chu—is to be executed, as a warning to others!"

"That boy named Chu Ming—he cannot be saved."

Everyone surnamed Chu is to be executed?

Fu Chang’s brows arched slightly.

The Chu Family’s doom was long foretold, but why must it be extended to everyone surnamed Chu?

Is this targeting Chu Ming? Or some other reason?

Fu Chang’s first thought was: someone is envious of Chu Ming’s talent in deciphering the Mountain Scripture, and wishes to use this Blood Evil Sect incident to strangle Chu Ming while he’s still in the cradle!

If that’s true, then it’s a huge problem.

As a Senior Seventh-Grade County Magistrate, he absolutely cannot protect Chu Ming.

"Brother Qiu, are you serious?" He hurriedly replaced Qiu Li’s teacup and filled it with tea.

"Whether I am or not, Brother Fu will know by tomorrow." Qiu Li replied coldly.

"Brother Qiu means the document from the Imperial Examination Hall will arrive tomorrow?"

"Hmph! Brother Fu, I am only giving this kind warning out of old comradeship. If you remain stubborn and keep entangling with the Chu Family, I fear you won’t just lose your official’s hat, but your life as well..."

"..."

...

Baiyuan Academy, Wenlan Hall.

Fu Chang rushed here all the way from the County Government.

"Mr. Shen!"

Disaster was about to fall. If anyone could save Chu Ming, Fu Chang could only think of Shen Yu.

Even when Shen Yu was guilty of cursing His Majesty, he got away with it. He could certainly save Chu Ming.

"Oh? What wind is blowing to bring the esteemed County Magistrate here?" Shen Yu sat on a stone bench, book in hand, sipping tea in the sun.

"Blood Evil Sect has just been destroyed, and the Criminal Defense Bureau is leaderless. County Magistrate, do you not have official duties to tend to?"

Time was tight; Fu Chang ignored Shen Yu’s sarcasm and went straight up, bowed deeply, and said, "Chu Ming is in trouble."

Hmm?

Shen Yu, just a moment ago looking nonchalant, instantly tensed as he heard this: "Speak clearly!"

"The Imperial Examination Hall of Xirong County seeks to condemn Chu Ming!"

"For what crime?!"

"Treason!"

"Bullshit!" Shen Yu leaped to his feet. "How could Chu Ming be a traitor..."

"No—!" Suddenly something clicked for him. "You mean—the Chu Family is accused of conspiring with Blood Evil Sect, a crime of treason. Chu Ming is a Chu Family member..."

Fu Chang nodded.

Seeing this, Shen Yu blew out his beard and glared in anger. "Those old bastards haven’t changed a bit in all these years! They can’t even tolerate a sixteen-year-old child!"

He, too, believed someone felt envy or fear toward Chu Ming’s talent in deciphering texts.

"Mr. Shen, what do we do now..." Fu Chang asked in a low voice.

"What do we do?" Shen Yu threw away his book and swept his sleeves wide. "Back when they bullied me, now they want to oppress my friend’s protégé!"

"A bunch of stubborn old fools! The fortunes of my Great Qin Dynasty lie in the hands of such people—that’s why the state falls!"

He angrily shoved past Fu Chang and strode outside in a rage.

"Mr. Shen, where are you going?" Fu Chang hurried to ask.

"Prepare a horse! I’ll go to Xirong County myself!"

"The carriage is ready. Baiyuan County’s finest steed awaits you outside the Academy," Fu Chang immediately replied.

Shen Yu paused, looking at Fu Chang with deep meaning. "County Magistrate Fu, you really are a cunning old fox—calculating even against me."

"Mr. Shen, it’s getting late. The edict from the Imperial Examination Hall may arrive in Baiyuan County as soon as tomorrow..."

Hearing this, Shen Yu did not dare to delay and left with a sweep of his sleeves.

...

After informing Shen Yu, Fu Chang quickly summoned County Magistrate Liu Sitong and Lord of the Classics Feng Yuan.

Chu Ming was recommended by the three of them. If the Chu Family is judged guilty of treason, all three will be implicated.

Maybe not demoted so harshly, but certainly their prior achievement of recommending talent will be erased, and a black mark for failure in oversight added to their records.

"How could Chu Ming possibly be involved with Blood Evil Sect? How could the Imperial Examination Hall invert black and white?" Feng Yuan sat heavily, his face full of anger.

"Lord Fu, is the information reliable?" Liu Sitong’s face was dark, and he, too, was full of both anger and worry between his brows.

"Captain Qiu Li of the Imperial Examination Hall and I worked together in the past. He came in person to warn me this morning."

Fu Chang did not mention that Qiu Li was acting under the Inspector General’s orders to rescue Wan Yuan.

The fewer people who know of it, the safer Fu Chang would be.

"The Captain himself is here?" Liu Sitong and Feng Yuan were both shocked in their hearts.

"Any thoughts?" Fu Chang asked.

Liu Sitong and Feng Yuan fell silent.

After a long while, Feng Yuan seemed to think of something and quietly said, "Should we ask Mr Shen..."

"Mr. Shen already knows. He should already be outside the city, on his way to Xirong County by now."

"Then what do we..." Liu Sitong looked at Fu Chang.