I Grind to Martial Saint

A moment later.

Bai Qi rushed into the main hall of the Government Office, a panicked look on his face. "Prefect Wen," he cried, "something terrible has happened!"

Wen Zhiyuan’s heart skipped a beat.

Those were the last words he wanted to hear.

But he was the Prefect, after all. He maintained a calm facade and asked softly, "What happened?"

Bai Qi cupped his fist and said, "Last night, after Supervisor Du learned about what happened on Sheep Head Mountain, he left the Observatory overnight. He was probably coming to report to you."

Hearing this, Wen Zhiyuan couldn’t help but interrupt. "Are you saying Du Qiuxu came to see me last night?"

Bai Qi nodded. "That’s right."

Wen Zhiyuan’s brow furrowed. "But I haven’t seen Du Qiuxu at all since last night."

Bai Qi sighed. "That’s why I came to find you, sir... Supervisor Du... he seems to have disappeared!"

"What?!"

Hearing this, Wen Zhiyuan could no longer maintain his composure.

With Nie Jing having fallen on Sheep Head Mountain, the Observatory was being held together by Du Qiuxu.

If something happened to him now, the Noble Family factions within the Observatory would surely grow powerful, and no one would be able to suppress them.

You see, Wen Zhiyuan had originally planned to use the Observatory to suppress the rumors in the city.

But now with Du Qiuxu’s disappearance, the Observatory would be completely out of control.

"Are you sure Du Qiuxu has really disappeared?!"

Wen Zhiyuan couldn’t help but ask again.

"We’ve been searching for him in secret throughout the city for a long time."

"But there’s still no trace of Supervisor Du."

Bai Qi said, shaking his head.

In his panic, Wen Zhiyuan saw Zhao Junshan give him a meaningful look.

He managed to suppress his inner turmoil and said softly, "I understand. Go back for now and continue the search. Inform me immediately if you find any news of Supervisor Du."

Bai Qi cupped his fist. "Yes, sir!"

After Bai Qi left the main hall, Wen Zhiyuan sighed repeatedly. "It’s over... It’s all over..."

Nie Jing fell on Sheep Head Mountain, the County Soldiers suffered heavy losses, and there was no telling when Li Jin could lead his troops back.

And now, something had happened to Du Qiuxu.

The Government Office’s power had suffered one heavy blow after another in just a few short days.

Within the Government Office, the only person Wen Zhiyuan could trust was Zhao Junshan.

"Prefect... something isn’t right."

"For so many things to happen at once... it can’t be a coincidence."

"There might be some faction pulling the strings behind the scenes."

Zhao Junshan said in a low voice.

"I think so too..."

"But what can I possibly do now?"

Wen Zhiyuan sighed.

"Our only choice is to report this to the Province Mansion and see if they can send support."

"They’ve already lost Tongming County. The Province Mansion surely won’t want to lose Cangshui County as well."

Zhao Junshan said gravely.

Cangshui County was different from Tongming County.

Tongming County was remote, mountainous, and hard to access. Even if it was lost, besides being a blow to their pride, it wouldn’t be a substantial loss for Jianghe Province.

But Cangshui County was different.

It was built in the heart of the Cangjiang River’s course. Its shipping was well-developed, and the annual taxes it sent to the Province Mansion were among the highest.

If Cangshui County were to fall, the blow to Jianghe Province would be enormous.

"Mm... we can only hope the higher-ups send someone."

Wen Zhiyuan nodded.

"Furthermore, to ensure your safety, sir."

"You should stay at the Province Yamen for the next few days. I will protect you personally at all times."

Zhao Junshan said softly.

With Du Qiuxu having vanished without a trace, he was afraid Wen Zhiyuan would suffer the same fate.

"Yes... I’ll have to trouble you, Chief Constable Zhao."

Wen Zhiyuan nodded hastily.

The situation in Cangshui County Town was now treacherous and unpredictable, leaving him feeling restless.

But there was nothing he could do.

He was the Prefect of Cangshui County.

The common people could flee, but he, the Prefect, could not.

......

The Huang Family.

Huang Xian’Er was speaking with a burly, middle-aged man in a large hall.

"Xian’Er... the situation is bad."

"I’m afraid Cangshui County is about to fall into chaos."

"You must take your two younger brothers and all your cousins and leave Cangshui County. Head for the Province Mansion."

The burly man said in a low, serious voice.

He was the Patriarch of the Huang Family, Huang Huai.

He was also another one of the Observatory’s Vice Directors.

But just like Cui Jiushan, his title was merely nominal; he held no real power.

"Father, is it really that serious?"

Huang Xian’Er asked with a frown.

"Of course... I just received news."

"Even Du Qiuxu has disappeared."

"Cangshui County... something huge is about to happen!"

Huang Huai said with certainty.

"Supervisor Du is in trouble too?"

"Which family made a move?"

Huang Xian’Er asked in shock.

"I don’t know... it could be any of them."

"In any case, Cangshui County is too dangerous right now. You must leave as soon as possible."

Huang Huai emphasized again.

"Father... aren’t you leaving?"

Huang Xian’Er asked, her brow furrowed.

"I can’t leave. The Huang Family’s hundred-year foundation is here in Cangshui County Town."

"I’m having you leave first... just as a precaution."

Huang Huai said, shaking his head.

As long as Huang Xian’Er and the others left Cangshui County, then no matter what happened in the future, the Huang Family’s bloodline would at least survive.

"I understand."

Huang Xian’Er nodded helplessly.

"Right... you can ask Han Yuan to go with you."

"With Nie Jing and Du Qiuxu both out of the picture, and considering how many people he’s offended, I’m afraid someone will make a move against him soon."

"Leaving with our Huang Family... is his best option."

"You should have a good talk with him."

Huang Huai said softly.

It had been his idea to make Han Yuan a retainer of the Huang Family in the first place.

He had clearly seen Han Yuan’s talent.

Right now, Han Yuan was clearly in a desperate situation with nowhere to turn.

If he didn’t leave with the Huang Family,

he would soon meet a fatal end.

This time, it could be considered the Huang Family offering a helping hand in his time of need.

"Then I’ll go talk to him now."

"But I have a feeling... he might not agree."

Huang Xian’Er said softly.

"Why?"

"Does he really have any other choice?"

Huang Huai asked with a frown.

"No... besides our Huang Family, no one else would be willing to help him."

Huang Xian’Er shook her head.

"Then why do you think Han Yuan would disagree?"

Huang Huai asked curiously.

"Just a gut feeling."

"You’ve never interacted with Han Yuan, so you don’t know his personality."

"His temper is worse than anyone imagines."

"So... he probably won’t go with us."

Huang Xian’Er said softly.

"Well, go and try asking him anyway."

"If he’s not willing, we can’t force him, after all."

Huang Huai said.

"Mm."

Huang Xian’Er nodded.

Soon,

she left the Huang Family residence and made her way toward the Observatory.

The atmosphere at the Observatory today was clearly off.

Even the Black Death Guard, who were normally on patrol, were nowhere to be seen.

The entire Observatory was eerily quiet, with very few people in sight.

’Looks like Supervisor Du really is in trouble,’ Huang Xian’Er thought to herself.

Before long, she arrived in front of Han Yuan’s courtyard.

She knew Han Yuan had been in seclusion these past few days, so she stepped forward and knocked on the door.

There was no response.

’Is he still in seclusion?’

Huang Xian’Er frowned.

But this matter was too urgent. She felt she had to tell Han Yuan.

For him to remain in seclusion given his current predicament was far too dangerous.

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