Judge's Office

Returning to the village, Zhao Hong set down his prey and went to Zhao Yang's courtyard.

"Uncle Yang, I just found some people in the mountains..."

After hearing Zhao Hong's explanation, Zhao Yang frowned slightly. "They were probably nearby mountain bandits or wandering outlaws who happened to come here. It's hard to say anything else."

"Since they ran as soon as you spotted them, they probably aren't that strong."

"But it never hurts to be careful."

Zhao Yang was very satisfied with Zhao Hong's response.

A person only had one life.

No matter when or where, staying alive was always the first priority.

"Don't worry. I'll take a look around the mountains later."

Zhao Hong nodded slightly.

With Zhao Yang around, the village was protected.

This was such a remote backwater that even people from the county rarely came by. No matter what, it was unlikely that some expert beyond the Blood Gang realm would suddenly appear.

"Perfect. There are only a few days left until the two-month deadline."

"These are for you."

Zhao Yang rose, retrieved a black-iron saber and a letter from inside the house, and placed them before Zhao Hong.

Zhao Hong's eyes immediately went to the saber.

Its blade gleamed darkly, its sharp edge catching the light.

Compared to Wu Qingyu's cold saber, setting aside its chill, this saber was even sharper. One glance was enough to tell it was no ordinary weapon.

"This saber isn't some peerless treasure, but it will be enough for your needs for now. When you're out in the world, you still need a saber for protection."

"As for this letter..."

Zhao Yang paused before saying, "When you reach the prefectural city in the future, find the Eight Desolations Six Directions Hall and give this letter to my master. He will naturally understand everything."

Eight Desolations Six Directions Hall!

Zhao Hong clicked his tongue inwardly. That martial hall had quite a name—domineering as could be.

"Though we are uncle and nephew, I taught you martial arts on my master's behalf. You have cultivated the Stele-Splitting Hand, Mighty Vajra Finger, Six Harmonies Saber Art, and other techniques. Though you have never formally entered the school as a disciple, you already belong to the Eight Desolations Six Directions Hall. There is no other choice."

Zhao Yang gave Zhao Hong a sidelong glance as a reminder.

Zhao Hong had been prepared for that from the moment he began cultivating, even without Zhao Yang's reminder.

It was hardly a bad thing.

Countless people had no path to seek the Dao. These martial arts that Zhao Yang considered basic, if thrown into Stone Valley County, would be enough to make a crowd of Blood Gang martial artists fight until their heads cracked. That was no exaggeration.

Zhao Hong grinned. "Senior Brother, after all this time, do you still not know what kind of person I am? A teacher for one day is a father for life. In life, I am a man of the Eight Desolations Six Directions Hall; in death, I am its soul."

"You little brat, call me Uncle." Zhao Yang could not help laughing as he cursed him.

Then his expression turned solemn, and he continued, "After leaving the village, don't go to the prefectural city for now."

"Hm? Why?"

"If you go to the prefectural city and people learn of your connection to me, there may be trouble and danger."

Especially if Zhao Hong's innate talent and physique were exposed.

Every faction had enemies. It was impossible for everyone to live in harmony with their neighbors.

Zhao Hong's heart tightened.

The first people he thought of were the enemies who had caused Zhao Yang's mystic fetus to shatter.

Even the Eight Desolations Six Directions Hall did not dare seek revenge.

Their power spoke for itself.

Since enmity had already been formed, Zhao Yang's warning was not baseless.

"I have already laid your foundation. What remains is merely grinding work over time. Even if you went to the prefectural city now, it would be better to gain some experience first."

"The true main range of the Great Green Mountains stretches for eight hundred li. Fierce beasts are countless, demons lurk within, and all kinds of precious medicinal herbs grow deep in the mountains. It is both danger and opportunity."

Zhao Yang pointed toward the mountain range beyond the village. "When I left, I heard that the imperial Inspection Bureau had established a new Judge's Office in the main range of the Great Green Mountains. That place is perfect for you."

How could a tiny Stone Valley County possibly contain a dragon like Zhao Hong?

At the completion of Blood Refining, his combat strength... below the Blood Gang realm, there were likely few who could deal with him.

Even someone like Lu Hong had only just entered the Blood Gang realm.

