Blade Qi Startles the Four Directions

Setting down the Riding the Wind Sword, Jiang Ping looked toward the last two classic books.

"Chasing Clouds Leg Technique, Seventh Grade Bone Tempering Technique!"

Of the remaining two, one was the Chasing Clouds leg technique. Whether fleeing for his life or pursuing an enemy, it was exceptionally useful; its footwork was exquisite, and its speed incredibly fast.

When Jiang Ping traveled far and wide in the future, he would at least have a means of escape.

"A Seventh Grade technique that tempers the muscles and bones—it saves me quite a bit of trouble. I can keep cultivating it until before Sixth Grade."

He flipped through the final Seventh Grade classic book again and found that this technique had likewise come from Jidao Martial Academy. It seemed considerably better than ordinary Seventh Rank Techniques.

"Looks like everything produced by Jidao Martial Academy is good stuff. So many people cultivate their techniques."

"Mm, I will too."

After taking stock of the items, Jiang Ping carefully hid away the Seventh Grade technique, leaving out only the classic book he needed to study now.

Yet once he had hidden it away, he recalled how his silver had been stolen. He took the Seventh Grade technique back out and, relying on his own talent, forcibly committed its contents firmly to memory.

"Now I can rest easy."

Jiang Ping hid the Seventh Grade technique away once more before sitting on the bed and carefully studying the Eighth Grade Still Autumn Technique.

The next morning.

The news that the Blood Gang's Second in Command had been slain spread through Yang City without wings, swiftly causing a sensation.

Generally speaking, a Ninth Grade Martial Artist in Yang City was already considered an impressive figure. Most gentry were willing to invite one home as a retainer, feeding and housing them in comfort.

As for Eighth Grade, it was the lifelong pursuit of many martial artists.

That was because an Eighth-Rank Martial Artist was a head escort-level figure in the Four Seas Escort Agency or Chenfeng Bodyguard Agency. Even at the formidable Jidao Martial Academy, they would be respectfully invited back to serve as Martial Artists, admired by countless disciples.

Take Zhao the Registrar, the Eighth-Rank Martial Artist of Yang City's Government Office, for instance. His reputation was immense. The bandits in the surrounding areas had all been cut down by him, and martial artists honored him as the Butcher.

That was the prestige of Eighth Grade. Which one of them was not a resounding figure?

Yet now, such an Eighth-Rank Martial Artist had died on a silent night, cut down by another.

Even more hair-raising was the fact that the one who had slain the Blood Gang's Second in Command was also an Eighth-Rank Martial Artist.

Moreover, he was a terrifying existence who, while surrounded by two Ninth-Rank Perfection martial artists and the Second in Command, had completed a triple kill through absolute strength.

At that moment, this matter was being discussed in every teahouse and restaurant throughout Yang City.

"Have you heard? The one who slew that Second in Command, whose vile name was known far and wide, seems to have been Zhu Yue, a head escort of the Four Seas Escort Agency."

"I've heard of it too. Zhu Yue has been famous for a long time. His Flying Snow Blade Qi once dazzled the entire city. Back when he was still Ninth Grade, he went against the current and challenged a higher rank, slaying an Eighth-Rank Martial Artist. What he relied on was this saber technique brought to its utmost extreme. Only he has that kind of strength."

"Could it have been someone else? As far as I know, the person who killed those three wore a Fox Mask. But Senior Zhu Yue doesn't seem like someone who hides himself away. He has always acted openly and honorably."

Someone voiced a differing opinion, somewhat doubtful.

Zhu Yue was a renowned figure in Yang City. His conduct had always been upright and forthright, earning him the fine reputation of Gentleman of the Blade. He should not be the sort to hide his head and conceal his tail, refusing to show his true appearance.

Otherwise, how would those three have dared trouble Zhu Yue?

"How could it not be him? According to the autopsy, the victims' wounds were ice-cold to the bone, and the marks left behind could freeze ordinary people. In Yang City, only the Four Seas Escort Agency's Flying Snow Saber Technique has such an effect. If it wasn't this Gentleman of the Blade, who else could it be? Don't tell me it was the agency's Chief?"

"So the one who acted must have been the Four Seas Escort Agency's Gentleman of the Blade, Zhu Yue!"

"It really wasn't me!"

Facing the scrutinizing gazes of several head escorts, Zhu Yue spoke truthfully.

Yet the chief escorts all looked unconvinced. Liang Sheng, whose right hand was wrapped in bandages, smiled. "Brother Zhu, stop being modest. In Yang City, only our agency's Flying Snow Blade Qi is as cold as frost. Other than you, who could it be?"

