I Grind to Martial Saint

Han Yuan wasn’t fazed by the news.

Du Qiuxu’s death had long been expected.

Still, they had known each other, and Du Qiuxu had treated him well during his time at the Observatory.

Now that the man was dead, it was only natural to do something.

"I will send some silver coins to the Jianghe Celestial Observation Bureau and have them pass it on to Supervisor Du’s widow."

"And I’ll find a Daoist another day to perform a rite for him by the Cangjiang River."

Han Yuan said softly.

Zhao Junshan didn’t say much more. This was, after all, a matter for the Observatory.

He then asked, "Also, the Prefect wanted me to ask one more thing: what do you plan to do with Cui Jiushan?"

Han Yuan said flatly, "Drag him out and execute him. There’s no point in keeping him alive."

Zhao Junshan smiled. "Our Government Office feels the same way. We’ll execute him by beheading at the East Gate Vegetable Market in three days. However, we’d like some assistance from your Observatory."

"I’m worried that remnants of the Wangling Sect might try to storm the execution grounds."

Han Yuan said seriously, "I will have men lying in ambush. If anyone from the Wangling Sect dares to show their face, they are as good as dead!"

"Then it’s settled."

After getting Han Yuan’s reply, Zhao Junshan didn’t linger, departing in a few leaps.

As the Chief Constable, he was extremely busy these days.

Seeing that nearly everyone below had been apprehended, Han Yuan also vanished from the scene.

He didn’t return to the Observatory first. Instead, he went to a tavern and entered a private room directly through the window.

"Lord Han."

"You’ve been promoted, and even your entrances have gotten more impressive."

Zhai Mu quipped, watching Han Yuan climb in through the window.

"I had no choice."

"These are special times. It’s better if I’m not seen too often."

Han Yuan said softly.

"Why is that?"

Zhai Mu was a little curious.

"Do you know what the most terrifying thing is?"

Han Yuan sat down across from Zhai Mu.

Zhai Mu hurriedly poured him a cup of wine. "I can’t say that I do."

"The unknown is what people fear most."

Han Yuan poured the wine down his throat.

The wine wasn’t harsh; it had a faint osmanthus fragrance.

"’The unknown?’" Zhai Mu repeated, pondering the words.

"Mmm. My reputation is big enough already. Appearing too often is actually a bad thing."

"As long as I maintain an air of mystery, those with ill intentions won’t dare to make a move."

Han Yuan explained.

"That seems to make sense."

Zhai Mu nodded.

"Enough about that."

"Have you considered what I told you last time?"

Han Yuan asked.

Zhai Mu dropped his playful expression and said seriously, "I am willing to serve Lord Han."

"Good!"

"Once my appointment papers arrive, I will bring you into the Observatory."

Han Yuan said in a low voice.

The Observatory was currently short on manpower, so it was only natural to recruit some new people.

The first person he thought of was, of course, Zhai Mu.

"My lord."

"I have another candidate in mind."

Zhai Mu said softly.

"Let’s hear it."

Han Yuan asked.

"His name is Zhou Yuanhu, nicknamed Fierce Tiger. He’s ranked seventeenth on the Cangshui Black List."

Zhai Mu said seriously.

"Zhou Yuanhu..."

The name sounded vaguely familiar to Han Yuan.

"My lord, Zhou Yuanhu is not some murderous arsonist."

"He was originally a Martial World Wanderer. He’s headstrong and hot-tempered, and he especially enjoys killing the wicked wealthy."

"But he never harms the innocent, and he gives away all the money he takes from those he kills."

"If you don’t believe me, my lord, you can check his file."

Zhai Mu’s expression turned solemn.

"You speak up for him so much. You must know him well."

Han Yuan said with a half-smile.

"We’re acquainted... I wouldn’t say we’d go through hell and high water for each other."

"But we do have a bit of a history."

Zhai Mu didn’t hide it, just chuckled.

