Martial Saint through Reading

"Commander Huo, this is the Strong Bone Realm technique I’ve comprehended." Fang Xiao’s expression was grave as he tossed out a book, feigning great reluctance to part with it.

Huo Buyan caught it in one motion and began flipping through it on the spot.

After reading only a few pages, a sharp gleam flashed in his eyes!

When he reached the middle, Huo Buyan grew so excited he smashed his palm onto the table and shouted, "What a marvelous Tiger Blood Body Refining Technique!"

He closed the book, and did not continue reading the rest.

With his Refining Organ Realm strength, just a glance was enough to confirm: this cultivation technique far surpassed the Tiger and Python Body Refining Technique.

Huo Buyan picked up the Tiger Armor Token that represented the Tiger Armor Army Commander’s position and looked to Fang Xiao: "Don’t know if you’re willing to return to the Tiger Armor Army?"

This carried another meaning—would Fang Xiao be willing to contribute this Tiger Blood Body Refining Technique to the Tiger Armor Army?

With two Blood Circulation Realm techniques guaranteeing him the position of Ten Thousand Soldiers Commander, and adding this Strong Bone Realm technique, as long as Fang Xiao nodded, from now on he’d become the Tiger Armor Army Commander Xiang Yue’s third personal attendant and the future Tiger Camp Commander.

Fang Xiao looked to Huo Buyan, then turned his gaze to the stunned Ling Hao and Ji Yong standing behind, his expression shifting, but eventually he nodded his head.

"Excellent! With Fang Qingshi’s technique, the Tiger Armor Army’s overall strength will soar!" Huo Buyan laughed heartily. "Come, a toast to Fang Qingshi!"

The two Ten Thousand Soldiers Commanders, three Chiliarchs, and the sole Centurion all stood to toast Fang Xiao.

"Fang Qingshi, rest assured, our Tiger Armor Army obeys only Commander Xiang. Even if the Inspector General himself from the Imperial Examination Hall arrives, he too will offer you a toast!"

The Tiger Armor Army personal attendant holds a status equal to the Six Commanders. In all of Xirong County, only the Supreme Commander Xiang Yue ranks above.

Let alone the Inspector General—even the County Governor or County Magistrate must show proper respect when meeting you.

If the Imperial Examination Hall wishes to convict Fang Xiao and Chu Ming of treason, they’d have to think long and hard about it.

Huo Buyan tossed the Tiger obeying Talisman to Fang Xiao; his smile faded and his tone suddenly turned severe: "Now that it’s settled, why wait? Let’s rest tonight, and return to the army tomorrow!"

"Commander Xiang will be most pleased!"

"We’re really leaving tomorrow?"

Fang Xiao finally relaxed; it turned out about as the young master expected—the Strong Bone Realm technique had promoted his status once more.

"I wonder if I could bring..." Fang Xiao hesitated as he spoke.

"Fang Qingshi wishes to bring Chu Ming, the Chu Librarian, correct?" Huo Buyan said in a deep voice. "The Tiger Armor Army wages constant war with the Exotic Race; the only ones allowed in the army are Tiger Armor Army members. Not even Commander Xiang is exempt from this."

After a pause, he downed a cup of wine, acting thoughtful, and went on: "But Fang Qingshi can bring Chu Librarian to Xirong County. I know many people there—I can arrange everything for him."

Before coming, he’d already inquired clearly about Fang Xiao and Chu Ming’s relationship.

Master and servant in name, but in truth closer than grandfather and grandson.

Chu Ming, a first tier Civil Servant, left alone in Baiyuan County would most likely be targeted by the Imperial Examination Hall. Fang Xiao could never rest easy.

Huo Buyan thought it’d be better to bring Chu Ming to Xirong County, assign men to protect him—it’d be far safer than leaving him here in Baiyuan County.

If the Imperial Examination Hall made any move, Fang Xiao would know at once and could react accordingly.

"Many thanks, Commander Huo!" Fang Xiao raised his cup in a toast.

What followed was the clinking of wine cups; the men in the hall were all hardened veterans, becoming fast friends after several rounds of drinks.

Though ranks differed, at this moment, only brotherhood remained, and heroic ambition flowed alongside the wine.

Fang Xiao drank with them until deep into the night. When the banquet dispersed, Huo Buyan and the others returned to their quarters, still unsatisfied.

...

West Willow Garden.

