Fragmentary Map of the Martial Wall

"Brother Yin, though you and I met only by chance, we have at least crossed paths once. I hope you can clear up my doubts."

Song Tonghai spoke in a deep voice, carrying a trace of pleading.

"What good would it do common folk like you and me even if we knew? The Immortal Sect is not the Government Office. Who do you expect to redress your grievances?"

Yin Ping sneered softly. "Nightlight Pavilion sent word, ordering me to come here. Their aim is to force you to send a message to the Phantom Spirit Sect."

"Nightlight Pavilion? What sort of place is that?"

Song Tonghai's expression tightened slightly. Beside him, Li Mingzhou narrowed his eyes but said nothing.

"The Northern Immortal Sect lies outside Great Zhou, so naturally you know nothing of it. My ancestral home has lived in the northern lands for generations, so it is inevitable that I have some ties there."

Yin Ping tugged at the corner of his mouth. "I suggest you write a letter, then send out messenger pigeons far and wide to deliver it to the Phantom Spirit Sect. That way, Nightlight Pavilion will naturally learn of it. Your Song Family should be able to keep the peace for a few months, but no more than that."

Nightlight Pavilion's purpose was nothing more than to force the Song Family to seek aid from the Phantom Spirit Sect—or, rather, from Song Lingqing—and use that to test the Phantom Spirit Sect's attitude.

As long as the Song Family cried for help, that would be enough.

Once the news spread, whether it was true or false, Nightlight Pavilion would wait for a time before taking its next step.

"After a few months, if the Phantom Spirit Sect still makes no response, those who come will not be mortal flesh and bone like us."

Yin Ping spoke in a low voice, then raised his head to look at Li Mingzhou. "May I ask, sir, does your word count?"

Li Mingzhou did not speak. He merely nodded slightly.

"Thank you for your mercy."

Yin Ping kowtowed in thanks. His head never rose again as he severed his own heart meridian.

In Chu Zheng's eyes, the Primordial Qi around Yin Ping's body slowly dispersed, gradually merging into Heaven and Earth.

"Commander Li, today's matter..."

Song Tonghai looked toward Li Mingzhou at his side, asking about his next arrangements.

"I came here tonight only to capture a wanted criminal of the imperial court. I know nothing of what happened, and it has even less to do with the court."

Li Mingzhou said in a low voice,

"If word gets out, that will be your fault."

Before his words had faded, he had already lifted the Grandmaster who had fainted nearby, raised a hand to cripple all of his Qi Meridians, then turned and left.

In the end, Song Tonghai followed Yin Ping's advice. He wrote a letter requesting aid and, early the next morning, released several dozen messenger pigeons.

Those messenger pigeons were meant for the outsiders watching in the open.

He knew the true method of contacting the Phantom Spirit Sect, and he secretly sent out a genuine Reinforcement Request Letter as well.

At this point, every method that still held a sliver of hope had to be tried.

If the Phantom Spirit Sect gave no response, they could only begin preparing for the aftermath.

In just one night, Chu Zheng's wounds had already scabbed over, revealing a recovery ability far beyond that of ordinary people.

Sun Moon Essence was even more effective than healing herbs.

At noon, a Vermillion Bird Divine Guard came to the door and delivered a verbal message from Li Mingzhou to Chu Zheng.

On the long street.

Chu Zheng stopped before a restaurant.

Moon Tasting Tower.

This was one of the finest restaurants in Luofeng City. It was normally packed to the rafters, but with many citizens fleeing the city, it seemed somewhat deserted.

The message Li Mingzhou had sent Chu Zheng was an invitation to a meal.

Chu Zheng stepped into the restaurant. There were only a few occupied tables in the hall, all scattered patrons. At a glance, he spotted Li Mingzhou seated in a remote corner.

Without his armor, dressed in plain cloth, he sat alone in the corner and was utterly inconspicuous.

Chu Zheng walked to the table, cupped his hands in greeting, then sat facing Li Mingzhou.

"I've never treated anyone to a meal before. You, kid, are the first."

Li Mingzhou chuckled and called over a waiter.

"Honored guests, what would you like to eat? Our tower just received a three-year-old stag yesterday. Would you care to try some?"

Before Chu Zheng could speak, Li Mingzhou had already raised two fingers.

"Two bowls of plain noodles."

"Right away, honored guests. Please wait a moment."