After all, both he and Zhou Yuanhu engaged in robbing the rich to help the poor, so it was only natural they had crossed paths.

It was just that Zhai Mu used theft, while Zhou Yuanhu was more violent, killing his targets directly to take their money.

The reason Zhai Mu recommended Zhou Yuanhu to Han Yuan was that he felt Han Yuan was different.

He had discovered that Han Yuan didn’t seem to hold prejudices against anyone.

Of course, that was provided you didn’t provoke him.

Otherwise, the consequences would be dire.

Besides, with the Observatory short-staffed, Zhai Mu felt this was a good opportunity for Zhou Yuanhu to clear his name.

"Zhou Yuanhu... Take me to meet him."

Han Yuan didn’t agree right away.

He needed to meet the man first before he could make a judgment.

"How could I trouble you, my lord?"

"You just stay here and eat. I’ll go get him."

Zhai Mu, ever perceptive, stood up and said.

Han Yuan didn’t refuse, picking up his chopsticks and starting to wolf down his food.

「About an incense stick’s time later.」

Zhai Mu returned. With him was a formidable-looking man.

The man was towering and powerfully built, with heroic features.

Even facing Han Yuan, currently the most feared man in Cangshui County Town, the large man showed no fear. He cupped his fist and said, "I am Zhou Yuanhu. A pleasure to meet you, Lord Han!"

"Zhou Yuanhu... you are ranked seventeenth on the Cangshui Black List."

"Do you dare exchange a punch with me? Let me see what you’re made of."

Han Yuan put down his chopsticks, wiped the corner of his mouth, and spoke softly.

"Why wouldn’t I dare?"

"But this is hardly a suitable place for it."

Zhou Yuanhu said in a booming voice.

"True. Then let’s go outside the city!"

Han Yuan nodded.

The three quickly left the tavern and went to the city outskirts.

Han Yuan and Zhou Yuanhu faced each other, standing ten meters apart.

Zhai Mu stood to the side, watching the show.

"My lord, my apologies in advance!"

After cupping his fist, Zhou Yuanhu directly assumed a fighting stance.

In recent days, tales of Han Yuan’s deeds had already spread throughout Cangshui County.

Zhou Yuanhu knew Han Yuan wanted to test his skills, so he naturally wouldn’t hold back.

"Go ahead!"

Han Yuan nodded.

In the next instant, Zhou Yuanhu attacked like a fierce tiger descending a mountain, his entire arm tensing as he threw a punch.

ROAR~

Faintly, the resounding roar of a tiger seemed to erupt.

This punch was filled with killing intent.

If someone with a weak will heard this tiger’s roar, their Heart Spirit would likely be thrown into a daze, leaving them to be killed by a single blow.

But Han Yuan was no ordinary person.

He remained rooted to the spot and threw a punch of his own.

WHOOSH~~

As he struck, the airflow for several meters around him seemed to be drawn in, forming a violent Gang Feng.

BANG!

The two fists collided head-on.

Zhou Yuanhu let out a low growl.

He felt a brutish Divine Power surge into his right arm from the impact. His bones and tendons felt crushed, letting out a pained cry as his body was forced back more than a dozen steps.

"Lord Han is as powerful as they say."

"I am thoroughly convinced!"

Zhou Yuanhu said, cupping his fist as blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

One had to remember that Han Yuan had thrown his punch from a standstill, without fully exerting his power.

Yet that terrifyingly brutish Qi Power still overwhelmed him.

"You’re not bad yourself."

"Zhai Mu told me all about you."

"How would you like to come to my Observatory and be a Demon Exterminator?"

Han Yuan said with a smile.

"But I... I am a man on the Black List, after all... I’m afraid it would tarnish your reputation, my lord."

Zhou Yuanhu said with some concern.

"In this Cangshui County Town, who would dare speak ill of me?!"

Han Yuan roared with laughter.

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