I Grind to Martial Saint

Huang Xian'Er said flatly.

"I can't drag you into this," Zhang Cang said seriously.

"Don't you worry about me..." Huang Xian'Er said flatly.

Zhang Cang was at a loss with Huang Xian'Er.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have even considered ambushing her.

"Fine."

Zhang Cang sighed helplessly.

.....

「One month later.」

Cangshui County Town.

Han Yuan led a black horse, queuing with the crowd to enter.

He looked up at the three large words—Cangshui County Town—carved above the city gate, a sense of nostalgia washing over him. "I'm finally back."

During his journey back, he had been studying the book given to him by Ding Zihu.

Although the content was esoteric, Han Yuan had managed to commit most of it to memory.

He should now be able to recognize writings from the Chaotic Ancient Era if he encountered them again.

Soon, Han Yuan followed the crowd into Cangshui County Town.

He didn't go anywhere else, heading straight for the Observatory.

Indeed, he had been away from Cangshui County for quite some time.

He wondered if any trouble had brewed in Cangshui County Town during his absence.

However, when Han Yuan arrived at the entrance of the Observatory, he was stopped by a Black Death Guard on duty.

"This is the Observatory, a restricted area. Unauthorized personnel are forbidden."

A Black Death Guard blocked Han Yuan's path and spoke coldly.

Although Han Yuan wasn't in disguise, a month of hard travel had left him dusty and travel-worn, with a full beard that gave him the weathered look of a Blade Master. It was no wonder the Black Death Guard didn't recognize him.

'They don't even recognize me...'

Han Yuan took out a Token.

The Black Death Guard's expression changed to one of shock upon seeing the Token.

After examining it closely, his face lit up with elation. "Director, you're finally back!"

Seeing the guard's excited reaction, Han Yuan frowned instead.

'It seems some problems must have occurred at the Observatory during my absence. Otherwise, this Black Death Guard wouldn't be so emotional.'

"Mm... First, go inform Zhou Yuanhu and Zhai Mu. Tell them to come see me."

"And take this horse to the stables for me."

Han Yuan didn't bother asking any questions right then.

If something had truly happened, he would find out everything once he spoke with Zhai Mu.

"Yes, sir!"

The Black Death Guard hurriedly took the reins from Han Yuan's hand.

Han Yuan returned to his quarters, washed off the grime of his journey, and shaved his beard.

Instantly, he looked a dozen years younger.

When he arrived at the Observatory's main hall, he found only Zhai Mu. Zhou Yuanhu was nowhere to be seen.

"Where is Zhou Yuanhu?"

Han Yuan asked curiously.

"Director... Yuanhu went to handle an Evil Spirit incident. He's not in Cangshui County Town at the moment."

"That's why he couldn't come to see you."

Zhai Mu quickly explained.

"Even he has to handle it personally?"

Han Yuan frowned.

As the Supervisor of the Demon Extermination Tribe, Zhou Yuanhu typically wouldn't need to handle ordinary Evil Spirit assignments himself.

Zhai Mu gave a wry smile. "Director, since you left, Evil Spirits have been appearing nonstop in Cangshui County. Even with reinforcements from the Noble Families and Sects, our manpower is still severely stretched."

"In our efforts to suppress these Evil Spirits, the Observatory has also suffered heavy losses."

"That's why we're so short-staffed right now that even Zhou Yuanhu has to personally undertake missions."

Han Yuan grew thoughtful.

'The increasing frequency of Evil Spirit appearances suggests the great cataclysm is not far off.'

"Is there anything else?"

Han Yuan asked.

"At present, this is the most serious issue."

"However, there is another piece of news that concerns you."

Zhai Mu lowered his voice.

"What news?" Han Yuan was taken aback.

"It's about your friends... Zhang Cang and Huang Xian'Er."

"They've started an uprising in Nanyuan County, Yuan Province. They led tens of thousands of farmers and directly conquered Nanyuan County Town..."

Zhai Mu said gravely.

Hearing this, Han Yuan's expression turned to one of stunned disbelief. "Is that true?"

"It's the absolute truth." Zhai Mu would never dare to lie to Han Yuan.

'Those two... they're really playing for high stakes.'

"Why did they start an uprising?"

Han Yuan asked.

"I heard it's because Nanyuan County suffered a drought, and the Government Office and powerful clans hoarded grain... causing many common people to starve to death."

"After Zhang Cang learned of the situation, he took the men from several nearby villages and stormed Nanyuan County Town."