The waiter answered, the smile on his face fading considerably. He casually asked, "Would you like anything else?"

"No need. Go on." Li Mingzhou waved him away, then seemed to recall something and hurriedly called him back.

"How many copper coins is a bowl of your plain noodles?"

"Four copper coins." The waiter answered, then left without looking back.

Li Mingzhou turned back in satisfaction and sighed softly. "At my age, I do not eat after noon. Today is an exception."

Chu Zheng: "..."

He was no greenhorn fresh from the hills. For a dignified Great Grandmaster to be this miserly was truly a bit excessive.

After a moment of silence, Chu Zheng tested the waters. "How about I host today, Commander Li? That way, I can fulfill my duty as the local host."

"I said I'm treating, so I'm treating. Do you think I can't afford one meal?"

Li Mingzhou snorted softly, then said slowly, "I'll return to the capital tomorrow."

Chu Zheng could not help but feel surprised. "In such a hurry?"

"His Majesty only gave me half a month. The journey there and back alone takes fourteen days. I came here this time to kill someone."

As he spoke, Li Mingzhou took out a square brocade handkerchief from his sleeve, then retrieved a book wrapped in silk from his robes and pushed them both toward Chu Zheng.

"Commander Li, these are?" Chu Zheng's expression shifted as he instinctively accepted them.

"Some of my own insights into Martial Dao, as well as a fragmentary map I copied from the Stone Wall."

Martial Dao Primer (Second Order/Incomplete): The lifelong insights of a First Order martial artist. It vaguely contains a method for advancing to Second Order, but it is still incomplete.

Fragmentary Map of the Martial Wall (Third Order): A fragment copied from the Martial Wall. It contains a trace of true Martial Dao intent and will be of tremendous help in repairing the Xuantian Seal Third Form.

Currently Repairable: Xuantian Seal Third Form (0/300), Martial Dao Primer (0/80)

As two consecutive prompts rang out, Chu Zheng's gaze sharpened. After pulling up the Panel and sweeping it with a glance, his breathing abruptly stopped.

That square brocade handkerchief had reduced the difficulty of repairing the Xuantian Seal by more than a hundredfold.

The two bowls of plain noodles soon arrived: white noodles in clear broth, with two leaves of vegetables floating on top.

"Last night, I arrived a little earlier than Yin Ping and the others."

Li Mingzhou picked up a strand of noodles with his chopsticks and said casually, "I had been watching you the whole time."

"Thank you, Commander Li, for acting last night."

Chu Zheng thanked him, withdrew his hand, and began eating the noodles.

He did not ask what Li Mingzhou had come to do last night. It had already been made very clear—the capture of a wanted criminal of the imperial court.

If Yin Ping and the others had not come yesterday, only Heaven knew whom Li Mingzhou would have chosen to arrest.

"Come with me tomorrow, and I can still keep you safe and sound."

Li Mingzhou ate his bowl of plain noodles very slowly. As he chewed each bite with deliberate care, he spoke in a deep voice.

"The Song Family's waters run deep. Even the imperial court is unwilling to interfere. This is a struggle between Immortal Sects. You are still young, and Martial Dao holds great promise for you. It would be far too much of a pity for you to die."

Chu Zheng did not reply. He finished his noodles in two or three bites, drained the broth clean, then thanked him again.

"Thank you, Commander Li."

Li Mingzhou ate even more slowly, waving a hand to signal Chu Zheng to leave. "Take the things with you."

Chu Zheng stood. After a brief hesitation, he tucked the brocade handkerchief and the Martial Dao Primer into his robes. He bowed, then slowly departed.

The next morning, the rising sun had just broken over the horizon.

The sun of early spring already carried a hint of warmth.

Before the city gates, five hundred Vermillion Bird Divine Guards stood fully prepared.

Inside a prison cart was the tongue-severed Grandmaster, his entire body limp and utterly motionless.

Citizens lined the road to see them off, their faces full of delight. They had regained some faith in the Government Office of Great Zhou.

Once they had reached the outskirts, Li Mingzhou suddenly turned around and looked at Song Tonghai amidst the crowd. The smile vanished from his face, his gaze turning icy as he transmitted his voice directly.

"If there is a next time, I will certainly kill you."

"May Commander Li have a safe journey."

Song Tonghai's expression did not change. He bent and performed a deep salute.

"Thank you, Lord Li."

A section needs revising. It was late at night—my apologies.