Breaking the Mountain, Displaying Might

The faint light of dawn was just beginning to break through the eastern sky. In the backyard of the old Ye family manor, a figure moved like a swimming dragon, their saber flashing like spilled mercury, carving brilliant arcs in the pre-dawn darkness.

Mountain-Crushing Saber Technique, Sixth Form—Annihilation!

Ye Yun grunted, and a blinding golden light erupted from the long saber in his hand. Where the blade passed, the air shrieked like tearing silk. An old locust tree thirty feet away snapped in two, its cut as smooth as a mirror. The residual saber energy plowed a trench nearly a foot deep in the ground, only stopping when it reached the courtyard wall.

Hoo—

Ye Yun slowly sheathed his saber, exhaling a breath of stale air. After a night of recovery, not only had the hidden injuries from yesterday's encounter with the strange entity completely healed, but his cultivation had also advanced to the mid-stage of the seventh rank. At this moment, his Essence Qi surged like a raging river, and every inch of his muscles contained explosive power.

This is the true power of the Mountain-Crushing Saber Technique... Ye Yun gazed at the faint golden Gangkqi (Essence Qi) flowing on his saber, his heart filled with emotion. In the past, his cultivation had limited him, and the family's saber technique was merely a hollow form. Now, with his seventh-rank Gangkqi (Essence Qi) projected outwards, the six forms of the saber technique truly possessed their might.

The morning breeze carried the faint sounds of the early market from afar. Ye Yun sheathed his saber, but his gaze involuntarily drifted towards the Wang Mansion. The eerie methods of the white-clothed female ghost from yesterday were still vivid in his mind—shifting between reality and illusion, her yin energy corroding the body; ordinary martial artists would indeed find it difficult to deal with.

Unless I can find a way to counter yin and evil things... Ye Yun frowned, a crucial thought suddenly striking him: how did the Wang family seal that female ghost back then?

The moment the thought arose, everything became clear. If the Wang family could hire someone to suppress the female ghost thirty years ago, they either had a magic artifact that countered yin and evil, or they had invited a Technique Cultivator who specialized in dealing with ghosts. In either case, there might be clues left behind.

I need to go to the old Wang family manor to investigate again. Ye Yun decided inwardly, then shook his head. I should go to the yamen first.

The county yamen's courtyard was still shrouded in morning mist, with the on-duty constables gathered in small groups. At this time of day, the courtyard should have been filled with boisterous chatter, but today it was unusually quiet. Over a dozen constables who participated in yesterday's Wang Mansion operation were huddled in a circle, their faces still showing lingering fear.

"That ghost's fingernails were this long!" a round-faced constable gestured, his voice trembling. "One swipe, and the bluestone slabs were like tofu..."

"Cut the crap, Zhang Fatty," someone retorted. "You were hiding at the back, what could you possibly see clearly!" Even as he spoke, he unconsciously shrunk his neck.

Yan Xiao Liu leaned against a pillar, idly sharpening his saber. He appeared nonchalant, but his ears were pricked high, taking in all the conversations. When he heard someone questioning Ye Yun's strength, the hand sharpening his saber paused slightly, but he quickly resumed—because he saw a familiar figure walking in from the main gate.

"Brother Ye is here!" Zhang Fatty, with his sharp eyes, was the first to greet him, his round face beaming with an obsequious smile.

The courtyard fell silent, all eyes focusing on Ye Yun. The constables who had gone with him yesterday straightened up in unison, their eyes filled with awe. As for the other colleagues who were unaware of the situation, they wore confused expressions, unable to understand why everyone was so respectful to the usually low-key Ye Yun.

"Yo, Constable Ye, quite the airs you put on, being the last one to arrive for duty," a constable with a sharp mouth and monkey-like face said sarcastically. "Did you have a good time at some pleasure house last night?"

"Shut your mouth!" Zhang Fatty spun around abruptly, the fat on his face trembling. "Is Brother Ye someone you can slander? If it weren't for Brother Ye and Sixth Brother fighting the female ghost yesterday, we'd all be dead at the Wang Mansion!"

The constable was stunned by the roar and hadn't reacted when the dozen or so brothers who had gone yesterday lined up neatly behind Ye Yun, glaring at him.

"I... I was just joking..." the sharp-mouthed constable stammered, retreating two steps.

Zhang Fatty ignored him and turned back, asking cautiously, "Brother Ye, you... you're also an Innate martial artist, right? Seeing you in action yesterday, you were even fiercer than Sixth Brother!"

As this question was asked, the courtyard became so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Everyone held their breath, waiting for Ye Yun's answer. Yan Xiao Liu also stopped sharpening his saber and subtly gave Ye Yun a look.

Ye Yun surveyed the crowd, knowing that further concealment was pointless. He smiled slightly and said casually, "I was fortunate enough to break through."

Hiss—

A collective gasp of cold air swept through the courtyard. A ninth-rank martial artist was already considered a master in a small place like Chun'an County. One had to know that even Captain Chen Qingzhou was only a ninth-rank martial artist before. Now, the county yamen was seeing one breakthrough after another, first Yan Xiao Liu, then Ye Yun.

"I knew it!" Zhang Fatty's face turned red with excitement. "That ghost's claws were almost digging into my heart yesterday, it was Brother Ye who cleaved her with a saber and saved my life!"

The other constables also chattered about the perilous events of yesterday, praising Ye Yun as if he were a descending deity. Ye Yun's expression remained unchanged, but he secretly became vigilant—such a display might attract unwanted attention.