Fang Xiao used Qi and Blood Power to expel the alcohol from his body, excitement flashing across his face. "Just as you expected, Young Master, the Tiger Armor Army asked how this old servant broke through to the Strong Bone Realm, and gave me this."

He produced the Tiger obeying Talisman that symbolized the commander’s personal attendant’s authority.

"This is..." Chu Ming received the Tiger obeying Talisman, his eyes flickering restlessly. "The Commander’s Seal?"

Fang Xiao nodded solemnly. "Tiger obeying Talisman."

"Tiger obeying Talisman?" Chu Ming hadn’t heard of it before.

"The Tiger obeying Talisman represents Commander Xiang’s personal attendant status in the Tiger Armor Army. The personal attendant is just like a direct disciple!" Fang Xiao said, full of excitement. "If I break through to the Refining Organ Realm, I’ll immediately become a Tiger Armor Army Commander!"

A sharp look filled Chu Ming’s eyes, "Tiger Armor Army Commander?!"

"Exactly, Young Master, you are uncannily wise! Commander Huo Buyan personally came under Commander Xiang’s orders, all for the Strong Bone Realm technique. I handed over the Tiger Blood Body Refining Technique you gave me, and Commander Huo gave me this talisman."

"Personal attendant! Direct disciple! Tiger Camp Commander? Such daring!"

Jubilation showed on Chu Ming’s face.

That Commander Xiang personally taking Fang Xiao as a personal attendant was both unexpected and part of our plan?

But this alone proved how seriously the Tiger Armor Army valued martial manuals.

"Young Master, as a commander’s personal attendant, this position is equal to the Tiger Armor Army commander. Even the County Governor or County Magistrate of Xirong County must show due respect. The Imperial Examination Hall won’t dare frame Young Master for treason so easily anymore."

Fang Xiao’s face suddenly grew frosty. "Still, I wonder who’s backing the Imperial Examination Hall. Is it the Wan Family, or that Blood Evil Sect lurking in the shadows..."

"By the way, Young Master, Commander Huo told me to return to the Tiger Armor Army tomorrow. I am a little worried..."

Fang Xiao looked at the Tiger obeying Talisman, his brows furrowed. "I’m only at the Blood Circulation Realm, and the technique wasn’t even one I truly comprehended. Commander Xiang’s strength is unfathomable. If I’m seen through..."

To deceive a peerless expert far beyond the Refining Organ Realm, the Tiger Armor Army Commander of Xirong County—the price for failure was unthinkable.

If Fang Xiao himself were exposed and punished, that was one thing. But if, because of this, the Young Master’s entire plan fell through, not only would they be unable to shake off the Imperial Examination Hall’s treason charges—they’d become enemies of the Tiger Armor Army, too!

Chu Ming fiddled with the Tiger obeying Talisman, unable to tell what material it was made of. It fit in his palm, yet weighed heavily. Its surface was smooth, even more pleasant to the touch than fine jade.

He even tried squeezing it, and immediately felt a fierce resisting force.

Hearing Fang Xiao’s worry, Chu Ming shifted his gaze, contemplated a moment, and said, "When the time comes, I’ll disguise myself as Housekeeper Fang to meet with Commander Xiang."

He had anticipated this scenario long ago—even if Fang Xiao only ended up a Ten Thousand Soldiers Commander, he would have gone in Fang Xiao’s stead. Otherwise, the risk of exposure was too high.

And as for the future?

Whatever comes, will come. He already had an initial plan in mind. For now, the most important thing was to secure Fang Xiao’s status as the Tiger Armor Army personal attendant.

...

The next morning, several more carriages entered Baiyuan County and headed straight for the County Government Office.

"Who would have thought? Lord Lv himself has come this time."

County Magistrate Fu Chang and County Magistrate Liu Sitong had been waiting at the doors of the County Government Office since early morning.

From the carriage stepped an older man clad in an official’s robe and black hat.

"Please, Lord Lv, do come in," Fu Chang greeted with utmost respect.

Lv Jinhui placed his hands behind his back, glanced coldly at Fu Chang and Liu Sitong, then proceeded ahead at a deliberate pace.

When he reached the County Government Main Hall, he sat directly on Fu Chang’s usual high seat, took in the sight of the hall, quietly brushed off some dust from the desk, and finally opened his mouth:

"Baiyuan County has performed a great service in eradicating the Blood Evil Sect, and I am here by imperial decree. But why do I not see any of the participants?"