I Grind to Martial Saint

After Duan Xu and his men left, Han Yuan was the only one remaining in the entire camp.

He cultivated the Innate Great Demon Skill day and night.

Two days passed just like that.

Han Yuan had long since forgotten everything about the outside world.

Before he knew it, he felt himself hit a bottleneck.

Then, as he circulated the Innate Great Demon Skill...

...the bottleneck quietly vanished, and he broke through it.

BOOM—

In that moment.

Countless extreme thoughts flooded his mind.

Anger, rage, ferocity, malevolence...

These extreme desires surged wildly within Han Yuan’s heart. His face suddenly contorted into a savage grimace, his eyes shot with blood. He looked as brutal and vicious as a wild beast, devoid of any trace of humanity!

Yet Han Yuan clung on desperately, holding onto the last shred of his humanity.

He was like a small boat adrift on a vast ocean in a raging storm.

It seemed ready to capsize at any moment.

Yet it refused to be overturned by the towering waves.

After the time it would take to drink a cup of tea, these extreme emotions finally began to recede.

Clarity gradually returned to Han Yuan’s eyes.

"So this is the Innate Great Demon Skill... Truly demonic, indeed."

The corners of Han Yuan’s mouth curled up.

The next moment.

A series of sharp CRACKS echoed from his bones and tendons as his muscles swelled uncontrollably. A faint black qi began to seep from the surface of his skin.

’Is this the Great Demon Qi?’

Han Yuan rose and walked to a cliff face. He channeled the Innate Great Demon Qi, wrapping it around his fist before unleashing a vicious punch!

BAM!

His entire arm plunged directly into the cliff face.

The moment Han Yuan withdrew his arm, countless cracks spiderwebbed out from the hole he’d punched, spreading rapidly across the rock.

RUMBLE...

The entire cliff face began to shake violently, looking as if it might collapse at any moment.

The next second.

A huge section of the cliff face collapsed with a deafening roar.

Rubble and dirt flew everywhere amidst a billowing cloud of dust.

"This is the power!!!"

Han Yuan looked toward Cangshui County, a savage grin spreading across his face.

.....

「In a secret room in Cangshui County Town.」

Cui Jiushan, Bai Muxin, and the withered old man from the Wangling Sect were gathered together.

"These days, the Observatory and the Government Office have fallen completely under our control."

"That old turtle Wen Zhiyuan is holed up in the Government Office... We’ll spare him for now and settle the score with him later," Bai Muxin said gravely.

"Mm."

"Wen Zhiyuan is inconsequential. As long as he’s alive, Cangshui City will remain somewhat stable and won’t descend into complete panic," the withered old man said softly.

"Then what’s our next move?" Cui Jiushan asked.

He, like Bai Muxin, had thrown his lot in with the Wangling Sect. There was no turning back.

"Rest assured, the Province Soldiers and our Wangling Sect’s main force are currently locked in a deadly struggle in Tongming County Town. There’s no way they can divert their attention."

"What we do next is swallow up Li Jin’s defeated soldiers," the withered old man said gravely.

"Li Jin... he’s back?" Bai Muxin frowned.

"Mm... The man has been retreating with his defeated soldiers. They’re expected to arrive near Cangshui County Town tomorrow."

"According to our intelligence, Li Jin still has over two thousand County Soldiers, along with some Demon Exterminators and Noble Family Guards," the withered old man said.

"If we’re going to move against Li Jin, we have to do it fast."

"Before he finds out what has happened in the city."

"Otherwise, he’s sure to grow suspicious."

A vicious glint appeared in Bai Muxin’s eyes.

Li Jin was no simple man. To have served as the General of Cangshui County Town for so many years, he was not only skilled in combat, but also sharp-witted.

"So, tomorrow, you will use Wen Zhiyuan’s name. Falsely claim you’re hosting a banquet at a tavern in Li Jin’s honor!"

