I Grind to Martial Saint

Hearing Huang Xian’Er’s words, Han Yuan shook his head in resignation. "To think I’d lose a Demon Exterminator over this."

Huang Xian’Er smiled. "Disciples from the Divine Fist Sect and Rain Flower Sect are constantly joining the Observatory now. You’re not short on people at all."

Previously, the Three Great Sects had always been secretly vying with the Observatory.

As a result, disciples from these Three Great Sects would almost never join the Observatory.

But ever since Han Yuan crushed the Cyan Cloud Sect, and the Divine Fist Sect and Rain Flower Sect subsequently pledged their allegiance, the situation had changed.

To show their sincerity to Han Yuan, Wei Shiming and Situ Ya wanted disciples from their own Sects to join the Observatory as Demon Exterminators.

In truth, this was also a good thing.

Although being a Demon Exterminator came with risks unimaginable to ordinary people, it could also serve to temper them.

The Observatory also had a wealth of resources.

All sorts of Elixir Pills and Weapons could be obtained using Contribution Points.

So, the Observatory was no longer as shorthanded as it used to be.

"So your father agreed?"

Han Yuan found this a little strange.

Huang Xian’Er was the young mistress of the Huang Family, after all.

Over the past few days, Han Yuan could tell that Huang Huai was likely grooming her to be his successor.

"He didn’t agree at first, but then I told him it was your idea."

"He had no choice but to agree."

Thinking about it, Huang Xian’Er gave a sly smile.

"This..."

Han Yuan rolled his eyes.

Of course, he wouldn’t get angry over such a small thing.

"Alright, then."

"I wish you both a safe journey."

Han Yuan raised his cup and drained it in one go.

Such is life; everyone has their own path.

When you reach a certain point and the road forks, you naturally part ways.

The next day.

Zhang Cang and Huang Xian’Er left Cangshui County Town together, heading for an Outer Province.

’Those two...’

Han Yuan stood on the city wall, watching the two figures shrink into the distance. He smiled, then turned and left.

Back in the main hall of the Observatory.

Han Yuan first called up his Skill Proficiency Panel.

After more than two months of arduous Cultivation, both his Vajra Indestructible Divine Skill and Innate Great Demon Skill had improved considerably.

This was especially true for the Innate Great Demon Skill.

Han Yuan had been focusing most of his energy on this particular Internal Cultivation Method.

Host: Han Yuan

Innate Great Demon Skill: Ninth Layer (365/3500)

Vajra Indestructible Divine Skill: Minor Success (3245/5000)

Black Whale Oversea Skill: Perfection (Transformed Whale)

Giant Spirit Monument-Opening Hand: Perfection (Infinite Strength)

...

The Innate Great Demon Skill had a total of twenty-one layers, with the first ten layers corresponding to the True Qi Realm.

Han Yuan had now cultivated to the Ninth Layer, which was close to the stage of True Qi Perfection.

He had only managed to grind his way to this realm after madly consuming all sorts of Cultivation Elixirs.

A normal True Qi Martial Artist, even one with exceptional talent, would need at least a decade of hard training to convert their True Qi into Gang Essence.

Meanwhile, his Vajra Indestructible Divine Skill had also reached the Minor Success Realm, greatly increasing his vital energy and making his skin, muscles, and bones incredibly tough.

’Another two months of grinding, and I should be able to break through to the True Gang Realm.’

Han Yuan dismissed the Skill Proficiency Panel, but just as he was about to start cultivating, Zhai Mu rushed in anxiously.

"Director Han, an urgent report has arrived from the Jianghe Celestial Observation Bureau!"

"This intelligence was delivered by a Thousand-Mile Falcon!"

Zhai Mu said quickly.

"A Thousand-Mile Falcon?"

Han Yuan raised an eyebrow.

The Thousand-Mile Falcon was a type of falcon that flew extremely fast, but it was exceptionally difficult to tame.

Under normal circumstances, they were not used.

Unless the intelligence was extremely urgent.

Furthermore, they were typically only used when a County-level Celestial Observation Bureau encountered a problem it couldn’t solve and needed to send a message to the Province Level Celestial Observation Bureau.

