I Grind to Martial Saint

Before long, the Divine Fist Sect spread the news of the sparring match between Han Yuan and Wei Shiming.

News that Han Yuan had defeated Wei Shiming naturally caused another uproar throughout the Martial World of Cangshui County.

Qingshui County, Changfeng Street, Changyun Restaurant.

Even though it was already afternoon, the restaurant’s main hall was still packed with people.

These people weren’t here to eat, but to listen to stories.

A storyteller was seen rolling up his sleeves, his expression animated as he slammed his gavel on the table.

”Of the Three Great Sects in Cangshui County, Han Yuan has now dealt with two!”

”The Cyan Cloud Sect is a thing of the past!”

”The Rain Flower Sect simply surrendered and now serves under Han Yuan.”

”Only the Divine Fist Sect remained. Their Sect Leader, Wei Shiming, announced his intention to settle things with Demon Blade Han Yuan in a single battle!”

”The battle between those two shook the heavens and moved the gods!”

”Wei Shiming’s Fist Technique is incredibly formidable! Legend has it a single punch of his can shatter a small mountain!”

”But Demon Blade Han Yuan abandoned his greatest strength and fought Wei Shiming with his bare hands!”

”They traded hundreds of blows, even destroying more than half of the Divine Fist Sect’s buildings! The scene was as terrifying as the apocalypse!”

”In the end, Han Yuan used the Demon God Hand Seal!”

”According to those who watched, the sky went dark and was covered in black clouds. In the haze, it was as if they saw the phantom of a Demon King appear and strike Wei Shiming with its palm!”

”Wei Shiming is but a mortal man. How could he withstand the palm of a Demon King? Naturally, his bones shattered, and he was knocked unconscious by the single strike!”

At this point, the storyteller raised his gavel and slammed it down again, his voice rising!

”And with that!”

”Cangshui County now belongs to Demon Blade Han Yuan alone! No one is left to challenge him!”

Hearing this, the onlookers from Qingshui County couldn’t help but applaud.

Everyone knew this Demon Blade Han Yuan, for he was once their very own Chief Constable of Qingshui County. His fame brought them a bit of reflected glory.

”That kid... I knew he’d make a name for himself in the County Town, but I never thought it would be this fast.”

”And what a big name it is...”

Wang Changbai mumbled, sitting in a corner and eating peanuts, already a little drunk.

He recalled that when Han Yuan left, he had eaten with him in this very restaurant.

”I just wonder... if Han Yuan can make a name for himself in Jianghe Province, or even the entire Great Ling Dynasty.”

As Wang Changbai spoke, he couldn’t help but laugh.

He knew that with Han Yuan’s talent, it was only a matter of time.

That kid was destined to shock everyone in the Great Ling Dynasty.

...

Han Yuan only stayed at the Divine Fist Sect for two days. After confirming a few things with Wei Shiming, he left that very night.

After all, he was now the Director of the Cangshui Celestial Observation Bureau and couldn’t be away for too long.

Instead of taking the waterways, the journey from the Divine Fist Sect to Cangshui County Town by horse would take about eight days.

In the blink of an eye, five days had passed.

The sun was setting.

His horse had been running all day and was now panting, unable to go on.

Han Yuan had also been traveling for days on end, sleeping in the open. He wanted to find a village to rest.

He led his horse down a fork in the road off the main official path.

Generally, forks like these led to nearby villages.

Following the small path, he entered a dense forest.

At dusk, the light was quite dim.

A faint, ominous wind seemed to be blowing.

But Han Yuan paid it no mind.

’These are just normal natural phenomena,’ he thought. ’Many people would panic, make some noise, and then convince themselves that something unnatural is here.’

However, when he led his horse out of the dense forest, he froze for a moment.

Instead of a small village, a temple stood before his eyes.

As he led his horse closer, he saw three large, ancient characters.

Huian Temple.

’Oh well, a temple works too.’

’I just need a place to spend the night, anyway.’

Han Yuan walked to the temple gate and knocked gently.

CREAK~~~

The temple gate opened quickly.

A tall, thin, kind-faced old monk appeared before Han Yuan.

”Amitabha.”

”Patron, are you seeking lodging for the night?”

The old monk asked, his palms pressed together.

”Master, how did you know I wanted to stay the night?” Han Yuan asked, puzzled.

”Most people who knock at this hour are looking for a place to stay.”

”There is no need to be embarrassed, Patron,”

the old monk said with a smile.

”Then I will trouble you for one night.”

Han Yuan didn’t stand on ceremony.

”Please follow me, Patron.”

The tall, thin old monk nodded.

After Han Yuan led his horse into Huian Temple, the tall, thin old monk closed the main gate again.

”You haven’t eaten yet, have you, Patron?”

”As it happens, a few other guests are staying the night. They are eating in the refectory right now. I’ll take you there first,”

the tall, thin old monk said softly.

Han Yuan didn’t feel he could refuse, so he nodded in agreement.

As they walked through the temple complex, he could occasionally hear the sound of chanting.

He followed behind the tall, thin old monk, making casual conversation.

He learned the old monk’s name was Huiming, and he had been a monk at Huian Temple for decades.

”Master Huiming... are there not many monks in your temple?”

”Why did you have to come out personally?”

Han Yuan asked.

”You may not know, Patron, but the monks in the temple are all at their evening scripture readings.”

”Only old bones like me are exempt from the evening readings.”

Monk Huiming said casually.

At that moment, they were in a corridor with a large hall visible in the distance.

Han Yuan looked over and saw it was brightly lit, with many monks inside chanting scriptures.

They first went to the rear courtyard to stable the horse. After walking for a while longer, they finally arrived at the refectory.

This refectory was a place for secular guests to eat.

But since it was nighttime, not many people were eating there.

Han Yuan entered and glanced around.

A burly man with thick arms and a large saber on his back sat in a corner.

Not far from him was a young Scholar, who was drinking porridge while reading a book.

Two middle-aged men who looked like merchants were huddled together.

Additionally, there was a middle-aged woman in lavish clothes, a jade ring on her finger. She was clearly from a wealthy family and was accompanied by two Guards.

When they saw Han Yuan walk in, their gazes turned wary.

This was mainly because Han Yuan carried the Dragon Sparrow Cloud-Splitting Saber on his back and the Cyan Rainbow Sword at his waist. With his tall, powerful build, he was obviously a martial artist—and not an ordinary one at that.

Han Yuan’s expression was calm as he walked to a corner and sat down.

Soon,

Monk Huiming brought him a bowl of pumpkin porridge and some stir-fried cabbage.

”The temple offers simple fare. I hope you will make do, Patron,”

Elder Monk Huiming said, his palms pressed together.

”I should be the one thanking you, Master.”

”These days, just getting a hot meal is no small feat,”

Han Yuan said gratefully.

Elder Monk Huiming nodded and added, ”After you finish eating, Patron, head right from the refectory. There are several empty guest rooms there. You may pick any one you like.”

Han Yuan nodded in response, and only then did Elder Monk Huiming leave.

But Han Yuan just looked at the pumpkin porridge and stir-fried cabbage, showing no intention of eating.

He simply sat there for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea before leaving the refectory.