Martial Saint through Reading

"Yes." Qiu Li dared not say anything more.

He was only a Sixth-Grade official, carrying out the Inspector General’s orders to save someone.

The Inspector General and Merit Officer Goong were both Fifth-Grade officials, and the Xirong County Governor was Fourth-Grade. How could he dare say more?

...

County Government Office.

Lin Zhenwu, Shao Pengshu, Chu Ming, Fang Xiao, and others stood below the hall, with Fu Chang, Liu Sitong, Feng Yuan, and other civil servants beside them.

On the other side stood Qiu Li, Captain of the Imperial Examination Hall.

Above the hall sat Lv Jinhui, Senior Fifth-Grade Merit Officer Goong of Xirong County, his face stern and commanding.

"Is everyone present?" His voice was steady, clearly that of a man long accustomed to authority.

"Reporting to Lord Lv, except for the Tiger Armor Army Chiliarch Ling Hao and Centurion Ji Yong, who participated in the siege, everyone else is here." Fu Chang replied respectfully.

Chiliarch, Centurion?

No matter the Tiger Armor Army’s merits, it’s not the Merit Officer Goong’s place to reward them.

Lv Jinhui glanced sideways, and someone below handed him a scroll of documents. He opened the scroll, his gaze first settling on the Criminal Defense Bureau’s Lin Zhenwu and Shao Pengshu.

"Baiyuan County’s Criminal Defense Bureau strategized and destroyed the Blood Evil Sect, earning the chief merit. Instructor Lin Zhenwu, courageous and skilled in martial arts, is awarded one hundred taels of gold, a set of golden thread armor, one Red Tassel Xuan Iron Spear, and is appointed Prison Chief Instructor, promoted to Senior Seventh Grade."

"As there is currently no Prison Chief, Lin Prison Chief Instructor shall assume the duties for now."

"Thank you Lord Lv!"

Lin Zhenwu hurriedly bowed in salute, emotions surging within him.

This accomplishment truly was great—golden thread armor, the Red Tassel Xuan Iron Spear, a Senior Seventh Grade position...

Lv Jinhui nodded slightly, continuing, "Criminal Captain Shao Pengshu, valiant and unmatched, is awarded one hundred taels of gold, a Profound Iron Blade, appointed Prison Defense Chief, promoted to Junior Seventh Grade."

"Thank you, Lord Lv." Shao Pengshu was equally elated.

Lv Jinhui nodded indifferently as before, then looked toward Fu Chang, Liu Sitong, and Feng Yuan, the civil servants.

"Baiyuan County Magistrate Fu Chang led with distinction, awarded one hundred taels of gold, merit noted once, promoted to Secondary Sixth Rank."

Fu Chang’s title didn’t change, but his rank rose by one level.

After this, Liu Sitong and Feng Yuan were also granted their rewards in turn.

"Former Criminal Defense Bureau Instructor Fang Xiao, brave and undaunted, awarded fifty taels of gold, appointed Standard Eighth-Grade Criminal Captain."

In the end, Fang Xiao’s reward was determined. Compared to the previous few, it was quite plain—even the previous instructor had a higher rank.

But this was precisely as Fang Xiao and Chu Ming had planned. He had already discussed it with Lin Zhenwu and the others—the main credit went to the Tiger Armor Army and the Criminal Defense Bureau.

As for Huo Buyan’s regard for him, it was mainly due to the cultivation technique.

"Thank you, Lord Lv." Fang Xiao gave a slight cupped-fist salute, his demeanor indifferent, neither pleased nor annoyed.

In his arms was the Tiger obeying Talisman, symbol of the Commander’s Personal Attendant of the Tiger Armor Army—he could look down upon anyone present.

However, he was not a showy person, nor would he easily display the Tiger obeying Talisman. Carrying it was only in order to face unforeseen situations.

Yet, in others’ eyes, his cool indifference was disrespect to the Merit Officer Goong!

Lv Jinhui snapped the scroll shut with force, his gaze icy as he shifted from Fang Xiao, sweeping toward Inspectorate Captain Qiu Li.

Qiu Li was moved inside, nodding slightly.

He stepped forward, cupping his hands toward Lv Jinhui and said, "Lord Lv, how should the Chu Family, who colluded with the Blood Evil Sect, be dealt with?"

As he spoke, he glanced meaningfully at Chu Ming.

Lin Zhenwu and Shao Pengshu, being Martial Artists, were keenly perceptive and immediately sensed that this Imperial Examination Hall Captain bore ill intent.

"The Chu Family colluded with the Blood Evil Sect; by the laws of our Great Qin Dynasty, their nine branches must be exterminated."

Lv Jinhui’s gaze turned icy cold, his eyes fixed on Chu Ming and Fang Xiao.

