I Grind to Martial Saint

"To think you were outwitted by that man..."

Liang Tian picked up a slice of cucumber and said nonchalantly.

As soon as he spoke, the atmosphere became incredibly oppressive.

Yu Cuicui and Shang Yuan lowered their heads, not daring to say a word.

As for Yang Lushan, cold sweat was already streaming down his face, and his body even began to tremble.

But with a grim look, he raised his arm and placed his palm flat on the table.

It was clear that Yang Lushan was extremely tense. Veins bulged on his hand, which trembled slightly as if in fear of what was to come.

Liang Tian smiled and picked up a chopstick.

SHLICK!

The chopstick plunged through Yang Lushan’s palm, embedding itself deep into the tabletop.

Yet, even so, Yang Lushan did not make a sound.

He knew that if he dared to cry out, he would only suffer an even harsher punishment.

"Use your head next time."

After saying his piece, Liang Tian stood up and left.

Only then did Yang Lushan pull the chopstick out, grimacing and baring his teeth in pain.

However, his eyes were filled with relief.

Compared to Liang Tian’s previous methods, this punishment could be considered merciful.

An injury like this would have almost no effect on him; it would heal completely in a day or two.

’Dammit...’

’It’s all because of those people from the Observatory!’

’In two days, I’ll definitely slaughter every last one of them!’

Yang Lushan harbored no resentment toward Liang Tian.

Instead, he felt it was all the Observatory’s fault.

......

In the blink of an eye, the next evening had arrived.

The people of Cangshui County Town were all waiting for the morrow.

Only Zhai Mu was heavy with worry.

He saw no one that night, staying by himself in Flying Eagle Hall.

’It seems the Director isn’t coming back anytime soon...’

’Perhaps I should start thinking about an escape route.’

Zhai Mu’s eyes glinted with uncertainty.

Although he had claimed Han Yuan would certainly emerge from his seclusion the next morning, and everyone had believed him, Zhai Mu knew it was almost impossible for Han Yuan to actually appear.

In truth, he had already started making preparations to run for it.

He would figure things out after Han Yuan returned.

After all, staying here was a dead end; there was simply no way out alive.

Over the past two days, he had already sent Zhou Yuanhu away in secret.

His current plan was to wait until daybreak. If Han Yuan still hadn’t appeared, he would run.

The hours that followed were undoubtedly agonizing for Zhai Mu.

He prayed countless times for Han Yuan to appear before his very eyes.

But each time, he was met only with disappointment.

Soon.

A faint, dark blue appeared on the horizon.

’If I don’t run now, it’ll be too late.’

Zhai Mu made up his mind to flee.

He rose swiftly and slipped away from the Observatory unnoticed.

After all, before becoming a Supervisor at the Cangshui Celestial Observation Bureau, he had been known in the Martial World as the Spirit Cat, and his Lightweight Skill was naturally superb.

Moreover, he was so familiar with the Observatory’s layout that no one could possibly have detected him.

After leaving the Observatory, Zhai Mu leaped swiftly across the rooftops of the street.

The sky had not yet brightened, and the street below was deathly silent and dark.

"Zhai Mu, instead of sleeping at this hour, you’re out here jumping around. Trying to get some exercise?"

A deep voice suddenly rang out.

Hearing this voice, Zhai Mu’s foot slipped, and he fell straight from the rooftop.

"Oof..."

The fall left Zhai Mu completely dazed.

"You rascal... It looks like you haven’t been keeping up with your Cultivation since becoming a Supervisor. You really do need to train more."

An immense figure, wearing a Conical Hat with a Heavy Saber on his back, appeared before Zhai Mu’s eyes.

Despite the figure’s intimidating presence, Zhai Mu was both shocked and overjoyed. "Director, you’re finally back!!!"

He was so close to grabbing Han Yuan’s leg and bursting into tears.

"What happened?"

Han Yuan asked, a look of confusion on his face as he took in Zhai Mu’s state.

’I was only gone for a little over two months,’ he thought. ’It can’t be this bad, can it?’

"Director... we’re in real trouble this time."

"Two days ago, Yang Lushan of the Spirit Sun Sect came to our Observatory to cause trouble, and he even injured Vice Director Wei..."

Zhai Mu hastily recounted the events of the past few days.

