The Mysterious Maiden Statue Smiled

[Martial Arts: Incomplete True Martial Mountain-Suppressing Technique (Mastery), Incomplete Little Netherworld Sword (Lesser Mastery), Flowing River Formula (Mastery), Wind-Riding Technique (Mastery), Innate Unity Qi Technique (Mastery), Iron Horse Grounding Stance (Mastery), Giant Gate Palm (Mastery)...]

[Merit: 122.]

Zhao Zhi stared straight ahead. He appeared to be observing the street, but he was actually keeping an eye on the information on the Merit Panel.

Some time had passed since his return from Flying Cloud Stronghold.

During this time, he had not been idle. He still carried out the duties of a constable.

Through one task after another, he had earned some Merit. The amount naturally could not compare with dismantling Flying Cloud Stronghold, but it was enough for him to elevate another Xiantian inner qi cultivation method.

The Flowing River Formula came from Qingfeng County's yamen, and its grade was evenly matched with the Fan Family's Wind-Riding Technique.

Therefore.

The inner qi cultivated from the perfected Flowing River Formula, like the inner qi of the Wind-Riding Technique, crouched pitifully and helplessly in the corner of his meridians, suppressed by the inner qi of the True Martial Mountain-Suppressing Technique until it had not a shred of temper left.

Dismissing the Merit Panel, Zhao Zhi lifted his wine cup and slowly took a sip. After setting it down, he picked up a slice of beef.

Beef was not something one often saw.

"Lord Zhao."

The Wang Family Tavern owner's daughter brought over a pot of wine. As she placed it on the table, she secretly sized Zhao Zhi up from the corner of her eye. A flush spread across her cheeks. Lowering her head slightly, she retreated.

"Zhao Zhi." A peculiar smile rose at the corner of Luo Dashan's lips as he said to Zhao Zhi, "The tavern owner's daughter likes you. Want to take her?"

Zhao Zhi said calmly, "Don't talk nonsense."

"I'm not."

Luo Dashan picked up a piece of braised beef and put it into his mouth.

"Although the tavern owner's daughter often helps out in the shop, she mainly stays behind the counter doing the accounts. She does not serve wine and dishes to customers. Yet whenever you come, she is the one who brings your food and drink."

As he spoke, Luo Dashan leaned closer to Zhao Zhi. "Zhao Zhi, you saved her like a hero saving a beauty. On top of that, you are now Qingfeng County's great hero. If you want to marry her, I doubt the tavern owner would object."

Zhao Zhi glanced at the tavern owner's daughter, his expression indifferent. "I have no such thoughts for now."

Having come to this world and witnessed such wondrous martial arts, wouldn't it be a wasted journey if he did not climb to the summit and take a look?

Zhao Zhi's current strength could sweep through Qingfeng County, but only Qingfeng County. Beyond Qingfeng County lay a far broader world.

The Great Yin Dynasty, Capital Prefecture, Baishui Commandery, Qingfeng County.

Qingfeng County was merely a corner of the world.

Zhao Zhi's martial realm was only the foundation.

These past few days.

Besides handling official matters, Zhao Zhi had been expanding his understanding of martial arts and learning the divisions between the various martial realms.

Houtian, Xiantian, Meridian Opening, Condensing Astral...

The Houtian and Xiantian realms could collectively be called the Foundation Establishment Realm, where one forged the foundations of martial arts.

In other words, Zhao Zhi's so-called Innate Completion Realm, the strength that allowed him to sweep through Qingfeng County, was merely the level of laying martial foundations before the path of ascension. It was nothing remarkable. Only upon entering the Meridian Opening Realm could one be said to have truly entered the hall of martial arts.

"That is true." Luo Dashan did not try to persuade him. "You have already earned the Profound Nether Platform's favor. In the future, you will surely join the Profound Nether Platform and become a lofty Profound Nether Guard. Qingfeng County cannot contain you." After pausing for a breath, Luo Dashan took a sip of wine and asked curiously, "Why has the Profound Nether Platform sent no further word after so many days?"

Zhao Zhi's gaze shifted slightly.

Indeed.