At these words, the atmosphere in the hall changed instantly.

Fu Chang, Liu Sitong, and Feng Yuan were secretly anxious but utterly helpless.

Now, not only did the Imperial Examination Hall seek to convict Chu Ming of treason—even the Merit Officer Goong demanded the same.

Behind the Merit Officer Goong was the Xirong County Government—in other words, Chu Ming’s crime of treason was not targeted solely by the Inspectorate but decreed by the Xirong County Government!

Fu Chang’s expression grew grave. He had prepared the best horse in Baiyuan County for Shen Yu; by rights, it should have reached Xirong County by now.

Yet, the Merit Officer Goong arrived first, with no word from Shen Yu at all...

Even Mr. Shen can’t save Chu Ming now...

Fu Chang and the others were worried for Chu Ming, and also that their careers might be ruined because of this.

"Lord Lv, this official has a matter to report." Qiu Li looked to Chu Ming. "This man is named Chu Ming. Though he holds the post of Ninth Grade Clerk in Baiyuan County, he is, in fact, an illegitimate son of the Chu Family."

He then looked to Fang Xiao. "Fang Xing Captain, named Fang Xiao, contributed greatly in eliminating the Blood Evil Sect, but was originally the Chu Mansion’s steward!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Zhenwu and Shao Pengshu’s eyes sharpened, locking onto Fang Xiao.

They were afraid that Fang Xiao, already in the Strong Bone Realm, might suddenly erupt into violence and slaughter all those present.

Of all here, only they knew how the Blood Evil Sect’s Strong Bone Realm expert died.

Yet, to their surprise, Fang Xiao merely turned calmly to look at Qiu Li, as if the words had nothing to do with him, nor with the Chu Ming he had always protected.

This is Old Fang?

Lin Zhenwu frowned deeply, sensing that something was amiss.

He knew Fang Xiao’s character well; targeting Fang Xiao alone was nothing, but if they targeted Chu Ming...

Yet this time, Fang Xiao remained so indifferent?

Is this the calm before the storm?

"Chu Ming, I recall now, Chu Librarian—recently recommended by the County Magistrate, County Magistrate Assistant, and Classics Officer of Baiyuan County."

Lv Jinhui feigned sudden realization and anger: "So he is a son of the Chu Family?"

"Lord Lv, it is indeed this man." Qiu Li paid Fang Xiao no heed, turning towards Fu Chang, "Lord Fu, am I wrong?"

From beginning to end, Captain Qiu Li and Merit Officer Goong Lv Jinhui didn’t even grant Chu Ming a proper glance, as if he could be handled at will.

Fu Chang’s eyes flickered, sweat beading on his forehead as he hesitated, "Reporting to Lord Lv, Chu Ming is indeed a child of the Chu Family, but Chu Ming has long severed ties with the Chu Family. With the Chu Family..."

Lv Jinhui didn’t let Fu Chang finish, his tone suddenly authoritarian, staring at Chu Ming, "Chu Librarian, is what Captain Qiu and County Magistrate Fu said true?"

Lin Zhenwu, Feng Yuan and the others all turned their attention to Chu Ming, eyes full of concern and helplessness.

In contrast, Qiu Li placed his right hand on his weapon, his face cold, as if ready to arrest Chu Ming on the spot.

Chu Ming’s expression did not change. He calmly said, "It’s true."

He had just used the Sword Gourd Spirit’s sense to observe closely. Neither Captain Qiu Li nor Merit Officer Goong Lv Jinhui showed the slightest trace of the Blood Evil Sect’s aura.

So, regarding today’s events, among Xirong County’s Wan Family remained the biggest suspect, then certain high-ranking figures—the powerful who feared his rise—with the Blood Evil Sect as a lesser factor.

Even if there was no sign of the Blood Evil Sect, they couldn’t be eliminated completely.

If the Blood Evil Sect could infiltrate Baiyuan County so thoroughly, who could say what things were like in Xirong County?

His tone was calm, neither angry nor joyful.

Yet in Fu Chang and the others’ eyes, that was composure and dignity.

Composure was a noble trait, but in the wrong situation, it could lead to disaster!

Just as the word "True" left Chu Ming’s lips, Feng Yuan suddenly stepped forward, bowing deeply to Lv Jinhui, his voice urgent:

"Lord Lv, Chu Librarian severed all ties with the Chu Family long ago. The Chu Family even attempted to poison him! Chu Librarian not only has no ties with the Chu Family, he bears deep enmity—in no way is he connected with the Blood Evil Sect! Chu Librarian’s loyalty to the Great Qin Dynasty is unquestionable. I am willing stake my official cap to guarantee it!"