Jiang Ping set down the Riding the Wind Sword and looked toward the final two classic books.
"Chasing Clouds Leg Technique, Seventh Grade Bone Tempering Technique!"
Of the two remaining books, one was the Chasing Clouds Leg Technique. Whether fleeing for his life or pursuing an enemy, it was highly effective; its footwork was exquisite, and its speed extremely fast.
Once Jiang Ping traveled far and wide in the future, he would at least have a means of escape.
"The Seventh-Rank Muscle and Bone Tempering Technique saves me some trouble. I can cultivate it all the way until before Sixth Grade."
He flipped through the final Seventh Rank classic book again and discovered that this technique had likewise come from the Jidao Martial Academy. It seemed considerably better than an ordinary Seventh Rank Technique.
"Looks like everything from the Jidao Martial Academy is good stuff. So many people cultivate their techniques."
"Mm, I cultivate them too."
After taking stock of his belongings, Jiang Ping carefully hid the Seventh Rank Technique away, leaving out only the classic books he needed to study at present.
Yet once he had hidden it, he recalled having his silver stolen. He took the Seventh Rank Technique back out and, relying on his own talent, forcibly committed the contents of the book firmly to memory.
"Now I can rest easy."
Jiang Ping hid the Seventh Rank Technique away again before sitting on the bed and carefully studying the Eighth Grade Still Autumn Technique.
The next day, morning.
News of the Blood Gang's Second in Command being slain spread through Yang City without wings, quickly causing a sensation.
Generally speaking, a Ninth Grade Martial Artist in Yang City was already considered an impressive figure. Most local gentry were willing to invite one home as a retainer and provide lavish food and drink.
An Eighth-Rank Martial Artist, meanwhile, was the lifelong pursuit of many Martial Artists.
After all, in the Four Seas Escort Agency or the Chenfeng Bodyguard Agency, an Eighth-Rank Martial Artist was a Head Escort-level figure. Even the mighty Jidao Martial Academy would respectfully invite one back to serve as a Martial Artist, admired by countless disciples.
Take Zhao the Registrar of the Yang City Government Office, for example. That Eighth-Rank Martial Artist possessed a resounding reputation. Every bandit in the surrounding region had been cut down by him, and the Martial Artists honored him as the Butcher.
That was the prestige of Eighth Rank. Which one of them was not a figure whose name rang like a bell?
But now, such an Eighth-Rank Martial Artist had died in a silent night, slain by someone.
What made it even more hair-raising was that the one who had killed the Blood Gang's Second in Command was also an Eighth-Rank Martial Artist.
Moreover, under the encirclement of the Second in Command and two Ninth-Rank Perfection Martial Artists, this terrifying existence had completed a triple kill through absolute strength.
At that moment, in Yang City's teahouses and taverns, everyone was discussing this matter.
"Have you heard? The one who killed that infamously wicked Second in Command seems to have been Zhu Yue, a Head Escort of the Four Seas Escort Agency."
"I've heard about it too. Zhu Yue had long been famous. His Flying Snow Saber Qi once stunned the entire city. Back when he was Ninth Grade, he fought above his rank and killed an Eighth-Rank Martial Artist. He relied on having pushed that Blade Art to its utmost limit. Only he possesses such strength."
"Could it have been someone else? As far as I know, the killer wore a Fox Mask. But Senior Zhu Yue doesn't seem like someone who hides and skulks about. He has always acted openly and aboveboard."
Someone voiced a different opinion, somewhat doubtful.
Zhu Yue was a well-known figure in Yang City. His words and actions had always been upright and honorable, earning him the fine name Gentleman of the Blade. He should not hide his head and show his tail, refusing to reveal his true appearance.
Otherwise, how would those three have dared to cause trouble for Zhu Yue?
"How could it be anyone else? According to the autopsy report, the victims' wounds were icy to the bone, and the lingering traces could frostbite ordinary people. In Yang City, only the Four Seas Escort Agency's Flying Snow Saber 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 Escort Agency's Chief?"
"Therefore, the one who acted must have been the Four Seas Escort Agency's Gentleman of the Blade, Zhu Yue!"
"It really wasn't me!"
Zhu Yue looked at the several Head Escorts staring him down and told them honestly.
