Mortal Saint

Chapter 197: Chapter 115: A Manifested Saint Descends, Ji Xiu Devours It to Forge the Supreme Dao Foundation

Zhao Jiu gritted his teeth. Clad in Treasure Armor, he watched as Wei Changjiao riled up the crowd and immediately shouted a stern rebuke.

He silently prayed that experts like Duan Chenzhou and Fan Nansong—masters who surpassed the ’County Level’ and were comparable to a Grandmaster—would step in and quell the chaos.

At the same time, his brows shot up. Watching the situation escalate, with signs of ’Divine Beings Manifesting a Saint’ appearing in the sky, he knew it was about to spiral out of control.

Acting decisively, he snatched a Powerful Crossbow from a County Soldier beside him and pulled the trigger!

WHOOSH, WHOOSH!

The dark Flowing Light Crossbow Arrows tore through the snow, piercing straight through the chest of a Central Yellow Believer. Blood instantly splattered, breaking the stalemate!

The destitute refugees had been bewitched, their minds clouded into blind obedience.

But now, hearing Zhao Jiu’s commanding words and seeing his thunderous display that promised a massacre at the slightest provocation, they were overcome with fear. They hesitated, shuffling back several steps.

Zhao Jiu took in the entire scene.

It made his gaze grow even more scornful as he looked at Wei Changjiao and the divine images conjured by the Divine Shrines.

’I come from a Prefecture City Grand Lineage, born a young master.’

’When I became an Official, I went straight to the top, becoming a County Magistrate with the authority to collect business taxes, command Martial Arts Halls, recruit Instructors, and train County Soldiers.’

’In terms of status and birth, I was the real deal, born with a golden spoon in my mouth.’

’But after staying in this bitter, cold place for so long, I’ve gained some understanding of the lives my subjects lead.’

’Frankly, the ’hardships’ I complain about all day are worth nothing compared to theirs.’

’But as long as a person is alive, they have a chance to rise. A mud pit can’t trap a true Dragon Sparrow.’

’In the Great Xuan Dynasty, tales of peasants rising to power are not uncommon.’

’I, Zhao Jiu, know I’m no saint. I crave pleasure, cozy up to the powerful, and enjoy a life of wealth and glory, but that’s only human.’

’Martial Artists who rise up, found their own sects, and provide for their descendants... which of the Ancestors of the Grand Lineages and Grandmaster families didn’t start by walking a muddy road?’

’I am keenly aware that it’s the strong foundation given to me by the Wine Shop Zhao Family that allows me to enjoy the life I have today.’

’Some of the other scions from the Prefecture’s Grand Lineages and Grandmaster families don’t have such a clear understanding of this.’

’Take that clueless Huang the Seventh Young Master, for example... he’s been spoiled rotten by his grandfather and actually thinks he’s part of the Celestial Royal Family.’

’But he doesn’t know that among the ranks of Nobles officially decreed in the Six Great Xuan Registers... ’

’...the ’Prefecture Official’, who struts about Jiangyin Prefecture with a status comparable to a Great Lineage Master...’

’...is merely the lowest, the sixth rank!’

’He’s never seen the true scions of the Direct Lineages, those who are granted Fiefdoms and Fiefs, for whom an entire County or Prefecture is like their own ’small country’... what right does he have to call himself a Noble?’

’In the eyes of people like that, even the Wine Shop of Jiangyin Prefecture...’

’...is nothing more than a servant, a Steward responsible for transporting supplies of Spirit Wine.’

’Great Xuan is vast. If you look at the bigger picture, everyone is just struggling to cross this sea of suffering.’

’As long as you’re alive, there’s always a chance.’

’But... this Central Yellow Sect is leading these bewitched county folk down a dead-end path!’

’It’s true they’re treated as disposable under Great Xuan’s rule.’

’But if they submit to the Central Yellow Sect... then they’ll become ’disposable’ in the truest sense of the word!’

’The vibrant, worldly energy of mortals is what most soothes the hearts of the divine.’

’According to the Ancestors, the human body is a ’Grand Treasure Vault’ containing countless Secret Treasures, which makes these Outer Dao Divinities drool with desire.’

’Every time they absorb Incense and Candlelight, they are digging up the ’roots’ of these Secret Treasures within the human body! It makes their followers’ potential weaker and weaker! This is destroying the very ’foundation’ of a person’s future!’

’To do such vile things and still act so righteous...’

Zhao Jiu’s hand tightened on the trigger. He panted and bared his teeth.

"Elder Liang, kill those Central Yellow Remnants who have crossed the line!"

"Make an example of them!"

"Yes, Master Jiu."

The old man, Elder Liang, who always followed Lord Zhao the County Magistrate with a subservient and humble demeanor, agreed with a cheerful smile. No matter how the wind blew or the rain fell, no matter the hardship, he always maintained his unremarkable appearance.

But now that his master had given the order...

Amidst the ice and snow, a loud RIIIP! was heard.

Elder Liang’s robes were blasted apart by surging Gang Qi, violently expanding and exploding into shredded strips of cloth!

HUFF... HUFF...

The old man’s hair and beard flew out. Bare-chested, he watched as the Gang Qi tore the fluttering strips of cloth to shreds. His old eyes gleamed like a polished Treasure Saber.

A series of sharp CRACKS and POPS echoed as his muscles and bones sang in unison.

The old man’s once dull Skin Membrane suddenly became as smooth as jade, as if he had donned an ’Immortal Robe’ that could withstand the tearing of Gang Qi, the dousing of water, and the burning of fire!

With every breath he took, a white mist extended over ten feet from his mouth, lingering in the air. He fixed his gaze on Wei Changjiao.

"Chaotic Heaven Thieves... Back when I was with the Jiangshui Garrison, I killed more than a few of you."

"What’s the use in killing a few grunts for Master Jiu?"

"Only by slaughtering you will others see that the County Yamen... is not a place just anyone can barge into!"

Elder Liang let out a wild laugh. Reflected in the shocked and terrified eyes of the Central Yellow Sect Members, he strode forward, crushing the flagstones beneath his feet!

Then, he charged toward their Altar Master, Wei Changjiao!

Seeing this, Zhao Jiu’s eyes lit up.

’Elder Liang... possesses the valor to stand against ten thousand men?!’

’The Patriarch really does value me. Could it be that when Duan Chenzhou appeared, Old Liang wasn’t being reckless by wanting to settle old scores, but was genuinely confident?’

’Could it be that, just like the one-armed Duan Chenzhou, he’s a disillusioned master who chose a remote place to live out his years in peace, but in reality, his skills are...?’

He muttered to himself, his speculations still running wild.

BANG!

With an explosive sound, snow blasted into the air!

However...

...it was not quite what Zhao Jiu had imagined.

THUD!

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