Chapter 57: There Is Nothing One Cannot Afford to Offend

Liang Jin sneered.

"Since they are already after our lives, what does it matter whether we can afford to provoke them or not?"

Miao Yuanzheng had no choice but to explain in detail:

"The person behind Yang Jingye is a member of the imperial family by marriage."

"He is the biological father of Noble Consort Han, Lord Han of the State."

According to the conventions of the Great Qian Dynasty, generally only the father of an empress could be addressed as Lord of the State.

And only when a consort reached the exalted rank of Imperial Noble Consort could her maternal family become relatives of the imperial family.

The maternal family of an ordinary consort was simply unworthy of being considered relatives of the emperor; they could only serve as his subjects, and under normal circumstances, they did not even have the qualification to enter the palace.

However, this was not absolute.

It primarily depended on the emperor's attitude.

Throughout successive imperial reigns, there had been precedents where the father of a high-ranking consort was also honored with the title of Lord of the State.

Because the current Noble Consort Han was favored by the emperor, her father had also received the title of Lord of the State and was thus included among the imperial relatives.

Although Lord Han held a relatively high official rank, it was merely a nominal title without any real political power.

Yet, because of his daughter, he wielded immense influence in official circles.

Liang Jin sneered.

"I thought he was some supreme overlord, but it turns out he is nothing more than a dog belonging to an imperial relative."

When bitten by a dog, the best course of action was to beat the dog to death.

As he spoke, Liang Jin's true body, located a thousand miles away, had already activated the special ability of [Thousand-Mile Tracking].

Upon inputting the name "Yang Jingye," the locations of all individuals bearing this name appeared on the map.

Miao Yuanzheng hesitated and said:

"Grand Preceptor, we have no evidence to prove that it is this Yang Jingye who wants to harm you."

"Perhaps the mastermind behind the scenes is someone else."

Meanwhile, Liang Jin's attention had already discovered a clue on the map.

A red dot was actually located nearby.

Its exact position was right inside the county government office of Taiyang County.

"Is there anyone named Yang Jingye within the county office?"
Liang Jin asked.

Miao Yuanzheng shook his head.

Recently, most of the people in the yamen had also joined the Way of Peace, so Miao Yuanzheng had a thorough understanding of the situation inside the government office.

A cold glint flickered in Liang Jin's eyes.

"Since that is the case, I now have my evidence."

"Let's go to the county office."

Liang Jin raised his foot and walked forward.

Miao Yuanzheng felt a trace of doubt.

What could they possibly do at the county office?

File a complaint with the authorities?

Filing a complaint with a mere county magistrate—could that possibly hold sway over a major figure like Yang Jingye?

If one were to file a official complaint, they would at least need to go to the prefectural government.

Furthermore, since they had already been targeted by enemies, it was uncertain whether they could even reach the prefecture safely.

Miao Yuanzheng hurriedly followed Liang Jin and reminded him:

"Grand Preceptor, I believe what the assassin said earlier was not false."

"It is rumored that by Yang Jingye's side, there has always been a fifth-rank martial arts expert named Bao Chao protecting him!"

"That Bao Chao was originally one of the elders of the martial arts sect, the Senluo Sect, and has been famous for over a decade. The Senluo Sect has always willingly acted as the lackeys and running dogs for Lord Han, earning a notorious reputation in the pugilistic world."

"However, Bao Chao's martial arts are truly formidable, renowned for his peerless saber and kicking techniques. Later, upon the recommendation of Lord Han, he became Yang Jingye's retainer, tasked with safeguarding Yang Jingye's safety."

"If this man makes a move, not a single person in our Way of Peace can match him."

"I suggest that you should immediately retreat to Juliu Village and hide in the mountains and forests. Once this matter blows over after a while, we can venture back out."

Upon hearing this, Liang Jin immediately input Bao Chao's name into his interface.

Relevant information quickly popped up:

[Target: Bao Chao]
[Location: Taiyang County Yamen]
[Strength: Fifth Rank]
[Martial Arts: "Black Fiend Saber" (Level 7), "Senluo Kicking Techniques" (Level 8), "Numinous Crane Steps" (Level 7)]

Looking at the information, Liang Jin roughly understood that this Bao Chao was indeed skilled in saber and leg techniques, while the "Numinous Crane Steps" was most likely a lightweight kung fu technique.

Especially since this Bao Chao was also inside the county office, everything added up.

A fifth-rank martial artist, compared to those below the fifth rank, existed entirely on a different level.

The fifth rank was also a massive watershed among martial artists.

Once a martial artist reached the realm of the fifth rank, they could project their internal energy outward.

As the saying went, palm force, fist momentum, sword Qi, saber Qi, and so on—all could be achieved through internal energy to realize diverse and extended forms of offense and defense.