"A reclusive one of the Ancient Sects... the Spirit Sun Sect..."

"They sound tough."

After hearing everything, Han Yuan simply smiled.

"By the way, why did the Spirit Sun Sect come to cause trouble for us?"

Han Yuan asked.

"I don’t know... They just showed up out of the blue."

Zhai Mu said gravely.

"No matter. I’ll find out what’s going on after I defeat them."

Han Yuan said casually.

"Director Han, let’s head back then," Zhai Mu said hastily.

Han Yuan nodded, then a thought seemed to strike him. He said quietly, "You weren’t trying to run for it, were you?"

Exposed, Zhai Mu gave an awkward laugh. "Director Han, I was merely preserving my strength to await your return!"

"Fine."

Han Yuan didn’t press the issue with Zhai Mu.

If he hadn’t returned, Zhai Mu’s course of action would have been a desperate but necessary one.

The two of them headed back toward the Observatory.

....

「Early morning.」

A large crowd of commoners had gathered near the Observatory.

However, they could only watch from a distance of fifty meters.

The County Government Office’s constables and government officials had already cordoned off the area, allowing no one to approach.

Wen Zhiyuan, Li Jin, Huang Huai... all the great figures of Cangshui County were in attendance.

On the Observatory’s side, only Situ Ya had appeared, leading a group of members.

Never mind Han Yuan; even Zhai Mu was nowhere to be seen.

"Why hasn’t Director Han appeared yet?"

"Isn’t that obvious? If Director Han appeared now, wouldn’t that mean he was the one waiting for the Spirit Sun Sect?"

"That’s true... The strongest always make their entrance last."

The onlookers whispered amongst themselves.

Meanwhile, Wen Zhiyuan, Li Jin, and the others were also quite calm.

They also believed that Han Yuan would not appear first; he would at least wait for his opponent to arrive before showing himself.

Otherwise, he would lose the initial advantage in sheer presence.

"I’ve investigated this Spirit Sun Sect. They’re a reclusive sect with terrifying power."

"Although I don’t know why they’re causing trouble for the Observatory, here in Cangshui County, only Director Han can deal with them."

Huang Huai said gravely.

"Even I, the Prefect, had no idea such a Sect existed within Cangshui County."

Wen Zhiyuan said with a wry smile.

"For them to target the Observatory the moment they emerge, I’d say they come with ill intent."

"I fear there’s some conspiracy behind this... perhaps even treasonous ambitions."

Li Jin’s gaze was icy.

Anyone with eyes could see that an age of chaos was upon them.

For the Spirit Sun Sect to suddenly emerge like this meant they were surely up to no good.

The others agreed with Li Jin’s assessment.

Just then.

Liang Tian and his three companions leaped down from a nearby building, landing in the open space before the Observatory’s main gate.

Yang Lushan immediately stepped forward. Gazing at the crowd before him, he shouted with his usual arrogance, "Where is that bullshit Director of your Observatory? Get him out here now!"

Hearing his words, Situ Ya, Wen Zhiyuan, and the others all sneered.

They could already imagine what a gruesome end awaited Yang Lushan.

"What’s with all the shouting?"

A figure slowly emerged from within the Observatory.

The moment he appeared, the scene erupted into a clamor.

"Director Han has finally appeared!"

"That bastard was only so arrogant because Director Han was in seclusion last time. I want to see how he dies now!"

"Yeah!!! Smash his head in!"

The crowd roared in unison.

Yang Lushan stood nearly two meters tall, but his physique was utterly dwarfed by Han Yuan.

Even Liang Tian narrowed his eyes at the sight of Han Yuan’s entrance.

He secretly sent a voice transmission to Yang Lushan, telling him to be careful.

"So you’re Han Yuan?"

Even without Liang Tian’s warning, Yang Lushan could feel the oppressive pressure radiating from the man.

But unwilling to back down in terms of presence, he snapped coldly.

"What do you think?"

"I heard you injured our Observatory’s Vice Director."

"Is that right?"

Han Yuan asked with a smile.

"That’s right!"

"The man was lucky. He was fortunate to get away with his life."

A strange smile spread across Yang Lushan’s face.

"Is that so... Well, you won’t be so lucky."

"I’ll give you three seconds to decide what you want on your epitaph!"

Han Yuan held up three fingers.

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