"Alright," Yan Xiao Liu interrupted the praises at the opportune moment and walked over, lowering his voice. "Brother Ye, what should we do about that strange entity? If it's not dealt with quickly, the entire Chun'an County might not find peace."

Ye Yun nodded, about to speak, when a commotion suddenly erupted from the direction of the county yamen's main hall. Magistrate Zhang, accompanied by a middle-aged man in brocade robes, strode in, followed by several scribe-like clerks.

"What are you all gathered here for?" Magistrate Zhang reprimanded sternly. "Hurry back to your posts!"

The constables scattered like startled birds. Ye Yun was about to leave when he was stopped by the man in brocade robes: "You, are you Ye Yun?"

Ye Yun turned and cupped his fists in salute. "It is I, your humble subordinate. May I ask who your excellency is...?"

"This is Prefect Zhou from the prefectural office," Magistrate Zhang introduced, his tone laced with a hint of flattery. "He's come specifically for the Wang Mansion ghost case."

Prefect Zhou, around forty years old, had a pale, beardless face and a pair of narrow eyes that gleamed with shrewdness. He sized up Ye Yun from head to toe and suddenly asked, "I heard you've already reached the Innate rank?"

"I was fortunate enough to break through to the ninth rank," Ye Yun replied neither servilely nor arrogantly.

"Good, very good," Prefect Zhou clapped his hands and smiled. "I happen to need talented individuals like you. " He took out a scroll of official documents from his sleeve. "The haunting incident at the Wang Mansion has already alarmed the prefectural office. The Provincial Governor has ordered me to handle it personally. From now on, you will assist me in investigating this matter."

Ye Yun took the scroll, but a sliver of doubt arose in his heart. The prefectural office's reaction was too swift. The case only happened yesterday, and they sent someone this morning? Moreover, there was a faint, chilling aura emanating from Prefect Zhou, somewhat similar to that of the female ghost...

"Your subordinate accepts the order," Ye Yun replied respectfully on the surface, but inwardly, he was on high alert.

Prefect Zhou nodded with satisfaction and said to Magistrate Zhang, "I need to consult the Chun'an County records, especially the case files of the Wang family massacre thirty years ago."

"This subordinate will prepare them immediately," Magistrate Zhang quickly agreed and hurried away.

After everyone had dispersed, Yan Xiao Liu sidled up to Ye Yun and whispered, "This Prefect Zhou's arrival is suspicious. I have a bad feeling about this."

Ye Yun nodded slightly. "Go and investigate his background. Remember, don't alert him."

"Understood," Yan Xiao Liu nodded, then seemed to recall something and added, "Oh, right, Head Chen has woken up and wants to see you."

In a side room in the county yamen's backyard, Chen Qingzhou was leaning on his bed, his face still somewhat pale. Seeing Ye Yun enter, he struggled to get up, but Ye Yun quickly stepped forward and pressed him down.

"Head Chen, don't move, be careful of your wound."

Chen Qingzhou shook his head and gave a wry smile. "Brother Ye, in front of you, I can't afford to be so formal." He looked directly into Ye Yun's eyes. "If you hadn't saved me yesterday, my brothers and I would have died."

Ye Yun remained calm. "Head Chen is too kind. It was that mysterious swordsman..."

"Enough," Chen Qingzhou waved his hand. "Although I'm seriously injured, my eyes aren't blind. The stance of your saber strike was exactly like Commander Ye's back then."

Ye Yun's heart skipped a beat. Chen Qingzhou actually recognized the Ye Family's unique saber technique!

Seeing Ye Yun's silence, Chen Qingzhou sighed, "Fifteen years ago, I served as a personal guard under your grandfather. Later, I retired due to injuries and came to Chun'an County to be a constable." A flicker of reminiscence crossed his eyes. "Commander Ye treated me with immense kindness. I never expected..."

Before he could finish, hurried footsteps sounded from outside the door. Yan Xiao Liu burst in, his face pale, "Bad news! Prefect Zhou has taken people to the Wang Mansion, saying he's going to send off the lingering souls!"

Ye Yun shot to his feet. "When did this happen?"

"Just now!" Yan Xiao Liu said urgently. "He brought four black-robed men, who looked incredibly sinister. I overheard them saying they'd set up an altar at noon."

Chen Qingzhou forced himself to sit up straighter. "Noon is when yang energy is at its peak. It shouldn't be the time chosen for sending off souls... unless..."

"Unless they're not trying to send her off, but to release that female ghost!" Ye Yun's eyes flashed with cold light as he instantly understood the situation. The yin energy emanating from Prefect Zhou, the sudden official document from the prefecture, and his peculiar interest in the Wang family's case files... it all pointed to a terrifying conclusion!

"Xiao Liu, you stay and look after Head Chen." Ye Yun turned and headed for the door, speaking rapidly. "I'm going to the Wang Mansion. If I'm not back in two hours, immediately lead the brothers and retreat from Chun'an County!"

"Brother Ye!" Yan Xiao Liu shouted anxiously. "That Prefect Zhou is clearly up to something. It's too dangerous for you to go alone!"

Ye Yun paused at the doorway, turning back with a confident smile. "Don't worry, a seventh-rank martial artist doesn't die that easily."

Before his voice faded, his figure shot out of the County Yamen like an arrow loosed from a bowstring, leaving behind a dumbfounded Yan Xiao Liu and an enlightened Chen Qingzhou.