Investigation

Inside the main hall.

Several people were exchanging cups and toasting one another.

Upon hearing the report from the newcomer, they all ceased their movements.

"So fast?"

Qin Jiu could not help but be stunned.

This was because he had previously asked Zheng Dahai, who had said the Divine Guard Army would take at least another seven days to reach Songshan County.

He had not expected them to arrive this very night.

However, as he looked toward Zheng Dahai.

His brows could not help but furrow.

Because the latter currently wore a look of bewilderment on his face.

Qi Yuan and Xu Jinghua were the same.

"That shouldn't be."

"A Divine Guard Army a thousand strong, plus the disciples they are escorting from the other two counties—their travel speed shouldn't be this fast. Could it be that this old man miscalculated?"

Zheng Dahai stood up, puzzled, and said, "Forget it, follow me outside to welcome them."

Hearing this, the group.

Followed him out.

Qin Jiu, with Qin Xuanzhou in tow, trailed behind the three of them.

It did not take long for them to reach the Outer City.

At the same time.

They caught sight of the Divine Guard Army's encampment at a single glance.

There was no need for Zheng Dahai or the others to point it out.

The army was simply too conspicuous.

The soldiers were all clad in ink-blue armor that refracted a cold light, holding long spears. A terrifying Sha Qi and an aura of slaughter permeated the air. Looking out, even the lowest-ranking soldiers were Second Refining martial artists, arranged in neat, square formations.

At the very front were figures of all kinds—men, women, young, and old.

Their temperaments varied.

Some were elders with the bearing of immortals, others were heroic women on white horses with silver spears, or men with sharp, exposed edges.

Their martial arts realms far surpassed the army behind them.

Qin Jiu sensed them only slightly.

He discovered that the lowest among these people were already Third Refining martial artists.

The most terrifying among them were an old man and a man and woman, three figures whose auras were not a whit weaker than Zheng Dahai's.

"Such an elite force."

"I fear they could rival an ordinary army of a hundred thousand."

Qin Jiu could not help but sigh.

Martial artists are not mere mortals.

One could only imagine how terrifying an army composed of martial artists would be. At the very least, the army before him could likely slaughter a non-martial army of a hundred thousand with ease.

After all, the armor on these soldiers.

And their weapons were no ordinary items.

"Facing such an army alone, no matter how high a martial artist's realm, I fear they would meet their end."

"After all, human strength is limited."

"Even a blade would eventually dull."

"Wrong."

Qi Yuan, standing to the side, heard his lament and shook his head, saying, "As long as one condenses True Qi and breaks through to a realm like Elder Zheng's, one can come and go as they please within such an army. Even military formations cannot stop you; you can kill whomever you wish. If one can break through to become a Grandmaster, they are truly invincible."

"No matter how powerful the Divine Guard Army is."

"Before a Grandmaster, they are nothing but clay chickens and pottery dogs."

When he said this.

His expression was not very pleasant.

Seeing this, Qin Jiu felt a sudden flash of surprise. Just as he was about to ask, the other man spoke again.

"Moreover, this Divine Guard Army of the Divine Fist Sect is far inferior to the Mystic Firmament Sect. Look at their Centurions—they are only at the Third Refining realm. In our sect's Divine Guard Army, Centurions are all held by those at Internal Strengthening, while Third Refining is merely a Squad Leader."

"This is the Divine Fist Sect's Divine Guard Army?"

"That's right."

Qi Yuan nodded.

At this moment, the expressions of Zheng Dahai and Xu Jinghua.

Also appeared rather unsightly.

"Yo, Zheng Dahai, I didn't expect you to enter the city so quickly."

Just then.

The old man at the very front of the army flickered like a ghost, arriving before them in an instant, and spoke to Zheng Dahai with a beaming smile: "Your sect is truly swift."

"However, this old man doesn't seem to see your army. Sigh, my eyes aren't what they used to be at my age. Would Elder Zheng be so kind as to tell me where the Divine Guard Army of your Mystic Firmament Sect is stationed? I would like to avoid it, lest I accidentally offend your esteemed sect."

"Hmph."

To this, Zheng Dahai.

Only let out a cold snort and said nothing.

"What?"

"Oh, they haven't arrived yet, have they?" The old man chuckled. "That's good, that's good. This old man is truly afraid of accidentally crushing some little grasshoppers again; those old fogies would just end up jumping with rage."

Hearing this, the corner of Zheng Dahai's eye twitched.

Just as he was about to retort.

The old man swiftly darted back to the front of his army.

Following that, the army moved in perfect unison toward the west side of the city, which was the area closest to Songshan.

"This is troublesome."

"If that area is occupied by the Divine Fist Sect's army..."

Xu Jinghua spoke up.

This man was usually reticent, but seeing this scene, he couldn't help but knit his brows together.

"Let's wait for our army to arrive first."

Zheng Dahai shook his head and said: "The Divine Fist Sect has brought three Willow Tendon experts this time. This old man cannot suppress them alone; we must wait for our other disciples to gather before discussing the matter of our station."

The next day.

Qin Jiu was still practicing in the East Wing.

He did not go to the Martial Arts Arena.

But he had barely been standing in his horse stance for an hour when Qin Xuanzhou hurried in.

"Reporting to the Patriarch."

"The Divine Fist Sect has opened a Martial Hall in the Inner City and is recruiting widely. Nearly half of the people who were originally queuing outside the Qin Mansion have left."

"Furthermore, a great number of martial artists have flooded into the city over the past few days."

"They all seem to have come for the two great sects."

"Should we take any action?"

"Just strengthen our defenses."

Qin Jiu waved his hand and pondered: "Although the Demons within the city are gradually being cleared out, they still lie dormant outside. Arrange for people to keep a close watch on the County Office and the movements of the Canal Gang."

He gave his orders.

Then he dismissed Qin Xuanzhou.

The Divine Guard Army of the Mystic Firmament Sect should arrive within the next two or three days.

At that time, the Qin Family would depart under their escort.

With the journey imminent.

No accidents could be allowed at this critical juncture.

Qin Jiu mused.

He then continued to circulate his Internal Energy, coordinating it with Withered Wood Meets Spring to clear the meridians throughout his body.

"At this rate, within three months, I will be able to clear the meridians in my body and break through to the Internal Strengthening realm. By then, the Qin Family should have already established a firm foothold in Ning'an Prefecture."

"I will also be able to set out in peace to find talents to imprint."

"It is just that, regarding that secret technique..."

His gaze was profound.

While circulating his Internal Energy Meridian Clearing, he organized his own plans.

Time passed in a flash.

It was nearing noon.

And inside the East Wing, an unexpected figure arrived at this moment.

"Brother Qi, what brings you here?"

Qin Jiu saw the person approaching.

He put away his Stance Training.

Immediately, he invited him into the pavilion to sit down.

"Most of the people who came to have their bones measured today went over to the Divine Fist Sect, so I decided to take a break and come chat with you, Junior Brother."

Qi Yuan said with a smile.

He then picked up the tea offered by a servant, took a light sip, and continued: "Elder Zheng and I have been here for two days, and we have gained a general understanding of the recent events in Songshan County. One matter, in particular, truly surprised me."

"According to what others have said..."

"A few days ago, an outer sect deacon of the Divine Fist Sect entered the city with two disciples, and they all died just one day later. Is this true?"

"That is indeed the case."

Qin Jiu nodded.

Upon hearing this, Qi Yuan's eyes flickered as he said: "Do you know that the deacon was a member of the Baili Clan from Ning'an Prefecture? Among the people who entered the city for the Divine Fist Sect last night was a prodigy from the Baili Family, and that person has already begun investigating this matter."