Several days had passed, yet the Profound Nether Platform had sent no further message.

What, then, was the situation with that Brief Guide to the Profound Nether Platform and the True Martial Mountain-Suppressing Technique?

Zhao Zhi had initially believed that the Profound Nether Platform's recruitment was Fan Zhenyu of the Fan Family's scheme, meant to lure him into the Fan Family so they could strike at him. But on second thought, that was impossible.

The Fan Family could not produce a martial art of the True Martial Mountain-Suppressing Technique's caliber.

Besides, at Flying Cloud Stronghold, Fan Zhenyu had witnessed his strength firsthand. He would not possibly drag the Fan Family into the grave with him.

It seemed he needed to pay the Fan Family a visit.

"Who knows?"

Zhao Zhi smiled faintly, drained the wine in his cup, picked up the constable's saber on the table, and rose to his feet.

"Time to go."

"Mm." Luo Dashan also stood and walked shoulder to shoulder with Zhao Zhi, speaking softly. "We need to be more careful on this trip to the Mysterious Maiden Temple. I always feel that our county magistrate still harbors ill intentions toward you."

"I know."

Zhao Zhi nodded, his mind stirring.

He was quite curious about County Magistrate Lu Guangyi's attitude and conduct.

Logically, given the formidable strength Zhao Zhi had displayed, County Magistrate Lu Guangyi should have sought to win him over. It was impossible for him to make no move at all.

Yet from the very beginning, the county magistrate had done nothing.

Was it really because of his ninth concubine?

Impossible.

Zhao Zhi had not killed the county magistrate's ninth concubine. He had merely killed her younger brother. Moreover, in the Great Yin Dynasty, having three wives and four concubines was exceedingly common. A mere concubine was no different from a servant; he would not offend an expert over one concubine.

County Magistrate Lu Guangyi was not a devoted man.

He wondered whether Lu Guangyi had made arrangements for this visit to the Mysterious Maiden Temple.

Although the Great Yin Dynasty had martial arts experts capable of flying through the sky, burrowing into the earth, cleaving rivers, and cutting off streams, legends of immortals and gods still existed.

The Mysterious Maiden was one of the most renowned immortals and gods in the Great Yin Dynasty.

Mysterious Maiden Temples existed throughout most parts of the Great Yin Dynasty.

Every year, the Mysterious Maiden Ceremony was held, a day of tremendous importance.

At other times, if any major event occurred, people would also pay their respects to the Mysterious Maiden.

The destruction of Flying Cloud Stronghold was a major event for Qingfeng County, and they naturally had to pay respects to the Mysterious Maiden.

Paying respects to the Mysterious Maiden would take place tomorrow. Today, Zhao Zhi and Luo Dashan needed to go to the Mysterious Maiden Temple and inspect its condition, ensuring that no problems arose during tomorrow's sacrificial ceremony.

When Zhao Zhi and Luo Dashan arrived at the Mysterious Maiden Temple, it was completely empty, suffused with a desolate chill. Its usual air of human warmth seemed to have vanished entirely, leaving behind only the solemnity of the Mysterious Maiden as an immortal goddess.

Luo Dashan looked around, displeasure on his face. "What is going on? Even the temple keeper is gone."

The Mysterious Maiden Temple had an elderly temple keeper, nearly seventy years old, who had lived in the temple for more than thirty years.

Whenever one came to the Mysterious Maiden Temple, the old temple keeper was always present. With tomorrow being the sacrificial ceremony, such an important day, it was even more impossible for him to be absent. He should have made preparations long ago.

"Zhao Zhi, something is not right."

Luo Dashan gripped the hilt of his saber with his right hand. His eyes narrowed slightly as he warily watched their surroundings.

"Mm."

Zhao Zhi answered casually and raised his head to look at the enshrined statue of the Mysterious Maiden.

The Mysterious Maiden appeared to be about sixteen years old. Her features were exquisite and distinct, and a faint, almost imperceptible smile rested at the corner of her lips.

The next instant.

Zhao Zhi's pupils suddenly contracted.

The Mysterious Maiden statue had smiled!?