As evening fell, night deepened.
Deputy Commander Xiao Qingshan and Lin Guanhuo left the Inner Courtyard in a carriage.
They arrived at a heavily guarded spot in the Demon Suppressing Division's plaza.
"We're here."
The two got out. All around them, the ground was paved with blue stone bricks.
This place lay behind the Martial Arts Arena, but it was heavily guarded, and few people set foot here under normal circumstances.
"Greetings, Deputy Commander."
"Greetings, Deputy Commander."
Along the way, they encountered only rows of finely dressed Guards. Seeing Xiao Qingshan and Lin Guanhuo, they all bowed and clasped their hands in salute.
Xiao Qingshan wore a long black robe. He merely waved, indicating that they needn't stand on ceremony.
As they walked, he said to Lin Guanhuo, "Guanhuo, the Demon Suppressing Saber is the pinnacle martial art of Blackwater City. The Commander relied on this divine technique to sweep through the entire city undefeated. In the battle on Falling Moon Lake all those years ago, the Commander cut off the Fox Demon King's head with a single stroke. That's how he secured decades of peace and stability for Blackwater City..."
"This technique is also incredibly difficult to master. Of the seven living Gold Badge Holders in our Demon Suppressing Division, five failed to master it. The slightest misstep can send you into cultivation deviation, so remember: don't force it."
Hearing this,
"Uh..." Lin Guanhuo suddenly asked curiously, "Deputy Commander, may I ask when someone last successfully comprehended this martial art?"
"Three years ago. Ye Yinxue," Xiao Qingshan replied slowly. "She sat before the martial art for half a year, and at one point nearly gave up. Fortunately, she mastered it in the end, living up to her reputation as a prodigy."
"But the others weren't so fortunate... Some years