Daqian Martial Saint

The Wanted Poster described Zuo Wumei’s appearance and relevant information, and promised a substantial reward.

Anyone who could provide a valid clue to Zuo Wumei’s whereabouts would be promoted one rank and receive five hundred taels of reward silver. Anyone who captured or killed him would be promoted two ranks and receive one thousand taels of reward silver. Furthermore, they would also be able to choose one treasure from the Fang Family’s Inner Treasury Pavilion.

The Fang Family, with its thousand-year heritage and immense power, was one of the Four Great Noble Families of Weishui County City.

The Garrison Commandant’s Office had reacted so quickly because the Fang Family was naturally pulling the strings. Zuo Wumei’s reckless and wanton actions had undoubtedly infuriated them. That was why the Fang Family had posted such a costly bounty.

”Zuo Wumei? That name sounds familiar.”

Constable Liu stroked his fingers, lost in thought.

”He’s the renegade from the Shadowless Blade Sect in Canglong Province,” Constable Li chimed in from the side. ”At his peak, he reached the Second Stage of Inner Qi.”

”Ah, so it’s him!”

Realization dawned on Constable Liu.

Zuo Wumei had once been an Inner Sect Disciple of the Shadowless Blade Sect in Canglong Province, and he was quite famous among the younger generation. Unfortunately, for some undisclosed reason, he betrayed the sect and became a renegade. While he was roaming, an Elder from the Shadowless Blade Sect severely injured him, destroying the foundation of his Dantian.

As a result, Zuo Wumei’s Martial Arts Realm fell to the Qi Blood Realm.

But Zuo Wumei was, after all, a former Martial Arts Master who had reached the Second Stage of Inner Qi and possessed a profound foundation in the Martial Dao. Even though his Martial Arts Realm had fallen to the Qi Blood Realm, his Sword Skill was so exquisite that he could still hold his own against an ordinary Inner Qi Master.

Zuo Wumei was known for his debauched behavior, often haunting the outskirts of Weishui County City and building a notorious reputation. This time, however, it seemed he had picked a fight he couldn’t win and ended up severely injured by a Fang Family Elder.

”He was severely injured by a Fang Family Elder. I wonder how much of his strength Zuo Wumei has left?”

A look of apprehension crossed one of the constable’s faces.

The reward was tempting, but you had to be alive to claim it. If they encountered a healthy Zuo Wumei, it would be a suicide mission.

Upon hearing this, Tian Fuliang said, ”It’s hard to say for sure. However, according to information from the Fang Family, Zuo Wumei has at most the combat strength of the Qi Blood Fifth Layer. He also can’t fight for long, or he won’t be able to keep his injuries from worsening.”

”Excellent!” one of the constables said, his eyes lighting up.

’If that’s all the strength he has, we’d have a good chance if we surrounded him. At the very least, we could hold out until reinforcements arrive to capture him.’

The bounty on Zuo Wumei sent the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office into a frenzy. Everyone was fired up. Similar scenes were playing out not just in Nanquan Lane, but in all the other precincts as well.

Chen Ping’an took note of the bounty on Zuo Wumei, but ultimately, he didn’t pay it much mind.

’After all, Weishui County City is enormous. Even just the Outer City has four major districts—north, south, east, and west—and each of those has numerous lanes. Who knows if Zuo Wumei has even escaped yet? And even if he’s still in the Outer City, it’s not like he’s guaranteed to be in our Nanquan Lane.’

As usual, Chen Ping’an kept his focus on his Cultivation.

+1.

Every time his Qi Blood surged after a round of Golden Bell Shield practice, the familiar notification for Cultivation Experience would flash before his eyes, filling him with a sense of satisfaction.

’Stronger! I’m getting stronger!’

’Stronger and stronger!’

Chen Ping’an could feel himself getting closer and closer to the Inner Qi Realm.

’Once I achieve Great Success in Golden Bell Shield, I’ll be able to step into the Inner Qi Realm.’

Two days passed peacefully.

When Chen Ping’an reported for duty that day, he was immediately summoned by Tian Fuliang.

”Lord Chief,” Chen Ping’an said, clasping his hands in a salute.

”Ping’an, last night...” Tian Fuliang’s expression was grave. ”Zuo Wumei showed up.”

”He showed up? Where?” Chen Ping’an was taken aback.

”At my house!” Tian Fuliang’s face turned grim.

