Ning Chuan turned his head and saw a huge crowd surging in through the entrance.
The three squads of yamen runners cleared the way in front, the Inspection Office flanked them on both sides, and the City Guard followed behind.
Among them, a young official stood out like a crane among chickens.
This official wore a crimson official robe, a black gauze hat, and Seven-Star boots.
His features were handsome, his facial lines carved as if by blade and axe.
He looked extremely young, certainly no older than twenty!
He truly cut a dashing figure!
Ning Chuan had exceptional eyesight. Upon looking closely, he could not help crying out.
"Holy shit,
what a handsome young master!"
A faint trace of jealousy unexpectedly rose in Ning Chuan's heart.
The great aristocratic clans controlled every advantageous resource, including beautiful women.
After generation upon generation of genetic refinement, whether in appearance, aptitude, or intellect, they far surpassed ordinary people.
Moreover, true energy roiled around this man's body. He was actually at the peak of the Sixth Rank Grandmaster realm, showing that his aptitude was extraordinary.
But his aura was somewhat unsteady. Clearly, he had been pampered and had not tempered himself solidly enough.
If he fought someone, he definitely would not have much combat strength.
Beside County Magistrate Han Zhang, Straw Bag Strategist stroked his three wisps of long beard, looking every bit like an immortal sage.
A flash of hatred passed through his aged eyes. He had long since set his sights on Ning Chuan.
When enemies met, their eyes turned especially red. Murderous light burst from Ning Chuan's eyes, and he made no effort to conceal his killing intent.
Behind Han Zhang followed an old man in brown robes, his hair streaked with white and his expression arrogant.
His old eyes slanted toward the sky, as though he were number one under heaven.
The moment the brown-robed old man entered the hall, an extremely chilling aura suddenly radiated from his body.
That icy aura shot into the air, turning into a dark cloud that descended from above. Like Mount Tai bearing down from overhead, it pressed upon everyone in the hall.
He meant to strike first and cow the Imperial Guard!
Pfft! Pfft!
Before the aura cloud even arrived, several Squad Leaders' bodies shook violently. Their legs gave way, and they all collapsed to their knees, spraying blood from their mouths.
Leng Hanshuang and Xiao Lian were protected by the old man in blue and remained completely unaffected.
Countless vortices suddenly formed beneath Ning Chuan's skin as his Spirit Devouring Body was passively triggered.
It devoured all the pressure descending upon him.
However, that pressure was far too powerful. Ning Chuan could not actively use the Spirit Devouring Body's power, nor could he instantly devour the aura.
It felt as though someone had struck him on the head with a club, leaving his mind ringing.
But that was all. As Ning Chuan circulated his blood and qi, he dispelled the discomfort.
"Damn it, in such a short time, I've been suppressed twice by someone's aura!"
"When I become powerful, I'll make you old bastards have a taste of it too!"
A herd of grass-mud horses galloped through Ning Chuan's heart. He circulated his blood and qi to the utmost limit and entered the brown-robed old man into his little notebook of grudges.
"Hm?"
The brown-robed old man stared at Ning Chuan in surprise. This brat was actually fine?
His aged eyes scanned Ning Chuan from head to toe, and an even stronger pressure came crashing down.
"Old bastard, enough!"
The old man in blue waved his hand, and an immensely powerful aura shielded Ning Chuan.
Ning Chuan immediately felt the pressure on his body ease. A warm aura isolated him from the brown-robed old man's pressure.
"Thank you, Senior!"
Ning Chuan hurriedly bowed in thanks.
The old man in blue nodded, then looked toward the brown-robed old man. Contempt appeared on his face as he said:
"Hmph, Old Ghost Han, after all these years, you old bastard have not improved in the slightest. You are still as shameless as you were back then!
A dignified Martial Emperor bullying the younger generation—aren't you afraid people will laugh their teeth off?"
As the old man in blue spoke, an equally majestic aura rose from his body and pressed toward the brown-robed old man.
This aura was like a blazing sun hanging high in the sky—upright and righteous, brimming with noble integrity.