There was no need at all for Zhao Hong to go to Stone Valley County.

"Judge's Office?"

Zhao Hong blinked, his face blank.

He had heard of the Inspection Bureau.

"The Judge's Office belongs to the Inspection Bureau, but it is extremely special within the bureau. Its members are all elites, and it forms its own branch."

Zhao Hong understood at once.

It was like one signboard with two separate administrations, except the personnel overlapped.

"The local chief officers of the Inspection Bureau are Commanders, responsible for maintaining stability. The Judge's Offices, meanwhile, are established in dangerous lands and strategic locations to suppress evil and slay demons. They are filled with elite soldiers and powerful experts. Even with my cultivation before I was injured, I would have been utterly unremarkable there."

"If you can make a name for yourself in the Judge's Office, resources and status will all be yours—far more impressive than any martial hall. Even if that family in the prefectural city learns of your relationship with me, they will not dare target you lightly."

After hearing this, Zhao Hong developed a strong interest in the Judge's Office.

After thinking it over, he found that this place suited him perfectly at present.

Experience, resources, status, authority.

Of course, danger could not possibly be avoided.

How could one gain without paying a price?

Nor did he feel the slightest dissatisfaction with Zhao Yang's arrangements.

To have an elder who was like a teacher, and a senior brother, putting so much thought into planning everything for him—he was grateful beyond words.

"Uncle, is there truly no hope for your injuries?" Zhao Hong stared intently at Zhao Yang.

A trace of bitterness flashed through Zhao Yang's eyes.

Hope?

I only have a year or so left to live.

His injuries were not limited to his shattered mystic fetus. His internal organs had also been damaged. If not for the martial hall's secret medicines and the precious medicinal herbs his master had obtained for him, he would have died months ago.

Though his enemy had paid a certain price as well.

They were still alive and well, and their martial cultivation had even advanced further.

Was he willing to accept that?

No.

But what could he do?

That family was too powerful. In the end, the Eight Desolations Six Directions Hall was only a martial hall.

Fortunately, he had found his master a good seedling. That could at least make up for some of what he owed.

As for Zhao Hong, bringing him into the Eight Desolations Six Directions Hall meant entering a vortex. Yet the moment one stepped onto the path of cultivation, one had already entered an immense vortex. Even disciples from aristocratic families and sects with tremendous backing had to tread carefully and fight endlessly. Even those who merely muddled through life could not avoid being watched, much less ordinary people.

Without fighting or striving, it was hard enough to survive in the secular world. The martial world was a hundred times worse.

With Zhao Hong's talent, if he curled up in some corner and became a local tyrant, that would be the greatest waste imaginable.

After spending so much time with him, Zhao Yang could naturally see that Zhao Hong was mature and had his own mind. He far surpassed others his age in the village, and in some respects, he was even better than Wang Chuan and the others.

Some things did not need to be said outright. Zhao Yang believed Zhao Hong would make his own judgment.

Though he owed Zhao Hong only kindness, they were both uncle and nephew, senior and junior brothers. The only thing he could do was lay a solid foundation for him, offer proper reminders, and help him avoid needless detours.

After a long silence, Zhao Yang waved his hand and turned back into the house.

His silence was the best answer.

Watching Zhao Yang's lonely back, Zhao Hong felt a tumult of emotions. It was a bitter feeling, yet there was nothing he could do.

So much was beyond one's control. Everything was fate.

Only by reaching the pinnacle of martial arts and becoming invincible beneath heaven could one change that.

Seven days later.

Zhao Hong stood at the door and called inside.

"Senior Brother, I'm leaving."

"Mm."

Zhao Yang did not come out, but Zhao Hong did not mind. He turned and quietly left Clear Creek Village.

He had not told anyone he was leaving.

Over the past half month, he had gradually gone into the mountains to hunt, distributing all the prey among the villagers.

Now that the Stele-Splitting Hand and Mighty Vajra Finger had reached minor accomplishment, and the Six Harmonies Saber Art had entered the beginner stage, it was time to set off.

With the Black-Iron Ink Saber on his back, Zhao Hong followed the wilderness along the eastern edge of the Great Green Mountains, heading north.

His destination: the Judge's Office.