Martial Saint through Reading

Dissent?

Who would dare?

Lv Jinhui clasped his hands and bowed. "All decisions rest with Commander Huo."

At these words, Fu Chang and the others let out a long sigh of relief. They hadn’t expected a turn for the better—before Mr. Shen’s rescue arrived, the Tiger Armor Army had already stood on Chu Ming’s side.

With the Tiger Armor Army on their side, Chu Ming was now completely safe.

Huo Buyan lightly patted the battle steed beneath him, just about to leave, when suddenly someone rushed in from outside, his expression anxious and panting heavily.

From afar, Lin Zhenwu and Shao Pengshu recognized the newcomer. "Tan Hong!"

Tan Hong rushed in so hurriedly he almost crashed into the Blazing Fire Tiger Horse. When he looked up, he was so startled he stumbled back repeatedly; luckily, Lin Zhenwu was quick, racing to Tan Hong’s side in a few strides.

"Has Mr. Shen returned?" Lin Zhenwu asked.

Tan Hong was precisely the one who had earlier escorted Shen Yu to Xirong County.

"Mr. Shen has not returned, but he sent a message back." Tan Hong stared at the Blazing Fire Tiger Horse, swallowing several gulps of air, only managing to catch his breath slightly.

Mr. Shen?!

The still-shaken Lv Jinhui was alarmed inwardly.

Baiyuan County, surname Shen?!

At once, a name flashed across his mind—Shen Yu, who had once covertly ridiculed His Majesty!

What connection does Shen Yu have with today’s events?!

"What did he say?!" Fu Chang, Liu Sitong, and Feng Yuan crowded around.

Though the Tiger Armor Army offered protection and Lv Jinhui couldn’t currently do anything to Chu Ming, the suspicion of treason remained unresolved. Or rather, Lv Jinhui and the powerful figures behind him could still use this as grounds to move against Chu Ming.

If Shen Yu could persuade the Xirong County Magistrate, only then could Chu Ming truly clear his name.

"Mr. Shen told Chu Librarian to proceed to Xirong County—the Lord County Governor wishes to meet Chu Librarian in person."

The Lord County Governor wishes to meet Chu Ming in person?!

Shen Yu went to Xirong County? And managed to persuade the County Magistrate to meet Chu Ming?!

How could Shen Yu possibly help a mere youth?!

At that instant, Lv Jinhui suddenly realized a grave problem: throughout Baiyuan County, from County Magistrate Fu Chang, County Magistrate Liu Sitong, Lord of the Classics Feng Yuan, and even someone like Shen Yu, all had gone to great lengths to help Chu Ming!

Chu Ming... the prodigy who interpreted the Mountain Scripture... he must be brought back to the Sect...

Lv Jinhui now seemed to understand why he had been given this task from above.

But—it seems the mission is going to fail...

Upon hearing this, Captain Qiu Li’s heart gave a violent jolt.

Chu Ming, Shen Yu, the County Magistrate—how did all these get connected?!

Fu Chang and the other two, upon hearing this, finally allowed their worried hearts to completely relax.

"Chu Librarian, Mr. Shen instructed that you set out immediately for Xirong County to meet the Lord County Governor!"

At this moment, the gloom on Feng Yuan’s face dissipated, and his voice was loud and clear.

Seemingly speaking to Chu Ming, but in truth intentionally making sure Lv Jinhui and Qiu Li heard.

Hearing this, Chu Ming’s expression grew solemn, and he bowed to Feng Yuan. "Thank you, Lord Feng."

Feng Yuan was briefly stunned. Seeing the earnest look on Chu Ming’s face, the previously unblocked mood again became a little conflicted. He merely waved his hand slightly and said, "Go early... come back soon."

Can he even come back?

Feng Yuan knew that with Chu Ming heading to Xirong County, he would likely never return to such a small place as Baiyuan County.

How did Mr. Shen convince the County Magistrate to meet Chu Ming in person? It must have relied on Chu Ming’s talent.

With Chu Ming’s astonishing speed in interpreting the Mountain Scripture, the County Magistrate would never allow such a genius to languish in a mere county.

For reasons he could not describe, though his time with Chu Ming had been brief, Feng Yuan suddenly felt a wave of reluctance to see him leave.

Perhaps this was because he cherished talent, or perhaps because he had witnessed Chu Ming endure so much as an illegitimate son and yet strive relentlessly, evoking a certain resonance.