"Exactly, stop denying it. Everyone outside is singing your praises now. They all say you killed an evil bandit and rid the people of harm," another head escort said.

"I didn't kill them, and that person wasn't me." Zhu Yue still shook his head in denial.

He had always dared to act and dared to own up to it. If it was not him, then it was not him. No matter how much fame this matter might bring, it had nothing to do with him.

As he spoke, Zhu Yue looked toward the Chief Escort seated at the head and said, "Chief, you should investigate this matter thoroughly. Whoever can use the Flying Snow Saber Technique must be from our agency, but it was not me. Find that person, and the truth will naturally come to light."

But the Chief Escort merely praised him, "Not bad. Your strength has improved again."

"..." Zhu Yue.

His strength had improved? How did he himself not know that?

At this, the other three head escorts became interested. Head escort Wang Qing revealed a look of surprise. "Zhu Yue's strength has improved again?"

The Chief Escort glanced at him and nodded slightly. "Lord Zhao told me that Zhu Yue's Blade Qi has reached its ultimate limit—there is no further room to refine it. His strength can rank among the top twenty in Yang City!"

"Top twenty?" The three head escorts were somewhat astonished.

One had to know that the top nineteen in Yang City were all experts of Seventh Grade or above, while Zhu Yue ranked twentieth.

Did that not mean Zhu Yue was invincible below Seventh Grade?!

He could even fight one against three and slay the three of them, the head escorts.

"Heaven and earth bear witness, that person truly wasn't me!"

Zhu Yue was still trying to explain, but the three head escorts refused to believe him. They had already taken him for an invincible Eighth-Rank Martial Artist.

Seeing this, Zhu Yue could not help solemnly asking the chief escort to speak up and clear his name.

The chief escort pondered for a moment, then said, "Even if you aren't, just pretend you are. My previous Escort Mission failure has already cost our agency much of its reputation. This matter can help restore some of Four Seas Escort Agency's good name."

Zhu Yue fell silent, even feeling somewhat wronged. This clearly had nothing to do with him, so why did everyone think he was responsible?

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. He dearly wanted to find that bastard capable of Flying Snow Saber Qi and give him a beating.

That man had dumped such a massive black pot on his head, yet hidden his merits and fame away!

"I'll also send someone to investigate this matter thoroughly."

At that moment, the chief escort added another sentence, and Zhu Yue's furious expression eased somewhat.

"Oh, right. Chenfeng Bodyguard Agency has taken on a silver escort job and departed the day before yesterday. Make your preparations. We shall send them a grand gift."

The pale-faced chief escort suddenly revealed a secret.

Clearly, he attributed part of the reason for his failed Escort Mission to his rivals and was preparing to return courtesy with courtesy.

"About this..." Head Escort Wang Qing started to speak, then stopped. But when he saw Liang Sheng and the other head escort's excited faces, he closed his mouth.

"This matter is settled. Make your preparations. We depart in five days."

On the afternoon three days later, Huang Youren came to find Jiang Ping and informed him of the Escort Mission.

"An Iron Escort?" Jiang Ping's wealth had "soared" by now, so he was not particularly excited about earning silver through an Escort Mission.

Escort Huang nodded and said with a smile, "That's right. You should have heard already—Head Escort Zhu of our agency has greatly improved his strength. A few days ago, he slew an Eighth-Rank Martial Artist in fury and brought glory to our agency. As a result, our escort workload has risen quite a bit these past few days. My injuries have also recovered, so I took this Iron Escort. It'll be a good chance to bring you and Liu Wensheng out for some experience."

Without so much as a blush or a racing heartbeat, Jiang Ping casually praised Head Escort Zhu a few times, prompting Escort Huang to continue, "Exactly. Once that senior attains Seventh Rank, his strength should enter the top ten. By then, our Four Seas Escort Agency will be able to suppress Chenfeng Bodyguard Agency."

"I'm really looking forward to it!"

Jiang Ping said it casually, but his thoughts were on his Destiny:

[Entry Level Skin Cultivation (81/200)]

This was the result of four days of cultivation without eating Lingxi Meat. His progress was already nearly halfway there; such speed could almost be called terrifying.

Even so, it would be difficult for him to break through to Eighth Rank in merely five days.

"I have silver now. For the next few days, I'll arrange the best nutritious food regimen—two jin of Lingxi Meat per meal."

Jiang Ping made up his mind. No matter what, he had to break through within five days.

That way, his first Escort Mission would feel much safer.