’Why is it the other way around this time?’

"Let me see the letter."

Han Yuan said quickly.

When things were this unusual, something was definitely amiss.

Zhai Mu hurriedly handed the letter to Han Yuan.

After reading it, Han Yuan’s brow instantly furrowed.

"Director Han, what on earth happened?"

Zhai Mu asked in a low voice.

"There’s trouble in Tongming County."

Han Yuan said gravely.

"Tongming County?"

"Hasn’t the Province Army been in a stalemate with the people from the Wangling Sect?"

Zhai Mu looked puzzled.

According to what he knew, the provincial forces should have had the upper hand, with the Wangling Sect just desperately holding on.

"Not anymore... Do you remember Fang Tai from Qingchuan County?"

"Everyone thought he would attack Qingchuan County Town, but instead, he led his troops straight for Tongming County."

Han Yuan said gravely.

"What?!"

Zhai Mu’s face paled in shock.

He quickly retrieved a map of Jianghe Province from within the hall and spread it out on a table.

"Here’s Qingchuan County... and here’s Tongming County..."

Zhai Mu quickly pointed to the two locations.

Qingchuan County was located just to the upper left of Tongming County.

If Fang Tai launched a surprise attack with his troops, the Province Army, which was already locked in a fierce battle in Tongming County, would be attacked from both front and rear.

"That’s why the Jianghe Celestial Observation Bureau sent us this urgent message."

"They didn’t just send it to us in Cangshui County; they sent one to all the other counties as well."

Han Yuan said calmly.

"Are they asking us to go to Tongming County as reinforcements?" Zhai Mu said immediately.

"Correct. After discovering Fang Tai’s movements, the Province Army immediately planned a retreat."

"The Jianghe Celestial Observation Bureau wants us to go to Tongming County to cover the Province Army’s retreat."

Han Yuan nodded.

"Then, Director... are we going?"

Zhai Mu asked.

He knew that the only person who could make the decision was Han Yuan.

If Han Yuan decided not to go, there was nothing the Jianghe Celestial Observation Bureau could do about it.

In other words, the decision was entirely Han Yuan’s to make.

’I’m actually quite interested in joining the fray.’

’If the Province Army doesn’t retreat in time and gets hit by Fang Tai’s maneuver, their losses will be devastating.’

’The entire Jianghe Province would probably be plunged into turmoil.’

’Besides, my feud with the Wangling Sect runs too deep... If they ever free up their hands, I’m afraid I’ll be the first one they come after.’

’In that case, it’s better if I take the initiative and go myself.’

Han Yuan made his decision.

Given the current situation, he had to go.

"Are you going alone, then?"

"Shouldn’t you discuss this with Prefect Wen and General Li?"

Zhai Mu inquired.

"No need. I’ll go alone."

"Go and ask Prefect Wen and General Li to come see me."

Han Yuan said calmly.

Zhai Mu nodded hurriedly, turned, and left the hall.

However, it wasn’t long before he was leading the two men back into the hall.

"So fast?"

Han Yuan’s eyes widened in surprise.

Zhai Mu had been gone for less than a few minutes.

Not even he could move that fast.

"Director Han, the two gentlemen came looking for you on their own."

Zhai Mu explained, then cupped his fists and departed.

Only then did Prefect Wen speak. "Director Han... about Fang Tai’s surprise attack on Tongming County... You must have heard by now."

"Yes... I was just thinking of finding you both to discuss it."

"I didn’t expect you to come to me first."

"It seems the Province Yamen sent you a message as well."

Han Yuan said with a smile.

"Yes... The Province Yamen wants our Cangshui County to dispatch troops..."

"My thought was to send a few hundred County Soldiers over, just as a token gesture."

Li Jin said with a nod.

In times like these, with the situation so turbulent, everyone wanted to preserve their own strength.

Besides, Cangshui County was a long way from Tongming County.

At the marching speed of the County Soldiers, it would likely take over a month to get there.

By then, it would be far too late.

"No need... I will personally make a trip to Tongming County."

Han Yuan said calmly.

Hearing this, Wen Zhiyuan and Li Jin were both greatly shocked.

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