My Martial Dao Has No Bottlenecks

"Besides, they left no traces. It’s like they knew the mountain terrain extremely well. They might even have a retreat route we don’t know about."

Liang Cheng grew thoughtful upon hearing this.

’It seems robbing the goods wasn’t entirely a diversion after all.’

’The Fire Worship Sect, or perhaps their collaborators, really did steal and move that shipment. But where could they have taken it?’

Liang Cheng couldn’t figure it out right away, so he set the thought aside for the time being.

Now that the City Lord’s Mansion had absorbed the Lin Family’s share, they would certainly send a capable aide to Dongshan Mine. There was no telling what the situation would be like then.

Lu Qingzhou and Qin Huaiyu had clearly also considered the impending reshuffling at Dongshan Mine. They promptly took their leave, preparing to return home and discuss the matter.

So, Liang Cheng told Zhao Yuan and Li Mu to go rest. He then saw Lu Qingzhou and Qin Huaiyu off before arranging for the new disciples from the Martial Arts Academy to familiarize themselves with the defensive routines.

And so the matter rested, for now.

...

「Hundreds of miles away, on a remote island overseas.」

The Fire Worship Sect’s Left Envoy, still clad in his crimson robes, stood with his back to the cave entrance. He was listening to a Disciple who was prostrated on the ground, reporting on the situation at Dongshan Mine.

"The Guardian acted on his own initiative, launching the blood sacrifice ahead of schedule to refine the Blood Marrow Jade. As a result, Liang Cheng saw through the plot and returned. The altar was destroyed, the Jade Seeds were obliterated, and all the Blood Puppets were wiped out."

"Fool!"

The Left Envoy’s icy voice cut off the report. He turned around slowly, his gaze beneath the bronze mask utterly frigid.

"I ordered him to lay low and wait for the seeds to fully mature. He was to act only when chaos erupted in Lin Wu City. But for his own selfish glory, he acted without permission and ruined our Holy Sect’s eight-year plan!"

His robes billowed though there was no wind. A furious aura burst forth from him, so potent that the Disciple nearly collapsed to the ground.

"Send the order: all our hidden agents are to remain dormant. The Holy Sect’s grand plan is at a critical juncture; we cannot afford any more disturbances. As for the stolen ore, dispose of it as planned."

"As for Liang Cheng... with the Holy Sect’s plan so close to fruition, it’s not the time to stir up more trouble. We’ll let him off the hook for now. However, I imagine someone in Lin Wu City will be losing sleep over this loss. Good. Let them make trouble for Liang Cheng. We’ll simply watch from the sidelines."

"Yes!"

The Disciple, as if granted a pardon, scrambled to retreat.

The Left Envoy stood alone for a moment before letting out a sigh.

’What a shame. The plan for Dongshan Mine has all gone to waste. The losses are staggering.’

...

「Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.」

The Warm Sun Elixir was remarkably effective. Nourished by its gentle Medicinal Power, Liang Cheng’s damaged Meridians had completely healed. They were now even a bit more resilient than they had been before his injury.

He hadn’t focused on his True Qi Cultivation for the past two weeks. Instead, he had devoted all his energy to his Saber Technique and Sword Formulas. He rose at dawn every day to practice with his saber in the Guardian Station’s rear courtyard, using a bamboo stalk as a practice sword.

He already knew the moves of the Wind and Thunder Slash by heart. His slashes were like the wind—swift and traceless. His strikes were like thunder—fierce and explosive.

Wind and Thunder, speed and weight, gradually began to merge in his technique. The shrill whistle of the blade cleaving the air transformed into a dull, thunderous boom, yet its speed, rather than decreasing, actually increased!

With a single downward slash, the Trial Stone thirty feet away trembled slightly. A gash about an inch deep appeared on its surface. The edges of the mark were as smooth as a mirror, but its center was riddled with a web of fine cracks.

This was the result of the combined effect of a cutting Wind Blade and a concussive Thunder Force.

[Wind and Thunder Slash: Minor Success (3821/5000)]

Liang Cheng let out a long breath, a sharp glint in his eyes. He then turned his attention to the Profound Yin Sword Technique.

This Swordsmanship, which he had obtained from Xu Cangming, was sinister and treacherous, a complete departure from the direct and honorable style of the Wind and Thunder Slash. Now, with two fingers held together like a sword, he sent blasts of Cold Yin Force flying through the air.

[Profound Yin Sword Technique: Minor Success (1/5000)]

One day, just as Liang Cheng finished his practice, Zhao Yuan hurried over to report.

"Senior Brother, we’ve received word from the Lu Family. They say several batches of iron ore with a unique texture have surfaced recently in the Lin Wu City Black Market. Upon inspection, it seems highly likely they’re the goods stolen from Dongshan Mine."

Liang Cheng’s eyes narrowed. "Are you sure?"

"An old artisan from the Lu Family inspected it personally. He’s eighty percent sure. We just haven’t been able to trace the channels they’re being moved through yet."

"Keep investigating."

"Yes!"

...

「Half a month later.」

Two horse-drawn carriages with green canvas covers stopped before the stone steps of the Dongshan Mine Guardian Station.

The curtain of one was lifted, and a middle-aged, scholar-like man disembarked. He wore a green-robed cloak, had a fair face with a sparse beard, and his fingers were long and slender, free of calluses. He did not look like a martial artist. Behind him followed a dozen or so Followers carrying chests and ledgers.

"I am Cheng Wen, Associate Steward for Dongshan Mining Affairs. I have come on orders from the City Lord’s Mansion. Greetings, Town Guardian Liang."

Cheng Wen offered a mild smile and spoke in a slow, deliberate manner. He gave a deep bow to Liang Cheng, who had come out to greet him, adopting an extremely humble posture.

Liang Cheng helped him up. "Steward Cheng, there’s no need for such formalities. The City Lord’s Mansion sent word of your arrival some time ago. Please, come in and we’ll talk."

Once inside the main hall, Cheng Wen unfastened his cloak, revealing a deep blue official’s uniform embroidered with cloud patterns. It was the standard attire for a Steward of the City Lord’s Mansion’s Internal Affairs Department.

It was now early winter and the weather had turned cold. He rubbed his hands together, then withdrew an official transfer order from his sleeve and presented it with both hands.

"The City Lord was mindful of the Town Guardian’s arduous and meritorious service in overseeing East Mountain alone. Thus, he has specially dispatched me to assist with the mining affairs. I am a man of little talent, skilled only in matters of finance, audits, and paperwork. For everything concerning defense and excavation, I must rely on the Town Guardian’s leadership."

Liang Cheng scanned the document. It bore the great seal of City Lord Shen Jun, and its contents were exactly as Cheng Wen had stated.

"Steward Cheng, you’re too modest. The Dongshan Mining Affairs are complex; we are in great need of an expert like yourself." Liang Cheng handed the document back. "How do you plan to assist, Steward Cheng?"

Cheng Wen’s smile widened. "When I departed, the City Lord gave me specific instructions to follow Town Guardian Liang’s direction in all things and not to act on my own authority. In my humble opinion, the monthly accounts for ore production, wage payments, supply procurement, and so on, could be handled by myself and my men. We would calculate and file them, reporting first to you, Town Guardian, before submitting them to the City Lord’s Mansion. All decisions would be made by the Guardian Station. Does the Town Guardian find this arrangement acceptable?"

’He certainly says all the right things. On the surface, at least, he knows his place and understands the rules. The City Lord’s Mansion has sent a calculating one.’

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