"Once Li Jin takes the bait, we strike immediately and kill him on the spot!"

The withered old man had already devised a plan.

Once Li Jin was dead, they could seize the opportunity to absorb his two thousand County Soldiers, which would be a great boon for the Wangling Sect.

"An excellent plan."

Cui Jiushan nodded.

Once they lured Li Jin into the city, he’d be a fish on the chopping block.

"As for killing Li Jin... let the Li Family handle it."

"That will get their hands dirty, and then there will be no turning back for them," Bai Muxin suggested.

The Li Family had been in contact with them recently.

This dirty job was perfect for them.

"I agree. It’s feasible."

"Priest, what are your thoughts?"

Cui Jiushan looked at the withered old man.

"Acceptable..."

The withered old man nodded in agreement.

The Li Family controlled many of the gangs in Cangshui County Town.

They could be of considerable help to them in controlling Cangshui County Town in the future.

"Then it’s settled."

"Now, we just have to see if Li Jin takes the bait."

Bai Muxin narrowed his eyes.

......

「The next day.」

With his hair disheveled and body wrapped in bandages, Li Jin led his defeated soldiers onward. At last, he saw the great river sprawling in the distance, and beyond it, the city crouched by the riverside like a colossal beast.

"Cangshui County Town... I, Li Jin... have finally returned!"

Li Jin stared at the giant city and muttered to himself.

Ever since the rout at Sheep Head Mountain, it was only thanks to Nie Jing’s suicidal rear-guard action that he’d been able to escape the battlefield with a portion of the County Soldiers.

After more than ten days on the run, Li Jin had finally led his men back toward Cangshui County Town.

"Give the order... We’re heading to the old encampment to rest and recuperate."

"The Noble Family Guards and Demon Exterminators... are dismissed for now."

Li Jin was not in a hurry to enter the city.

Leading troops into a city has been a major taboo since ancient times.

Soon, some of the Noble Family Guards and Demon Exterminators left the column and headed toward Cangshui County Town.

Li Jin, meanwhile, led his defeated soldiers back to their former encampment and made camp.

Before long, an official from the Government Office arrived at the main camp.

The County Soldiers brought him to Li Jin’s tent.

"Greetings, General Li!"

"You must be weary from your journey, General!"

Seeing Li Jin, the official hurried forward and clasped his fist in a salute.

"Ah, Magistrate Cui..."

Li Jin nodded slightly upon recognizing the official.

Having been the General of Cangshui County for so many years, he naturally knew all the officials, big and small, in the County Government Office.

This Magistrate Cui’s name was Cui Hui. He was a member of the Cui Family and had held the post of magistrate for over a decade.

Li Jin had dealt with him on numerous occasions, so the two were quite familiar.

"Regarding the great defeat at Sheep Head Mountain, the Prefect knows it was due to that scoundrel Zhang Bei’s cunning. It was no fault of yours, General."

"Now that he knows you’ve returned, he has already arranged a banquet at the Drunken Immortal Tower in the city. He wishes to welcome you, General Li, and your commanders!" Magistrate Cui said, clasping his fist.

But Li Jin shook his head. "I am a defeated general. My loss at Sheep Head Mountain has not only failed the expectations of Prefect Wen and the people of Cangshui County, but it also led to Director Nie’s death. I feel I don’t have the face to see Prefect Wen."

Hearing this, Magistrate Cui frowned inwardly, but his expression remained earnest. "General Li, no one blames you. If they did, Prefect Wen would not have arranged this banquet."

But Li Jin was resolute. He shook his head again. "Please, Magistrate Cui, allow me to keep what little face I have left. I will not be going today."

"Once I have settled my weary soldiers, I will enter the city and formally apologize to Prefect Wen for my failure!"

Magistrate Cui grew anxious upon hearing this.

But he found he couldn’t refute Li Jin’s reasoning.

Pressing the matter further would only arouse suspicion.

Left with no choice, he could only take his leave.

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