I Grind to Martial Saint

In just one night.

The situation in Tongming County had been turned completely on its head.

No one had expected that the Wangling Sect, which had held a significant advantage, would suddenly find their fortunes reversed.

The Jianghe Province Soldiers had originally been on the verge of capturing Tongming County Town.

But Fang Tai’s surprise attack from Qingchuan County became the turning point, shattering the balance and forcing the Province Soldiers to disperse into dozens of units and retreat.

But Fang Tai was both their success and their downfall.

With Fang Tai slain by Han Yuan, the Wangling Sect was once again forced onto the back foot, compelled to fall back and defend the sect.

It was then that the members of the Wangling Sect finally realized the Jianghe Province Soldiers’ scheme.

The Province Soldiers who had previously scattered were already spread across every corner of Tongming County.

As soon as Fang Tai died, these Jianghe Province Soldiers, as if by a preconceived plan, began a frenzy of conquering cities and territories.

In an instant, the flames of war engulfed Tongming County, leaving no place untouched.

In just three short days, the Wangling Sect lost all its territory except for Tongming County Town.

The Wangling Sect’s followers in Tongming County were relentlessly slaughtered, to the point where rivers of blood flowed and corpses littered the fields.

But the Wangling Sect dared not do anything and could only turtle up inside Tongming County Town.

After dealing with the various county towns, the scattered Jianghe Province Soldiers quickly regrouped, with Tongming County Town at the center, and surrounded it completely.

However, Ling Yun and Zhao Mengtian did not choose to press their advantage in one go. They simply surrounded the city without attacking, allowing their soldiers to rest for a few days.

「Two days later.」

A contingent of troops appeared, rapidly approaching Tongming County Town.

"Director Han, we’re almost there," Song Guang said excitedly.

He had been holding in a bellyful of fire ever since they were forced to retreat.

’We have to take Tongming County Town this time!’

He wasn’t the only one; the other Jianghe Province Soldiers felt the same.

"First, let’s rendezvous with General Ling and Director Zhao," Han Yuan said, comparatively calmer.

"Yes, sir!"

Song Guang realized he had become a little too agitated.

For a commander, this was a major taboo.

No matter the situation, one must maintain a calm mind to make accurate judgments.

Once excitement took over, one’s judgment would be clouded by emotion.

In truth, they didn’t need to search.

The camp of the Jianghe Province Soldiers was not far from Tongming County Town, a sprawling expanse with banners fluttering in the wind.

When Han Yuan led his men over, he saw three figures already waiting at the front of the encampment.

The leader was clad in silver armor, looking heroic and extraordinary.

Beside him was a refined and scholarly man with a long, three-stranded beard, who looked like a military strategist.

The last one wore an Official Uniform, had a large potbelly, and a constant smile on his face.

"Director Han, I am Ling Yun, General of Jianghe Province."

"This is Director Zhao, and this is Tong Sima," Ling Yun spoke first.

"Greetings, General Ling, Director Zhao, Tong Sima."

Han Yuan’s expression was calm as he greeted each of them in turn.

Even though he was merely the director of a County-level Celestial Observation Bureau, not even the notoriously snobbish Tong Gu dared to look down on him in the slightest.

This was the ruthless man who had slain Fang Tai.

If not for him, they would never have reached their current favorable position.

"Director Han, you’ve had a long journey."

"Let’s go inside to talk," Ling Yun said with a small smile.

The group walked into a tent and took their respective seats.

"I must thank Director Han for rushing here from Cangshui County. Otherwise, the situation in Tongming County would have been perilous," Ling Yun began with words of thanks.

Han Yuan replied politely, "General Ling, you’re too kind. I am a Demon Exterminator of the Observatory. Slaying demons and devils is my duty."

"Besides, Director Zhao’s plan was truly brilliant, catching the Wangling Sect completely off guard."

That secret letter sent to Cangshui County Town had, in fact, already detailed the entire plan.

The core of this plan was, naturally, Han Yuan.

In truth, within the Jianghe Province Celestial Observation Bureau, Vice Director Jiang Henian was also a Gang Essence Martial Artist.

But he had to hold the fort in Jianghe Province City and could not leave easily.

Furthermore, there were several large Martial World Sects in Jianghe Province that also had Gang Essence Martial Artists.

But the Martial World Sects had always been at odds with the Government Office and were difficult to recruit.

Even if they could be persuaded... to be honest, they might not have been a match for Fang Tai.

After all, they were a bunch of old-timers, while Fang Tai was in his absolute prime.

Therefore, Han Yuan was their only suitable choice.

First, Han Yuan had recently defeated the old sect leader of the Cyan Cloud Sect, Xu Chang.

This proved that Han Yuan’s combat strength was greater than that of an ordinary Gang Essence Martial Artist.

Even if he ultimately couldn’t defeat Fang Tai, holding him off shouldn’t have been a problem.

In that case, the feigned retreat would simply become a real retreat, which wouldn’t have been too great of a problem.

Second, he was the Director of the Cangshui Celestial Observation Bureau, placing them on the same side.

Han Yuan had also readily accepted this plan because of the conditions they promised.

From the looks of it, the plan was a great success, with only the final step remaining.

Hearing this, Zhao Mengtian chuckled lightly. "The core of this plan is still you."

"Without you, we would have been completely unable to break the stalemate here."

Tong Gu immediately clapped and praised, "Director Zhao is right!"

"Director Han is truly formidable, a true pillar of our Great Ling Dynasty!"

After some more pleasantries, they finally got to the main topic.

"Han Yuan, right now there are two people in Tongming County Town who are the most troublesome."

"One is High Priest Wu Guangtian. His Martial Arts are profound, and his Horizontal Training is terrifyingly powerful. Even a Divine Weapon would find it difficult to harm him."

"The other is Sect Leader Wei Wuning. He is skilled in Evil Techniques, and his methods are bizarre and unpredictable," Zhao Mengtian explained the current situation in Tongming County Town to Han Yuan.

"Director Zhao, I don’t think either of those two are the key figures," Han Yuan said seriously.

"Mm... I think so too."

"Even though we seem to have the upper hand in terms of strength... we really have no idea what state the Yellow Springs Saint Mother is in right now."

Zhao Mengtian understood Han Yuan’s meaning.

Based on the current intelligence, it was almost certain that this Yellow Springs Saint Mother was the revived Evil Demon Seed.

But no one knew how far its revival had progressed, or what kind of power it possessed.

This point made them hesitate, afraid to act rashly.

"So our most critical problem is to find out the situation inside Tongming County Town," Ling Yun said in a low voice.

"I’ll go."

"I have a unique Body Technique. Even if I’m discovered, I doubt the people from the Wangling Sect can do anything to me," Han Yuan said softly.

He also wanted to see for himself what the situation with this Yellow Springs Saint Mother was.

Ling Yun and Zhao Mengtian exchanged a look and agreed.

Han Yuan was indeed the best candidate.

After that, they discussed how Han Yuan could sneak into Tongming County Town without a sound.

After some negotiation, the group finally came up with a plan.

"This is a Hidden Spirit Talisman. It can conceal all of your aura, without leaking any of it."

"This way, it won’t be so easy for the enemy to sense your presence."

Zhao Mengtian took out a cyan Spirit Talisman and handed it to Han Yuan.

Han Yuan took it and tucked it away.

After that, it was a matter of waiting.

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