The Speedrun Begins with Choosing Hunter

Chapter 424: Chapter 404: A Successful Official Career (Part 2)

Quite a few people knew of Jiu Moshi, and they all understood very well what "the Sand-Burier" represented.

Emperor Li Chengyuan and the Minister of the Ministry of Justice were in perfect accord. They weren’t really trying to hold the nations of Ximo accountable—it was obvious they were using this as a pretext to settle accounts with a major Jianghu sect.

And at a critical juncture like this, the ones who would dare assassinate Bai Yuan were most likely one of those major sects.

Soon, another minister stepped forward.

It was Guo Yingru, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. "Your Majesty," he began, "Right Chief Imperial Censor Bai Yuan, Lord Bai, has slain a powerful foe and bolstered the prestige of our nation. This is a great service and warrants a reward."

The assembled ministers all wore varied expressions.

But without exception, a flicker of shock crossed every face.

None of them had expected that after just one year away from the Capital City, Imperial Censor Bai had actually broken through Mingxin Pass to become a Grandmaster.

A promotion was, therefore, a foregone conclusion.

The corners of Li Chengyuan’s lips curled up slightly as he glanced at the elderly Minister of the Ministry of Personnel to the side. "Minister Kong, what do you think is appropriate?"

Official promotions had to be proposed by the Ministry of Personnel—that was the procedure. The final decision, of course, rested in Li Chengyuan’s hands.

Elder Minister Kong walked slowly to the center of the hall. "Your Majesty, I believe promoting Imperial Censor Bai to the full second grade would be most appropriate."

Li Chengyuan nodded.

Bai Yuan was already the Right Chief Imperial Censor and should have been a full second-grade official. His rank had previously been lowered by half a step because he had not yet broken through Mingxin Pass. Now was the perfect time to restore it.

"Granted."

Li Chengyuan let out a loud laugh.

"Your Majesty is mighty!"

The assembled ministers fell to their knees in celebration, and just like that, Bai Yuan’s official rank was settled.

...

"Second-grade?"

Bai Yuan stared at the official document from the Capital City. ’I didn’t expect the Court to move so quickly,’ he thought.

He was now a true Right Chief Imperial Censor.

The intangible providence surrounding him increased significantly, reaching a terrifying level.

With the exception of a few deeply experienced elder ministers, the providence of most second-grade officials could not surpass his—though there were very few second-grade officials to begin with.

Every Second-Grade Official was a figure capable of swaying the fate of the nation.

"Congratulations, Lord Bai."

Tang Baichuan had rushed over to offer his congratulations the moment he heard the news.

But as soon as he stepped through the door, he saw Bai Yuan and Yue Xiaobai preparing to leave. Seeing that they both had travel packs on their backs and that the servants of the residence were gone, a suspicion formed in his mind.

’So Lord Bai is really leaving.’

"Lord Bai, are you leaving Binzhou?"

Tang Baichuan asked with an obsequious smile.

Bai Yuan replied, "Since you are here, Lord Tang, I won’t need to make a trip to the Prefecture Magistrate’s Office. I depart for Lingzhou today."

Hearing the name Lingzhou, Tang Baichuan’s heart skipped a beat.

Lingzhou was the home of the Celestial Profound Sect.

’The Court is finally making its move against the Celestial Profound Sect.’

Tang Baichuan had wanted to send a cavalry escort with him—ostensibly for protection, but really to curry one last bit of favor—but Bai Yuan refused.

In the end, he could only see them off at the gates of Binzhou City before turning back.

Bai Yuan and Yue Xiaobai stepped onto the Official Road.

Yue Xiaobai suddenly spoke. "Brother Bai, this is as far as I can accompany you. Take care."

Bai Yuan let out a soft sigh.

’So Xiaobai is leaving after all.’

But this was within his expectations. The Court wasn’t just targeting the Celestial Profound Sect, but the entire Jianghu, and the Xiyue Sect was part of that world.

Yue Xiaobai’s stay in Binzhou had already caused a great deal of gossip. If he were to accompany Bai Yuan on his mission to the Celestial Profound Sect, even the Xiyue Sect would find it difficult to withstand the fallout.

"I’ll visit you at Xiyue another day."

Yue Xiaobai replied, "There’s no need for that."

"..."

Yue Xiaobai was always one to come and go as he pleased. A lone swordsman, he vanished at the far end of the Official Road.

And so, Bai Yuan was alone once more.

The path he had chosen was destined to be a lonely one.

...

「Celestial Profound Sect.」

「In a secret chamber.」

Only two men were present: Sect Leader Linghu Yang and Vice Sect Leader Xia Han.

"Sect Leader, what should we do now?"

Xia Han’s heart was filled with trepidation.

’I’ve cursed Jiu Moshi ten thousand times in my head,’ he fumed. ’Failing to kill Bai Yuan was one thing, but to get himself killed in return and even leave his body behind... He’s utterly useless!’

