Under Trial

"This batch of goods needs to be delivered to the Wang Manor's branch estate today." The leader lifted his hood, revealing the scarred face of the manager from the Wang Family's third branch.

Chu Ning's fingernails dug into his palm.

"The Wang... Family!"

Saber light surged like a thunderclap. Chu Ning's rusted saber flew from his hand, transforming into a purple dragon that pierced the manager's chest.

The saber light, like lightning, cut through the darkness. The Thunderclap Saber Art unleashed a ferocious surge of energy, instantly tearing through the temple's silence.

"Assassin!"

Those inside the temple turned pale with shock, drawing their sabers to meet the attack. But how could they match Chu Ning?

"Pfft!"

Blood splattered. Chu Ning's saber pierced the chest of one bandit, and with a smooth draw, he slashed horizontally, cutting another in half at the waist.

The rest retreated in terror, their eyes filled with fear.

"Quick, retreat!"

Chu Ning's killing intent blazed. His figure weaved through the enemies like a phantom.

In just a moment, the temple was strewn with corpses.

Seeing the situation turn dire, the remaining few quickly dropped their ledgers and fled.

Chu Ning let out a cold snort and shot an arrow, accurately piercing the back of one of them.

"Ah—"

A shrill scream echoed through the night. The remaining few completely broke down, falling to their knees and begging for mercy.

Chu Ning looked at them with cold eyes, his voice low and chilling, "Who ordered you to do this?"

"It... it was Young Master Wang Li!"

Upon hearing this, Chu Ning's gaze turned icy.

As expected, it was the Wang Family again!

He stepped forward with his saber and mercilessly finished off the last few individuals.

Just as the battle in the temple was drawing to a close, hurried footsteps could be heard from a distance.

Immediately after, a squad of constables with sabers drawn rushed into the dilapidated temple. The one leading them was Li Jing'an, the constable captain from the county yamen.

However, when the constables saw the scene inside the temple, their footsteps abruptly halted.

Corpses lay scattered in pools of blood, and the air was thick with the smell of gore. At the center of the temple entrance stood Chu Ning, leaning on his saber with one hand. Though his clothes were stained with blood, his posture was upright, his gaze indifferent, like a bloodthirsty Asura.

Such a sight sent chills down the spines of these constables, who had witnessed countless cases.

"Is... is this kid a monster?"

"He... killed all these people by himself?"

Several constables swallowed hard, involuntarily taking half a step back. They gripped their saber hilts tightly, but not a single one dared to step forward first.

Li Jing'an's gaze was deep, yet his expression remained unruffled.

He glanced at the corpses littering the ground, then at the terrified children huddled in the corner of the temple. His gaze flickered slightly.

Then, he slowly stepped forward and looked at Chu Ning, saying in a deep voice, "Who are you?"

Chu Ning's eyes lifted slightly. He glanced at the surrounding constables before calmly replying, "Chu Ning."

Li Jing'an scrutinized him carefully.

The young man was tall and slender. Although his clothes were plain, they couldn't conceal the frame of a trained martial artist. Especially his hands that held the saber; the tiger's mouth was cracked, yet his grip remained as steady as a rock.

His facial features were sharp and defined, his sword-like eyebrows slightly raised, and his gaze as sharp as a falcon's. An untamed wildness and defiance emanated from him.

More importantly, the faint killing intent he exuded was something even battle-hardened veterans might not possess.

"To be able to eliminate these experts single-handedly at such a young age..." Li Jing'an nodded inwardly.

He could tell that the young man before him was no ordinary martial artist.

Collecting his thoughts, he waved his hand, signaling his subordinates to take the bandit corpses and the children back to the yamen.

"Chu Ning, is it? This matter is of great importance, you'll have to come with us."

Chu Ning did not resist.

Since he had crossed the Wang Family, there would inevitably be repercussions. The government's attitude was precisely what he needed to gauge.

In the darkness, the group escorted Chu Ning, slowly heading towards the county yamen.

The county yamen hall was brightly lit.

Chu Ning was brought before the hall. In the center, the County Magistrate sat behind his desk, tapping his fingers lightly on the table, his gaze sweeping over Chu Ning with mild indifference.

"Chu Ning, I ask you, do you know what crime you have committed?"

Chu Ning's expression remained unchanged, his tone calm, "All the people I killed were villains who trafficked children. Should the authorities not intervene in such matters?"

The County Magistrate let out a cold laugh and casually opened the case file, saying indifferently, "You, a commoner, have committed a grave offense by killing several people without the judgment of the authorities. As I see you are young, if you are willing to plead guilty and sign, I might spare your life. This will also save me a lot of trouble."

Chu Ning's eyes turned slightly cold. Without replying, he took out an account book from his embrace and placed it on the desk.

"These are the evidence of those wicked criminals' crimes. The account book records in detail the time, place of child trafficking, and the masterminds behind them. County Magistrate, have you been unaware of these criminals' wicked deeds for so many years?"

The County Magistrate's eyelids twitched. His gaze swept over the handwriting in the account book, but his expression remained as calm as ever. He slowly closed the account book, a playful smile curving his lips.

"Hmph, do you think a mere account book can absolve you of your crimes?"

He paused, his tone suddenly turning icy, "Guards! Throw this brat into prison. I will make a decision after a thorough investigation!"

The yamen runners immediately stepped forward, intending to apprehend Chu Ning without any explanation.

Just then, Li Jing'an, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke, his tone calm, "Your Honor, please wait a moment."

The County Magistrate frowned, "Constable Li, what is it?"

Li Jing'an's gaze was profound as he slowly said, "This person possesses formidable martial arts skills. He single-handedly eradicated a bandit stronghold. It is highly possible he is a registered Ranked Martial Artist. Your Honor might as well check the martial artist registry to see if he is registered."

Upon hearing this, the County Magistrate was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter, his voice echoing throughout the hall.

"Absurd!" He glanced at Chu Ning with utter disdain. "This boy is not even twenty years old. How could he possibly be a Ranked Martial Artist? Constable Li, are you perhaps overestimating this kid?"

However, the moment his laughter died down, a tense-looking advisor emerged from the back hall. Holding a booklet, he hurried to the County Magistrate's side and whispered in his ear.

After listening, the County Magistrate's expression changed instantly.

He abruptly looked up, his gaze fixed on Chu Ning, his eyes now filled with shock and disbelief.

"You... you actually..."

The advisor whispered, "Your Honor, he is indeed on the roster. His name is Chu Ning, and he is a registered Ranked Martial Artist. Moreover..."

He paused, a bead of sweat forming on his forehead. "He is also an executive of the Thunderclap Martial Hall."

A chill ran down the County Magistrate's spine, and cold sweat trickled down his temples.

A registered Ranked Martial Artist, and also an executive of the Thunderclap Martial Hall?

This was no ordinary martial artist from the jianghu, but someone officially recognized by a martial hall, possessing a formal identity within the martial artist system.

Offending such a martial artist was not just opposing an individual, but opposing the entire Thunderclap Martial Hall.

The sweat drops on the County Magistrate's forehead slid down his cheeks. His expression flickered, his previous composure and calmness completely gone.

Meanwhile, Li Jing'an cast a meaningful glance at Chu Ning, his eyes filled with even greater admiration.

This young man, not only possessing extraordinary martial arts skills, but also having such a status... it seemed he was far more interesting than I initially thought