Martial Saint with Passives

Jiang Che took it. The item felt almost weightless in his hand, yet he could faintly sense the strange energy contained within.

Then, Ye Lianzhen produced several small jade bottles.

”These are specially made poisons, as well as some antidotes and healing medicines. They’re incredibly potent and might prove useful at a critical moment.”

Jiang Che put them all away.

After a moment’s thought, he asked another practical question, ”Dean Ye, what if Junior Sister Tang insists on staying with Xie Xingwen? What if she refuses to listen to me, or even fights me... What should I do then?”

A decisive glint flashed in Ye Lianzhen’s eyes. ”Use force if you have to. You can even knock her unconscious and drag her back. I just want her back alive. I don’t care about the rest.”

That was all the assurance Jiang Che needed.

”I understand. I’ll do my best to keep her safe.”

”Thank you,” Ye Lianzhen said, her tone grave.

Jiang Che thought for a moment before asking another practical question:

”Dean Ye, what if... and I’m just speaking hypothetically... things get chaotic, and I’m forced to kill someone... problematic? Do you have anything that can completely eliminate all traces?”

’He was thinking of Xie Xingwen. If that guy was really courting death, disposing of his body would be a huge pain.’

’His usual methods were fine for dealing with small-time thugs.’

’But if he killed Xie Xingwen, his people would undoubtedly send experts to conduct a thorough investigation.’

’Even the slightest trace would expose him!’

Ye Lianzhen immediately understood his meaning. She gave him a deep look, then turned and retrieved a small, inconspicuous black bottle from the back of a medicine cabinet.

”This is Corpse-Dissolving Water. A few drops will dissolve a body into a puddle of clear water within moments, leaving no trace. Not even the most experienced Chief Constable or forensic doctor could find a single clue! This bottle is enough to dispose of ten people.”

Jiang Che carefully accepted this potent tool and stored it away securely.

’With this, he’d no longer have to worry about cleaning up a scene.’

”Thank you, Dean Ye!”

”Be careful,” Ye Lianzhen urged one last time.

After carefully stowing the items, Jiang Che nodded, then turned and left Yanluo Courtyard.

...

「West of Cangzhou Prefecture City, You Manor.」

High walls surrounded deep courtyards, their upturned eaves and intricate brackets creating an imposing sight. It was a testament to the profound heritage of a century-old Noble Family.

Yet at this moment, an invisible pall of grim finality and despair hung over the magnificent manor.

Ever since news arrived that You Longji had been killed by Xie Songnian, the manor had been plunged into a state of panic.

The You Family’s Eldest Young Master, You Honglang, reacted with incredible speed. He immediately ordered the gates sealed and all elite guards to mount the walls, standing in grim readiness.

At the same time, he dispatched his most trusted men to gather intelligence.

’The situation was critical. Staying here was a death sentence.’

’He had to lead his family away from here as soon as possible!’

But soon, the scouts he had sent out returned, fleeing in a panic.

According to their reports, all major escape routes from the manor had been blocked!

Those blocking their way were not just members of the Three Great Sects; there were even disciplined, armored soldiers among them!

It was none other than the Qilin Army, the force garrisoned in Cangzhou!

Individually, the Martial Artists in the army might not be a match for the elites of the Three Great Sects.

But they were masters of coordinated battle formations, linking their auras to exponentially increase their power.

As a result, they could easily overwhelm and kill even high-Realm Martial Artists!

Even more terrifyingly, several massive, dark iron tubes were positioned among the army formations!

They were the True Qi Fire Cannons, weapons that struck fear into the hearts of everyone in the Jianghu!

The barrels of these cannons were inscribed with complex runes, and they required an infusion of True Qi from a True Master Realm expert to be fired.

A single blast from one of these cannons was comparable to a full-powered strike from a Peak True Mastery Realm expert!

Even a True Master Realm expert would be instantly annihilated if caught in the blast!

The presence of the Qilin Army extinguished any hope of escape for the people of You Manor.

The ability to mobilize the army for a Martial World conflict meant this was no longer just about the will of the Three Great Sects.

It represented the official stance of Cangzhou itself!

The most powerful man in Cangzhou, General Qin Fuhu, must have given his approval!

Explain? Plead their case?

Faced with absolute military power and a predetermined verdict, such actions were meaningless!

At this point, it didn’t matter if they were the Demon Sect or not—they were now!

Inside the You Manor’s meeting hall, the atmosphere was so oppressive it was suffocating.

You Honglang sat at the head of the hall, his face pale and haggard.

As the eldest son of the You Family, with Patriarch You Longji dead, he had naturally become the new Patriarch.

Barely in his early twenties, he now had to bear the weight of his entire family’s survival on his shoulders.

Below him sat the key members of the You clan.

Leading them were three elderly men with deep, heavy auras.

They were the You Family’s last surviving Supreme Elders.

The one in the center was the Grand Elder of the You Family, You Bojun.

His hair and beard were white and his face was wizened, but a sharp light glinted within his old eyes.

The aura he faintly radiated revealed his cultivation—he was at the Sixth Layer of the True Master Realm!

However, his aura seemed somewhat unstable. It was clear his advanced age had taken its toll; his Qi and Blood were no longer as vigorous as they had been in his prime.

The other two Elders were at the Fifth and Fourth Layers of the True Master Realm, respectively.

”They... they mean to exterminate us!” a senior You Family elder said, his voice trembling, his face a mask of grief and despair.

A heavy silence fell over the hall. Everyone knew they were at the end of their rope.

”Honglang,” You Bojun began, his voice hoarse and ancient but filled with undeniable authority. ”The situation is clear. There’s nothing more to be said. That cur, Xie Songnian, murdered Longji and framed our family. This is a blood feud that cannot be reconciled! The You Family faces calamity today, and our only choice is to fight to the death!”

He paused, his clouded gaze falling upon You Honglang, a look that held both tenderness and grim resolve.

”But the You Family’s line must not end! You are Longji’s only son, our family’s last hope! In a moment, I, along with the other two Elders and every old man who can still stand, will go to the front gate and meet these so-called ’Righteous Sects’!”