"Hmph, Old Ghost Leng, I am a dignified Third Rank Martial Emperor. I do as I please. Even if I want to bully someone, so what?"
The brown-robed old man looked utterly shameless, without the slightest bearing of an expert.
Rumble...
The two auras collided fiercely.
The entire Imperial Guard compound, from the ground to the buildings, buzzed and trembled. Roof tiles fell from above with loud crackles.
This was the result of the two deliberately holding back. Had they fought without restraint, the Imperial Guard office would have long since been razed to the ground.
The two each took a step back and stared at one another with grave expressions.
In their contest of auras, they were evenly matched. Neither had gained the advantage!
Unable to do anything to the other, both men snorted coldly, withdrew their auras, and stepped aside, acting as though worldly affairs had nothing to do with them.
Everyone present was plunged into shock.
"Third Rank Martial Emperor!"
Everyone sucked in cold breaths and trembled in fear.
Such a mighty figure had actually come to this tiny Qingshan County town.
One had to know that the strongest person in the entire Qingshan County Imperial Guard was only a Sixth Rank Grandmaster.
Above a Sixth Rank Grandmaster was a Fifth Rank Great Grandmaster, above a Great Grandmaster was a Fourth Rank Martial King, and only above a Martial King came a Martial Emperor.
For a backwater like Qingshan County, even a single visit from a Martial Emperor would be enough to go down in history.
Ning Chuan, however, did not feel much reverence. Given time, what did a Third Rank Martial Emperor amount to? He would still slap him to death with one palm.
"Hahahaha... Sister Hanshuang, Brother Han Zhang has come to see you!"
County Magistrate Han Zhang strode out from the crowd with a loud laugh, green light gleaming in his eyes as he lecherously looked Leng Hanshuang up and down.
"Tsk, tsk, Sister Hanshuang is becoming more and more luscious!"
Leng Hanshuang frowned. Suppressing her disgust, she said neither warmly nor coldly:
"Hmph, Heir Han, please conduct yourself with dignity. Please address me as Battalion Commander Leng. Sister Hanshuang is not something you can call so casually!"
"Haha... Our two families are a perfect match in social standing. Forget calling you sister—even calling you my darling treasure is only a matter of time!"
Han Zhang looked utterly shameless, and Ning Chuan quietly developed killing intent.
This dog of an official has already chosen the path to death!
Seeing that Leng Hanshuang would not fall for that approach, Han Zhang put on an arrogant expression and spoke in an official tone:
"I have come today not for personal matters, but solely on official business!"
His face suddenly turned cold as he looked at Ning Chuan. Ferocious light burst from his triangular eyes.
"You are Ning Chuan?"
Ning Chuan had long been mentally prepared. He knew County Magistrate Han Zhang had come with ill intent and would surely target him.
He met County Magistrate Han Zhang's gaze and said coldly:
"That's right. I am Ning Chuan. What are you going to do about it?"
Han Zhang's face darkened. Pointing at Ning Chuan, he shouted:
"Bold Ning Chuan! You colluded with bandits, slaughtered civilians, and stole warhorses. What crimes should you be charged with?
Men, seize Ning Chuan for me! Throw him into prison and hold a public trial another day!
Battalion Commander Leng, surely you would not knowingly break the law and shield a criminal?"
After Han Zhang finished speaking, he looked meaningfully at Leng Hanshuang.
Behind Han Zhang, the three squads of yamen runners all stepped forward, preparing to shackle and arrest Ning Chuan.
Ning Chuan placed his hand on his saber hilt, already prepared to unleash a slaughter.
He was not panicked. As long as the old man in blue held off the other side's Third Rank Martial Emperor, everyone else before him would be his to slaughter.
He believed Leng Hanshuang and the old man in blue would never stand idly by.
Sure enough,
Leng Hanshuang's face darkened. She suddenly stood, and the aura of a Sixth Rank Grandmaster burst forth.
"Presumptuous! Who dares seize someone in my Imperial Guard?"
Before you continue