Therefore, martial artists above the fifth rank could truly be considered genuine experts in the martial arts world.

"I also happen to want to see just how strong a fifth-rank expert is."

"Rest assured, the Yellow Heaven will punish these evildoers."

Liang Jin said darkly.

Since the enemy had gone to such lengths to harm him, Liang Jin certainly wouldn't let the matter rest.

As for that fifth-rank expert, Liang Jin indeed lacked absolute certainty.

But as for Yang Jingye, Liang Jin was determined to kill him!

............

County Government Office.

Qiu Zhuo and Yang Jingye were still casually chatting.

Yang Jingye sat sipping tea, while Qiu Zhuo remained standing respectfully to one side, answering questions.

Amidst their conversation, Qiu Zhuo couldn't help but steal a couple of glances at the middle-aged man standing behind Yang Jingye.

This middle-aged man's temples bulged high, and his entire presence was restrained yet heavy.

He stood motionlessly behind Yang Jingye, resembling a statue.

Whenever Qiu Zhuo drew near him, he always felt a surge of panic in his heart.

This forced Qiu Zhuo to change his position; only after moving further away from the man did he feel somewhat more relaxed.

Seeing this, Yang Jingye chuckled softly:

"Look at you, showing your lack of experience, eh?"

"Master Bao is an elder of the Senluo Sect, peerless in both saber and leg techniques, and furthermore a fifth-rank powerhouse!"

"As a mere sesame-sized official, naturally you will be overawed by his aura when standing close to him."

"A person's courage stems from nothing more than martial prowess, power, and wealth."

"Once you receive a promotion and your authority increases, your presence will naturally grow."

"By then, when you approach Master Bao again, you won't be affected by him."

Upon hearing this, Qiu Zhuo assumed a posture of humble instruction, repeatedly praising and sighing in admiration.

At the same time, he did not forget to bow respectfully toward Bao Chao as well.

Bao Chao remained expressionless, failing to return the bow and completely ignoring Qiu Zhuo.

Yet Qiu Zhuo took no offense.

An elder of the Senluo Sect and a fifth-rank powerhouse—with such a status, he certainly had the right to look down upon a mere county magistrate.

The fact that even an elder of the Senluo Sect had been arranged by Yang Jingye's side demonstrated just how much importance Lord Han attached to Yang Jingye.

Now, with Yang Jingye's guarantee, Qiu Zhuo knew that his promotion this time was essentially secured.

At this moment.

Yang Jingye put down his ginseng tea and looked up at the sky outside the room:

"Calculating the time, that Grand Preceptor should be dead by now."

"With only a seventh-rank martial artist by his side, there's no way he could preserve his life."

"My business venture can also begin now."

"Qiu Zhuo, the task of pacifying the people after that heretic's death will be left to you."

"Handle it well, and the position of Prefectural Assistant of Qingzhou awaits you."

Qiu Zhuo hurriedly nodded and expressed his gratitude.

Since Yang Jingye said the Grand Preceptor was dead, then the Grand Preceptor was undoubtedly dead.

Over the years throughout the entirety of Qingzhou, whoever Yang Jingye wanted dead could not survive.

However, Qiu Zhuo was also well aware that the Grand Preceptor's death would likely trigger widespread shock among the common folk.

Once he failed to pacify the populace and stirred up a civil uprising, he would become the scapegoat.

Yang Jingye would reap the profits, while Qiu Zhuo would take the blame.

Yet Qiu Zhuo felt no resentment.

After all, great wealth and nobility were sought amidst danger; if one feared taking risks while working for such great figures, one would never dream of promotion in a lifetime.

He merely sighed, lamenting that the Grand Preceptor had died just like that—a pity and a lamentable waste...

Supported by two maidservants, Yang Jingye slowly rose to his feet:

"Very well, now it's time to go..."

Before he could finish his sentence, a torrential rain suddenly poured down from the heavens.

Pitter-patter!

In the small courtyard before the study, the flowers and plants were battered mercilessly by the raindrops, unable to lift their heads.

Yang Jingye laughed heartily:

"It seems even the heavens take pity on me—feeling sympathy that I am getting too old, and thus sending down a heavy rain before I step out to prevent these old bones of mine from getting soaked."

Qiu Zhuo hurriedly prepared to flatter him with a couple of remarks.

Suddenly!

Qiu Zhuo felt his vision blur, as if something had flashed past his ears at high speed.

When he focused his gaze, he saw that Bao Chao, who had remained silent all along, had already stepped forward to shield Yang Jingye.

Bao Chao's expression was grim as he said coldly:

"Someone has infiltrated the yamen and is approaching this place."

"They carry murderous intent upon their bodies!"