The north wind howled in fury, and the cold frost was like ice.
In the early morning, Ma Family Manor was still shrouded in darkness, yet its interior was already brightly lit. Dozens, even hundreds, of servants and attendants had begun the day's work. Quite a few disciples of Ma Family Manor were also practicing their fists in the manor's martial arena, their shouts of "hey" and "ha" unceasing as they trained diligently.
Within a radius of a hundred li, Ma Family Manor was an unquestionable behemoth. Its influence and strength surpassed those of ordinary gangs, sects, and even the local authorities.
Forty years ago, the old manor lord of Ma Family Manor had risen from being a mere horse slave. By a fortunate encounter, he obtained the Horse-Slaying Saber Technique and achieved minor mastery of it. Later, he apprenticed himself to a renowned saber master, cultivated further, and learned the Thunder Soul Divine Saber. His skills were astonishing. Together with twelve sworn brothers, he carved out a formidable reputation that shook Liang Prefecture.
Twenty years ago, the old manor lord of Ma Family Manor passed away when his internal injuries flared up again. The current manor lord, Ma Ruzhen, then took his place and assumed control of Ma Family Manor.
At the time, Manor Lord Ma was only eighteen, yet his saber arts were already astounding. No one knew where he had learned two more formidable supreme arts—the Formless Blade and the Miro Divine Skill. Added to the family-inherited Thunder Soul Divine Saber, he truly surpassed his master, the new wave driving higher than the old. His martial arts even exceeded those of the old manor lord. Thus, he suppressed the powerful figures in the surrounding region, and Ma Family Manor's influence steadily grew.
By now, Ma Ruzhen was