In his youth, at Chu Ming’s age, he too had labored endlessly for a place in officialdom, studying long cold nights...

After bowing to Feng Yuan, Chu Ming saluted Fu Chang and Liu Sitong as well.

Though these two were not as sincere as Feng Yuan, they did at least speak up for him. The basic courtesies must still be kept.

"Since Chu Librarian is heading to Xirong County, why not travel with our Tiger Armor Army?" Huo Buyan added.

Even without Shen Yu’s message, Huo Buyan had intended to take Chu Ming. Now, however, it was even more legitimate.

"Thank you, Commander Huo."

"..."

...

After returning from the County Government to the West City Mansion, the first thing Chu Ming did was return to his room.

He sat at his desk, pen in hand, writing something.

Before long, a dozen pages were filled with words and detailed diagrams.

This was the cultivation technique he specially deduced for Feng Yuan.

This technique was easy to practice, the movements simple, and though it might not quickly condense Qi and Blood, its strengthening effect was evident, ideal for someone like Feng Yuan, who had extremely poor martial aptitude.

Chu Ming kept Feng Yuan’s kindness in mind. This technique was only hastily devised for now—when time allowed, he would certainly deduce a better one for Feng Yuan.

Stepping out, Fang Xiao and Lin Zhenwu were already waiting outside; Shao Pengshu was there too, but as he did not wish to join the Tiger Armor Army, he had only come to see them off.

Chu Ming handed the cultivation technique to Shao Pengshu, entrusting him to personally guide Feng Yuan in its practice, which eased his mind.

At the mansion gate, Huo Buyan and the others were already mounted on Blazing Fire Tiger Horses, with a carriage behind them; Chu Ming and Little Shan sat inside, Fang Xiao and Lin Zhenwu drove the carriage.

Many people stood at the gate—Liu Sitong, Shao Pengshu, Ning Hao and his father, Liang Yuan...

They had all come to see Chu Ming off.

Fu Chang did not come, being currently engaged with Inspectorate Captain Qiu Li. As Baiyuan County Magistrate, it was also inappropriate for him to come personally.

Feng Yuan also did not come—not for reasons of status, but out of reluctance. He did not wish to bid farewell.

The Blazing Fire Tiger Horses stamped and trotted, the carriage wheels clattering along the road, and soon they left Baiyuan County.

Upon the city wall, Feng Yuan watched the little black dot fade away, tidied his wind-blown temples, and turned to leave.

The same day.

Inspectorate Captain Qiu Li and Merit Officer Goong also left Baiyuan County.

As for those imprisoned in the Criminal Defense Bureau dungeon—the Chu Family and others—they were all decapitated and exposed to the public that very day, without exception.

...

Xirong County, Inspectorate.

Qiu Li half-knelt on the ground; before him stood a man with a cold countenance, dressed in black official robes.

"Lord Zhou, the entire Chu Family of Baiyuan County has been executed; the three Wan siblings have disappeared; the Chu Family’s illegitimate son, Chu Ming, has a follower who became a Centurion in the Tiger Armor Army—personally promoted by Commander Huo Buyan. I dared not act rashly..."

Qiu Li reported everything that had happened in Baiyuan County.

The black-robed man seated in the chair turned the jade ring on his finger, his gaze as deep as the Black Abyss. "The Chief Escort Master of the Wind Traveling Escort Agency, Ruan Heng—have you found his whereabouts?"

"This subordinate is incompetent..."

"Indeed incompetent." Zhou Xi ceased rotating the jade ring, slowly rose, and walked in front of Qiu Li, his voice calm. "You failed to save the one who needed saving, failed to kill those who were meant to die, and failed even to find the person we seek. Tell me, what use is there in keeping you?"

"M... my lord..."

Qiu Li kept his head down, staring at those black boots, cold sweat pouring down his back. "Your subordinate... your subordinate..."

"Give me a reason to keep you. Otherwise..." Zhou Xi sat back down, lifted his teacup, and sipped indifferently. "It will be most troublesome for me. And when things become troublesome, the best way is..."

Crack—

The teacup shattered instantly!

"My lord!" Every hair on Qiu Li’s body bristled; his heart thought spun rapidly. "This subordinate has discovered that the Wan siblings’ disappearance is linked to the Blood Evil Sect!"

"The Blood Evil Sect?" Zhou Xi sneered. "Heh—Captain Qiu. Shifting blame to that Blood Evil Sect may excuse you, but if that’s all, there is no need for me to spare you."