I Grind to Martial Saint

About the time it took an incense stick to burn,

Song Guang led his men into Cyan Ox Ridge.

He frowned upon seeing the terrain of Cyan Ox Ridge.

The topography here was perfectly suited for an ambush.

If the Wangling Sect had set up a trap, he feared his few hundred men would all be lost here.

Just as Song Guang was about to order someone to scout ahead,

"AHHH—"

A series of wretched screams, carried on the wind, drifted over from the depths of Cyan Ox Ridge.

The forest on Cyan Ox Ridge was dense and the night was pitch-black. Song Guang couldn’t see a thing inside.

Immediately after, he smelled an overpowering stench of blood.

"Follow me!"

"Prepare for battle!"

Song Guang barked.

The soldiers, their expressions tense, quickly lit their torches and followed Song Guang into the depths of Cyan Ox Ridge.

When Song Guang and his men reached a clearing, they were left utterly dumbfounded.

In the flickering torchlight, they saw bodies strewn everywhere and rivers of blood.

Mutilated corpses lay on the ground, not a single one whole. The scene was exceptionally gruesome.

Even a battlefield veteran like Song Guang was horrified.

For amidst the field of dismembered bodies stood a Blade Master in a conical hat.

He was wiping a heavy, outrageously designed great saber.

Even from a distance, Song Guang could feel the Evil Qi emanating from the weapon.

Seeing Song Guang and his men, Han Yuan gave a slight smile. He sheathed the Dragon Sparrow Cloud-Splitting Saber and walked toward them.

"Are you men from the Jianghe Province Army?"

Han Yuan asked.

"I am Song Guang, Assistant General of the Jianghe Province Army!"

Sensing no malice from Han Yuan, Song Guang clasped his fist and spoke.

"I’m Han Yuan, the Director of the Observatory in Cangshui County."

"This is my Identity Token."

Han Yuan took out his token.

His reputation was currently only known within Cangshui County.

Moreover, Song Guang had been fighting the Wangling Sect in Tongming County for the past few months, receiving very little news from the outside world. It was even less likely he would have heard of Han Yuan.

However, the title "Director of the Cangshui County Observatory" carried enough weight on its own.

After verifying the token’s authenticity, Song Guang clasped his fist again and said, "Greetings, Director Han."

During their withdrawal, Ling Yun had instructed the Assistant Generals that the Observatories of the various counties had already dispatched people to Tongming County. If they encountered any of them during the retreat, they were simply to verify their identities.

Therefore, Song Guang wasn’t shocked by Han Yuan’s appearance; he was actually somewhat relieved.

He had already seen the corpse of Sect Leader Cheng, which had been split in two.

He knew in his heart that the enemy had likely planned to ambush him here and wipe them all out in one fell swoop.

But unexpectedly, Han Yuan had appeared out of nowhere and slaughtered them all.

Han Yuan also smiled. "Assistant General Song, it looks like these men were planning to ambush you."

Song Guang nodded. "That’s right... These people from the Wangling Sect have been hunting us for days."

"We are indebted to you for intervening this time, Director Han. Otherwise, we would have been in serious trouble."

"On behalf of my many brothers, I thank you, Director Han!"

As he spoke, Song Guang gave Han Yuan a deep, formal bow.

"No need. I just happened to be passing by."

Han Yuan waved his hand dismissively, then asked, "Assistant General Song, are you headed to Pinglang County?"

"That’s right... We were originally planning to retreat near Pinglang County to rest and regroup."

Song Guang nodded.

"Then there’s no need to go to Pinglang County... I’ve found a better place for you."

Han Yuan said with a smile.

....

The night was pitch-black.

A figure wearing a conical hat arrived near Liuye County, silently scaled the city wall, and slipped inside.

Han Yuan didn’t act immediately. Instead, he first made his way to a main street.

He saw that every household had lit candles.

"Yellow Springs Saint Mother, deliver me from this sea of suffering."

"Yellow Springs Saint Mother, deliver me from this sea of suffering."

The familiar sound of chanting drifted from every house.

Han Yuan was a little surprised.

He silently moved to the roof of a house and looked down.

He saw a family of five kneeling in their courtyard, ceaselessly chanting the scriptures of the Wangling Sect.

’This chant again... Can’t these Wangling Sect guys come up with something new?’

Han Yuan shook his head in resignation.

He had dealt with the Wangling Sect too many times and had heard this chant countless times; he could even recite it himself.

Just then, Han Yuan heard the sound of footsteps.

He hid himself silently and looked toward the street.

He saw several Wangling Sect followers dressed in yellow walking down the street, holding a list. They would periodically enter a house to do a spot check and verify the number of occupants.

Watching this, Han Yuan wondered, ’Why is the Wangling Sect forcing these commoners to chant?’

Initially, Han Yuan had thought the Wangling Sect was making the commoners chant simply to brainwash them into unconditional obedience.

But now, it seemed it wasn’t that simple.

He feared there was some other secret behind it.

’Whatever... I’ll see if I can capture the Altar Master here later.’

A thought struck Han Yuan.

He had noticed something about that Sect Leader Cheng.

Because the Wangling Sect had expanded too quickly, it might have absorbed some wanted criminals and Martial World thieves along the way.

These men were skilled in martial arts, but their faith in the Yellow Springs Saint Mother was likely less fanatical than that of an ordinary follower.

Of course, it depended on the individual.

Han Yuan didn’t know if the Altar Master guarding Liuye County was a pious fanatic or not; he would just have to try his luck.

After getting a grasp of the situation in Willow Leaf City, he retraced his steps and headed for the East City Gate.

The East City Gate was also the gate closest to Cyan Ox Ridge.

As Han Yuan stealthily approached, climbed the city wall, and lay flat atop the battlements,

He suddenly heard a voice.

"What’s the situation with Sect Leader Cheng?"

"I don’t know... There’s been no word yet."

"Still no news after all this time?"

"Yes... This subordinate also finds it strange. Could it be that Song Guang sensed something was wrong and fled with his men?"

"It’s possible. Take some men to Cyan Ox Ridge and investigate!"

"Yes, sir!"

When the conversation ended, silence returned to the gate tower.

And Han Yuan quietly peeked out.

He saw a figure dressed in a yellow Magic Robe standing before the gate tower.

Seeing this attire, Han Yuan knew this must be the Wangling Sect’s Altar Master for Liuye County.

’For me to run into you like this... I guess it’s just your bad luck!’

Han Yuan had originally planned to just create some chaos and open the city gate.

He never expected to run into the Altar Master of Liuye County himself.

Just as the Altar Master was about to turn and leave, he saw a figure leap up.

THWACK!

Han Yuan landed a vicious Hand Blade strike on the Altar Master’s neck.

With his precise control over his strength, the man was knocked out cold instantly.

Han Yuan dragged him to a hidden corner before beginning his slaughter.

....

In the distance.

Song Guang and his men were lying in ambush a few miles from Liuye County.

Suddenly, thick black smoke billowed from the city gate of Liuye County. The blazing fire turned half the sky red, visible even from a great distance.

"Brothers!"

"Charge!"

Seeing the signal, Song Guang roared, and holding his long spear, he was the first to charge forward.

The several hundred soldiers behind him, brimming with killing intent, charged forward with him!

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