Tian Fuliang then told Chen Ping’an what had happened the previous night.

Last night, Zuo Wumei had appeared at Tian Fuliang’s home. Fortunately, Tian Fuliang had discovered him in time. But just as he was about to make a move, the man reacted with incredible speed and vanished without a trace.

”That animal!”

Tian Fuliang slammed his hand on the table.

He had a daughter, and Zuo Wumei had been targeting her.

”Zuo Wumei was scared off so easily he didn’t even dare to fight back. It’s clear the information from the Fang Family was correct—his Cultivation has dropped. At most, he has the combat strength of the Qi Blood Fifth Layer.”

”Judging by his reaction last night, he probably can’t even maintain the strength of the Qi Blood Fifth Layer for long.”

”Pass on my orders: the lane is under lockdown. Tell the night patrol officers to keep their eyes peeled. If they spot anything unusual, they are to sound the gongs immediately.”

”...”

As Chen Ping’an left Tian Fuliang’s office, he walked with his head slightly bowed, a glint in his flickering eyes.

’What a coincidence. Of all the lanes in the Weishui Outer City, Zuo Wumei just had to pick Nanquan Lane.’

’Damn it all...’

’If Zuo Wumei was bold enough to target Tian Fuliang’s daughter last night, there’s no guarantee he won’t go after other families. And... Nannan is often home alone...’

A sudden wave of worry washed over Chen Ping’an.

’It might be needless worry, but the odds of Zuo Wumei choosing his family out of so many were incredibly small.’

’But then again, Zuo Wumei had already chosen Nanquan Lane out of all the other lanes.’

’You just never knew with things like this.’

’It’s a small probability for everyone who isn’t chosen, but for the one who is, it’s a hundred percent certainty.’

’He couldn’t afford to take that gamble.’

’He’s courting death!’

A murderous glint flashed in Chen Ping’an’s eyes.

...

「Inside an inconspicuous bungalow in Nanquan Lane.」

The original owners of the house, a married couple, had long since been cut down by Zuo Wumei.

Zuo Wumei was sitting up, his back against the wall. A large, black-cloth-wrapped blade rested habitually across his knees.

”Can’t believe my luck is this bad! I hadn’t even made my move and just had to get spotted.”

Zuo Wumei was a tall man with a large-boned frame and a face covered in stubble.

”He got lucky! I was planning on going straight to the Inspectorate chief’s house for a little ’taste.’ What a pity.”

Zuo Wumei shook his head, a look of regret on his face.

After escaping from the Inner City and passing through several lanes, he grew more and more resentful the more he thought about it. Fleeing Weishui County City like a beaten dog wasn’t his style. If he was going to leave, he had to pull one last job first.

He had to let people know that he, Zuo Wumei, was not to be trifled with.

’It’s a shame that Constable Tian was so lucky. He just had to stumble upon me.’

”Damn it! That old bastard from the Fang Family hit me so hard! Otherwise, a mere Inspectorate chief who hasn’t even reached the peak of the Fifth Layer? I could’ve taken him down in a single move. What’s there to be afraid of!”

Zuo Wumei clutched the wound on his chest and spat resentfully.

He had taken a direct palm strike to that very spot from the Fang Family’s old bastard, an attack that had nearly killed him.

”If I hadn’t been worried about causing a commotion, I would have finished him off one way or another.”

Although he was injured, the wound wasn’t as severe as the rumors claimed. He could still fight at the level of the Qi Blood Sixth Layer.

His strength was enough to crush Tian Fuliang. But while he could overpower him, he couldn’t take him down in just a few rounds. A protracted battle would only attract other constables, which would put him at a disadvantage.

After all, his plan was to pull one last job and then leave, not just to get into a simple fight.

”I hear that in the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office, there’s a Candidate for Deputy under Tian Fuliang, some guy named Chen. Seems he has a younger sister at home, too. She’s a little on the young side, but not out of the question. Perhaps...”

Zuo Wumei schemed.

’Defiling the family of a Candidate for Deputy wouldn’t have the same impact as targeting the chief’s family, but if I succeed, the effect won’t be half-bad.’

”Come to think of it, he hasn’t even reached the Qi Blood Fourth Layer, yet he’s a Candidate for Deputy. Has the Garrison Commandant’s Office run out of people? It’s ridiculous... Hahaha, how utterly ridiculous...”