What terrified him more was the realization that his very being—his physical body, his Flesh, Bone, Skin, and Membrane, and even his Divine Thought, all cultivated through the Central Yellow Sect’s so-called "Central Yellow Myriad Spirits Scripture"—was steadily regressing. In the wake of his shattered faith and betrayal, it was all fading away bit by bit.
If this continued, it wouldn’t be long before his entire Cultivation was devoured by some mysterious power, leaving not even a speck behind.
"Master Han, it’s right here."
Zhang Qing had no idea that Han Ying’s mind was in such turmoil, or that he was wrestling with so many thoughts.
He simply pulled the Jade Talisman from his pocket. It looked unchanged on the outside, but its core was now gone. He swallowed nervously, feeling apprehensive.
Fortunately, Han Ying didn’t overthink it. He took the Jade Talisman, closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them and said decisively:
"Xiaoqingzi, come with me to the Anning County Yamen!"
"Gu Baichuan of the Northern Garrison Command... he’s acting on orders from Jiangyin Prefecture to capture me."
"In that case, I’ll let him have the achievement."
"Say goodbye to your parents and family tonight. I’ll take you to Jiangyin Prefecture and find you a future."
"This place is fraught with danger. We can’t wait any longer!"
With that, Han Ying staggered to his feet, coughing nonstop, yet he still grabbed a brush and paper and swiftly scrawled a list:
[Lion Hall, Hall Master Zhang Liechen!]
[Eagle Falcon Gang, Gang Leader Xu Xin!]
[Tiger and Leopard Hall...]
[Lin Residence, third son by a concubine, ’Lin Du’...]
Name after name appeared on the paper under the candlelight, a long and rambling list. Every single one was a prominent figure within the five hundred li of Anning County.
After he finished writing and the ink was mostly dry, Han Ying gave the paper a shake, then looked toward the Anning County Yamen.
"County Magistrate Zhao Jiu... one of Anning’s Thirty-Six Professions, hailing from the Wine Shop..."
"Hmph!"
"I’m practically giving this achievement to you."
...
「Anning. The County Yamen.」
Inside the guest room reserved for the Prefecture Official, lamps burned brightly.
There, Gu Baichuan stood impeccably dressed in his Flying Fish Robe, saber at his hip. He looked utterly astonished, his face a mask of shock and uncertainty as he stared at the corpse of Wang Hongzu, which had just been delivered from the Fire Kiln.
"The ’Ghost Hand Judge,’ Wang Hongzu... so he didn’t die all those years ago. Did your Master Ji send this?"
The attendant from the Fire Kiln answered respectfully:
"Yes. Master Ji said that if it weren’t for your protection, My Lord, and that of Master Duan, he and his sister would have met with disaster."
"He heard that success in Patrolling Outer Dao is tied to your achievements for promotion. So, after Elder Duan struck and killed this fiend, Master Ji had the body sent over."
"Adding the corpse of an Outer Dao Qi Cultivation Grandmaster to your performance review will surely help you rise to the next level!"
’Who? Me?’
’When did I kill a Qi Cultivation Grandmaster?!’
Gu Baichuan’s eyes narrowed.
’How did Ji the kid get targeted by someone like Wang Hongzu?’
’Still, it’s a good thing Duan Chenzhou’s Cultivation of his True Skill has been successful. He’s on the verge of opening all his Circulation Acupoints. In terms of strength, he might not be any weaker than he was in his prime.’
’Killing someone like Wang Hongzu wouldn’t be impossible for him.’
’It’s just... he isn’t that cunning...’
’This must have been Ji the kid’s idea.’
Looking at Wang Hongzu’s corpse, Gu Baichuan’s Heartbeat quickened.
Above the rank of Hundred Households was the Prefecture Commander of the Northern Garrison Command, a position on par with a Prefecture Official!
That wasn’t a position one could attain just by becoming a Qi Cultivation Grandmaster.
One had to spend many years Patrolling Outer Dao and build up illustrious merits to be promoted.
Even someone like Gu Baichuan, who had toiled for many years and was now on the verge of opening his Circulation Acupoints to enter the Qi Sea realm, couldn’t expect an automatic promotion.
However, adding the achievement of slaying a Qi Cultivation Grandmaster from the Outsider Kill List to his name would certainly increase his chances significantly.
’It’s a pity I couldn’t drag back the Garrison Commander’s unfilial apprentice.’
’If I could pull that off too, then once I break through to become a Qi Cultivation Grandmaster, my promotion to Prefecture Commander of the Northern Garrison Command—a rank equal to a Prefecture Official—would be all but guaranteed. Who else could they choose?’
Gu Baichuan felt a pang of regret.
That Han Ying was incredibly cunning; he’d slipped away right from under his nose several times, leaving him empty-handed. If only...
Just as he was thinking this...
One of his Subordinate Imperial Guard Cavalry, who had accompanied him, rushed in to report:
"My Lord, we’ve found... Han Ying."
"He... he turned himself in, saying he wants you to escort him back to Jiangyin Prefecture, as a gift of achievement to you!"
Huh?
Gu Baichuan was instantly energized.
"Where is he?"
The words had barely left his mouth.
Zhang Qing walked in, supporting a heavily injured Han Ying.
The moment he saw Han Ying, Gu Baichuan was overjoyed. ’Can such good things really just fall into your lap?’ he thought.
But his joy turned to astonishment when he saw Han Ying’s many injuries.
"Those injuries...?"
Han Ying was about to respond, but his gaze fell on the corpse on the floor.
He stared at the all-too-familiar figure—the very culprit responsible for his injuries—lying there, straight and still. His pupils constricted in utter horror.
"Wang Hongzu!?"
"How... how did he die?"
Gu Baichuan raised an eyebrow.
"Duan Chenzhou killed him. I helped, and together we took him down."
"Ultimately, though, it was Ji Xiu of the Wind and Cloud Association who lured him out."
"What’s wrong?"
"Does the Central Yellow Sect want revenge?"
"The Anning County branch only venerates one of the Thirty-Six Dharma Guardian Generals, and it’s just a sub-sect at that. I doubt they’re important enough for that, are they?"
Han Ying staggered, then suddenly let out a long sigh of relief.
’Duan Chenzhou...’
He murmured the name, and his thoughts turned to the brilliant youth, Ji Xiu. In that moment, he credited the young man with the great favor of avenging him.
’Born into a poor family, to be able to study the saber under Duan Chenzhou and reach such a level... the effort he must have put in is something ordinary people could never comprehend.’
’Only someone like me, who also came from the bottom, can understand just how difficult it is to find a renowned master!’