He was now in a state of utter panic.

Although the Xuan Yang Court had made no outward moves, they were undoubtedly investigating who had hired the assassin.

The moment those people from the Ministry of Justice found a single clue, the Celestial Profound Sect would be in grave danger.

What’s more, Bai Yuan had already left Binzhou City.

The Celestial Profound Sect spies tailing Bai Yuan couldn’t possibly keep up with his pace and had been shaken off long ago. Now, the sect had no idea where he was.

The most likely possibility, of course, was that he had already arrived in Lingzhou.

In the past, even if Bai Yuan had come to Lingzhou, the Celestial Profound Sect would not have feared him in the slightest; he couldn’t have stirred up much trouble.

But the power Bai Yuan now displayed was terrifying.

Slaying Jiu Moshi... even Linghu Yang wouldn’t dare claim he could easily accomplish such a feat.

Bai Yuan’s growth was simply too fast—so fast that even the Celestial Profound Sect was terrified. They would not sit back and wait for their doom.

Linghu Yang’s eyes were downcast, his thoughts hidden.

Xia Han couldn’t help his growing anxiety. "Sect Leader?"

Of course he was anxious. He was the one who had contacted Jiu Moshi. Sooner or later, the Court’s investigation would lead to him. When that happened, it was highly likely that Linghu Yang would throw him to the wolves to clear the Celestial Profound Sect of suspicion.

Linghu Yang finally spoke. "What is there to panic about?!"

"..."

Xia Han was left speechless, but his heart only grew more anxious.

Powerful figures could maintain their composure only because their strength was sufficient to handle most situations. Once they fell into a true crisis, however, they were no different from ordinary people.

Such was Xia Han’s state at this very moment.

Linghu Yang said, "For now, continue to send out spies to investigate. I have already written a letter to Sect Leader Song."

Hearing the name "Sect Leader Song," a look of joy finally appeared on Xia Han’s face.

This was none other than the Sect Leader of the Zhengyang Sect, Song Fang.

A Divine Communication Grandmaster!

As the number one sect in the Northern Lands, the Celestial Profound Sect had its own Divine Communication Grandmaster hundreds of years ago. But ever since the sect leader from two generations prior passed away, the sect had not produced another one in centuries. They were at their weakest point.

However, the Celestial Profound Sect had stood for thousands of years, and its influence in the Jianghu was vast and deeply entrenched.

The major sects of the world had always secretly allied to resist the Court, and the Zhengyang Sect was the Celestial Profound Sect’s closest partner.

If the Zhengyang Sect intervened, then perhaps this matter could be quickly resolved.

Xia Han exclaimed, "Yes!"

He immediately turned and departed to carry out the order.

...

「In a mountain forest.」

Bai Yuan stood in the woods. A corpse lay at his feet, and a letter was now in his hand.

"The Zhengyang Sect?"

A knowing smirk played on his lips.

’So the Celestial Profound Sect really is connected to the Zhengyang Sect.’

Indeed. After leaving Binzhou, he had come straight to Lingzhou. He just hadn’t gone directly to the Celestial Profound Sect. Instead, he had set up an interception on the Official Road.

Anyone else who dared to kill a messenger of the Celestial Profound Sect would surely be hunted to the ends of the earth.

But he had no such concerns.

So what if he killed him? Would the Celestial Profound Sect really dare to provoke the Court at a time like this?

He was here precisely because he had predicted the Celestial Profound Sect would seek outside help. He just hadn’t expected it to be the Zhengyang Sect.

"How interesting."

Bai Yuan smiled faintly. He flicked a finger toward the corpse on the ground, and with a burst of the Manggu Zhuhe Technique, the body dissolved into a pool of blood.

No one would be able to find the slightest trace.

Having done this, he vanished back into the forest.

...

Right Chief Imperial Censor Bai Yuan had finally appeared in Lingzhou.

It had all happened too suddenly.

In fact, it wasn’t until Bai Yuan appeared at the Lingzhou Prefecture Magistrate’s Office that the world caught a trace of this god of slaughter.

That included the Celestial Profound Sect.

「In the main hall.」

Linghu Yang’s expression was incomparably grim.

"Any sign of the messenger disciple?"

Xia Han’s eyes were grim. "Not yet."

The messenger disciple had been gone for a full ten days. By all rights, he should have returned with news from the Zhengyang Sect long ago. But now, Bai Yuan was sitting comfortably in the Prefecture Magistrate’s Office, and no one from the Zhengyang Sect had appeared. This left the Celestial Profound Sect on pins and needles.

Linghu Yang took a deep breath.

"Sect Leader Xia, you should go yourself this time."

"Yes!"

A look of resignation crossed Xia Han’s face, but he had no choice but to go.

The previous messenger disciple had, in all likelihood, already met with disaster. The Celestial Profound Sect could not afford another single mistake.

Crisis!

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