But the major Head Escorts wore looks of disbelief. Liang Sheng, his right hand wrapped in bandages, smiled. "Brother Zhu, stop being modest. In Yang City, only our Escort Agency's Flying Snow Saber Qi is cold as winter frost. Who else could it be but you?"
"Exactly. Stop denying it. Everyone outside is singing your praises now, saying you killed an evil bandit and rid the people of a scourge." Another Head Escort also spoke.
"I did not kill them. That person was not me either." Zhu Yue still shook his head in denial.
He had always dared to act and dared to admit it. If it was not him, it was not him. No matter how much fame this matter could bring, it had nothing to do with him.
As he spoke, Zhu Yue looked toward the Chief Escort seated at the head position. "Chief, you should investigate this clearly. The one who can use the Flying Snow Saber Technique must be someone from our Escort Agency, but it was not me. Find that person, and the truth will naturally come to light."
Yet 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 that moment, the other three Head Escorts became interested. Head Escort Wang Qing revealed a look of surprise. "Zhu Yue's strength improved again?"
The Chief Escort glanced at him and nodded slightly. "Lord Zhao told me that Zhu Yue's Saber Qi has reached its utmost limit. There is nothing more to cultivate in 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 Rank or above, while Zhu Yue ranked twentieth.
Did that not mean Zhu Yue was invincible below Seventh Rank?!
He could even fight three opponents alone and kill the three Head Escorts.
"Heaven and earth can bear witness—it truly was not me!"
Zhu Yue was still arguing, but the three Head Escorts did not believe him at all. They had already taken him to be 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 before saying, "Even if it wasn't you, just let it be you. My previous Escort Mission failed, and the Escort Agency lost quite a bit of prestige. This matter can help restore some of our reputation."
Zhu Yue fell somewhat silent, even feeling wronged. Clearly, it was something unrelated to him—why did everyone think he had done it?
The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. He dearly wanted to find that bastard who could use Flying Snow Saber Qi and give him a beating.
That fellow had actually dumped such a huge black pot on his head while hiding his achievements and concealing his name!
"I'll also send people to investigate this matter thoroughly."
At this, the Chief Escort added another sentence, and Zhu Yue's angry expression improved slightly.
"Oh, right. The Chenfeng Bodyguard Agency has accepted a Silver Escort mission and set out the day before yesterday. Make your preparations. We'll send them a grand gift."
The pale-faced Chief Escort suddenly revealed a secret.
Clearly, he also attributed part of the reason for his failed Escort Mission to his rival and was preparing to return the courtesy in kind.
"This matter..." Head Escort Wang Qing wanted to speak but hesitated. Yet when he saw Liang Sheng and the other Head Escort growing excited, he closed his mouth.
"This matter is settled. Make your preparations properly. We depart in five days."
Three days later, in the afternoon, Huang Youren came to find Jiang Ping and informed him about the Escort Mission.
"An Iron Escort mission?" Jiang Ping's wealth had now "soared," so he was not particularly excited at the prospect of earning silver through an Escort Mission.
Escort Huang nodded with a smile. "That's right. You should have heard already—Head Escort Zhu of our Escort Agency has improved in strength. A few days ago, he slew an Eighth-Rank Martial Artist in fury and brought glory to our Escort Agency. As a result, our mission volume has risen considerably these past few days. My injuries have just recovered, so I accepted this Iron Escort mission. It'll be a good chance to take you and Liu Wensheng out for some experience."
Without blushing or skipping a beat, Jiang Ping casually praised Head Escort Zhu a few times, prompting Escort Huang to continue. "Naturally. Once that senior reaches Seventh Rank, his strength should enter the top ten. Then our Four Seas Escort Agency will be able to suppress the Chenfeng Bodyguard Agency."
"I'm really looking forward to it!"
Jiang Ping said 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 close to halfway; such speed could almost be described as terrifying.
Even so, it would be difficult for him to break through to Eighth Rank in only five short days.
"I have silver on me. These next few days, I'll arrange my meals according to the best nutritional food regimen—two pounds of Lingxi Meat per meal."
Jiang Ping made his decision in secret. No matter what, he had to break through in five days.
That way, his first Escort Mission would feel much safer.
Before you continue