I Grind to Martial Saint

In the days that followed, the situation across the entire Great Ling Dynasty changed dramatically.

In recent years, the Court’s taxes had grown increasingly heavy, and the local Noble Families’ exploitation had become ever more brutal. Many of the common people were already living in misery.

The Wangling Sect’s uprising and capture of Tongming County was like the raising of a curtain.

All sorts of rebel uprisings broke out one after another across the Nineteen Provinces of the Great Ling Dynasty.

For a time, the flames of war raged everywhere.

Even the Court could no longer sit idle. The Emperor of Great Ling personally wrote letters, demanding that the Inspectors of each province suppress the rebellions.

"A time of troubles."

’I wonder what the situation in Tongming County is like.’

Nie Jing frowned slightly, looking at the letter in his hand as he rode his horse.

The letter was about the uprisings in the provinces, but it didn’t specify the situation in Tongming County.

General Li Jin, who was beside Nie Jing, said in a low voice, "I heard fifty thousand Province Soldiers have already assembled and are preparing to attack Tongming County."

Jianghe Province had dozens of counties.

Cangshui County and Tongming County were very far apart, so it was difficult to get timely news from there.

"The Wangling Sect is not to be underestimated... They took Tongming County Town overnight. Not even the local Director of the Observatory managed to escape."

"Fifty thousand Province Soldiers might not be enough."

Nie Jing was a little worried.

"But you have the Observatory, don’t you?"

"I’ve long heard of the great Zhao Mengtian, the Flying Heaven Sword, Director of the Jianghe Celestial Observation Bureau."

"He’s a peerless master ranked in the top three of the Jianghe List, with Innate Cultivation. Who knows how many demons and monsters he’s slain with his Flying Heaven Sword Technique."

Li Jin said casually.

The Jianghe List he mentioned was, in fact, a ranking of Jianghe Province’s greatest masters. It was compiled by the mysterious forces behind the Black Market and was considered highly credible by the people of the Jianghe Province Martial World.

Nie Jing fell silent for a moment.

Of course he knew Zhao Mengtian.

Before he became the Director in Cangshui County, he had been one of Zhao Mengtian’s Demon Exterminators.

Nie Jing had no doubt about his old superior’s strength.

But the Wangling Sect’s origins were not shallow; they might even have ties to the Evil Demon Seed, which had disappeared long ago.

"My lords, Helin County Town is just ahead!"

A scout reported back from the front.

"Let’s go take a look."

Nie Jing said grimly.

When they arrived at Helin County Town with the army, everyone’s brows furrowed.

A large section of the Helin County Town gate was charred black, and the gate tower had collapsed.

Over a dozen bodies were hanging in front of the gate.

The corpses were all dressed in Official Uniforms. They were already decomposed, swarming with flies, their faces frozen in expressions of agony.

"The one in the middle... must be the County Magistrate of Heilin."

Li Jin could tell who was who just by looking at the Official Uniforms.

"Take them down and place them in coffins."

Nie Jing said softly.

Soon, the soldiers took down the bodies from the gate.

Upon entering the town, they were met with a scene of charred ruins. Most of the buildings had been burned to ash, and corpses littered the ground. It was a ghastly sight.

Clearly, after the Wuyun Bandits had taken Helin County Town, they had never intended to occupy it.

After the slaughter and destruction, they had retreated to Sheep Head Mountain.

"Zhang Bei...."

Seeing this hell on earth, Nie Jing gritted his teeth, two words escaping his lips.

"To them, human life is as cheap as grass."

Li Jin also sighed softly at the horrific state of Helin County Town.

After arriving at Helin County Town, Li Jin had the army make camp and rest for two days before heading for Sheep Head Mountain.

Sheep Head Mountain was so named because its peaks resembled the head of a sheep.

The terrain here was complex and densely forested. The main peak was flanked by lesser peaks, resembling the horns of a sheep.

The Wuyun Bandits’ lair was located deep within Sheep Head Mountain.

However, over the past few days, Nie Jing had already sent the Flying Eagle Guard to survey the terrain of Sheep Head Mountain and draw up a map.

Upon reaching Sheep Head Mountain, Li Jin quickly found a safe, open area and ordered the army to make camp.

Now at the foot of the mountain, the atmosphere became exceptionally tense.

The County Soldiers and Noble Family Guards were all on edge, afraid a stray arrow might fly out of nowhere and claim their lives.

Inside the largest tent.

Li Jin and Nie Jing were discussing the next day’s plan to attack the Wuyun Bandits.

"The Wuyun Bandits definitely know we’re here."

"But they haven’t launched a single attack yet. It seems they’ve decided to just hole up in their lair."

Li Jin said grimly.

"It doesn’t matter."

"Then we’ll just charge straight into their lair."

"I’ll deal with Zhang Bei."

Nie Jing said quietly.

He and Zhang Bei were old rivals.

He had failed to kill Zhang Bei before. This time, he would not let him get away.

"Mm."

"We have the advantage in both numbers and powerful fighters."

"There’s really no need to overthink it. We can just crush them in a straightforward assault."

Li Jin thought the same.

In his eyes, though the Wuyun Bandits seemed formidable, they were nothing more than a rabble that could be easily crushed.

"But we need to be careful tonight."

"Zhang Bei might lead a raid on the camp."

Li Jin added.

"Right. The two of us will take turns on watch tonight."

"To prevent Zhang Bei from raiding the camp."

Nie Jing said grimly.

But to their surprise, the night passed without incident.

It seemed Zhang Bei had no intention of launching a night raid, choosing instead to hide in his lair.

Seeing this, Li Jin no longer hesitated. At daybreak, he gave the order to advance into the mountains.

Nie Jing and Li Jin led from the front, scouting the path to guard against any hidden ambushes.

The Flying Eagle Guard also acted as scouts, reconnoitering the path far ahead.

The journey was deceptively peaceful.

But this only made the expressions on Li Jin and Nie Jing’s faces grow even more grim.

When something is this abnormal, there is bound to be a trap.

But having come this far, they couldn’t possibly turn back.

Li Jin could only give repeated orders, telling the soldiers and the Noble Family Guards to remain on high alert.

In this tense atmosphere, after an hour, they finally saw the Wuyun Bandits’ lair.

It was a sprawling complex of stockades.

At that moment, the main gate of the stockade stood wide open.

A man with a long face, an aquiline nose, and a sinister aura emerged from the stockade carrying a black spear. He led a host of bandits and stared at Nie Jing from several dozen meters away.

"Nie Jing... It’s been a long time."

Zhang Bei said coolly, his eyes narrowing.

"It has been a long time."

"It seems you’re doing well for yourself."

Nie Jing smiled.

"And it’s all thanks to you."

"Today, it’s time to settle our accounts."

Zhang Bei said coolly.

In the next moment, more and more ferocious figures poured out from the stockade.

"You lost to me once before."

"Today will have the same ending."

Nie Jing said quietly.

"Then we’ll see about that."

"KILL!"

Faced with an encircling army, Zhang Bei showed no intention of using the terrain to his advantage for defense. Instead, he led his horde of bandits and charged!!!

In an instant, battle cries shook the heavens.

The bandits swarmed forward.

"A bunch of rabble!"

"KILL THEM!"

Li Jin also drew his long saber and let out a great roar!

Hearing Li Jin’s command, the County Soldiers behind him let out a great roar, formed an attack formation with their long spears, and charged toward the bandits!

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