I Grind to Martial Saint

Upon hearing Han Yuan’s words, Song Guang dared not delay. He quickly called over a few soldiers and had them burn Fang Tai’s body.

Only after watching Fang Tai’s body burn to ashes did Han Yuan stand up.

He asked, ”What’s the situation on your end?”

Speaking of which, Song Guang couldn’t help but smile. ”That so-called Iron Blade Army is just an unruly mob. Without Fang Tai, we quickly routed them. Most were slain, and a small portion were captured by us.”

”Our casualties were light... we only suffered a little over a hundred.”

Keep in mind, the Iron Blade Army had twice their numbers. A casualty rate this low was nothing short of astonishing.

Han Yuan nodded. ”Good... Let’s head back for now.”

.....

To celebrate the victory and boost morale, Song Guang organized a victory banquet that evening.

The camp was filled with ceaseless revelry. Soldiers feasted on meat and guzzled wine, singing and dancing with utter joy.

The recent days of brutal fighting in Tongming County had pushed them to the brink of physical and mental exhaustion. Tonight was a rare opportunity to unwind.

Inside a tent, Han Yuan sat cross-legged, meditating and circulating his Innate Great Demon Qi to heal his wounds.

The fight with Fang Tai had left him with fractured bones and torn tendons. The prolonged explosion of power had left muscles torn throughout his body.

However, this battle had also been greatly beneficial, providing him with much insight.

Besides, with his constitution, even severe injuries like these would be fully healed soon, thanks to nourishing Elixir Pills and the restorative power of his Innate Great Demon Qi.

Just then, a figure in black slipped quietly into the tent.

”Luo San of the Flying Eagle Guard, Jianghe Celestial Observation Bureau. Greetings, Director Han.”

The figure wore a black robe and a mask, adding to their air of mystery.

Han Yuan paid it no mind.

The Flying Eagle Guard were always like this, rarely showing their true faces.

Even the name ”Luo San” sounded like an alias.

”Where’s your Token?”

Han Yuan seemed completely unsurprised by the Flying Eagle Guard’s appearance.

Upon hearing this, Luo San took out his Identity Token.

After verifying its authenticity, Han Yuan said coolly, ”I don’t care what methods you use. Quickly get the news of Fang Tai’s death to Director Zhao and General Ling. Can you do it?”

Luo San said with conviction, ”Rest assured, Director Han. We’re already on it.”

”Mm...” Han Yuan said no more, closing his eyes to continue his healing.

After a respectful bow, Luo San took his leave from the tent.

.....

「A county town in southern Tongming County.」

Before the city gates, bodies were piled high. Scavenging beasts gnawed on the corpses, making grotesque sounds of chewing and tearing.

Ling Yun had been leading his men in a desperate defense here for several days and nights.

He stood atop the gate tower, spear in hand, his face covered in blood and grime, his eyes completely bloodshot.

Even as a Gang Essence Martial Artist, he was visibly exhausted.

In the past few days, leading the Jianghe Province Soldiers, he had lost count of how many waves of attacks from the Wangling Sect they had repelled.

”General Ling, we really can’t hold on any longer.”

”We have to find a way to break out and retreat.”

Tong Gu climbed the gate tower, urging him with a worried expression.

’He couldn’t understand why Ling Yun insisted on this desperate last stand.’

’At first, the plan was to come here to rest and regroup for a few days.’

’But then Wu Guangtian had shown up with the Wangling Sect’s main army and surrounded them.’

Ling Yun turned his head, glanced at him, and said flatly, ”We cannot retreat.”

Fearing for his life, Tong Gu pressed on, ”General Ling, what are you thinking? Continuing this desperate defense is a road to certain death!”

Ling Yun shook his head. ”Patience... I believe the tide will turn soon.”

Tong Gu was completely bewildered. ’In a situation like this, how could there possibly be a turning point?!’

Just then, a black-robed figure suddenly appeared beside Ling Yun.

Tong Gu jumped, thoroughly startled.

However, looking at the figure’s black-clad attire, he guessed they must be from the Flying Eagle Guard.

The black-robed figure quickly handed Ling Yun a small slip of paper.

After reading it, Ling Yun let out a hearty laugh.

”Lord Tong, I’ll make a bet with you.”

”The Wangling Sect will retreat at dawn. Do you believe me?”

All traces of Ling Yun’s previous exhaustion were gone, replaced by a surging fighting spirit.

”Impossible!”

”Unless a meteor falls from the sky and crushes them all to death.”

Tong Gu shook his head.

”Then we’ll just have to wait and see,” Ling Yun said mysteriously.

Tong Gu gave him a suspicious look and said in a low voice, ”Lord Ling, and what if the Wangling Sect doesn’t retreat? What will you do then?”

”Then I’ll do as you say and break out,” Ling Yun said with a smile.

”Alright, then it’s a deal!” Hearing this, Tong Gu breathed a sigh of relief.

He decided not to leave after all, remaining right where he was to wait for sunrise.

Before long, a brilliant red sun began its slow ascent over the distant horizon.

Seeing this, Tong Gu said hurriedly, ”General Ling, sunrise!”

”Patience...” Ling Yun remained calm.

As the sun climbed higher, it dispelled the darkness, and visibility improved.

To facilitate their attacks, the Wangling Sect had set up their camp just a short distance from the city gates.

Tong Gu strained his eyes, gazing toward the Wangling Sect’s encampment.

The next moment, his expression changed drastically.

The Wangling Sect camp was in a state of commotion.

Before long, it looked as if they were actually beginning to retreat!

”How can this be?!” Tong Gu watched, dumbfounded.

’The Wangling Sect had us perfectly cornered. We were on the verge of collapse. Why would they suddenly leave now?’

”Lord Tong... the real show is just beginning.”

Ling Yun smiled faintly as he watched the retreating Wangling Sect.

’He had held this position through hell for so many days, all for this very moment.’

Of course, he didn’t order a pursuit.

The main reason was that his men were utterly exhausted; a pursuit would likely backfire.

Besides, there was no need to rush.

Tong Gu was completely bewildered.

His mind simply couldn’t comprehend why the Wangling Sect would suddenly retreat.

Suddenly, Ling Yun seemed to sense something and gazed into the distance.

He saw a burly, bald man standing before the Wangling Sect camp, though he couldn’t tell when he had appeared.

Their gazes met across the distance.

Wu Guangtian let out a cold snort and turned away.

A Priest couldn’t help but walk over and ask, ”High Priest, we were on the verge of taking the city... why the sudden retreat?”

Wu Guangtian shook his head helplessly. ”You think I don’t know that?”

”But if we don’t retreat now, I’m afraid Tongming County Town will be in danger.”

Hearing this, the Priest asked, puzzled, ”Why? We have Ling Yun tied down, and the Sect Leader is hunting Zhao Mengtian. No one should be able to threaten Tongming County Town.”

Wu Guangtian sighed. ”But a wildcard has appeared.”

”I just received news.”

”Fang Tai was killed in northern Tongming County.”

The Priest’s face instantly paled with shock. ”Fang Tai may have been arrogant, but he was strong. Who could possibly have killed him?!”

”I don’t know...”

”Let’s return to Tongming County Town first. We can talk more there.”

”I trust the Sect Leader is also on his way back by now,” Wu Guangtian said in a heavy tone.

Only then did the Priest understand the reasoning and asked no more questions.