"His Thunder Technique is terrifying... He obliterated the Director of the Nanyuan County Observatory with it..."

"After occupying Nanyuan County Town, he opened the granaries for disaster relief, earning the deep gratitude of the people of Nanyuan County."

Zhai Mu said in a low voice.

"That's not surprising... Zhang Cang has the legendary Celestial Spirit Root, after all."

"With his talent, he should be able to quickly reach the Three Soul Realm in his Cultivation... not to mention he has the legacy of the Wind and Thunder Temple."

"The director of a typical County-level Observatory would truly be no match for Zhang Cang."

Han Yuan said calmly.

Not every County-level Observatory has a monster like Han Yuan in charge.

A typical director of a County-level Observatory is just a slightly stronger True Qi Martial Artist; they'd have no chance against Zhang Cang.

"It would be one thing if it were just Nanyuan County."

"But when Zhang Cang rebelled, the entire Yuan Province erupted into chaos, with uprisings breaking out everywhere."

"In just one month, over a dozen rebel armies have appeared within Yuan Province."

"This has infuriated the Yuan Province Government Office, and they are determined to crush these rebellions."

"Because he was the first to rebel, Zhang Cang has become a primary target for the Yuan Province Government Office."

Zhai Mu said.

"I see... Send a trusted subordinate to Yuan Province... and deliver a message to Zhang Cang for me."

"If he can't hold out, tell him to run to Cangshui County... I'll protect him."

Han Yuan radiated an aura of overwhelming confidence.

"Understood."

Zhai Mu nodded.

"Go... get this message to him as soon as possible."

Han Yuan waved his hand dismissively.

Just as Zhai Mu was about to leave the hall, Han Yuan added another instruction.

"Oh, right... book a banquet for me at the Drunken Immortal Tower tonight."

"Invite Prefect Wen, and the people from all the major Noble Families and Sects."

Zhai Mu clasped his fist. "Understood!"

...

「That same day.」

A shocking piece of news exploded throughout Cangshui County.

Director Han Yuan, who had been in seclusion for nearly half a year, had finally emerged!

The Observatory had always publicly claimed that Han Yuan was in seclusion.

Aside from the major powers in the city who knew the truth, the common people had believed he was in seclusion all this time.

Lately, the increasingly rampant Evil Spirits had caused some anxiety among the city's populace.

But upon hearing that Han Yuan had emerged, their hearts were instantly put at ease.

Such was the prestige Han Yuan commanded in Cangshui County Town.

Tonight, the Drunken Immortal Tower was closed to the public.

Han Yuan had booked the entire establishment.

The first four layers were for the lesser powers to gather.

The Fifth Layer had only a single large, round table.

Those who could sit there were essentially the most powerful and influential people in Cangshui County Town.

Wen Zhiyuan, Li Jin, Huang Huai, and the others were all present.

However, these titans of the city showed no arrogance in front of Han Yuan, constantly toasting him.

Han Yuan accepted every toast and then casually started a conversation on a random topic.

Wen Zhiyuan and the others understood clearly that Han Yuan's appearance was meant to reassure the city's major powers and announce his return.

The meal proceeded in a cheerful and harmonious atmosphere.

The banquet didn't break up until late into the night.

However, Han Yuan did not leave.

Huang Huai had pulled him aside.

Now, only the two of them remained on the Fifth Layer.

Wen Zhiyuan and the others had already taken their leave.

"Director Han... You must have heard about Xian'Er's situation."

Huang Huai's gaze was solemn.

"I know... Don't worry, it's not a huge deal." Han Yuan understood Huang Huai's concern as a father and offered a word of comfort.

Hearing Han Yuan's words, Huang Huai couldn't help but give a wry smile. "Director Han, they've started a rebellion. How is that not a huge deal?"

"What are you afraid of? You still have me, don't you?"

"Even if they can't defeat the Yuan Province Government Office in the end, as long as they come to Cangshui County,"

"I guarantee your daughter will be safe and sound!"

Han Yuan said calmly.

Hearing this, Huang Huai's heart finally settled a bit.

No matter what, with Han Yuan's guarantee, Huang Xian'Er at least had an escape route.

"Then on Xian'Er's behalf, I thank you, Director Han!"

Huang Huai clasped his fist in gratitude.

"There's no need for that..."

"Who knows? Maybe your daughter will conquer all of Yuan Province before long."

Han Yuan teased.

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